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Edited on Fri Aug-14-09 12:27 AM by Hello_Kitty
(This is my attempt at a Nance Greggs-style rant. Admittedly I don't have half her intellect or wit, but I'm going to take a stab at this because there's something about Katy that reminds me of, well, me. This is why my 'rant' may contain a bit more self-disclosure, TMI if you will, than something Nance would write.)
Dear Katy,
Like you, I wasn't terribly interested in politics before age 35, though that may be where our similarities end. Prior to that I led a pretty interesting and independent life. After high school I joined the Navy. I stayed in for 10 years and saw some great parts of the world. The restless part of my soul loved the travel and the frequent change of venue that the military offered. The part of me that's kinda rebellious never adjusted too well to the rigid discipline but I muddled through. At the end of my last hitch I decided the desert was calling to me so I took a discharge and a tech job in Arizona. I spent the first 6 years in Phoenix being a carefree single gal. I clubbed and shopped and sipped martinis at the cool night spots. I did the internet dating thing. A Sex and the City type of existence was what I aspired to, albeit minus the disposable income and Manhattan zip code. I was too cool (so I thought) to be interested in politics.
I did lean liberal for a few reasons. One was that I was very pro-gay rights and I thought the military's policy on gays was utterly stupid. I befriended several closeted gay shipmates in the Navy and could never understand why they had to live in constant fear of exposure, since they were doing a good job and were assets to the unit. It was for this reason (among others) that I was one of the few in my units who voted for Clinton, both times. My burgeoning liberalism was also enhanced by the enormous popularity of Rush Limbaugh on armed forces radio in the 90s. I don't know about you, Katy, but there are only so many times I can hear a fat douchebag opine about how the "feminazis" are making it difficult for him to harass women before I start to think, "Ya know, this guy is a douchebag. Moreover, anyone who's a fan of his is probably as big a douchebag." YMMV, of course.
Anyhoo, about 6 years ago, when I'd just turned 35, I started doing a lot of websurfing on my night shift job. I found myself gravitating to foreign news sources. I began to realize that the story we'd been told about the war wasn't true. It had smelled like bullshit to me from the beginning but, like you, I wanted to trust my government. Yeah, I know. I was a dumbass. I decided I needed to do something, anything, and ended up at a John Kerry meetup. The rest is (personal) history. Like you, I "woke up". I've been a gung-ho political activist ever since.
Enough about me, let's talk about YOU. How is it that you ended up being the spokesmodel of a bunch of bitter creepy old assholes who are pissed because the black guy won? Seriously, are you that hard up for attention? Just so you know, when they talk about wanting to return to America under the Founding Fathers, it's not about some lofty principle of freedom and candy and ponies for everyone. They mean back to aspects like not letting women vote or own property. How would you like living in that America, Katy? What was really astonishing was how blase you were when Lawrence O'Donnell asked you about the war during your interview with him. Let me get this straight, Katy: You ignored politics your entire life. You ignored the war. You ignored tax cuts to billionaires. You ignored Katrina. But oh sweet Baby Jesus some people who don't look like you MIGHT get some health care! Well hold the fucking phone because now here comes Katy!! Are you shitting me? THAT'S what made you decide "I have to do something!"? I've had to watch the clip of that interview several times (thanks DUers for posting it) because I can't wrap my mind around you. I mean, on some levels I can. Like I said, you kinda remind me of me. I recognize in you my own naivete and passion from 6 years ago. Mostly I just can't believe what a thoughtless asshole you are.
But hey, I don't judge you for waiting so long to get in the game. I'd be the last person to do that. But I gotta tell ya, you got some messed up priorities. You're giving us gals who got involved at age 35 a bad name, and I don't appreciate it.
H_K
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