In My Opinion

By Caroline Porter

Columnists, Bushites (not all Republicans) and those who consider themselves winners in the last presidential election are continuing their nasty ways, not exactly being gracious winners. They think those of us who oppose the war in Iraq, (but support the troops, who are victims in this terrible war,) oppose bankrupting our country, oppose the lies and cover-ups of our national administration, oppose the extreme immorality and lack of character of the main players, should "just get over it."

We lost, they say. Get on with our lives and just accept the fact they won and that’s the way it’s going to be.

That’s probably what people said to Mahatma Gandhi as he peacefully protested violence and conflict. "Just get over it, Gandhi. You’ll never prevail."

That’s probably what people said to the blacks of this country when they fought for civil rights in housing, voting, employment, for financial freedom and personal, dignity. Someone probably said to Martin Luther King, "Just get over it. Martin. That’s just the way it is. You’ll never win."

After every defeat of the suffragettes who fought for the right to vote, equal employment and equality under the law, we know people said to them, "Oh, just get over it. Go home and tend to your knitting."

Workers who slaved in dangerous coal mines and factories, and on the railroads, and, in some cases, fought to the death for worker’s rights and safety in the work place – were probably told at every turn and after every battle, "You can’t fight power and money. Just get over it."

Those who have fought for clean air and water, who have dared to dream of the future and know what our land will look like if we don’t take care of it are sickened by the executive orders of this president to dismantle the precarious balance of nature are being told, "Corporate interests are more important – get over it."

You see, this administration’s leaders are the same kind of people who told Gandhi and those who fought for minority and women’s rights, "Just get over it." People of the same ilk told those working for safety in the work place and worker’s rights, who fought for a clean environment and power for the common man, "Just get over it."

There is too much at stake in this country and the world for the 50% of us who did not vote for George W. Bush and his fancy thugs to "get over it." My message to this administration, "You’ve got the power. Try to do something constructive for a change. But we won’t hold our collective breath. And we will never, ever, ‘get over it.’"