I work one block from city hall here in Philadelphia, and it's necessary for me to cross Broad Street (a major thoroughfare) at least twice daily. Yesterday, for the first time in months, I was able to walk home without hearing the "Honking for Kerry," without being asked to "Help get George Bush out of office," or having to weave my way around crowds with Kerry/Edwards signs. (I actually notice the panhandlers again!) For months, the streets have been lined with folks decked in Kerrywear© carrying clipboards. I was recently approached by one for the umpteenth time and pointed my finger, exclaiming "No!" Did I mention that Philadelphia is a very (and I can't emphasize very enough) Democratic town?
In Philadelphia, there were 517,054 votes cast for Kerry and 124,710 for Bush. I saw no Bush/Cheney signs in the city until Tuesday morning on my way to work. Amongst much honking, carrying on, and crowds of Kerry signs, I finally saw one hanging above a subway entrance. I imagine men doing some construction placed it there. I smiled secretly to myself. I considered many times walking down Broad Street with a Bush sign, but refrained from doing so due to fear of assault. (I'm one of four Bush supporters that I know in this city, and there's not much safety in those numbers.)
Back in July, Zombyboy wrote:
In the last few weeks, I've been called an asshole, a dumbass, a filthy repug, arrogant, ignorant, stupid, and probably a few other things that have escaped my memory at this moment. I've been called those names for saying that I don't like the racist overtones involved in some bumperstickers, think that Sandy Berger absolutely deserves the scrutiny that he's come under, because I approve of Zel Miller, and because I don't believe Bush knocked down the World Trade Center.In any other "social" setting, I would almost never face these kinds of comments. At a party or at the bar, someone might tell me in no uncertain terms that they disagree, but it would rarely be because I was an arrogant, ignorant, filthy repuglican asshole.
I have not been so lucky with my social setting. For my support of George W. Bush, I have been screamed at, snarled at, cursed, and, worst of all, told that the blood of our soldiers is on my hands for supporting the war. All of this began one night in January, when I simply refused to say that I hated the man (I wasn't even a supporter yet), and it has continued ever since. Knowing the viciousness of some parts of the blogosphere and being cursed by some people who I once considered to be "friends" has kept me from writing much more than has my preoccupation with work.
Please don’t get me wrong, not everyone has treated me with such disdain. Many of my friends and family, whose opinions I respect with all my heart, have been very respectful of me. Of course, I don't agree with all of the President's policies, but the sheer hatred I have seen for GW in the past eleven months has frightened me.
I've found safety, reassurance and rationality in the blogosphere. Although I don’t write much, I am always reading, which brings me back to Zombyboy's post.
As I said, I'm not ready to hang it up, but I am ready to re-think the site. I don't know exactly what that means, but I do know that if I don't find some personal satisfaction in the thing, I will give it up soon.Too much name calling and not enough fun, whatever the hell that means.
With that, he scared the bejeezus out of me. I can't imagine how I'd feel if any of the bloggers who keep me reassured that I am not alone threw in the towel. Most of you don't know that I read you since I'm as infrequent a commenter as I am a poster. But I thank you. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. You have helped me to open my eyes, open my mind, and find some truths.
Some odd years ago (okay, not all that long ago, I admit), I sat on the far left with clipboard in hand getting petitions signed. I left a message for my Dad on election night in 2000, "Hi Dad, it's Maureen, just wanted to let you know it's not to late to do the right thing and vote for Al Gore." (That one still cracks him up.) I was never ever treated this way. People who disagreed with me would politely tell me so. When I talk to an angry liberal now (and I still consider myself to be quite liberal, but not angry), I receive snide remarks, conspiracy theories that they actually believe, and am told that GW is "the devil." Is that the best you can do? Curse at me and tell me I'm stupid? That I'm "corrupted by Fox News!"?
What's causing Democrats to lose elections? I think about the way that I've been treated, the hatred I've seen, and the praise of liars like Michael Moore. I think that has much to do with it.
On the other hand, I have seen George Bush lead the fight against terror and free two nations. I made my decision, the election is over, and I am relieved.
Update before even posting: I wrote this yesterday and did not have time to edit it before meeting Oscar at the watering hole for a celebratory adult beverage. I just want to add that I ran into the woman who has given me the most grief. She said hello, but could barely look at me. I hope we can find a way to repair our friendship.
Interesting... I could have said many of the same things, but the other way around. My being liberal has gotten the same hateful reaction from many republicans I know. Clearly the problem is not democrans or republicrats. But rather, close minded people who feel that their opinion is right and anyone who disagrees with them is wrong. The fact is, the glass is half full. And the fact is, the glass is half empty. Isn't it beautiful that each american has her (heh, heh) own unique perspective. Perhaps we ought to start listening to each other. We might just find that there are many things we can agree on. I love you Maureen! You are too cool!
Posted by: Idgie at 01:16 AMMaureen, I tried to comment on this earlier, but the comment didn't go through. Anyway, I had honestly assumed you were voting the other direction. Welcome to the dark side (said with a smile, of course).
Anyway, I hope that this is just a temporary bump in some of those frienships for you. I know what you mean, though. Some of my friends haven't called me since last week, and I've decided to give them a little time before I call them. The last thing I want them to believe is that I am gloating.
Good luck, and give it time. I'm sure your friends know you well enough to know that you aren't the type to take cheap shots at them over an election disagreement.
Posted by: zombyboy at 07:08 PMYou would make your Grandpa D. proud!
I think that we need to look at the divisiveness between urban and rural areas. We each have different wants and needs. Until we understand why we have those differences we will continue to be divided. Why would anyone want to own a semi-automatic shotgun with a black stock? An assaut weapon right? Not in the hands of turkey hunter or duck hunter who hunts in the fog and rain! Who needs government subsidized mass transit? Certainly not the hog farmer in Iowa. Perhaps we need to teach it in our schools so we can understand why different parts of our country believe the way they do and that it is OK to have those beliefs. It's unfortunate that we take those diferences and accentuate them to make them "issues". If this country gets to the point that it is governed by a "simple" majority we are in trouble!
