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September 18, 2005

How Katrina Turned me Republican

I find it personally insulting that the media has all but written President Bush's obituary in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Unfortunately for the media, we have met the enemy and they are us. Many of us recognize that we have been our own worst enemies in our response to this disaster and the preparedness beforehand (the media included). The conduct of left wingers over the past several weeks has erased any lingering doubts in my mind as to why I have been leaning more toward the conservative side as each year passes. Any progressive views that I share with the left (such as environmental concerns and energy conservation) will remain secondary to the belief that the Republicans are our only hope of maintaining and protecting everything that makes America great.

While people were just beginning to be plucked from roof tops in New Orleans, the anti-America, blame-government-first, Bush-haters were immediately on the hunt for a political spin they could put on this tragedy. A situation that boggled the mind, that left us all in horror at its magnitude, was immediately turned into an attack on our President and evidence for his impeachment. This is the most disgusting example of muck raking we have ever witnessed in this country. Accusations were even floated about racism playing a part in the chaotic response to this catastrophe. Never mind that Louisiana has been primarily Democrat since the civil rights movement. Who cares that our system is set up in such a way that local and state authorities respond first? Forget about the Democrats broken promises to the people of Louisiana and utterly failing them. We should ignore that this was one of the swiftest federal responses to a disaster in history. The liberals smelled blood and seized the opportunity.

For anyone who still needs to know my justification for changing my status as a lifelong Independent, I would refer you to the information highway - the internet. The evidence is here, for us all to see. The vicious, mean-spirited, verbal attacks are forever recorded in blog posts, comments, articles and forums at each click of the mouse. Were I less inclined toward the patriotic view that America is worth every ounce of blood and protection we can afford, I might have been swept up in some of the initial concerns. I am willing and capable of admitting wrong. However, the bitter, nasty, combative attacks of more educated than, better informed than, holier than thou, liberals who swarmed to their keyboards would have been enough to forever repulse me from ever wanting to be identified with this kind of self-centered, hate. With fellow citizens like this, who needs enemies? If you doubt this liberal proclivity for rudeness, you are in denial; examine the evidence for yourselves.

Originally, this post was to include examples of the attitudes and language used. Later, I decided to remove these. Enough is enough. Having to preface the copied comments with apologies for the language used was enough for me to realize they weren't worth repeating. Should you choose to investigate the validity of my claims, there are personal attacks by the hundreds in articles, blogs, and forums across the web. I have read them, and I am sickened by them. This only magnifies my disgust at their having used this death, destruction and misery to further their own premeditated agendas.

A word to the wise (or the unwise in this instance): should you wish to convince people of your beliefs, it is advisable that you not belittle or verbally assault them. Most people don't respond to that sort of enticement, although the few that I was witness to handled it quite well. I was left with the perception that these people were so enthralled with their own wit, so convinced of their saintliness, that they had no equals.

This is not to say that there were not civil dialogues. There were those who, although they shared the same beliefs, were quick to chastise these egomaniacs for their hateful attacks. There are still civilized people out there. Agreements were reached on failures, just not on their causes. Although willing to agree that partisan politics was robbing the American people of their due, no consensus could be reached as to a solution.

What I found most comical about several of the more nasty of these individuals, was that when called out on their behavior, or repeatedly faced with opinions they did not want to read, they "stomped" away, never to return. One such individual (who continuously used profanity in attacking those who disagreed with him), went so far as to disallow and close all comments to his blog. His justification for this was so conservatives could not "spread their propaganda." Okay, I can understand and accept that. What I found most laughable was his complaining in his own posts that his comments were being deleted from other sites. So, let me get this straight. You don't allow comments on your own site, you viciously lash out at anyone who disagrees with you, and yet you are wondering why your comments are being deleted? It wouldn't have anything to do with your nasty disposition, would it?

There is another recent trend I have noticed in the blogosphere that bears mentioning. When someone disagrees with a commenter, they will often criticize them for commenting anonymously. Well "Mr.X," I find it interesting that you are criticizing someone for commenting anonymously when your comments are so clearly yours "Mr.X." This has occurred on numerous occasions, on numerous sites, and they don't seem to see the hypocrisy in it. Unless the person is proud to stand behind their beliefs, how on earth are we to know whether the name on a comment is real or fictitious? Just for the record, I always include my full name with any comments on what I consider a serious issue (except here, I just use “Drew”).

As of this week, I am officially a Republican. Until we are free of people like this at the "moderate" center of the Democratic party, they may be surprised at the results of future elections. Until some alternative party comes along that is not so bent on their own chosen crusades that they ignore reality, my status will remain unchanged. I have been motivated to get more involved, and I am sure I am not the only one.

Posted by capecodcyclist at September 18, 2005 06:30 PM

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