First there was one....Please thank KERRY and BOXER!

[Karenca]

First we had Barbara Boxer challenging the Ohio electoral vote..Now, we have two senators willing to stand up to the Repuklicans...Senator Boxer and Senator Kerry.
I was so very proud when they refused to confirm Condo.

Please let's send them our thanks and let them know we support them and are grateful for standing up for Democracy.

[ohioliberal]

1. Already done!

[Karenca]

6. I'm praying that the courage Kerry and Boxer had: to to stand up

and not kiss the Repuklican asses will start to rub off on our other senators.

[yorkiemommie1]

2. i emailed them both

i used the government site and it was weird because when i went to fill out the email form another person's contact info was still on the form. so i used my work address instead.

[pbartch]

51. What are their email addresses????????????????????????

[Helga Scow Stern]

3. I already sent a fax to each of their offices.

I thanked Boxer the most, and sent a copy of it to Kerry (plus a copy of Kerry's to Boxer).

[understandinglife]

4. already done; thank you for posting.

ONWARD BUSH OPPOSITION

[Lefta Dissenter]

5. I wrote to them as well

it's so easy to pop off a thank you and let them know that we SEE what they are doing and we appreciate their standing up for the American people.

[SnoopDog]

7. I agree...

When we support of Congressmen and Congresswomen, they support us.

It is human nature - people rise to the occasion when they feel the support of others.

We need to continually support our true Dems and also to inform them of our opinion on current issues.

I am in process right now of writing a 'letter' to Boxer and Kerry.

[meganmonkey]

8. And there could be more tomorrow!

I believe the full Senate votes tomorrow, right?

[Karenca]

9. That's what I'm thinking too....

I am so hopeful that more Senators will follow K&B.....

[meganmonkey]

36. Or next week, as the case may be....

Thanks to those troublemaking filibuster-ers!!!

:)

[rachelbirds]

10. Kerry had no choice

If he ever ever wanted to run for President he couldn't survive another "I voted for " blah, blah,blah. I don't think he'd have much of a chance to win but you never know.

[complain jane]

11. Was I imagining things, or this morning on Air America

radio, when replaying the yays and nays for Rice, when Kerry said "nay" someone very close to the recording microphone muttered "he's pathetic."

on edit: not someone at AAR, someone at the hearings.

[NationalEnquirer]

12. Some republican asshole no doubt.

We already know what kind of people they are when dealing with democrats. I'm surprised someone didn't tell him to "Cheney"-off..

[Karenca]

13. On another post, it is said that

they thought they heard someone say 'good job'.

[complain jane]

16. I really am pretty sure I heard "He is pathetic" said by someone

close to the microphone that recorded the whole thing.

[Laurab]

77. Maybe they were talking about * ?

It suits him.

[bookman]

49. We'll see if it on the news tonight...

..you know the "fake" news, The Daily Show.

Isn't that a sad commentary on the media?




edit:typo

[pacalo]

80. I watched the replay three times

& I didn't hear that comment, but now that I read your post, I will review it again.

[Greybnk48]

14. Thank Biden too and Dodd

Biden is doing the heavy lifting right NOW calling them to task for lie after lie. Just called them neo-con's! He's on fire.

[bunny planet]

19. He needed to vote nay then, he didn't. Biden is on fire and then he

fizzles out when it's time to vote.

[janetle]

31. I agree about Biden

I for one want Democrats to quit doing this--saying wonderful things and then voting the opposite way. It got Kerry in trouble with his vote for the IWR. So thank you this time, Kerry for voting consistently with your questions and thoughts. And a big thank you for Barbara Boxer for showing the world how to stand up to this administration. I pointed you out to my teen age daughter today on TV as someone to look up to and admire.

[McCamy Taylor]

15. KERRY and BOXER are the Greatest!

:hug: :loveya: :hug: :loveya: :hug:

[Kerrytravelers]

17. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee:

<http://boxer.senate.gov/contact/>
<http://billnelson.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm>
<http://feingold.senate.gov/contact.html>
<http://dodd.senate.gov/webmail/form-opinion.html>
<http://sarbanes.senate.gov/pages/contact.html>
<http://obama.senate.gov/contact/>
<http://kerry.senate.gov/text/contact/email.html>

[Paradise]

28. thanks for the email addresses. n/t

[bunny planet]

18. Did it already Karenca.

:-)

[quadzilla490]

20. Done. Thanked Sen. Boxer

N/A

[bunny planet]

22. What about Senator Kerry? Did you thank him?

[pstans]

21. Way to go Kerry

He made me proud for voting for him for President. If he keeps up this up, he might just be the right person in 2008.

Could Kerry become the Liberal Lion II?

[cornermouse]

23. YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm encouraged and happy.

[loudsue]

24. THANK YOU, KARENCA!! I'm so glad you started this thread!

I got absolutely SLAMMED on a Kerry Hate-fest thread the other day after trying to stop the Kerry bashing. I was even told by some newbie that "bashing" is a word the republicans use....I guess, by implication, that I was somehow a freeper for standing up for Kerry.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1158623#1159118

Kerry knows what happened, and he knows how evil the bush mafia is, and he will stand up for America in any way he can, without making himself redundant in his current job.

Kerry deserves all the thanks in the world, along with the stellar Sen. Boxer, for doing this.

I say, let's keep them supported in every way we can. The battle has only just begun.

:kick::kick::kick:

[catgirl]

54. The Kerry bashers are the freepers

loudsue- you go girl!!

And Kerry is a hero and proves it over and over again!!

[manxkat]

25. I'm so disgusted with Kerry.

He betrayed us all when he conceded way too early. That single act spoke volumes. He's not the same man he was in 1971 when he spoke out against the war.

Now, when he makes correct decisions (like opposing Rice's nomination), I will not see those decisions as anything but "safe." Everything is calculated with Kerry, and I don't believe the man has a spine any longer. Sad. And, I believe he's lost any chance of ever redeeming himself in the eyes of the left. Moderates will continue to back him, but he'll never, ever have a chance at the presidency again.

As for Barbara Boxer, hooray for her and for us -- let's hope she continues to fight the good fight.

[vkobaya]

26. I agree. Kerry threw the election.

Kerry was awesome in the primaries. But in the presidential
campaign, he didn't know his left foot from his right. Never
once contradicted Dubya and in fact, rooted for Dubya again
and again as the best man. After Gore did the same to us in
2000, I will not again make the mistake of voting Democratic.
Peace and Freedom, Green, Independent, even Communisty, but
never again will I be suckered to vote for a Democrat. All
they are is the sycophant branch of the Republican party,
begging "Please, please don't kick me and please, throw
me an occasional crumb or even your garbage."

Vicki

[molly]

30. He doesn't need to "redeem" himself to anyone

except those with a bug up their butts!

[smartvoter]

37. What does this have to do with his actions today? nt

[Laurab]

76. Everything is not "calculated"

I believe the correct word would be "intelligent" in most cases. I think he has a spine, and he didn't use it when YOU wanted him to. Maybe he wanted to preserve his integrity, which he did, at least with people that were going to matter the most. I think we're going to be seeing a lot of "spine" from him, and I'm looking forward to it.

[Paradise]

27. Done, and thank you for this thread. n/t

[BrklynLiberal]

29. I sent Boxer a thank you note..but cannot bring myself to send one to

Kerry yet.

[Kukesa]

40. That's EXACTLY how I feel.

I sent a note to Sen. Boxer, but . . . not to Kerry . . . yet . . . maybe never.

[johnaries]

32. Can someone here with the talent to develop "blast" emails..

create one that will praise Kerry and Boxer and Shame all Dem's who did not "stand-up" like they did?

I've seen them here before, nut I don't remember who did them.

We should consider ourselves lucky to have a forum with so MANY talented people!

[Bubblie]

38. Done

Sent thank you to Boxer & Kerry. They need to have our support in order to contiue to fight.

[Carolab]

33. Done. n/t

[Nothing Without Hope]

34. This is an important start - here are 3 quotes

from past rights movements that started slow, gradually picked up momentum and were ultimately successful:

There is one thing you have got to learn about our movement. Three people are better than no people. -- Fannie Lou Hamer

You have to make more noise than anybody else, you have to make yourself more obtrusive than anybody else, you have to fill all the papers more than anybody else, in fact you have to be there all the time and see that they do not snow you under, if you are really going to get your reform realized. -- Emmeline Pankhurst

and of course, the one by Gandhi we've seen so often lately:

First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.

[Hugin]

35. Thanks.

That last Gandhi one... Always brings tears to my eyes.

I'd like to believe it. :)

[merh]

39. Done!

I love Boxer and Kerry! :loveya:

Biden is an ass - slams her then says, I have to work with her so I won't vote against her to risk that relationship. F that. She lies, she lies, how can he trust her and SHE IS NOT QUALIFIED FOR THE JOB!

For god's sake, she was National Security Chief when the worst terrorist attack happened on our soil. She is NOT QUALIFIED. :mad: :argh:

[garthranzz]

41. Profiles in Courage

I thanked both Senators and said, at the end, "Thanks for being a 'Profile in Courage.' " I think it's a term that resonates with Kerry, for obvious reasons, and aptly applies to Boxer.

Perhaps it deserves wider dissemination and application.

[Karenca]

42. weLcome garthranzz...:))

:hug: :hi:

[elizm]

43. DONE already!

Boxer and Kerry--2008! :bounce:

[kerrygoddess]

44. Democrats Could Delay Rice Confirmation in Full Floor Debate

It appears that Kerry and Boxer are working their magic with Senate leaders on the confirmation of Condoleezza Rice. NBC News via MSNBC is reporting that “Democrats planned to delay her widely expected confirmation by the full Senate.”

http://www.lightupthedarkness.org/blog/default.asp?view=plink&id=250

[Smoochie]

45. Kerry made it onto the BBC news tonight because of this ...

though I wish they'd talked about Boxer too. I guess they don't think anyone in the UK will know who she is ... but they're wrong after what she did on 6th January! I've sent her a thankyou email - she now has a truly international presence. What a star!
:loveya:

[Smoochie]

46. Boxer did get a couple of mentions on the BBC website too ...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4186241.stm

"...Discussing the administration's insistence before the Iraq war that Saddam Hussein possessed weapons of mass destruction, one senator aggressively suggested Ms Rice's loyalty to Mr Bush "overwhelmed your respect for the truth".

She denied that staunchly, telling Democrat Senator Barbara Boxer: "I really hope that you will refrain from impugning my integrity."..."

and another at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4188119.stm:

" ...Ms Rice was confirmed by a 16-2 vote, with Democratic Senators John Kerry and Barbara Boxer voting no.

The votes against her do not put her confirmation in doubt, but they do suggest she failed to reach out convincingly to those senators who say they would have liked to have supported a new start, says the BBC's Justin Webb in Washington. ..."


At last some 'real' news has filtered through to the BBC ... it'll be interesting to see if any of the anti-inauguration demonstrations make it out of the USA.

[PresidentObama]

47. Go Kerry Go!

John Kerry is truly fighting for America still when he did this. Condi Rice deserves to be fired. Much as Rumsfeld does, which Kerry has continously said over and over again.

Go Kerry Go!

[catgirl]

55. Kerry is working hard to get Rummy fired

and he's not holding back his feelings either. It's
getting hot!!

[shuffnew]

62. DITTO! GO KERRY GO! LET'S SIGN THE PETITIONS!

Yes, John Kerry will always truly fight for America. There is no doubt that he is after Rumsfeld too. For those that agree and were not on this email list yesterday and tonight, get busy and show support by signing the petition to fire Rumsfeld too!
Edited to add: Note that between 4:19PM yesterday and 9:06PM tonight the call to remove Rumsfeld has apparently gone from 500K to 700K - the power of the internet prevails! And the media was wondering what Kerry would do with one of the largest email lists around. I think we are seeing the action and must join the fight with him and others to make our voices heard.

January 18, 2005 (email received at 4:19PM Central Time)

Dear xxxxxx,,

I have just come back from Iraq. After several months consumed by the campaign trail, I wanted to make contact with our soldiers on the ground there. The first thing I want you to know is that, in very difficult circumstances, our brave soldiers are serving America with enormous skill and great courage.

In the Senate, we have a duty during times like these to hold our Defense Department accountable for the well-being of our troops. It's one of the ways that our democracy makes our military the strongest in the world. And I can't tell you how comforting it is as a soldier to know even if you don't have a say over your own situation, the folks back home do.

I knew our soldiers were still facing hold ups getting the equipment they need, but I wanted to see it for myself. American troops deserve the best gear and equipment we can provide. But adequate vehicle armor remains in short supply.

A soldier who spoke up about these problems was told by Defense Secretary Rumsfeld, "you have to go to war with the army you have, not the army you want."1 Well, it's been over two years since Rumsfeld planned this war. And whether he has the army he wants or not, he should at least have basic armor for army vehicles.

I'll say this in the Senate, but I'm asking you to add your voice to mine:

"President Bush, for the sake of our troops, replace Rumsfeld now."

http://www.johnkerry.com/replacerumsfeld

More than 500,000 called for Rumsfeld to resign during the presidential campaign. I'm renewing my call now -- please renew yours too, and forward this email to friends to bring them on board. Add your name to mine here, and add your voice to mine by speaking out in your community as I will do in the US Senate for as long as it takes to remove Secretary Rumsfeld from his post:

http://www.johnkerry.com/replacerumsfeld

It's a question of competence. Poor planning at the Pentagon is letting American soldiers down. According to the National Intelligence Council, the CIA director's think tank, Iraq is now providing the next generation of "professionalized" terrorists with "a training ground, a recruitment ground, the opportunity for enhancing technical skills."2 Our troops need a capable Secretary of Defense. At the very least, they absolutely need that.

I believe that together, the three million of us who worked together on the campaign can help the troops. We not only have a right to speak out against failed Bush policies: we have a duty to defend this country from a President who refuses to recognize the total inadequacy of his own Defense Secretary. That's how democracy works. And that's why America has worked all these years.

The campaign season is over, but our citizenship continues. I know from personal experience that citizens and Senators standing up for the truth can be a powerful combination. Now, with email and the Web as citizenship tools, we can make ourselves heard even more clearly. And I can't tell you how inspired I am that you and I are using these tools to fight side-by-side for the things we believe in.

One more time: please join me in my call for President Bush to fire Donald Rumsfeld. He's the man responsible for the well-being of our troops. He's neglected his duty. He's made excuses. It's time for him to go.

Add your voice to mine in the Senate in calling for President Bush to replace Rumsfeld today.

http://www.johnkerry.com/replacerumsfeld

Thank you,

John Kerry.
__________________

January 19, 2005 (email received at 9:06PM Central Time)
Dear xxxxx,

Earlier today, I voted in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee against the nomination of Dr. Condoleezza Rice for Secretary of State. This vote is an expression of my determination that we hold the Bush administration accountable.

Dr. Rice is a principal architect, implementer, and defender of a series of Administration policies that have not made our country as secure as we should be and have alienated much-needed allies in our common cause of winning the war against terrorism. Regrettably, I did not see in Dr. Rice's testimony before our committee any acknowledgment of the need to change course or of a new vision for America's role in the world.

On Iraq, on North Korea, on Iran, to name just a few of the most critical challenges, it seems to be more of the same. I hope I am proven wrong. I hope the course will change. And I hope that the Administration will recognize the strength of a foreign policy that has bipartisan support.

I am prepared to work with Dr. Rice and others in the Administration to try to reach agreement on policies that will truly strengthen our security and restore America's credibility on the world stage. And I am confident colleagues on both sides of the aisle are prepared to do so as well.

But, we've got to remain firm in our insistence that those who create policies that don't work have the courage to admit their mistakes and the wisdom to change course. Our johnkerry.com community has been expressing that determination in huge numbers.

Over 700,000 people have called on President Bush to fire Donald Rumsfeld as Secretary of Defense.

If you haven't signed the Rumsfeld petition, please do so immediately.

http://www.johnkerry.com/ReplaceRumsfeld

And, please forward the petition right now to friends and colleagues, urging them to join in this effort.

I know you share my strong convictions on the importance of holding the President and his Cabinet accountable. I pledge to you that I will not yield in this effort. Let's keep working together. America's future is at stake.

Sincerely,

John Kerry

:kick: :kick: :kick: :kick:

[bush_is_wacko]

48. Done! I wish Obama would get an email already. I have to write

him a letter and send it every time he does well. Not that I mind, but he ALWAYS does well! That is a lot of letters and stamps! Biden and Dodd deserve a thank you too. they asked the thought questions over and over again. I thought the Republicans asked some pretty tough questions too. I hope the message has been heard at the top!

[lady lib]

50. Will do first thing tomorrow morning

while I'm at home and not spending one damn dime.

:kick:

[LeahD]

52. Done

Where are the Duers tonight to keep this kicked? Oh....on your way to DC I hope.

[AuntiBush]

53. Done!

[Tiggeroshii]

56. Agreed

Done. It's good to know that there's SOME people with the kinda guts we need to preserve a democracy.

[progressivedancer]

58. I did it

I have sent my letters.

[IronLionZion]

57. Done, thank you for this thread

positive reinforcement. it's important that we let our leaders know we appreciate when they do something good. Especially for important stuff like this and the election.

[Horse with no Name]

59. Personally I am attributing the new stand up against Bush

trait in Kerry--to Bushco themselves.
Next time JFK decides to run--there won't be ANY doubt where he stood on issues and I believe that the clarity that he will represent at that time will lead our party into a prosperous time.
No longer will JFK be the Repug whipping boy when they need to turn the heat off of themselves.

Kerry/Boxer 2008

[kerrygoddess]

60. Kerry/Boxer 2008

I like the sound of that!

[corbett]

79. That Has A Real Ring!

It will be meaningless if there is not genuine election reform in place beforehand but I know a lot of Democrats who'd FLIP over that ticket. It would be a bicoastal knockout!

[kerrygoddess]

61. Kerry, Kennedy to vote against Rice

Kerry, Kennedy to vote against Rice
By Associated Press
Wednesday, January 19, 2005

WASHINGTON - Sen. John Kerry , D-Mass., whose condemnation of the Bush administration's Iraq policies was a cornerstone of his presidential campaign, was one of two senators to vote against the nomination of Condoleezza Rice as secretary of state Wednesday.

Kerry said Rice, who has served as Bush's national security adviser, was a principal architect and defender of Iraq policies that alienated U.S. allies and failed to make the country safer.

``Regrettably, I did not see in Dr. Rice's testimony any acknowledgment of the need to change course or of a new vision for America's role in the world,'' said Kerry. ``On Iraq, on North Korea, on Iran, to name just a few of the most critical challenges, it seems to be more of the same.''

Sen. Edward M. Kennedy , D-Mass., also plans to vote against Rice's nomination.

His spokeswoman, Stephanie Cutter, said Rice ``had a major role in developing the irresponsible and reckless Iraq policy, and its been a catastrophic failure, a continuing quagmire. She shouldn't be promoted to Secretary of State.''

http://news.bostonherald.com/election2004/view.bg?articleid=64331

[shuffnew]

64. She should have been booted for the reckless Iraq policy...

but NO * (idiot) promotes her instead! He has to keep that protective bubble and what better way than to put this incompetent robot into a more dangerous position after being a complete incomepetent in her prior role. He has to keep his spineless robots in the top positions! Therefore, the robots keep moving upward!

[Jo March]

70. So the vote is on Tuesday then?

We have time to organize and flood these guys with calls, faxes and emails??

[Strive to be Dust]

63. Already sent kudos to Kerry but...

I think he was shamed into it. It really looks like every one of us bloggers and activists are going to have to do the job of party whip and hound our senators and representitives to vote party line on every issue that comes across their desks. This "the president deserves our support" crap won't end until every Democratic member of congress is fully aware of our vigilent outrage.

[Jo March]

69. StbD, it's called "managing up" :)

Since they can't manage to do the work of the people, then we, the people, have to tell them what to do. We may have to tell them over and over again.

It's sad that we can't trust them to do what is right but those days are over. We have to make them do what is right.

[skyounkin]

65. Well, the idiot king hates "yes" men....

So all the Dem's should toe the rethug line and vote "NO" for both gonzales and rice.:evilgrin:

[Rhiannon12866]

84. Welcome to DU, skyounkin!

Glad to have you with us!:toast:

And I couldn't agree more! What is wrong with the Democrats is beyond me, since they can't do much worse than the "torture guy" and the one who we now know ignored the bin Laden memo!:grr:

[Daphne08]

66. I did.

[Rhiannon12866]

67. I agree. To thank Senator Kerry, sign his petition to remove Rumsfeld

I received this in e-mail, just today.

From John Kerry:

Earlier today, I voted in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee against the nomination of Dr. Condoleezza Rice for Secretary of State. This vote is an expression of my determination that we hold the Bush administration accountable.

Dr. Rice is a principal architect, implementer, and defender of a series of Administration policies that have not made our country as secure as we should be and have alienated much-needed allies in our common cause of winning the war against terrorism. Regrettably, I did not see in Dr. Rice's testimony before our committee any acknowledgment of the need to change course or of a new vision for America's role in the world.

On Iraq, on North Korea, on Iran, to name just a few of the most critical challenges, it seems to be more of the same. I hope I am proven wrong. I hope the course will change. And I hope that the Administration will recognize the strength of a foreign policy that has bipartisan support.

I am prepared to work with Dr. Rice and others in the Administration to try to reach agreement on policies that will truly strengthen our security and restore America's credibility on the world stage. And I am confident colleagues on both sides of the aisle are prepared to do so as well.

But, we've got to remain firm in our insistence that those who create policies that don't work have the courage to admit their mistakes and the wisdom to change course. Our johnkerry.com community has been expressing that determination in huge numbers.

Over 700,000 people have called on President Bush to fire Donald Rumsfeld as Secretary of Defense.

If you haven't signed the Rumsfeld petition, please do so immediately.

http://www.johnkerry.com/ReplaceRumsfeld

And, please forward the petition right now to friends and colleagues, urging them to join in this effort.

I know you share my strong convictions on the importance of holding the President and his Cabinet accountable. I pledge to you that I will not yield in this effort. Let's keep working together. America's future is at stake.

Sincerely,

John Kerry

[The White Tree]

68. Regarding Kerry - He is also after Rumsfield

I received a letter from Kerry's website saying he would not rest until Rusmfield is out of office. A good measure of the man may be how long he keeps up this fight and whether he is succesful at it.

Here is the link to a petiton there to sign this letter.

<http://www.johnkerry.com/petition/rumsfeld2.php>

Mr. President,

I was surprised and disappointed that you told the Washington Post last week that no Bush administration official should be held accountable for our failures in Iraq. As the situation worsens and more American lives are lost and troops deployed to the region, it's time to stop rewarding incompetence and to start demanding accountability. For the sake of our men and women in uniform and their families here at home, I urge you to start by replacing Donald Rumsfeld. His record of failure and his inability to play it straight with the American people and our troops overseas make him unfit to serve as Secretary of Defense for one more day, never mind four more years.

If you care about restoring our credibility around the world and our credibility with our troops on the ground in Iraq, you've got to start by removing Donald Rumsfeld as Secretary of Defense. That's why I am joining Senator John Kerry and hundreds of thousands of Americans in adding my name to the johnkerry.com petition calling for Rumsfeld's immediate removal from office.

[cyn2]

71. Done!

[foreverdem]

72. Done!

Sent to both!

[dalloway]

73. did it yesterday. Kick this back up n/t

[Sugarbleus]

74. Excellent suggestion... They were GREAT!

We almost had Biden too *sigh*

For the life of me, I cannot understand what is wrong with the rest of the Dems! I suppose Condi is cordial and polite and being female the menfolk in the Senate may not have wanted to diss her...BUT if the rest of the working public fails at their job, they get FIRED. Why in the world would our dems let this woman, who failed, continue in government with kudos/praise and a RAISE in title and whatever??!!

On the one hand, I believe that Rumsfeld, Rice, and Tenet should be out on their asses for their misdeeds...at the very least. On the other hand, I shudder to think who the neocons might nominate instead of Condi. :scared:

I'm PROUD of Boxer and Kerry for their stand! I'm going to give Biden some room to see whether his decision was the right one in terms of schmoozing condi at every turn in order to make her accountable to the congress and be forthcoming with foreign policy. He felt like she might have the President's ear and be able to find honor somewhere in her soul in terms of advising him where he is a fuck up.

We shall see..... I'm ecstatic by Boxer and Kerry, I'm shocked by Rice's confirmation. *head spinning here*

[feelthebreeze]

78. They must follow the lead

This is an email I sent to all the Dem Senators involved with the Rice confirmation:

-Letter-
Dear Senator:

The time for friendly speeches and wagging fingers is over. You saw the National protests today and you know where your constituents feelings lie now. Join Boxer and Kerry and draw your lines in stone. No more politics as usual. There is no compromise that is acceptable as our elected officials. We don't want you to compromise. Stand firm and stand with each other against this abomination we call the current administration. Evil only happens when good men do nothing. You must stop speeches and begin to fight. Don't be cowards; we the people are here behind you and will fight by your side for the dreams and ideals that makes this country so profound. Do it now. Do it while there is time. You are losing the faith of the people who need you in these dire times. Your opposition helps to define the evils. Without a strong stand, our vision is muddied and unclear. We are lost with the approach so many of you are using.
Please do not repeat the actions of the electoral challenge and the confirmation of Rice. To not take action and then complain about the evils is the approach of a weakling and a dullard. Vote with your power. Do not vote for the monsters, only to whine later about how wrong they are. You have nothing to lose by supporting our needs and voices. You lose everything if you continue to make deals with these devils. Drop your arrogance and stop believing that you can make a difference by playing within their playground. We need you here with us. Be our voice. We are strong and numerous and ... right!

Yours in one Democracy,

[Sugarbleus]

83. GREAT letter FTB; what address did you use to get a lttr to all of them?

I just bought a faxing machine today so I can get my messages to people quicker.

They probably don't read all the emails, a letter takes too long, and a phone call can never convey ones entire thought like your letter just did.

Well done! :toast:

PS: I did get a response from Boxer and my local rep when I signed a particular petition regarding SS. I want to reach ALL of the dems that I can. All tips welcome :)

[Rhiannon12866]

82. You forgot about Gonzales

What does this say to the rest of the world, especially the Muslim world, if we have the guy who approved torture in our the top law enforcement job?!
:scared:

That is a good point about Biden. That's something I never thought of, that they could nominate somebody worse than Rice!!! But I am still frustrated, disheartened and angry. Biden grilled her and let it be known what he thought of her job as NSA, then he voted for her?!:crazy:

And there's my own senator, Hillary Clinton, who I had such high hopes for. She talks the talk, but when it comes to the actual votes, she lets us down, and certainly not because she hasn't heard from me!!!:grr:

[Sugarbleus]

85. Sorry bout your senator...she's a pip alright.. I have to deal with one

of my own that is actually a DINO--->Diane Feinstein x(

Wouldn't ya like to be able to sit down with these senators and ask them what in the world they are REALLY THINKING? I'm thunderstruck by their apparent lack of understanding in terms of what we are asking of them!

Unbelievable.......

[Rhiannon12866]

87. Yes, but you also have Barbara Boxer

You have to give the woman credit for having the courage that all the others lack, except for John Kerry, who finally stepped up to the plate.:-)

As for Diane Feinstein, what's up with her? Didn't she introduce Rice at the hearings? Makes no sense to me. What I know about her is that she has an excellent environmental record (unlike Bush*) and didn't President Clinton campaign for her? Didn't Kerry endorse her? And can't Barbara Boxer take her aside and read her the riot act?:shrug:

As for my senators, I'm baffled there, too. Somebody on DU suggested to me that Barbara Boxer was drafted to be the one to speak out during the Ohio recount hearings because she just won re-election by a wide margin. Well, so did my other senator, Chuck Schumer. The Republicans only halfheartedly put up some poor sacrificial lamb, whose name I believe was Howard Mills. I only saw him once, on the local (Albany) news, and the local anchor got the guy all flustered and tongue-tied. I actually felt sorry for him. But we hear nothing from Schumer. Just after the election, he appeared on "The Daily Show," and when Jon Stewart asked him what had happened, all the guy could do was shrug. As we ask so often on DU, "where is the outrage?":grr:

But Hillary Clinton still baffles me most of all. We already know that she is a fighter, and, until now, she had a solid voting record. I just cannot fathom why she isn't standing with Barbara Boxer in opposing these terrible nominations. If Biden voted for Rice because he envisioned worse alternatives, I shudder to think what they might be. Worse than the "torture guy" and the one who ignored the bin Laden memos?! How about Charley Manson to replace Reinquist? A friend of mine predicted this, the other day.:crazy:

I take part in more "actions" than I can count, from more organizations than I can think of, offhand. I often edit the text to include my own ideas, but I think that I had better find the time to sit down and address each of these issues in a personal e-mail to Mrs. Clinton, and encourage all my friends to do the same. She speaks out, as she did during the Ohio recount debate, but her vote didn't reflect what came out of her mouth. At least I usually hear back from her, acknowledging what I have said, though I know that she's not writing to me, personally, like my Republican assemblywoman does. But I've never heard even once from Schumer. I would vote for Hillary, again, because I don't think that we can do better, though many in the NY forum said that they'll never vote for her again. But I will think twice about ever voting again for Schumer.:-(

[Sugarbleus]

88. I hear your outrage and raise you with mine...

If you'll forgive me, I know you are angry but I had to laugh at the "Charlie Manson" quip... LOL I can just "see" that...

Aside from revolution, all I know to do is CONTINUE to harangue the representatives that are NOT responding in either direction, and to CONTINUE to write, contact, contact, contact them... Only let up enough to give your nerves a break. Write editors too. Send emails to news groups and STAND ON THE BACKS of your representatives by way of calling or writing or faxing.

If need be, sign petitions or start one of your own to send. I also do a bit of research on the individuals and read articles in DU so as to get a better understanding of where some of our representatives are coming from. In terms of the Clintons, I believe they are considered to be of the Neo-liberal school of thought(though Feinstein is really a conservative Dem).

There is a website: http://www.ppionline.org Progressive Policy Institute. This is a site that promotes progressive(aggressive) liberal ideals much the same as the RWers PNAC does. They may well be the same ideals that are held by the DLC arm of the Democratic Party. In a nutshell, these ideals are very closely aligned with conservative ideals in terms of world power and the "spreading of democracy" for the sake of "freedom and commerce".

The DLC, as I understand them, are the "anti-redistribution" democrats. They believe in a militarily strong America, the environment as a sideline, and the gathering of wealth via investments. They are concerned about corporations when the conventional Liberal isn't as much.

I've come to learn that the word: "Progressive" is a tricky word. It can mean good things; it can mean bad things. It behoves us to understand what a representative means when they use the word beside their name. Same thing applies to the word "Liberal", unfortunately.

Take Dennis Kucinich for example. He may be a little quirky in some ways but he firmly grasps the dilemma we face as conventionl Liberals/Democrats and what the hell is wrong with the current trend in our present government--he does not appear to be on the "take" either. For that I praise him too.

Lastly, we must remember LOBBYISTS. ALL the politicians are subject to lobbyists from every stripe. It's all about the money in the final analysis. Lobbyists can turn a fine politician into a "mark", a self absorbed, easily persuaded "empty suit". Even Democratic politicians. They dwell up in DC in that rarified air, in a bubble if you will, almost completely ignorant of the everyday citizen and our real needs and desires. UNLESS, you belong to a huge lobby with that "special" access to them... it's sad.
Again, all I know to do is to keep pounding away at them. Keep exposing their double standards. Some in DU have joined bigger groups like ACLU and NAACP for example in order to have a more powerful voice in Washington.

Realistically, we cannot have the "Perfect" politician. Sometimes they will work in our favor, sometimes not. I am able to give credit to any politician when they do good and blast them when they do ill. Still I long for a party that represents the "Opposition" in total and in deed.

Best, SB :hi:

[Rhiannon12866]

89. I'm glad, since my comment was meant to be amusing

We cannot exist without humor, no matter how bad things get. That's how we manage to survive, or I do. But I can't entirely take credit for the Charlie Manson quip. My Republican father, who had an excellent sense of humor, suggested that somebody had hired him as a driver, after it came out that that someone previously in jail had been hired as a nanny. My Dad may have been a Republican, but I just can't see him going along with the neo-con warmongers' agenda. I wish so much that I could talk to him about all this, but but he died, young, just before the "first" Gulf War.:-(

I don't belong to any "news groups," only to DU and FR, LOL! But I receive more e-mail than I can handle from progressive sites, and I take part in many "actions," and pass these on. And I have a large stack of envelopes, from my representatives, who responded to my numerous e-mails. But I am disappointed in Mrs. Clinton, since she talks the talk, but hasn't come through with her votes, which totally baffles me, since I know she shares my values and is certainly a fighter. I need to talk to her, one on one, LOL! I have yet to meet her, but I know people who have and they liked her. I'm sure that I would, as well, and would vote for her, again, but I just don't see why she's lacked the courage to back her words with the right vote, since she doesn't lack courage.:shrug:

Thanks so much for your information. I'm holding on to this thread, and just not bookmarking it.:-)

As for Dennis Kucinich, I don't think of him as "quirky," since he was my candidate. I really liked what he was saying and, when I took that "SelectSmart" test, I agreed with Dennis 100%. But I am realistic, and many other candidates ranked high on my list. I think that Kerry was #3 and he got my vote. I really liked what he had to say, until he started aping Bush*, but I still supported him. *sigh* But he's really done well, supporting Barbara Boxer. He needed to have distinguished himself, like this, before, to resonate with progressive voters.:shrug:

And I appreciate your comments about lobbyists. I know that politicians, of all stripes, are influenced by them. And I do know that it's all about money. What I said, on another thread, is that I would vote for Hillary, again, since I think that she's the best we can do. Others have said they would refuse to vote for her, again. But I do know that she shares our values and we just need to press her, making her take her constituents more seriously than making peace with the Republicans.:-(

Thanks for your reply. I agree with you, totally, though I didn't address half of it. I agree, nobody's perfect, but I just wish that I could find a representative, for once, who's in my corner.;(

[JD Lau]

75. Kick

[morffin]

81. F -Kerry

His name is a curse word in my house.

[Karenca]

86. oh yeah...?

:evilgrin: