My open letter to John Kerry.

[crispini]

I'm faxing it to his Senate office today. Please feel free to use pieces, ideas, etc. Let's talk to him -- let's let him know how we feel about this mess.

Dear Senator Kerry:

I have been following the aftermath of our election very closely. Ohio, in particular, troubles me. The influence of the avowedly partisan Secretary of State Blackwell, the suspicious security lockdown in Warren County, and, most especially, the widespread reports of FIVE and TEN HOUR lines, malfunctioning machines, and voter intimidation in Democratic areas – all of these factors combined force me to conclude that that the election in Ohio was neither free nor fair.

I am also troubled by the recent articles by reporter Wayne Madsen alleging a widespread Bush conspiracy to hack the vote. Certainly, there is no "smoking gun" -- yet. However, Karl Rove and his operatives have a known history of dirty tricks stretching back many years. Also, this administration is notably willing to use underhanded tactics against its critics and detractors (Valerie Plame being but one example).

Senator Kerry, I, as well as many other Americans, think that this election was stolen. If not by a nationwide computer hack, then most definitely by traditional voter disenfranchisement tactics in Ohio.

Now, I have also been following the aftermath of the Ukranian elections very closely. There, the people are rallying in the streets, crying out for democracy, refusing to accept their stolen election.

Why aren't the American people doing the same?

Simple. We need you to lead us.

Opposition candidate Yushchenko has repeatedly said that the election was stolen. He has called on his supporters to rally. He has cried out against the corrupt process, and the people have responded to his voice.

The American people have no voice to respond to.

Our will is there. Our energy is waiting. We are putting up websites; we are passing out flyers; we are filing FOIA requests and analyzing statistics. We are writing letters; we are deluging Keith Olbermann with emails. We raised the money for the Ohio recount for the Greens and the Libertarian party in less than a week. We are planning rallies for December 12. We are doing a thousand different things. But we are doing it by ourselves.

In order to truly unite, we need someone to unite behind. Senator Kerry, that person is you. The day you stand up and speak the truth about this election, we, the American people, will stand up with you.

If you do not, many Americans will be left disenfranchised. Our confidence in our democratic system will be greatly weakened. Is the Democratic party the party of the people? The party which stands for freedom of the individual, for fair play for all, for integrity?

If this election was not free and fair, how do we know the next one will be free and fair? If we do not stand up to the corruption and the bullying now, when will we stand up to it? If we do not have government "of the people, by the people, for the people," NOW, when will we have it?

Senator Kerry, we're in the water. Come back for us.

Sincerely,

[Kralizec]

1. Nice. Take it to the next level and send it to Robert Kennedy Jr. and add

the line "The United States, already forever indebted to the Kennedy's, once again calls them for help."

Just an idea...

[molly]

2. EXCELLENT!!!

I also suggest you copying Biden, Kennedy, Byrd, and Oboma.

[Cowboy Joe2k]

35. The only thing that can save us as a race is a community vote.

A counted and audited vote in every county, and every city. We demand the right as the population of this planet to VOTE YES OR NO on the issue of WAR. of WORLD WAR or WORLD PEACE. Which one do you think your Community will lean.

If your gonna fool us or trick us a gain Why should we bother?

This is the only thing now that can save Humanity, face it and agree with me punk!

You know why???/ Because How the world Views war it how I and the World Population is going to decide if we want have children.

Let us function as a Community. A global Community.

[Karenca]

3. Excellent...Thank you, nt

[rwork]

4. Great letter.

Good question would be, was bush* in Ohio on Nov. 2nd, and what for?I remember seeing on a news channel him returning to Ohio mysteriously, this after JK leading in exit polls all day.

[PoiBoy]

5. Wow.. what an outstanding letter...

an excellent job, crispini.. I hope you get a quick reply.. :hi:

[malatesta1137]

6. great letter

but Kerry is laughing at you. Senator Roll Over is sipping champaign in his Heinz estate, totally shocked at how many people actually thought he was REALLY running from President.

[Kralizec]

8. Hence the reason to beg the Kennedy's for help. The spirit is still there.

n/t

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

10. Prove it.

Those are inflammatory charges. They demand proof.

[Kralizec]

12. We have the same proof, if not more, than the Ukraine has! n/t

[Duncan]

30. He was talking to post # 6

[Straight Shooter]

13. The poster to whom you refer never provides proof

Always accuses, always excuses, but never ever provides proof.

It's a freeper-bird, swooping in to distribute more droppings. Nothing less, nothing more.

edit: Tandalayo is addressing m1137, as am I.

[IAMREALITY]

15. No They Don't

"Those are inflammatory charges. They demand proof."

Nope. They are childish useless rhetoric from a poster who's only ability is to cause trouble. They demand to be ignored.

[Yuugal]

41. childish useless rhetoric? or maybe just the awful plain truth?

For a long while Mal's postings did seem to me to be freeper-type stuff. I no longer feel that way about what he writes because the clue-train finally arrived at my door recently.

I know it hurts, but try to analyze what he has been saying objectively. Maybe we really were HAD afterall.....? Its been 4 weeks since election day and only the smallest peep has been heard from Kerry. Mr I-got-your-back has seemingly turned into Mr Haha-I-got-your-backside. In fact, the whole dem party establishment has seemingly turned the other cheek on election fraud and turned their backs on us. Some people say that is good news because there is a secret plan to save the day and everyone from M. Moore to Kerry is in on it. If this is the case I will be one of the happiest people in America. Unfortunately those same people were saying Kerry had a secret plan to defuse the swift boat liars and that the Kerry campaign taking the month of august off was a brilliant plan also.

However, after 4 weeks of letting what I wish to be true conflict with what reality says is true, I've decided to face the truth as I see it: Kerry let us down. The DNC let us down. Most of that recount money is probably going to go for new 4 inch pile rug in their offices and for first class flights because as any guy worth 500 million can tell you, coach is for the little people.

Kerry spent the campaign telling us how hard he'd work for us and how he understands our struggle as everyday non-rich Americans. Many people took money they could have put in their kids college funds, or money they could have put toward paying down their credit cards or mortgage......and gave it to a guy worth 500 million because he told us he cared about us and our vote being counted.

Go ahead and call us all freepers. I can take it. Just do me a favor, let us know when even you will concede we were taken. At some point it will become obvious to everyone that what we are mistaking for rain really was just another rich guy pissing on our backs. As in any struggle, most of the blood , sweat, and tears will be coming from the little people, not from the rich.

[crispini]

53. Have you ever heard of giving someone

the benefit of the doubt?

None of us here know JK personally. None of us know anything about his motivations or thought patterns. For all we know, he could be that corrupt, he could be that naieve, or he could have a super-secret-stealthy plan. That's why I haven't said much on these "what is Kerry doing?" threads. We just don't know, and it's a complete waste of time and energy to speculate. So why bother?

[malatesta1137]

20. YOU prove me wrong

thank you.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

23. Nah.

You made the charges, Chuckles. You put the ball in your own court. Now, deal.

[Sperk]

7. That's excellent, especially the last line.

"Senator Kerry, we're in the water. Come back for us."

gulp, gulp

[life_long_dem]

24. I agree, that last line really got to me.

The last time I had that feeling was during the convention when JK said, "I'm John Kerry and I'm reporting for duty". I actually felt excited when I heard him say that, just thinking he would be our next President.

P.S. Outstanding letter, crispini.

[seito]

38. Got a little choked up on that myself

:cry:

[noclonyofthechimp]

9. Excellent! Covers a lot and extremely heartfelt! He has to respond to

this!

[Straight Shooter]

11. "Senator Kerry, we're in the water. Come back for us."

OMG. My heart stopped when I read that. Either that, or time stood still.

Please send this to [email protected]

Excellent, Crispini. You do not attack, you do not whine, you state your case with passion and eloquence. And that last line is worthy of Patrick Henry, Nathan Hale and Thomas Jefferson combined.

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Nominated for home page.

[Old and In the Way]

14. Great Letter!

Can you let me know his fax#? I'd like to send something similar...

[crispini]

16. Straight off Congress.org

[phone]

and it went through a minute ago. Confirmed.

[Old and In the Way]

31. Thank you! Got through on my 2nd try......

Here's what I sent him-

Honorable Senator John Kerry


Senator Kerry-

First, I want to thank you for your service and running an honorable campaign for President. I am not convinced that you did not, in fact, win the majority of the popular votes in this election. I, along with many other Democrats, are becoming quite concerned with the growing perception that our Party is failing to challenge the results. If this perception takes hold and things in this country continue to deteriorate, our Party may be permanently damaged.

I understand that it is impossible to take the fight through the Republican controlled corporate media. It is obvious to many of us that the broadcast media is complicit and vested in maintaining the status quo. Perhaps this election cycle is lost, but the larger question remains....how can we assure ourselves of the popular will of the American voter? We are driving ourselves collectively insane with the thought, "what if this election was stolen...again".

I know you will be a major force in the next Senate, but we need you to do more. We need you to lead a campaign that shows Democrats we are still a viable force to reckon with. Here's what I hope you will consider:

-------------------

Seems to me that a first comprehensive action by the Democratic Party needs to involve a national/local coordinated campaign to ask some fundemental questions of it's constituents. How to accomplish this?

How about sending a postcard to each registered Democratic voter in the country with the following questions:

(1) Who did you vote for?
(2) What Party were you enrolled in on 11/2/04?
(3) What is your most important domestic priority?
(4) What is your most important international priority?
(5) What changes and actions do you want Congressional Democrats to undertake, starting in January?

I'd make these questionnaires available to Republicans, too. I doubt we can expect any support from rabid Bush Republican supporters...but perhaps there are more than a few Kerry Republicans who are interested in knowing if their vote was counted properly in this election.

Coordinate the collection with Democratic notary publics and local activists to get this information back for collation, analysis, and publication.

We can no longer expect Republican corporate media or biased polling companies to deliver our message to/from the Democratic leadership. We need to pipeline our communication more directly so we can get our own answers and insight on this election.

Secret ballots and a criminal party that controls the machines to record the vote, the process to count it, and the media to announce it ; it's a recipe for a bloodless transition to a fascist, totalitarian country.

-------------------

This action can start in selected states/precincts and be scaled up as the results dictate.

I posted this at www.democraticunderground.com. (http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x89055) I believe that you are aware of this site as Chris Heinz and Elizabeth Edwards have both posted here. You have a ready legion of activists just waiting for you to give us direction to our growing frustration. I hope you can lead, either directly or indirectly, to make this happen. We (our Party) need to know if we have the right message and vision. If we lost, so be it...we have more work to do. If we won, then the 1st order of business is proving it irrefutably to ourselves and this administration.

Thank you for your consideration on this.

Sincerely,

[SueZhope]

17. Brilliant thoughtful words

You hit a home run with these words!!

This is a letter that deserves front page....
How do I nominate it for the front page?

This puts into words how so many of us feel and hits to the heart
of the bigger picture , if it gets to Mr kerry he can not ignore it.

Thanks you!!!

[BlueDog2u]

18. Great job

I wish I could summarize the critical issues as you have done; in the absence of my articulation, your letter speaks for me. Thanks.

[seito]

19. Thank you

That was a touching letter. I endorse your words and I will pass it on.

[Catamount]

21. Kerry letter

Great letter!
Is there a way we could add our collective signatures to it?
Say before you send it to anyone else?

[Stand and Fight]

22. Bravo, Bravo!

That is by far the most persuasive and heart-felt political missive I have read in my life. You have my highest esteem and deepest gratitude for taking an active, rather than an apathetic, role in preserving our democracy. Were the world but full of people like yourself, the people would never suffer under the yoke of tyrants and despots like Bush.

[mod mom]

25. Why would the disenfranchised ever vote again?

We need to make sure, no DEMAND, peope think their vote counted or else why would anyone ever wait in long lines again?

[Tuddie]

26. Let me hear the people say, "Amen!"

Thank you so much for taking time to write that eloquent, passionate and honest letter - and for faxing it to JK.

I do not believe, however, that the leaders of the DNC elite, will blend their voices with ours in a public battle cry for civil rights in the voting booth - or anywhere else. The elite leadership in this country, regardless of party will not (they haven't so far!) roll up their collective sleeves to work alongside "We the People". Using your wonderful metaphor: I do not believe the elite (JK, et.al.) will turn the boat around and pull us from the water.

Yes, the Ukraine had the commitment and leadership of their candidate, Yushchenko, to embolden and empower protests and other actions. Remember, however, Yushchenko is the candidate backed by the U.S. ...

The fight for civil rights in the voting booth - and beyond - is the People's Fight. We will find our own leadership, leaders will emerge from among those who are willing to speak and act publically regardless of personal risk. For sure, keep those cards and letters flowing to any and all who may read and hear.

I will put my trust in you, DU.org bloggers, and in those already in the trenches (or in the water) - not in the power elite. They have too much to lose and "We the People" have everything to gain.

Still swimming: Thanks again.

[samrock1]

27. amen!

.

[samrock1]

28. AMEN!

.

[samrock1]

29. AMEN!! (3rd and final)

.

[Tuddie]

32. Thanks.

There is much work to be done.

[ElementaryPenguin]

33. Great letter!!

:bounce:

[wrate]

34. Forget Kerry. Organize and take to the streets NOW or you can kiss

democracy good by. You want re-counts and re-votes wherever no paper trail exists. You don't need Kerry. If you keep expecting him to show up and lead you, your chance to save your country will be gone. Think about it, the time has come.

Kerry and the whole DNC must be worried about the U.S. dollar's value plummeting by electoral fraud allegations, and the chain of events that will follow. It is you (the people) that have to act.

[bleever]

36. Beautiful, concise, touching.

[mattclearing]

37. A Great Letter.

[politicasista]

40. Great Letter!

Why isn't he or the campaign responding to the e-mails?

[flyarm]

42. i just called kerry's office d.c.

i was a kerry delegate to the convention
, and i have gotten so many nasty emails from angry dems here in fla...

yes they are mad as hell..this is now 3 elections we have had stolen down here, and the disgust for kerry right now is sooooo high, i have put a block many times on my email..people think "I" lied to them about kerry.. ( sorry..i believed sooo much...and i don't lie)people here believe kerry lied to them,

other delegates believe michael moore lied to them, after all he came to the fla delegation breakfast and told us they would not desert us this time, that the democratic party and he himself would not "forget" us this time.

Am i mad? , you bet i am , for the past 3 weeks i have fielded phone calls , emails , i'm's and i am sick of it..i have tried to stay positive and i really believed what i was told, that kerry would fight for us.

I have called the washington dnc to ask for guidance, and have either not had them answer or i have gotten hung up because i got angry, or i get someone who knows nothing, so i feel as if my calls are worthless. The local dnc is in shambles..
....and all the wonderful people , new people we had come out in record numbers who gave their blood sweat and tears for this party are now being lost, and i have no idea what to do to help stop the hemmorage.

I have worked endlessly to keep them informed, and on top of everything going on..but it is way more than one person can do..i have emailed and returned calls for close to 20 hours a day..and i am tired..

people here are mad..mad as hell...

i can say never in my life have i seen so many people get this involved..for so many it was their first time to do anything politically, if i heard that once i heard it thousands of times...

We Know..We know kerry won here..

there was no organization or hardly any visibility or canvassing by the bush people, yet we had move- on, act, common caUSE, AND PAID STAFF KERRY CANVASSERS ALL WORKING WITH VOLUNTEERS HERE..we had thousands of volunteers, and thanks to so many wonderful americans , we had so many come from out of state to help us..just regular folks...
and now i see a total collapse of all we did..and it is heart breaking.

I called kerrys office last week and i was told its his senate office and they are not involved...call dnc....

Well i called again just now, and i was told, that kerry has 17,000 attorneys , and what makes me think they aren't doing anything..
and then the last reply was... call the dnc...

and i did call the dnc in d.c. again and i got the proverbial answering machine..again...

i don't know how long i can give positive replys to people...
how long i can keep saying... if anything can be done it will be done , or i believe they are doing things we are unaware of, quietly...

i keep resting on the fact that kerry has 17,000 lawyers ..and they must be doing ..something....

i housed for 7 months the kerry rep who ran three counties from here...my kitchen table was the kerry campaign until they were allowed to open a large office...i called the wonderful young lawyer who lived with me ( the kerry field rep) last night , and he laughed and said...get over it its over...he said he is upset as well and he knows we won here..and that he has gone into a funk as well..( he's from n.y.)..

but we have no leadership right now...and i feel very let down...

Your letter was wonderful...i just hope it wakes someone up..as i feel the backbone of my party is gone...and has let us down..and i feel right now...MY KERRY ...the kerry i thought i loved and supported has left our backs unguarded!!..i feel used and abused...and i know for fact, several of the other delegates here feel the same way...( we talk almost daily)
once again we here in florida have had an election stolen...and we have been left to the wolves!!

all i can say ..is...

Thank You to all who came here to help us...we love you dearly...you came from so many states, your work and your caring ..and your sweat will never be forgotten by us..you are true americans and great patriots for your nation...
thank you from the bottom of our hearts...if the DNC doesn't thank you..
Please know you will always be in our hearts...
you folks worked so hard, and to our buddy who lived in a tent...you are the best!!
to the great grandma and grandma who came from vermont...wow ..thats all i can say..wow...you made a sacrifice i will never forget!! you inspired me more than you can ever know!! and for those who came from calif, n.c. , georgia, chicago, dallas , minnesota, new york and new jersey...from arizona, and mass. ...how can we possibly thank you??..you did so much and helped us here immeasurably!!
you will always be in my heart!!

and dont despare..we did win, even though our leaders wont fight for it..we did win!! i have no doubt about it!!

arlene clearwater, florida

[Tuddie]

43. I'd like to toss a lifejacket to Arlene!

That is the dedication and persistence of a True Leader.
Thanks for all the work.

[Im with Rosey]

39. Truly a WONDERFUL Letter!

As you can tell by my number of posts, I'm a newbie. I cannot tell you what a wonderful letter this is... words fail me. If this doesn't achieve some sort of action, I'm not sure what will. Thanks for doing such a great job!

[newyawker99]

45. Hi Im with Rosey!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Im with Rosey]

49. Thanks for the Welcome

its great to have an outlet. I've been thinking that maybe if Kerry received tons of letters similar to this one, how could he possibly do anything but stand up and fight?! How many DU'ers do you think there might be out there...

[dzika]

44. "...you've literally got to beat the shit out of John Kerry..."

From: Washington Square News
Issue date: 11.29.2004

http://www.nyunews.com/news/campus/8429.html

Kerry aide pans nasty Bush run

by Jesse Greenspan
Contributing Writer

-snip-
Trbovich has known Kerry for more than 30 years, he said, and
even worked as communications director of Kerry's failed 1972
congressional campaign. He said the Massachusetts senator has
more integrity and intelligence than almost anyone else he
knows. He added, however, that unlike Bill Clinton, Kerry's
intellect is at stronger than his political ear.

"Excuse my language, but you've literally got to beat the shit
out of John Kerry sometimes to get him where you want him to
go," he said. •

[BamaBecky]

51. well maybe that "splains" it................

[Habibi]

52. Allllll righty, then!

Let the beatings commence!

Seriously, this is a great letter. Please let us know if Kerry responds to you.

[Lisabtrucking]

46. This is what we are fighting for.

Bush won. Get over it." Touching video tribute to the soliders killed

[Lisabtrucking]

47. Opps missed the link watch bush won get over it. this is what we are fight

http://www.notthistimegeorge.org/

[mamalone]

48. sniffle sniffle...

That just brought tears to my eyes Crispini...you have articulated my own feelings exactly. This letter should definately be on the front page- and definately sent to other relevant folks, not just Kerry himself. Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful letter!
Diane

[BamaBecky]

50. I also wrote him today. Mine was short. At the end of it, I asked him

if they had threatened to kill him or something if he made waves. I told him we were leaderless and needed him. I told him I didn't understand his silence, given the election aftermath we have suffered.

[crispini]

54. Thanks everyone.... for the kind words! n/t