Sometimes people make me want to pull out my hair....

I guess I will start by adding all the things that I am doing (since this is all the rage on the site now), even though the list is short:

One corps member
County One Corps "Captain"
Active member Western North Carolina Network of Spiritual Progressives
Campus organizer
And oh yeah full time student

I am graduating in 3 weeks and still don't have a job, because I am holding out, trying to get a position as a community organizer for various organizations.

So anyway, in my new role as said captain, I went to a DFA meeting tonight to present on behalf of Edwards. It was great, my first and I am sure not my last. The meeting was well run and for the most part people were really respectful of people that were supporting other candidates and people asked some really good insightful questions.

However, there was a person there that is indicative of the kind of people that cause me to, as the title suggest, forcefully remove my hair from my scalp. This individual, no matter who was up, would not respectfully listen to the other presenters and allow them to say their piece and then question them. He/she would simply interrupt to make sure that the whole room got her opinion, and buddy boy let me tell you what--this person didn't want a candidate, she wanted Jesus Christ Himself to return to earth and run. She would accept nothing less than ideological purity. (Reminds me of Mao, Stalin, etc.)

Let me make myself clear...do I agree with every thing that Edwards says? No. DO I wish that on certain things he would take a harder line? You betcha. If I was running for president would I take the same positions that he is taking on everything? Absolutely not. But am I still supporting him and do I intend to work my tuchas off for him? YES!

See I don't expect another adult to have the same point of view as I do. I expect a little diversity. And I am also willing to listen to someone that tells me that they made a mistake and are willing to try and correct it. I think that that is an indication of a thinking, mature adult.

So is Edwards as progressive as he could be? No. But he also is out there sticking to what he believes in, much of which is outside of what we are told is "mainstream" America (I don't believe this for a second). That takes courage. That takes conviction. That is not "just politics." Just politics is running to the middle so fast that you lose your head. Just Politics is continuing to use words like "affordable" and "access" when talking about health care, and not Universal. Just Politics is having a volunteer pool that is just working for you and is not also focused on creating change now.

Is Edwards politics as usual? No, he most certainly is not. Is he ideologically pure? Not that either.

And that why I support him.

CM