Comments on: A Chapter We’ll Wish We Never Wrote http://brokensoldier.blogsome.com/2008/12/12/a-chapter-well-wish-we-never-wrote/ Politics , science, religion, and anything else that might raise my eyebrows Sat, 21 Nov 2009 20:38:38 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=1.5.1-alpha by: Aquaria http://brokensoldier.blogsome.com/2008/12/12/a-chapter-well-wish-we-never-wrote/#comment-91 Thu, 25 Dec 2008 01:04:16 +0000 http://brokensoldier.blogsome.com/2008/12/12/a-chapter-well-wish-we-never-wrote/#comment-91 I know it's tough to be optimistic after such a horrible 8 years, but not everything will make us look bad. The thing is that some of us weren't entirely inactive; it's just that the media didn't cover it all the time. Or if they did, the coverage wasn't always fair to those who tried to stand up to the administration. How much coverage did the Inauguration protesters get? How much of the anti-war protest coverage addressed the legitimate arguments of their stand? How many of them even showed a single speech? The MSM just showed the big crowds, and the occasional weirdo on display (the point of the latter being, of course, that "all" protesters were just a bunch of freaks). When we weren't being ridiculed or scorned, we were marginalized almost into silence, and we had to take our opportunities where we could get them. We did. I think some of the blogs may (or could) survive as testament to how some of us refused to lie down and die. The story may be that the blogs became the new underground resistance. Thanks to the internet, people who might have done nothing in the past suddenly could be informed, organize and fundraise instantly, all over the world, 24/7/365. The Republicans might have had their permanent majority... if it weren't for those pesky bloggers. In 2004, it looked like liberals were down for the count. But it's like that old saying, "First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, and then--" Well we haven't "won," but the momentum of the battle has definitely shifted a bit away from the conservatives. I don't know if we'll maintain it. I guess it's up to us to make it happen. I know it’s tough to be optimistic after such a horrible 8 years, but not everything will make us look bad.

The thing is that some of us weren’t entirely inactive; it’s just that the media didn’t cover it all the time. Or if they did, the coverage wasn’t always fair to those who tried to stand up to the administration. How much coverage did the Inauguration protesters get? How much of the anti-war protest coverage addressed the legitimate arguments of their stand? How many of them even showed a single speech? The MSM just showed the big crowds, and the occasional weirdo on display (the point of the latter being, of course, that “all” protesters were just a bunch of freaks).

When we weren’t being ridiculed or scorned, we were marginalized almost into silence, and we had to take our opportunities where we could get them. We did.

I think some of the blogs may (or could) survive as testament to how some of us refused to lie down and die. The story may be that the blogs became the new underground resistance. Thanks to the internet, people who might have done nothing in the past suddenly could be informed, organize and fundraise instantly, all over the world, 24/7/365. The Republicans might have had their permanent majority…

if it weren’t for those pesky bloggers.

In 2004, it looked like liberals were down for the count. But it’s like that old saying, “First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, and then–”

Well we haven’t “won,” but the momentum of the battle has definitely shifted a bit away from the conservatives. I don’t know if we’ll maintain it. I guess it’s up to us to make it happen.

]]> by: brokensoldier http://brokensoldier.blogsome.com/2008/12/12/a-chapter-well-wish-we-never-wrote/#comment-90 Wed, 24 Dec 2008 00:29:16 +0000 http://brokensoldier.blogsome.com/2008/12/12/a-chapter-well-wish-we-never-wrote/#comment-90 Indeed, JeffreyD - I share your optimism, and I also share in your excitement over the fact that this is the first time in a while I've been able to feel that way. I just hope that this administration measures up to the standards it has set for itself. Indeed, JeffreyD - I share your optimism, and I also share in your excitement over the fact that this is the first time in a while I’ve been able to feel that way. I just hope that this administration measures up to the standards it has set for itself.

]]> by: JeffreyD http://brokensoldier.blogsome.com/2008/12/12/a-chapter-well-wish-we-never-wrote/#comment-89 Mon, 22 Dec 2008 08:35:42 +0000 http://brokensoldier.blogsome.com/2008/12/12/a-chapter-well-wish-we-never-wrote/#comment-89 Nice to see you back here posting and on Pharyngula. Wishing you the best for whatever you want at this time of year. I am ready for this year to end, but optimistic for the future for the first time in years. Ciao Nice to see you back here posting and on Pharyngula. Wishing you the best for whatever you want at this time of year. I am ready for this year to end, but optimistic for the future for the first time in years.

Ciao

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