Ray Charles is singing America on PBS's The Blues (tears flowing)

Oh my god, I suddenly remember what it felt like in the days when I just really loved my country - was so proud to be a part of it (even in light of our crimes.....which have always been substantial), but there used to be a reason to hope for us to evolve into the very, very best.

And I am remembering when other countries looked up to us - despite our faults.

And I remember when the 4th of July was my very favorite holiday .....

When I get done crying, I have a feeling I am going to be raising my fists.

Is there any hope for our country? Any at all? It is so bleak and cold and mean and nasty and dumbfounding and crass and evil... you get the point.

Maybe we could just divide the country up - east to the repukes and west to the liberals.

and West for the Repukes? I'm kinda attached.

Grand Canyon
Everything in Utah/N. Arizona
Grand Tetons
Glacier National Park
Yellowstone
the Cascades
the borders to Mexico -- Hey, we owe the Mexicans a little friendliness; it's about time
Bordering B.C.
We get Alaska and can preserve it
If we give the west to the pukes, they can


Now, for the east? I know there's some great things about it, but I think if we have to choose, the west wins out for political reasons and geographical aesthetics.

Scorcese is to be commended.

I think i'll get the DVD set of the series for Xmas.........

I can't believe the narratives he got and the compilation of some incerdible stuff after the turn of the century.

I forgot that there was ONE THING that the USA gifted to the world. Granted, the roots of The Blues are from Africa and the New World's slave trade.

And I think I understand a bit more about what hip hop and rap are about (a big feat for this white person). I even heard a hip hop/funk tune this week on the radio, and I know I heard it differently.

and I am still proud to be part of it. The people who are soiling our reputation now are the ones I hate, but not the USA.

Is there hope? Well, yes, otherwise the DU would be as small as freerepublic.com (gratuitious note - ever notice how ugly their web layout is?)

We, as a nation, will survive this current takeover by the neocons. When we liberals are joined, as seems to really be happening, by reasonable conservatives, in raising our voices against the expansionist, theiving ways of the current administration, you have to know that the tide is turning. Face it, the current head of the administrative branch of the federal government is a one-term officeholder, just like his father. I have a strong feeling the swing voters will come to our party, and the next President will be a Democrat. It is in the air.

But I am convinced that the pheneomon of the "neo-cons" is simply a symptom of a diseased society. We could put all those thieving evildoers in prison, and we would be left with the society that created, supported and maintained them.

That's where I lose my sense of hope.

It is beyond me how any reasonable person on earth could ever think "bush is a good guy." A majority of people in this country think all is well. Except for that bottom line "my pocketbook" issue that will turn votes. But isn't THAT the problem: shear greed? So they want someone running this country who will keep them flush, and they could give a flying F what else they do. In fact, they love watching bombs blow up brown people.

No, our society needs a major colonic. Hopefully these despairing times will serve as that colonic.

I am curious -- about how old are you? (I am in my mid 40s)

and it's a small part. Yes, it's the rich and powerful part, but it's not everyone (and not every rich and powerful person either). Do we all live in a diseased society? No, if only because society in the USA is huge, really huge, and varied. For every church that preaches hate, there is a gay community center preaching tolerance. Or at least for every five churches... What would help is if we got the people in the church together with the people in the community center (please forgive the stereotyped examples; I think my point is made).

Also, I'm 34. Not old enough to remember seeing Nixon on TV, but old enough to remember the Camp David accords of the mid-70's. My young idealistic days are behind me. What I have before me, though, I determine will not be as bad as I fear. A fool's hope, perhaps, but I will make what I can by my own hands.

Welcome to DU :hi:

Sometimes I think we're too far gone. I regret taking so much for granted and now trying to play catch up.

To all of you who have fought the good fight over the years, thank you.

goosebumps! . . .

great series . . . I really liked Eastwoods' piano blues film tonight . . . Art Tatum is not to be believed! . . . hope I can afford to own this set someday . . . :)

He even had my husband crying, who didn't even cry when his father died.

than RAy