Reply #49: Well-stated. [View All]

[Unbowed]

There's not much more I can add about Senator Kerry except that I wholeheartedly agree. John Kerry is a real leader and a statesman instead of just another bullshit politician who will do anything to win.

Personally, I think our party needs some tough love on the side of integrity. The system is seriously broken when cheaters, liars and scumbags keep coming out on top. The American people are kept in the dark and fed bullshit. And don't look now, but some of the scum trade is flourishing on the Internet and DU is no exception.

We live in a country where everybody knows our President lied us into war and nobody gives a damn. Whenever anyone speaks out in favor of impeachment they are lambasted as a "kook" and they take a nosedive in credibility.

And now our former Democratic President is emulating the successful tactics that Karl Rove used. Remember Clinton's praise for Rove? That was no accident. He admired the tactics of Rove because they worked. Seriously, how can we have an honorable person in the White House as long as we live in a country that rewards any evil as long as it is successful evil?

Now don't think I'm saying Bill Clinton is an evil scumbag. He is not. He was a damn good President and he's still a good Democrat as far as I know. Bottom line is that he's willing to employ the same tactics the vile scumbags use in order to win. This might be smart, but it certainly isn't ethical.

As long as people are willing to accept these kinds of tactics, evil will continue to be rewarded. A prime example is Tom Delay. He was all cleaned up, smiling and being referred to as "Sir" and "Mr. DeLay" in an interview on MSNBC the other day. This man should be behind bars, not being interviewed as a political expert!!!!!!!! And you know as well as I do, if DeLay ever does serve time, he'll be back on the news circuit when he's released, probably touting a best-seller.

We need a fundamental change in our country, a sea change. Until people stop wanting mud, enjoying the slug-fest, change is not going to happen. I admire Howard Dean, Ted Kennedy, Patrick Leahey, Barbara Boxer, Russ Feingold, Barack Obama, Wes Clark, Dick Durbin, Christopher Dodd, John Edwards, Al Gore, John Kerry, Dennis Kuchinich and many other fine Democrats. It made my eyes bleed to read the attacks on Russ Feingold just because he doesn't support John Edwards. The accusations of jealousy on Russ's part were really sad.

Supporters who employ attack tactics inadvertently debase their candidate of choice. When I evaluate a candidate or a public servant, I look at their values, integrity, record and their supporters. Yes, their supporters. Are the supporters well-informed? Do they present cogent arguments? Or do they simply whine, insult and make unsupported, blanket statements? It reflects on the individual(s) they support. I take them as not just having an ax to grind, but being ill-informed and less-than-ethical. This information is filed away for future evaluation of the particular candidate or legislator they do support. The company you keep or attract does make a difference.