Before I get to the substance of this diary--the midnight hour, I need to give you an update about rape in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
There were numerous questions about how you could help or contribute. I've received an email from the CEO of the humanitarian organization, International Medical Corps. She writes as follows:
Coincidentally, International Medical Corps has been working in DRC since the late-‘90s – and we work closely with Dr. Denis Mukwege on training other doctors around the country to help treat women and young girls who have suffered sexual violence. In addition, we have established programs to get these women back on their feet so they can begin to resume their lives. Here is an article about our efforts in that regard:
http://www.imcworldwide.org/...
I notice some of your readers have inquired about ways they might help. If you like, please feel free to let them know about IMC's efforts in assisting the people of DRC.
I know Nancy Aossey, the CEO of the International Medical Corps she is a selfless humanitarian. If you're so inclined, this organization is doing God's work around the world.
Returning to The Midnight Hour
Political tempers are in overdrive.
The article about the torture and rape of women, girls and yes, dear friends, children in the Congo exacted a toll on me and I'm sure on you, as well.
Then Raybin had a horrifying diary about the brutalization of mountain gorillas. I suppose if you can't find a woman or child to rape and torture you kill the next closest species.
Which in some sort of imprecise way, brings me to the point of this diary. Since everyone is seething, if you'll allow me, I'd like to pick up on an excellent point made the other day by DHinMI.
This was the piece of his message that resonated with me.
I don't have kids, but I'm at one of those moments where if I had kids and they were acting the way the Clinton/Edwards/Obama* people are acting, I'd send them all to their rooms and tell them I don't want to hear a peep from any of them for the rest of the day.
At the time, I didn't even know why I found these simple words so compelling. But in the days that followed, I kept thinking about what he said. Frankly I don't know whether DHinMI posted his diary before the SCHIP veto or after. But his position was clear. This SCHIP catastrophe would not have happened had Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Bill Richardson, Chris Dodd, Dennis Kucinich, or forgive me whomever I'm leaving out, been sitting in the White House. This was DiHinMI's message to me.
I'd like to convey one idea. Could y'all recognize one fact? The world, the human race civilization is collapsing at our feet, as DHinMI said, "We don't have a Joementum in the field this time, someone who is supposedly a legitimate candidate who would be a horrible president. And they're all far better than anyone the Republicans will nominate."
The list of global, not just American catastrophes is frankly way beyond my pay grade to comprehend, and way beyond my ability to discuss in any cogent way. Shall we talk about how the next president will put her/his finger into a dike to stop the global flooding (no pun intended)? Well this is the God awful legacy of eight years of Bush.
Our planet is on life support. Our country is on life support.
I'm not particularly sophisticated when it comes to electoral politics. If you want a much more developed and critical look at ways to improve our Democratic process, I recommend Matt Stoller's excellent analyis, The Broken Market for Democratic Primaries.
Turning for a moment to a day which cannot come soon enough--election day. For better or worse, this is how I vote. This is what electoral politics is all about for me. I march into my polling booth, draw the curtain, and feel overwhelmed with emotion. I stand in awe that our system has survived, a system that we take for granted. Or certainly we took for granted until it shattered like fragile crystal in 2000. I remind myself that people have fought and died for the right to vote--an act that I undertake as if it is my birthright. It isn't.
Then, some of you may think that the next thing I do is very silly. I stop thinking. I look at the top of the column and search for the word DEMOCRATIC or DEMOCRAT and I pull the levers. This is my duty. This is my proud history. This is the cherished tradition of my family for six, seven or eight decades.
We are Democrats. We are part of the Democratic Family. Most Democrats are great patriots. Now of course, like all families, we have a few bad apples (and we need to get rid of them), but mostly I am proud and honored to be a part of this family. Yes, we get really angry when our family members don't live up to our expectations. But they remain our family. It's a disservice to our family to confuse them with with the enemy.
There are real enemies of the people in this country but for the most part, you cannot find them within the Democratic family, save for a few exceptions. Remember again DiHinMI's words.
This is the enemy.
This is not the enemy. Nor is this.
This is also not the enemy.
Or this. Or this.
You see, dear Kossacks, there is an even more urgent issue, I believe our America's time has all but run out. We're at the midnight hour.
America, the nation I no longer recognize as my home, must elect a Democratic president in 2008. I tell you again, we're at the end of the road. If you need to imagine only one sacred American institution in mortal peril, it is The Supreme Court. So for the sake of all that is holy, for your children, your grandchildren you and I, must embrace one cause. And it is to retire as many repuglicans, by whatever means necessary on election day 2008. Failure is not an option.
I recognize, this sentiment may be far too simple for many of you, but for me, it keeps me sane and moving forward. I've said it before, any almost any Democrat over any repuglican, any day.
And once you've finished vomiting after the repug debate tomorrow, hold your head high and think again about all our angels Democrats.