Next Friday is the one-year anniversary of Andy Stephenson's death.

[greatauntoftriplets]

How can we best remember him? And pay tribute to the valuable work he did on our behalf?



As someone who knew Andy well and in real life (my family and I had such a great time on his last Christmas...though we didn't know at the time that it would be his last Christmas), I have no clue. Just this feeling of loss. Still.

[EFerrari]

1. Doug and I are talking about this right now. I'll be grateful to see

what other DUers think might be appropriate.

[greatauntoftriplets]

2. Yeah, I've been thinking about this for some time....

Just not sure what would be enough, if you know what I mean.

[EFerrari]

3. It has to include Ethel Merman and beautiful tomatoes.

Let's see what DU thinks.

I have a rose ready to plant -- a peace rose.

[greatauntoftriplets]

5. Sadly, I no longer have a yard in which to plant anything.....

Andy would love a peace rose. :)

I remember eating blackberries off the bush in his back yard in Seattle. They were delicious. Perhaps I will go to the farmers market here next Saturday and buy some blackberries in his honor.

[EFerrari]

10. Blackberries sound good to me.:

It's hard to know, isn't it? But I can't see Andy objecting to anything that included blackberries.

lol

[Jo March]

4. How about posting what he meant to us?

I don't know what we could do that would be - BIG enough.

[kiraboo]

6. But I like that idea.

I didn't know him, but I've heard about him many times and was aware of what he was going through the few weeks before he left us. I'd like to know more.

[EFerrari]

7. Ethel Merman singing "I get no kick from champagne!"

:rofl:

:rofl:

:rofl:

[greatauntoftriplets]

11. Okay,....

Andy is one of the best friends I will ever have. Though I only got acquainted with him in the fall of 2002. I went to Seattle to visit him ln 2003, and had a blast. He spent Christmas of 2004 with my family, and they took to him immediately. And I am so grateful that he was able to come here to celebrate that holiday with someone he loved. My family (even the repukes) loved him as well.

He seemed fine when he visited us, although the cancer must have been in him then. It was not until January that his symptoms began appearing. And such a shock and roller-coaster ride it was...given the increasingly dire diagnoses.

[liberaldemocrat7]

41. Didn't the freepers over at Frei Republik delay an operation he needed

by besmirching his name to potential donors for an operation he needed for cancer and this delay cost him his life?

Shouldn't some people over at Frei Republik get charged with manslaughter?

[EFerrari]

54. That little prank cost him two weeks. n/t

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

8. Work for that which was dear to Andy's heart

And celebrate his life. In the Sufi tradition, the day of one's passing is called the Wedding Day(Urs), the day when you are reunited with the Beloved. We in the Sufi Order International just celebrated the Urs of Haz. Vilayat Inayat Khan. This was done with music, dancing, and remembrance of him-a mass in B Minor was conducted in France for the Urs, and the work he started is being continued by all whose lives he touched. I tell you this to give you an idea of how, perhaps, Andy can be remembered-not in sorrow, but in joy.

[BeFree]

19. Andy was very wise

His wisdom helped to alert many people about the greatest threat to our democracy. Carrying on his efforts towrd saving our vote, would be, it seems to me, the best way of honoring him.

It does seem only the good die young. Which proves I ain't too good.

[CTyankee]

45. Sufis are wonderful. I love Rumi's poetry

and the peaceful feeling I get reading him.

I was first introduced to Sufism (sp?) in a mysticism course in grad school a few years back. I was far more impressed with Rumi's Sufism than with Meister Eckhart's christianity in that course, as was my classmates. Even tho I was at a Catholic school my religion prof was totally cool.

[KaryninMiami]

9. That's funny- I realized that this week as well....

I miss him too and think of him almost every day. But, I'm sure that Andy is very proud from wherever he is, of the progress that has happened during the past year. Yes we have a long way to go- but we're definitely on the right track!

To name a few...
- 26 States have decided on a back-up plan for recounts of the electronic machine counts
- Articles have appeared in the mainstream media- big time about the vulnerability of those machines including"
Miami Herald, Sun Sentinel, NY Times, Washington Post, CNN, Rolling Stone, etc.
-There have an array of non-partisan reports- including the Brennan Report last week, showing clearly, that those machines are vulnerable, tamperable and not to be trusted
-Thanks to election reform activists (such as Brad Friedman, the election reform groups, PDA, etc.) the results of the emergency race to replace Cunningham in San Diego is now being questioned
-Jon Bonafaz is running for Secretary of State in Massachusetts
-Election fraud whistleblower, Clint Curtis is running for Congress against Tom Feeney
-Bobby Kennedy Jr. is now taking his brilliant expose to the next step and calling for lawsuits against Diebold and =ES&S
-Brad Friedman was on CNN's Lou Dobbs to talk about election vulnerability-- how long have we been screaming to the mainstream media about this- and we made it to CNN!
-The number of Americans who now know the truth about those machines has tripled


Frankly, not only do I think Andy is aware of this, I truly believe he's been pushing us along. I know that I feel him with me constantly. Every time I decide I've had enough of this fight, something propels me from behind and I figure that's Andy kicking me in the butt reminding me of how much work we still have to do before we can be sure that our votes are being counted.


(PS Sending a hug to you Great Aunt!)

[EFerrari]

12. Does the kick have a pointed toe?!

Hey, Karyn.

:)

[KaryninMiami]

27. Hi there- can you believe it's been a full year since that dreadful week?

Nice to see you!

Sending a hug to you too! :)

[greatauntoftriplets]

13. I feel Andy's presence a lot...

Especially when my mother died last December, at about the time that Andy stayed with us the previous year.

Termite thinks so as well.

Great post, BTW.

[tsuki]

14. It is hard to believe. His presence is still missed. nt

[bleever]

15. I do love that picture.

:) w/a tear.

[Wilms]

16. Gosh. He's just a kid in that photo.

It's kind of sad to see.

But then, he accomplished more than most adults living to a ripe old age.

He's timeless.


Perhaps we might, as individuals, pledge to do one thing for election reform in honor of Andy.

[IndyOp]

49. The photo is near the end...

He got Ballot (the puppy) just weeks before he died - I think...

:(

[bluerum]

17. I did not know Andy - but I know what the loss of a loved one is like.

Plant a tree, or a shrub, or some type of perennial that will come back and bloom every year to remind you of him. Asiatic lilies, day lilies and monkshood just started blooming here (East/central MA.).

[Habibi]

18. Excellent idea. Thanks.

[eowyn_of_rohan]

25. yes...

I too know. And it is weird to have certain people canonized while others fade into oblivion

[NMDemDist2]

20. we fight everyday for our Democracy. I think that's all Andy would want

:cry:

[troubleinwinter]

21. Andy said

that what he feared most was being forgotten. I knew he would NEVER be forgotten, he was so dearly loved by so very many!!! A friend to so many. Support and laughter to so many. He cannot be forgotten because he was so loved.

These last few weeks have been hard looking at the BBV stuff and remembering when he was sick and struggling with unemployment, withholding tax issues, the various ugly stuff. Sometimes I'd get pretty down in the dumps, which is not usual for me. At those very moments, certain DUers who also loved Andy sent me laughs that cheered me. Maybe reflections of Andy's spirit of laughter.

I think what Andy would want the most is just to be remembered, which he is. The rest is extra!

Because I never forget Andy, I am proud of my sig. and pleased to 'wear' it every day for our American Patriot!

[greatauntoftriplets]

22. You have a great sig line and I always enjoy seeing it...

I will never forget Andy. If that is his legacy, so be it. I think of him every day.

[helderheid]

57. I just checked this URL

http://andystephenson.org/

It is obviously owned by someone - would love for us to snatch that URL and set up some kind of fund that would go towards clean elections - then his name would be on the project (even though we all know he'll never be forgotten).

[EFerrari]

63. Andy owned a url -- maybe .com? mogster knows.

He'd love that.

[OzarkDem]

23. May I make a suggestion?

I didn't know Andy well, but became very familiar with his situation when he was diagnosed and had to fight so hard to get treatment because he didn't have health insurance.

His situation was a classic example of how critically ill uninsured people can lose so much precious time and face so many barriers to getting the care they need.

Though I didn't know him personally, I have a feeling he would like everyone to fight for universal access to health care. Its sad to think, in spite of all he went through and in spite of all we learned from his experience, the year that passed has seen another million or so people become uninsured.

The GOP has only made the situation worse, enacting budget cuts that will throw millions more out of Medicaid this year. Our own Democratic leaders have said almost nothing about the issue, talking only about prescription drugs or covering children.

We need a real solution and it would probably please Andy to know we were all committing ourselves to pushing this issue to the top of everyones agenda this year and that no one else would have to go through what he experienced.

What do you think?

[LWolf]

28. I think that working for universal health care,

or for voting with a paper trail, are both issues that we can remember Andy through, and are vital to the future of our nation.

To be honest, I'd be doing those things anyway. That's how I got to "know" Andy. We shared many of the same values, concerns, and focus.

I would like to plant something somewhere in Andy's name. Perhaps a peace rose in a public rose garden, with a little plaque. Perhaps some blackberries in a public garden, or a white pine, the Iroquois League "Tree of Peace." Or perhaps a bench in a public park/garden with his name on it.

Are there public gardens in Seattle this could be done at?

[LWolf]

29. A plaque, plant, bench, tree, or? in a public garden in Seattle.

It occurred to me while I was writing post #28, and I wanted to respond to all.

Any DUers in Seattle know a public garden or park that would place something like that?

[truedelphi]

36. Universal Health Care

ALthough I was close to Andy, I have hardly missed
him since October. A close relative became sick
then. My life has been atreadmill of anxiety and
bureacracy - until just a few weeks ago so much
of every day was spent dealing with the
insurance people, the medical system, the ineptitude
of some doctors, that I had no other life.

I hope with all the little bit of energy still left
to see
that Universal Health and a decent Medical System
exist right along with the election reform.

The love and attention I see given here to Andy are
helping me remember who I was before this nightmare hit.
I can shut my eyes and open my ears and hear his voice.
The shock I felt last July 7th is subsiding. There is
much gratitude that I got to know him a little. (Don't
know if you could get to "know him a little - he was
an all or nothing kind of proposition.)

[hootinholler]

51. Well, if you're working in Andy's name then get it right...

Paper Ballots, not paper trails!

-Hoot

[LWolf]

56. Both!

A paper ballot should leave a paper trail, the point being to verify vote counts when necessary. Actual hand, not machine, counts.

I don't work in Andy's name, though. I just remember him, because he was my good cyber-friend. I work in my own name, because it is an issue that all people SHOULD be working on.

[bluestateguy]

52. I'm still waiting for all of those lawsuits promised by the smoke-blowers

nt

[Janice325]

24. Thanks for the photo and this thread.

I didn't know Andy, but wish I had.
Andy and Ballot are so darn cute in that photo.
Thanks to all of you who will not let this amazing man be forgotten.
Kudos for troubleinwinter for that great sig line.
K&R

[SeattleGirl]

26. i'm not sure, greataunt, but some posters have some good ideas

Especially about continuing to fight for Andy's passion for voting rights, and voter verified paper ballots. And as someone pointed out, more people ARE area of this now than they were a year ago.

I also like the idea of fighting for access to affordable health care for all. To this day, I am still in awe of how quickly the money for Andy's surgery was raised at a grass-roots level, but appalled that it had to be done because he didn't have insurance. Every single person in this country should have access to affordable healthcare. Everyone. Andy's situation is a good example of why it is needed.

[yewberry]

30. Kind of a hard question.

I guess that'd be a decision that someone who knew him should make. I'm glad that you're getting people talking about it. :yourock:

I did post an idea about this a little while back in the WA forum:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=184x8571

Probably too much lead time, though.

[Hissyspit]

34. Justice would be nice.

I will settle for no stolen elections in November.

[rumpel]

31. ERD Friday will be for Andy

Since I start the ERD on Fridays, I will create a special one in memoriam.

Any special comments or message for the OP please PM me during the week.

rumpel

[Bozita]

32. If Lou Dobbs has a follow-up to his weeklong series on election fraud, ...

... I hope he runs it on Friday.

[midnight]

33. Wow , Andy looks just like his baby photo.

I wish I had been more aware of his work, but since I started posting around the time of his passing I can only get an Idea about the work he did from what I have pieced together, I believe Andy kept the light on this last stolen election, and now Robert Jr. Kennedy is taken it to the next level-Court.

[Catherine Vincent]

35. Continue to fight for....

VOTER VERIFIED PAPER BALLOTS!

for Andy O8)

[flyarm]

37. when dU'ers would call Andy his phone would sing out...

Ethel Merman....

and this is the song that would tell him you were calling...


Everything's Coming Up Roses Lyrics

I had a dream, a dream about you, baby.
It's gonna come true, baby.
They think that we're through, but baby,


( this next part would ring his phone..)

You'll be swell! You'll be great!
Gonna have the whole world on the plate!
Starting here, starting now,
honey, everything's coming up roses!

Clear the decks! Clear the tracks!
You've got nothing to do but relax.
Blow a kiss. Take a bow.
Honey, everything's coming up roses!

Now's your inning. Stand the world on it's ear!
Set it spinning! That'll be just the beginning!
Curtain up! Light the lights!
You got nothing to hit but the heights!
You'll be swell. You'll be great.
I can tell. Just you wait.
That lucky star I talk about is due!
Honey, everything's coming up roses for me and for you!

You can do it, all you need is a hand.
We can do it, Mama is gonna see to it!
Curtain up! Light the lights!
We got nothing to hit but the heights!
I can tell, wait and see.
There's the bell! Follow me!
And nothing's gonna stop us 'til we're through!
Honey, everything's coming up roses and daffodils!
Everything's coming up sunshine and Santa Claus!
Everything's gonna be bright lights and lollipops!
Everything's coming up roses for me and for you!

to hear this song click here:http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=6767611&style=music&cart=359364938&BAB=E

#11 Everything's Coming Up Roses...


I MISS YOU MY FRIEND..there are tears in my eyes ...and a HOLE IN MY HEART...

those "ROSES" ring in my ears..and they will forever...

FLY

[VelmaD]

69. Oh god...

:cry: I miss hearing him sing to me. If I could have anything in the world it would be to hear him sing "You Are My Sunshine" to me one more time.

[lala_rawraw]

38. Get a bill into Congress called Andy's law

Which prohibits the privatization of election software, procedures, and anything that is relevant to the publics interest.

[liberaldemocrat7]

43. We need vote by mail with paper ballots counted by civil servants

Civil servants must register voters and keep track of voter registration.

http://groups.myspace.com/votebymailwithpaperballots

[katinmn]

46. That's what I was thinking. Get a senator to sponsor HR 550!

550, "the Holt Bill," was the one Andy supported. It has 185 House co-sponsors but there isn't a senator brave enough or honest enough to offer a companion bill. And they have been lobbied - hard.

When passed, it should be called "Andy's Law."

Voter-verified paper ballots and universal health care for all!
-- Andy Stephenson

[helderheid]

58. YES YES YES YES YES!!!!!

This is it!

[symbolman]

39. I feel like the memorial flash I created in his honor

might be appropriate - he liked my work so much that he kept "VoteRevolution" on his page for a Long time..

I don't think anything I put in the flash is any less true than it was when he was taken from us.

http://web.takebackthemedia.com/geeklog/public_html/staticpages/index.php?page=20050710095608538

Also made this graphic during that period, never forget, feel free to use if you'd like.



We miss him, but he's still here, in his own way, he's everywhere.

[EFerrari]

61. I loved that flash the first time I saw it and I love it every time

I see it. Thank you so much, symbolman.

[Nothing Without Hope]

74. I didn't see your post here when I posted downthread on your wonderful

memorial video. I've IMed you about considering reposting on it at DU. It has a positive message we need to hear, I feel.

[brentspeak]

40. How about getting the names of the losers at Scamdy?

Plus all their associates. Let the public just who those slime were.

[Jeanette in FL]

42. I will honor Andy by sending this report

to both my Senators and Representative and ask them what they plan on doing to insure that our votes are secure and counted.

Andy would have gone through the 160 pages of this report and would have been explaining it to all of us in layman's terms.

http://www.brennancenter.org/presscenter/releases_2006/pressrelease_2006_0627.html

For Immediate Release
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Contact Information:
Scott Schell, Brennan Center for Justice, 917-226-0237
Kafayat Alli-Balogun, Brennan Center for Justice, 212-998-6735

BRENNAN CENTER TASK FORCE SAYS SOFTWARE ATTACKS
POSE REAL DANGER TO ALL ELECTRONIC VOTING MACHINES

Threat of Hacking Can Be Reduced by Simple Countermeasures --
Random Audits of Paper Records; Ban on Wireless Systems
Top Scientists from Government and Private Sector Unanimous in Assessment
________________________________________
WASHINGTON, DC - The Brennan Center Task Force on Voting System Security, an initiative of the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law, today released a report and policy proposals concluding that all three of the nation’s most commonly purchased electronic voting systems are vulnerable to software attacks that could threaten the integrity of a state or national election.

“As electronic voting machines become the norm on Election Day, voters are more and more concerned that these machines are susceptible to fraud,” said Michael Waldman, the Brennan Center’s Executive Director. “In fact, we’ve learned a lot from our study. These machines are vulnerable to attack. That’s the bad news. The good news is that we know how to reduce the risks and the solutions are within reach.”

“I hope that election officials and lawmakers around the country read this report and take a hard look at adopting these policies in time for the 2006 elections,” said Howard A. Schmidt, former White House Cyber Security Advisor and former Chief Security Officer of Microsoft and eBay.
The government and private sector scientists, voting machine experts, and security professionals on the Task Force worked together for more than a year. The members of the non-partisan panel were drawn from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (“NIST”), the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories, leading research universities, and include many of the nation’s foremost security experts.

The Task Force surveyed hundreds of election officials around the country; categorized over 120 security threats; and evaluated countermeasures for repelling attacks. The study examined each of the three most commonly purchased electronic voting systems: electronic machines (“DREs”) with – and without – a voter verified paper trail, and precinct-counted optical scan systems (“PCOS”). The report, The Machinery of Democracy: Protecting Elections in an Electronic World, is the first-ever systematic analysis of security vulnerabilities in each of these systems. The report’s findings include:
• All of the most commonly purchased electronic voting systems have significant security and reliability vulnerabilities. All three systems are equally vulnerable to an attack involving the insertion of corrupt software or other software attack programs designed to take over a voting machine.
• Automatic audits, done randomly and transparently, are necessary if paper records are to enhance security. The report called into question basic assumptions of many election officials by finding that the systems in 14 states using voter-verified paper records but doing so without requiring automatic audits are of “questionable security value.”
• Wireless components on voting machines are particularly vulnerable to attack. The report finds that machines with wireless components could be attacked by “virtually any member of the public with some knowledge of software and a simple device with wireless capabilities, such as a PDA.”
• The vast majority of states have not implemented election procedures or countermeasures to detect a software attack even though the most troubling vulnerabilities of each system can be substantially remedied.
Among the countermeasures advocated by the Task Force are routine audits comparing voter verified paper trails to the electronic record; and bans on wireless components in voting machines. Currently only New York and Minnesota ban wireless components on all machines; California bans wireless components only on DRE machines. The Task Force also advocated the use of “parallel testing”: random, Election Day testing of machines under real world conditions. Parallel testing holds its greatest value for detecting software attacks in jurisdictions with paperless electronic machines, since, with those systems, meaningful audits are not an option.
The Task Force’s report was made public today in the Rayburn House Office Building. Congressmen Rush Holt (D-NJ) and Tom Cole (R-OK) praised the report’s findings and called for enactment of H.R. 550, the Voter Confidence and Increased Accessibility Act, the most comprehensive bill before Congress addressing electronic voting security.
Said Lawrence Norden, Chair of the Brennan Center Task Force on Voting System Security: “The Brennan Center is committed to all our policy recommendations shared today with the public and Members of Congress, and we have not taken a position yet on any pending legislation. We’ll be working closely with Mr. Holt, Mr. Cole, and other lawmakers dedicated to protecting our elections.”
“I see this as an historic report because it’s the first time we’ve systematically examined security concerns presented by all of the electronic voting systems in use,” said Professor Ronald Rivest of MIT. “The report will be invaluable for any election official grappling with electronic security and, hopefully, will pave the way for widespread adoption of better safeguards.”

Related Documents
• About the Task Force (June 27, 2006)
• The Machinery of Democracy- Executive Summary (June 27, 2006)
• The Machinery of Democracy- Full Report (June 27, 2006)


Multi-Media
• CNN (USA) VIDEO- E-Voting Security Risks (June 27, 2006)

Press
• Washington Post (USA)- A Single Person Could Swing an Election (June 28, 2006)
• The Beacon Journal (OH)- Report Cites Flaws in Electronic Voting (June 28, 2006)
• The Globe and Mail (Canada)- Many e-Voting Systems Flawed: Report (June 28, 2006)
• WWMT (MI)- E-voting Gets Thumbs Down from Report (June 28, 2006)
• Free Internet Press (USA)- Cybersecurity Experts Say Voting Machines Have Security Flaws (June 28, 2006)
• Reuters (USA)- Study Shows US Electronic Voting Machines Vulnerable (June 27, 2006)
• USA Today (USA)- Analysis Finds e-Voting Machines Vulnerable (June 27, 2006)
• Fox News (USA)- Report: Many E-Voting Systems Flawed (June 27, 2006)
• Boston Herald (MA)- Report: Many e-voting Systems Flawed (June 27, 2006)
• Guardian Unlimited (UK)- Report: Many E-Voting Systems Flawed (June 27, 2006)
• Business Week (USA)- Report: Many E-Voting Systems Flawed (June 27, 2006)
• Fox News (USA- Study: E-Voting Systems All Flawed, but Also Easy to Fix (June 27, 2006)
• ABC News (NY)- Report: Many E-Voting Systems Flawed (June 27, 2006)
• Computer World (USA)- Studies question e-voting security (June 27, 2006)
• Canton Rep (OH)- Report Rips Security of Electronic Voting System (June 27, 2006)
• Newsfactor Magazine (USA)- Report: E-Voting Machines Are Vulnerable (June 27, 2006)
• Playsful Magazine (Romania)- Study Says E-voting Machines Pose Problems (June 27, 2006)
• The Washington Times (DC)-Study Says e-Voting Machines Pose Problems (June 27, 2006)
• Pierceland Herald (Canada)- Report: Many e-Voting Systems Flawed (June 27, 2006)
• Short News (Germany)- Electronic Voting Flawed, Report Finds (June 27, 2006)
• ZD Net (USA)- E-voting Gear at Risk of Hacking, Study Says (June 27, 2006)
• Monsters & Critics (USA)- Study Says e-Voting Machines Pose Problems (June 27, 2006)
• The Post Chronicle (USA)- Study Says E-Voting Machines Pose Problems (June 27, 2006)

[New Earth]

44. :(

i never knew anyone who can make me cry everytime i hear about him or see his name, especially someone i didn't even know that long :(

i didn't know him as well as some people, but i did hang out with him in D.C. a few times and always remember how good i felt when he recognized me right away when i told him i was Faye on DU. he was outside DF's (whatever it's called!) on the phone waiting for everyone to show up when i walked up to him.also got to hang out again for the inauguration protest.

the main time we talked the most though was after the whole "Gannon Wrinkles" stuff started, and after he got sick, one time he told me if there was one thing he wanted to leave behind if he ever died, it was the "paper BALLOT" issue. i still feel a little guilty to this day because we didn't talk for a while when he was sick and i didn't have the money at the time to contribute to his medical stuff :(

i actually hadn't even been following DU for a while last summer at all. one day i went into work and felt sad ALL DAY, and could not understand why. it was a combination of feeling angry and sad at the same time, and i just wanted to cry so bad , it was like some kind of emptiness i felt but couldn't put my finger on it. i was like that all day and night. the next day, i went on DU to see what was going on and saw that Andy had died, that same day that i felt so sad without knowing why. i could not believe it.

i have family members who have died that i am over and don't cry when i think about them. but for some reason, whenever i see his name, or someone link to an old post of his, or when i see his picture, i always end up crying.

one happy thing i won't forget, he told me once that all my 'IT'S NOT VOTER FRAUD, IT'S ELECTION FRAUD" rants really got to him, he used to say 'vote fraud' all the time but because of my always correcting everyone, he tried to make sure he said election fraud from then on. :rofl:

[Stephanie]

47. I propose we send cards to Ted, and donations to RFK Jr.

One of us can be the clearinghouse for the cards so we don't have to give out his address.

[demodonkey]

48. How about donations to VoteTrustUSA and its affiliated state groups?

Andy was one of the original founders of VoteTrustUSA, and it meant a great deal to him. A donation there would both carry on the work he started and provide much-needed support for Election Integrity in general.

http://www.votetrustusa.org/

VTUSA and other election integrity groups are operating on a total shoestring compared to many of the other, longer-established "good government" organizations. Every penny donated to this cause is a direct contribution to Andy's legacy.

A lot our state groups (my own included) are just hanging on, and yet we continue to fight like crazy within our states for voter-verified paper ballot laws and other reforms. But sadly, I fear that if some way is not found to fund our groups more fully, many of our best activists are going to have to drop out and persue other work -- and many of our best and most effective groups may fall by the wayside.

So definitely send Ted a card, and PLEASE consider making that donation to Andy's own organization -- VoteTrustUSA -- and/or one of its state groups.

[Zan_of_Texas]

62. Marybeth -- you said it!

There are lots of ways to remember Andy, and continue his work.

Our organizations and activist individuals are funded with nickels and dimes if all -- they can't afford health care, or health insurance. Maybe they need a slide projector to spread the word, or to buy copies of DVDs to hand to elected (should I say "elected") officials. For some groups, a $50 contribution is cause for celebration. Some of the activists you may admire have to spend time juggling bills and trying to fend off phone calls from collectors, rather than spending time trying to save this frigging democracy.

So, figure out who you trust, and if you have income, and if you believe in what Andy was doing, put some green where your values are. To a group. To an individual.

For myself, I won't give a dime to a candidate anymore (unless they're running on MY platform of election reform, like David Van Os in Texas or Bonifaz in MA). Use that money to get real elections.

[EFerrari]

64. I'm with you, Zan. Any who calls here in some form

for a donation is told in simple terms why the dollars are going to election reform /ers.

[coffeenap]

50. Thank you for posting this, gaot. I love lala's idea. If we can't get

that to happen, how about getting a statement into the Congressional Record with his name and in his honor? As has been said, he was so afraid of not being remembered, and although DS, I, and all of you will never forget him, an archived record might be a fitting memorial. Does anyone agree?

In the Jewish tradition, a candle is burned all day on the anniversary of a loved one's death. I bought mine for him when I bought the one for my dad.

[EFerrari]

53. Great idea! Jim's the congressman, I will write to him -- but

isn't Congress out right now? In any case, I'll ask him to read it the next time they're in.

/oops

[coffeenap]

59. Wow! Thanks for knowing what to do-and doing it.

:hug:

[EFerrari]

60. LOL! Actually, I don't have a clue. But when I was calling

the world last year, I did talk to a super nice lady in Jim's office a couple of times. She was careful until she checked out the whole story but then, she was terrific. I kept her name in a folder so I could thank her when I got my mind back.

Hope you're all enjoying the holiday. :hi:

[greatauntoftriplets]

66. That's a great idea....

and there are many great ideas in this thread. Thanks, all, for paying tribute to as fine an American as ever lived.

[helderheid]

55. I say we all donate to one of his projects, Velvet Revolution on Friday in

his honor.

I miss you Andy!

[troubleinwinter]

76. I am going to take to heart the post by Zan_of_Texas

Post #62

"There are lots of ways to remember Andy, and continue his work.

Our organizations and activist individuals are funded with nickels and dimes if all -- they can't afford health care, or health insurance. Maybe they need a slide projector to spread the word, or to buy copies of DVDs to hand to elected (should I say "elected") officials. For some groups, a $50 contribution is cause for celebration. Some of the activists you may admire have to spend time juggling bills and trying to fend off phone calls from collectors, rather than spending time trying to save this frigging democracy.

So, figure out who you trust, and if you have income, and if you believe in what Andy was doing, put some green where your values are. To a group. To an individual."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=1554108&mesg_id=1556868

I am going to send several checks to individual organizations in Andy's name, but I personally cannot stomach my donations going to Velvet Revolution while they are "In Proud Affiliation with" BBV.

[Zan_of_Texas]

86. Good, troubleinwinter.

I know that Andy had a difficult financial time of it during his last months, even aside from medical stuff.

If you stop and think about the way our system is rigged financially right now, you'll know this is not the problem of one individual.

Liars and cheats and colluders are being paid very well to prop up the administration. Armstrong Williams, a nobody pundit, was paid a quarter of a million dollars in our tax money to say nice things about "No Child Left Behind" for the Bush admin.

The admin offered Turkey $12 billion just to use its airspace and maybe some ground, to attack Iraq from the north at the outset of the invasion. (Turkey declined.)

Regular people who tell the truth are getting fired, demoted, or shuffled into a dead-end job. (Yeah, or worse.)

So, rethink the chorus that's beaten into our heads daily, "financial survival of the fittest." A substantial pipeline of financial rewards is now siphoned off to the people doing the most to destroy this country. And, activists working really hard, who put other people and our democracy first, struggle to pay basic bills.

Every time money comes in, when you send it back out you get to redirect it in accordance with your value system.

Acting together, like drops of water, we can create a tsunami.

[EFerrari]

65. Kick

[Sapphocrat]

67. It's not much, but I do, every day.

Scroll down "below the fold" and read the fine print:

http://www.amuseyourself.com/index.html

foreigncorrespondent and I were (are still) both affected deeply by the loss of three men we never met, but grew to love... and all of whom were lost within the course of just six months: nostamj, Andy, and scottie72. (We both felt especially close to Scott, thus the "most of all.")

As for Andy alone, it just seemed right to devote this design to him:

http://www.cafepress.com/lavenderliberal/714077

I think the mention needs no explanation; I figure that anyone with so great an interest in voting reform as to wear a T-shirt railing against it would know who Andy was. And if they don't, they'll Google.

Like I said, it's not much in the course of things, but sometimes the best thing you can do is just to keep his name -- all their names -- out there in whatever way you can, and make people curious enough to learn more.

As for me, I miss butting heads with God_bush_and_cheney. Andy, you really used to piss me off -- and I thank you for that. :toast:

[greatauntoftriplets]

70. I just ordered a shirt, thanks for that.

:)

Andy liked butting heads with people. He always described my tendency to niceness as being "reasonable and diplomatic".

[VelmaD]

68. Oh honey...I know what you mean...

I miss him every day. Still. :cry: :hug:

[greatauntoftriplets]

71. Me, too.

Happily, Friday is a half day at work and I get to leave at 12:30. It will be a difficult day to cope with the corporate bullshit.

[VelmaD]

72. My 7 year old nephew is coming to visit that day...

and is staying for a week. I figure I can't mope too much with him here. :)

[Nothing Without Hope]

73. Symbolman's wonderful ***VIDEO*** memorial, one night after Andy's death:

http://web.takebackthemedia.com/geeklog/public_html/staticpages/index.php?page=20050710095608538

We should all see it again and pass it on. Here are three stills from it:







There is much, much more, and the guitar accompaniment enhances it. Spoken words would not be so strong. I'd like for Symbolman to repost this video again and will IM him about it. You might want to also. It grieves, yes, but it also reminds us that Andy's great heart and work are still among us, still fighting for justice. He made a huge impact, and it will not end.

Andy is still at the top of my DU buddy list. I hope the DU admins never remove him.

[bobbieinok]

75. it's eery that 7-7-05 was also date of the 'London bombings'

(July 7 is also my brother's birthday, so I'll always remember the date of Andy's death and the London bombings.

[EFerrari]

77. kick for Andy who gave us so much AND for Termite

who made the space so that could happen.

:kick:

[troubleinwinter]

78. For Termite and little Ballot!

[tigersumtin]

83. Little Ballot

has had some major surgery, All you folks up there in Seattle Area get in touch with Termite, he's been working hard, and might need a little help caring for little Ballot. Thanks TT.

[troubleinwinter]

85. Gimme a PM, K?

[EFerrari]

79. Kick

[flyarm]

80. may i make a suggestion..donations for others to get to John's Hopkins

with pancreatic cancer..or one of the top hospitals in the country doing Pancreatic cancer research...

Andy wanted to go to John's Hopkins because it was the only hospital with agressive treatment of pancreatic cancer..

without DU'ers he would have never had a chance..we know his kind of cancer could not be beat..but there are others that can beat it with the proceedures at John's Hopkins..

all Andy said over and over to myself and Ms Waverly is he wanted a chance..

because of Du AND THE WONDERFUL PEOPLE HERE ..he got that chance...

we can help others get that chance ..in Andy's name...

here is info..

when i was caring for Andy post surgery the message board for pancreatic cancer and the people who deal with this disease daily ( the family members) were so helpful in how and what Andy could eat..and explaining what he was dealing with internally..it was priceless help..

here is info..


http://pathology2.jhu.edu/pancreas/fundraising.cfm

Raising Money and Awareness for Pancreas Cancer
Grass Roots Fundraising Benefits Pancreas Cancer Research at Johns Hopkins


Support research at Johns Hopkins

http://pathology2.jhu.edu/pancreas/giving.cfm

Several initiatives have been started by grateful patients or users of this Website to raise money for pancreas cancer research at Johns Hopkins. Foundations are listed below along with their most recent fundraising events. The table will be updated as new events are planned.


just an idea..

fly

[Truthiness Inspector]

81. Great idea

I didn't know Andy but I read about what happened to him. I have no place to suggest ideas, but I will say your post is fantastic.

[tigersumtin]

82. Fly

you are the one that is always thinking, wonderful idea. TT

[troubleinwinter]

84. I remember

what a help they were to you to know how to care for Andy. Thank you fly, and in the words of DUers, "Done!".