I've had the same experience. The rude, belligerent Obama supporters at dKos drowned out the reasonable ones. I honestly think a lot of Hillary supporters are mad at Obama, in part, because of his fanbase. For a long time, I thought their behavior reflected a top-down mentality. It's an illogical (but very human) reaction to project one's resentment of Obama's or Hillary's supporters onto the candidate him/herself. I heart a lot of you guys, too, and I owe people like you a real debt of gratitude. I came to MyDD and started talking to some reasonable, intelligent, polite, good people, and I thought, "They see something in Obama that I don't." When I looked at him with an open mind, I realized that I saw it, too.
And after coming here, I also saw that Hillary has some godawful assholes supporting her. I wish they wouldn't act like that. It reminds me of when I was in grade school, and we'd go on field trips -- the teachers would always say to us, "Be on your best behavior. You are representing your school, and poor conduct will reflect poorly on all of us." It applies to this situation, too -- we represent our candidates, and we should try to do it admirably.
You know what. I'm pretty tough and I've probably said more harsh words during this primary campaign than I've said in a whole host of other campaigns back here in the UK.
But your reply brought - if not a tear to the eye - then some kind of suppressed upwelling, and a choke in my (virtual) throat.
It's all about seeing what other people see. So many conflicts and misunderstandings because people place their faith and heart in exterior objects, and they don't mean the same things to different people, but often the emotions are exactly the same.
Hmm. All this kind of explains to me why I've wasted so much time (as a non voter and freelance writer) on these primary wars. I care passionately about the US, and the Presidency and the potential for change it brings. But I care even more about the ability to imagine, and cast yourself in someone's place, and those people - like yourself - who make that easier.
to see what others see. I rather rudely jumped down someone's throat earlier tonight and acted like a huge ass. But then I calmed down and explained how I felt, and I realized that he had no way of knowing why I was offended by what he had said. I got a new insight into the way he felt, and he came to understand some of the issues which trouble Hillary's fans the most. Obama supporters on MyDD are interesting that way -- they're more willing to listen than most Clinton supporters.
Heh, time spent working for a candidate you believe in is never time wasted -- even when your candidate doesn't win, which mine won't this year. Still, it's been worth it, and I'll have another fine candidate to support when Hillary drops out. And as we watch the election results roll in next November, I fully expect to be overwhelmed with emotions (which rarely happens to me) as I watch this nation elect its first African American president. There will be smiles and laughter and tears of joy that night, and it'll be the kind of once in a lifetime experience that can never be duplicated. And I just know I'll be smiling at strangers on the street for weeks, because the pleasure I'll take in victory like that isn't something I'll be able to hide. The people in this country will be beaming, and I suspect a lot of others around the world will be doing the same.
I can't wait for November.
