Billie

I will presume to tell no American anything regarding their voting preference. Your reference to rioting tells me lots about your own fears. Obama's win in the primary was not rigged, as you so infer. First of all, the establishment doesn't even want it. It can't be compared to the Bush Florida coup of 2000.

Forefectivegovernent: I feel in your comment a fear of black uprising. Reinforced by the fact that you would reference O.J. Simpson to somehow associate him with Barack Obama. A black bogeyman, if you will.

Perhaps you should get yourself a copy of The Classic Slave Narratives, edited by Henry Gates, Jr. and especially read the story by Frederick Douglass. Perhaps then you will stop fearing blacks as "upstarts" and start feeling the common humanity we all share. What's intimidating is injustice. What's intimidating is religious bs that belies true spirituality. What's intimidating is thinking the first black candidate got where he is because of threats to the whites. That, I feel, is the ugly undercurrent. The intimidation you speak of is coming from within your own fearful heart. Don't project. posted 07/15/2008 at 21:40:57

That's where I'm at, too. I prefer Obama, but would have definitely voted for Hillary in the general because a democrat is the best option we have. I do think that the way Nancy Pelosi and the rest has dissed us voters who sent them in is indicative of corporate lobbyists trumping voters. . .but still, I'll vote for the dem one last time. If nothing changes and the course is full steam ahead toward not listening to voters, I'll probably go expat. posted 07/15/2008 at 21:21:05

Hillraisers remind me of those hounds from hell that protected Damian in The Omen. I'm sure this comment will probably not be posted, lol! posted 07/15/2008 at 21:05:37

Ha..."in the name of UNITY don't call people names, however, you are NAIVE CHILDREN.

Talk about preaching sugar and practicing poison. All in once sentence. posted 07/15/2008 at 20:59:38

Stole? Wow! And by the way, 2 grad degrees and a high income doensn't necessary translate into intelligence. It could, but it doesn't always. So what else you got? Loseritis? posted 07/15/2008 at 20:47:21

To me, it's not so much that we are doomed because of too many idiots. It's the selfishness and vindictiveness that makes me feel like we are doomed. posted 07/15/2008 at 20:39:24

Why doesn't Hillary and her Hillraisers put together a big shiny coffee table book all about the primary starring the first woman candidate complete with photographs. It'll sell, they can pay off the debt and leave the rest of us in merciful peace. posted 07/15/2008 at 20:37:12

Yes, exactly. All of us adults have bigger concerns than their alarmingly fragile egos: like saving the planet. Like making life better for our children. posted 07/15/2008 at 20:36:06

Insightful, you don't seem to be a democrat at all. You look down on everyone EXCEPT the Clintons. And here' s a newsflash: they are deficient in honor and decency as well. Bitterness screams and screams but gets nowhere. posted 07/15/2008 at 20:27:35

First off, if hillary was going to be leader of the free world, she needs to be able to handle any sexism that comes her way. And she was hardly speaking up for him when he was being called a muslim (remember the "as far as I know" comment? Please. posted 07/15/2008 at 20:11:39

At dinner, a friend of mine who supported Hillary in the primary, got so angry when the conversation turned to politics. (I support Obama). But whenever I'm around this woman, I have to walk on eggshells because she doesn't respect anyone elses ideas but her own. I've read descriptions in fiction of someone's lip curling in rabid rage, but I'd never seen it before in real life. That night, I did. A horrible cruelty spread over her features and I started to feel sick to my stomach. She said she was either going to stay home or vote for McCain. She said Obama was the "whitest black man she'd ever seen" and "if it wasn't for Oprah, he wouldn't have gotten where he got." It was racism, I'm sure, but it was also ego rage that her candidate hadn't won. It was such a declaration of selfishness and shallowness and stupidity that I felt I didn't even know my friend anymore. She needed to win more than she cared about other people, war, the constitution. . .anything! She ended up leaving the table in a rude huff, throwing money down and running out the door. This was not kentucky, it was NYC. Now she is no longer a friend. posted 07/11/2008 at 00:02:19

If Hillary had won the nomination, I would've voted for her. And I certainly wouldn't go around saying bitterly that I'd vote for McCain out of spite. Can you imagine the wrath of these women whose candidate lost if the shoe was on the other foot? If Obama lost and his supporters got all into this envious, infantile raging, destructive behavior? The Clinton supporters would be writing blog after blog after blog about our lack of intelligence and selfishness. About how we were so "cultish" about Obama that we would not care about the environment, endless war, etc. etc. So these people really should grow up and get over themselves and start thinking about the BIG PICTURE. And if they can't get over their own selfish egos to do that, perhaps they can think about their children's future with McCain at the helm. posted 07/11/2008 at 10:55:40

For a writer, a little sensitive about the "shit," no? Picking up fresh dog turd is highly preferable to reading/viewing most "masterpieces" stinking up the movie theaters. Reread your Bukowski, hon. posted 07/10/2008 at 00:18:48

Trying to figure out, never mind reason, with stupid, shallow bullies who fear anything to do with progress, inclusion and serious intellect is a waste of time. My fellow Americans: Just shut off FOX. It's dumb! They always attack the best and the brightest because they are the worst and the dimmest! What else is there to say? Giving them attention, good or bad, is all they want because they're needy little imbeciles. They're scared of Michelle Obama and you know why? She's better than they are: smarter, more empathetic, spiritually deeper, braver and a positive thinker. She is the light that trumps their dark. And I'm talking about energy, not skin color. And energy is where it's at. posted 07/09/2008 at 23:56:31

Selfishness and cowardice is what's bringing this nation down. The founding fathers were men and they excluded women and anyone of color. Little did they know they were founding a nation of self-loathing, projecting infants. posted 07/06/2008 at 00:03:09

That "unqualified candidate" defeated the Clinton machine. A Herculean victory. That "unqualified candidate" is the first black man to ever achieve the democratic party's presidential nominee. What do you mean by unqualified? That he wasn't a president previously to running for president? We haven't had a good president for decades. Now we have the chance for one. posted 07/05/2008 at 21:57:53

Sometimes I think if Ford had not pardoned Nixon, presidents would fear punishment and behave better. Now they do anything they want and get away with it. posted 07/05/2008 at 17:38:42

I hope. I always hope. I also lend my energy to activism. But I am tired. After 20 years, I fear I am accepting the human race is too selfish and indifferent to cruelty to save. I am still appalled, and forever will be, that people are not rising up en masse in indignation about our country's use of torture. And the shredding of the constituition. I've marched. I've written. I've signed petitions. I've called my congress people. I've blogged. I've cried. I've gotten a grip. I've read. I've commented. I've despired. I've hoped.

I feel the best and the brightest are coming into this dark time. I hope so. Because I am older, have seen so much mayhem, and I wish we would all be more empathetic. As an American, remember the dream? When we are the good people? When we see the hungry, the lost, the poor, the wartorn. . .and we FEEL for them? posted 07/03/2008 at 23:23:06

One comment said, "but they didn't look and look what we have."

The media blows, that's for sure. But voters need to take responsibility. I would say, the voters who voted for Bush didn't look and look what we have. And these same voters who piss and moan about Bush, well, lots of them may well vote for McCain. And the rust belt ones who were all over Hillary didn't care that Nafta came from her husband's administration. She was part of the elists that screwed them! Hello! So the beat goes on, with or without the media, for Americans voting against their own self-interest. It's crazy!!!!! posted 07/03/2008 at 20:41:37

I thought Dowd's columns during the primary were a blast! I especially loved how she kept making fun of the Clinton's narcissistic use of projection and spin. It was like a sane place to go, reading that column. Plus, it's a column! Her opinion! That's what I like, even though I sometimes don't agree. I like that she writes like an adult talking to other adults"and you can telll she doesn't care if they get their panties in a twist or not. Keep it up Maureen! posted 07/03/2008 at 18:58:45

For me, the practiced awareness of concentrating on my breathing in and out helped so much. I was going through a very transitional time a few years ago and I was filled with anxiety. But I didn't want to do prescrip drugs. So I started doing the Wayne Dyer cd on Japa meditation--wow! The stress headaches and stomach aches I'd endured for three months were gone within a week. Plus, my life got better on every level because I was more relaxed and less fearfully resistent to change. I think whatever form of meditation a person finds to do, it is a wonderful helpful daily habit to get into because you really begin deeply (with every breath) to realize the postive, creative power within your own body. And it just opens you up to so many insights as well as open one's mind to love of oneself, and others. It also very powerfully helps you understand how connected we all are. posted 07/03/2008 at 19:16:13

Whether it is true that he is withholding and bitter or it is just made up gossip (which it may very well be), the fact remains that Bill Clinton has not expressed enthusiasm for the democratic nominee. This former president is so intelligent, so charming and has much to be grateful for. It would be excellent if he could summon the best within himself and help unite the democrats. He could lead the way in letting go of the anger. I hope he sees that it is better for his legacy as a politician (and a human being) that he sincerely helps to get Obama elected as President, and that that will take nothing away from him because to give is to receive. posted 06/30/2008 at 09:01:26

I hope Bill Clinton finds it in his heart to put his selfishness aside and think about what America and the world needs, instead of it all being about him. posted 06/30/2008 at 08:02:35

I agree that Obama needs to get back on his game. His primary campaign was brilliant and he rose above much projection and slime. There are a lot of angry baby boomers out there on both sides of the aisle who fear losing control to the younger generation and I think that is the source of so much hysteria"more even than covert racism. Especially within the democratic party! Well, baby boomers brought us to this shameful place, so I am going to go ahead and keep hoping that Obama's strategizing will pay off in end. posted 06/30/2008 at 10:14:17

It's so enormously frustrating to keep voting (in my case, for democrats) and see absolutely no results-based opposition to war and torture. My heart sank when Nancy Pelosi said impeachment is off the table. Why why why is it off the table? If EVER there was a time to impeach a president, this is it! posted 06/29/2008 at 12:55:06

Too bad Americans didn't get upset about their country's leaders not reading intelligence about Bin Laden targeting the Trade Center and then going to war against the wrong country, validating torture and taking over the media. No, it only took skyrocketing gas and food prices to get everyone pissed. In other words, selfishness. posted 06/20/2008 at 00:34:34

Oh please. It wasn't about being a woman. It was about being a CANDIDATE who did not apologize for her Iraq vote and then went to rural areas acting enraged about Iraq and vowing to fix what she voted for that she wouldn't apologize for. Talk about bobble heads! And the worst part about it all was Clinton's betting that the people who were reeling from her husband's triangulating politics (read: selling down the river those who voted for him via NAFTA) would keep their fearful disfunctional loyalty til she got safely elected into office. Thanks to the internet and youtube, her veil was lifted in time. She lost, simply, because she comported herself as a false democrat. posted 06/19/2008 at 00:17:58

I always prefer writers who have a healthy caution about joining "groups" and have the guts to say so. I am especially leery of ones who tout how supportive they are of each other. All writers aren't cool. All artists aren't cool. Some are, some are not. This post sounds phony and culty and totally uncool. It's like slap happy cheerleading without a bs detector. The vibe I get here is Disnified aggressively cheerful generalizations. Charles Bukowski would have puked (even if he hadn't been drinking) if he read this post. So would Pinter and any other serious artist. Don't even get me started on what Gore Vidal would probably say! Hashing out opinions together. . .eeeeeeeeeeek! posted 06/20/2008 at 00:55:35

Reread Justin Frank's post on "splitting." McCain is projecting. These repressive oppressive unconscious conservatives are tearing apart the world with their unresolved infantile defense mechanisms. Enough already! Can we please move forward and have some emotionally mature adults at the helm? posted 06/18/2008 at 23:19:26

I thought it was very classy that Gore waited until the people had voted before he endorsed the dem nominee. Didn't want to influence the choice and also didn't want to invite attacks about any grudges enemies might dream up about him and the Clintons. A wise move by a wise man. Loved his speech tonight, love him. I do get the feeling that he was hoping for Obama from the get-go. These two guys seem very on the same page posted 06/16/2008 at 22:04:06

Many adults in america still act like kids in the high school cafeteria who will only sit with those like them. I think it's just insecurity and lack of imagination. You know: the herd, the booboisie. But it is still hateful even if it is stupid and cowardly. I think they are so unconscious that they don't realize how much their smug exclusionary practices hurt others. I live in NYC but was raised in Massachusetts. Well, that "liberal" state is very two faced. After living in an international city like NYC, I moved back to Boston for a couple of years for a job and wow! The covert racism was appalling and incredibly annoying! It was like insidious poison. I couldn't wait to leave. I was actually sitting at the Thanksgiving table with family and one of my sister's in-laws made some severe racial comment and nobody batted an eyelash even though lots of my family members are ivy league types. I said something and was told to "shush!" (Message: don't disturb the peace on a nice white smug suburban holdiay!) Yet they vote dem. Or at least, that's what they tell people at cocktail parties. posted 06/06/2008 at 21:06:58

When my successful, driven and loving dad died young, my mom shook off her depression, got a job and gave us four kids quality educations, weddings and kept the wolf from the door when things got scary. When she was scared as the crickets chirped a lonely refrain, she bought a bottle of wine, shrimp cocktail, candle tapers and made a party so we'd not feeel descended from the middle class. She'd plant flowers in gardens give us beauty there as well. My mother was a lover of beauty and a survivor and kept us afloat. In 2000, on her death bed she made me swear I'd pay for health insurance. As a bohemian-type artist, she wanted me to be safe. I loved her wisdom and made my payments. Even as they soared to $1600 every three months. I took on many clients and worked around the clock to absorb the health insurance. Many times i thought america is a bad place for artists and other spiritual types. AFter my mom's stroke, I saw her soul for the first time in my life. Around 2006, my rates shot up. This was after I saw how my mom had "great" health insurance and after 30 years of paying her premiums on time, they tried every trick in the book to find a clause to out her when she had a stroke. It was horrible dealing with the pain of a loved one while fighting the vultures of the corrupt posted 06/07/2008 at 00:23:34

What's sad is that Hillary Clinton needed an intervention by her own supporters to stop her insanity.

What's sadder: Obama, the first african-american to clinch the democratic nomination for president received far less coverage today in the msm than the sore loser who vindictively withheld support. We as americans are very lucky we have a candidate like obama who got rid of the clintons and their personity disorder for us. Now we can all move forward. posted 06/04/2008 at 23:30:15

Again, google Narcissistic Personality Disorder. Or, watch the episode of The Sopranos where Melfi closes the door on Tony.

There is no talking to the Clintons. They are irrational. Stop expecting graciousness, humility and working for the greater good. They are in it for themselves. We, as a country, have just had a two decades long lesson on NPD by the bushes and the clintons. Now it is time to get back to mental health. posted 06/04/2008 at 23:36:53

I agree with her about New York City's current lack of artistic guts, vibrancy and edginess. Incredibly expensive rents and corporate republican politicians have pretty much forced out too many artists. Where once there was a vibrant downtown art scene, now there are strollers and chain stores and way too many ugly soulless luxury condo buildings.

However, quite recently Madonna put out a song called I Love New York where she sang that "all other cities make her feel like a dork." (take that Paris, London, Berlin, Barcelona, etc.!) LOL! posted 03/31/2008 at 10:08:00

I'd quit the catholic religion (psychologically) a long time before the abuse stuff, but I'd go to Mass whenever I was home just to keep the family happy. But when I found out about the abuse stuff, I refused to go even for show and took some pretty heavy verbal abuse from my family. After calling me everything from destructive to crazy, they then told me they "would pray for me" and stopped speaking to me. This was shortly after 9/11 when I really needed their support. (And lots of my family members work with children!) The whole thing really shook me up but it seemed to me there are just some sick things you can't 'go along to get along' with, even if it really costs you. I need my sleep and wouldn't feel good about myself if I just looked the other way from an institution enabling abuse. Sometimes the devil you know isn't better than the one you don't. posted 03/28/2008 at 18:56:39

But still she wants us to believe she is superhuman at 3 in the morning! Please. I watched her telling that fake story about snipers and that was not a case of misspeaking (what an Orwellian term!) She was spinning a yarn with her as the heroine. The relish with which she was telling it (lying about an frightening experience she didn't even have) gave me the creeps. Now she's pleading humanity. Basically glibly saying, "we all lie!" What a lousy message. Well, tell it to all the Iraqis and American soldiers who got killed when she so "humanly" voted for the war. Or lost their jobs because of her support for NAFTA (oh, she misspoke about that, too!) Really and truly, how much of this grandiose, toxic and destructive narcissistic personality disorder are americans going to subject ourselves to before we collectively say Enough Already!!!!! posted 03/25/2008 at 22:32:38

Erica, if you want people to stop talking about race and gender, don't call the female candidate a "beaver" and the male a "stallion"...lol!

Also, I think your grandiose sweeping generalizations that one works hard and the other just lazily inspires is ridiculous. To put together a campaign that worked as well as Obama's took a hell of a lot of hard work. And, yes, Hillary works hard too but her strategy hasn't been well thought out. We need a president who is a thinker and worker! (right now, we have bush who doesn't think or work)

I would expect deeper insights from a writer. posted 03/22/2008 at 10:16:25

I think the mask has finally slipped and what we're seeing in this campaign is the real Bill Clinton: an aging narcissist who will do and say anything to get narcissistic supply: attention. posted 03/22/2008 at 10:04:12