Power to the People

One Dean supporters report from talking to voters in Fargo, ND.

...Most importantly, we talked about the state of democracy in this country. We both shared our concern for how we seemed so disempowered, as though someone else made our choices and all that was left was our rubber-stamping them. I talked about how democracy had become an exercise in calculation, not participation. And how when Howard Dean says “YOU HAVE THE POWER” – what he means is that you have to power to participate again; to talk to friends and neighbors and total strangers in the arctic wilderness of mid-west; to make your vote an accurate reflection of your vision for a better community and not just your best speculation on who the media can sell.

And she teared up. And so did I.

And she went into the polling room, cast her ballot for Howard Dean, came back over, ripped off her Kerry button, gave me a big hug, and went to talk to the press.

Folks…she was only one person. But there was nothing unique about [her]. She is a middle-of-the-road Democrat from a speck of a state. A teacher. Concerned about electibility. She wanted to vote for Howard Dean, but her head (and all the press) told her that Kerry was going to win and she wanted to pick the winner, the person most likely to beat George Bush.

But there’s a place where heart and head meet. It’s called your gut. And it is only in these one-on-one, face-to-face talks about who we are as a party, what we believe and what has been taken from us that we can convince people to vote with their gut.

If Wisconsin is where we make our last stand, this is how it must be done. Not in phone calls or door-to-door canvassing (though those are good things), but in the places where communities talk – in restaurants and offices, pubs and bowling alleys, at supermarkets and hardware stores, in schools and hospitals.

We are better at this than DFA [deanforamerica] is. We are.
Say that in your head again, slowly: WE ARE BETTER AT THIS.

It is up to us…person-to-person…on our own. With our own creativity and our own passion, our own time and our own money.

We can appeal to people’s guts. We can make democracy an act of participation, not calculation. We can get folks to take a leap of faith. We can make them believe again.

Posted by Chris Cooper on blogforamerica at February 5, 2004 05:16 PM

Inside CmdrSue's Studio
(Because no one is likely to ever ask me)

1. What is your favorite word? Snuggle

2. What is your least favorite word? Jumpy

3. What turns you on? Gentleness

4. What turns you off? Meanness

5. What sound or noise do you love? The forest at night.

6. What sound or noise do you hate? The TV on constantly.

7. What is your favorite curse word? Gruntbugglies

8. What profession other than yours would you like to attempt? Travel writer

9. What profession other than yours would absolutely not like to attempt? Concierge

10. If heaven exists, what would you like to hear god say when you arrive at the gates? Good job.

Things That Make You Say, "Hmmmm"

Transcript: Democratic Presidential Debate in Detroit

CAMERON: Senator Edwards, the PATRIOT Act, a piece of legislation that you voted for, a piece of legislation that has been much criticized by virtually everybody on this stage, falls two years old today. There has been a tremendous amount of criticism of John Ashcroft and the Justice Department for its enforcement of that legislation, legislation that you authored.

Shouldn't it, in fact, be incumbent on those of you who wrote the legislation to take responsibility for it, other than those who are legally responsible for enforcing it?

EDWARDS: Well, I did... Second, on the PATRIOT Act, which I, along with... which I, along with almost the entire United States Senate voted for -- here's the reality of the PATRIOT Act. There are some provisions in the PATRIOT Act, most of which get no attention, which did good things, which updated the law, which allowed us to go after money laundering, which allowed information-sharing, some of the problems that existed before September 11th.

The problem with the PATRIOT Act and the reason we need to make changes is because it gave entirely too much discretion to an attorney general who does not deserve it. It's that simple. And I want to...

CAMERON: But, Senator, wasn't the legislation written by the lawmakers providing that very latitude? Didn't you create that latitude in the legislation that you wrote?

EDWARDS: Yes, and the attorney general of the United States came before us and told us that he would not abuse his discretion. He has abused his discretion. He has consistently abused his discretion. We all know that now. These provisions need to be changed.

I hang my head in shame. Edwards is as bad, or worse, than Kerry. He was one of the AUTHORS of the PATRIOT Act? This is what I get for not doing enough research. Dean is still the only one who can help us out of the mire we are in.

And how about this one:

CONTACT THE MEDIA AND DEMAND A NEW HAMPSHIRE RECOUNT TODAY!!!!

THERE IS COMPELLING STATISTICAL EVIDENCE THAT THE NH ELECTION WAS FIXED USING DIEBOLD ELECTRONIC VOTING MACHINES!!!

If you know anything at all about statistics, you can see that there is something seriously wrong with the credibility of the New Hampshire primary election results.

Voting Tech Used and % Margin of Victory
for Kerry over Dean
Diebold 58.1%
ES&S 35.0%
Hand 4.7%

This is a dress rehearsal for November! You must act now!

ALERT THE MEDIA!

www.blackboxvoting.org

www.blackboxvoting.com

http://www.livejournal.com/users/explodedview/


Posted on www.blogforamerica.com by KEVIN SCHMIDT STERLING VA at February 3, 2004 10:18 PM

This is one of those things that can make you paranoid. And allegedly Diebold is owned by Halliburton.

Top Ten things Clarkies and Deaniacs agree on

10. Paul O'Neill is the Democrats new best friend.
9. Given the results of Iowa and New Hampshire, sobriety testing before voting should be mandatory.
8. Kerry?...KERRY?!?
7. The words "career politician" do not inspire trust and confidence.
6. Forget "time out"--the media needs a good spanking. With a belt.
5. Hint--endorsements by members of wealthy, liberal political families go from an asset to a liability once you move south of New Jersey.
4. Sharpton, Kucinich and Lieberman need to drop out. Now.
3. The American people will never put a man who looks like Treebeard in the White House.
2. Karl Rove is Satan's Puppetmaster.
1. BUSH MUST GO!!!!!!!

Posted on www.blogforamerica.com by DLPrice at February 3, 2004 08:05 PM

The Liberty Song

Come, join hand in hand, brave Americans all,
And rouse your bold hearts at fair Liberty's call;
No tyrannous acts shall suppress your just claim,
Or stain with dishonor America's name.

Chorus
In Freedom we're born and in Freedom we'll live.
Our purses are ready. Steady, friends, steady;
Not as slaves, but as Freemen our money we'll give.

Our worthy forefathers, let's give them a cheer,
To climates unknown did courageously steer;
Thro' oceans to deserts for Freedom they came,
And dying, bequeath'd us their freedom and fame.

Chorus

The tree their own hands had to Liberty rear'd,
They lived to behold growing strong and revered;
With transport they cried, Now our wishes we gain,
For our children shall gather the fruits of our pain.

Chorus

Then join hand in hand, brave Americans all,
By uniting we stand, by dividing we fall;
In so righteous a cause let us hope to succeed,
For heaven approves of each generous deed.

Chorus

In Freedom we're born and in Freedom we'll live.
Our purses are ready. Steady, friends, steady;
Not as slaves, but as Freemen our money we'll give.

These American words were written by John Dickinson and published in 1768. Dickinson was one of the leaders of the American Revolution, a famous lawyer and Governor of Delaware and Pennsylvania.

Source: Popular Songs in American History

If this song has inspired you, DONATE TO DEAN for the new American Revolution!