I think the GOP is getting nervous... lots of defeatists on DU tonight

[WildEyedLiberal]

The GOP must be getting scared. They know that Alito is extreme, and that America is starting to understand just how extreme he is. Al Gore knocked it out of the park with his speech highlighting the illegal, impeachable actions of the Bush administration, and was backed up by a solid corps of Democrats through talk shows and press releases. Kerry knocked it out of the park on Sunday on ABC's This Week, pointing out the Bush administration's utter ineptitude and callousness. They know people are losing faith in this administration and are beginning to connect the dots and understand how all the incompetance and lying ties together. John Kerry is the first confirmed "yes" to a filibuster, and is circulating a petition to be entered into the Congressional record to show just how many Americans oppose Sam Alito (sign it now: http://www.johnkerry.com/action/alito/ ) If enough Americans sign, the GOP's argument that "the people" want an "up or down vote" will be demolished. This has been a week of very encouraging news.

And yet, tonight on DU, I see a lot of defeatism. I see lots of inexplicable bashing of John Kerry, despite the fact that he remains the only Senator willing to publicly commit to a filibuster - which is what I thought we all wanted? If you are concerned about a filibuster not happening, you need not direct your ire at the one man who WOULD make it happen - instead, why don't you be productive, and call and fax the senators on the fence: Lieberman, Lincoln, Landreiu, Feinstein, and other "maybes" who might vote for cloture. While you're at it, contact Jeffords, Chaffee, Snowe, and Collins, and urge them to honor their constituents and vote no to cloture.

It is always interesting to me that the level of Democrat bashing and defeatism seems to increase with every piece of good news for the Democrats. The trolls are getting desperate, folks. Hand-wringing has no place in the hardball world of politics. We've got the upper hand right now, so let's make sure we support those who are willing to fight for us, and help do our part to win this battle.

[Cha]

1. No defeatism here..I don't care

how long it takes we're going to win. I hear Kerry did very well on This Week..I'm proud of most of the Dems..it's the dinos who can go fuck themselves.

[electropop]

2. I signed (and personalized) Kerry's petition, and I wrote my Senators.

Though they are Pukes, I encouraged them to avoid the Nookuler Option, in their own self-interest:

"Dear Senator _____,

I am writing to warn you of a serious threat to the independence and power of the United States Senate. There is an effort going on now to strip the Senate and the House of their power to check and balance the powers of the Executive and the Judiciary branches of the Government. The name of this effort is "The Unitary Executive." Amazingly, there is a nominee for the United States Supreme Court who has publicly espoused support for The Unitary Executive concept. If confirmed, he will act as a White House servant, supporting numerous unconstitutional acts by the White House, exemplified by the NSA Wiretapping scandal of recent weeks.

If you feel you must favor loyalty to party over loyalty to the Constitution, or even loyalty to the traditions of the Senate, I urge you to consider one more important point. At some time in the next few years, you will most likely find yourself in the minority party in Washington. If you have thrown away the revered tradition of the Filibuster, you will find yourself with no effective power at all. For your own political future, avoid the Nuclear Option - you know that a nuclear war can not be contained and harms the aggressor as much as the victim.

Thank you."

[WildEyedLiberal]

5. Thank you!

A good way to approach Repubs about Alito would be the "big government" angle. I thought the GOP was the party of "small government" and in favor of personal liberty over government intrusion? What a crock. You might remind your Senators that, since they are conservative and therefore oppose "big government," they should in good conservative conscience oppose Alito.

[patrice]

14. That's what I wrote to Senators Brownback and Roberts.

[meow2u3]

38. Here's what I wrote

Judge Alito is a too dangerous to be a Supreme Court justice. His being an advocate of the so-called "unitary executive" theory is reason enough.
Translated into plain English, "unitary executive" simply means "a judge should give a license for a president of his own party to act as a petty tyrant, exercising what amounts to totalitarianism.
Do you really want to confirm a judge who is nothing but an enabler for a wannabe tyrant?

[WildEyedLiberal]

3. Lets pray none of them sell us out on Alito.

We need to call call call their offices and urge them to vote no and support a no vote on cloture. I know constituent voices matter more, and my Senators are firmly in the no camp, but we need to vote strict party line on this one. I will officially and forever wash my hands of any Democrat who votes yes for Alito, and if a Dem casts the decisive vote to end cloture, he or she can expect wrath. But it's not over, and let's hope Reid can corral the Dems enough to sustain a filibuster.

[Mike Nelson]

4. they were great... but

more "big" names need to come out against Alito/Bush with force -- Clinton and Carter could get good media with a joint appeal. women like Oprah Winfrey, Nancy Reagan and Barbara Walters should risk some of their pop appeal to speak up

[WildEyedLiberal]

6. Dude, if Oprah came out against Alito,

Every Senator in the country would get a call to his/her office from every woman in this country. I wish we could leverage the Power of Oprah... nuclear option, schmuclear option.

I agree about more big names. Why on earth aren't the Clintons speaking out? If Hillary is truly grooming herself for a presidential bid, she surely has to realize the gravity of the Alito vote. Yet she is curiously silent (as far as I know).

[Mike Nelson]

8. I think Hiliary wouldn't sway too many, BUT

I totally agree about Oprah. Imagine her appeal to stop Alito. It would be done. She would lose some pop appeal, but the cause would be right. Also, Nancy Reagan.. imagine her saying this man must not replace the Reagan's respected Sandra Day O'Conner. These are not stupid women... they know what's up... I don't get it

[tlsmith1963]

7. It's Tough Sometimes...

...to be optimistic because there have been times when we got our hopes up, only to see them dashed. I try to be optimistic, but it can be hard. Bush & the others are formidable opponents, unfortunately. So don't be so tough on the defeatists. It can be really scary these days.

Tammy

[depakid]

9. If what you're observing is correct

(and I don't really see it)-

Then it would be a VERY rational response based on the history of just about every major vote in the last 5 years.

Love to be proved wrong- but it has to happen 1st.

[WildEyedLiberal]

18. Well, this is the first nominee for whom the "F" word has been mentioned

There was never any official talk of filibustering Roberts, because there was really no way to prove he was "too extreme." Hell, he had no record.

But Alito is a different story, and we have one confirmed "no" vote for cloture, which is a big step. The crucial juncture now lies in getting the DINOs on board to support a filibuster, and to pressure the Senate leadership (Reid and Durbin) to follow through.

[patrice]

10. You know what? It's not about Politics anymore.

I don't give a fuck who's running this Country as long as . . . .

The financial future of America does not depend on jobs acquired from IMMORAL Un-Ending War.
Public Education actually succeeds in educating ALL of the social economic classes.
Old People aren't crying on the phone to Medicare robots for their medications.
Air, Soil and Water are protected from Ir-responsible, self-centered, greedy, hate-filled Polluters.
The Constitution and the Bill of Rights continue to mean something about someone called America.
Workers have the right to say what their lives are worth.
Justice is Real.

None of this cliquey in-fighting matters one bit and anyone to whom it DOES matter isn't going to do US any good anyway, so forget them. Don't give them power over you and what really matters. Marginalize them by perceiving them as 0.

[jsamuel]

11. Who F*$%ing cares anymore! It's F#&@ing OVER!

:rofl:

[MoonRiver]

12. John Kerry may be the center of your universe, but not mine.

I feel very heartened that a filibuster may be in the works. It's wonderful that Dems, including Gore, Leahy, Durbin, Kerry and others are speaking out forcibly against this horrible rw nominee. But it's not ALL ABOUT KERRY.
Sheesh :eyes:

[Vektor]

22. Produce another Senator who has publicly announced an intent

to filibuster, and we'll make it about him or her too. The more the merrier!

The OP made it pretty clear that the main concern here was jumping on board to defeat Alito. I never once saw her state that it was "all about Kerry." That was your inference. In fact, your predictable, knee-jerk reaction to the name "Kerry" is the only thing that made it "about Kerry."

It's on now. Excellent work.

Interestingly, Kerry is actively doing something very beneficial to protect our civil liberties by encouraging a filibuster of a radical RW judge, yet first and foremost, you found occasion to sneak in a smear, rather than offer to get behind the effort.

Why was it more important to you to insult John Kerry, and the person who posted this thread, than it was to support the Senator in his efforts, and maybe give credit where it is long overdue? It's astounding that you were more compelled to bash Kerry right out of the starting gate, rather than offer kudos for what he is doing FOR ALL OF US.

Since when do our civil rights take a backseat to undiplomatic snark?

Careful you don't shoot yourself in the foot by allowing your vitriol to override your sense of justice.

[WildEyedLiberal]

27. I have this poster on ignore (big surprise, I can tell)

But this is exactly what I was talking about. It sure is suspicious to me that someone would choose to bash Kerry when HE IS THE ONLY SENATOR THUS FAR COMMITTED TO FILIBUSTERING ALITO.

This ISN'T about Kerry, it's about STOPPING ALITO. And if Kerry's doing his part to stop Alito, then what would be the motive for someone to bash him? I mean, if they really did oppose Alito?

:freak: Somethin's fishy, I tells ya...

[Vektor]

30. It did seem weird.

What WORSE time to say something derogatory?

Alito = Bad.

Defeating Alito = Good.

Bashing someone for supporting a filibuster that could defeat Alito = (????)

[eridani]

45. Be sure to mention this when you call your senators

Say that Kerry has stepped forward, and urge them to follow his leadership on this one.

[Vektor]

13. Thank you WEL, for CLEARLY pointing out that is is all about AMERICA.

Very nicely said.

Excellent succinct post, obviously making the point that the future of our Democracy lies in the balance, and that following Senator Kerry's lead on this benefits ALL OF US.

And how right you are - the more Kerry accomplishes, the more inflamed the trolls become. Sort of like the direct correlation between Bush's "terror alerts" and Kerry's poll numbers, pre-election. Kerry's poll numbers go up, the terror alert soon rises.

So beautifully Pavlovian and predictable!

[Swamp Rat]

15. Geaux Kerry!!!

:patriot:

[WildEyedLiberal]

16. Your artwork always manages to terrify and amuse me in equal measure

Which is a very high compliment I might add :D

[Swamp Rat]

19. Thanks!! Here's the latest, completed just a few minutes ago:

:D

[WildEyedLiberal]

21. Oh, GOD

You don't disappoint. :D

Is that A REAL PIC of his NASTY FACE? How HIDEOUS!

[Swamp Rat]

23. Yep, that's his real face.

:D

[Wordie]

17. Here's a post with all the contact info right there, all organized for you

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x218425

All the Gang of 14 are there, and it's organized so you have three choices of how to contact them. Phone numbers, FAX numbers, and a direct link to each Senator's webform contact page.

I realize people are getting tired, but Alito just can't be confirmed. It would be a disaster if he was. Please make those calls and faxes and emails.

And don't forget to check in with the Activist Corps thread that EarlG has not placed on the Home Page! People will see it first thing when coming to DU! It's here:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=106x26435

Thanks.

[WildEyedLiberal]

20. OMG, brilliant... you rock, seriously

I was too lazy to look up all the info myself.... thank you so much. Everyone please CLICK ON WORDIE'S LINK and CONTACT THESE SENATORS and tell them that it is CRUCIAL for our democracy that Alito not be confirmed.

Also everyone sign John Kerry's petition if you haven't yet: http://www.johnkerry.com/action/alito/

How amazing would it be to get one million American citizens entered into the Congressional record in opposition to Alito?

[tlsmith1963]

24. Okay, I Signed It

Trying to be optimistic here.

Tammy

[WildEyedLiberal]

29. Thank you.

Seriously, Alito is the first nominee for whom we've heard the "F" word even mentioned. This is a huge gain - Alito started out as a sure deal, and now there's talk of him being filibustered? That may not seem like much, but it's huge. The public is losing confidence in Bush, and the emergence of the wiretap/spying scandal - and Alito's support for that kind of heavy-handed action - is making a difference. Thanks for getting involved! If you have time, email the Senators in Wordie's link - I am getting ready to do that now. The more voices they hear, the better!

[Wordie]

26. And here is a great petition link...they are really FAST to fill out.

So if people have limited time, but really want to help, petitions are the way to go. It was compiled by mom cat, and again, it's all gathered together in one place, so it's easy to click through the links and sign them all!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2384990

Thanks for the compliment, btw. Your post was great. I personally am more tired out than discouraged - although sometimes it's hard to tell the difference.

[WildEyedLiberal]

31. Outrage fatigue

Every day there's a new outrage - they know that if there are 100 scandals, it'll be easier to fly under the radar than if there was just one big scandal. Abramoff, Alito, spygate, Iraq, Iran.... it IS tiresome. It's no time for sunshine patriots, that's for sure. It's up to the winter soldiers to keep on fighting for America in these dark times. Thank you so much for all you're doing. America needs people like you. :patriot:

BTW thanks for the new link!

[Wordie]

35. Frist wants to schedule the full vote of the Senate by the end of the week

so we just don't have time to let discouragement slow us down. There isn't much time left. Please send the links to everybody you know. Alito would destroy our country. We must stop him from being confirmed!

And, thank you too, WildEyedLiberal! :yourock:

[hyphenate]

42. I'm with you on the fatigue

This administration has had at the very least one scandal every day since it took office 5 years ago. But they seem to have the same kind of non-stick surface like Gotti did, and the ability to make people quiver in fear and forget all the digressions they have made. And yet one lie comes out of the mouth of a Democratic president and it's an impeachment.

Unfortunately, unless we can take back Congress in November, we are condemned to live with the shit of this group until our country keels over from what's piled high and deep by conservatives and the RRR. We need to find those Senators and Representatives who actually DO have spines, and get rid of those without them. I really don't give a fuck right now if someone is a liberal or a conservative--whoever will speak out about the injustices done in OUR name deserves a break in my book.

Frankly, some people bitch about John Kerry, but he's been a very vocal opponent to this regime. And tell me, frankly, what the fuck has Wesley Clark, for one, done since the primaries of two years ago? And while I like Dennis Kucinich, he's rarely heard from anymore, Al Sharpton and Carol Moseley Braun weren't even visible in a helpful way on MLK's Day, and except for Dean and Kerry, there has been NO VISIBLE SUPPORT from any other contender who ran in the 2004 presidential campaign. Those who have been the most outspoken amount to less than 10 for the most part. And let us not forget that our 2000 elected president, Mr. Gore, also showed a great deal of courage and fearlessness in his own way with a speech that should have been heard by many many more than it probably was.

I wish people would get the fuck off Kerry's back, and start getting their OWN senators and reps to be as bold and courageous as Kerry. Put up or shut up at this point. We can't keep whining and crying if we can't get our elected officials to show a LOT more chutzpah than they are showing right now. And I would also like to say the next one that tries to take down Kerry a notch or two: fuck you--think you can do better?

[WildEyedLiberal]

43. Wow

:applause: Perfect post.

I'm tired to death of the armchair quarterbacks. Either support your team, prove you can do better, or get off the field.

[wiggs]

36. Done...and an email to McCain as well. nt

[BlueIris]

25. Oh, they're terrified.

No coverage of Gore's speech, no coverage of Dean's recent activities, no discussion about...anything meaningful in the MSM. They're freaked.

It's so great.

[Blaukraut]

28. you can set your watch to it

That's for sure. An unconfirmed post about JK filibustering led to JK being blamed again for not leading the charge. Except, as you said, he happens to be the only one who has publicly come out in support of a filibuster so far.
I for one took your advice and got productive. I got especially productive regarding Ben Nelson - very strongly urged him to reconsider his vote for Alito. :-)

[WildEyedLiberal]

34. Excellent!

:toast:

I need to quit DUing and email those Senators via the very handy link Wordie posted in this thread. We need, at least, to tell all the Repubs to vote NO and all the Dems to vote NO on cloture.

Sigh... a patriot's work is never done!

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

32. Ahhhh, The Bitters Are Always Here. All They Know How To Do Is

be bitter and good news is always an opportunity for them to express their bitterness (even in the absence of reasoning) to a heightened degree.

Some may be trolls, sure. But a lot are simply just typical every day 'Bitters' (my name for them) that just simply don't know any other way of communicating than putting some cause, person or purpose down.

Don't let the Bitters bring ya down, just throw positive vibes back at them :)

[WildEyedLiberal]

33. I like your philosophy

And yes, that's a good name for them. They just try to drag us down with constant pessimism and defeatism. Well, pessimism never won any battles. And THIS is a battle, to be sure.

I hope the petition gets one million signatures... I feel in my heart that Alito is going to go down.

[seabeyond]

41. well, lol lol what a positive post to my tired post below.

i like. and thank you for your post. i will keep it in mind. it is all a game, just the game we chose to play. thanks

[spuddonna]

37. I was noticing that too... so I emailed every Senator today...

... including the Repubs and told them to vote "NO!" to Alito, and to stand behind the filibuster. It felt good... esp. when I sent the letters to the Republicans. (I requested replies where I could.)

I'm going to send the same letter via fax tonight and call tomorrow...

I wrote a 2 page hand written letter to Kennedy a week and a half ago BEGGING him to filibuster...

We CAN'T quit now! It's just starting to get good! :)

[WildEyedLiberal]

39. Amen

I emailed the "gang of 14" tonight - hopefully they will hear the voices of the citizens and pay us heed. At the very least, some of them had better be concerned about their seats this year!

[seabeyond]

40. level of Democrat bashing increases with every piece of good news for the

democrats.

hence me going simply mad the last couple days. if only it was just the freepers doing it. i suggest for whatever odd reason, that it is democrats themselves bashing their own, for their own democrats good work. makes absolutely no sense to me. they hoorah one day, and the next day it is forgotten and our dems do nothing, spineless, gutless. same old tired line that is so old, it is simply childish. i am thinking the closer to election i am going to have to get off, just so i dont become so tired of copying and pasting factual information to all the story telling, flat out lies, or repug talking points.

[WildEyedLiberal]

44. I know

The reason Repubs get shit done is because they know how to unify and organize. Alito is no joking matter, and the fact that some would choose to bash Dems instead of uniting to do everything they can to stop Alito just blows my mind.

[FlaGranny]

46. Hey Wild, there has always been a faction

on this board who bash everything Dems do. They believe that the whole government must collapse, so that they can come riding in on their mighty steeds to save us.