It's just now hitting me, the reality of it...and I'm a VERY bitter person

[Bouncy Ball]

because of that.

I'm talking about the election. If this is too heavy for the lounge, sorry. But I think at first I was too grief-striken, too swallowed up by disbelief and sadness for it to really hit me.

Well, it's been over a month. And the reality of that bunch of assholes continuing to DRIVE our country into a total hateful shithole is really sinking in. They don't give a shit about America or Americans and every word that comes out of their mouths publically is a filthy lie.

So it's sinking in. And I find I am an extremely bitter, angry person for it. I don't give a shit WHAT some bush voter tut-tuts about anger. I can be as angry as I damn well please. God knows I had to hear THEIR bullshit ranting and raving for eight years under Clinton. And then for them to now proclaim that it's unpatriotic to criticize the president, when they tore the president up for eight years in the 90s is so fucking disingenuous of them. Assholes, every last one.

I'm not sure yet what to do with this bitterness. I don't want it to negatively affect ME, I want to use it in a positive way, I just don't know how.

Anyway. Carry on.

[Wiley50]

1. There are many constructive channels for your anger

over in 2004 Election Results and Discussion

[juliagoolia]

2. You can help me

I got pissed off right away.

I ranted after I cried. I was deeply depressed, but during my life I've had many HUGE challenges that caused me depression. The only way out is to act.

Wanna help with the Operation Red Alert?
Americans for Common Sense?

Will you help write and post news to local bulletin boards once a week?

http://aethern.dailykos.com/story/2004/12/13/2550/7059

[Bouncy Ball]

9. My plan is to get active

right after the new year, so I am glad you posted that. I was looking for things I can do to help. I have bookmarked that site and will explore it now. Thank you!!!

[Crankie Avalon]

3. I've been trying not to think too far down that path...

...but, yeah, four more years of this crew is going to cause a lot of damage. Much of it irreparable. To us and to the world.

I've been trying to enjoy cultural treats like museums and books and other things, and living in Manhattan rather than some corner of "Bush Country" has been a HUGE help for which I am sooooo grateful.

[Bouncy Ball]

6. I do live in a bush corner of the country

and I am positive that makes it worse. I find myself scowling at Nationalism-Mobiles, cars with flags waving from sticks coming out of the windows (yeah they literally do that, I saw one with four huge flags flying off the top of the car, and FIVE of those support the troops magnetic ribbons and three other "MY FLAG HAS MORE RIPPLY THINGS THAN YOURS DOES" jingoistic mumbo jumbo stickers on it).

I find myself wondering, when talking to someone I don't know well, who they voted for.

I don't talk to three sets of neighbors anymore. They are assholes who voted for bush and must not give a good shit about their country.

[SharonRB]

4. Tell us how you really feel...

It's okay -- I feel exactly the same way. I've found that this site helps a lot. It helps to know there are so many like-minded people out there and that we're not alone. Hang in there. I try to have faith that somehow it will all work out and they will get theirs in the end.

[Bouncy Ball]

8. This site does help.

But sometimes I OD on DU and it gets depressing. But all in all, I am VERY thankful it is here!!!!! (I need to make a donation and get my star back!)

[ChiciB1]

5. I Feel Your Pain!!!

I'm still an "in you face" Democrat in a HEAVILY REPUKE county down here in Florida.

I boycotted Thanksgiving, and don't plan to celebrate Christmas either. I did however create a Protest of my own by decorating my house will ALL BLUE LIGHTS and BLACK RIBBONS. And I painted a sign that says "We're A Blue State Home" and put it in the front yard, outlined with blue lights. My car has bumper stickers all over it, most of them replaced after the election with various "in your face" statements. I do get a kick out of the fact that cars following me show their true colors because a lot of them won't even get close enough to my back-end to read the messages.

Those that do usually give me a thumbs up, so I can only surmise that the other are Repukes. When I'm in a parking lot and someone walks by without saying anything, I just stare them down until they look away. And if a Repuke does happen to make a comment, I just reply... "Unfortunately you think there's only a War in Iraq, no I'm YOU'RE WAR... take a GOOD look!" Most of them just slink away, with the look of "shock and awe" on their faces. My daughter does the same thing. It's small potatoes, but it helps.

[Bouncy Ball]

7. Yeah

I added a sticker that is pretty in your face and I love it.

Yesterday I got my ACLU card in the mail and put their sticker on my car. It's a window cling you put on the inside that says "CARD CARRYING MEMBER OF ACLU." I love it.

I have also bought a few shirts that are very in your face about how I feel. One of them is a particular favorite of mine and I have gotten a LOT of positive comments on it. I live in a red state, too.

[ChiciB1]

12. Which Red State???

I'm down here with JEB and his cohort Katherine Harris! She MY Congressperson! Having lots of fun these days!

[Bouncy Ball]

15. Texas

Try having Hutchinson and Cornyn as your senators. After January I will not have a single Democrat representing me at any level of government. Not a single one.

[ChiciB1]

19. Hey...

Try living in MY state! Now we have Martinez and Nelson, a pseudo Democrat! And then of course Cruella!

[juliagoolia]

21. ME TOO

BUT we elected in a DEM to congress.. Hinojosa, and a local state REP to the State legislature. Robby Cook. WE got a Judge in too (Jan Patterson) and a county commissioner.

Bastrop County.. very rural for the most part.

[crispini]

23. I've got Eddie Bernice! W00t!

First time I've ever been glad for redistricting. I got me a Democrat! :)

Like I didn't bug the crap out of the Rethugs that represented me, anyway, but I feel better with EBJ in there. :)

[juliagoolia]

20. I LOVE THIS

I live way out on a dirt road with very minimal traffic. Probably only 3 or four cars a day so it would be a waste. BUT I am doing a new christmas gift thing this year in protest and also because my wages were cut by the regime.

I am giving away things that I own. Boxed set of china I don't use to married daughter. I have way too many personally owned DVDs that are not in bad shape of course and easily wrapped. My daughter has loads of nice toys that grandkids can use that are in good shape. I also have way too many books. Some of the newer books that have been gently read can be wrapped up as well.

I am open to ideas others may have on this.

[crispini]

10. Yep, I know what you mean.

I spent the month after the election studying for the LSAT so I am just now having enough free time for it all to soak in.

Unfortunately that means I'm getting REALLY DEPRESSED just in time for the holidays. Yippee!

I went out and bought some St. John's Wort and some Omega 3 pills and I'm going to just let myself be a little down and out for a while. My body seems to be telling me that it needs that, right now.

[Bouncy Ball]

13. yeah you know

now that I think about it I had a lot going on right after the election, too. I really had to concentrate on those things and now they are done.

I want to be happy and enjoy Christmas, but I just keep getting reminded of.....all the bad things that are likely to come.

Sorry this is so depressing, I hate feeling bitter and angry like this, but I am going to get active after the new year, which will probably help....

[sadinred]

11. No, not too heavy.

I think so much died with this election: Not just Kerry-for-President but so many of our Democratic ideals and ways of life, ways of government. We lost trust in Gov't completely. Deocracy is dead/dying, or at the very least it is gravely ill! I think we're all in mourning and we all experience the emotions of grief in different ways and to different extents. We'll all survive though, and we'll be stronger and better able and better armed to fight again.
It's not over. Your anger is appropriate and your discussing it here is appropriate. And on the other side of it you'll find strength.
You'll be bouncy again.

[Bouncy Ball]

14. Heh, yeah I'm not a very bouncy ball lately

LOL, first time I've smiled all day was when I read that.

I think democracy is at least on life support.

[frictionlessO]

16. Heya BB, Im with you... The more I see and hear now the more pissed I

get!

Ive been a dedicated pacifist for over 15 years, and every day almost every hour now. I have to remind myself of that, but its coming close to the point where Im ready to start hurting someone or something.

I've contemplated self immolation, blowing my brains out as close to some prominent rethug as I can hoping that my gray goo wil get on them... Many horrible depressing thoughts...

But I do get back on track after a few moments and I realize that they'd love nothing better than some thing like that. I dont know how much longer I can hold to my ideals of peace, but Im gonna try and try and try to never let go of those ideals...

so yeah, every day a lil more angry every day a lil closer to the edge!

[Bouncy Ball]

17. Oh gosh

don't get THAT close to the edge!!! :hug:

[frictionlessO]

22. well thats why I live here now... Its really done wonders for me,

Im not really that unstable of a person but when depression hits me it can take me over the edge pretty fast.

DU has helped me tremendously and people like you help even more!:hug:

thanks

[ChiciB1]

18. Oh My God!!

Small World. I grew up in Texas, an Army brat at Ft. Hood, TX. I left there in 1971 when my husband decided he wanted to return to his place of birth. He was born in Tampa, but we settled in Sarasota.

But back then, Texas was predominantly Democrat! Glad I left, but I do come back for Class Reunions! A real reality shock!

[GreenPartyVoter]

24. Do two things

1) Keep your money out of their hands as much as possible.

2) Foght for electoral reforms at the local and state level. Verifiable ballots, ranked voting, and so forth.

------------------------------------
Join the NEW Boston Tea Party!
http://timeforachange.bluelemur.com/

[Bouncy Ball]

26. That's exactly what I'm doing!

Good suggestions, I'm glad to see I'm on the same wavelength with a person as insightful as you! Thanks!

[Lorien]

33. Join the discussions at the Economic activism and

Progressive living group (in DU Groups). At least you'll feel like the information you gather can be used against them.

[juliagoolia]

28. need more ideas.. also buyblue

BUT I am doing a new christmas gift thing this year in protest and also because my wages were cut by the regime.

I am giving away things that I own. Boxed set of china I don't use to married daughter. I have way too many personally owned DVDs that are not in bad shape of course and easily wrapped. My daughter has loads of nice toys that grandkids can use that are in good shape. I also have way too many books. Some of the newer books that have been gently read can be wrapped up as well.

I am open to ideas others may have on this.

[UdoKier]

25. Glad to see I'm not the only one.

I think your reaction is pretty damn normal.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x2220463

[Bouncy Ball]

27. Good rant.

And I'm just as disgusted at the lack of voices at the top of the Dem party as I am at anything else. They aren't standing up and making hay of every single teeny tiny messup the bush administration makes the way the right would be if WE were in power and that TOTALLY pisses me off no end.

[Chalco]

29. Your, mine and our depression is normal.

[sniffa]

30. embrace your anger

it's a powerfuL emotion

[Bouncy Ball]

32. You know

I think I will. That's great advice. Thank you sniffa, my friend.

[sniffa]

34. hey, it gets me by

why fight it. embrace it, and if you can, channeL it.

no need to feeL guiLt over it.

[Lorien]

31. I feel exactly the same way

I curse a lot more these days, I don't want to hang out with anyone, I don't make phone calls, I don't watch TV, I won't do any Christmas decorations...I'm just bitter and angry as hell (not just at the repukes, but at the AWOL Dem "leadership", too). I'll probably have to move to another country to move past this at all. I really don't know what else to do.

[ChiciB1]

35. I Just Did My Decorations

as an IN YOU FACE Protest!! I've done lots of other mini Protests all over this town! Can't say what they are, but it helps me a LOT and it's my way of venting. I suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder so it was extremely hard for me to take this Election!

For the first few days all I did was stay on DU and then had to start RE-TAIL-LIAT-ING, and Retaliating. There is a difference in those two words. Guess you can figure them out!

My daughter and I have been very busy bees! She also has OCD! We just about drove ourselves crazy until we decided to fight back in our own way!

I'm not so much DEPRESSED any more as I am full of ANGER! So the retaliating DOES help! We bought Eminem's MOSH and blared it EVERYWHERE we went. Opened the doors to the car and Blasted away! Got LOTS of attention and then stared them down! That's all I'll divulge of what we actually did and do.