It's official! I just joined the 700 Club after two years!

[Meldread]

Yes, after two long years here at the Democratic Underground I've finally joined the 700 Club. With this post I cross into that horrible, foreboding threshold, a place where logic and reason begins to unravel. A place where the fanatics and fools roam free, where evil and chaos reign supreme!

Let's hope that I get out of this hellish place soon.

:scared: :scared: :scared: :scared: :scared:

[bigwillq]

1. Um...congrats...

on 700. Here's to 100 more posts to get you to 800!!

A question:

What did you have for dinner?

[Meldread]

6. What did I have for dinner?

Pizza! Fast & Easy.

[bigwillq]

11. I had pizza too!!

Any toppings on yours?

[Meldread]

14. Toppings!

Just Pepperoni!

[bigwillq]

18. I just had cheese

What did you have to wash down that Pepperoni pizza?

[Meldread]

20. Water.

I only drink water.

[JuniperLea]

2. i thought

this was going to be about jim and tammy faye... or jan and whatshisname... and now that i've read it, maybe it is!

:p

[elperromagico]

3. I hope you enjoy your journey from Information to Understanding.

:)

Forty-four.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

4. Don't be afraid...

just post a lot! I'll help by asking you some questions. Feel free to answer each with a seperate post!

Do you live in the US?

Do you think urban dwellers have different values than people who live in rural areas?

How can liberals/progressives best address the threat from the religious right?

[Meldread]

7. Do you live in the US?

Yes!

[Meldread]

10. Diff Values?

Do you think urban dwellers have different values than people who live in rural areas?

Yes, in some cases they do. Although I believe in the vast majority of cases they want many of the same things. For example everyone, regardless of where they live, are concerned about their jobs, health care, education for their children, and their security. A main division between the two is the gun issue.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

17. I agree totally with you there

I grew up in an urban area but now live in the middle of the woods. Guns around here are looked on as a way to bring meat to the table and to protect oneself, not from people, but from bears (you don't shoot them, you shoot in front of them so they run away). I have yet to see a hunter bag a deer using an AK-47 or even a handgun....so I don't know exactly why people get so rabid about wanting to ban assault weapons or curtail the sale of handguns.

One thing you will find is that rural folks firmly believe that people should be trained to use guns before they get them. This could become a starting point for dialog between pro-and anti- gun people, imho.

[Meldread]

19. Two words...

...NRA Propaganda.

That is the answer to the statement: "I don't know exactly why people get so rabid about wanting to ban assault weapons or curtail the sale of handguns."

The NRA is a powerful lobbying group and unfortunately the other side (that would be us) does not have an equivalent group with as much power or influence. The NRA frightens Democratic and Moderate Republican Politicians. If you are from a mostly rural state or district it is believed that you must be pro-Gun and pro-NRA.

Sadly, it doesn't really matter how hard Democrats try to please the NRA, because they are bedfellows with the Republican Party.

I believe Progressive Values can win out over Conservative Values. I believe that many people are Conservative because they are ignorant of true "liberalism". They are saturated with "left leaning Moderates" or fake liberals. At the end of the day TRUE Progressives are looking out for the people, they are doing what is in the best interest of the future of the country and the future of everyone within it.

We believe that everyone in America has an unalienable right to healthcare; Conservatives believe that if you can't afford it then you should get a second job. We believe that you should not have to worry about sending your children to school; Conservatives believe that assault weapons -- weapons of war -- should be in public hands. We believe in workers rights; Conservatives believe in protecting the rights of Corporations who exploit workers. We are different in many other ways, but these are just a few, and yet so many are afraid to stand up and champion these noble and worthy principles.

They are frightened into submission by a hostile media and right wing that works like a well oiled machine. Yet I do believe there is hope, and I believe with strong leadership and a clear plan that we can win anywhere and everywhere that we choose. I believe with firm conviction that if we worked hard enough we could reverse all of the damage done over the years by right wing ideology and fanatical evil right wing Christians, who have perverted their religion to support an Un-Christian set of ideals and beliefs. I believe that we can win Elections in Crawford Texas just as easily as we can in Boston Massachusetts. All it takes is determination, vision, leadership, and a belief that such things are possible.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

22. When you talk gun safety,

people around here listen. Too many folks understand the tragedy of guns left out, or people shooting without training. If you start with the argument that all folks who get guns should know how to use them, you get gun owners nodding in agreement. Then you ask them if they know how to use assault weapons-usually this elicits one of two responses: Yes, I learned in the Army or a rather surprised no. Then you ask if they feel those weapons have a place in their home-can they use them for hunting or target practice? All except the rabid ones get thoughtful.

[Meldread]

12. Fighting the religious right.

How can liberals/progressives best address the threat from the religious right?

First and foremost is to call them on their own shit. Start our own Christian Groups which counter their Christian Groups. Invest in the growing Christian Rock (and other types of Christian Music -- it's the fastest growing music form in America) scene. Far Right Christian Groups are actually protesting outside of these events. Invest in youth because while they may not vote today, statistics show that they WILL vote in the future. We should always be concerned about the future.

Spreading beyond just the religious right we also need to better organize ourselves and speak with a more unified voice. We must take a look at the Republican tactics and learn to counter them with similar tactics or specialized tactics that we develop on our own. We must improve on getting our message out, and never leave a pundit or point unchallenged. We must find new leadership, new faces, and new voices. We must not allow the Republicans or the Religious Right wrap themselves in Freedom, the Flag, or Religion -- we must find ways to counter that and also associate ourselves with that. (Example: When Jerry Falwell starts bashing gay people, simply say: "Who would Jesus Hate?") Ultimately in the end we cannot leave anything unchallenged, and we must be prepared to go into places were we might think there "isn't much of a chance of winning" and find away to win. Never take a single person for granted because their vote counts just as much as someone else's. When we campaign we must campaign everywhere, and we must do so tirelessly. We must put in all of our resources and energy into getting out our message, campaigning, and recruiting new people if we are to ever have a hope of taking America back. In addition to that we must send a message to those in power that it is not okay to compromise party principles for political gain, and that doing so they will swiftly find themselves replaced.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

16. Very well said!

As someone who isn't a Christian, but ecumenical in outlook, I would add that it is important to do outreach to people of all kinds. The way I do this is through the Dances of Universal Peace, which are basically circle dances were sacred phrases of the world's religious traditions are sung and simple movements done. All are welcome at this event; some friends just held a Dance in Joplin MO and had over 50 participants, mostly newcomers. We are hoping to build on this interest and have encouraged the Joplin folks to join us in Springfield MO for our monthly Dance there.

I know from experience that the Dances are one way to bridge the differences between groups-hard not to if one litereally dances the Lord's Prayer, line by line, or becomes part of a living Buddhist Prayer Wheel. And who knows what might happen after one has danced a Dance with the lyrics, "God has given me the power to change my ways."

[jrthin]

5. Congrats! I am on

your heels, hoping to get out of the 600 club.

[PDittie]

8. I'm right there witcha

..and want to find the door as quickly as possible...

[jimshoes]

9. Have courage on your journey,

I have been here about 3 years and just recently finished my pennance in the 700 club. What is your favorite color?

[Meldread]

13. My favorite color is...

...RED! Why? Because it reminds me of the BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST WHO ART IN HEAVEN! You Godless Commie Pinko Heathens!

Oh no! The madness of the 700 Club is starting to grip my mind! :P

Quick! Quick! Tell me what it is like to be free! Tell me that it is hope, then ask another question! :P

[jimshoes]

15. There is hope child,

You will feel freedom when it is the right time but be patient and ignore those voices in your head. Verily speaketh thy favorite flavor and you shall taste of freedom.

[Meldread]

21. THE DEMONS WITHIN ME!!!

They won't let me tell you my favorite color! They are mean and nasty and one of them looks like Pat Robertson! I'm sooo skeered!