Senator Lautenberg threatens to arrest Andy Stephenson

[straw_citizen]

“To the people of NJ from Andy Stephenson.

I just spoke with Frank Lautenberg in the elevator. I first asked Senator Lautenberg if he had a few minutes to talk to me. He said yes. I began to talk to him about the voting issues I found in Florida and Ohio. He couldn’t get out of the elevator quick enough.

Being the tenacious person I am, I followed him out and asked, “Senator won’t you please look at the evidence? Won’t you please stand with Mr. Conyers? Won’t you please stand for the American People?”

Mr. Lautenberg said, ”I don’t want to hear this.”

I said, “Mr. Lautenberg, I have seen the evidence, I’ve seen it with my own eyes. I discovered it.

To which he replied, “If you don’t leave me alone and stop harassing me, I will have you arrested.”

I said to Mr. Lautenberg, “If you stand with Mr. Conyers, you will be a hero.”

Senator Lautenberg said, “I am a hero. I was in World War II.”

I replied, “You won’t be in the eyes of the American people if you don’t stand up with Mr. Conyers tomorrow.”


Catherine for Andy Stephenson

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

1. Here's to Andy!

Edit... Is this better? Not so hard on the lips and throat as wax, and the color is aprapos!

[straw_citizen]

2. You know you've arrived when

you've been threatened with arrest by a Senator.

[Pirate Smile]

19. LOL

[aquart]

34. Lautenberg thinks he's a hero?

How nice.

[meganmonkey]

3. I'll drink to that too!

Although I won't drink a candle. Did you notice there's a wick in your martini?!

:P

[merh]

9. A drink that serves 2 purposes, takes the edge off and floss your

teeth. You just have to get beyond that waxy taste!

Way to go Andy! Thank you for your determination and courage!

[tanyev]

10. The wax salt crystals

around the edge lead me to believe its a margarita. :P

[meganmonkey]

16. Ooops, duh!

:dunce:

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

29. I made an oops Meganmonkey and edited it! :)

[meganmonkey]

37. That looks delicious!

:toast:

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

43. I know! Yum! Much better than the diet cream I'm sipping here. :)

Right back at you!
:toast:

[kitkat65]

Is this the Andy who was auditing Warren County?

[coffeenap]

36. yes

[Verve]

4. LOL! Great Job Andy! n/t

[suziedemocrat]

5. He doesn't want to even HEAR it??? Unreal!! n/t

[ClassWarrior]

15. Bullshit.

NGU.

[leftchick]

6. Andy You Are The MAN! and Lautenburg?

you are NO fucking hero. You are a coward and an asshole! These Democrats avoiding this issue are shooting themselves in the face!

Go Andy!

:bounce:

[vj68]

7. your my HERO!!

Way to go Andy!!!!!!!!!

:dem: :dem: :dem: :dem:

[Woodstock Liberal]

8. Damn! I had high hopes for Lautenberg

He is one of my senators and I have emailed and call both the NJ office and down to Washington. The staff were non-committal but said that they had gotten alot of calls.
Thanks Andy for, as always, doing your best.

[pbartch]

17. NON-COMMITTAL -- that is what I got from Ron Wyden's office

just a little while ago.

Yeah....and they will ask us to put money in their campaign coffers, pass out flyers, phone for them etc


BUT..........

They won't make sure that EVERY VOTE COUNTS.

How depressing.

[yankeedem]

24. That was the gist of my emails to Lautenberg and Corzine

Fight for OUR VOTE, or we won't fight for you. Especially since Corzine is running for governor.

[Vidar]

11. Go Andy. Smoke out the cowards.

[bunny planet]

12. that's weird, I just heard that Lautenberg would be standing up with and

signing on with Conyers. Lautenberg is the Senator who brought a poster with a picture of a Chickenhawk and it's definition to the Senate floor. Doens't seem like the same guy who would run from Andy.

[IndyOp]

18. Link to Lautenberg signing on? (n/t)

[bunny planet]

32. no link, someone called into Randi Rhodes program, said he had just

spoken to their office and was told he would stand with Conyers. I hope it's true. I called and spoke to an assistant who just said she would pass along my request. I am faxing him in a few minutes.

[IndyOp]

45. IMO we should treat them ALL as if they are seriously considering it...

Even if they have said 'no' - treat them as if they ARE still potential stand ups. This is the way that politicians treat media, the way they treat us. If they are asked a question they don't like they answer the question they would have liked to have gotten. If they ask a question and get an answer they don't like, they respond as if they did get the answer they wanted.

SO -- treat them as if they ARE seriously considering it and keep calling!

I called today and am ready to go again tomorrow!

:kick:

[theboss]

98. Let's break down the hearsay on that one...

You (1) are posting on the Internet that an anonymous caller (2) spoke to a staffer (3) who spoke to Lautenberg (4).

[livvy]

13. Great job, Andy! Thanks for all you have done!

A toast to you! :toast:

[ClassWarrior]

14. Can we have some sort of confirmation of this?

Or are we just supposed to believe this because you said it?

NGU.

[ClassWarrior]

20. I REFUSE TO BELIEVE...

...anyone with no track record at DU who "has it on good advice" that ONE OF OUR OWN is a coward - TODAY ESPECIALLY.

Believers... step away from the thread...

NGU.

[Catherine Vincent]

25. Actually, I think you may be right.

:-(

[understandinglife]

26. You are correct. This is an unsubstantiated statement about...

...a fine Senator.

Why didn't Andy post it himself; he has posted extensively on DU in the past 10 days or so.

Let's be very careful everyone.

Peace.

"When Did Bush Know?"

[coffeenap]

42. because he is running around the Senate trying to help US!!!n/t

[mountainvue]

59. Yeah. Tomorrow is going to be helmet weather

around here.

[Vidar]

89. I fell for it, but I see now that you're right. Devious slime, they are.

[Catherine Vincent]

21. I guess our representatives don't like people

approaching them up front like that. They can't handle it. Could Andy have handled it differently? To that Senator, Andy must have come across as being too aggressive. But all the senator had to say was that he would look into it blah blah blah. I don't think I like that senator anymore.

[ClassWarrior]

23. BULLSHIT.

NGU.

[Catherine Vincent]

28. You're right. This thread is bullshit.

Sorry I was hoodwinked.

[kitkat65]

46. Awww, man!

I just sent a horribly snarky letter to his web page.

Well, I doubt that he'll have a chance to read it before tomorrow anyway.

If he stands, I'll send the appropriate apology, crow and all.

If he doesn't, well there's one less thing off my mind.

[Peace Patriot]

22. "First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you,

then you win." --Gandhi

[liam97]

27. But we should make a big deal of this

I think its ridiculous that a senator threatens to arrest a citizen for a request like this - are there no progressive local newspapers who will report this?

[foo_bar]

92. you get 10 karma points for spelling Gandhi correctly

:thumbsup:

[genius]

30. The only way Lautenberg can redeem himself is by contesting.

I'm tired of pro-Republican phoney Dem thugs.

[sunnystarr]

31. Guess I'll believe it when I hear it from Andy. (nt)

[coffeenap]

38. Andy called my house and told Kamqute to tell you--

he posted on the general political forum

[ClassWarrior]

39. We're all DOOOOOOOOOOMED I tell you!!!

<LOL>

NGU.

[coffeenap]

41. Say what you want, it is true

This is not second hand, it is not bs, it is what happened. It means nothing other than it happened and Andy wanted people to know. If you don't want to know stuff, don't read stuff.

[seito]

57. This Just In....

God has just informed me that you all are DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMED!!!!!!!!!!

I will be saved.

Details to be posted later, by my minions. :evilgrin:

That is all. Kerry On.

[goodboy]

33. Andy, there's a big glass of B&B waiting here for you when you get back!

GOOD SHOW

[bunny planet]

35. I'll believe it when Andy posts it...........

[Vinnie From Indy]

40. Anybody Hear Lynyrd Skynyrds "FREEPBIRD" in the background? n/t

[catgirl]

47. Yes

and it's way too loud. Doooomed- yah right. No one is going to admit that they are making a stand. We'll find out tomorrow.

[Andy_Stephenson]

44. This is a legitimate thread and everything is true.

I had my friend, straw_citizen post this for me here and elsewhere because I have no access to a computer today.

Please call Lautenberg's office and voice your displeasure. I'm at a Kinko's paying by the hour so I'll check in tomorrow or later this evening when I can get to a computer.

Andy

[bunny planet]

48. wow, there's another thread about freepers having called the Senators

offices today and been extremely well 'freeperlike', that is to say stupid, rude, and offensive. Perhaps they got to Frank and then one more person talking to him got the bad reaction. He is usually a stand-up guy. See poster above that he brought to the Senate floor. I am shocked and sad. I was just about to send a fax to him. I thought he was one of our best shots. So sorry you were treated that way Andy. Sorry for doubting your friend's original post.

[kitkat65]

90. Well, then I'm glad I sent my snarky e-mail

"I am a hero. I was in World War II."
-Senator Lautenberg on why he won't take the heroic action of standing with Conyers to investigate the Ohio election.

Dear Senator Lautenberg,

Do you know you're pissing on the sacrifices of the soldiers who died beside you fighting for this country? You do realize this, don't you?

It's okay. There's plenty of room for cowards in the Democratic Party these days.

Sleep Well!

[sunnystarr]

49. Well I believe it now. We just need to keep a list of those who

"supported" certifying without verifying. They must be above caring if we have a right to vote or that our vote is counted in a transparent way. Voter suppression? So what they say. Election fraud? You're some extremist go away they say! In the 2000 election the votes thrown away and not counted amounted to the all the votes in Florida. That was some glitch! We must not forget who they are. They sure forgot who we were!

[fooj]

50. NEWSFLASH!! Heroes don't refer to themselves as "Heroes!"

"I am a hero. I was in WW11." What the hell does that have to do with election fraud? What a puss!

WHAT ARE THEY HIDING???

[straw_citizen]

51. No problem and no offense taken.

I doubt everything until I have proof, so I let Andy know there was doubt. I wouldn't have believed it myself if Andy hadn't said it happened to him.

Btw, my track record here may be short, but it's consistent. I would post more often, but I've been calling and writing Senators and physically working on thwarting the current administration. I don't spend much time reading bulletin boards, but I'm grateful others do have the time share ideas and discussion. I digress.

Earlier, Andy called in a hurry on his way to somewhere and asked me to post the incident with Senator Lautenberg. Because Daniel had more posts, I asked him to put the message out for Andy. I didn't find kamqute/Daniel's post when I checked for feedback, so I created this second one. It's odd no one picked up that both posts say the same thing from two different people. ;.) http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=1470452&mesg_id=1470452

[OrangeCountyDemocrat]

54. BALLS!

Grow some Lautenberg

[AtLiberty]

52. After Lautenberg stated that he was a WW2 hero...

...I would said, "How would you have felt having a group of veterans and the GOP do everything in their power to lie and smear your noble service to this country, sir? That's the mentality we're dealing with these days, sir."

[rodeodance]

53. worse than Turkeypoop!!

[Boredtodeath]

55. Disrespectful and inappropriate

I'm sure I'll be flamed for posting this, but I'm going to post it anyway.

I think what Andy did today was very disrespectful and uncalled for.

While this kind of behavior may be appropriate for state level employees (and I don't believe it's appropriate there either) a US Senator should be approached with respect and honor. Especially a senator as aged as Lautenberg.

Let us remember, this man came out of retirement to (once again) serve his country in a time of crisis - the NJ disaster named Toricelli. And he has served admirably.

To accost this man in an elevator like this is an insult to the office AND the man. Andy is not even a constituent.

If Andy wanted time with Lautenberg, he should have given him the courtesy of a phone call and an appointment.

Pulling a Teresa LaPore moment on a US Senator was disrespectful and does not serve any of us well.

[straw_citizen]

56. Flame what? An incorrect assessement?

Andy was given permission by Senator Lautenberg to speak to him. So you lost me completely and I'd like to understand. Care to comment after reading the initial post for comprehension and context?

[Boredtodeath]

70. Sure, read post # 64 n/t

.

[Vektor]

60. There is a point to that...

No Senator should be accosted, that's true, but:

"I first asked Senator Lautenberg if he had a few minutes to talk to me. He said yes."

He may be a Senator, but he is still a human being who puts his pants on one leg at a time. If the man asked if he had a minute, and the Senator said yes, I don't see a problem with that.

[Boredtodeath]

64. And when he said

Mr. Lautenberg said, ”I don’t want to hear this.”

The response should have been a respectful "Have a good day, Sir."

[Vektor]

81. I would have said...

"I'm sorry to hear that, sir."
Then, "good day."
Then I'd have withdrawn any support for a man who refused to listen to a very valid concern. He works for the American people after all. He's not a God, above reproach, he's a man, with a job. And that job is to serve the public.

[Doremus]

61. Senators, congressmen and presidents are public servants, not god

You may worship them if you like, but please don't expect the rest of us to.

[Boredtodeath]

66. No one said a fucking word about worship

Evidently, people around here are incapable of understanding the definition of the word "respect."

[greatauntoftriplets]

63. Did you see Fahrenheit 911???

And did you think that what Michael Moore did was "disrespectful and inappropriate"?

[Boredtodeath]

68. Yes, I saw it.

And I didn't think he was disrespectful and inappropriate like Andy was today, no.

In fact, he was QUITE respectful. He asked questions, but when he was told to go away he said "Have a nice day, Sir." which was my original point.

[greatauntoftriplets]

71. I know Andy Stephenson....

He is always respectful and polite. But direct.

And that is good.

[Boredtodeath]

72. It was still disrespectful

And we all know how that brilliant Teresa LaPore moment turned out for Bev Harris. Encouraging that behavior is NOT what a personal aquaintance should be doing.

[greatauntoftriplets]

74. Andy no longer works for Bev Harris....

Apparently you have missed it.

[Boredtodeath]

76. Then he needs to act like it.

And, no, I didn't miss any of it.

But, pulling a Bev Harris/Teresa LaPore moment on a US Senator WILL land your ass in jail.

[genieroze]

96. Well I am a constituent and he blew me off.

Look this guy has nothing to lose, he's not running again and he could do something really noble and patriotic for his country. He's a WWII hero, as many were. He has a chance to be a hero for our country again. He would be fighting an enemy that wants to torch the Constitution and turn us into a fascist society of a few haves and the rest have nots.

[genieroze]

101. Maybe I overlooked something, he's one of the haves as is Corzine.

I'm waiting until tomorrow to see what happens. If not one Senator stands up against this injustice, I'm going to $upport another party.

[in_cog_ni_to]

58. Politicians seem to forget that they work for US!

I love Lautenberg, but to threaten Andy with an arrest was out of line. That man is in the Senate to represent "we the people." Who the F*** does he think he is??? Why such a reaction to the fraud story??? WHY don't they want to hear the truth?? What the hell is going on???

[Boredtodeath]

65. Not. He works for the people of NJ

Not Andy Stephenson from Washington state.

[in_cog_ni_to]

73. OK.

"The people" of NJ don't want Lautenberg to stand up for our Democracy? What?? The people of NJ don't care about election fraud? Why would he mind a visit from Andy on such an important issue? Are all lobbyists who lobby congress from the same state as the Senator/Rep they are lobbying? I don't think so. :wtf:

[Boredtodeath]

77. Back to square one

The constituents of NJ call their senator for a meeting if they want a personal conversation with them.

And, somehow I bet there's not a lobbyist on the planet who will continue a conversation the Senator has ended.

[in_cog_ni_to]

85. Andy ASKED Senator Lautenberg

if he could talk to him and he said "YES." He didn't "accost" him. He just didn't like what Andy had to say. Andy wasn't wrong here. Lautenberg was.

[theboss]

102. If this happened....

I don't know who the person is posting this. (I'm not bashing a newbie, but I remember that buddha person who claimed to be talking to Bev Harris on a cell phone or something). People should post for themselves.

[greatauntoftriplets]

69. And did Lautenberg know at that instant....

that Andy was not from New Jersey? Nope.

[in_cog_ni_to]

75. Good point.

:grr: This crap really ticks me off. These politicians think they're kings/queens and their shit doesn't stink and I am so sick of it. They work for US. They are there to do what WE want them to do.

[lizzieforkerry]

62. I think he didn't want to give the impression that he

will stand tomorrow. He doesn't want to be bombarded by calls, emails and media. Wishful thinking I know, but my feelings about why this usually good guy would brush Andy off.

[straw_citizen]

67. I'd like to believe there is a good reason

for Senator Lautenberg's behavior. Perhaps he'll explain himself if the opportunity arises tomorrow. He may also not have realized he was speaking to someone who really was who they said. Meaning maybe he thought Andy was exaggerating or making things up? Probably a stretch though, considering the threat of arrest.

[corbett]

78. Servin' Up Tha Trooth!

Keep on keepin' it real!

[straw_citizen]

79. boredtodeath, you created a non-issue

out of nothing, quite literally. Andy had permission to speak and was cut off by the Senator. You should be rethinking priorities and service structure.

Andy did nothing wrong whatsoever. Was he supposed stay in the elevator and not get out? Was he supposed to let Senator Lautenberg off the hook having just caught his attention? What about Senator Lautenberg's behavior do you believe was justified at all? Is that how you believe all Senators should treat citizens and keep in mind Andy could have been a constituent.

Your doggedness in support of Lautenberg's bad behavior raises serious questions about basic right and wrongs, and who has been victimized "us, or them".

[coffeenap]

80. Andy is dedicating his life to this--for all of us.

Please find another way to get angry--he is the real deal.

[bunny planet]

82. I think Andy is great and Senator Lautenberg sounds like he was out of

line in this instance. I am a NJ resident and I have always admired Senator Lautenberg. He is a ballsy old guy and he has probably had a rough day. No excuse. I did hear that he was considering being one of the senators to object with the house members. I don't think it's quite right to completely trash him here. There were lots of Republican freepazoids calling and writing God knows what to the Democratic Senators today too, they are running scared and we know their tactics. Perhaps Senator Lautenberg or one of his assistants had run into one of them earlier and his nerves were on edge. I don't know. I'm not willing to write off many years of great service from the man because of one unfortunate exchange. Can we please just chill. Senator Lautenberg, for those of you who may not know of him, is the real deal too. He's just human and he behaved very badly.

[coffeenap]

86. Of course Sen. Lautenb. is the real deal too

The line shouldn't be drawn between two good people. Esp. now.

[njdemocrat106]

97. Same here. Lautenberg has served us well.

If the man stands up with Conyers, I'll admire him even more.

[Boredtodeath]

83. You have a good name

but should change it to straw_man; it would be more fitting.

I knew the flames would come. Many people have replaced "Bev worship" with "Andy worship," that will end the same way. You can't put people on a pedestal and expect them to teeter there without falling.

I have been supportive of Andy and if you'd bother to do a search, you'd know that. But all you really want to do is avoid the responsibility for an irresponsible act.

Teresa LaPore moments are just plain disrespectful.

People who support Andy should take heed of the moment the press publicly turned on Bev Harris and ask Andy to avoid repeating the mistake.

[Andy_Stephenson]

87. Bored....let me set s few things straight here...

A. I did not acost the good senator. I asked him if he would talk to me for a few minutes. He responded yes.

B. I was walking with him asking him to merely look at the evidence. The information I have, would help him make an informed decision.

C. This was definately not a Theresa LePore moment. The Senator entered an elevator I was already on. I was in the Senate Building to lobby Senators and lo and behold the Godess provided me with one to lobby. I took the opportunity.

I was never disrespectful to him but I was firm. He needed to see the evidence for himself. I do not ask for nor do I expect "Andy worship". I was doing my duty as a citizen...to help inform OUR representatives of the facts. I my not live in New Jersey but my tax Dollars go to pay his wages. I am sorry you are disappionted with what happened...but again I was nice and was not trying to embarras him I merely wanted to give him what he needed to make an informed decision. Wouldn't you want him to have what he needs? To stand with Conyers is a big step...one he needs to be sure is ironclad and airtight. What I offered him was just that.

You may not agree and I understand...but I did what I did and would do it again. Remember in our nation We The People are the soverigns...not the Senators. BTW nice to see you. Did you have a nice New Year?

Andy

[OrangeCountyDemocrat]

88. Do It Again!

Thanks for your efforts. It's our leaders who seem to have no conscience or backbone.

[Boredtodeath]

93. First, I had a great new year.

But I happen to disagree with you that it was respectful.

I've done a great deal of work with elected officials ON THIS ISSUE and find the single moment of success or failure is determined by my "firmness" or lack of respect for their space.

We serve no purpose by making enemies of the very people we need as allies. And, letting it get to the point of him threatening to arrest you was past the point of respect and decency.

"Firm" does us no good when you alienate the very people we need to accomplish the task. We sure as hell don't need new enemies - Bev Harris has created a whole world of them on this issue.

On that sanctimonius note, I'm off to bed. Flame away.

[Andy_Stephenson]

109. I am not into flaming...

we disagree...that is fine. If we all agreed all the time that would be real boring.

[demodonkey]

84. Which SIDE??

<<Senator Lautenberg said, “I am a hero. I was in World War II>

[genieroze]

91. Well that explains why he didn't e-mail me back and neither did

Corzine.
:mad: :grr:

[buddysmellgood]

94. Damn. I wish that was me. That's like a scene from a movie. Andy is the

hero.
Lautenberg is a hero for his service to his country. But if he is done defending democracy he needs to step aside.

[LiberalHeart]

95. Please ask Andy....

...what exactly he means when he says, after getting permission to speak with the Senator, he began to talk to him "about the voting issues" he found in Florida and Ohio. I mean, what did he (Andy) actually SAY? It might help us understand the Senator's being unable to "get out of the elevator fast enough" if we knew precisely what had been said to him. Also, was anyone else in the elevator? Did the Senator know who Andy is?

I'm trying to picture the encounter from the Senator's perspective; I already get Andy's perspective.

[Andy_Stephenson]

110. I said to the senator

"Sir I have evidence sir of election fraud in Florida and Ohio. Would you please take a look at it."

Plus I told him who I was and why I had the information.

[theboss]

99. Where the hell did this happen?

How do you corner a Senator in an elevator?

[straw_citizen]

100. I never heard of Senator Lautenberg before today.

So I know nothing of his record. I do know I don't have a good first impression.

[genieroze]

103. He has always fought hard for NJ and has a long distinguished

record of doing so. Maybe if NJ was a contested state he would be more apt to stand up. I got news for him there was fraud in NJ too.

[NJCher]

104. I was afraid of this

Know what Corzine said to my friend when he saw him at the train station after the first stolen election? My friend voiced his concerns--briefly--and Corzine curtly said, "We need to move on."

These guys are thinking of their political careers first and the people they represent second.

I have my fears about how these two are going to vote tomorrow. I'm disgusted.


Cher

[KatieB]

105. But they have no political careers if the Rethugs control the e-machines

[Bill Bored]

106. Andy, is it possible he just didn't want to hear it outside of a courtroom

or the Senate chambers, so he wouldn't be accused of some sort of prejudice or something?

Lautenberg could be an important ally because he used to run ADP. Are you aware of that? His company cuts millions of paychecks for their clients every week and I'm sure he is fully aware of what it takes to audit something like voting computers! He might even be considered an expert in the field because of his IT experience. We need that kind of person on the inside to get verifiable voting. Let's not piss him off.

I wasn't there of course, and you were, but is there anything to this line of reasoning, either the legal aspect, or the technical aspects? He would be a great asset to have on a Blue Ribbon Panel to investigate this stuff. Don't alienate him (I'm not saying you did, just trying to shed some light maybe).

We all owe you a debt of gratitude, Andy, don't get me wrong! You're the BEST!

[zann725]

107. What a great challenge: "You won't be if you don't stand up...tomorrow!"

Way to go, Andy! LOL!
A zinger like that sometimes actually "reaches" the person you address it to...once they have a chance to think about it. And Lautenberg WILL think about it because you challenged his "hero" status! Now he has to prove himself!

[New Earth]

108. i do apologize for my Senator's behaviour

x(