Why I post here (long)

I'm feeling a bit defensive about posting here lately, so I wanted to give folks who may be interested an outline of why I post here at all.

I used to write letters to the editor at the WaPo, exclusively, at a manic rate, beginning at age 26. My main subject then was civil rights and issues of race. I wrote in pencil on legal pads and I submitted so many articles that the editor called me one day and advised me that they could only accept one every six months. Up until then, the very gracious editor, the late Meg Greenfield, had published letters from me at a pretty consistent clip which broke the rule more than once. I settled in with that advice and could almost always get an opinion of mine in the paper about every six months for almost a decade. Having that kind of access made me feel more and more responsible to speak up and I was more and more concerned that what I wrote was meaningful and heartfelt, rather than just writing to see my name in print (which is an awesome feeling. Writers . . .?).

In 2002, after 9-11, I had dialed back my writing (articles and letters) to take care of my dad. I had become fatigued with the effort and I just wanted to settle into some fiction writing and let it go at that. I started writing a children's book about Native Americans, and as I was completing it, I would turn on the news (I had blocked out all of the news channels and it took an effort to tune in) and you could see Bush gearing up to invade Iraq. I still wasn't inclined to go back to my obsession. But one night beside my lit fireplace, my wife (who insists she's receptive to 'spirits' - I'm not very receptive, if at all) told me of an Indian man who was concerned about the fate of the nation and the world, and who was insisting to her that things were about to go really bad for both. Apocalyptic stuff. I'm a big skeptic about communicating with spirits and stuff, but something about the way she said that the spirit was disappointed in my lack of interest that I found my self very defensive. I'm an original bleeding heart liberal.

There hadn't been many liberal causes that I wouldn't jump to and advocate for. I was beat on writing, but I felt challenged to be true to what I'd begun years ago: Defending against militarism, racism, sexism . . . the whole liberal gambit. I've always been a proud liberal Democrat and I had a gift (writing) that I knew I could employ to confront the growing militarism from the new republican administration.Bush ultimately decided to invade, so, I went for it. I bought a computer. I got a web site and built it into a resource for returning soldiers. My notion, born that night beside the (spirit) fire, was that I didn't want the administration to divide the peace movement and cast the members of the military opposite our advocacy and activism, as I had observed happening toward the end of the Vietnam war. So, I collected every link that I could which I believed would help steer returning soldiers (and debarking ones) toward the resources they needed and provide info so they could develop their own activism. That site became more relevant as the occupation dragged on and is still (unfortunately) relevant and, I think, needed.

It was a bit past the creation of my site that I came upon DU while looking for an outlet for my writing. Like a kid in a candy shop, I explored subjects within my activist interest and quickly found how hard it was to actually defend my positions against dissent. At DU, no matter which side I advocated on, I found there was usually still a need to explain my positions exhaustively to someone who disagreed. I think those disagreements made me stronger in my own convictions as I defended them. My main focus was still anti-war, but there were so many things here to argue or agree with that I did lose focus at times. Another presidential election came and went. The republican WH prevailed. That re-ascendancy to office by Bush only intensified my advocacy and hardened it to address the unbridled militarism.

I still hadn't really begun to write articles about my anti-war views. I don't know why. Lack of confidence, or something. I was arguing with none other than Will Pitt one day when a poster suggested that I was jealous because Will was such an accomplished and talented writer. S**t, what writer isn't impressed by the substance and skill of Mr. Pitt. 'You just want to be a writer like him and you're taking it out on poor Will,' the poster said (paraphrasing).

'Maybe I will write some articles,' I said with a bit of fake bravado. Maybe I will. So, no stranger to editorials, I set out to put my views in order on these pages to form articles. I found Rob Kall at Op-Ed news who was gracious enough to publish my work and he soon provided instant access for a page or two of writing on his site for over 100 writers, including me. I've cranked out about 250 so far and I haven't had too many pauses (though I have had my share of resignations about pouring my heart out here for critics, supporters, and the indifferent alike.

I write because I feel. I write because I think deeply, constantly about the issues and concerns which confront our nation and its citizens. If I didn't write, I'd drive everyone around me crazy with the talking, arguing, and debating the TV and other media.

It's fair to say that I'm not as enamored of writing here as I was at first. Critics aren't always concerned about the issues and more than a little, critics here have seen fit to focus on my motives, character, or personality rather than concerning themselves with directly responding to the issues I raise. But I found that DU has become the place where I can best organize my thoughts in that little box on the posting page. More importantly, those impressions that I provide in my writing here don't do so well floating around in my head. I really do need the recorded words to refer back to. There's really no substitute for posting on this site, as far as my own needs are concerned.

I got slammed yesterday for 'cut-and-pasting' an article, and was told that I had a problem with 'perception and reality' in my belief that posting here can make a real life difference. Fact is, these clipped articles I've posted here have become an invaluable resource for the rest of my writing. There's really no way that I could use regular google to recall all of the statements and events I've collected and posted here. Just a few words, names, or phrase (along with my screen name) in the search engines here and I have a ready resource along the lines of my interests and topical concerns. There's no substitute. I hope this board lasts forever. I need the info I feed into DU like life-blood. I need to have my thoughts and impressions collected here as a base for my writing and understanding of the country, the world, and the politics which surrounds it all.

Sure, there is the politics - especially during elections. I'm a POLITICAL NUT. No exaggeration. I get WAYYyyyy out of control in political debates here and elsewhere. But those are mostly my 'fun'. It's fair to say, though, that my anti-war, anti-militarism writing is my most precious pursuit. I don't come here expecting to be treated like some sage. I thrive on most of the dissent to my views. My critics help me solidify my opinion (or change it). I value the give and take here, as long as it's issue-based and not personal, destructive, or de-humanizing.

There really isn't anything more to me than I've described. Politics and advocacy isn't my profession and I've really never been a serious member of any organization outside of the Democratic Party. I like it that way. My own opinion is more than I can usually handle. As for the rest, I work and work to expand my horizons and to not be as isolated in my thinking as I was when I wrote to the Post. I always hope that comes across here, but I'm certain that proving the worth of my opinion is going to be a necessarily perpetual pursuit, here or anywhere I raise my voice.

I have a great deal of respect for President Obama. I insist on referring to him as 'President' or 'Mr.' as the editors at the Post taught me years ago, out of that respect. I hope that respect is noticed here, but I'm realistic enough to realize that it just can't be, no matter how I try. My opposition to the occupations isn't going to change with the change in the WH. I think I've been consistent in my criticism of them and I feel it would be highly dishonest for me to allow this new president to alter my view of the folly of remaining militarily engaged in Iraq and Afghanistan.

I wrote an article shortly after the president was elected which I'd like to share again. I'll let an excerpt of that article that be the end to this vain diatribe. I hope folks read it all, though. Thanks for reading. Ron


Validating Our Hopes and Dreams

The election of Barack Obama will be a validation of hope. It will be an affirmation of the hope of millions of voters, including many who have never believed in the political system before - some old enough to remember when there were very real barriers to their participation.

Barack Obama asked us to believe, and I really didn't at first. But, he made me a believer.

The value of his election will be a suspension of apathy for many; hopefully, enough to spark the kind of attention to the workings of our political system that we will need to motivate our legislators into action and to effect the changes we're seeking.

{snip}

In Barack Obama's hands is the task of restoring, not only prosperity at home, but, peace abroad. His unswerving focus on harnessing the power of the American people by challenging us to believe in our own roles in the disposition of our government will be extremely important if he can manage to translate that hope and belief into action and initiative.

For now, though, Barack Obama has most eloquently and effectively captured our attention with his inclusive and inspiring campaign. That may well be his most enduring and constructive contribution to our democracy.

full article can be read here on DU: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x4374897

Good for you. Keep writing, keep thinking, stay involved.

Never give up!

K&R

:patriot:

There was just enough common ground between those who, per the officially sanctioned, establishment "criticisms" of Bush/Cheney, deemed them - as they were instructed to - "incompetent," and those who knew that something was very, very wrong w/our entire system of governance re how that admin was installed to fulfill the PNAC blueprint, and profit from "war$."

I'm partial to well-thought-out pieces. :)

while I may disagree with your assessment of Obama, you're one of the folks that makes DU great! :toast: :woohoo: :applause:

Peace to you.

and/or your heart.

Chalk it up to that.

(( )) and a
*smooch*

i've not posted much lately b/c i'm tired...or lost...or something. i don't want to add to the discord here, but i'm seriously worried about the direction things are going. President Obama's stance on Afghanistan seems to indicate that he's taking the high road and bucking the Generals. I really hope that is the case, and if it is the case, i hope he survives it.

also, i'm not seeing things in the red-blue polarity that dominates discussion recently. i'm worried that it's bigger than that. that, the dems are becoming the party of corporations and the GOP the party of rage, which leaves The People without any advocates. with this in mind, it's become difficult for me to put my fingers on the keyboard 'in support of,' or 'in opposition to' anything meaningful. everything seems like kabuki anymore. but, what you said about being your own Google -- now, that makes sense. that's a concrete and helpful perspective on our "second life" on DU. so, with that in mind, maybe i'll have more say in the future.

thanks for a great post.

That is what I see and fear as well. I am suffering the same kind of paralysis you describe trying to write for or against anything. I have never been a prolific poster here, but I keep my own handwritten notes/commentary. I barely have the energy to do it anymore because life has become so bizarre(and difficult), it is all I can do to get through each day.

Thanks so much for expressing what I have been feeling so well, and to the OP for a great post!

It's made a big difference in my small life today to read so many kind words.

Nice to get to know you. Wish I had the gift!

worth continuing to be part of DU. I thank you for your talent, sense of balance and all your efforts.I wish we had a million of you!

:toast:

Because even the best written or well thought out post here will have it's critics and detractors.
And so often this discourages people from sharing there ideas, because after all people want to be loved.

So remember that you are loved here as much as Will Pitts or H2O Man or any other of our more prominent posters.
We love our prominent posters the way we love our family, we won't always agree with them but we love them none the less.

Glad you are here.

Thanks for posting this. You are well informed and express yourself well when writing. Keep it up.

great... just great thank you for your many thoughtful posts.

There are some whose posts I don't. But that's the give and take of Democracy.

Carry On!

bigtree - I always sensed that you were a sensitive, empathetic person. Always tried to kick and rec your posts when others were fully engaged in the "heat of battle" around DU and your efforts were drowned out. Kudos for your posts and presence!!! :applause: :hug:

Thanks, bigtree.

Thank you.
Rec :hi:

Keep posting here! :yourock: :hi:

Your words reflect a lot of my own thinking when I came here soon after the election of 2001. I felt it was my patriotic duty to add my thoughts to the equation. I was hoping I could help someone else see what I see...

You are an excellent writer.

btw, you nailed it here,

"critics here have seen fit to focus on my motives, character, or personality
rather than concerning themselves with directly responding to the issues I raise."

K&R.

Well done, bigtree.

I'm actually rather busy, even at home. My method of posting madness is to click refresh whenever I pass the computer. I work nights and I'm loath to sleep while there's daylight, so, DU get a lot of my attention. Writing and politics is my hobby, btw. It's safe to say that the exercise of writing is the most effective strategy that helped me move past depression and leave it behind years ago.

Sometimes with Will Pitt's articles, I find my interest fading before getting to the end. Not this one.