MyDD :: My First and Last PUMA Diary

My First and Last PUMA Diary

by Saintcog, Mon Jul 21, 2008 at 03:21:51 PM EST

Seeing as there has been a call to end PUMA diaries after today, and that I have yet to write one, I clearly need to get my ass in gear and bang one out before the deadline. OK, so here it goes.

First of all, I have serious issues with any group whose name contains the terms "Party" and "My Ass." Someone clearly was not thinking straight (so to speak) when they thought of that. I have never personally run across one of these people whose political purpose is predicated upon this notion of anal conviviality, but if I ever do I will be certain to fasten by belt tightly.

Second. OK, so not all Democrats will be voting for the Democratic nominee. Excuse me, but when has the party ever been united? I mean, don't we have between 10 and 15 percent of the party defecting to vote Republican every election cycle anyhow? So how is any of this novel? Why this time around does the phenomenon merit it's own movement with its own cute little name? And again, what is the point of bringing one's ass into this?

Third, isn't it a little silly to put all this time and effort into a movement that's destined to fizzle out after November? The PUMA's are working to make trouble for Obama, but at the same time most of them insist that they are not working to advance McCain's candidacy either. Riiigght, so...I'm a little confused. If the purpose is not to affect the election then surely it has a purpose outside of the election. So this leads me to wonder, what exactly will this group do after the election, whether McCain or Obama wins? Perhaps they'll be busy trying to figure out how to unite their party-asses.

Sure this diary is juvenile and adds absolutely nothing to the public conversation about anything that matters. But then, such is the case with every other PUMA diary, so I'm in good company. I probably could have lived my entire life without ever having written a PUMA diary. But then I saw that time was running out, and suddenly I felt this bizarre and irresitable urge to do so.

Please forgive me.

Tags: PUMA, meta (all tags)

Permalink :: 34 Comments :: Post a Comment

Remember, this is a PUMA Diary... (2.00 / 5)

Think about that before you decide to tip it

by Saintcog on Mon Jul 21, 2008 at 03:22:49 PM EST

Re: Remember, this is a PUMA Diary... (2.00 / 2)

I like unicorns, pretty much sums my thoughts up:)

by Dog Chains on Mon Jul 21, 2008 at 03:24:43 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Remember, this is a PUMA Diary... (2.00 / 2)

My last Puma comment.

I am going to miss making fun of them, I post alot of their pathetic appearances on Right Wing Propaganda so we can all laugh.

Well, after watching the summation of their movement here in San Francisco I now feel sorry for them:

by DemsLandslide2008 on Mon Jul 21, 2008 at 03:32:51 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Remember, this is a PUMA Diary... (2.00 / 1)

See, i would never post a diary. I will use them as examples in comments or in a diary regarding substantive issues like in my Supreme Court piece, if only because I've read them say it's no biggie, which it is. But I'm trying to stop howling at the moon so to speak. The saddest memo is that they act like by being where we're at we don't like HRC, which is far from the truth, hopefully those who venture here will visit here to see one of many reasons why. http://www.hillpac.com/action/hhspetitio n/

by Dog Chains on Mon Jul 21, 2008 at 03:39:30 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Oh, but that is sad! (2.00 / 2)

This reminds me of my first campaign rally of any sort. It was a Bush/Quayle event at Greenville Technical College in SC where I was landscaping during the day and taking classes at night.

Quayle never showed up.

The local person who was trying to cheer the crowd and keep their attention tried to start a rallying cry "I say Bush you say Quayle! Bush" hold the microphone to the crowd, awaiting the thunderous "Quayle!".

Except no-one did.

So I started shouting "Duke!" at each pause. No-one joined me, but she and I ended up with this awkward dialogue as she got more and more frantic. This was her Moment to Shine, to stand beside and introduce the Next VP of the USA, and some joker in grass-stained workpants and a tie-died T-shirt was yanking her chain in front of dignitaries and onlookers...

I almost felt bad for her.

Almost.

-chris

Motley Moose: Progress Through Politics

by chrisblask on Mon Jul 21, 2008 at 06:59:45 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Oh, but that is sad! (2.00 / 1)

Almost is the imperative word.

thanks for your service!

by DemsLandslide2008 on Mon Jul 21, 2008 at 07:21:06 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Oh, but that is sad! (2.00 / 1)

Heh, and I thought I respected you before...

Kudos!!

I'm as strong as a bull moose, and you can use me to the limit. - Teddy Roosevelt

by fogiv on Mon Jul 21, 2008 at 09:32:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]

(blush) thanks! (2.00 / 1)

It was a fun day. Snipers on the rooftops, the whole nine yards. My coworkers physically edged away from me during the whole thing, and one of them (Kevin) who is a non-stop cutup just went off after it was over. "Dude, I couldn't get away from you fast enough! I could feel the cross-hairs sweepin' over me as they's takin' a bead on you, Ah's afraid I'd get hit with a stray! Damn, son, you just ain't right!"

:~)

-chris

Motley Moose: Progress Through Politics

by chrisblask on Mon Jul 21, 2008 at 11:37:32 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Remember, this is a PUMA Diary... (none / 0)

There's an old organizer maxim -- never go through with an action that will make you look weak. IF you don't have the numbers or energy to look powerful, don't bother.

I have to say -- that was one of the most sad-ass street demonstrations I've ever seen -- and that's saying something.

Sexism is real.

by grassrootsorganizer on Mon Jul 21, 2008 at 09:34:56 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: My First and Last PUMA Diary (2.00 / 3)

Sorry had to tip. I had this this

bizarre and irresitable urge to do so.

Faced with the choice between changing one's mind and proving that there is no need to do so, almost everyone gets busy on the proof.

by jsfox on Mon Jul 21, 2008 at 03:27:00 PM EST

rec'd. (2.00 / 5)

for two reasons - one for honesty and hopefully the last of the last types of these diaries. and two - for not stooping to the racist, cat-owner, and mean-spirited level many do.

i think there is a serious discussion to be had about PUMA - once we disinvite the purity trolls and the clear GOP, it would be immensely beneficial to the party and GE. but alas we all know that is impossible here.

"Democracy! Bah! When I hear that I reach for my feather Boa!" Allen Ginsberg

by canadian gal on Mon Jul 21, 2008 at 03:27:14 PM EST

Not impossible. (none / 0)

Others like PsychoDrew have tried to have that serious discussion, and I think it resulted in a moderately successful exchange of thoughts. I just don't see much progress possible between two sides with such fundamentally conflicting experiences of the primaries. Is there something specific you had in mind that wasn't addressed in that diary?

It is not because I cannot explain that you won't understand. It is because you won't understand that I cannot explain. - Elie Wiesel

by Sumo Vita on Mon Jul 21, 2008 at 05:52:28 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Not impossible. (none / 0)

um, it seems that CG is back peddling into outright sympathy for PUMA, if you can't see it, read our exchanges.

Supposedly I am a purity troll because I want the Democratic party to win.

According to CG I am just as bad as these wannabe republicans that call themselves PUMA.

There is no discussion with them. All discussion is negative and destructive.

Its a sad day to witness CG defending people that brought it on themselves.

My crime is loving my ideals and our party too much.

Supposedly the embaressment PUMA caused to our party is just as bad according to CG.

Someone wake me up when there are "striking" republicans doing the same shit as these idiots:

by DemsLandslide2008 on Mon Jul 21, 2008 at 06:03:22 PM EST
[ Parent ]

good point. (2.00 / 1)

drew's diary was a step in the right direction. and yes i am 'concerned' about PUMA and the democratic party. and not for the reasons the our friend is saying above - but rather that i think this is a serious problem. the 'oh there only a couple of hundred people' and 'they were GOP anyway' is not only not believable but also not backed up by any facts. i honestly feel that people are dismissing them at their own peril.

not everyone will come home (and in some ways i ma losing my patience with some)- but i think some are looking for honesty and understanding. instead friends like beren and company are calling them trolls, thugs and GOP. not really a winning strategy.

"Democracy! Bah! When I hear that I reach for my feather Boa!" Allen Ginsberg

by canadian gal on Mon Jul 21, 2008 at 09:47:02 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: My First and Last PUMA Diary (2.00 / 1)

I will say again PUMA is about catty cats who are catty. I just like saying cat.

by Spanky on Mon Jul 21, 2008 at 03:34:53 PM EST

Re: My First and Last PUMA Diary (none / 0)

Don't wear it out. ;P

"This victory alone is not the change we seek -- it is only the chance for us to make that change." -- Nov. 4, 2008

by BobzCat on Mon Jul 21, 2008 at 03:43:39 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: My First and Last PUMA Diary (2.00 / 2)

Thanks for mocking all sides of this silly topic. I make it a habit not to rec or comment on PUMA diaries because I don't want them on the rec list, but you get my rec for not taking yourself (or this topic) too seriously.

by LakersFan on Mon Jul 21, 2008 at 03:43:57 PM EST

Re: My First and Last PUMA Diary (2.00 / 1)

I needed a good laugh today, the diary gave it to me--reced

The direct use of force is such a poor solution to any problem, it is generally employed only by small children and large nations. -- David Friedman

by pollbuster on Mon Jul 21, 2008 at 04:01:38 PM EST

Re: My First and Last PUMA Diary (1.75 / 4)

god how boring. First you define a very diverse group, and then you want to keep fighting the primary? It's over time to ban these diaries, and under time to blog issues. there was a diary on exiting Iraq that got less than ten comments. What is your priority? This makes no sense to me.

what a relief

by anna shane on Mon Jul 21, 2008 at 04:10:44 PM EST

Re: My First and Last PUMA Diary (2.00 / 1)

Is this a response to my diary, or to a comment in the diary? I honestly don't know, because it doesn't appear to refer to anything that has been said here. I didn't attempt to define anything, and I certainly am not trying to keep fighting the primary.

But hey, I like your name. "Anna Shane" has a nice ring to it.

by Saintcog on Mon Jul 21, 2008 at 04:17:48 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: My First and Last PUMA Diary (1.00 / 1)

Dude your talking to a PROUD PUMA, and hence this is why the diaries wont stop.

here the goods on this puma clown:

http://alegrescorner.soapblox.net/showDi ary.do?diaryId=283

by DemsLandslide2008 on Mon Jul 21, 2008 at 04:57:46 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Ugh! (none / 0)

I clicked on your link and slid into Alegre's corner. It felt like the kind of place one could catch a disease just by looking. What is with this unhealthy fascination with corners and crevices, anyway?

It is not because I cannot explain that you won't understand. It is because you won't understand that I cannot explain. - Elie Wiesel

by Sumo Vita on Mon Jul 21, 2008 at 05:26:08 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Ugh! (none / 0)

They haven't passed out of the five-year-old's "doody stage" yet.

There are more mature ones - I wandered over to "Uppity White Woman", and she's got this chat box on her diary. Anyway it was all dicks and pussies and jokes about young women on their knees. These people are mentally 12.

If you hold a cat by the tail you learn things you cannot learn any other way.

by Jess81 on Mon Jul 21, 2008 at 06:11:52 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Diverse? (none / 0)

I guess the cats aren't all the same breed.

It is not because I cannot explain that you won't understand. It is because you won't understand that I cannot explain. - Elie Wiesel

by Sumo Vita on Mon Jul 21, 2008 at 05:33:33 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: My First and Last PUMA Diary (none / 0)

Yeah, they run the gamut from crazy to batshit crazy.

Seriously - look at that video of their demonstration and tell me how many groups are represented there. Evidently, "people smart enough to know that demonstrations with less than 10 people makes you look like a lunatic fringe" aren't among your numbers.

If you hold a cat by the tail you learn things you cannot learn any other way.

by Jess81 on Mon Jul 21, 2008 at 06:06:49 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Great - I now think that we have more PUMA (2.00 / 7)

diaries than actualy PUMAs.

by activatedbybush on Mon Jul 21, 2008 at 04:45:13 PM EST

Re: My First and Last PUMA Diary (none / 0)

funny cause its true

by DemsLandslide2008 on Mon Jul 21, 2008 at 04:58:21 PM EST

Another Clinton once said... (2.00 / 1)

"Free your mind and your ass will follow". This Clinton also knew quite a bit about partying, especially with the inclusion of the ass factor. Maybe PUMA's are really just into the funk?

by upstate girl on Mon Jul 21, 2008 at 06:09:41 PM EST

I went to a puma protest (2.00 / 2)

I was 7 and the state was about to allow people to hunt mountain lions. More than 10 people showed up though.

They are beautiful creatures even if they can be a tad dangerous. It's unfortunate that these freaks are giving the species a bad name.

by Renie on Mon Jul 21, 2008 at 08:59:46 PM EST

Re: My First and Last PUMA Diary (none / 0)

Read this and tell what you think. I'm sick of them posting here because they are only helping Republicans to deceive and cripple this country. Those who respect and voted for Hillary Clinton should see what Republicans and McCain is saying about how they won't even have to use Clinton herself as the bait, yet they still regard her with outright contempt and disgust.

Republicans are eager for a brawl. It's not going to look anything like the silly diaries that get posted here. Anyone interested in the only real campaign strategy that McCain has at his disposal (and which he is clearly already employing) should read the article. It may be painful to read, and it may even provoke some hostility amongst some people here, but it explains my frequent statements that PUMAs are only Republican tools despite the fact they say they are independent minded, intelligent people. Some times people need a friend to point out that that milk they are about to buy has an expiration date of last week on it. Even the National Review online recognizes that the PUMAs that post here or complain here are not the PUMAs that might actually vote for McCain. We may be able to win if we don't get every vote, sure, but we need everyone to win our 50 state strategy.

by Jeter on Mon Jul 21, 2008 at 11:16:09 PM EST

The last legitimate PUMA diary on the rec list? (none / 0)

Dude, I'm really really sorry I posted it. I'm even more sorry now that people rec'd it onto the list. And I'm even sorrier still that people responded to it. I'm new here. It was my first diary. An article came out by Joan Vennochi and I thought it shed a great deal of light on the little-p pumas. I promise to never, never post another PUMA diary again. I really had no idea people were that sick of them.

That being said, here are some words from PUMA (big-P) founder when she was volunteering in a Democratic Party Office a few days back and accidentally came across some Obama campaign signs:

"...The phone banking was an endless series of message machines this afternoon. I guess I should be grateful but the longer I got used to leaving messages, the more rattling to the nerves that first voice contact. So, I asked Jorge if there was something else I could do. He asked me to bundle door hangars. Calming, menial, went well with headache. That's when I spotted my first Obama sign. It was inevitable. Linda shares her office with the state Democratic campaign. Of course there were going to be Obama signs.

My reaction was visceral. I can't help it. It's a physical reaction. I want to sink my teeth into it and rip it to tiny bits. I can't stand the coca-cola Obama symbol. I made some comment to Jorge about the sign like, are Linda and Obama campaigning together? He said the office was joint and anyway, he was the nominee. Ooo, did that set me off. He is NOT the nominee. The convention hasn't been held yet. Jorge said something like, it's going to happen, get used to it. I replied, not if I can do anything about it. (More on viscera and the like from Heidi Li who gave a talk this morning at the 160th anniversary of the Seneca Falls Conference on Women's Rights. In 160 years, all we've earned is the right to vote for whoever the men pick. Makes me want to take down an antelope.)

I attended PUMACon '08!!!

by iohs2008 on Mon Jul 21, 2008 at 11:30:54 PM EST

I think you win the award for the (2.00 / 1)

most in depth analysis of the presidential race I've ever read in a PUMA diary. Totally rec'd.

That One is the Right One for 2008.

by GFORD on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 02:54:54 AM EST

Re: My First and Last PUMA Diary (none / 0)

Cheers for jeering all sides of this air headed topic. I make it a substance abuse not to rack or comment on catamount diaries because I do not want them on the race list, but you get my race for not accepting yourself (or this topic) too severely.
______________
james
Addiction Recovery Pennsylvania

by rocky222 on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 06:04:53 AM EST

Re: My First and Last PUMA Diary (none / 0)

PUMA's enduring legacy will be a mention in 2011 on VH1's "I Love the New Millenium Part Deux."

They will show video of Harriet Christian and everyone will get a good laugh.

by PSUdan on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 08:37:20 AM EST

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