• 580 replies
    marye
    Joined:
    Here and there in the forums people are expressing their enthusiasm for particular candidates in the upcoming U.S. elections, while others are saying Enough Already, We Don't Want To Hear About It. So, this is the right place to discuss your favorites (or non-favorites) and other matters relevant to the campaign. If you're not into it, skip this topic! And as for all you non-U.S. residents, if you want a similar topic for what's going on in your part of the world, speak up and I'll start it. Thanks!

Comments

sort by
Recent
Reset
  • jerry_garcia71
    Joined:
    GRTUD
    I'm sorry that I got you in such a tizzy! First I spoke about music and the Family being my passion but you must have misunderstood that. I have been enjoying this website for ten years as jerry_garcia71 but when I speak up to people that I care about how I feel, I am somehow deemed unworthy and under attack. It is terribly sad that you have no hope that nothing will ever change and you have no affect on the world. Let me share a little nugget with you about a Deadhead I met at RFK Stadium one summer at a show: He had hope, he thought that he could help the world. He was optimistic and wasn't ready to surrender. He was elected Vice President of the United States for 8 years and later won the popular vote to be our President. He has recently won the Nobel Peace Prize because he is currently engaging world environmental policy and trying to save the health of our planet. Yes, Al Gore is driving that train that you GRTUD are content to be a passenger on.
  • Steve-O
    Joined:
    John Edwards
    If I had to vote right now, he would be my MAN. I'm not quite ready for a female president, sorry ladies. I don't feel that foreign leaders would respect a female president. I'm done with the whole republican leadership. TIME FOR A CHANGE!!!
  • GRTUD
    Joined:
    ...Political Teen Spirit?
    There is an absolute difference between saying for whom someone would vote, in an election and an endorsement. Needless to say, when one hitches their wagon to a political pony, for whatever reason, that line is no longer blurred. In this instance, jerry_garcia71 seems to be here for the sole purpose of political advertisement. Furthermore, I feel the wording of the two posts I've read, by this person, insinuates by saying, "the Dead community..." that you speak for me, which you do not. Equally grating is the notion that you speak on behalf of Mr. Obama ("our support might earn us a wink and nod in the future!"). Comments such as these, won't earn any endearment from me. If you were to speak about music, ANY MUSIC, I'd at least feel some endearment to you regardless of political affiliation, which I do not. This fact, in no way makes me happy. If you really believe in your candidate as a person that will commit to changing the social stagnation, in this country, brought on by decades of partisan pissing contests and an "all you can take" buffet mentality by the duelopoly system of political sharing when it comes to tax money, why not come here and ask about the things that we care about, instead of grandstanding? I've seen my share of political climates in this country come and go, but what I haven't seen is a politician that will really listen to the working class. Tom Wolfe said he was never interested in covering American politics because no matter who gets elected, "The American political system is like a train - it stays on the same tracks, no matter who's driving." In other words, the real issues are never allowed to be talked about, in an open forum. That notion isn't complicity btw, it's reality and one needn't be an elected official to help start change along those lines, unless they haven't any other "day job". Eventually, no matter who wins an election, any election, reality will replace fantasy and then... "There's just the payment left and broken dreams."
  • Sunshine-daydr…
    Joined:
    politicians
    They all say what they think you want to hear! Bob - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Spanish Jam
  • TigerLilly
    Joined:
    Oh Badger
    You made me smile at 7:30 this morning, while still groggy (am up because my son has a soccer tournament today). Has been a while since had a chuckle from reading one of your posts. Thanx!!!!!!!! ********************************** Don't part with your illusions. When they are gone, you will still exist, but you have ceased to live. Samuel Clemens
  • cosmicbadger
    Joined:
    smells of socialism
    A few years ago I was sitting with my son in a diner having breakfast somewhere in N California. A dude from another table comes over. He is middle aged, pencil thin, black jeans, white shirt, bootlace tie 'Say you folks ain't from round here, what kind of accent is that?' 'We're from England' Pause 'You got socialists over there doncha?' 'Yep' 'You one of them?' 'I suppose I am' 'Huh. Well you folks take care now' ' Dude walks back to his table and just sits and stares continually and evilly at us. We pay the bill, run for the car and drive for the next 100 miles checking the mirrors regularly!
  • D00Dah
    Joined:
    ???
    Living right across the Big River from that political hotbed of Iowa, I have already been bombarded with more TV ads and news in the local papers than I can shake a 'hanging chad' at. Wake me when it's over......On the other hand, I'm a regular dude. I work an avg of 65 hrs a week and I kick ass at a job that I enjoy more than I dread. My hard work this year made me more than I needed to make, but I am by NO means a rich guy. I'm not sure which candidate speaks to me. The righties are too preoccupied with religion for me to take seriously most of the time while the lefties want to create a system of wealth redistribution that punishes hard work and smells of socialism. This two party system leaves little room for choice. I'm into personal responsibility, good decision making and enjoying life, I'm not sure which party is for me. The funny thing is, if JFK were running for president in '08, he would probably be a republican. His job is to shed light, not to master...
  • GADEADHEAD
    Joined:
    My thoughts on Iowa
    I am very pleased with last night’s results. I look forward to a time when I can not only stand to sit through a presidential speech, but I look forward to hearing some intellectually inspiring rhetoric. Now that I have had time to analyze what each candidate has to give, I feel kind of relieved. Hillary - Although I like Hillary overall, I have not been able to get past her abysmal voting record over the last couple of years. I am happy that if the nomination follows suit, the Republican witch hunt will be headed off before it begins. I still feel like her experience as first lady is invaluable. Her experience with healthcare reform was doomed to failure due to the short time line and unsupportive Republican Congress at the time. She has a ton of international diplomatic experience. Besides I get the warm and fuzzys when I think about Bill being back in the White House. Edwards – I like Edwards. He is the only candidate who has focused on the poor. As much as the media painted it the other way, I feel like he did an excellent job in the debates with Cheney in ’04. Obama – I have loved Obama since his speech at the Democratic Convention. He is definitely the face of change. He is black with a very young family. He is not corrupted by decades in politics. I am very curious who he would choose as his running mate should he win. Hillary is from a Blue state (No gain in votes), Edwards would be good but I don’t know if he would go second fiddle this time around, but my choice would be either Richardson or Biden or possibly a third party person like Bloomberg or McCain if he switched over (although he will probably die of old age soon) On a more serious note, a coleague at work wrote: " I was too young to vote for Jack Kennedy, but was for Bobby and was devastated when he was assassinated. When I heard Obama at the Democratic Convention, and have listened to him since then, I knew he was the right candidate at the right time. I’m pleased." This lead me to the following thoughts: "Knock on wood, Obama is inspirational enough to meet the same fate as Bobby, John and MLK. I hope I am wrong about that. Thankfully, I think we are in a different time now, although Bush and his cronies have tried their best to recreate the same tumultuous direction for our society. (I can’t help having an ominous feeling in my gut when I think of all the correlations – Vietnam – Iraq, Bush Crimes – Nixon Crimes, Assaults on our civil liberties, The speaking styles of MLK and Obama, the controlling of dissenting voices at the conventions [Free speech zones vs Miami Riots] The expiration of the assault weapons ban , etc, etc) I truly feel like the main reason there has not been civil disobedience this time around is the technology of today. People are able to express themselves and connect with other equally frustrated people enough through the internet that it is hard to let it bubble over in large gatherings where that is the only way to let your voice be heard. Anyway, I feel like our country has been in a state of Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome with the war, 9/11 and the last two presidential elections. That is part of the reason I get so outspoken some times. I want to get it all out there now so I can get beyond it in November." Peace
  • Hal R
    Joined:
    Keep at it jerry_garcia71
    Keep that spirit of positive change alive, don't let the complacent folks get to you. However I take issue with two things that you wrote. "we allowed the Bush Administration to slide into power" and "Nobody showed up to vote in 2004". Please no absolutes. I did not empower or allow the Bush Administration, I fought it and still do and I voted in 2004 just as I have every other year since I was 18. Peace. The future will be much brighter when these puppets of the the multinational corporations have been shown the back door to exit. If the doors of perception were cleansed, everything would appear to man as it is, infinite. William Blake
  • jerry_garcia71
    Joined:
    Thanks Marye!
    I appreciate the efforts of Marye at Dead.net to make a little room here for politics. As I was saying earlier, to me the Grateful Dead culture that I have loved being a part of for many years has historically been interested in politics and the environment. The music and the Family is my passion; but being politically active is protection of my freedom of expression. Freedom ain't free. I love to be carefree but folks we have to always keep one eye on The Man! I hear alot of negativity from Heads that choose to be complacent politically because "all politicians are crooked and nothings going to change anyway". But I feel complacency has made the world a worse place because we allowed the Bush Administration to slide into power. As Deadheads we were given a gift to make the world a better place. We spread joy. None of the candidates for president this year are perfect; but we must pick the lesser of two evils. Nobody showed up to vote in 2004 and the world is a much sadder place because of that. Turn on your love light this year and just vote for who you feel is best. Right now I feel Barack Obama is our best choice to make the world a better place. I often think about how I can help make the world a better place. I'm not pretending to know all the answers but I'm just doing my best. Last year I started an internet group "Deadheads for Obama" located at: DeadheadsForObama@groups.barackobama.com I'm trying to show Barack that the Dead Community is interested in peace, logic, and compassion like he is. Who knows, our support might earn us a wink and nod in the future! Thanks again and may you have a safe and happy new year.
user picture

Member for

16 years 10 months
Forums
Here and there in the forums people are expressing their enthusiasm for particular candidates in the upcoming U.S. elections, while others are saying Enough Already, We Don't Want To Hear About It. So, this is the right place to discuss your favorites (or non-favorites) and other matters relevant to the campaign. If you're not into it, skip this topic! And as for all you non-U.S. residents, if you want a similar topic for what's going on in your part of the world, speak up and I'll start it. Thanks!
user picture

Member for

16 years 9 months
Permalink

SUPERHAL!
user picture

Member for

16 years 3 months
Permalink

It's also an old marketing trick. It even has an acronym: FUDFear, Uncertainty and Doubt. Used widely in IT marketing. IBM used to rely on it heavily. Conversation is always more interesting than recitation, so speak your mind and not someone else's.
user picture

Member for

16 years 7 months
Permalink

"GIVE me an F- GIVE me an U-GIVE me an C- GIVE me an K-..........What's that spell?????" sorry, guys, love ya, just can't help myself sometimes........nothing left to do...but smile, smile, smile.....xoxox Gypsy Cowgirl, alias revolutionary grandma?
user picture

Member for

16 years 3 months
Permalink

i just thot there should have been more cookies and cake available by now, along with the odd vat of beer thrown in .....um........just because.....(heeheehee)
user picture

Member for

16 years 9 months
Permalink

Yes, it is an old trick, renewed about 8 years ago and being put to rest as we speak. It seems it created only distrust, conflict, and the demise of the ideals of the founders of this nation. This is a time for rebuilding and I applaud Hal for his part in upholding these ideals at this time.peace, pk
user picture

Member for

16 years 3 months
Permalink

instead of being a wiseass. as i stated before the good senator became president-elect i don't trust him, but neither did i trust the mccain camp. having said that, "the demise of the ideals of the founders" almost paraphrases pajak's earlier post but from a different point of view. there is in the works a plan that may very well cause that. i won't, at this time, point to which section of the bill of rights that i'm speaking of, but i will wait and see, however i DO think there are alot of unanswered questions about the soon to be president's agenda.....we'll see.....
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

16 years 9 months
Permalink

Has anyone found out yet where the $60 million went that was dowled out for Ayers by the Chosen One? Oh yea, I forgot it went for "educational purposes" and it was such a huge job that Acorn helped him out. Am I the only one who feels there is something wrong about not being able to pass a security backround check but still qualifying to be president of our country? It's a heavenly miracle! Even Ayers gets a good job!
user picture

Member for

16 years 10 months
Permalink

I'm more offended by the existence of security background checks than by anyone's inability to pass one.
user picture

Member for

16 years 8 months
Permalink

marye. You can say that again.********************************** Don't part with your illusions. When they are gone, you will still exist, but you have ceased to live. Samuel Clemens
user picture

Member for

16 years 9 months
Permalink

Wasn't that Dubya? God spoke to him or something?
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

16 years 9 months
Permalink

I guess during the era of the Chosen One accountability doesn't matter and anything goes. Good thing for Sen Dodd & Franks! Looks like socialism isn't going to be our only big change. People should wake up and stop blaming Bush for everything. As bad as he was, he did not do it all! The one good thing he did was keep us safe.
user picture

Member for

16 years 9 months
Permalink

Can we try supporting the new president before we condem him. Please
user picture

Member for

16 years 7 months
Permalink

The election is OVER-Can't please all the people all the time......No one seemed to condemn or impeach Bush...how weird is that? this topic should just go awayGypsy Cowgirl
user picture

Member for

16 years 9 months
Permalink

4 EVVV OAR
user picture

Member for

16 years 3 months
Permalink

but cmon, people have been condemning bush all along (deservedly, mind you).....mebbe mite help if this topic.....went awaaaayy...from the forum!!
user picture

Member for

16 years 9 months
Permalink

thanks If the doors of perception were cleansed, everything would appear to man as it is, infinite. William Blake
user picture

Member for

16 years 9 months
Permalink

I made efforts to show him respect and hoped that all would go well. Especially after 911, I hoped that we would be able to unify as a country/people. Other liberals also made efforts (if you recall) to not be 'sore losers' (Gore did conceed) etc. etc. And then Bush was elected to a second term. And do you really think there wasn't hope from many americans (even those of us on the left) that he would do well? There is such a thing as demonstrating an ability to applaud the efforts of the victor, even when it isn't your guy/team. We have made a practice of that after Nebraska football games and our home crowd stands and applauds the opposing team, win or lose (and have applauded more than we would have liked lately). That is one of the lessons of athletics, to be able to be humble in victory or defeat. In order to embrace the truth, one must have the ability to recognize when the opponent has outmatched you. And you can demonstrate respect for that person. Shit, Bush himself has made glowing comments about Obama of late, but there is an concurrent inability for others on the right to gracefully accept the will of the people and continue to vilify Obama before he even gets sworn in? And if McCain had won and the left was doing this to him, what would you say? Blaming and attacking him before he even took office? Please! You wouldn't stand for it. The devisiveness and intense partisainship that has marked the last 20 years doesn't serve this republic well, but talk show hosts on the right and the left love to drum up the hate. It makes them $ and whips their audience into an intolerant frenzy. Is that really what this country is all about? No wonder so many of the founding fathers were resistive to a system of political parties. My liberal friends made excuses for Clinton and I rebuked Clinton as well as admonishing my friend's double standards for Clinton's duplicity, hypocricy, and inattention to the nation's work that wasn't being done. My conservative friends made excuses for Bush and I rebuked Bush and admonished my friend's double standards for Bush's duplicity, hypocricy, and inattention to the nation's work that wasn't being done. I know when I get on my soap box, on my high horse, I generally fall off. It is a good thing I have a hard head. Luckily I believe that some of those posting so negatively on Obama have hard heads as well, because you all have landed repeatedly on your noggin since the election. I have had alot of practice at learning to lose, because the candidates I support so rarely have won. Maybe you just need more practice at losing to learn to lose with some dignity. Take a page from John McCain, or even George Bush. Look at the example of their response to the election and the respect they convey when discussing Obama. AND you can't have a tug of war with me, because I am on the same side of the rope as you are. IF you are for freedom, equality, justice, pursuit of happiness, etc. all those principles that this country was founded on. Or I could be wrong. The Truth is realized in an instant, the act is practiced step by step.
user picture

Member for

16 years 9 months
Permalink

pretty fine words there my friend If the doors of perception were cleansed, everything would appear to man as it is, infinite. William Blake
user picture

Member for

16 years 9 months
Permalink

this forum has to dieYou know it has to die And when the day had ended With rainbow colours blended Their minds remained unbended so this forum has to die You know it has to die
user picture

Member for

16 years 8 months
Permalink

post, Oroboros! Fine piece indeed.********************************** Don't part with your illusions. When they are gone, you will still exist, but you have ceased to live. Samuel Clemens
user picture

Member for

16 years 9 months
Permalink

A beautiful and eloquent post, Oroboros. Those ideals that you layed out are what makes our country, America, a great country and an inspiration to much of the world. I believe you are expressing the hope and dreams the founding fathers put in motion. America is a work in progress. And the foundation must be strong, as I believe it is, and we must build upon those ideals, and work together to shape this country in order to form a more perfect union. We must unite and realize we are one people, and reach out to each other to both teach and learn, and then we will all grow, and the country will grow. If you look at the ideals that Oroboros has talked about here, as he said, we are really all in agreement, so the foundation is there. So let's all work together to build America into a better place brick by brick. I am happy that we have a leader that has assembled a staff that is from all sides of the spectrum in order to form a more perfect union.
user picture

Member for

16 years 3 months
Permalink

bill clinton, attilla the hun, and st. christopher walk into a bar.........
user picture

Member for

16 years 10 months
Permalink

frankly, I'm reluctant to freeze a topic people still want to talk in, particularly when they do so as well as Oroboros just did. I would say, rather, as it says in the topic header, that if you're not into this topic, just let it go by. Thanks!
user picture

Member for

16 years 3 months
Permalink

why do you insist on making sense?
user picture

Member for

16 years 7 months
Permalink

Yay Oroboros-you did very well......but I'm glad that grdaed73 agrees w/ me....this forum has to die.....it's like trying to revive a Dead Horse....well, like Marye says above......I'll just skip over it & be on my merry way! xoxox Gypsy Cowgirl
user picture

Member for

16 years 3 months
Permalink

Post vote whining is easy to doBut the pols are elected, and chosen by you McCain and Obama, they dealt different hands The counting's all over, you know where it stands Dead horses, they just won't go away Dead, dead horses, just won't go away I see that some aren't pleased how it went Now they've decided they still need to vent No calm acceptance of the new status quo It might just be better to just let it go Dead horses, they just won't go away Dead, dead horses, just won't go away I know we all dreamed the best for our guy But only one wins. I'm sure you know why. The choice has been made. It's time to move on. Let's just be happy the last clowns are gone. Dead horses, they just won't go away Dead, dead horses, they'll quiet someday. Dead horses, they just won't go away Dead, dead horses, they'll quiet someday. Conversation is always more interesting than recitation, so speak your mind and not someone else's.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

15 years 5 months
Permalink

Hey wow. I've been meditating on my previous post to the message board last October. The result is, after I've been labeled as meanspirited and paranoid, probably called a few other things, this darkstar isnt putting anymore energy into shows around here and hasnt been. Who cares? Does it really matter? No, do you care? I dont care. Does anyone care. Tigerlily, do you wanna care about any of this? The replies I got were an insight as to how deadheads can really think,feel, act and can be ,generally, towards anyone they are talking with,It doesnt seem to matter who people are. Thats just a heads up.Why should I put any energy into this, when people are like that? The same as anywhere else.Which is what I wanted to say in the first place. I'm not supporting any of this. Who cares. Thats my peace.
user picture

Member for

16 years 8 months
Permalink

DannyC. Reread your post from October, and the responses to it. Why'd you ask me in particular? Can you be more specific about your insight into how Deadheads really think?********************************** Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society. Mark Twain