"How long? Not long."

[H2O Man]

"How long will justice be crucified, and truth bear it?”
“I come to say to you this afternoon, however difficult the moment, however frustrating the hour, it will not be long, because 'truth crushed to earth will rise again.'
“How long? Not long, because 'no lie can live forever.'
“How long? Not long, because 'you shall reap what you sow.'
“How long? Not long:
“ 'Truth forever on the scaffold,
“Wrong forever on the throne,
“Yet that scaffold sways the future,
“And, behind the dim unknown,
“Standeth God within the shadow,
“Keeping watch above his own.' “
Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., “How Long? Not Long,” March 25, 1965


My friend was focused on the lengths the administration and maga Congress are going to keep the Epstein scandal files hidden. I noted that innocent people never try to hide the truth, while guilty people will do anything and everything to hide it. “How long,” he asked, “do you think they can keep it hidden?” My mind went to James Russell Lowell's poem, “The Present Crisis,” that King often
quoted:

https://poets.org/poem/present-crisis

The investigation into the series of crimes we know collectively as “Watergate” seemed to take forever, when I was young. On October 30, 1973, right after the infamous “Saturday Night Massacre,” the House Committee eon the Judiciary began holding hearings on the multiple resolutions to impeach Nixon. For seven months, republicans fought tooth and nail to protect the president. If one watches those hearings – right up to the vote to put the resolution to a full House vote, many republicans were as obnoxious as those we witness today.

How long? Not long, for we actually have three men in particular who have a plan to expose the toxins in those files with the disinfectant of light. The first is a remarkably talented man, Rep. Jamie Raskin. I note that early on, he connected the Epstein scandal files with those highly classified documents the felon hid at mar-a-lago.

Judge Eileen Cannon has not released the prosecutor's report on that, because the case could be re-filed once the felon leaves the White House. Mr. Smith's report on the felon's insurrection has been released. More recently, we have seen Hakeem Jeffries speak about the Mr. Smith's second report. This is not a coincidence, for Jeffries understands the manner in which the truth will slowly come to the surface. He knows that the maga republicans are in much the same position as those attempting to protect Nixon, which at the exact same time, damaged their positions in the upcoming mid-term elections.

And now the third man is speaking out, though with restraints. House magas have requested that he speak to them in private. His legal team responded by informing them that Mr. Smith would speak to them in an opening hearing, if the DOJ agrees that he can testify without a threat of sharing information from his second report. Smith would be happy to answer any and all questions from a joint House & Senate public hearing. It is, of course, highly unlikely that either the republicans or especially the DOJ will agree to those conditions.

How long? Not long, because those mid-terms are coming up, and the Democratic Party will soon control that branch of the federal government. This is not to dismiss the severe damage that the administration is doing to our society. Indeed, we see the extreme efforts that Mike Johnson takes to not swear in Adelita Grijalva, purely to protect the felon. Yet in protecting the puppeteer, puppet Johnson ensures his party's defeat next November.

Like every other good person in this country, I wish that we could have the immediate gratification of seeing shit stains like the felon tried and incarcerated. Yes, I surely do. But as an old man who remembers Watergate, I know I have to be patient. Our turn is coming up, right around the bend. So stay strong, for the truth is straight ahead.

H2O Man

[yorkster]

1. You have imparted hope here, in addition

to wisdom. Three excellent choices in Raskin, Jeffries and Smith.
Thank you.

[H2O Man]

2. Thanks!

These three are making a coordinated effort. We are fortunate to be on the same team as them. They are putting the magas in the House on a very hot seat. Jim Jordan, know for his willingness to cover for a sex offender, lacks the intellectual capacity to engage in an open discussion with Jack Smith. And he might be the best member of the House the republicans have to try to do so.

Community members should be contacting their elected representatives, and demanding an open hearing with Mr. Smith.

[yorkster]

3. Great suggestion.

Chellie Pingree is my rep. I will also call Jared Golden's office "for the halibut"...
Nothing ventured, etc.
Thx. again.

[H2O Man]

7. Very good!

It is just as important that people contact republicans as their Democratic Party elected representatives. The grass roots needs to turn up the heat, by exercising Amendment 1 rights.

[yorkster]

14. You might well think JG is an R due to his stand

on several issues. At this point he's still a Dem.but ME only has 2 reps.so I'll make a call to the other district.
(It's weird. Western Maine is only about 10 miles from the coast since the state is so narrow.)
But, point well taken. Hell, I may even call Susan Collins' office. Thanks for the idea.

Take care, H20.

[yorkster]

25. Meant to say Southwestern part of Maine is narrow, of course.

Amazing what you can miss after "checking" for errors.

[MineralMan]

4. By Fortunate Accident, I Was There to Hear That Speech.

I was driving across the country and heard about what was going on in Selma, so I went there. I was too late for the march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge, but made to to King's Speech. I was 19 years old. What I heard actually changed the course of my life. Not many things have done that.

[H2O Man]

8. It is powerful.

It reamains one of my very favorite speeches.

[electric_blue68]

26. Wow, what an experience!

[MineralMan]

33. Yes, it was.

[usonian]

5. That's what she said.

But seriously, as more comes out on the Epstein atrocities and his (ahem) business partner,

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100220735608

The stonewalling will convince more than the clear-eyed that Jabba the Orange Hutt is among the worst criminals in world history. He already tops Caligula.

[H2O Man]

9. Exactly!

The Epstein scandal files go far beyond what republicans can imagine. It involves the sex rings -- for there was more than one overlapping one another -- but financial crimes and corruption. Though in a somewhat different manner, the felon was as closely associated with significant parts of several rings as Ghislaine Maxwell was in two of them.

[usonian]

10. I posted a graph that was made of Epstein's contacts

social graph, flights and so on. It was gigantic. I'll find the link on the computer and repost it.

Fingers (and other things) into many people and corporate entities.

[H2O Man]

12. Great!

It's time to lay all of the cards on the table. I don't care who gets named. That a few Democrats from the past might be among them does not concern me in the least. I think the corporate entities will be eye-opening for the maga republicans who were convinced that the felon was going to expose a global sex ring. He was, of course, merely projecting -- as he always does. But his campaign opened a door that they cannot close.

[usonian]

13. Here's the original post.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100220513732
Might be too old to kick. I can repost it.

DONE! https://www.democraticunderground.com/100220754077

Mainly, here's the graph

Links to original 730KB image you can download and expand.

Article source:
https://america2.news/we-mapped-jeffrey-epsteins-social-network-heres-what-we-found/

America2 News

[electric_blue68]

30. Could nudge more Independent voters our way

You never know what small numbers change might do in a local district tipping the balance towards Dems, and accumulate here and there over the country

[usonian]

31. It's a crazy electorate.

I think that all the really thinking people are on our side, and the others just vote some negative reaction to this or that, prejudiced by RW media, or at least the lack of counterbalance.


So they gotta get pissed off at something. Whether it's TrumpStein or the stonewalling or the destruction of the People's House, maybe that moves them.

The abstainers? Perhaps not thinking and not pissed off enough to get off the couch. Sorry bunch, but let them get pissed off at the above if they awake from their stupor.

I have argued that the Democrats need a revolutionary attitude.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/13244015

Our progressive wing, you know the names, is doing that. Sanders, AOC, Warren, Pritzker, Crockett, Pete can't spell, maybe others.

I posted about Indivisible and NoKings being the de-facto party.

Beats invisible.

I want fighters.

I read that a lot of people voted for the hell-raiser, not knowing what hell they were getting.

FAFO.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100219770873

Might need updating?

----
Raise hell. I expect a lot of horrible people to be entering there for the hell they brought to so many on earth.

[spanone]

6. I remember Watergate well. Summer of 74 when Nixon went down.

Nixon's cronies were as arrogant as many of trmps.
It was glorious to watch them fall.
I can't wait to experience that feeling again.
K&R

[H2O Man]

11. Yes!

I ended up watching a series of Watergate documentaries late last night through sun rise. Nixon and associates were as corrupt as possible. It is important for people to recognize that while they were a thousand times smarter than the felon's crew, they were no where near as smart as they thought they were. More, Rep Raskin and Jack Smith are as capable as anyone on our side back then, maybe even more so.

Many of our friends here are rightfully concerned about the federal courts. I understand and appreciate that, and all it entails. There are some that are of the same gutter ilk as Cannon. But I can say that the courts will hold.

[pat_k]

15. "Hope is as much the life's blood of resistance, as lies are for authoritarians"

Quote from Tad Stoermer.

Of all our jobs in this crisis, helping each other resist despair and cynicism that immobilizes, and nurturing hope that feeds our souls and inspires us to connect with others in action, is by far the most critical. It's that positive feedback loop of hope and action -- however small those acts may seem -- that will save us.

Given the horrors we are witnessing, keeping hope alive takes a concerted effort. Perhaps the most effective way to keep hope alive is connecting with others who are doing things locally.

Ariella Elm's "Daily Dems Doing the Work, Making Noise and Fighting Back Day XXX" is also inspiring and sometimes includes people-powered actions that can be emulated.

And try not to do the work of the counter-resistance for them by promoting messages that sap hope. Don't mistake cynicism for realism. We can be realistic about the challenges before us while staying connected to our humanity, determination, faith in each other, and the hope that faith sparks.

8.5 min video on counter-resistance from Tad Stoermer. His example is the salt truck's misinformation, but he also talks more generally about the need to be vigilant, else we can find ourselves echoing counter-resistance communications.

[H2O Man]

21. Thank you!

Very much appreciated! And a very important message.

Everyone on DU has something they can contribute. That obviously includes voting. If everyone gets one unregistered adult, including those who feel abandoned by "the system," or who sees no connection between politics and their daily life, to register and vote, we double our numbers. If everyone contacted one elected representative once a week, that's a good thing. If the DU community focused on one elected representative on a given day, that would be great.

There are levels of government, and we should also focus on supporting the Democrats doing outstanding work, and joining the campaigns of Democrats seeking to unseat republicans. Exact same thing at the local level. It is good to do this as individuals, and even more fun working with a group of friends. I've worked with some of my associates for over fifty years. A number of others have joined us over the decades. Some stay, and some go. But our core group of Democrats keeps grass roots activism going.

[electric_blue68]

27. Great quote!

[Clouds Passing]

16. MLK is the one king the US needs to have. Always words of hope, equality, compassion!

[H2O Man]

22. Definitely!

Many of us were alive during the King era, and many more who were born after his death have learned about his tactics. Now is the time for us to engage in those same tactics. For exactly as you note, Martin is the only king this country needs. And we need that now more than ever.

[electric_blue68]

28. Someone had a sign that said that (re MLK). Saw a photo

[Clouds Passing]

34. Thank you for reminding us of him, H2O Man

[H2O Man]

35. And thank you.

In these strange days, I find myself reading through my books by and about King, as well as watching videos of him on youtube. I recommend it for everyone.

[Joinfortmill]

17. Makes me weepy.

[H2O Man]

36. We are in

strange times. But the truth is straight ahead.

[Cheezoholic]

18. I wish I had your confidence. I'm getting old too and my damn patience left the building with Elvis n/t

[H2O Man]

37. I hear you.

During the felon's first term, an Onondaga Clan Mother said she couldn't believe what was happening in the USA. I reminded her that Oren Lyons had told us that this was to come. She said, "I know. I just didn't anticipate it in my life-time."

Being of limited intellect, I always view things in the context of boxing, as it is the only thing I know well. We are in a phase where a few body shots have hurt the opponent. But he still has strength, and is unleashing hard shots. As we approach him, we are going through what is known as "a bad neighborhood" in boxing. He is still dangerous, and we need to respect that as we get into position to do more serious damage. And that is exactly the neighborhood we find ourselves in today.

Rep. Raskin and Mr. Smith know this. They are being careful. But they aren't going to let the felon off the hook.

[OneGrassRoot]

19. I needed this today...

Thank you.

[H2O Man]

38. Thank you!

At the end of every round in a boxing match, I always think in the context of what the old-time trainers taught: who would you rather be? In this historic bout, I'd way rather be on our side. For I can see what is coming up.

[struggle4progress]

20. The Present Crisis

James Russell Lowell

... Once to every man and nation comes the moment to decide,
In the strife of Truth with Falsehood, for the good or evil side;
Some great cause, God's new Messiah, offering each the bloom or blight,
... And the choice goes by forever twixt that darkness and that light ...

Though the cause of Evil prosper, yet 'tis Truth alone is strong ...

... Truth forever on the scaffold, Wrong forever on the throne,—
Yet that scaffold sways the future, and, behind the dim unknown,
Standeth God within the shadow, keeping watch above his own ...

Then to side with Truth is noble when we share her wretched crust,
Ere her cause bring fame and profit, and tis prosperous to be just;
Then it is the brave man chooses, while the coward stands aside ...

... New occasions teach new duties; Time makes ancient good uncouth;
They must upward still, and onward, who would keep abreast of Truth ...

https://poets.org/poem/present-crisis

[Easterncedar]

23. One of my favorite hymns

Thanks

[electric_blue68]

29. St John The Divine; a very beautiful, and special place!

Including having done work for vulnerable groups for decades.

[H2O Man]

39. Beautiful!

Thank you ver much!

[Easterncedar]

24. Thanks for the hope!

I stood in the rain this afternoon with a little crew of funny and fierce older folks, holding signs against the voter suppression referendum. We were cold to the bone when we left, but we all are glad to have stood there together. Community is being built.

On Sunday there was an event called “Love is Louder” at a city park by the river. It was started a year ago by an ecumenical group advocating for immigrants and the unhoused and for LGBTQ+ rights and protections. It was really fun and sweet. Great music and food, dancing, speeches. More community building.

So there’s some more hope to pass around.

[H2O Man]

40. Very good!

On another internet forum, I am a member of a "private" group, with me being the only male. It is made up of grandmothers that are my age. Whenever someone expresses that they are feeling down, I remind them that it is grandmothers who are going to get this coutry back on the right track. For that is maga's fate, and America's destiny. There is not a question in my mind about that.

[electric_blue68]

32. I have the best Watergate story! 😄 Seriously, it's great!....

My sister, a cousin, and I went to a Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young concert at a rickety old stadium in NJ. We had the tix for a while.
But it ended up falling on a very auspicious night.


Sooo many people had brought their radios w them. Did I bring my dad's transistor radio? Don't remember. This was before the days of Boom Boxes; but the biggest I saw was about 18" x 12" inches or so.

Rumours swirled!!
Was he...?!!!

Finally, about ? 2/3rds through the show between songs... someone runs up to ?Stills (we were waaaay back), and whispers in his ear.

And....

they announce "Nixon has Reisigned!"
The stadium exploded with joy, relief!!!
😄😄😄🎉🎉🎉🎉

Then whether they did this after every show, or quickly gathered the materials...
they set off fireworks at the end!
What a night !!
____________________________

And great Dr King speech! TY

[H2O Man]

41. Outstanding!

That night, my brother and I were recording a cassette tape to send to Rubin Carter, which included Nixon's speech. It was, of course, the only speech of Nixon's that I ever recorded.

[electric_blue68]

42. Heh!

👍

And glad you liked