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Okay, I've tried to avoid all of the infighting, because rolling in it really doesn't do much good in my opinion. Few minds are ever changed from the many flame wars that DU has. But DU is a place for passionate people to passionately debate their ideas and their emotions, and that's why it is the great place that it is.
I was rabidly against Clinton in the primary. I called her a few names that I stand by to this day. But here's the thing, I think she'll make a great Secretary of State. In fact, I think the role is almost made to suit her. Her intelligence, strength, and political clout will serve her and Obama well.
Have I forgotten about her vote for the war? No. Few people opposed the war more than I did. The months of February and March of 2003 I found myself getting tear gassed, pepper sprayed, and jailed doing illegal street protests in opposition to it. But remember one thing, Obama is in charge, not her. I'd rather have seasoned politicians like her that know the game inside out to carry out his agenda than inexperienced idealists that in my opinion, would get in there and simply get in over their heads with the reality of a corporate-owned Washington. Like it or not, the country is simply not ready for a radical left takeover of the government. Our goals will have to be achieved one at a time, and over a period of time.
We here in the grassroots can't let ourselves get complacent. We must continue to pressure Obama, but in doing so we must recognize the situation for what it is and be willing to compromise...to a point. Politics is the art of compromise, like it or not. Our job over the next four years will be to see to it that we don't compromise too much. But remember what we are getting already with an Obama administration. We're getting a president that's about to start kicking ass and taking names on global warming, we're getting a president that's going to invest in our infrastructure and make our economy strong again. We're getting a president that makes America admired around the world again, and shows the world's minorities and oppressed people's that there really is this thing called hope out there, and that fighting for change can yield results beyond anything most of us dream.
I'll take those things and a little compromise any day of the week. One thing about Bush that's important to remember is this; the man never compromised, even when he was so completely in the wrong that even he probably knew it. And look at how he ended up.
As for Hillary and her vote on the war, it already cost her the presidency, and even though she'll never admit it, she knows that it's true. That is punishment enough for me. Is it punishment enough for all the people that died? I don't know, but I don't feel it's my place to speak for them. The best thing we can do for them is to really change this country, and that's only going to come about with people that really know the political system doing the work of a man who opposed the war. I don't know if there's a God, but if there is then I'll let He/She/It judge Clinton for her vote on the war, or I'll let history decide.
But to say something that I probably could have said in many less words, I'm quite pleased with the way Obama's team is shaping up, and I'm about as radical as they come. Now, please continue with your regularly scheduled brawling. ;)
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