The absence of the common enemy

The absolute horror that Bush* and his cabal were (are, really) united DU.

They were our common enemies, and nothing unites like an external common enemy. Also, the ranting and venting that we could do here was an important factor in keeping all of us sane. At the time, the truth was really suppressed, and the non-M$M news and alternative interpretations of the news to be found here were a relief as well. All of that made for a truly underground Democratic site, something I for one appreciated strongly. Of course, that's not to say all was perfect - there were primary wars and smoking threads and so on ;-)

Fast-forward to today. The figurehead, his cabal, the perceived common enemy have blended back in the shadows. Cheney just stayed in his coffin.

The leader we look at to get our bearings is now a Democrat. Not all became a-ok right away, or on short notice. Obama being a Democrat, and this being a Democratic site (which isn't inherently underground), he isn't external or the enemy. So Obama definitely isn't and can't be the focal point of our anger Bush*co was.

In comes the DU indentity crisis, with tough consequences all of the regulars can recognize, but that I'm not further gonna elaborate on. This post is not about differences & divisions, but rather about what still binds us. Because Bush* was only the head, an arm of an octopus (newer members: check out Octafish's OP collection), if not a sock puppet. Bush* was the embodiment of our enemy - but the enemy was and is more than him, and didn't die with his pResidency*. The almost absolute power of corporations, the complicity of the media, disaster capitalism, inequalities and class warfare are still our common and inherently external enemies, and I'm sure you can come up with more.

I suggest we focus on them with all the ferocity, anger, knowledge, critical capabilities and activism we reserved for the Cabal.

regards
bmc


ps: it should be clear that even though focused on unity, this post is not intended to stifle criticism - I firmly believe any really good debate is between respectful but opposing sides. The echo chamber characteristics of DU are needed, but that's not all there is. I would think, and hope to be honest, that criticism of anything and anyone that goes against our beliefs and values remains an integral part of this website.

They forget the real issues or the real people those issues effect. They instead become consumed with winning at all costs. Many have forgotten what is important or they never really cared in the first place.

The lack of independent principles and commitment to traditional Democratic values has at times been astonishing.

I wish we could unite for the common good and try to encourage the right and moderates to see things in a different way by rationale discourse and a desire for the common good instead of name calling. Pundits and some members of the GOP are beyond civil discourse - but not everyone who doesn't vote democrat is an enemy - they just have a different opinion that may be worth listening to so we understand where they are coming from and can come up with a reasonable reason for them to change their mind.

Otherwise we seem no different than the extreme right calling everyone they disagree with a traitor who hates America

I intentionally left out the Goebbels quote about "easy to get a people to follow you - conjure an external enemy".

The enemies I listed are very real and I doubt there are people here that see them as made up.

In case you meant a lockstep is to be avoided - in general that is what I meant with "both sides".

times, real Americans are supposed to hate, fear, and/or campaign against as real threats to sovereignty and constitutional rights: liberals, french, germans, canadians, people of any color except for beige, socialists/marxists/communists/statists, muslims, gays and lesbians, gun control advocates, venezuelans, reid, pelosi, people from san francisco generally, health care reformers, teachers, academics, atheists, agnostics, university students especially those from California, anyone from the government, census takers, scientists, those of us who believe in evolution, those who believe in separation of church and state, advocates of reproductive choice, chicagoans, europeans in general, members of the media except for Fox, immigrants, wind-surfers and latte drinkers, palestinians (even Christian ones I guess), etc, etc.

Polarization is a key component of a 30 year campaign to control media and elections. Since the GOP and corporate conspirators don't hesitate to go low (ends justify the means) they have become good at polarization and fear. Truth and honesty are not required. Dems don't play this game, thankfully, and it means that we start each race behind.

and if those policies are applauded and passed by Dems (Bagram, Afghanistan, Iraq) or are enacted by Dems on their own initiative (jettisoning single payer for mandated insurance, gutting Social Security) where does that leave talk of "common enemies"? not everything can be blamed on corporations, obstructionism, and stay-behinds: if our anger and activism stop at the GOP's party line, that would completely cripple that anger and activism and even render them hypocritical

The enemies that unite DU are injustice, greed, mendacity, selfishness.

The list goes on, but it goes on along those lines.

You're right that George W. Bush was just the embodiment of those qualities. The faces and names will change. The symbols that represent those qualities will change.

But the people who support and contribute to the Democratic Underground will always oppose those enemies no matter how they shift and change form.

To the extent that policies of the current administration fall short of our ideal, we must and we will criticize those shortcomings.

I love Obama. I think he's a really good human being.

But if he has a booger on the end of his nose, I'm going say something. If he does something wrong, I'm going to say something.

If DU doesn't want to be a place for that type of expression, that's fine too.