Welcome back!

This next bit is a rough draft. I just tried to get it down on the blog before I left for the afternoon. Will be back in tonight. If you read this it's rough. Please give me a chance to clean and edit. Thanks, 12 dogs.

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Once again the issue of racism rears it's ugly head. Just because Sen. Clinton may win big in W.Virginia.

I'd just like to mention the fact that a racist that you're talking about probably isn't going to vote for a women either. I don't guess ya'll thought of that. They're gonna be as diehard a Republican as you are a Democrat. They aren't gonna be caught dead voting for anything Democrat. They don't have to game the primaries if the state is as racist as you say. Heck they know their relations and neighbors. They can stay home. If folks are this racist, they have the General Election covered.

Think about it.

But that said let's consider that there are white West Virginians who would like to vote for Sen. Obama as the president. The are interested in his views. Let's please consider them before ya'll run them off.

I have lived in the south my whole life and you know what? I've never heard anyone automatically say,"Oh those folks in Washington State they are a bunch of Red Neck Racists who couldn't possibly vote for an African American for president. Let's ignore them." Never in my long life have I ever heard that. But I have heard that I was a Red Neck Racist who couldn't possibly vote for a African American for president because I was from the Deep South.

Heard that on the internet many times.  

They don't know a thing about you except where you come from and bingo they seem think they know ALL about you.

Even if it is all wrong.

Folks there are racists in every state just like there are really lovely nice very fair folks in every state.

Take Mississippi.
After Katrina there were ALOT of angry folks of all politics. They didn't care for the way that the aftermath of that storm was handled. It was a mess after that storm and Mississippi and Alabama NOT JUST LOUISIANNA took a terrible hit. There are Republican voters who will be looking to the Democratic party because of that. If the Democrats start saying they are racists? Just because they're from South?  They'll stick with the devil they know. Especially in states like Alabama where the Governor is Republican and successful. Or if you are in the military and you're not sure what's kind of representation you're going to get from the other side. Again, you'll stick with what you know.

Judging someones voting preference just because of their geographical location is a form of bigotry. It really is. No way to grow the Democratic Party.

I didn't care for the way folks, who questioned the war in Iraq before the invasion, were treated. Didn't care to be called anti military for it. I just have friends and relations who will be put in harms way if a war isn't carefully considered. The first thing you come to terms with is that if you fight in war you might die. It's a good idea to minimize that risk as much as you can. That means you question BEFORE so you don't REGRET later. You have to do this.

Try asking those questions in a heavily Republican area. Try finding a protest march. A vigil. Go on. You're walking on eggshells. That's why, when I was accused of causing trouble because I said I would vote for McCain, I had to just laugh. I've lived in an place where to critise the war in Iraq would end up with me being accused of SEDITION. AIDING THE ENEMY. And that was just because I questioned wheither it was a practically waged war. It's an uncomfortable feeling to know that just honestly asking a question gets you called a traitor. Think about it. Where were the Democrats? The ones against the invasion.  I could have used a friendly face. One to say, "You aren't alone in your beliefs. You certainly AREN"T antiAmerican. Funny, the things I questioned before the invasion are the very things that later did happen. Made me so sad to see this thing. If I could see it coming how come the experts couldn't? So very sad to see and preventable.

That's why I like a strong multiparty system. A system where people of different views can group together and peacefully address their grievences. A safe harbor when you don't agree with the majority in your area. It actually breeds peace not desention.

Don't you feel better when you think that your views are heard and fairly concidered. I do. Heck, it's the First Ammendment we're talking about. Sheesh.

Please, I ask you as a Southerner. Do not call the people in West Virginia racists just cause they didn't vote for your guy. Maybe they just think Sen. Clinton could do a better job. And to the myDDer who quoted Tip O'Neal saying that folks like to be asked for their vote.

Yes-- they sure do.

I mean come on.

If someone asked for your vote and spit on your shoes at the same time?

Would you vote for them?

I like polite discourse in my diary but not at the expense of debate. I do because of my own experience. Just remember folks tend not to vote for folks who yell at them.

Welcome.