Water that flows downhill will take the path of least resistance...

[kentuck]

The present Democratic Party is like a large stream of water flowing downhill. I sense that it is almost futile to try and change its course at this time. It will twist and turn and work its way to the bottom of the valley and only then will the stream settle and clear. Only then will we be able to determine a strategy for the future. Let it run its course. Be patient. I think that may be the message for our Party at this time.

[Skidmore]

1. That's way too philosophical for my

current state of mind.

[kentuck]

2. This is the perfect time to enjoy the trials of the other Party....

:)

[vptpt]

3. But the water is so murky right now

How do we know what's going to happen with the party over the next 4 years?

[kentuck]

4. That is why we should be patient.

Time will clear the waters. But if we stir the water, it only becomes more murkier.

[vptpt]

5. Good point

I like that. Hopefully the stream isn't polluted.

[mtnsnake]

6. Couldn't disagree more. We need to climb a mountain

If we sit back and let things run their course, there will be no party left to worry about. The Party has already gone downhill enough.

We need to realize it's going to be a long hard climb, but it's not impossible. We need to climb slowly but surely, so we can endure the climb...and with the least amount of mistakes along the way.

Only until we reach the top will we know we've made it. Only then will the view will be unmistakably clear.

[gottaB]

7. Wu-Wei or laziness?

Military tactics are like unto water; for water in its natural course runs away from high places and hastens downwards.

So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong and to strike at what is weak.

Water shapes its course according to the nature of the ground over which it flows; the soldier works out his victory in relation to the foe whom he is facing.

Therefore, just as water retains no constant shape, so in warfare there are no constant conditions.

He who can modify his tactics in relation to his opponent and thereby succeed in winning, may be called a heaven-born captain.

[kentuck]

9. Very well spoken but....

The stream is running downhill whether we like it or not. And it is a very large stream, the Democratic Party. If you step in front of it, you will be swept aside or drowned in the process. It will run its course. The muddy water analogy is like confusion.

"He who can modify his tactics in relation to his opponent and thereby succeed in winning..."

Patience is still a virtue...

[gottaB]

11. Not my wellspokenness, "Art of War."

Anyway, my point was I think some of the Dem leaders are behaving like water because they are lazy, others because they are clever. I can't tell who is truly leading.

[kentuck]

14. I don't think anyone is leading....

I think it is a force of its own which we must follow until it settles at the bottom. Only then will be able to change it. My point is that it is futile to stand in front of it at this time. But, the time will come to change it.

[bluedonkey]

12. patience might be a virtue,

but messing with my vote is a crime!

[kentuck]

17. Sun-Tzu ?

The Art of War?

[gottaB]

18. yup --here's one translation

http://www.chinapage.com/sunzi-e.html

[KoKo]

8. Be Patient? Be Patient? ................

:nuke:

[kentuck]

10. Fools rush in.....

where angels fear to tread.

Do not mistake patience for surrender.

[KoKo]

19. Kentuck.....I'm standing aside watching it flow past... I'm working with

the Progressive Wing which are the activists I worked with on the campaign. So, in a sense you are correct. I'm watching the DNC/DLC flowing by to the bottom where they will settle hopefully into the muck where they belong.

But, those of us who stepped aside must be active and maybe we really aren't Democrats anymore but have morphed into something different. :shrug: I don't have the patience to follow the DNC/DLC down the path to that bottom. That's what I mean in my post.

[UpsideDownFlag]

13. hmm...that's too deep for me. how about this analogy?

it needs to be sprayed with fire, so that it evaporates, reforms as a cloud, and rains back across the land once again? not a perfect analogy, but i like it better than the relative hopelessness of yours.

[kentuck]

15. We all must choose our way....

and I respect yours. :)

[Lone Pawn]

16. It's not hopelessness.

Downhill is not defeat. Downhill in this case is the future. We're moving forward, but we're moving forward in such a way that we cannot control it. We're in turbulant times, but regardless of what happens we'll hit a flat stretch in which we can adjust where we want to go and get back on the path the stream left.

[XemaSab]

31. "Flat stretch?"

In the flat stretches, the water drops its sediment load, becomes a lot slower, and begins to meander.

Also, eventually the flowing water totally destroys the mountain.

"Guttam cavat lapidem: dripping hollows rock."

And on that note, I am totally bushed after a day of delineating channels in a bigass mountain out by Millerton Lake. Like, no joke.

[el_gato]

20. what about water that flows uphill?

[Gold Metal Flake]

21. Water running downhill creates gulleys. Deeper & deeper until...

the water is locked in it's course.

Change the course.

http://www.democracyforamerica.com/

[KoKo]

22. And...we mustn't forget that rocks fall down in the path and cause

divergence so that the "path chosen" isn't always what ends up as the "path taken." :shrug:

[Gold Metal Flake]

25. How far do we want to take this?

Erosion, plant growth, flora and fauna, accumulation of sheep turds, effects on the water from farming, seasonal changes, the carving of giant visages....

My enthusiasm for this metaphor is flagging.


:boring:

[KoKo]

26. Kentuck has a "point" here....as far as our imaginations can take it is

as far as I will go...I thought he pointed out something we were "missing" in all our analyses of what's going on...while I didn't agree with him for "Me" I did understand his point and thought it worth arguing. I never do those "zzzzzz's" for Kentuck's posts. He posts what he thinks we might want to "think about." And, he "throws it out there." To DISCUSS....:shrug:

[Gold Metal Flake]

27. Adding metaphor to metaphor... where does it end?

I suggest we be more literal, that's all. I mean no disrespect to you or the originator.

[KoKo]

28. For those of "Us" the "metaphysical" never ends in "zzzzzzzz----sssss!"

We live in the "plane beyond" hoping that folks catch up to the fact that we are working for a "New World" that "CARES" about all...living beings.

It's interesting the analogy that "Kentuck" posted...let it run like a "flowing stream." Why Not??? :shrug:

[burythehatchet]

23. In the spring...there will be growth

:)
-C. Gardner

[Leilani]

24. I admire your serenity

Mine is missing.

[KoKo]

30. It's a bit of "Que Sera..Sera" Whatever will be will be...the future's

not our's to see.. :shrug: but that "water falls until it finds it's source. If it's not hung up on trees and rocks it falls until it finds it's ending... Where it ends nobody knows for sure but it ends and reforms at it's ending...

[sendero]

29. And now...

... your moment of Zen.

[w4rma]

32. I see things differently. I think the Democratic Party is vulnerable to

change right now. The Democratic leadership is listening and now is the time to talk to them.

And my advice is for the Democratic leadership to follow Gov. Dean's stratigic advice instead of running in fear.

pro-gun, pro-choice, anti-Iraq war, tough on illegals, expose the corruption at every chance.

[KoKo]

33. Kick...for the "spiritual amongst us."

[kentuck]

34. KoKo01.....

peace.....

I believe things will start to come into focus much quicker than many people realize at the moment.

[KoKo]

35. I will try to channel your optimism.....

:-)'s