I'm losing hope for this nation.

[Ladyhawk]

I'm too sick to do much and it pisses me off. The few things I do seem so ineffectual.

I feel almost certain that the Republicans will steal the next election because no one in power seems to be saying much about the goddamn voting machines.

My instincts are telling me to check out and live while I can. I can't bear the weight of this knowledge.

I've been editing my "hosts" file, blocking then unblocking access to DU. It's the only way I can stay connected to what is going on, but the naked hostility (flame wars) and bad news both get to me.

I can barely, barely make ends meet and I can't quite take care of myself. I just want to put my head in the sand until the end comes, whatever end it may be. My conscience tells me to fight, but I can't muster the energy to get out of bed sometimes, let alone fight the Bush Regime, my family, my acquaintances. I can't believe and don't understand their loyalty to this evil, nasty bastard and his cronies. I can't wrap my mind around it.

Fuck.

[Random_Australian]

1. I... would like to say many things; but first, as always,

hugs.... :hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::pals:

There are two further things I can think of:

1) You're freaking right. It's already gone too far.... too many citizens of America will suffer too much pain so soon. The next 20 years are going to be hell. Already I sense that too, that to leave America or to fight now and fight hard is all that you can do to survive, I fear that for you the end will really be the end.

2) I... can see, understand so very much about humankind. I've got to do something and I think I can, if only I can comprehend a little more about the interaction of culture, perception and belief, I can write words to fix things. This isn't hypomania speaking either, I can comprehend so very much. Dammit! I have too little time, the slide has started.

I'll fight, so long as my body supports me. It's not hard at any moment, but the job is so big. The world is wounded.

The only good news: I finally worked out what the initial impetus for normal immoral actions such as theft are. The old repeated learned reward associated with stimulus was only for specific acts, thank goodness.

It's doable but I do not believe that I can have any effect in such time as to help you. I am sorry.

I don't even know you, but I am so moved.
As for what I wish, I wish I could give you better than these cyberhugs. Real hugs. And some flowers. You all deserve flowers.

Here is all that harsh reality allows me.
:hug::hug::pals::hug::pals::hug::hug:

[stepnw1f]

2. I Totally Feel Your Grief

I suffer from clinical depression. I'm also an alcoholic who medicated myself hardcore on the weekends. Now I manage day-by-day but find tolerating certain some situations very difficult. Most say, stay away from the bad news, however the uncertainty of what is going on can be just as nerve-racking. Stay positive as much as possible and vent if need be.

I need to come to this forum much more. I sure as hell could use friends who suffer the same maladies as I. I just wanted to chime in and tell you, that you are not alone.

[Lorien]

3. I do think the snarkiness has gotten worse on DU lately

(the flame wars). But I'm actually feeling a little more hopeful about the country now that BushCo's approval numbers are in the toilet (33%), and the house and senate's are about as bad. They're saying that gas prices will keep getting worse, and while that's bad for people like you or I who live hand to mouth, it's good in that it will help motivate the (very shallow and selfish) American people to get out and vote in November in such numbers that it will be damned hard for them to steal it all again-though they will try.

I've fund that only surrounding myself with liberal friends and acquaintances has helped, too. I've gotten to know my journalist neighbors (one works for NPR, the other for a British news service, so they're nothing like the reporter on Faux) and their co-workers, so they help to keep me sane. You've been stuck with that unenlightened 33% for far too long. If they're were any way to move to a more enlightened town (and that's most of them) I'd say do it!

[stepnw1f]

7. I Am a Bit Hopeful Too

Hello again Lorien. Hope all is well.

[hedgehog]

4. Just a warning/reminder to us all

I'm guessing that a lot of people here have some form of depression. I find that one of my symptoms is a strong reaction to outside events that may be out of proportion. In other words, as bad as it is, it may be made worse because you're viewing things through the lens of depression. If you're in a low cycle, try to remember that things can look entirely different once the cycle plays itself out. I can't move when I hit a low, so I know whereof I speak. Once it lifts, I can do things again and can't figure out just what was so hard about getting things done the week before.

[politicat]

5. {{{{{hug}}}}}}

It feels so frustrating, doesn't it? And being a drop of water in the whole ocean means we feel like we don't do anything.

The flame wars are stupid - we all know that it's much easier to take out hostility on nameless, faceless people who are far away than on people who are actually causing us pain, so the internet serves as a nice big dumping ground for all of the hostility (and as far as I can tell, hostility is on the rise) we generate during the day.

I truly don't understand how people who are so individually nice and thoughtful in person can turn into such intentionally blind, willfully stupid assholes when allowed to deal with other people though the a mediating device (car, cell phone, computer, or letter to the editor).

Maybe we all need to do some more realworlding without access to devices.

[undergroundpanther]

6. Ladyhawke

You are awesome.Regardless of what you think now,you mean alot to me.
I like your posts, I read your stuff,I seek it out. I may not reply alot ,but I look forward to seeing your name. You talk more sense in a single sentence than every snarky post on DU combined.
I wish I could come to see you. I wish I could bring my few friends with me who I know have good hearts. My heart goes out to you ..I wish I could go with it and be by your side as a friend proper should..
And just so you know I hate this world too. I agree It's fucked.Sometimes the only thing that keeps me going on is this sheer hatred of the way things are.
Keeping on ,the keeping on for me is like throwing up my middle fingers at the"powers that be" the world and every perpetrator that exists,every liar and con man and authoritarian fuck head. If I can make myself an irritant and a problem for the bullies in this world and somehow undermine the games they play.. On DU, in Washington DC, next door or anywhere else they are for one more day,I have done my job.
And I find peace this way..through being an instrument of leonine justice when justice fails because too many people are such dumb-asses..

[hedgehog]

8. Hey - check out Underground panther's good news

in the throat thread. It'll make you feel a little better at least!