Ex Patria

Disappointment

I've supported Obama pretty much from the start.  We've donated to his campaign, we lived and feared and hoped along with him right until the victory.  I cried at his inauguration.  And I relaxed afterwards.  It was a feeling as if finally the adults have come back home.  Now I could rest and not fret about every single move that was made in US politics.  Finally, the sensible people were in charge and I could go on with my own life.

Over four years ago, right after Bush's re-election, I wrote a letter to my US family.  I described my bitter disappointment, my disbelief that Americans could vote for someone who would not follow up and uproot the evil that was Abu Ghraib. Americans like some of my family.  I warned them that we Germans had lived first hand what evil was, that it liked to hide and make seemingly sensible arguments, that it liked to prosecute its enemies with labels like "unpatriotic" and use phrases like "who is not with us is against us".  I wrote that that it's hard to stand up and unpopular, but necessary.  Evil needs to be countered when it is still small, it needs to be dealt with swiftly and consequently.  There cannot be any excuses.  There cannot be any exceptions. 

What I received back was outrage.  Well, first, there was complete silence.  Then, I got attacked by a distant family member I didn't know (and who had not been on the recipient list). Then I was called anti-American, that I had no say because I was not American.  In not so many words it was made clear that because I'm German, I had no right to judge others -- when in my mind, this is exactly our job in the world; we know where it can lead.  In the end, to prevent a rift in the family, I had to apologize.  Nobody has ever talked to me about politics ever again.  None of my US family has ever read my blog (or HDTD) again.

Years later, some family members told me that they had always been against torturing of prisoners, when I clearly remember discussions that contained phrases like "we don't really know whether there has been torture" and the famous ticking time bomb was mentioned.  I still feel bitter about this episode, both about the reaction from the other side, and about my own.

I feel I should not have given in for peace's sake. I failed my own standards and it still makes me angry that I wasn't smart enough to argue my convictions.

But I really don't think I could have changed anything or anybody's mind.

I did think I changed something by helping Obama become president.

His announcement that all those involved in torturing and covering up torture should not be prosecuted is a big blow to me.  I'm upset and angry and very, very disappointed.

Torture can never be excused.  It can never be tolerated.  It has to be prosecuted and it has to be punished with legal means every single time.  Bybee needs to be impeached.  The CIA agents and all those who followed orders have to be prosecuted.  Following a criminal order is a crime, not a simple failing.

I'm sorry, Mr. President.  This decision is wrong.

California!

Stoooooooooooooooooopid.

That's all I have to say.

Because it can't possibly be linked to too many times

Call me a dreamer.  Call me unrealistic.  Yet, for the first time in a very, very long time I am not disgusted by American politics but inspired.  I know it's probably in vain - the cynical side of me can't believe that good might triumph evil. Still:

It reminds me of the soccer world cup in Germany.  It was the same kind of sweep-me-off-my-feet mass movement  - positive, peaceful, one nation looking up and ahead, together, with pride.  Because yes, we can.

[A bigger and better version can be found at dipdive.]

Please vote for Obama. Pretty please.

Mental glitch

What the headline said:

Bush Speech Focuses on War and Taxes

What I read:

Bush Speech Focuses on War and Texas

Understandable, I suppose.

Concern

From the Union of Concerned Scientists:

political interference in science The United States has an impressive history of investing in scientific research and respecting the independence of scientists. As a result, we have enjoyed sustained economic progress and public health, as well as unequaled leadership within the global scientific community. Recent actions by political appointees, however, threaten to undermine this legacy by preventing the best available science from informing policy decisions that have serious consequences for our health, safety, and environment. Across a broad range of issues—from childhood lead poisoning and mercury emissions to climate change, reproductive health, and nuclear weapons—political appointees have distorted and censored scientific findings that contradict established policies. In some cases, they have manipulated the underlying science to align results with predetermined political decisions. They have also undermined the independence of scientific advisory panels by subjecting panel nominees to political litmus tests that have no bearing on their expertise, and by nominating under- or unqualified individuals—some of whom have industry ties that could represent a conflict of interest. Other scientific advisory committees have been disbanded altogether. These activities have naturally outraged members of the scientific community, and have also drawn criticism from numerous legislators who rely on the independence of government research. The American public, which trusts its government to make well-informed decisions in the interest of public health and safety, should be concerned as well. UCS is working with scientists and ordinary citizens alike to spur appropriate legislative and regulatory action. Find out more information about how you can help us restore scientific integrity to federal policy making.

Of course, he remains an utterly stupid idiot

Shows Disregard for the Health and Safety of Underserved Communities

Statement by Cecile Richards, President, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, on the Bush administration’s appointment of anti-family planning Eric Keroack, M.D. as deputy assistant secretary for population affairs

WASHINGTON, DC — “The appointment of anti-birth control, anti-sex education advocate Dr. Eric Keroack to oversee the nation’s family planning program is striking proof that the Bush administration remains dramatically out of step with the nation’s priorities. Keroack was the medical director of five so-called “crisis pregnancy centers,” whose policy was not “to distribute or encourage the use of contraception.” This politically motivated appointment is certainly not in the health interest of women and families.

“Last week Americans overwhelmingly rejected an extremist agenda, and sent a clear message by choosing candidates who make women’s health care a priority. For three decades, Title X has fostered healthy families by helping millions of American women plan and space their children through access to birth control services."

A new beginning

Lots of things to do now. Every Democrat knows that those numbers don't reflect affection but disgruntlement with Bush and his cronies.  Rumsfeld was the lamb Bush had to sacrifice in order to calm the masses (and this a mere week after he touted that Rumsfeld would stay another two years -- well, he's lied bigger lies).  Now it's up to the Dems to enamor those who voted for them by cleaning up the mess in Iraq, re-introducing responsible fiscal policy (hah!  A Republican value!), restricting nepotism and corruption in the government.  They will have to find a common ground, a red line, a theme - a moderate theme - and hammer it into people's heads.  That's the only way they can reclaim those voters in 2008 - and they will need every single one of them.

I know.  I can talk.  Actually, I do more than talk.  I am considering (considering) taking a drastic step (aka citizenship), so I can do more than just talk.  I am trying to make my mind up about who to support for 2008 - Hillary?  I'm not sure.  Obama, should he dare to run?  Not sure either.

I'll keep you posted.  And you, get to work.  It takes all of us now.  There's a lot of work to be done. Better start now, eh?

Oh, Virginia, I beg you

Via Daily Kos:

      Sen House Gov
Dems: 50   231   28   
Reps: 50   204   22  
D+/-  +5  +28   +6

Oh, please, Virginia.  Please, please, please.

To all non-Virginians: thank you all fom the bottom of my heart.  I still think banning civil unions is shameful but then, we can work on that one, right?  Right. Now we can.  On to work.

House, check

Breath of relief.

Good? Bad? Who can make sense of this?

Does it look good or bad for the Dems?  For Bush?  I can't tell you.  Nothing much has been decided yet and I'm very much reminded of 2004, and I hate those memories.

I'm cranky and depressed because those people I secretly counted on, the ones I thought might finally find it appalling that torture is now sanctioned and that the consitution is being violated, who might finally come to the realization that there have been enough deaths and that Iraq was, after all, a huge giant mistake, that we have to do something differently to give our children a future that's worth living in -- well, they voted Republican again.

I can't say anything to that.  At the moment, it just makes me violently sick.   

Good outcomes: 

• The abortion ban in South Dakota seems off the table.
• Arizona seems to come around in respect to civil unions.

Bad outcomes:

• No to civil unions from
  

  • Colorado

  •  South Carolina

  • South Dakota

  • Tennessee

  • Virginia

  • Wisconsin

That's all bad.  Very bad.