So, last night I was reading through the comments in my latest diary and I realized that here at DKos we talk about about important issues but, no one really knows each other - which I guess is how the blogosphere works.
Ok, so in I/P the same cast of characters go at it day after day and spend all this time on-line together yet in some cases people who would agree on 100 million things can't get along on this issue AND see each other as cartoon characters on the other side of a conflict.
So... I decided we should explore common ground. Let's see what different people like in an effort to find common ground aside from a supposed agreement on progressive politics - which none of us would agree too most of the time.
Follow me beyond the flip for some serious kumbaya
Kumbaya my lord, Kumbaya............
Yesterday I saw a diary talking about the sixties in terms of music and it talked about what is "real". I really felt that I could connect to that diary. There was a non-glossy character to the music and art movements that I have been pulled too (mostly music) -
Then while going through the comments in my latest diary - I just realized I know nothing about the people I spend hours conversing with on-line. However, it was a personal diary on the I/P issue written by someone I consider a friend (now) that blew me away and started me on a major change of attitude towards this most toxic of conflicts. I could see the humanity that this person exhibited in taking daring stands on controversial positions.
Then we got treated to soysauces' personal experiences at a check-point. A well written piece that showed her personality and desire to avoid rhetoric and hyperbole. And then last night I started thinking if we could all see the other side as just people then we could begin to deal with each other respectfully and with humanity. Plus some good snark always helps to heal wounds..........
So I will start the ball-rolling and toss basic threads around in brief form:
- Favorite Movie - Apocalypse Now redux or Syriana (serious), Either Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure or Monty Python Life of Brian and Holy Grail with about fifty others coming in close second..........
- Favorite Music - depends on the day - sometimes the Dead or Phish, somedays The Who or Zepplin. Now sort of post modern groove - like Beck and occasionally Punk / Progressive - Television, Johnny Thunders, The Dictators, Talking Heads - of course a drop into Bowie, Adrian Belew, Old Roxie Music - AND ALWAYS Late sixties early seventies Beatles, Hendrix, Cream, Doors etc......All time favorite song lyrics-wise: Gang of Four I love a man in a uniform - completely political.
To have ambition was my ambition
But I had nothing to show for my dreams
Time with my Girl I spent it well
you must be joking oh man you must be joking
The good life was so elusive, handouts had got me down.
I had to re-gain my confidence
so I got into camouflage
the girls they love to see you shoot
- Books - Hunter S. Thompson, Terry Pratchett, Political books (Franken, Michael Oren that sort of thing. And contemporary fiction: Downtown Owl and the like.
- T.V. - try not to watch but when I do - The New B-Star Galactica was ablsolutely my fav. but close behind it - Entourage, The Wire, The Sopranos, Countdown with Keith, Rachel Maddow Show, the NBA Playoffs, March Madness, SF 'Niners Football, AND ANY AND ALL VOLLEYBALL MATCHES ever televised.
- Art - modern and Post-modern
- Politics - Solidly behind President Obama with the following exceptions (but, I am willing to support the President in lieu of what the jackass Republicans and Blue Dogs stand for).... I don't like that he won't try Dick Cheney and Karl Rove for their massive crimes against the American people, that he gave the telecomms immunity for cooperating in spying on us and a few other things. But... he still rocks as my favorite President and I have been voting for 29 years.
I think Sports are the future and I think the Greeks had the Absolute right idea regarding Sport and Politics. Stop fighting and compete against each other in sport instead.... I get a lot of my ideas from having played team sports through the collegiate level (Rugby and Volleyball - good combo - eh?)
More than that I think people are generally pretty good and I believe the more we see each other as humans and not as hostile presences we might actually as a species survive. The Republicans with their blanket hate and "back to the future mantra" scare me for their sheer idiocy but... I know some very cool Republicans so go figure.
From an old Sat. Night Live (I think) - GET TO KNOW ME! and I would say to those I spend all this time with - what are you all about? DKos come for the politics - stay for the community!!!!
FOR A REALLY COOL PERSPECTIVE GO TO UNSPEAKABLE'S DIARY ON HIS TRIP TO PALESTINE.