« previous | TPM CAFÉ READER POSTS HOME | next »
If It's All Over But The Shouting...
Then stop shouting.
This is, in a sense, meant to be a chastisement of Barack Obama supporters from one of your own.
Energies not focused on providing rational answers to issues, energies used to create witty one-liners and acerbic barbs to those who have (and will, mind you) support Hillary until she ends her bid (and for some even beyond), energies wasted on scandalizing, accusing, denouncing, projecting are now damaging your current credibility and your candidate's chances of using rational rhetoric to convince voters that he is the person best fit to manage the United States and operate government at its most efficient and beneficial.
First, the frequency of blog post comments which thoughtfully allow me to consider an alternative perspective than my own is dropping due to inane (and crappy, quality-wise) ad hominem attacks on supporters of either Hillary Clinton OR John McCain. So what if they have been vitriolic in the past? So what if you feel like their ideas are deluded and they refuse to be persuaded to even acknowledge that what you have to say has credence?
Allowing your personal feelings to get in the way of discussion on a site devoted to rational political discourse does a disservice to yourself, to the candidate you're supporting and his campaign, to those of us who have to read your sophomoric insults, and to the people you're insulting. Instead of discussing the Why's and How's, we're stuck listening to you yell about the What's and When's. Luckily, the What's and When's are facts, and history proves that people who ignore facts hurt themselves. This doesn't give you any freedom to ignore facts either, there've been plenty of pro-Clinton facts which have been ignored over the last six months worth of posting because they've been shouted down by idiotic Obama supporters too, you know.
This time and energy will be much better spent when tomorrow, you sacrifice your TPM ranting time and write a letter to Barack's campaign, telling him what you expect of him if he were to be elected, telling him what you expect his conduct to be in regards to a November campaign if he is to get that far, and what you, as a person and somebody who he will (hopefully) be working for, want from an executive officer of the United States government. It will be much better spent when you sit down with a newspaper and a friend and talk about how you can be involved in the process of a better system of government, whether that's in your hometown, in DC, in Kentucky, in California, wherever. Not just volunteering for a campaign to get someone elected who you believe will change things, but how you can actually change things tomorrow. It will be much better spent when you sit down and listen to the complaints that you've so far deemed irrational and rather than reject what you don't believe to be true, attempt to find the motive of that person for stating what they've stated and going about looking for the kernel of truth that exists in all criticism, even if the criticism is only intended to be wholly disruptive.
Don't just give your $25 and volunteer at a phone bank, post on the internet, and have a handy opinion to watch CNN with. Go out and do something, for the love of Pete.












Comments (7)
Obviously for those of you who've been engaged in rational discourse, this post ain't for ya. I probably should have put that in there just in case you were wondering if I put all Obama TPMers in one category.
I don't. Carry on the good work to those of you who don't suck, and to those of you who do, well now, you know how I feel.
June 2, 2008 4:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Get in line behind Ben. He's taken over the pulpit today.
June 2, 2008 4:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
I've been behaving myself all late afternoon. You can click on my username and read all of my comments, and see how ashamed I am of my actions over the weekend.
I sincerely apologize, even to Lalo and Otto, et.al. for driving by their drive-by's with inane comments. I apologize for the Hat's Off post.
I just want this primary to end gracefully, graciously and as peacefully as possible.
Turning over a new leaf (which means I won't be inane anymore -- if I can help it -- and which means I will no longer demand Lalo's hat), I remain, your fellow Democrat (new yes, but proud all the same),
Lis
June 2, 2008 8:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah. Great timing, very convenient.
June 2, 2008 10:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
Lalo, you so need a hug from a fellow Democrat, it just ain't funny.
Peace,
Lis
June 2, 2008 11:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks.
June 3, 2008 10:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
Time for forgiveness all around. Our one & only goal is winning in November. Let the unity begin!
June 3, 2008 3:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Post a Comment