Leaving the community

One thing - one of so very many things - I learned in my five years of
flying is that partisan politics does not fit into the cockpit. Most of my
flight instructors have, I know, been to the right of me politically. I had
a most enjoyable flight with CJ - although he has since earned my undying
enmity by unapologetically using the term "Final Solution" in connection
with me and people like me, an astonishing thought coming from an avowedly
religious man, but telling and apt.

But now it seems the nation has, albeit by a slim margin, re-elected a weak,
hypocritical, murderous coward. Three years ago, when some writers on the
left started talking about fascism, I thought that an absurd stretch. No
longer. The parallels are not precise - they never are - but the broad sweep
and many of the components of a new fascist state are in place. The 48% who
didn't vote for this disaster keep knocking on my consciousness, but they
are now feeble and impotent. The thugs are in charge.

That being so, and despite what should be an apolitical setting, I can no
longer in good faith keep company with a group of which the majority, I
know, has elected to deliver the country I love, and chose as my home, into
the hands of Bush and his repressive, regressive masters.

So long. Thanks for all the conversations. You guys have made me a better
pilot.

-- David Brooks

Bye.


"David Brooks" wrote in message
...
One thing - one of so very many things - I learned in my five years of
flying is that partisan politics does not fit into the cockpit. Most of my
flight instructors have, I know, been to the right of me politically. I
had
a most enjoyable flight with CJ - although he has since earned my undying
enmity by unapologetically using the term "Final Solution" in connection
with me and people like me, an astonishing thought coming from an avowedly
religious man, but telling and apt.

But now it seems the nation has, albeit by a slim margin, re-elected a
weak,
hypocritical, murderous coward. Three years ago, when some writers on the
left started talking about fascism, I thought that an absurd stretch. No
longer. The parallels are not precise - they never are - but the broad
sweep
and many of the components of a new fascist state are in place. The 48%
who
didn't vote for this disaster keep knocking on my consciousness, but they
are now feeble and impotent. The thugs are in charge.

That being so, and despite what should be an apolitical setting, I can no
longer in good faith keep company with a group of which the majority, I
know, has elected to deliver the country I love, and chose as my home,
into
the hands of Bush and his repressive, regressive masters.

So long. Thanks for all the conversations. You guys have made me a better
pilot.

-- David Brooks

If you step back you will find that not much has changed. The republicans
gained ground in a senate that they already controlled but still lack the 60
votes needed to put anything radical through. They also continue to control
the house and presidency just like yesterday. The democrats maneuvered
themselves out of the running by incorporating ideas into their platform
(gay marrige) that did not gain them a single vote but cost them many. They
fronted a candidate that came across as arogant and spoiled. They will
figure out these errors and try to correct them. In two years there will be
another election for the house and some senate seats which will preclude the
republicans from doing anything to wild.

It is unfortunate when either side controls all three levers but it has
happened before and we will get through this time too.

Mike
MU-2


"David Brooks" wrote in message
...
One thing - one of so very many things - I learned in my five years of
flying is that partisan politics does not fit into the cockpit. Most of my
flight instructors have, I know, been to the right of me politically. I
had
a most enjoyable flight with CJ - although he has since earned my undying
enmity by unapologetically using the term "Final Solution" in connection
with me and people like me, an astonishing thought coming from an avowedly
religious man, but telling and apt.

But now it seems the nation has, albeit by a slim margin, re-elected a
weak,
hypocritical, murderous coward. Three years ago, when some writers on the
left started talking about fascism, I thought that an absurd stretch. No
longer. The parallels are not precise - they never are - but the broad
sweep
and many of the components of a new fascist state are in place. The 48%
who
didn't vote for this disaster keep knocking on my consciousness, but they
are now feeble and impotent. The thugs are in charge.

That being so, and despite what should be an apolitical setting, I can no
longer in good faith keep company with a group of which the majority, I
know, has elected to deliver the country I love, and chose as my home,
into
the hands of Bush and his repressive, regressive masters.

So long. Thanks for all the conversations. You guys have made me a better
pilot.

-- David Brooks

Mike Rapoport wrote:
They will
figure out these errors and try to correct them.

I doubt it. Substitute Kerry for Gore. Same result. The country just
doesn't believe the same things Kerry does. Look at the 11 states that
had gay marriage on the ballot. All 11 passed and it wasn't even close,
double digits in most states. One state not only passed that but
eliminated civil unions.

Newps wrote:



Mike Rapoport wrote:
They will

figure out these errors and try to correct them.


I doubt it. Substitute Kerry for Gore. Same result. The country just
doesn't believe the same things Kerry does. Look at the 11 states that
had gay marriage on the ballot. All 11 passed and it wasn't even close,
double digits in most states. One state not only passed that but
eliminated civil unions.

I'm thinking of moving to a state like yours (SD, right?). I've lived
in PA all my life, but it is becoming such a liberal cesspool that I may
have to retire elsewehere. The good thing is that I live in the
northcentral part that still has a grasp on morality and decency, but we
are outnumbered by Philly and Pitt so the overall state vote is a disaster.


Matt

Matt Whiting wrote:



I'm thinking of moving to a state like yours (SD, right?).

Montana. The democrats here couldn't get elected as republicans in
Pennsylvania. They'd be too far to the right.


I've lived
in PA all my life, but it is becoming such a liberal cesspool that I may
have to retire elsewehere.

A Wyoming address would be good and even more conservative than here.
No taxes.

Newps wrote:


Matt Whiting wrote:



I'm thinking of moving to a state like yours (SD, right?).


Montana. The democrats here couldn't get elected as republicans in
Pennsylvania. They'd be too far to the right.


I've lived

in PA all my life, but it is becoming such a liberal cesspool that I
may have to retire elsewehere.


A Wyoming address would be good and even more conservative than here. No
taxes.

Why are all of the conservatives states in places that are cold in the
winter? My grandfather always said that the cold winters "kept the
riff-raff out" and I'm beginning to think he was right. :-)


Matt

Mike Rapoport wrote:

In two years there will be
another election for the house and some senate seats which will preclude the
republicans from doing anything to wild.

NPR said today that Bush made a remark about quacking after that election.

George Patterson
If a man gets into a fight 3,000 miles away from home, he *had* to have
been looking for it.

Ya know. I think David actually left. Not a bad troll through muddy waters
however.

IMO the election was a contest between the people pulling the wagon and the
people riding in the wagon. Luckily 51% of the people were pulling the wagon
so it will probably keep moving (perfect wagon with no losses to friction
etc.). Once 51% or greater are riding in the wagon then it will only move
downhill.

Howard


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"Howard Nelson" writes:

IMO the election was a contest between the people pulling the wagon and the
people riding in the wagon.

Mebbe. Mebbe not.

Here's a thought. No doubt many of the people who voted for Dubya
feel strongly about government workers, among other issues. No
increase in government! It's full of incompetents and bozos who never
get rated on their real performance, but just get raises anyway.

Or get re-elected. Dubya--the epitome of everything wrong with the
Government Employee.