RFK Jr.: "I will see you all on the barricades"

[welshTerrier2]

below is the speech RFK Jr. gave at Live Earth. There's also a link to the video. There just aren't too many like him.

video link: http://www.bradblog.com/images/rfkjr_liveearth_player.s...

Now we've all heard the oil industry and the coal industry and their indentured servants in the political process telling us that global climate stability is a luxury that we can't afford. That we have to choose now between economic prosperity on the one hand and environmental protection on the other. And that is a false choice.

In 100% of the situations, good environmental policy is identical to good economic policy --- if we want to measure our economy, and this is how we ought to be measuring it, based upon how it produces jobs and the dignity of jobs over the generations, how it preserves the values of the assets of our community and how it averts the catastrophe of global warming.

If, on the other hand, we want to do what they've been urging us to do on Capitol Hill which is to treat the planet as if it were a business in liquidation, convert our natural resources to cash as quickly as possible, have a few years of pollution based prosperity, we can generate an instantaneous cash flow and the illusion of a prosperous economy. But our children are going to pay for our joyride with denuded landscapes, with poor health, with huge cleanup costs and with climate chaos which is going to amplify over time and that they will never be able to pay.

Environmental injury is deficit spending. It is a way of loading the costs of our generation's prosperity on to the backs of our children. Climate change is upon us. Its impacts are going to be catastrophic and we are causing it. The good news is, we have the scientific and technological capacity to avert its most catastrophic impacts. We only need the political will.

If we raise fuel economy standards in our automobiles by one mile --- we generate twice the amount of oil that is in the Arctic National Wildlife Refugee. If we raise fuel economy standards by 7.6 miles per gallon we yield more oil than we now import from the Persian Gulf. We can eliminate 100% of Persian Gulf oil.

Think about what that would do for our economy, for our foreign policy, for our global leadership, it would dramatically improve our balance of payments, reduce our national debt and make all of us more prosperous and more independent and spare us from wars in the Mid-East that are costing us, already, a trillion dollars and from entanglements with Mid-Eastern dictators who despise democracy and are hated by their own people.

Now you've heard today a lot of people say that there are many little things that you all can do today to avert climate change on your own. But I will tell you this, it is more important than buying compact flourescent light bulbs or than buying a fuel efficient automobile. The most important thing you can do is to get involved in the political process and get rid of all of these rotten politicians that we have in Washington D.C. --

Who are nothing more than corporate toadies for companies like Exxon and Southern Company, these villainous companies that consistently put their private financial interest ahead of American interest and ahead of the interest of all of humanity. This is treason and we need to start treating them now as traitors.

And they have their slick public relations firms and their phony think tanks in Washington D.C. and their crooked scientists who are lying to the American people day after day after day. And we have a press that has completely let down American Democracy. That's giving us Ana Nicole Smith and Paris Hilton instead of the issues that we need to understand to make rational decisions in a democracy - like global warming.

And so I am going to tell you this, that the next time you see John Stossel or Glenn Beck or Rush Limbaugh or Sean Hannity --- these flat-earthers, these corporate toadies, lying to you, lying to the American public, and telling you that global warming doesn't exist --- you send an email to their advertisers and tell them that you are not going to buy their products anymore.

And I want you to remember this, that we are not protecting the environment for the sake of the fishes and the birds, we are protecting it because nature is the infrastructure of our communities. And if we want to meet our obligation as a generation, as a civilization, as a nation, which is to create communities for our children that provide them with the same opportunities for dignity, and enrichment, and good health, and prosperity, and stability as the communities that our parents gave us, we've got to start by protecting our environmental infrastructure.

The air we breathe, the water we drink, the wildlife, the public lands, the things that connect us to our past to our history that provide context to our communities and that are the source, ultimately, of our values and our virtues and our character as a people and the future of our children.

And I will see all of you on the barricades.

[babylonsister]

1. What do you think he meant by 'barricades'? nt

[welshTerrier2]

3. i can only assume ...

that he meant we had to take environmental activism to the streets ...

[antigop]

28. I think he meant this

http://lesmiz.com/pages/sights_sounds/music.htm

Click on #19.

[bjobotts]

57. He meant the lines have been drawn in the fight to take back the country

To take back the world from the Corporations destroying it. We are in the barricades now, fighting back. It starts with campaign finance "revolution", where all funds come from the taxpayers, not one dollar from special interests.
Not one dime given to the corporate media from the candidates. Where candidates don't feel like "hey I paid for that seat and it's mine, not the voters." Exxon/Mobile=$39.6 "BILLION" DOLLARS profit last quarter. Now they think they and Haliburton own America when in fact the Chinese own America.
Get the corporations away from partnering with government because that is Fascism. Get them out of our elections by stopping the "privatizing". Destroy K-street by limiting "lobbying" to only grass roots organizations. Make corporate campaign donations illegal. Build up the barricades to protect us from the billions the corporations will spend to own our government where the corporate elite make the rules.

JFK's speech was fantastic and also a call to arms to get our democracy back.

[Marnieworld]

85. .

edited to remove my stupid comment. nevermind.

[Wednesdays]

84. This...

Do you hear the people sing?
Singing a song of angry men?
It is the music of a people
Who will not be slaves again!
When the beating of your heart
Echoes the beating of the drums
There is a life about to start
When tomorrow comes!

[burrowowl]

87. Aux armes, citoyens!

Phone, write, e-mail your congress critters and if nothing happens, dig up those cobble stones, umm the pavement, no make pot holes, gets people attention!

[Occulus]

93. The version from the end of the show seems more appropriate, though

Do you hear the people sing,
Lost in the valley of the night?
It is the music of a People who are
Climbing to the light:

For the wretched of the Earth,
There is a flame that never dies;
Even the darkest night will end
And the sun will rise!

They will live again in freedom in the
Garden of the Lord, they will
Walk behind the plowshares, they will
Put away the sword-

The chain will be broken and
All men will will have their reward!

[JanusAscending]

6. Did you see "Les Mis"???

I do believe he's referring to a sort of "REVOLUTION" !! Probably an economic one by boycotting, and the power of the purse.

[FogerRox]

8. IMHO you are correct, Barricades = revolution.

[Marnieworld]

37. Theater geek here

I just automatically assumed that but Iknow the score to Les Mis by heart so maybe that had something to do with it.

[antigop]

41. Yes, we Theater Geeks knew right away, didn't we? n/t

[memory]

51. Oh it's SO good to know I'm not alone!

Can you hear the people sing?

[three tears]

100. Oh good I'm not alone

I thought I was the only person under about 100 who had memorized every word of Les Mis. "Do you hear the people sing"

[Marnieworld]

116. Oh yah, you should hear my car concerts.

I do every voice. My Jean Valjean is a hoot! I enjoy the nasalness of Javert. I was really fortunate enough to go to a lot of shows in High school. I saw Les Miz before it even won the Tonys with the original cast. And then I think I've seen it 2 more times since, one a Philly road show. It's really a Masterpiece. This is now another day and This song is still echoing in my head so I think I'm just gonna listen to the score today.

My next dream is to see The Color Purple with Fantasia. That woman has the voice of an angel.

[tavalon]

81. You are correct

He called us.

[alphafemale]

14. Yes. The people have to take back the power.

Will you join in our crusade?
Who will be strong and stand with me?
Beyond the barricade
Is there a world you long to see?
Then join in the fight
That will give you the right to be free!

[antigop]

29. Full lyrics here..

http://www.mvhsdrama.com/lesmizlyrics.htm


ENJOLRAS
Do you hear the people sing?
Singing a song of angry men?
It is the music of a people
Who will not be slaves again!
When the beating of your heart
Echoes the beating of the drums
There is a life about to start
When tomorrow comes!

COMBEFERRE
Will you join in our crusade?
Who will be strong and stand with me?
Beyond the barricade
Is there a world you long to see?
COURFEYRAC
Then join in the fight
That will give you the right to be free!

ALL
Do you hear the people sing?
Singing a song of angry men?
It is the music of a people
Who will not be slaves again!
When the beating of your heart
Echoes the beating of the drums
There is a life about to start
When tomorrow comes!

FEUILLY
Will you give all you can give
So that our banner may advance
Some will fall and some will live
Will you stand up and take your chance?
The blood of the martyrs
Will water the meadows of France!

ALL
Do you hear the people sing?
Singing a song of angry men?
It is the music of a people
Who will not be slaves again!
When the beating of your heart
Echoes the beating of the drums
There is a life about to start
When tomorrow comes!

[Marnieworld]

38. Great now that will be in my head all day

Then again not such a bad thing.

[jwirr]

59. I doubt that he limited his definition of revolution to any one form of

activism. It is going to take many forms and many fronts to win in this battle.

[janetle]

24. Of course he meant Les Mis

This is one of the stirring moments and lines from the musical. I knew it the minute he said it. Let's begin the revolution! It was great.

[Occulus]

96. Even carving up economic cobblestones is illegal.

Remember that there are some people (air traffic controllers and postal workers) who cannot strike.

I think we need a US Workers' Union. Anyone who is an employee, anywhere, is eligible to join- and the union has strike powers.

It's a front organization for putting together a general strike- I'll admit that. It's also completely necessary.

[kineneb]

9. massive protests, a la Berkeley in the '60s

some of us remember... and Hubby was there.

[BattyDem]

32. Les Miserables reference

I was LMAO when he said that!

[ben_meyers]

65. Maybe not as much fun

The barricades he was referring to were the fences that kept the crowds back from the stage at the concert. As the performers and speakers left the stage they were going down to the barricades to shake hands and sign autographs

[sorcrow]

67. It's from the French Revolution

Probably most noted by English speakers in Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities. Though I guess Le Miserables has it too.

[ProudDad]

92. Maybe This?

A reference to the French Revolution -- ah, the good old days, aristocrat heads rolling in the street...

HOMAGE TO MARAT
From "Marat / Sade"
(Adrian Mitchell / Richard Peaslee)
Peter Weiss

Four years after the revolution and the old king's execution
Four years after I remember how those courtiers took their final vow
String up every aristocrat
Out with the priests Let them live on their fat
Four years after we started fighting
Marat keeps on with his writing
Four years after the Bastille fell
He still recalls the old battle yell
Down with all of the ruling class
Throw all the generals out on their arse
Good old Marat by your side we'll stand or fall
You're the only one that we can trust at all
Four years he fought and he fought unafraid
Sniffing down traitors by traitors betrayed
Marat in the courtroom Marat underground
iSometimes the otter and sometimes the hound
Fight ing all the gentry and fighting every priest
Businessman the bourgeois the military beast
Marat always ready to stifle every scheme
of the sons of the arse licking dying regime
We've got new generals our leaders are new
They sit and they argue and all that they do
Is sell their own colleagues and ride upon their backs
And jail them and break them and give them all the axe
Screaming in language that no one understands
Of the rights that we grabbed with our own bleeding hands
When we wiped out the bosses and stormed through the wall
Of the prison they told us would outlast us all

Marat we're poor
And the poor stay poor
Marat don't make
Us wait anymore
We want our rights and we don't care how
We want our revolution now

Why do they have the gold
Why do they have the power
Why why why
Do they have the friends at the top
Why do they have the jobs at the top
We've got nothing
Always had nothing
Nothing but holes and millions of them
Living in holes dying in holes
Holes in our bellies and holes in our clothes
Marat we're poor
And the poor stay poor
Marat don't make us wait anymore
Poor old Marat they hunt you down
The bloodhounds are sniffing all over the town
Poor old Marat you work til your eyes turn as red as rust
poor old Marat
We trust in you ....


Or he could be referring to "To the Barricades":

""To The Barricades" (A Las Barricadas) was one of the most popular songs of the Spanish anarchists during the Spanish Civil War. 'A las Barricadas' is sung to the tune of Warszawianka 1905 roku. The lyrics were written by Valeriano Orobón Fernández in 1936."

[sandnsea]

2. Bless that man

He's so amazing he makes me believe in prayer again!

Anyway, I missed the end of this:

"email to their advertisers and tell them that you are not going to buy their products anymore."

Teresa Heinz said the exact same thing.

BOYCOTT. It's the only thing that works.

[defendandprotect]

60. Right, capitalism has to go down -- and patriarchy !!!

What we're talking about is the harm that capitalism has done --
It's rule by a yardstick based on a dollar bill.

Unregulated capitalism is back and that's simply organized crime.
FDR saved capitalism by regulating it.

All burning of fossil fuels has to be ended --
AND, we have to take back control over our natural resources from a few private families --

Also note the huge damage that reckless mining has done -- and is scheduled to continue doing!!!

[Mrs_Commonist]

79. Boycott. Exactly.

Please see www.commonizm.org - let's stop giving our money to these criminals!

[Maat]

4. He is SO great!

Thanks for posting the text of his speech!

[orleans]

5. love it. bobby is amazing

"And I will see all of you on the barricades."

[oldtime dfl_er]

7. Yes, it's a classic call for revolution

Thank God for RFK Jr. He speaks truth to power.


http://www.cafepress.com/scarebaby/3263225

[markbark]

74. Let's just hope...

That the BFEE doesn't decide to chalk up a third Kennedy.

--MAB

[draft_mario_cuomo]

10. RFK Jr. rules

He tells it like it is. We need him in Congress or in the Oval Office.

[calimary]

11. I shall be there, sir!

I love this guy! We need more of this. LOTS more of this.

People have to be motivated to turn out, in droves, in large and colorful-enough notice-me crowds - so there will be coverage. And let it snowball from there.

It's all about PERCEPTION, and the moving the MOMENTUM.

[snot]

12. Man, I am so thrilled to hear someone speak as if

we actually have brains.

[demgirlamerica]

19. does anyone care?

isnt anyone else getting tired of being preached to by the super rich elitists like kennedy? he already has his wealth. he will make a speech on how the rest of us need to sacrifice then he will head back to lead the life of the rich and famous. families like the kennedy's made their wealth in large part due to those evil companies they now condemn. thats very convenient considering alot of us would like to have the privleges the kennedy's enjoy.

[KurtNYC]

34. "isnt anyone else getting tired..." Answer: Nope

But personally I am very tired of hearing talking point parrotted by people who don't do much of their own thinking.

Is your argument really that "kennedy has money therefore he can't have any impact in this movement"?

As for "privileges" perhaps you missed RFK Jr.'s childhood? You know, the one where his father got shot at age 43 while running for President against Nixon and opposing the Vietnam war. RFK Jr. was 14 years-old. I never considered having your uncle and your father get assassinated to be a privilege and it is certainly not something I envy.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_F._Kennedy#The_assa...

[DangerDave921]

43. Ease up

I don't think DemGirl was saying anything about what it's like to have your father killed at a young age. She didn't say Kennedy grew up without any difficulty in his life. She was talking about the family wealth, so it's not fair to hit her with that bit about his father being killed.

She was only saying that some people don't like to hear "Do as I say, not as I do" lectures from people. I don't know much about Kennedy so can't really speak as to the kind of life he leads in terms of his wealth. But I can understand DemGirl's point about being lectured by celebrities who tell us to sacrafice and give things up while they still travel by private jet, have huge mansions that use a ton of electricity, have heated pools, limos, etc. I like people who truly walk the walk, and I don't like different standards for rich people, even if I may agree with their political views. And yes, I am one of those people who find it ironic that Gore can preach what he does, and yet still spend all that money to support his own lavish lifestyle.

[welshTerrier2]

47. no you ease up

you toss out the line "do as i say, not as i do" and then proceed to acknowledge you know nothing about RFK Jr. Well, why don't you go learn something before you suggest he's a celebrity who's just going around "lecturing" people.

Demgirl has posted the republican myth that 90% of the mainstream media supports Democrats. she apparently doesn't understand the heavy corporate, centralized control of the media and its impact on our democracy. in this thread, she was singing the praises of big oil and big coal ... you want to defend their actions too?

Demgirl appears to be a pro-corporate Hillary supporter if I read her correctly. Interesting combination. And while we're on the subject of hypocrisy, how about Hillary going around the country running for president? Is it OK with you that she lectures us? I mean, the Clintons are worth millions.

Like you, I don't think the wealthy should be entitled to pollute the planet anymore than anyone else. Your jab at Gore was extremely unfortunate. Gore has dedicated himself to living a carbon-free lifestyle and has done more to raise awareness of the global warming crisis than anyone else in history. He, like all Americans, has lived a bloated, energy-wasting lifestyle. He's doing something about changing that and I commend him for it.

If you want to inform yourself about RFK Jr., I highly recommend given his radio show a listen and then you can make educated remarks about the man. Here's a link: http://www.airamerica.com/ringoffire / or you could read a little background info at this link: http://www.airamerica.com/ringoffire/bios

[DangerDave921]

53. ease up redux

Man people are edgy on here! My point to you was that I thought it was unfair for you to hit DemGirl with the bit about Kennedy's father being killed. I'm sure that's not what DemGirl meant when she said the Kennedy's have a privileged lifestyle. I'm sure she can sympathize with a teenager having his father killed. She meant their wealth and privilege economically.

I don't know DemGirl and am not defending her or supporting her other posts. I don't know what she's said. You seem to have an axe to grind with her, so I'll leave that to you two.

Personally, I would rather see the rich make sacrafices and walk the walk, not use up all the energy they want and then find a way to get dispensation by being carbon neutral. If climate change is truly such an urgent do-or-die issue, then all these rich celebrities should not be traveling by private jet and living in humongous mansions and riding in limos. It would be like a celebrity lecturing me on the evils of eating meat while dining out on a 32-oz. porterhouse. Yes, you could say they are raising awareness of the evils of eating meat, but would you listen?

No, I don't have any problem with rich people running for office.

[welshTerrier2]

55. i did not "hit Demgirl" about RFK Jr's father being killed

i think you're confusing me with another poster.

my point to you was, and is, that you know nothing about whether RFK Jr. walks the walk. How can you continue to peddle this argument when you have no information???

check out the links I provided.

[DangerDave921]

61. Sorry!

Sorry if I confused you with another poster! My bad.

Does reading the Amtrak magazine's cover story on RFK count?

[welshTerrier2]

63. no problem, DD

I've never heard of Amtrak magazine so I have no idea. I was only using your own statement that you know little or nothing about RFK Jr.

I hope you've had a chance to see my other post regarding corporations and traitors. Regardless of my views on capitalism and socialism, I think it's critically important not to conflate the motivations of small business owners with the strangling power of multi-national corporations. To see your own commercial interests as being attacked and thus aligning yourself with those with the power to control and direct national policy is a huge mistake.

The message from people like me is an unequivocal "put the country and the interests of the American people first." Doing so in no way implies an attack on the livelihood of small business owners. Don't get in bed with the big boys just because you, like they, seek to make a profit. Profit is not the enemy; un-American, un-democratic power is.

[DangerDave921]

64. Amtrak

It's the free magazine they stick in the back of the seats on the Amtrak trains. I go to DC all the time on business so see it there. They did a nice cover-piece on Bill Maher last month. Called him the smartest guy in the room.

There was a funny blurb a while back. it was a blurb about the US Open golf tournament coming to some country club, and the golf writer doing the piece said the course would be tough because the fairways were as narrow as Rush Limbaugh's opinions! So funny that he could sneak in a jab like that in the middle of a short piece on golf!

[KurtNYC]

83. It was me that pointed out that RFK was assassinated

The Kennedys have paid dearly for their political goals. Only a grossly uninformed person would be callous enough to portray them as phonies. The Kennedys have paid in blood for what they believe in; namely Democracy. They made the USA the most admired nation on the planet (that has been undone now but there are street named for the Kennedies in nations around the world).

And how dare you or anyone say that growing up without fathers is a "bit" or a "privilege."

[rainy]

56. Robert Kennedy Jr. has been fighting corporate powers for a long time.

He is an environmentalist lawyer. He has stood up for many families that could not stand up for themselves. He had fought the pharmaceutical companies over autism and mercury in medicines and on and on. His show Ring of Fire on Air America Radio is great. He deserves applause for all that he does. What have you done to keep the environment in the news? How have you helped citizens harmed by big PHARMA?

[jwirr]

62. Have you ever heard of FDR? Privileged, rich, elitist, famous.

And responsible for the very programs many of us Democrats are fighting to save from *ss and co today. Yes wealth can make one selfish and thoughtless but there are many rich Democrats who have empathy with the needs of those of us who are less fortunate. The Kennedy family is one of those who are known for their empathy. I am poor but I do not want everyone to be like me. It would be a very helpless world if the poor were left to fight alone, which is exactly what *ss want for us.

[Carolina]

82. great points

I was thinking the very same thing. There are those who realize how blessed they are and seek to give back, to help others, e.g. FDR, RFK and his namesake son, etc.

Then there are those who are financially fortunate but morally and spiritually bankrupt (or just plain evil) seeking only more for themselves e.g. BushCo

[lefador]

73. What is your point?

For example, Gandhi was a lawyer and came from a well off family, Saint Francis who came from a super duper rich family and regardless of how I feel about the church he managed to perform some amazing feats of humanity. I guess according to you, none of their feats mean shit due to their backgrounds, right?

There are rich assholes, but that does not mean that every wealthy person became so exploiting other people or that people born into wealth do not have a conscience. In the same sense that there are plenty of rotten poor people out there, being poor does not make you automatically "innocent" or being qualified to fight the good fight.

Yes, RFK Jr. was born into a fairly powerful family... but he was able to use the relative financial support to focus on crusading for other people's interest. Guess what, at least in this country... people who have to work 3 jobs just to make ends meet do not have that much time to fight for their own interests. So, yes... I respect that RFK has the conscience to be aware of his position of privilege and act accordingly in a relatively unselfish manner. He could be sitting enjoying his money, sipping on some margaritas in a far off tropical paradise. With thankless idiots like you, I wouldn't blame him.

And no, he didn't just lose his dad when he was young. His father was assassinated because he was fighting for the common man. No matter how much money he has, RFK has sacrificed quite a lot for his fellow citizens.

[kwolf68]

78. Here Here

It is common to condemn Bobby Jr, because he is rich.....IF YOU DONT WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE ISSUES.

[Pastiche423]

77. So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, good night!

[RoccoR5955]

86. The Kennedys are not oil barons

The Kennedys made their money from good ol' bootlegging! Giving people what they wanted when the government said that they couldn't have it!

RFK Jr. is NOT an elitist! I personally know him, and he is just plain folk, like you and me. He donates his time and money to causes like civil rights, and the environment freely. Yes, he can afford to do it, and I do too! I am by far not a rich man, but I give and do what I can, so that the corporations cannot go on with their main aim of ripping everyone off, just so that they can have their riches. The planet belongs to NO ONE, we are merely its caretakers, for the next generations.

So don't let this demgirlamerica fool you. There are good people with money, that did NOT make from the corporations that plague us today, who are, in fact, doing good for this country and the planet!

Thanks for posting this video. It'll give me something to talk to Bobby when we go fishing!

[welshTerrier2]

90. merely the planet's caretakers?

or did you mean undertakers?

if you see Bobby, tell him he has some mega-fans on DU. In fact tell him we'd love to have him post occasionally on DU. In fact, forget DU; tell him we'd like him to run for VP ... I'll get back to you on my presidential pick next year ...

[three tears]

103. amen, at least he CARES

I try to give everyone the benefit of the doubt, and that goes no mater what income tax bracket they are in. A person's heart has nothing to do with their wallet. Rich people can be good or bad, a poor people can be just as bad as the richest oil baron. At least RFK Jr. CARES. The real danger to our society and our planet is not money, but apathy. A poor person claiming they don't care about politics or the environment is just as bad as a rich person doing the same (and both have the potential to have huge impacts, both good and bad). So lets stop scapegoating money and start battling apathy.

[welshTerrier2]

105. money and apathy

welcome to DU, three tears!!

i agree that having money is not an evil unto itself but far too often it becomes an evil when it buys unfair influence in the political process.

as for apathy, I think the only way to address that is to remove private money from the electoral and legislative processes. as long as candidates have their hands out to K Street, they will be obligated to serve their corporate masters rather than We the People. And as long as they do that, day after day, month after month and year after year, voters feel alienated and see no way to change the system. They should react with more activism and with more outrage but they rarely do.

[ProudDad]

94. Actually

Joe Kennedy was among the worst of the worst on Wall street:

"Kennedy made a large fortune as a stock market and commodity speculator and by investing in real estate and a wide range of industries. He never built a significant business from scratch, but his timing as both buyer and seller was usually excellent. Sometimes he made use of inside information in ways which would later be made illegal, but regulations were lighter in his era."

"Kennedy got out of the market in 1928, the year before the Crash, locking in multi-million dollar profits."

Hollywood (liberal?) Mogul and nearly bootlegger:

"It is estimated that Kennedy made over $5 million from his investments in Hollywood. During his affair with film star Gloria Swanson, he arranged the financing for her films The Love of Sunya (1927) and the ill-fated Queen Kelly (1928).

"After Prohibition ended, Kennedy amassed a large fortune when his company, Somerset Importers, became the exclusive American agent for Gordon's Dry Gin and Dewar's Scotch. Anticipating the end of Prohibition, he assembled a large inventory of stock, which he later sold for a profit of millions of dollars when Prohibition was repealed in 1933. He invested this money in residential and commercial real estate in New York, and Hialeah Race Track in Hialeah, Florida. His most important purchase was the largest office building in the country, Chicago's Merchandise Mart, which gave his family an important base in that city and an alliance with the Irish-American political leadership there."


Papa Joe's political ambitions were cut rather short due to his virulent anti-semitism... But he was an avid New Dealer whose knowledge of the dirty tricks of the capitalist pigs allowed him to be an effective SEC Chairman under FDR...


No oil companies, no coal companies. Again, that was years ago. If you want to research their current holdings and get back to us to support your opinions, have at it...


The Kennedys, especially Teddy and Bobby after '64, and now Robert have been the best of the best when it comes to social and economic justice.

Robert is probably the best Kennedy ever on these issues. Just because one is born rich doesn't mean they can't be right on these issues.

[Dora]

99. Wealth is a tool of power, not a quality of character.

Where do you get off criticizing someone for his wealth? Since when did wealth equate with elitism?

How much income does George W. Bush earn in one year? How about George H.W. Bush? Jeb? Barbara? What is their net worth? These rootsy, God-lovin', down-to-earth, All-American leaders wipe themselves with our money and tell us it's for our own good, that it's for terror, terror, terror.

Their occupy the pulpit of the public eye eight days a week, infecting the weak minded and weak willed. Braying jackasses distract the idiot masses in the coliseum of television, celebrity, and information overload.

They are terrified.

We are coalescing.

The time to choose is upon us.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

104. There are "super rich elitists" who are decent human beings...

who work for the common good. Don't be brainwashed by Corporate Media into thinking that the two are mutually exclusive. THEY ARE NOT. Teresa Heinz Kerry is a perfect example. You cannot blame RFK, Jr. for how past generations of Kennedy's made their wealth. Let me remind you of the Peace Corps and Special Olympics brought about by later generations. (Anyone else care to weigh in on the good brought about by the Kennedy clan? It's late and I'm about to pull the plug.)

And before you (I imagine) fire back with not blaming W for how past generations of Bush's made their wealth, don't bother. The Carlyle Group won't be winning any humanitarian awards, unless of course, some right-wing think tank decides to bestow some honor upon it. The BFEE is making money the way it always has. And other than W's community service back in '72 ('73?) to expunge court records of a cocaine arrest, what has he done to help his fellow man and the planet? Other than his wealthy cronies, of course...

67 posts and no donation? From Sean Hannity's lips to your fingertips...

[sandnsea]

111. Change - not sacrifice

Use a different style of light bulb. Buy a different kind of car. Use natural cleaning products. Inflate your tires. Simple Change.

He is also one of the leading voices against corporate welfare, workers' rights, for the people in general. You really need to find out more about the man. There isn't anybody who is a bigger fighter for the people, NOBODY.

[Tellurian]

13. My contention exactly about "Clean Coal" ..a Lie in league with 5 Coal Companies!..

"Now we've all heard the oil industry and the coal industry and their indentured servants in the political process telling us that global climate stability is a luxury that we can't afford. That we have to choose now between economic prosperity on the one hand and environmental protection on the other. And that is a false choice."

Zulchzulu, please, plead your case about 'clean coal' to RFKjr and how we can't afford to waste this resource. Let me know his response!

[DemReadingDU]

15. morning kick

[mdelaguna2000]

16. Dang! Powerful. Inspiring. Another leader worth following.

[NoFederales]

17. On the field of battle, man the barricades to staunch the enemy advance

There are many types of "barricades", unfortunately, because there are so many targets

NoFederales

[Odin2005]

18. RFK Jr. is THE MAN!!!

"And I will see all of you on the barricades."

[greyghost]

20. His father would be justifiably, PROUD. n/t

[Totally Committed]

21. This man is a true American hero!

You can see by my subject line and avatar how much I loved this speech, as well as admire the man. FOr me, this sppech was a real highlight of Live Earth.

Thanks for posting this wT2!

TC

[JNelson6563]

22. Gore/Kenndy 08!

On to victory!

Julie--headin' for the barricades

[Totally Committed]

23. Would that be an awesome ticket, or what?????

Oh, be still, my heart!

TC

[Apollo11]

27. Almost as good as Gore-Obama

Or if Al refuses to run, Clark-Obama.

That's where I'm at right now.

[digidigido]

49. Unfortunately not

Unfortunately RFK jr was convicted for posession of Heroin. Highly doubtful the masses and the media in this land will permit that in an elected official

[Pastiche423]

75. Do you mean like in 2000

when not a single solitary person voted for a man that got busted in 1972 for cocaine possession?

[digidigido]

97. Busted or Convicted?

Arrested or Convicted, there is a huge difference, to my knowledge there has never been a convicted felon elected President

[Pastiche423]

110. You have got to be kidding

right?

[digidigido]

98. Busted or convicted?

Please understand, I love what he said. I campaigned for his father. I have the utmost respect for him, I would vote for him in a heartbeat. The fact that he is a felon may be why he hasn't had an unfortunate accident. It is also why he probably will never run for elected office

[SharonRB]

108. I should have known

I just posted the same thing down below before I read the whole thread. I've been out of pocket all day and am just now trying to get caught up on a very full news day when I should be going to bed.

I glanced down the posts and saw this -- I really laughed when I saw it was yours. Once again we're on the same wavelength. I think we were separated at birth. You must come down for the next state convention so we can meet!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

[Totally Committed]

25. Just in case any of you would like to thank him, encourage him, or anything.....

http://www.robertfkennedyjr.com/contact.html


His website:

http://www.robertfkennedyjr.com /


TC

[NoFederales]

30. Thank you for the contact info.

NoFederales

[Apollo11]

26. Good speech

But personally I think we should also care about fishes and birds.

Also: gorillas, orang-utans, polar bears, pandas, dolphins ...

The fact is that humans are the number one threat to our environment.

The number of humans living on the planet has quadrupled since 1900.


Let's all find ways to show our support for Al Gore!

Sign the Live Earth Pledge: www.liveearthpledge.org

Then ask all your friends and family to sign it too!

Visit Al's site www.algore.com and read his blog http://blog.algore.com

Sign the petitions at www.algore.org and www.draftgore.com

[DangerDave921]

31. Treason?

I kind of like John Stossel. I've enjoyed his programs for years where he takes on corporations and scams and swindlers. I don't lump him together with those others.

Also, I think "treason" is an awfully extreme phrase to use against anyone. I have a tough time equating a business owner (being one myself) with being a traitor. I, too, think about private financial interest -- for myself and my family and my employees. I don't want to be thought of a traitor.

[demgirlamerica]

35. it makes me upset as well

our big govt leaches off the money we make in the private sector. i admire people who own a business. exxon has created more jobs and wealth in this country than RFK has. he already has it made so he doesnt care if he makes it harder for the rest of us.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

45. Wow!!! You and ol' DangerDave....

need to tag team a big ol' frosty jug o' this:




Ummm...it makes all those right wing talking points go down real smooooth.....

[DangerDave921]

54. ??

Exactly what right wing talking point did I make? Was it my comment that I've enjoyed John Stossel over the years? Or was it that I'm a small business owner with an interest in private financial interest and that I'm not a traitor?

[brentspeak]

69. Why would would say "I'm not a traitor"?

Because I didn't read anything in RFK Jr.'s speech which landed within ten country miles of insinuating that you were. Maybe you can point it out where he made that claim.

[DangerDave921]

113. private financial interest

He did reference companies who put their private financial interest ahead of the interests of humanity and that we need to treat such companies as traitors. Well, I own a small business and month after month I am worried about private financial interest. I succeed in my business because I am concerned about private financial interest. While I sympathize with all of humanity, I don't think it's fair to say that a company is committing treason because it puts private financial interest first and foremost.

[welshTerrier2]

114. you're taking "private financial interest" out of context

here's what RFK Jr. said:

The most important thing you can do is to get involved in the political process and get rid of all of these rotten politicians that we have in Washington D.C. --

Who are nothing more than corporate toadies for companies like Exxon and Southern Company, these villainous companies that consistently put their private financial interest ahead of American interest and ahead of the interest of all of humanity. This is treason and we need to start treating them now as traitors.

And they have their slick public relations firms and their phony think tanks in Washington D.C. and their crooked scientists who are lying to the American people day after day after day.

i emphasized this point in another response to you in this thread.

RFK Jr. is NOT saying that having "private financial interests" makes you a traitor. What he's saying is that companies like Exxon and Southern Company are traitors because of the massive size and power they have and what they do with that power. Read what he said! Does your company use slick PR firms and phony think tanks and crooked scientists to lie to the American people so that you get the policies that cater to your business instead of the best interests of the American people.

Who are you? Halliburton?

It's important to understand what RFK Jr. is saying. He is NOT your enemy. He is the enemy of mega-multi-national companies that wield more power and more money than most foreign governments. They buy candidates. Is that good for America and good for your business? They push policies that strip away pollution laws, promote wars overseas and fight against worker safety, product safety and quality, affordable health care for all. Your business, like all without the power to direct the national policy, suffers from their treasonous actions just as much as any private citizen does. These companies are destroying the fabric of our country. They have no allegiance to anything or anyone.

This is not a rant about capitalism or profits or money or providing for your family. It's a rant about the abuse of power and the failure of our democratic institutions. RFK Jr. is pointing out who and what the real enemy is. Trust me; I'm pretty sure he won't be coming after you or your business anytime soon.

[ProudDad]

128. What does your business do?

What is your "product or service"?

Is your business doing something that uplifts the human spirit, helps the environment, ameliorates the destruction wrought by so many (the majority?) in corporate Amerika?

Or are you ONLY concerned with making money?

If you make napalm, war toys, are in the oil, coal or gas business then you are indeed a traitor to the Earth...

If you are a corporate lawyer greasing the skids of Exxon, ADM or Monsanto, than you are indeed a traitor to the Earth...

If your business is a financial corporation...pushing money around to make more money without regard to what that money's doing, then you are indeed a traitor to the Earth...

Someday, all of those traitors must be made to stop...

[brentspeak]

70. The Rush Limbaugh board....this is not.

Maybe you made a typing error in the url field.

[three tears]

106. I agree yet disagree

I agree that the government is the worst thing that could happen to a small business owner. My dad started his own business and it adds thousands of dollars a year both to the Utah economy (where his business, Westwings, is based) and the national economy. Yet the very people who claim to be pro-business make his life much harder. They cut funding for programs that would provide money for health care (as a small business owner he can't afford insurance, which is a scary place to be). These same pro-business people do nothing to help people like Dad put his kids through college. It is a common misconception that only businesses that make money give back to the economy, my experience has been that the reverse is true, the smaller the business's profit margin, the more that goes back into the community.

On that note I would beg to differ on the benefit of Exxon's so called "job creation." How many fishermen and tour guided has exxon ruined the livelihood of via oil spills they refuse to clean up or pay for? And not all jobs are created equal, oil jobs suck, you work hard, sacrifice your time and health for pathetic pay and a pittance of benefits. I dissagree strongely with the notion that the Kennedys don't care about the hardships the rest of us face. They could do what the CEOs of Exxon do and spend large amounts of money to keep the status quo, which has made them rich, but they don't. Instead the Kennedys spend countless hours and dollars trying to make things better as best as they know how.

[welshTerrier2]

50. ridiculous to compare small business owners to multi-national corps

no one is calling you a traitor. no one is saying that a business wanting to make a profit is a traitor. I've seen this unfortunate defense of multi-national corporations from small business owners before. it's totally misguided.

we're talking here about massive corporate power that puts millions and millions of dollars into the hands of people they want to elect. do you do that?

we're talking here about powerful oil interests that are able to manufacture wars for their greedy bottom lines. do you do that?

we're talking here about huge pharmaceutical interests that wrote last year's Medicare bill and was able to railroad it through the Congress. do you do that?

we're talking here about a health insurance industry that leaves more than 46 million Americans, many of them children, with no health care or inadequate health care. do you do that?

we're talking here about a banking and finance industry that is able to pass a bankruptcy bill that blocks the last escape route for those crushed with debt. do you do that?

we have allowed our political systems in this country to become poisoned by big money. that big money is pumped into campaigns and into legislative lobbying to further the interests of shareholders WITH NO REGARD for the interests of the country or the American people. I call that treason. And when the bones of America have been picked clean, they will pick up their factories and headquarters and move on to the next victims.

Allow me to recommend a couple of books to you:

1. The Sorrows of Empire by Chalmers Johnson
2. Confessions of an Economic Hitman by John Perkins.

I just started reading a new book called "America Beyond Capitalism". Here's a paragraph from Chapter One:

In the 1960's roughly two out of three regularly told pollsters they believed government was run "for the benefit of all." Asked in 1999, "Would you say the government is pretty much run by a few big interests looking out for themselves, or that it is run for the benefit of all the people," a mere 19% said that it is run for all. Fully 75% now felt that government was run for the benefit of special interests.

When "special interests" have a greater say in directing policy than the American people do, something is very, very wrong. That is not the America our Founders envisioned. Anything that puts We the People in the backseat and private, commercial interests at the wheel is treasonous.

[BrainGlutton]

33. Flashing on a clip I once saw of a Black Panther rally:

Everybody was chanting:

Revolution is come
OFF THE PIGS!
Time to take up the gun
OFF THE PIGS!

Not, perhaps, precisely what RFK has in mind. (But who knows? )

[demgirlamerica]

39. want to see a real revolution?

i would love to see every oil co and coal mining company announce today they were shutting down all operations in the united states. they could announce for the good of the environment they were going to let congress provide for our energy needs. as our total economy shut down in a few days we can all be happy as we lived in filth and sqaulor that our great congress was there for us, lol. when you went to a gas station to buy gas a sign would be there, "we shut down because we agreed with RFK".

or as the temp outside neared 100 and you went to turn on the ac it was announced on tv,"our local coal powered energy plant or nuclear plant, or oil powered plant has decided to shut down because we agree with RFK". have fun without AC, or heat in the winter. but what the heck, the cavemen had a great life!!

[Tellurian]

40. Yes, I can see a Clinton/Kennedy Revolution.. The world would scream w/JOY!

with Al kicking ass in the EPA/Agri/DEM depts!

[Maat]

42. Excuse me, but Big Oil is rich because the taxpayers gave them huge subsidies.

They won't be shutting down anything without paying us back!

[demgirlamerica]

66. lets all agree to this

the govt should subsidize nothing including farmers to get votes in iowa.

[welshTerrier2]

68. how about publically financed campaigns?

the problem goes beyond subsidies. subsidies address the direct disbursement of funds.

that's not where the really big bucks lie though. the really big bucks are found in "friendly policies".

take Iraq as an example. we can argue about whether bush invaded Iraq to benefit the oil industry. i say he did. either way though, Iraq has been an incredible boon to the oil industry. destabilizing the Middle East has dumped hundreds of billions of dollars into their bottom lines. is it just possible they would "subsidize" candidates who supported the invasion of Iraq?

we need to take corporations out of our national government. they should not be treated the same as citizens. corporate interests have nothing to do with the national interest. corporations have one job and one job only: to make money. when we allow them to poison national policy and poison legislation with their massive economic clout, we do a disservice to our democracy.

and we support candidates who shamelessly are whoring up and down K Street, it seems unlikely this undemocratic, un-American system of corruption will ever change.

publically financed campaigns won't solve every aspect of this problem but, without it, we have no hope of restoring power to its rightful owners, i.e., the American people.

[welshTerrier2]

80. crickets ????? n/t

[ProudDad]

129. Absolutely, Utterly Correct!!!

"publically financed campaigns won't solve every aspect of this problem but, without it, we have no hope of restoring power to its rightful owners, i.e., the American people."

Dollar for dollar to match any amount spent by privately financed campaigns...

And TAKE BACK OUR AIRWAVES FOR OUR DEMOCRACY. Force the media to provide hundreds of hours of PRIME TIME during a LIMITED CAMPAIGN PERIOD (say about 90 days before the election) back to the People who own the airwaves for substantive candidate statements and real debates free to publicly-financed candidates at "market rate" to privately financed candidates...

[Maat]

72. I agree with providing services, such as welfare benefits,

but rarely agree with subsidizing businesses.

I believe we can agree on that.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

46. Drink it, girl DRINK IT!!!!

Kool-Aid bong! Suck it down, HARD:

[mconvente]

58. Why don't you take your revolution to Freeper Land

You obviously belong there more than here...

[RoccoR5955]

89. I would love to see them shut off our power.

They cannot shut off all of my power, only some of it. A good portion of my power is self generated, via solar and wind energy. You would be surprised what one person, determined to do can do. When I am at work, and using very little electricity, it gets fed back into the grid, and *I* get paid for it!

I don't use air conditioning, but use geothermal cooling. The basement of my house is always around 55 degrees. I can simply pump air from down there, via a system of ducts (the same ones that are used for heat in the winter, by the old oil burner) and small twelve volt fans, into any room in my house that I desire.

So let them shut off ALL the power plants. I can still survive, and I am sure that many resourceful people will do just what I have done. They will become energy independent, to whatever extent they can, and screw the corporations. In the neighborhood I live in, we would all get together and make our OWN self-reliant power grid. You would be amazed at what a community that works together can do!

You know, I can get a car that runs on compressed air... ZERO emissions! It will get me to work or the store, and all I have to do, is pump it up with the windmill, or, if I get energetic and set up my small stream energy project, the paddle wheel from that.

Demgirl, why don't you just stop the lying, and parroting of the Rapeublican squawking points, and get a grip already. People are wise to your kind. Listen to reason, and learn to think for yourself, instead of having Rush and Bill O 'think' for you!

[Marnieworld]

36. I keep repeating that line since he said it.

It still gives me chills. That's the spirit that we need. It is that dire. He is an inspiration.

[Uncle Joe]

44. Excellent speech from RFK Jr.!

Thanks for the thread welshTerrier.

[NastyDiaper]

48. Don't forget his weekly show ;)

http://www.airamerica.com/ringoffire

[politicasista]

Kick

[politicasista]

52. delete. dupe n/t

[november3rd]

71. RFK Jr.

As much as I hate to say it, this guy is a natural progressive political leader. uhhhh, maybe it runs in the family.

Would it be too much to ask him to keep up the pressure and use his personal clout and political savvy to help guide the country--even if he can't run for office?

[mzmolly]

76. Hey thanks! I've been wondering if anyone had a transcript of this.

[lonestarnot]

88. you send an email to their advertisers and tell them that you are not going to buy their products

any more.

[NBachers]

91. RFK Jr. for AG

Every presidential candidate must be asked again and again, until it becomes conventional wisdom:

"Will you appoint Robert Kennedy Jr. as your Attorney General?"

[ProudDad]

130. Great Idea (n/t)

[paparush]

95. DIVEST! DIVEST! DIVEST! -- NOW!!!

Kennedy hits the nail squarely on the head. He speaks in the only language these thieves know; the dialect of dollars. MONEY MONEY MONEY. Advertisers. Divest from the war profiteers.

[jwirr]

101. Invest in green.

[HCE SuiGeneris]

102. More! More! More! We need this shouted from every rooftop.

Enough bullshit has been stuffed down our collective throats. The truth feels so refreshing.

[SharonRB]

107. Gore/Kennedy '08

What an amazing ticket that would be!

[cosmicdot]

109. agree n/t

[JNelson6563]

115. haha! There you are!

My long lost sisiter! I will definitely be attending the next convention. We'll probably find ourselves in the same hotel in rooms right next to each other.



Julie

[SharonRB]

117. Well, if it's in Detroit

I'll be driving from home, not staying over. If it's in Lansing or somewhere else outside the Detroit metro area, I'd probably stay over. But you're right -- we probably won't even have to look for each other -- we'll just gravitate to the right place at the right time.

[JNelson6563]

118. Well, just in case

Once the next convention is planned and my own attendance is confirmed, I'll PM you my cell phone number so that we can find each other for sure.

Looking forward to it!

Julie

[SharonRB]

119. Absolutely!

I am, too.

[alphafemale]

112. This phrase connects with me personaly in an odd way too.

On another local newspaper board there is a conservative/libertarian I go toe to toe with on many issues.

However, when it comes down to it we've often agreed that that power has slipped far from the power of the individual, the people.

More than once we've agree to meet on the barricades.
In those exact words or near to it.

And by the way he calls bush a putz.

[RFKJrNews]

120. Maybe he meant he will see us all on the barricades at his first campaign rally?:)

OK, just kidding...he probably didn't mean that, but I do think he is considering a run.

Anybody want to help draft RFK Jr. to run for President in `08?

Please sign the petition at http://RFKin2008.com

Sign the petition and show him your support!

[welshTerrier2]

121. "I do think he is considering a run"

talk about reviving a long lost post ...

welcome to DU, RFKin2008 !!

why do you think RFK Jr. is "considering a run?"

I can tell you it would be chilling to actually have a candidate I really cared about. I'll check out your petition link. Thanks ...

[Totally Committed]

123. Dare we hope????

I would LOVE a candidate in this race I could support 1000%!

TC

[RFKJrNews]

124. Will RFK Jr. run?

I can't speak for Mr. Kennedy, but he is certainly aware of the growing movement to draft him into the race, and he has said nothing to discourage our efforts.

His speech at LIVE EARTH felt like "testing the waters," didn't it?

And it worked. Got a lot of people talking. I've heard and read hundreds of comments from people BEGGING him to run just over the past two weeks. He's not deaf. He's hearing us and giving the matter due consideration.

now we just need to show him our support. We should let him know that we will walk beside him, behind him, a virtual human shield to protect him and back him all the way to the White House!

Please SIGN THE PETITION, which we will forward to RFK Jr., along with your comments. http://RFKin2008.com

[Totally Committed]

122. OMG... be still, my heart!

I am headed over there RIGHT NOW to sign that petition!

He and all the others sitting this campaign out at the moment have the opportunity to enter and save us from this middle-of-the-road fate-worse-than-death!

TC

[RFKJrNews]

125. Thank you, TC!

TC, you're wonderful. Thanks for signing the petition and for being such a strong supporter of Bobby's here on these boards!

I hope that you will also be a frequent contributor on our website. We work hard to bring RFK Jr's fans the latest news and information on what he's doing, we update on a daily basis, and always welcome comments and news stories from well-spoken, educated voters like yourself.

TC, send me a PM or email [e-mail] if you would like to contribute stories to our blog. I was going to PM you first, but i'm new here and don't have enough posts yet to send out private messages.

We have also started a VOTER QUESTIONS section to collect a list of questions voters would like to ask about his stand on the issues and a possible candidacy. so let's get some input from the folks here at DU!

[FreeStateDemocrat]

126. Kick for RFK Jr, a very inspiring voice for political activism in our corporate controlled party.

[MasonJar]

127. Just sent him money he requested for legal battle against drilling in

Alaska. I saw that it had been put on hold by the court until mid-August. Send some if you can to the NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) 40 West 20th Street, New York, New York 10011. Please help me keep this kicked.

[RFKJrNews]

131. A worthy cause...

..and a great idea, Mason Jar!!!


DRAFT RFK Jr. IN `08
http://RFKin2008.com

[allisonthegreat]

132. I'd like to see him in the RACE FOR 2008! eom