General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWow...Mike Johnson flashback to the old DU Hate Mailbag?
Last edited Sat Oct 18, 2025, 12:19 AM - Edit history (1)
So I've been lurking on DU for more than 20 years. I check in a couple of times a day. There are always so many clever posters already covering anything that peaks my interest, curiosity or anger that I've never felt the need to post anything of my own, until today.
I loved the DU Hate Mailbag! Sometimes I laughed until my sides hurt. During the run-up to the Iraq war, one of those hate mails stuck in my head so much it became a personal running joke. Some dim bulb was whining about the criticism of G.W. Bush and was especially offended by the giant protests that had just occurred (I was at both of the San Francisco events!).
IIRC he said "How dare all them protest our president! Don't they realize if they lived in Iraq, they wouldn't even have the right to complain about Saddam Hussein!"
UGH...the absolute chauvinism, the complete lack of self awareness and the utter hypocrisy of right wing propaganda that the very existence of a constitutional right to free speech expressly means we lefties should NEVER sully that sacred right by actually using it! So I started responding to any "protesting is unpatriotic" complaints by agreeing enthusiastically "Yeah...they should just shut up...this is America, after all!" (I have quite a few family members that were and are very right wing...heavy sigh)To be honest, I think my sarcasm went over a lot of heads but I always allowed myself a head shake and eye roll.
Not gonna lie, I was shocked today to see that the Speaker of the House of Representatives (!) actually paraphrased that 22 year old DU Hate Mailbag screed with this steaming pile:
"They are decrying the country that allows them to engage in this activity......It is the Republicans that restored your right to share and to speak your mind. That's the first and most obvious irony of the hate America rally".
Yeah...just shut up...this is America, after all!
They don't even bother with new material, it's just the same ugly reruns of lies, bigotry, greed and authoritarianism...wash, rinse, repeat.
Anyway,
I love it here (this miraculous world, a flawed but fixable America, my beautiful California and DU, too!) and I have some hope for the future, but holy crap, this country needs some work!
Which reminds me...
I'll be out tomorrow, carrying a big sign, "un-patriotically" but peaceably assembling to petition my Government for a redress of grievances!
Hope to see you there!
Edit to add: Thank you so much for all of the kind words and warm DU welcome! I've taken so much vicarious support and wisdom from this community, I hope I can give some back over time.


Bernardo de La Paz
(59,666 posts)Skittles
(168,163 posts)IT'S ABOUT TIME YOU JOINED US, WE NEED ALL THE HELP WE CAN GET!
Nittersing
(7,760 posts)We really need all hands on deck.
JoseBalow
(8,730 posts)Thank you!
Clouds Passing
(6,183 posts)2naSalit
(98,169 posts)Other side!
malaise
(290,243 posts)Welcome!
BidenRocks
(2,400 posts)Yes on 50, of course!
erronis
(21,641 posts)Great post.
I imagine we'll see some of the same as the goons come to take away all the weapons hidden away in Amerika. "You have your Second Amendment but you aren't part of OUR militia."
Mister Ed
(6,721 posts)PatSeg
(51,172 posts)Hopefully there will be more!
red dog 1
(31,994 posts)I'll be at a CA No Kings protest too.
I might never have known about the NO Kings protest happening tomorrow in our rural NorCal county were it not for the following DU post by NJCher
https://democraticunderground.com/10664672
reACTIONary
(6,750 posts).... this is the land of the FREE after all!
Tree Lady
(12,810 posts)I am from Cali in the Bay Area have a lot of family there so go a lot. We are living in southern Oregon now.
MustLoveBeagles
(13,686 posts)
Just Jerome
(371 posts)See you out there tomorrow so we can all shut the hell up together.
JMCKUSICK
(4,246 posts)Thank you for your wonderful 1st post. Keep them coming.
Jack Valentino
(3,650 posts)also, they love pedophiles, and WHERE are those Epstein files ???
Mike Johnson is too busy watching pedophile porn,
to swear in that new Democratic House Rep....
and he's doing it on 'Just Dance' Vance's COUCH !!!!
KitFox
(447 posts)years and finally officially joined a few months ago. This place really is a great big wonderful family. Be safe at your rally tomorrow. My music pals and I will not be shutting up😁but will be playing, singing and persisting at the rally at our state capital. Be well and welcome here!😊
canetoad
(19,662 posts)A good time to stop lurking and start posting. Welcome to DU!
brer cat
(27,165 posts)Maru Kitteh
(30,829 posts)Outstanding.
Be safe out there tomorrow!
Initech
(106,562 posts)
LetMyPeopleVote
(171,596 posts)Dem4life1970
(988 posts)cbabe
(5,741 posts)love_katz
(3,180 posts)From another fan of the Daily Hate Mail Bag, welcome aboard.
Alliepoo
(2,741 posts)Happy to have you here!!!
KS Toronado
(21,592 posts)