Netroots 'factinistas' and Wes Clark 2008
America loves a GI
by Donna Zen, A Wes Clark Democrat
When the DLC cranks on the netroots, they slip into the same delusional thinking that swirls in the brains of the average voter. They label us in an effort to define us and shut us in a box. But I've been online since Dec. 12, 2000, and I have a very different take on the netroots. We are living breathing people from all over the country who live varied lives and do varied jobs. We are activists to one degree or another, and probably the same people the Democrats call repeatedly for money and phone banking. Many of us in our embodied lives vs our cyber world, actually belong to and participate in Democratic organizations. How far "left" we are is also varied, although I've found that most netrooters just want a better form of government—like the one outlined in the Constitution. Oh, and how about a few policies aimed at us and our kids?
The greatest difference between the netroots and the average voter is: WE READ. We read constantly and from world-wide sources. We dismiss more tainted information by noon than most people read in a year. That is probably why we fight about our candidates with such vigor, because we do know what we like. It's good unless it's bad. We need to cool it.
Many people who support Hillary Clinton believe she voted against the IWR. 72% of the people who voted for Bush thought that he was in favor of cheap drugs from Canada. Plenty of idiots still think that Saddam was connected to 911 including Frank Gaffney, and including my classes. (I know, I ask them.) Even the people who are involved in politics often know little...take my local Democratic committee...please. My Dem. group thinks that Blitzer is a liberal. It is not that people aren't concerned, but the information highway is riddled with pot holes like going to work, picking up the kids, finding the cat, paying the bills, and just slogging along in America. And of course, faux news.
Every janitor in my building was for Clark and their number one reason was that he wasn't a politician. When he dropped out, they told me that they couldn't vote for Kerry because he'd take their guns. I told them that Clark's position was identical to Kerry's. "Nope," they said, "Clark is a general and a general would never take your guns." I'm telling you, I tried.
Aside from the fuckhead Shelton and a few other cranks like Grange, I doubt that the generals will be allowing any dissing of Wes. They know exactly how bad things are at the Pentagon, and they know that it is going to take real knowledge and sharp elbows to clean things up. Rummy has been f'king with them "big-time." Besides, Wes, a disabled vet, was endorsed by the heads of West Point and Annapolis (retired), that should put a damper on a few swift-fire-boats.
But my personal case for Clark is more involved and has nothing to do with his uniform—sort of. For me, his stars just open the door to let in the light. He more than any of the others understands the world and our role in it. Clark has spoken about the strategic framework which is driving our foreign policy, military and consequently our economic outlook. If we don't change that, then our country will continue along its current disastrous path. He has spoken of the changes needed to reverse the course of the "long war" leading to confrontation with China. We can no longer think that the domestic agenda is separated from our foreign policy; they are one. Clark understands this, and is the best representative we can have for straightening this out. He works everyday with emerging technologies, security, and constanly travels the world. Besides the man is quite frankly brilliant.
I want someone in the Oval Office who can manage a huge job and can knock at the Pentagon door—we need some of the money back for health care and education. I want someone who can stand in the bully pulpit and tell America "star wars" doesn't make you safer, and giving up your Constitution will never make you more free. Clark believes in all of this and he can do it.
I would never sign another Draft Clark anything. The American political scene is utter bullshit. He and his family don't need the aggravation. But if he runs and gets the nomination, he wins. America loves a GI. And if he runs, I will be there. As a factinista, I read.
