Cry me a friggin' river

[HFishbine]

I have a friend who can rattle off Bush's failings non-stop through three beers. He still hasn't put the Kerry bumper sticker I gave him four weeks ago on his car.

I have a relative who is constantly recommending books and sending me articles that have been greatly responsible for opening my eyes to the lies perpetuated on the American public. He insists that things would be so bad under a second Bush administration that if it happens, he's leaving the country. I picked up a Kerry yard sign for him. He won't put it up.

I have a writer friend who has eloquently expressed the need for a new direction in his newspaper publications. No yard signs. No bumper stickers.

I have a friend who rails her disgust at the TV whenever Cheney, Bush or Hannity are on. She won't help me register voters. "I'll do my part when I vote," she says.

It's crunch time and I get the feeling that too many people I know are folding under the weight of their own hot air. If Bush gets reelected, I'll be borrowing the O'Reilly approach to these paper tigers: "Shut up. Just shut up."

[Media_Lies_Daily]

1. Bumper stickers and yard signs have NOTHING to do with how....

.,...one intends to vote.

Additionally, and this is something about which you may be totally unaware, but a lot of people I know in Alabama will NOT put up signs and stickers because they fear retaliation at home and at work.

Those are the facts of the current situation...most people don't want to draw unwanted attention to themselves. As long as they vote FratBoy out, who cares whether they put up signs and stickers?

[HFishbine]

3. Who cares?

We should all care, because I don't think it's going to be enough for those of us who hate the Chimp to vote for Kerry. The race is still up for grabs with a lot of people unsure of Kerry. Public displays of support will influence those undecideds. If the paper tigers are too friggin afraid to try to influence the election, then they deserve the likely outcome -- and my contempt.

A lot of us have reasons to be concerned about displaying public support for Kerry ("My new car might get keyed," "Someone's house down the street with a Kerry sign got paintballed," "A woman in Alabama got fired for having a Kerry sticker.") But guess what? You only have two choices: Capitulate to the intimidation and leave the heavy lifting to others, or stand up for what you say you believe.

[saracat]

4. Please read some of my threads on this.

I have been ripped to ribbons about advocating public support for Kerry. I am shocked at how many people think their cars and relationships with Rw neighbors and coworkers are more important than helping us win by expressing support.I have been almost lynched for what you are saying, but bless youfor it. I am not alone.

[fudge stripe cookays]

7. It's called bravery.

If that one lady in Alabama risked everything to show her support, those Alabamans need to be learning from her example.

Nothing will ever change if people are afraid to speak up.

Civil rights would never have come about if a group of incredibly brave people hadn't gone into the belly of the beast in the 60s and confronted racism head on. We must do the same now with fascism.

[wildeyed]

2. Talk the talk, but they don't walk the walk.

It is frustrating. My own mom is like that. Did get pops out registering voters for a few days, though. :-)

I guess the best you can do with those folks is make sure they get out to vote.

[Trailrider1951]

5. While it is true that neither a yard sign nor a bumpersticker may

win a voter, it sure does lift the spirits of those of us who think that we are the only ones out there. For instance, on my way home last night I saw a "Texans for Kerry" sticker on a parked pickup truck. On my way to work this morning, I passed two Kerry yard signs, and I saw a "John Kerry" sticker on a late model Lincoln. I pulled up behind her and gave her a big grin and a thumbs-up. I have two Kerry stickers on my motorhome, one on the front and one on the back. I will not put a sticker on my little motor scooter that I ride to work. I'm just no match for a freeper in a big SUV, but I wear my John Kerry lapel pin to work every day. I'm a geologist in an oil-services company (not Halliburton!), and yesterday I got into a positive conversation with a visiting geologist from England because of it. Apparently, Tony Blair is as detested there as Dumbya is here, and is in big trouble. Anyway, have courage folks! If Kerry people are showing their stripes here in Houston, Texas, there's hope for the rest of you.
:hi:

[fudge stripe cookays]

6. Thanks for posting this!

I'm so sick of hearing people say that they just bought a new car and don't want it keyed!!

For chrissakes! It's our country we're talking about here! Your paintjob is THAT valuable huh?

As far as I'm concerned, these people are DINOs. Yeah, they may go vote, but they're doing fuck-all for democracy. Unlike some of us busting our butts to get new people registered, educating them about the facts, and showing our support in so many ways (movie screenings, house parties, big checks to candidates).

SHOWING that support is as important as voting it. If they see the sheer numbers of our stickers and buttons and signs, they will feel a BIT more uncomfortable about trying anything. They'll know they are being watched.

FSC

[HFishbine]

9. Exactly!

Good points. I'm further dissapointed because I'm not even a Democrat. I'm an independent doing more work than some Democrats I know.

[thinkingwoman]

8. Um, about the newspaper writer

I'm a newspaper writer (for a little bit longer) and it is against my paper's code of ethics for me to publically demonstrate a political bias. That means, in a town this small where everybody knows everybody, no bumper stickers or yard signs.

My vote will still register though.

I think it is important to uphold strong ethical standards for journalists, not wear down what little is left.

[HFishbine]

10. Are you a reporter?

I understand that that's a common rule for reporters, but my particular friend is an opinion columnist. He can and does express his bias in his columns. I think reporters do have a legitimate exemption from expectations of activism though.

[thinkingwoman]

22. reporter, editor, publisher, and...

opinion column writer.

If your friend is exclusively an opinion columnist I would think that would exempt him from the rule. If he worked for me he would be exempt, for example.

I adhere because I wear all the hats (my paper is small).

[lapislzi]

11. Not everybody can do everything

We are limited as human beings in what we can, or are willing to, accomplish. Not everyone's going to sport bumper stickers or signs. For whatever reason. OK, I do. I volunteer for my committee. I've been donating my time and my services for months--because I CAN and I WANT TO. But I can't expect everyone I run into to do these things. I just can't. You do what you feel comfortable doing. You do what you can. If all you can do is vote, that's fine with me. As far as I'm concerned, your right to bitch evaporates when you fail to vote. Other than that, you can say and do whatever you feel comfortable doing.

If my kid got sick, or if I lost my job, or if a thousand other things, I would have a hard time sustaining the level of activity I maintain. Yes, I stepped up to the plate. Not everyone's going to. You can't go into this thing with the expectation that everyone's going to hold up his end to the extent that you do.

Sounds like your friends/relatives are doing just fine chipping away at things in their own way. It's unfair and judgemental to try to second-guess someone's reasons for doing (or not doing) things. And even more unfair to expect them to do exactly what you do.

Let me ask you: are you a member of your local Democratic committee? Have you done phone banking yet? How many people have you registered to vote? What is your level of financial contribution? Is it the same as mine? Should it be?

[fudge stripe cookays]

12. While I understand that people have different comfort levels....

I think this election precludes whatever excuses people have. And quite frankly much of this "comfort level" stuff boils down to laziness or the "somebody else will do it" syndrome.

If you are unemployed, that means you have plenty of time on your hands; go canvas.

If you are physically not able, then do some phone banking. If you are uncomfortable speaking to people, then go to your local Dem HQ and make signs. If you are unable to do that, stuff envelopes. Forward e-mails to friends. Host a house party. Do SOMETHING.

If you ARE employed, you are better able to donate to candidates and rent venues for meetings and movie showings, or have people over for gatherings (buying refreshments can get expensive).

We're just tired of the blase' "I'll just vote" attitude. I'm ashamed because that's all I ever used to do. Now that I've learned how to make a difference, I'm grateful for the people that educated me about it.

And yes, since you asked, I went to Iowa twice during the primaries. I've canvassed in 8 degrees and 100 degrees. I've hosted house parties. My car is covered in stickers. I've registered so many voters I've lost count. I've had young women to my house to watch a pro-choice film and get them registered. I've tabled at events. I converted my mom and got HER helping the Dean campaign. I went to my very first precinct convention and my very first state convention this year.

Sorry, I don't buy the comfort level crap. People are about to lose their country. It's about time they realize it.

FSC

[lapislzi]

14. They will or they won't--all we can do is educate

and lead by example.

I've learned that trying to shame people into meeting my expectations for their behavior simply doesn't work--in politics or anything else. My neighbor is a perfect example. She bitches constantly about how she hates Bush, we've got to elect Kerry, blah, blah, blah, but she is mysteriously never available when I need something done or there's a meeting. She's a well-respected figure in the community and could make a big difference, but she is simply not going to step up to the plate in the way I think she ought to. And, really, why should she? If she's not motivated by her own desire to save the republic, why would she listen to me?

What can I do? Shrug my shoulders. I'm not going to make an enemy over it. She knows my feelings (if she didn't, my yard sign should make them clear). On her head be it. You can't teach a pig to sing.

[fudge stripe cookays]

16. Sadly very true.

And hopefully she won't be regretting it later this year.

Peace lapis,
FSC

[HFishbine]

13. Doing something versus doing nothing

I understand your point. I'm not expecting everybody to do as much as anybody else, and I do understand the value of "chipping away," but it's people who rant and rave and yet won't do ANYTHING that have me annoyed. Sure we all have different abilities and resources, but come on, there are so many cheap easy things one can do from displaying bumber stickers to writing letters to the editor. I just find it disingenous when people so opposed to Bush can't find one single thing to do other than bitching and moaning.

As for your questions:

Are you a member of your local Democratic committee?
No, I'm an independent.

Have you done phone banking yet?
No, but I placed a call inquiring, which has now been returned. I have to call the lady back, which I will do.

How many people have you registered to vote?
Four. On my own initiative by walking my apartment complex. I'm about half way done and will finish this weekend.

What is your level of financial contribution?
Minimal. I don't have much in the way of financial resources, which is why I make other efforts, including writing LTTE, registering voters, distributing yard signs and bumper stickers, and posting flyers.

[lapislzi]

15. And I say "bravo"

Let us hope that your efforts don't go unrewarded! (Cause most days, damn, it's a thankless task!) You're doing it. I'm doing it. It's a heavy load.

Sure it annoys me that some people won't put their money (metaphorically speaking) where their mouths are. But...if all they're prepared to do is vote for Kerry...I'll take it.

[Jacobin]

17. A lot of people are adamantly against Bush but lukewarm on Kerry

Give'em a break. I'm one of those.

If he'll declare victory in Iraq and pull out the troops, I'll wrap my whole fucking house in a Kerry banner in 2008.

[unfrigginreal]

20. Yep

Visiting with some friends of my SO yesterday that just moved here from California.

Friend(feeling out our opinions): "I really don't like Bush but I'm not sure about Kerry."

Me: "Well, the choices really suck this year but I hate Bush so much that I'd vote for Mickey Mouse over him."

Friend proudly pulls out his voter registration card that he just received that morning, big smile on his face: "Me too. I was a registered Republican in California but registered here as an Independent and will be voting against Bush."

[RedEarth]

18. Well, here is something each of us can do to help Kerry win a Swing State

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=923762&mesg_id=923762

[johnnie]

19. I think you are being a bit unfair here.

It's great that you are doing more at this time than some other people you know, but there are people out there who probably think the same as you. They have put themselves in real danger to get their voices heard. They have laid their lives on the line by "really" speaking out against things that are happening in this world and their Country.
Putting a sticker on your car or a sign in your yard is a great advertisement for a candidate that you are voting for, but it isn't as heroic as you would like to believe. Anybody can stick a sticker on their car, but by doing so does not make them any more politically active as the person who goes to actually vote.
I have yet to put a political sticker or sign up...ever. I have spent a lot of my time doing my part as I see fit, and it isn't up to you or anyone else to tell me how I should voice my opinion. I have nothing against people putting up advertisements, but I truly don't think that yard signs and a sticker does as much as educating people with facts. In my 20 plus years as a registered voter, I have yet to change my vote based on a sticker that reads "Vote for blah blah". In fact, I have never met anyone in my lifetime that has told me that they really had no idea who to vote for until they saw a sign in front of a house, and that helped them to decide who was getting their vote.
I know that their are people out there who would rather be on the "winning" team and might base their vote on how many stickers and yard signs they see, but I don't personally know any. I discuss a lot of politics with a lot of people, and most know what way they are voting, and the ones that don't want information and education... not a sticker.

Thank you for doing what you can and what you do for democracy, but belittling people for not doing as much as you think you are doing seems to be a bit arrogant.

[democratreformed]

21. Several new yard signs in my town today!!!

I tore a contact and had to go home and get a new one. On the way back to work, I noticed several new Kerry-Edwards yard signs around town! Wow! I'm so excited!!!