Nah I grew up black in America. Its the ultimate way to realize we live in a fucked up racist classist sexist imperialist corporatocracy where the masses are controlled by the MSM and 30 second tainted news bites and bullshit fanaticism passing itself off as patriotism.

I actually just try to overlook most of that and appreciate the good within people. It makes things a lot nicer.

You, Morghan, are probably the one good thing that George W. Bush has done for America. He woke you (and many others) up. His dismal presidency motivated you to pay attention and get involved.

But I do agree that paying attention can often be depressing. My advice to you - Try to step back; to do your best to keep things in perspective, especially when it comes to the insanity of a presidential election. Trivial events are so often whipped up to be much more than they are by the media and the easily alarmed. Nearly all of these distractions never amount to anything of consequence.

Elections are extremely important, but empty political rhetoric rarely is.

And remember who you support. The man has made it abundantly clear that he can handle himself.

On the subject of "tuning out", I feel it's important to keep in mind that most folks aren't obsessing on this election the way we are. :)

So, for the past three years, I've been listening and watching and learning about how our country is responsible for torturing people, responsible for the deaths of thousands of Americans and Iraqis, responsible for millions of displaced civilians in Iraq.

Listening and watching. Here's an idea: try turning off the television, the radio, and closing the newspapers, the magazines. Read a book. You could read a history of the Middle East, or of Iraq, or of Lebanon, or of the Iran-Iraq War. You could read a history of politics in the United States, or of politics in other countries such as England or France. You could read a work on public policy, such as an examination of health care, or of education, or of infrastructure, or of the military. You could also volunteer your time or money to an organization that opposes the very things that you lament.

Sure it is depressing. It is ridiculous. It is frustrating. Moreover it is wonderful that young people like yourself are involved. Like you, when I was young, I ignored politics. I did not get involved until 911.

One thing that Barack wants to change is this BS type of politics. It is destructive and ugly. I think most probably feel like you do. I do, but I try not to let it get to me.

As a suggestion I recommend writing to the media. Write to your newspapers, TV news, et al. Let them know you are disgusted, but of course be polite. That is one way to channel your energy.

Take a break from the TV ... and internet -- get outside, get away from the "noise." It helps.

All of us burn-out from the distractions. When you feel this way just take a break. It is vital for keeping one's sanity. ;)

I like visualizing Obama and Michelle on inauguration day. Sounds silly, but visualization is powerful.

One last thought. If you want volunteer to work on Obama's campaign go to his web site to find others in your area. Whether organizing for the general election or making phone calls to voters in other states or just talking to other like-minded people will help.

Unfortunately this may get worse before it gets better.

Don't give up.

Hang in there. We need you. *S*

Thank You for all you do.

Can I please get some practical advice across to people? Y'all think this is bad, you should have been around in '04.

Look - honestly, please listen to me - if you are getting overly upset and depressed about the election GET OFFLINE FOR AWHILE.

I'm dead serious about this - this is an echo chamber with very little relation to what is actually going on in real time and real space. If you find yourself getting too caught up in what is said here, get offline for awhile.

It's a sickness that people who spend too much time on blog comments boards are prone to. I'm so not kidding.