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Califorward

(1 post)
Fri Oct 17, 2025, 06:40 PM Friday

Wow...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.




29 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Wow...Mike Johnson flashback to the old DU Hate Mailbag? (Original Post) Califorward Friday OP
Welcome to DU. . . . nt Bernardo de La Paz Friday #1
excellent debut! Skittles Friday #2
Thanks for popping out of lurk mode! Nittersing Friday #3
I like everything about this JoseBalow Friday #4
Welcome, Califorward. Love your name and 1st post 💖 Clouds Passing Friday #5
Welcome to the... 2naSalit Friday #6
Nice malaise Friday #7
Welcome! BidenRocks Friday #8
Yeah. "You've got your freedom of speech. Now shut up!" erronis Friday #9
Thank you, and welcome! n/t Mister Ed Friday #10
Great first post PatSeg Friday #11
Welcome! red dog 1 Friday #12
My variant: "Yeah...they should just shut up... reACTIONary Friday #13
Hello and glad your posting Tree Lady Friday #14
Welcome to DU MustLoveBeagles Friday #15
Welcome! Just Jerome Friday #16
Welcome Califorward JMCKUSICK Friday #17
Thanks for posting, and welcome!!! REPUBLICANS are the 'terrorist organization' in America-- Jack Valentino Friday #18
Welcome, welcome, Califorward! Enjoyed your first post! I was a lurker for KitFox Friday #19
You've picked canetoad Friday #20
Welcome to DU and please keep posting. brer cat Friday #21
Hands down the BEST first post I've ever seen on DU all these years. Maru Kitteh Friday #22
Damn, nice pull! Initech Friday #23
Welcome to DU LetMyPeopleVote Yesterday #24
Welcome aboard! Great first post! Dem4life1970 Yesterday #25
Rights for me but not for thee. But Mikey is behind the curve. His t buddy cancelled freedom of speech already. Onwards! cbabe Yesterday #26
Welcome to DU. love_katz Yesterday #27
Welcome!! Alliepoo 21 hrs ago #28
Yes welcome to DU! KS Toronado 21 hrs ago #29

erronis

(21,641 posts)
9. Yeah. "You've got your freedom of speech. Now shut up!"
Fri Oct 17, 2025, 07:53 PM
Friday

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."

red dog 1

(31,994 posts)
12. Welcome!
Fri Oct 17, 2025, 08:34 PM
Friday

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

Tree Lady

(12,810 posts)
14. Hello and glad your posting
Fri Oct 17, 2025, 08:43 PM
Friday

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.

Jack Valentino

(3,650 posts)
18. Thanks for posting, and welcome!!! REPUBLICANS are the 'terrorist organization' in America--
Fri Oct 17, 2025, 10:17 PM
Friday

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)
19. Welcome, welcome, Califorward! Enjoyed your first post! I was a lurker for
Fri Oct 17, 2025, 10:22 PM
Friday

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!😊








Maru Kitteh

(30,829 posts)
22. Hands down the BEST first post I've ever seen on DU all these years.
Fri Oct 17, 2025, 11:35 PM
Friday

Outstanding.


Be safe out there tomorrow!

cbabe

(5,741 posts)
26. Rights for me but not for thee. But Mikey is behind the curve. His t buddy cancelled freedom of speech already. Onwards!
Sat Oct 18, 2025, 02:44 PM
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