No Regrets, No Tears, No Fucking Quarter.

[Plaid Adder]

Well. That's Alito confirmed, then.

I'm not going to try to tell anyone this was a good outcome. It would have been infintely better for the Constitution, the court, the party, and millions of Americans if we had been able to keep Alito off the Supreme Court. It would have been a bitter defeat for Bush, and might have been enough to force at least some change in the media climate that continues to prop him up and beat us down.

The real question before us is not: how much does this suck? (Simple answer: it sucks A LOT.) The question is, what does it tell us about where we go from here?

Here are a few things we know after today:

1) The Senate Democrats know where there base is. There's no way they could not know. If they did not get a hundred thousand calls each about this it's only because they didn't have enough staffers, voicemail space, and fax paper to record them all. I think it is fair to say that as regards contacting the Senate Democrats to make ourselves heard, we did all that could be done.

2) 24 Democrats (plus Jeffords) either understood why Alito was a menace who had to be stopped at all costs, or were willing to be persuaded. These people are actually doing the job they were elected to do, and ought to be encouraged in that. Please take the time to write to their offices and thank them. Also thank their staffers.

3) 24 Senate Democrats cannot constitute an effective opposition party, no matter how passionate they are in their commitment to freedom and to us.

4) Those Democrats who did not support this effort simply do not understand, or do not care, what the real stakes of this battle were. They do not realize that they are on their way to becoming permanently obsolete, and that they are essentially functioning as the fig leaf that hides the ugly truth of the Bush administration's power grab. They may not get it because they are too insulated from the effects of Bush administration policies, because they are insulated from the anger of their base, because they erroneously believe that this is still 'politics as usual,' or because they have been held captive so long to the media/Republican power machine that they all have Stockholm syndrome. The reasons don't really matter too much. The point is that if this has not taught them, nothing short of the literal outlawing of the Democratic Party will get through to them. They must therefore be replaced.

5) We are on our own.

But you know what, I don't feel as bad about this as I would have a week ago.

This is our country now. The elected elites on both sides have abandoned it, so it belongs to us. It is in horrible shape, with an engine that doesn't start, a nasty smell in the glove compartment, and some serious alignment issues. Our esteemed leaders, less about 25, are not interested in fixing it; they are all driving much better stuff rented for them by the lobbyists. Well, fine. Get out of the car, cause we're gonna take it apart and put it back together.

We start at the bottom, in the races nobody cares about. School boards, comptrollers, secretaries of state. We start local. City, county, state. Forget the presidency. We've had two bullshit elections and no reason to believe 2008 will be clean. Start now, focus now, on putting People Who Get It in charge of the basic machinery of the party.

From now on, there is only one litmus test. Candidates fall into two categories: People Who Get It and Part Of The Problem. The ultimate goal is for PWGI to recover the broken machinery of government so that we can set it right. For those of you who are talking about leaving the party, I don't blame you one bit. As my partner was once told regarding her continued quest to take back the Catholic Church: some will leave, and that will be the work of the Holy Spirit; some will stay, and that will also be the work of the Holy Spirit. You think it's lonely and heartbreaking to be a Democrat who gets it right now, well, try being a GBLT Catholic. The point is: if you leave, fine, but all y'all better ORGANIZE. Start or join a party that can put some REAL pressure on the Democratic power elite. Get out, meet each other, and start something. In or outside of the party, I don't care, as long as you tap into the well of disgust and alarm that is seeping across the country as a result of this administration's theft, tyranny, and incompetence.

This administration is already on its way to becoming well-hated, not just by Democrats but by everyone. It will only get worse, because they don't have the smarts or the motivation it would take to fix anything. The longer this gang rules unchallenged, the closer this country gets to Soviet-Union-style stagnation and dry rot. Our elected leaders are famously incapable of capitalizing on the dissent that is already growing in this country. Fine. Time for new leaders. Viz., us.

Yes. It's dark. It's very, very dark outside and getting colder. All the more reason for us to make as much light as we can for each other.

There are no easy solutions; there will be no quick fix. It will get worse before it gets better. I won't say I don't care. But I will say that in terms of what I do, it will not make a damn bit of difference. I am not sorry that I devoted the time and energy I devoted to this battle, and I will not be sorry for the time, money, and energy I devote to turning this country over to People Who Get It, whatever form that winds up taking.

A week ago today, I felt like I was alone in the world. I don't now. I am not alone, you are not alone, Kennedy and Kerry and Boxer and Conyers are not alone. We are the people. Without us, nothing lasts.

My Republican brother is a stock analyst. He and his brother Wall Streeters have a saying, apparently: Trees do not grow to the sky. Nothing travels in a straight line forever. This particular Republican Koan also has an answer: But where does the sky begin? We don't, unfortunately, know where the sky begins. This particular tree is already a monster and it's still growing. But you know what, the thing still has roots. It can be brought down. We just need to find a way to do it.

I have no regrets about this past week. I wish the outcome had been different. But the task before us, once we are done with the howls of rage and despair, is to figure out how to use what we know. Painful as this voyage of discovery is likely to be, I am glad to be making the passage with you.

Thank you all,

The Plaid Adder

[Dr Fate]

1. Screw it. Sign me up. I've nothing better to do. n/t

n/t

[havocmom]

2. Thank you

Thank you very much

Call us Legion.
We are many.

[ProSense]

3. This was the vote of our time. We fought like hell and came up short, but

Bush and the Republicans are still the target. Ready, aim, vote them out of office and impeach and indict the crooks.

[Surya Gayatri]

4. Plaid, thank you for your sane, calm voice

when chaos and despair seem to be regaining ground.

We need to hear this, again and again.

How long did it take Mandela and his party to rid South Africa of Aparthied?

Did he ever give up? SG

[Generator]

5. Excellent post as usual

I didn't expect a victory here. I have zero faith in those that supposedly represent me. I've learned from the old adage, expecting a different outcome while doing the same thing over and over is insanity. But-damn it all-I have faith in all the power of the people here-the good guys-and our real leaders-those that get it. Unfortunately, the majority of all our leaders-quasi left to far right are part of the problem. So all this effort again-for nothing. I can't do that being a fool thing-it kills me-almost literally the depression is too much-so I step aside outside of it. Still I'm heart broken. Yeah, my one Dem senator voted the right way-but it's all for not. All the words all of it for nothing.

I expected this outcome and still experience the despair. It started long ago-we have been giving aid and comfort to the enemy for far too long. I don't know if anyone but those on DU-on the blogs-in the reality based community-we know democracy's been on life support for a few years now-can understand this despair. Because we keep fighting even when told we are fools.Still the people on DU are all that give me hope. Truly. On our own but not alone.

[ClayZ]

6. No matter where we go... there we are!

Thanks Plaid Adder.

We The People

[robinlynne]

I feel proud to be a part of this group.

and the young turks did a spectacular job.
And it's so much better to lose being a part of a huge group of people together fighting the good fight, than to lose by giving up.

[One_of_8]

16. Yes, never give up!

Thank you Plaid Adder for your thoughtful words. I take comfort in knowing I am not alone. DU has been there for me during some very hard times. At times, I faltered, thinking "that's it! I'm leaving this country (or this party)." But the answer lies not in quitting, but in getting up each time we are knocked down, regrouping, and fighting again. I do take heart in the suggestion that we focus from the ground up. First, get involved at the lowest level of our own local government. And move up through the ranks - goodness knows my own local city council could use an infusion of good progressive blood.

I'm tired, I'm disappointed. But I'm proud of those Senators who were willing to stand up for the people. And proud to have been one of the people demanding that my Senators vote no on cloture. And I have to remind myself that anything worthwhile is worth fighting for.

[DSperoRN]

68. The people didn't seem too excited about Alito issue

I know I sent like 50 e-mails and made a bunch of calls, but the polls never indicated that most people cared about Alito. The polls could be fixed, but I didn't sense this was important to people I met at the Y or at the store. They just didn't know.

The fascists have the guns, they have Diebold and ES&S, they have the money and the media. All we can do is keep getting the word out to more and more people. We're certainly in the majority, but we'll need about an 80% majority to overcome the rigged game we're in. We have to reach out to people, all people. And we need to learn the best ways to do that.

[mom cat]

20. Welcome to DU robinlynne. I am proud to be a member here too.

welcome aboard!

[bigwillq]

58. Welcome to DU!

[davekriss]

48. "No matter where we go... there we are!"

Reminds me of an old John Sayles film (excellent film): Brother from Another Planet.

In it, a gentle, loving alien running from interplanetary fascist police (f*ckers are everywhere!) shipwrecks on planet earth and does his best to fit in. The Brother, mute but knowing, does some marvelous work, like understanding the draw of numbing drugs (recall that great fisheye lens shot, after shooting up, on some of the coldest, uncaring tenement fronts on film). The Brother analyzes who controlled the flow of drugs (some white guy in an office high up an office building) and brings at least that one instance of death and destruction to an end. While investigating, Sayles shows us a shot of a silent, inquisitive janitor, ever watchful of the Brother's steps. He shows up again.

Sadly, the interplanetary fascist police catch up with Brother, literally reeling him in ... until ... a sea of people! people in jeans and workjackets, with hardhats on and waitress outfits, come to the rescue, finally chase the fascists into a corner until, in the end, the fascists see they cannot win and, in a flash, self-destruct.

The Brother, saved and free, is surrounded by a wall of people, including the watcher-janitor. Overwhelmed with joy, grinning from ear to ear, the mute Brother holds out his thumb and points "up there? You from home?". The calm, watcher-janitor, bear of a man, shakes his head slowly and then points firmly down to earth as if to say, No, Brother we are from here, from earth, and goodness walks all around you.

"No matter where we go...there we are!"

Prince Of Peace, Leon Russell

Try and judge me only by my time and changes
And not mistaken words, for I say many
Listen closely to my song and watch my eyes
There's not much time to spare, there's hardly any

Lovely long-haired children living in the streets
Lucky not afraid to touch each other
Not afraid to be themselves or someone else
Or chose their friends with love not by color

Chorus:
Never treat a brother like a passing stranger
Always try to keep the love light burning
Listen only to his song and watch his eyes
For he might be the Prince of Peace returning
Yes he might be the Prince of Peace returning

Love the blind and wounded as you would yourself
And the businessmen in cells collecting pennies
Judge their wealth by coins that they give away
And not the ones they keep themselves from spending

Never be impatient with the ones who love you
It might be yourself that you're burning
Listen only to their song and watch their eyes
For you might be the Prince of Peace returning

Chorus:
Never treat a brother like a passing stranger
Always try to keep the love light burning
Listen only to his song and watch his eyes
For he might be the Prince of Peace returning
Yes he might be the Prince of Peace returning

Beautiful song. Must've listened to it at full blast every New Years when the clock struck midnight for 10-15 years (until my record player broke about 6 years ago or so). Brothers and Sisters everywhere! Just keep your eyes open and spirits high!!

On edit: Sorry, thinking about the film: We all need to steel ourselves like the girl playing Asteroids near the start of the film (was it Asteroids?): Bored and filled with ennui (yet confident too), while exhibiting complete mastery of the games shares that it's like life, the sh*t just keeps coming and you just have to shoot it down when it comes, over and over again. Bleep!

[upi402]

71. No matter where I go, I flush

be kind
peace

[davekriss]

74. upi402, please use toilet paper and wash your hands

be kind
be kool
peace y'all

[datadiva]

7. Great post

Well said. Sign me up also. I am devastated by today. But I'm not going to give up. There are elections this year and I'll bet there will be a few senators who regret their vote today come November.

[Name removed]

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[Kurovski]

8. K&R. A vote for your clear and steady voice.

The more voices, the better.

[northamericancitizen]

9. So true. Not alone anymore. Recommended

[Bouncy Ball]

10. Small, local elections.

Exactly what I've been focusing on. Exactly why I haven't been here much at all. School board, city council, local shmocal. There's a whole world on this level and it's kinda fascinating. I feel like I'm doing far more good working on this level than I ever did going door to door about a presidential election.

I've been hosting house parties, making calls, scraping all the money I can put together, putting up signs, everything I possibly can.

I can't change the world. I can't change the whole country. Hell, I can't even change my ginormous state. But by God, I can make my little corner of the world better. I can support and encourage local progressive candidates and get their asses on the school board and the city council and in state representation in Austin.

And that's exactly what I've been doing. And what I'll continue to do.

[Plaid Adder]

14. Good for you, Bouncy Ball.

Who knows, maybe the revolution will start in Austin.

C ya,

The Plaid Adder

[swimboy]

37. Hi--It's great to know what you've been up to.

Thanks for all you're doing.

[Erika]

51. Good for you!

With your communication skills, you'll go far. I wondered what had happened to you.

[davekriss]

55. That needs to be the shared strategy

I can't recall his name, but his advice has stuck with me all these years. A pop-pyschologist-philosopher who used to make the rounds during public television fund raising campaigns once said don't think "how can I change the world" because you will be paralyzed into inactivity, but instead think "how can I touch this life here, change this local wrong to right, help that person over there" and then like a choir of angels a better world will emerge.

Recall also that that's how the (Religious) Right has achieved its infamy, by first winning school board seats and local alderman slots. One step at a time, brick by brick, that's how the wonders of the world are made.

[Name removed]

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[PassingFair]

11. Thank you Plaid!

All this and PMS, too!

I've havin a 'heck of a day.

[laylah]

12. Beautiful and

eloquent! I have passed in onto many. Thank you, Plaid Adder, for your many contributions to our community.

Jenn

[bettyellen]

13. thank you, well said.

[DemExpat]

15. Very fine post, PA....

Thank you.



DemEx

[peekaloo]

17. Thank you. I appreciate your "eye of the storm" rationale.

It's just real hard right now to curb the urge to kick SOMEBODY in the g-nads.

Peace.

Cuyahoga (r.e.m.)

Let's put our heads together and start a new country up
Our father's father's father tried, erased the parts he didn't like
Let's try to fill it in, bank the quarry river, swim
We knee-skinned it you and me, we knee-skinned that river red


This is where we walked, this is where we swam
Take a picture here, take a souvenir

This land is the land of ours, this river runs red over it
We knee-skinned it you and me, we knee-skinned that river red
And we gathered up our friends, bank the quarry river, swim
We knee-skinned it you and me, underneath the river bed


This is where we walked, this is where we swam
Take a picture here, take a souvenir

Cuyahoga
Cuyahoga, gone

Let's put our heads together, start a new country up,
Underneath the river bed we burned the river down
This is where they walked, swam, hunted, danced and sang,
Take a picture here, take a souvenir

Cuyahoga
Cuyahoga, gone

Rewrite the book and rule the pages, saving face, secured in faith
Bury, burn the waste behind you

This land is the land of ours, this river runs red over it
We are not your allies, we can not defend

This is where we walked, this is where we swam
Take a picture here, take a souvenir


Cuyahoga
Cuyahoga, gone

[ananda]

18. ~sob~

It just makes me so sad.

I knew the Dems were not gonna be able to sustain a filibuster,
but facing the loss and reading your post and others just makes
me cry.

Our last hope is gone. Just gone down the fucking drain... and
that vote did not represent the will of the people.

So, when will the people take over and make things right. I've
been waiting five fucking years for this to happen... and it doesn't
look as if it ever will.

Sue

[Lerkfish]

19. hear, hear! well spoken.

[Gregorian]

21. We didn't cheat.

I feel exactly as you do. And thank you for taking the time to say it so very well.

I keep thinking about how the conservatives in this country have not won anything. They cheated. How can one feel like they got a college degree, if they cheated on their tests to get it. Or win an election with the help of the company that tallies the votes? Their victory is sour.

The Democratic party left us. We don't need to find a new one. We need to find our way back, in the dark. By Braille. But we will find it.

We didn't cheat. Our loss is better than their "win".

[NJCher]

91. cheating; the tree analogy

I keep thinking about how the conservatives in this country have not won anything. They cheated. How can one feel like they got a college degree, if they cheated on their tests to get it.

Like the person who cheats to get the degree, "there's no 'there' there." That is why the government is flat-ass busted, we are no safer from terrorists, and why we have no healthcare program that average people can afford. They have no governance skills; they are only there to plunder the public treasury. That is their concept of making money: contacts and connections, not making a useful product or service or through innovation, making something better.

PlaidAdder, I'm giving you a {{{{{{{{{big hug}}}}}}}}}}} for this contribution. It makes so much sense. I really liked how you brought in the story about the tree. There's much to think about here--much over which to muse.




Cher

[SeattleGirl]

22. Thank you for your wise words, Plaid Adder

I am glad to be traveling this road, too, difficult as it is at times.

[mom cat]

23. No regrets either! We stood up to the bully. That makes us even stronger

than we were a week ago.Something jelled in all of this that will continue to bear fruit. We the people drew a line in the sand and forced oue enemies to openly dis us. We will make them pay.

[Maiden England]

24. Great post and all very true

Starting at the bottom is exactly what the Repubs have been doing for the last 30 years. Thats how come whenever you are talking local officials and those involved in elections and vote counting, they all turn out to be R. If we get our people into those positions, then we will have oversight over the election process, and ensure a fair fight.
We definately need to start running 'real' democrats against the "I can't believe its not repuke light" versions.

[AX10]

27. We need to rebuild the party from the ground, up.

That I agree with.

[Name removed]

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[sandnsea]

25. Nice words

Recommended. I like the spirit. Although I think every fight is worth fighting, from the school board to the White House.

[hunter]

26. I don' know. Seems like we're in for a wild ride.

Not all of this is going to be handled calmly, at home, starting "at the bottom." There will be fire in the treetops very soon now, I fear.

We do need to keep our wits about us.

And yeah, GBLT Catholics got practice in this sort of fight!

This monster can be brought down, it will be brought down, and we will do it.

Fear the people, George W. Bush.

[AboutTired]

28. Good stuff.

Well said, Plain. Especially the section on thanking our friends. Now is not the time to give up.

[ulysses]

29. thanks, plaidder.

[Burried News]

30. Ultimately some Dems decided it was more important to

sabotage us than stop Alito. No surprise there, but payback will be a vengeful bastard.

We'll be back.

[Erika]

53. My donations will not be to anyone against the filibuster

I believe we are as generous in our giving as we are in our passion.

[Beausoir]

31. A simple, quiet thank you.

Thank you.

I have not yet begun to fight.

[IndianaGreen]

32. Great post, great post!

I am so proud of John Kerry and Ted Kennedy for standing on principle that I have no words to describe it.

Now we know who we can count on!

[bread_and_roses]

33. There is no viable alternative to keeping up the fight

I have a child and a grandchild. I will keep doing what I do. I don't regret the fight over Alito - the hours and hours I spent - only the outcome.

My generation has failed our children miserably; all I can do is keep trying to do better for them.

[stepnw1f]

34. WE ARE THE POLITICAL PARTY!!!!!

We have just started. Be patient friends!

[Name removed]

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[strangemedicine]

35. Beautiful. Thank you, Plaid Adder. Kick n/t

[Kralizec]

36. Ideas for replacing Jeff Bingamin (NM) with one of us are welcome...

in the New Mexico Forums:

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

[swimboy]

38. Thank you. It's great to be in your company

and with this poor band. We'll do what we have to and what we can.

[Octafish]

39. No Regrets. No Tears. No Fucking Quarter.

Now we know who the Quisling turdballs in the Senate are.

We also found that Lincoln Chaffee is a pretty good guy.

That makes at least one Republican who puts the good of the country ahead of his Swiss bank account.

So now we move to the next step -- grabbing those offices you described.

I'd add, building up a new News Media for the progressives and Liberals -- the REAL DEMOCRATS!

[AmBlue]

40. I'll tell you how to take out the damn roots...

It's the f***ing machines. We need to grow the election integrity movement like it's nobody's business. Every single DUer that cares needs to pile on, and now. If we don't have transparent and accurate transfer of power from the people to our leaders, well.... We don't got nothin'.

(And with the Hack America's Vote Act now in effect, we're going to be voting on more of those damn machines than ever before.)

[davekriss]

57. That is a truly troubling problem (eom)

[AmBlue]

62. It is HUGE.

It is a silent coup.
It is the surrender of our democracy without our consent.
We cannot content ourselves with electoral business as usual, without fixing this first.
Mark my words.

[pauldp]

69. Nam Myo Ho HR550

Nam Myo Ho HR550
Nam Myo Ho HR550
Nam Myo Ho HR550
Nam Myo Ho HR550
Nam Myo Ho HR550
Nam Myo Ho HR550...


http://www.rushholt.com/petition.html

[Surya Gayatri]

84. Agree, AmBlue,

and here's what I posted on another thread about this.

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



Sure, 'election reform' is a less exciting run-for-the-money cause than a weekend blitz against Alito, but unless we do this everything else is moot. SG

[JAbuchan08]

41. No quarter, no reconciliation, no amnesty

Bushco. should be tried for treason when he leaves office.

If Dems ever regain power Washington the national mall should have a freshly sharpened guillotine installed.

[gordianot]

42. Correct, something has changed. Never yield quarter.

Those who betrayed the Democratic Party in the long run also betrayed the Republicans and any potential opposition party. It will never be the same.

[Laurab]

43. A great post, indeed

thank you. We CAN and we WILL make a difference, and the roots are rotten - more and more people are noticing. K & R.

[rg302200]

44. Great letter....

Cheered me up and made me feel like we did win in a way!

[More Than A Feeling]

45. Amen to that! Testify, my sister!

I plan to get into one of those local offices, as soon as I settle down in one place long enough to do so. I'm thinking library board (I love libraries, and school board is out, because I have no kids, and am not likely to have them for quite some time, if at all).

Are you on board with primarying the Alito 19?

P.S. Kicked, Recommended, and Bookmarked!

[Plaid Adder]

47. Sure.

Of course, you can only do that if you stay in the party. I certainly think we need to be focusing MUCH more attention on primaries than we have up to this point. We have to short-circuit whatever process it is that produces candidates who are afraid to talk about economic justice and can only market themselves as "Just LIKE Republicans--only not as bloodthirsty and corrupt!"

C ya,

The Plaid Adder

[ewagner]

46. My sentiments also...

We've already started to take it back you know....

for example:

I know there is a DUer on the ballot for City Council...unopposed for April

Two other DUers from our area are also on the ballots....

we'll take this place back one seat at a time....

[bobbieinok]

49. excellent, as always

[tavalon]

50. Beautiful

I did as much as I could. So many did as much as they could. Yeah, I would have liked a different outcome but the point for me is that I can look at myself in the mirror and say, "I did my part." Sometimes, unfortunately, that has to be enough.

[BReisen]

52. Thank you for your perspective, and...

...remember, the bigger they are, the harder they fall. That tree oughta make a mighty big crash when it comes down. I'm livin' for that day!

[stevietheman]

54. That's similar to the "bright side" message I posted earlier

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

Enjoy.

[Nothing Without Hope]

56. I agree. See also what Jane Hamsher says at firedoglake:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...
thread title (1-30-06 GD-Alito): Jame Hamsher speaks for me re this historic Dem turning point over Alito:

K & R

[Knight of Ni]

67. Cute AND smart - You've gotta love Jane...

And she's right on the money.

One thing I construed as a very positive sign occurred when I was contacting various senators about the Alito vote last week. I called my home Senators Durbin and Obama, as well as Landrieux, Ben Nelson, Feinstein and others. The common thread among all of them: No matter what time of day I called their voice-mails were constantly full; I had to either talk to a staffer or move on to the next Senator.

We're making ourselves heard above the right wing noise. Now if we can do the same with our media outlets...........

[bigwillq]

59. Thank you for this post, Plaid.

K&R!

[DallasNE]

60. In Hindsight

What should have been happening about 6 weeks ago was the organization of protest rallies -- not in Washington D.C. -- but in cities like St. Louis, Denver and Phoenix. And the target should have been Alito's position on executive power and how that ties into an unfavorable outcome in Iraq with Roe v. Wade playing a minor role.

And doesn't this also dovetail into what Sen. Obama said but at a time when it was too late to do anything about stopping the confirmation of Alito. This vote will haunt a lot of Senators on both sides of the aisle for a long time, especially when paired with the vote on Clarence Thomas.

[NJCher]

92. and...?

What should have been happening about 6 weeks ago was the organization of protest rallies -- not in Washington D.C. -- but in cities like St. Louis, Denver and Phoenix.

So what did you do to organize them?




Cher

[DallasNE]

116. It Didn't Occur To Me

In a timely manner that the "contact your Senator" effort would be so ineffective. Why it was ineffective was because it had no outside visability. The purpose of street demonstrations would have come from the visability they would have generated. In politics image is everything.

Confirmation hearings mean nothing. Just today we learned that Sen. Feingold questions Gonzales during confirmation hearing for the AG post about warrantless wiretaps and he called that a hypothetical question even though he had help author just such a policy. If that isn't perjury then they may as well take down the perjury laws.

[davekriss]

61. Keep it burnin', all

Where the law of the majority ceases to be acknowledged, there government ends; the law of the strongest takes its place, and life and property are his who can take them.
-- Thomas Jefferson

Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired, signifies in the final sense a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed.
-- Dwight D. Eisenhower

You're not to be so blind with patriotism that you can't face reality. Wrong is wrong, no matter who does it or says it.
-- Malcolm X

He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetuate it.
-- Martin Luther King Jr

And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular; but one must take it because it is right.
-- Martin Luther King Jr

If you assume that there's no hope, you guarantee that there will be no hope. If you assume that there is an instinct for freedom, there are opportunities to change things, there's a chance you may contribute to making a better world. That's your choice.
-- Noam Chomsky

You must be the change you want to see in the world.
-- Mohandas K Gandhi

Idealists are foolish enough to throw caution to the winds. They have advanced mankind and have enriched the world.
-- Emma Goldman

Now. Or never.
-- Henry David Thoreau

[Hekate]

63. Hot damn. Count me in.

Thank you, dear Plaid Adder.


And for all of us


Hekate

[DinahMoeHum]

64. No retreat, baby. . .No surrender.

Thanks, PA

[savemefromdumbya]

65. "Light those torches - we're on our way!"

this is the exciting thing about politics there is always a way:-

However, I do think communication with the electorate at a local level is sorely lacking. How many representatives Fed or State deliver a newsletter or phonecall their constituents? The motto should be 'working all year round not just at election time'

The representatives who behave as 'loose cannons' should not be allowed to be selected again. The Democratic Party should be run like a 'tight ship'

The opposition parties such as Greens, Libs, Democrats, Soialists etc should all pull together against that right wing 'junta'.

This country needs to ditch the 2 party system and ditch corruption.

[LiberalAndProud]

66. No regrets.

[CA artist]

70. This is the beginning of the Resistance.

Thanks for the great post Plaid Adder!

This is the beginning of the Resistance. I always wondered when and how it formed when I read about the resistance movement in Nazi Germany. I've wondered for years when it would happen here as I watched BushCorp systematically corrupt and destroy the values and the principles of our country by distorting and twisting the truth. With today's attempt to filibuster Alito we clearly identified the opposition, the obstructionists, and those who can't see the extreme dangers to our democracy that are present inour government today. A sorting happened today. We found out who is with us, the people of "We the People", and who is against us. We do have the internet to talk to each other, organize, and share information instantly, and, we CAN change things for the better. I know we can take back our country. We must.

[cat starbuck]

72. And don't forget...

Don't forget to make a follow-up phone call and/or email to your senator if she/he voted for the filibuster, thanking them for their patriotism, as well as courage.

We didn't win the fight, but we appreciate their standing up for us!

[Nutmegger]

73. This needs a little K...

...and a little R!

It does suck and am extremely disappointed but we worked together on this...and this is a good thing.

[wisteria]

75. Great post, I have no regrets for trying to save what remains of

the country I grew up in. I have so much respect for Senator Kerry and Senator Kennedy. They worked so damn hard for us and this country.
I have written all the cowards and expressed my outrage, I contacted Reid and thanked him for the vote however much reluctantly he gave it and expressed my displeasure that he didn't think this was important enough to fight for. Tomorrow, I will write the 24 who proved that they are true leaders even though some were reluctantly.

And I will take solace in knowing that the Kooky right who couldn't wait for this guy to be on the court, will very soon find out what a monumental mistake they have made.

[Dogmudgeon]

76. Do you want an EASY fight? A SAFE fight?

Take a strong stance against bad TV, the rampant turning of nouns into verbs, or gingivitis.

If it wasn't a tough, dirty, difficult, dangerous, potentially fatal fight, I wouldn't be in it.

Who's with me?

No surrender.

Never.

--p!

[Binka]

80. Quote From Harper Lee In To Kill A Mockingbird

I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It's when you know you're licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what.
Harper Lee (1926 - ), To Kill a Mockingbird, 1960

Thanks PA LOTS!

[carnie_sf]

77. What you're talking about

is exactly what the reactionaries started doing about he time that Reagan was elected. It's why they are so powerful today, and one of the reasons progressives are so bereft of power now is because we have focussed on national contests while the evil ones focussed on the elections no one cared about. I have been saying this same thing to anyone who would listen for 7 - 10 years. So I am with you. Whether that is as a democrat or a green I'm not sure. I must say I'm happy with my Senators right now, especially Barbara Boxer. I just hope you continue to post your thoughts, plans, and straegies here.

[Pryderi]

78. Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs even

though checkered by failure, than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat.
Theodore Roosevelt (1858 - 1919)

[anitar1]

79. Dear Plain Adder, thanks for validating my decision.

I have been thinking along these lines for the last month or so. I am turning to my local and state concerns from now on. This is really there we can make a difference. If everyone can do this , the sky is the limit.

[DarkTirade]

81. Good point.

The democrats have always been the party of the people... so let's start among the people. Show them what we're made of firsthand.

[orleans]

82. lovely and heartbreaking. the whole experience is very

bittersweet--with all that we did, how we rallied together, the passion we exuded...the loss occurred, the lesson we must learn, the future we head into, feeling so alone together in the world; exhausted.

[singe]

85. scalito

wooden ships on the water, very free and easy...

[cap]

83. desmond tutu

We are a church on the move, an instrument in the hand of God, proclaiming the Good News, nurturing new converts, we are instruments of peace and reconciliation and justice in the hands of God. We are the means of healing hurts, of building community, of feeding the hungry. We are a worshipping Spirit-filled community, who know that we can do God’s work only in God’s way with God’s means, and so we have an engaged spirituality that places first things first.

We are God’s partners, God’s agents of transfiguration, to change the ugliness of the world, its hatred, its hostilities, its jealousies, its hunger, its poverty, its injustice, its oppression, its alienation, its loneliness, its rivalry, its competitiveness, its grasping, its sickness, into their glorious counterparts; so that there will be laughter and joy, sharing and caring, justice, reconciliation and peace, and compassion.

For we have seen the Lord high and lifted up and we have heard him say ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ and we are saying ‘Here we are Lord, send us’."

[KnaveRupe]

86. Thank you Plaid Adder!

Once again, you are there not only to inspire hope, but to lay out an effective strategy when all seems lost. Thank you.

[Epiphany4z]

87. I have been saying it since the election

we have to start local. I have...I joined a democrat group in my little corner of ohio. A perk is it has been fun and I get to go with a great group to hear people like Hacket and Brown talk. I am active and out there representing my party..showing people that guess what a married stay at home mom of 5 votes Democrat. How is that for elite? I talk to anyone who listen I drive my republican brother nuts but he is still proud of me and I feel good I couldn't stand just sitting at my key board complaining anymore nothing changes if you don't get active. Half the battle for the republicans is convince us we cant win to get us to accept defeat.

Sooner or later the average joe republican..not the rich fat one but the average Joe is going to have there daughter rushed to the hospital after a botched back ally abortion, they wont be able to afford college, they will find they are being spied on just for saying something against the party in control, they will have there job outsourced they will figure out that all the rules and BS Bush and co have in place aren't just for Democrats and liberals.

As a realist I was pretty sure we would not get the filibuster but I was happy to see our guys stand up and say THIS IS WRONG! They knew it was an uphill battle ..they knew the swift boating was coming and they still did it. I am proud of them and proud I was part of it. I hope people don't give up we still have to be active in reply to the swift boating to come.


We did find out the phone calling and letter writing made some differences not enough but some... there are a lot of things coming up I think we should keep the phone lines busy for both republican and Democrat senators.

Drop a line to your local paper let people know how proud you are of Senators Kerry and Edwards.

[Strong Atheist]

88. Very well said. I agree, we have to restart at the local

levels.

[catrose]

89. Thank you, plaidder

I just came to DU today to get the names of the 19 traitors so that I could communicate my displeasure. I'm glad to be reminded of the thanks that are owed. I don't think I can recite all 25 heroes' names. I confess there's lots of tears right now. I'm now living in fascist nation and I'm not the one who moved. And I have a GLBT son who will feel the effects longer than I will. But your post gives me hope that I may someday stop crying. Until then, one foot in front of the other, making every square inch better. Thanks for the hope. I'm in awe that you could write such a thing at such a time.

[hippiegranny]

90. Just think how pissed we'd be

if Kerry and Kennedy and 23 others hadn't done what they did. This is definitely glass half full stuff. We do need to write our thank you notes. And checks.

[Daylin Byak]

94. Good post

Yesturday I felt violated and betrayed by our beloved dems who knew that alito is a threat to the bench and still voted not to filibuster him(even though today they will not vote for him)

My message is the: YOUR NOT REAL DEMOCRATS and that goes for Evan Bayh, Joe Biden, Dianne Feinstein, Robert Byrd and our great minority leader Harry Reid. What's stupid is that you guys don't like Alito, said that you weren't going to vote for him but you won't filibuster, even though you know that without a filibuster Alito the Republicans have enough votes to confirm this bastard and you still did nothing. I call that being a coward and being downright pathetic.

But for guys like John Kerry and Jim Jeffords, good job you did the best you can and everyone on this board comends you.

Godspeed everyone cause we got a long road ahead of us

[slide to the left]

93. We lost, so what?

I don't think we lost all that bad, because we will never be overlooked or under estimated again. Same thing with the midterms. So hutchison might win, but I am going to fight like hell against her because for every percentage point she concedes (from the 75 she has now) thats how more to the center she must go go get re-elected the next time. And hopefully that will scare the hell out of cornyn in the mean time.

[oc2002]

95. good post. Thanks.

I knew this was going to fail last week, but it was worth it see who in the Democratic party is with us or just pretending to be.

The real victory is not the AlitoPsudo-Facsists party, but the people here. We have done something unheard of before now, a grass roots campaign from a web site up to the Senate floor. We are here to stay, and we are only going to grow from this experience.

Remember, it took the Repukes 30 years to get where they are now, but they will fail far more quickly because they have shown the complete contempt for the Constitution, and Bill of Rights with Alito.

We have to keep at it, get stronger, get the word out and get back to working for a democratic America again.


Thank you all.God Bless you.

[Aviation Pro]

96. Apparently the only way to get through...

...to these asswipes is by fucking with their cash. So here's my proposition, until the Bush regime is forcibly removed from office, buy nothing (save for life essentials). No durable goods, no cars, no houses, nothing. At the holidays, buy nothing. Stock your cash, use no credit cards, better yet pay them off and cut them up. If you can't do that, organize with other debt saturated democrats and declare enmass bankruptcies (yes, you'll have to go through the non-sensical credit counseling propaganda, but just do a mental la-la-la as the counselors do their blatting).

I repeat, the only way to get these fuckers attention is to fuck with their cash.

[DarkmoonIkonoklast]

97. Real growth can ONLY happen from the roots up!

The same is true of the Tree of Liberty. Without strong roots, the tree cannot be strong, cannot grow.

But just voting is not enough, has never been enough, can never be enough. I'm not online very often, since I only can work through borrowed computers and, at the moment, am effectively homeless. But what I CAN do is agitprop. Wherever I go, I wear my "Jail Bush" button proudly and prominently, along with my "Support Our Vets" button... and respond loudly and proudly to anyone who wants a fight.

Funny, but I've noticed that this tends to encourage and embolden those who feel fearful, fretful and alone in their sense that America is going to hell in a jet-propelled careen. Watching the reluctant smile blossom on the lips of some beleaguered True Believer always lifts my spirits. Sometimes, lately, it's damn near all that does.

One day, a 30-something gent asked me about my "Jail Bush" button; I responded that I WOULD be wearing a button saying "Court Martial the Commander-In-Thief" if I could only afford the parts for my button maker. He smiled, and we began to talk, me speaking of my conviction that sending troops into harm's way ill-equipped was, in my reading of the UCMJ (Uniform Code of Military Justice), Dereliction of Duty, as well as Conduct Unbecoming an Officer, either one a court-martial offense. I was immediately interrupted by a woman across the aisle who loudly, stridently and with only a bit of foam coming from her mouth, proceeded to damn me as a traitor for my belief. When I explained the concept of "Freedom of Speech", she sputtered and became increasingly rude, strident and incoherent.

The rest of the passengers looked at her as if she was an idiot.

When she got off the bus, half the passengers cheered... along with the driver!

So, yes, vote, campaign, do whatever you can on your own home turf. But also wear your convictions proudly, invite discussion, hell, incite controversy. Speak up, speak out.

Yes, the deck is stacked... Yeah, they own the dice, the wheel and the table. Maybe you can't win, but by the GODS, you can refuse to comply! Plaid Adder has the idea, for sure.

Keep the faith, Live the faith!

[Lena inRI]

98. Samuel Alito rises as Coretta King dies. . .

most people may feel even more depressed seeing this synchronism.

BUT, I'm surprisingly inspired because now that she has gone to be with Dr. King, the task is left to the rest of us to carry it (guaranteeing civil rights) on.

Ya see, now that the Alito confirmation secures the Federalist Society's view on the SCOTUS, all we people, especially liberal people, are at risk, not just people of color.

Can't you just feel both Dr. King and Coretta looking down at us now. . .ya'll get going now!

I do. Many heartfelt thanks to them both.

[mzmolly]

99. Thank you.

No regrets.

[Blue_Roses]

100. It's always been our country

but with election fraud and media whores we've been pushed back on our butts. When we recognize and acknowledge that there are other "forces" that affect the outcome of the elections, then we can began to make changes towards winning. Until then, we're screwed.

I strongly believe this country has "Bush fatigue" and many, MANY would love to see him go, but the propaganda machine that keeps him afloat is pretty powerful. That is one of the forces that needs to be "reckoned" with.

[imperialismispasse]

101. That's right.

I am interested in the fact that Fresh Grocer (which is somewhat high end) has committed to building grocery stores in the most blighted areas of Philly. Why? What do they get out of it? How can we extrapolate that to other corporations? How can I make Philly better? Screw federal politics.

[dfrailey]

102. Does anyone find it ironic

that Coretta King died the same day as Alito's confirmation? What clearer metaphor could we have for the death of the American civil rights movement overall?

[Nimrod2005]

106. Wow, a great point, gave me the chills when you pointed it out.

[Lena inRI]

108. So you're ignoring my post #98?

Jeezlouise!

[dfrailey]

115. No, I saw it. . . .

But unfortunately I can't find much reason to feel encouraged right now. Being not only a liberal but also gay and Pagan, I'm going to out tomorrow and get fitted for my concentration camp uniform now and avoid the rush.

[SpecialK]

103. My First Post on DU

Hi everyone. I have been lurking here since 2004, coming to DU as a place to feel 'at home' when everything seems so wrong elsewhere. I would like to thank everyone here for their thoughtful posts and encouragement to all of us who are feeling hopeless.

I'm not sure why I decided to join today, maybe it was the Alito nomination, maybe the death of Mrs. King; but I felt compelled to logon and vent, instead of just reading the venting of others. I also just wrote a letter to the DNC, telling them that I am not donating any more money until they start taking a stronger stand against the Bush administration. I am disgusted and enraged that, save for the few vocal ones, the democratic leadership has essentially laid down and played dead for the last 6 years. I am sick of their complacency and I will not support the party again until it starts to represent ME and the MILLIONS of others out there who are just as frustrated.

In thinking about the passing of Mrs. King, I feel that what we need, as a progressive movement, are leaders like the Kings. MLK Jr was the great orator. He moved masses with his words and his passion. Coretta was the organizer. She is the one who led the marches, the protests, the sit-ins. Where are the Kings of our movement? How do we take this movement from cyberspace into the world of brick and mortar? Where is our civil disobedience?

It's comforting to know you all are here, that there are so many the feel the same, but I don't know if it's enough. It feels like nothing we do makes a difference. I know that sounds awful and cynical, but it's truly the way I feel. I'm sick of all the disappointment, the hollowness & shock that hasn't gone away since November 2004.

I don't know what to do anymore. Part of me wants to jump behind Plaid Adder and focus on starting at the bottom, part of me wants to take to the streets, and part of me wants to say "f$#@ it", I'm through.

For now, I guess I'll just take a deep breath and see what happens. Thanks for listening.

[Helga Scow Stern]

105. Welcome to DU. What a fine first post.

"For now, I guess I'll just take a deep breath and see what happens."

Sounds like good advice.

[Nimrod2005]

107. Welcome to DU...A great post. n/t

[DarkmoonIkonoklast]

118. Welcome!

"Part of me wants to jump behind Plaid Adder and focus on starting at the bottom, part of me wants to take to the streets..."

Why not both?
Until we restore the local level, until we take back our nation, one neighborhood, one VILLAGE, at a time, the massive-power brokers can and will continue to dominate.
Back in the early 70's, someone wrote: "There are two approaches to combating a ravening monster: frontal assault or scorched earth. Frontal assault is quicker, IF one has the massive force necessary to overwhelm the monster's focused defenses. Scorched earth means removing the monster's food supply and starving it out. THIS can be accomplished by removing it's feeding grounds, one village at a time."
One more reason for adopting the grass roots model of resistance: it negates the "divide and conquer" method favored by fascisti everywhere. Successful local organizing demands, and at the same time, facilitates,
unity of neighbors, strengthening the village.
Any Questions?

Welcome to the Evolution, SpecialK!

GRASS ROOTS NOW, GRASS ROOTS TOMORROW, GRASS ROOTS FOREVER!

[Lost4words]

120. Welcome to DU SpecialK, good first post!

[WilliamPitt]

104. Perfectly said.

[kingpaco]

109. Delphi Forums Stealing Posts

I am a member of Delphi Forums. Also a new member here. A friend let me know that a forum on Delphi has stolen these posts and put them in their RW forum.

http://forums.delphiforums.com/politicaltoast
/messages?msg=3861.1

I complained to Delphi staff but nothing has happened. Below is the email addy to complain. I will also let DU staff know.

[e-mail]

[proud patriot]

114. A couple of of thoughts

last week was amazing , the focus by DU members was astonishing to see .

I'm proud of our vigilance and our staying power . It's been 5 years
and I don't plan on going anywhere anytime soon . I will be here for as
many battles as I can .

Democratic Patriots VS. Republican Loyalists
Constitutional Battle of The Century

[spanone]

117. Kick..

[DarkmoonIkonoklast]

119. Welcome to the [R]Evolution!

I haven't posted a lot since being brought on-board last summer by AlienGirl (Thanks, babe!), mostly because my comp access is severely limited and constrained. But I've been "fighting the Power" since 1963, when I was a 14-y.o. lobbyist in D.C.

I'm damn impressed by the fervor, focus, and determination I've seen in so many of the boards here. I totally understand the frustration of feeling that everything we do is, somehow, eventually futile... A.G. and I have been over this since we met out here in WobblyVille back in 2000.But Plaid Adder put the focus right where it needs to be: on taking back our Nation, one village at a time.

Or actually, a whole lot of villages at a time.

Since 1998, I've been privileged to work with some magnificent Village Warriors across the nation, planting seeds of Evolution in as many towns, villages and hamlets as possible. We're seeding in villages near Buffalo, Tampa, Pittsburgh, Tulsa, Houston, and others. It's slow going, yes, but laying a solid foundation takes time and care.

I believe the people I've run into here are fully, wondrously, beautifully capable of doing the same thing in their own little villages, and I am utterly convinced that it's the only method with a real chance of success, both in the short run, and long term. This includes things like the 12-y.o. in central Florida, who set up an on-line support group for GLBT students, or the group of 50-something former hippies in the mid-west Bible Belt who set up a counseling center, food/job bank and child care service for low/fixed income families...

A few examples, but with THIS crew, I'm sure they'll suffice to trigger ideas for other, locally-based projects, serving immediate needs. Remember: anybody can put a check in the mail, but it takes a committed, aware humansib to see a need in the 'hood, and, without waiting to be asked or prodded, reach out and do something to meet that need.

Could be? CAN be!

GRASS ROOTS NOW, GRASS ROOTS TOMORROW, GRASS ROOTS FOREVER!

[klysz]

121. You're Finally Getting It!

Yes, we should all be taking care of ourselves, helping our neighbors in our local communities because the Feds will only mess it up and it will cost 3 times what they should because of the bureaucracy.

Grassroots IS the way to go!

[SmokingJacket]

122. I'm with you. nt