Back in the early '90s, when Bush the Elder was President, he uttered the infamous phrase, in response to sagging economic policies and poll numbers, "Message: We care."
I reflected on that phrase this morning seeing the numerous diaries, thoughts, and prayers with regard to fellow Kossack Buffy Orpington. What struck me is that, indeed, this community as whole, as well those of us wearing similar political stripes, do indeed care .
And it goes deeper than merely taking care of one of our own.
I've had my own experience with this community in terms of advice and rough times. Approximately one year ago, I was going through hell in a new job. I posted on this blog asking people what I should do, because I felt I was sprialing into depression.
This community gave me invaluable advice as to what to do about my situation at a time when I needed confirmation of my worth.
At another time, a time I decided to run for office, this community rallied around my campaign and helped out financially and spiritually. It was a great lift.
So today, I can't help but thinking that we need to let people know, over and over, that political blogs are not merely screeching, hate-filled screeds that have no worth. Because that's simply not the case.
Message: We care.
And "we care" not because it's going to score us political points, a la President George Bush I.
We care because it's who we are at our core.
We care about the state of our nation.
We care about the needless deaths in Iraq.
We care about those who suffered because of Hurricane Katrina.
We care about the corruption and destruction of our politics, reaching new lows every day.
We care about our relations with not only ourselves, but our fellow Americans, and our fellow friends accross the globe.
We care about our air, our water, and our land -- because we know it's not merely "ours", it's everyone's.
We care about our political party, to make sure it stands for the values we care about.
We care because that's who we are.
We care.
We care.
We care.
So to those who might not want to visit here, who think we are merely denziens of partisanship willing to tear down all who don't subscribe to some perceived "groupthink", who think we are anti-American, who think we want to destroy a way of life, I have this simple message:
We care.
Come and check us out. You might be pleasantly surprised.
I know I am.