Was just hit by a wave of sadness and dispair

[SeattleGirl]

I've been feeling really good lately, mostly because of what's been going on in Texas, and by extension, around the country. But just now, listening to Randi talking about Iraq and the crappy way our military is treated, how this country has become so corporatized, the outing/trashing/firing of all the people who have dared to disagree with *, John Bolton trashing the UN, etc., I suddenly felt so sad and helpless and hopeless. I'm sure this feeling will go away, and I'll again feel the hopeFULLness I've been feeling lately, but damn, right now I'm in a hole.

Just had to get that off my chest.

[Double T]

1. The NEOCONS are in the self destruct mode........

they're going to make their own replacement less difficult.

[tsuki]

5. The CONSERVATIVES are in the self destruct mode... eom

[Neocondriac]

2. get involved.............

.......find a candidate or cause you can get behind to make a difference.No offense but, Reps maybe "Chickenhawks"...too many Dems are "Chicken Littles"

[SeattleGirl]

3. I am involved in various things

and like I said, generally I've been feeling pretty good lately, and do think the tide is turning, but you know, sometimes it still gets to me, all the craziness that's going on in this country.

And, I agree -- too many Dems ARE "Chicken Littles" (I like that term).

[Gary173]

4. Absent Warrior

I sit back, I read DU and Daily Kos. I read Rawstory, I read Huffington. I watch and listen as a band of unholy angels take complete control of my country. Occasionally I interject a comment or two to a specific topic. I do nothing to take back my country.
It has not always been that way. I gladly went to Vietnam in 1967. I was nineteen. I was educated but stupid. I had to search my globe to find out where Vietnam was located in this great big world. It was great big then, not so big now.
My desire to be knowledgeable truly began while I was lying in a hospital bed in Okinawa unable to walk. The decision was made during the month of April 1968. I was wounded on April 2, 1968. Martin Luther King was assassinated April 4, 1968. I knew nothing of that historical moment until April 23, 1968 due to medication. My first exposure was second hand news reports of rioting, weeping African Americans, and poorly represented excuses as to why some one would take the life of a man dedicated to goodness and peace.
I spent four and one half months getting patched together. I returned to active duty and during that period of time I started participating in antiwar demonstrations even though I was a soldier. I felt good about myself protesting something I knew about first hand. We, in the streets of America, took control long enough to make a difference. We quit. They have it back. I do nothing.
I know about Iraq since my son spent fourteen months there and we talk soldier to soldier, old veteran to new veteran. He speaks the truth to me. The soldiers sent out to die know the truth. I am ashamed. I do nothing.

[Neocondriac]

7. Gary...

...You're a few years older than I. I do know how you feel. We get to a certain age, station in life and we feel as though the college kids today are complict and lazy and why aren't they seeing the slide to Fascism??????. The adage of "in my day" is such total shit. This is our day. We have the experience to show those who cannot see how easily preciuos parts of our society are being stripped away.Take to the streets again my friend, it is our true duty.

[Gary173]

12. Yesterday was for America

Today is for the world to unite for the freedoms they feel are due them. Not all peoples have the same desires, yet they all are deserve the liberty that satisfies them. Religion is not a part of what earthlings should consider a freedom. Too many leaders on this planet are using that aspect of life to rule others. Maybe when the people oppressed realize religion is their choice, whatever it might be, to live by and not to judge others by there can be peace and sharing among nations. Until then the fanatics shall be ruled by the greedy and the greedy shall rule all, even if by force. I agree fully it is our duty to stand up to those who would lead the sheep to slaughter, however if we can convince the sheep they ARE sheep it would be a simple task.

[fooj]

8. Welcome to DU!

Just sharing how you feel IS DOING SOMETHING! It makes many feel that they are not alone. Either are you.:hi:

Peace.

[SeattleGirl]

10. Exactly.

Gary, as I read your post, I was thinking, you have ALREADY done alot, through your service, your protesting, and also by being able to speak vet to vet with your son (glad he is back, by the way). Maybe you have earned the right to take a rest, to read and occasionally post. And maybe it is time now for a new group of people to take the lead in the parade. Please stay well, and thanks again for your post. It was very moving.

:loveya:

[fooj]

6. It's normal to have these momentary feelings of sadness, SeattleGirl!

We are living in some tough times. This might help.

When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time they may seem invincible, but in the end they always fall. Think of it~always.- M. Gandhi

Peace.

[SeattleGirl]

9. Thanks fooj

Truth and love always win, and I know that, but you're right, sometimes the lies and hate kind of get to me.

:hug:

[fooj]

11. Me, too honey. Me, too.

:hi:

[FreedomAngel82]

17. And I believe that's true as well

I remember at Al Gore's "Current" network site there was a video of the Challenge to America or something like that and in the script of the video it mentions how we have history on our side. In the past the truth always comes out and succeeds. It looks like a dark and dreary time but I have faith. Look at Bush's poll raitings. Look at the people at Camp Casey and how many showed up! Look at what has been done in this short amount of time! Remember, whether it appears to be or not, we are the majority. We have history on our side. We have John Kennedy. FDR. Martin Luther King junior. Robert Kennedy. So many wonderful people who have stud up for what is right. I'm sure when they were going through their dark times they lost hope too, but you have to keep fighting. You have to keep educating people. They may have control now but we have the rule of law and the truth on our side and that always does win. Look at Nixon. Iran/Contra. I believe it'll happen and probably happen when we're least expecting it to and from the person we least expect it to come from.

[Independent_Liberal]

13. I've been feeling that way lately...

I've been having ups and downs. Most of the time I'm very happy and optimistic. Other times I feel really down. I usually feel better when I put things in perspective. I figure, if I act now, I can change the future. Pulling yourself together and doing something is better than sitting around worrying.

[SeattleGirl]

14. It sure is.

That's why I do things -- sometimes it's via "the Internets" such as signing petitions, etc., and that does make me feel good, because I'm adding my voice to others. One of the proudest moments I've had is when I saw the pictures of John Conyers delivering the petition with over 500,000 signatures on it to the White House -- my name was among the 500,000 and I was really proud. I love my country, and while singing the petition was a rather small act, I was using my voice to help speak out. Fortunately, the times of dispair are getting fewer and fewer, but man, this one today just hit particularly hard.

[Independent_Liberal]

15. Signing petitions is a lot of fun...

I do it all the time. I love being an internet activist. One thing I try to do is not get caught up in one particular activity for too long. If I do, I get really depressed. That's why I need to focus on different things frequently. You probably know what I'm talking about.

[FreedomAngel82]

18. I agree

We all go through that which is why I'm really glad that we have the internet. We have DU, blogs and instant messengers. We can commute with people and get the truth out there. That's why I'm come to DU to remind myself of everything. Thank God for Al Gore and the internet! ;)

[FreedomAngel82]

16. I know how you feel

All of this and now New Orleans. *sigh*