The sin of silence.

[Cuban_Liberal]

Abraham Lincoln once said that "To sin by silence when they should protest makes cowards of men", a statement with which I wholeheartedly concur.

We Americans face the most critical choice we have ever been forced to make in my lifetime: shall we give our imprimatur and formal (or passive) assent to the Bush coup d'etat of 2000, or shall we do everything within our power to depose this illegal and unconstitutional regime? While some few here at DU have struggled mightily to both assert and defend the largely esoteric, hair-splitting philosophical differences they have with Sen. Kerry and the Democratic Party, those few have been far more effective in demonstrating the fact that they fail to grasp the fundamental importance of what is at stake this coming November.

That any self-identified 'progressive' would consider doing anything less than everything of which they are capable in order to ensure that Sen. Kerry is elected as POTUS by the largest popular-vote and electoral-college margins possible is both shocking and appalling. What part or parts of the Bush regime's past, present and future agenda do they not understand? George Bush intends to continue his assault upon the Constitution. George Bush intends to continue his assault upon the social-welfare 'safety net'. George Bush intends to continue his assault upon a multi-lateral foreign-policy. George Bush intends to continue his assault upon fiscally-responsible tax policy. I could go on, but I won't.

The threats to remain home, to cast a vote for Nader, to only vote for Sen. Kerry, but do nothing else, all constitute a deadly, cowardly silence of the type Lincoln disparaged. The old saw that 'silence implies consent' was never more true than it is in the face of this election, and will only ensure the continuation of the policies which have brought us perilously close to financial ruin, the policies which have filled graves across America and the globe, the policies which portend the end of our sovereign right to be a self-governing people with inherent and inalienable rights to 'life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness'.

Please ask yourself this question, as you decide to what extent you will assist the Kerry campaign: is your insistence upon ideological 'purity' worth all that? Mine isn't, and or that reason I will devote every spare minute I have, every dime I do not need for sustenance, shelter and support to electing Sen. John Kerry as the 44th President of the United States.

Thank you.

[mmonk]

1. I intend to help alot

but never stay silent.

[Cuban_Liberal]

2. Not a problem.

I don't intend to remain silent, either, but I do intend to empower Sen. Kerry to make the changes I believe are essential to our survival as a true republic, and a member of the community of nations.

:hi:

[mmonk]

3. Agreed

:toast:

[Cuban_Liberal]

4. And to you!

:toast:

[Padraig18]

7. None of us should remain silent.

The slaughter in Iraq goes on, as does the trampling of our civil rights.

[Cuban_Liberal]

5. Kick

:dem:

[Padraig18]

6. Very well said, Tony!

One can only hope that some of the navel-gazers here will think long and hard about your post.

:)

[Cuban_Liberal]

12. I hope they do.

The time to put esoteric differences aside has arrived, for any true progressive. It's time to 'get with the program', IMO.

[RobertDevereaux]

8. A brilliant, succinct statement of the truth...

I've never in my fifty-six years contributed money nor time to a candidate, but I'm contributing lots of both this year, not only to Kerry but to every critical candidate, especially those who can unseat the most egregious of the RW nutcases.

We need Kerry and a supportive Congress, and--in my most ardent dreams, oh please God, let it be so--we need to smash utterly the current extremist opposition party, so that their moderates can reclaim the shattered hulk and become true Americans again!

[Cuban_Liberal]

10. We must also remember Congressional candidates.

I should have mentioned that, as well, and want to thank you for reminding us of their impoortance.

:hi:

[mongo]

9. What a great quote

Abraham Lincoln once said that "To sin by silence when they should protest makes cowards of men"

I think I'll forward your post to some folks....

[Cuban_Liberal]

11. Feel free!

All navel-gazing progressives need to hear the message.

:hi:

[cheshire]

13. Oh hell yes and loud as possible and often.

[Cuban_Liberal]

14. Testify!

:thumbsup:

[Cuban_Liberal]

15. Kick n/t

[Cuban_Liberal]

16. Last kick.

The truth is not meant to make us comfortable.

[mongo]

17. I turned your post into a pamphlet

I will be distributing this at a Pagan Pride Day celebration in Findlay, OH at the end of the month.

Thanks for you eloquent prose.

http://www.daisywreath.net/mongo/flyers/sin_of_silence.pdf