Lately, I wonder.
I'm a Democrat who sometimes disagrees with Obama, but I support him strongly. I try to keep my disagreement respectful, but sometimes I do disagree. But which "camp" do I fall into? If you look at the diaries at the top of the list, none of them seem to fit me.
I don't always agree with Keith Olbermann, but I keep that disagreement respectful, because I support him very strongly. His voice kept me sane during the Bush years, and I still very much enjoy Countdown.
So where do I fit? Do I fit in here?
When did nuance die? I missed the memorial service, I guess.
I'm here because I want to see more and better Democrats in office. I hope for, I push for, I fight for "better", but sometimes I know that "okay" is the best I'm going to get, because not all my neighbors are Democrats. Some of them are Tea Partiers, some are Republicans, and darn it - they just refuse to vote for the people I want. So yeah - sometimes "okay" has to be "okay".
So does that make me a quitter, even though I'm fighting hard? Does that make me an idiot, because I realize that sometimes I can't have what I want, but I'll fight for the closest thing to it?
Where do I fit?
I read in another diary this morning that someone thinks one camp here pushed Keith Olbermann away. Honestly, I think what pushed him away is the fact that we ARE in camps. Like armies fighting over a patch of damned dirt.
And one quick note when it comes to Keith Olbermann... I have watched his show for a very long time. I still remember how mesmerized I was when I watched that first Special Comment. I was thrilled when he worked hard and got Rachel Maddow on MSNBC, so I'm still confused by those who seem to think that we have to choose between the two of them. What, we can't have TWO good people in our lives? Why the hell not?
I didn't agree with Keith's take on the President's speech, but I wasn't angry with Keith - nor did I stop watching. Good lord - if we throw out everyone we disagree with, after a while it gets REALLY lonely. Nuance, people!!
You know, it seems ridiculous to me that we, here, can't discuss the issues without throwing stones at each other. Is that really necessary? Is it?? We're the grown-up party, remember? The Tea Party and the GOP are eating each other alive... do we need to join them? I don't think so.
And I know this is dangerous to say, but I'm going to say it anyway. But please - READ ALL THE WAY THROUGH BEFORE YOU FLAME ME.
Yes, there are agent provocateurs here. Not the Obama supporters. Not those who are unhappy or disappointed with President Obama. It is a third group, and they are extremely happy at the damage they have caused.
Don't get me wrong - I know we're going to argue, debate, discuss, and sometimes fight anyway. But when you see someone come in who has been on Daily Kos for maybe a week, and they intentionally pick fights, stir up shit, and pit people against each other - yeah. They're not Democrats. I'm not talking about those of us who have been here for a long time, who have written substantive diaries and comments... and who have fought for the Democratic Party on both sides of this divide... I'm talking about those like the nitwit who came into a diary last night and admitted to having 13 user ids, just so he/she could stir up shit.
And yes, they have power. When was the last time you heard someone say something like "Oh, that Joe guy - he's such a creep. He did terrible things to Fred"... and you thought to yourself "Hmmm... Joe IS kind of creepy"? It HAPPENS and it happens to all of us. We hear things, and if we hear them enough, they affect us. The big lie, told over and over and over again... is very effective. Propaganda sticks like fucking glue, and we need to be aware of that.
So who do we help when we fight like this? It sure ain't our side of the aisle - and by that, I mean DEMOCRATS. Because that's supposed to be what we're working for, isn't it?? More and better Democrats?
And how does dividing the site into two screaming camps accomplish that?
I'm going to say it again.
I don't always agree with the President, but I support him. I don't always agree with Keith Olbermann, but I watch his show and enjoy it immensely.
I don't always agree with YOU - but I don't dislike any of you, with the possible exception of those who are here ONLY to disrupt. And again - if you don't know who I'm talking about, read my earlier paragraph. Slinkerwink is not a troll. Blackwaterdog is not a troll. I disagree with both of them on many occasions, but I also agree with them sometimes, and they both do good work. Why did I mention them? Because I like both of them, and I hate to see them shoved into a wall and labeled.
And I do not want to be labeled.
Said this once, a long time ago... I am a human being, an American, and a Democrat. In that order.
If this is the world you want, go for it.
No nuance, no shades of gray, no color... everyone fits neatly into a slot, and can therefore be liked or dismissed accordingly.
Sorry - I don't fit into the black or white of it. I prefer THIS world.
Give me nuance, and shades of gray. Hell, give me COLOR. Give me a chance to say what I feel without trying to stuff me into a damned box. I don't like being stuffed into ANYTHING.
So tell me this - who, here, is with me? Who wants to climb out of the tiny suffocating little boxes and just discuss the issues like adults? Who wants to elect more and better Democrats?
Do I have the right to disagree with this President? Do I have the right to support him when I choose? Do I have the right to disagree or support Keith Olbermann, Slinkerwink, blackwaterdog, or anyone else I choose?
Or do we live in the world of that first picture, where everything is black and white, and makes no fucking sense at all?
You tell me.