For my 1st diary entry, I'm cross-posting my blog entry following Eric Massa's Beck appearance. Bear in mind that unlike most people who have an opinion on the Massa mess, I actually live and vote in NY-29. So I've got a very personal perspective on it.
Thanks for reading, and glad to finally get going at DailyKos!
Cara
I tried to warn him. I made calls. I sent notes. Nothing good could come of a public sputter-fest from Eric Massa. When I learned yesterday that he planned a series of appearances today, starting with Glenn Beck, I was horrified at the damage that he could do to very things I and my family voted for him to push for. I deplored the sheer waste of energy to be used up by bickering among Democrats at a time when what we need most is focus and clarity of message. After the first show, what bothers me most now is the sheer human pathos of what we witnessed today. The Beck show appearance was a tragicomedy as Massa threw wild punches at the air, and Beck desperately begged for a single scrap of kindling upon which to build Rahm Emmanuel’s political funeral pyre. He got no, ahem, wood.
How sad that a man with a family and a once respected military and political career has become a sad footnote in Rochester’s political history, and will by November be completely forgotten nationally. That guy who had the meltdown. His House colleague, my zip code’s other Rep, and my hometown neighbor Rep Louise Slaughter made a statement today that sums it up best for me: "I think he seriously needs help and I hope he gets it," followed by "I’ve never seen so much self-destruction in such a hurry." (via Roll Call)
I do hope Eric Massa gets the help he needs. Meanwhile, the people of the 29th District of New York have no representation in the US House of Representatives, even as my co-worker sends her son off to fight next week in Afghanistan. Even as the Health Care Reform that I so much want to see passed comes before the Congress to, hopefully, cross the finish line. I do have some comfort that the strong and inspiring Louise Slaughter, and my Senators Charles Schumer and Kristen Gillibrand will stand up for the people of New York during this time. I wish I could say Governor Spitzer, err I mean Paterson, err... maybe someone else by next week... will call a special election and get the seat filled, but I won’t be holding my breath.
I’m moving on. There are important battles coming up on behalf of American families. For jobs. For health care. For justice and the rule of law. Those fights are before us now. Drive on