Hey all,
I guess I just need to vent. I'm pretty upset at events that went on at a lunch with a Dem. Senator. I asked some pointed questions about the war, FISA, torture, etc., and was put-down by someone at my table, who said that they were tired of my "feigned indignation." I kissed the host, and thanked her for inviting me and left, and sat in my car.
I don't know what I should have done, or why I was so upset. You see, this Senator is a friend of a friend, and came for a small dollar fundraiser here. My friend invited about 50 of us to meet the Senator for lunch. I told my friend that I supported the Senator but had questions about his/her votes for war funding, FISA and the Move-On protest. And I paid my $100 gladly for the lunch.
My hostess encouraged me to ask the tough questions, at question time. So I asked the Senator why the Dems kept voting for bad bills, and giving up after the good ones (Webb Amendment and Feingold Amendments to war funding) were filibustered or voted down. Dems are actually a majority, why let a bad bill come up for vote, when the Repubs won't let good amendments come up for vote?
Why vote to extend FISA for 6 months? Why have "hearings" on Blackwater or torture if the Administration tells its members not to show up for subpoenas?
At this point, the man next to me says "come on, we're tired of your feigned indignation." I told him it wasn't feigned indignation. And then I didn't want to make a scene, so I kissed my hostess, thanked her from inviting me and left, and sat in my car for a long time.
I really wish I had a bunch of Kossacks there with me, to have my back.
Update: I just got a call from my friend the hostess. She was horrified to hear the comment her friend made to me, and apologized profusely. She took him to task for it, when she found out what he had said from others at the table. The Senator passed on that she / he was happy to hear my comments and will work to end the war.
Apparently, several people at the lunch did have my back, and told the hostess they were happy that I asked the tough questions.
And of course, all you great Kossacks, have lifted my spirits. Thanks!