I despise George W. Bush.
I don't need to explain why, the plethora of reasons to loathe Bush are discussed at great length on these pages every single day.
And therein lies the problem... is that all we've got?
Don't get me wrong, I am frothing at the mouth to see Bush humiliated before the entire world, just as much as any other rabid dKos liberal. I want to see Dennis Hastert and Bill Frist flogged with feeding tubes in the Capitol rotunda. I want to see Donald Rumsfeld and Dick Cheney imprisoned at Abu Ghraib and forced to form the foundation of a pyramid of naked neo-cons. I want to see a host of angels descend from the heavens and place James Dobson, Jerrry Falwell and Pat Robertson on trial for crimes against humanity.
But is that everything I am? Does my hatred define me? Am I so consumed with disgust and revulsion for this vile crew that I have become devoid of hope or optimism?
And what about the rest of us? Have we become a party of soulless cynics and whiners drowning in our own cacophony of pessimism and condemnation?
I certainly hope not... but it sure feels that way sometimes.
Let me show you something. Below are examples of how, as a community, we responded to the devastation that was Hurricane Katrina. They are lists of the top ten high-impact diaries for the dates 8/30 through 9/2 as compiled by
Jotter.
High Impact Diaries for August 31, 2005
Lake New Orleans is Bush's Fault & I Can Prove It (Research Material)
Somebody Wake The Dead
Dear Mr. President - an actual letter I sent to POTUS today.
If New Orleans goes, so does history...
Blew Holes: Why Levees Break
Gambled and lost. Bush is responsible.
It Was the Oil Stupid
NYT Editorial Page UNLOADS on Bush - A Must Read
Class Revolt Brewing in Mississippi
Worst. President. Ever.
High Impact Diaries for September 1, 2005
Olbermann, Limbaugh, Sharpton and the GOP Mindset
If We Had a Real President
Katrina - Editorial assessments are NOT kind.
BREAKING: FEMA to rescuer workers: Pay for your own gas!
I have just received word from officers on Fort Rucker
The end of conservatism as we know it?
On the Frontline in the French Quarters-A Doctor's View
Did Bush really say this...
Katrina - a survey of the economic and geopolitical impact
Four or Five Days until Water, Food Delivered?
High Impact Diaries for September 2, 2005
RIP, GOP (An Exhortation)
TRANSCRIPT of mayor's damning interview
BREAKING: Louisiana sent letter begging Bush for help on 28th
Arrest this kid? He deserves a medal!!!
Where is the Red Cross? Ask Homeland Security.
FEMA director Mike Brown, a "total fucking disaster"
New Orleans is burning
Searching for that elusive moment of accountability
Oh NO She Didn't
DHS will not "confirm" Red Cross story.
Now I love a good, old-fashioned Bush-bashing. I want to see that f*#@ing asswipe burn in eternal damnation for his utter lack of leadership in dealing with Katrina. His administration's reprehensible response to this national catastrophe has been another in a seemingly endless string of international embarrassments and I, like the rest of us, demand accountability!
But look at the majority of our diaries. I'm not saying they don't provide extremely valuable information. I'm not saying they are without merit. I'm not saying they aren't insightful, necessary and well-written, many are profoundly necessary and well-written. But look at the overall tone and subject matter.
Where were our calls for help? Where were the diaries soliciting donations for humanitarian aid organizations? Where were the diaries written by authors whose sole intent was in providing swift disaster relief to the survivors? Where were the diaries listing the resources available to help reunite separated and lost loved ones? Where were our calls for sacrifice and compassion? Aren't we supposed to be the peacemakers and humanitarians? What does all this say about our community and it's priorities? I don't pretend to have the answers.
And hey, I'm to blame as well! I also published a photo diary snidely critical of Bush in those first days after Katrina hit. I'm not trying to be self-righteous here.
Now I know we have it within us. I have read many posts in diary commentary over the past several days about how we've responded as individuals to this disaster. Posts that have illustrated the goodness within all of us. Descriptions of how we've taken the initiative to volunteer with rescue efforts. Tales of how we've contributed thousands upon thousands of dollars to charity organizations. Lengthy posts of how we've met the challenge of providing for those in need. But those were individual efforts. I'm talking about our response as a community, the part the world sees and forms an opinion on. The diaries and editorials devoted to those efforts, not a by-product of rants. Anyone browsing the headlines on the dKos home page over the past few days and months is probably in a mental health facility suffering from deep, hopeless, manic depression.
Think about your family or friends. Who would you rather spend time with at get-togethers? The grumpy old uncle who drones on about his litany of grievances against society, or with the young niece who is full of hope and fresh optimism about the possibilities for the future?
Easy choice.
Now think about work. Would you rather hang with the back-stabbing, ambitious counterpart who is constantly criticizing and assigning blame to his/her co-workers, or with the thoughtful associate who always has a kind comment and is quick to lend a hand?
It's a no-brainer.
Now think about the American electorate...
Its not just our response to Katrina that has made me feel this way. Its truly become a constant in our reaction to almost everything these days. Now I truly believe that as the minority party we must mount a strong and robust opposition to the GOP's wingnut fascists. I'm not calling for an end to vigorous protest and criticism, I just want it tempered with a little vision and optimism. I want to see us rise to the challenge, to offer hope for the future, to design and present a plan that sets us apart from our adversaries, and provides for the betterment of our nation and society as a whole. I, like the rest of our populace, want to be uplifted.
...and I sound like a f*#@ing Republican. Shit!
I don't know... I think we have a little soul-searching to do.