A "Constitutional Crisis" DU and me

[texpatriot2004]

"...but I do know what each citizen who cares for the Republic must do. We must hold these people accountable and we must become unrelenting in doing just that. In these defining moments, that which sustains hope is our willingness to act on the principles we proclaim allegiance. Either we defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic or we don't. We're about to witness the outcome of each of our decision."
A fellow DUer who is respected and admired.

While reading another thread here tonight I read a post with these words in it. I struck me immediately. "Either we defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic or we don't." That's the bottom line.

For months I have heard that we are in or are headed to a "Constitutional Crisis" depending on when you started keeping track. See, I come from GenX so automatically I think something like that will be sorted out, you know, legally...and perhaps it will. I hope it will. My point is that I am trained to go to instantly go to a place where this kind of thing will be resolved by the Courts, the Politicians and the leaders. Now mind you, I am well aware of how broken our system is so why this idea still comes to me is baffling but come to me it does.

Then tonight, here at DU, in the wee morning hours I read this post and it dawns on me that this "Constitutional Crisis" may also depend on me...and my fellow citizens. Never in a million years would I have imagined myself or my country in the predicament I find that we are in now. Nor, would I have imagined being needed by my Country to defend the Constitution. It's shocking really. I must summon the political will and the fortitude, I hope we can all do this, to "act on the principles I proclaim allegiance" to and to "hold these people accountable" in an "unrelenting" way.

Well, it's somewhat overwhelming, I am a little nervous and probably afraid but I am willing. It ain't no step for a stepper.

PS This is what I love about DU, the ripple effect. My fellow DUer posted something that touched me and caused me to think. It's beautiful how this works.

[leveymg]

1. We have a lot in common with those who swear oaths.

Let us assume for the moment that the indictments get issued, the Bush Administration is brought to justice, and the country eventually mends itself. If there is such a happy ending, we on the Left should give thanks that the professional military and the career intelligence people did their jobs and made sure that Mr. Fitzgerald got his Grand Jury and law and order was restored in America.

One hopes that they, in turn, develop a new-found appreciation for the fact that the Right has no monopoly on patriotism, and that we, the Left, have been the ones who cared enough to fight to protect the Constitution from its enemies, foreign and domestic.

This is how America won World War Two, and how we will triumph over fascism in our own age.

[texpatriot2004]

14. You think it will be solved in such an amenable and legal way?nt

[Why Syzygy]

2. Thanks.

This is why I don't join the crowd who wants to leave our shores.
Our ancestors already fled the Church of England and the Crown.
This is MY LAND. I'm not leaving.
Whatever it takes to preserve our hard won Freedom, I too am willing. :patriot:

pa·tri·ot n.
One who loves, supports, and defends one's country.

[texpatriot2004]

6. Your message I take to heart, thank you Patriot.

"My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you:
Ask what you can do for your country." John F. Kennedy :patriot:

[Why Syzygy]

8. As a GenX

you give me hope too. I'm a baby boomer. We never give up, never quit.

[texpatriot2004]

11. That's true about your generation. Thanks for your tenacity. n.t

[screembloodymurder]

3. We can start by opening our mouths

Talk to strangers about Bush. You might be surprised how many others feel like you.

[acmejack]

4. That's so very true!

I use public transportation and never miss a chance to talk to my fellow riders (hey, I love to talk). Perhaps it is something unique to to mass transit users, but opinion has always been strongly against * there.

But the same feeling is strong among many, many of us. A workers revolution is coming...

[texpatriot2004]

7. That happens to me to. I wear a No W pin and lots of times it

leads to conversations.

[bigbrother05]

5. You are so right about becoming

unrelenting. You can not let perception guide you, as they would want. I was involved in Texas politics for 5 years, and learned alot, they don't follow the law, they create their own, and their motto was and is It's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission.
Right now all I see coming out of the WH is busy work, nothing that is beneficial to anyone. I am having a hard time wrapping my brain around this administration. I pray that Fitz can get us out of this mess, seems to be are only hope.

[texpatriot2004]

9. Yes, you're right. nm

[texpatriot2004]

10. kick n/t

[nadinbrzezinski]

12. When the moment came in 1973 the situation was slightly

different

We controlled congress, but there was more respect for the system. You, for the most part never studied in detail the mess that was Watergate... neither did I in HS, but I did in graduate school. I am a naturalized citizen... and quite frankly, due to the beauties in the USPA, I can loose that faster than most. But my duty, as spoken in that oath, practically the same as that taken by every member of the police, the fire department, the armed services and civil servants, is to protect the Constitution against enemies, both foreign and domestic.

Why have I taken risks that are very real and very conscious? I have two nieces, one will be going to college next year... and two nephews, one has just turned three and the other just turned one. I want my nephews to grow up in a free country. I want my nieces, even if they may not appreciate it right now, to have the opportunities of a free country.

Now here comes the next step you need to decide upon: How much are you willing to sacrifice? I've done things that if we loose, I expect more than just Agent Mike to show up outside my door. I have spoken to people. I have screamed at members of congress, and talked to state legislatures at length over things such as the USPA... (and Fuck Hoover they know this)... SO if we should loose, I expect to be picked up, and disappeared. I have seen what happens to people who ahem, go missing... there is a family of refuges who I have no clue what occurred to them, something about Central America, death squads and rape... but I also know that there are times people need to make a stand... and if my fate should be not to make to make it to the other side... as long as my nephews, my nieces and indeed you, can live in a free country, the sacrifice was wroth it.

[texpatriot2004]

13. Thanks Nadin B nm