Keep this kicked: list of elected Democrats denouncing Olsen shooting

[MannyGoldstein]

We should have the backs of those elected Democrats who have spoken out against the brutal shooting of Scott Olsen. Olsen was shot in the head at close distance for exercising his Constitutional rights to free speech and free assembly, the very rights he fought to protect for us during his service in Iraq.

Here's the complete list of Democratic leaders who have denounced the shooting, as far as I know:

<this space intentionally left blank>

Please add to the list if you know others that I've missed, and keep this kicked so we can all know who's on our side.

[Scuba]

1. Kick.

[tomp]

262. for the record....

the fighting in iraq had NOTHING to do with americans' rights, except squashing them, perhaps.

that might have been what scott olsen THOUGHT he was fighting for, but he would have been wrong.

[Fumesucker]

2. K&R for our brave Democratic politicians..

They are always ready to stand up for the 99%.

[valerief]

47. The 99% of the 1%. nt

[peacebird]

3. K&R

[frogmarch]

4. Well, there's...

and uh...

[flpab]

40. thank you

I won't hold my breath. I love faith in most of Florida's Democrats years ago.

[lark]

105. We haven't had a good pol from Fl since Graham & Grayson left.

All the others are soooooo corporate DLC.

[Autumn]

5. Damn Manny you had my heart racing

for a second there. I thought someone had actually stepped up to the plate.

[MannyGoldstein]

6. I cannot express how blown away I am by this situation.

It's so black and white. So awful.

[Autumn]

9. This is such a heart breaking time.

I'm crushed that the people I have supported all of my life are silent in the face of these outrages. It sure does remove the veil of illusion.

[AmBlue]

25. "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil..."

"...is that good men do nothing." --Edmund Burke

[coalition_unwilling]

63. I'll see your Burke and raise you Mario Savio:

"There's a time when the operation of the machine becomes so odious—makes you so sick at heart—that you can't take part. You can't even passively take part. And you've got to put your bodies upon the gears and upon the wheels, upon the levers, upon all the apparatus, and you've got to make it stop. And you've got to indicate to the people who run it, to the people who own it, that unless you're free, the machine will be prevented from working at all."

[swilton]

92. This 'outrageous' behavior does not occur in a vacuum

Consider the too numerous other cases - perhaps a good start was the validation of the 2000 election and it's been one example after another...let me count the numerous, numerous times.

[swilton]

93. Classic Example

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

[SammyWinstonJack]

39. Yet these same gutless cowards NEVER fail to tell us how our troops are

defending our rights when fighting their trumped up wars of aggression/resource stealing.

A twice Iraq vet exercises these rights and gets shot in the head and none of these cowards come out to denounce.


Not one!


These cowards are Never allowed to use that BS 'defending our rights' crap EVER AGAIN!

[MissDeeds]

72. +1000

[Marrah_G]

36. It's infuriating

I am so fed up with ALL of Washington at this point.

[AlbertCat]

85. I am so fed up with ALL of Washington at this point.

DC is on another planet... and therefore it take lightyears for information to reach its remote sector.

[peacetalksforall]

59. I also fell for it. Very clever OP. I will check in for updates.

[annabanana]

7. kicing for the loud silence. . . . n/t

[Octafish]

8. Real profiles in courage, they would be.

I do know a few Democrats who've worn the uniform of the United States to Iraq and Afghanistan who should be in office.

[Bjorn Against]

10. Barbara Lee put out a statement but it was very weak

Here is her statement in its entirity:

"I shared my outrage and grave concern about the police brutality in Oakland directly with the Mayor.  My thoughts go out to the injured and especially Scott Olsen .  I strongly support the occupy movement  and continue to stand with the peaceful protesters in this struggle for economic justice and equality."

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/10/27/1030603/-Comme...

I have a lot of respect for Barbara Lee, in fact she is probably my favorite member of Congress, but her statement is extremely weak. While I certainly agree with what she says, I am very frustrated by what she did not say. Nowhere in her statement did she call for any sort of accountability whatsoever, I don't care if she is outraged I want her to do something about it. She is the representative for Oakland and she needs to show leadership, putting out a weak three sentance statement is not leadership. If she does more later I will withdraw my criticism, but I will be very disappointed if this is all she is going to do about this.

[MannyGoldstein]

13. It puts her in the top 0.00001% of elected Democrats on this matter.

Thanks for sharing this info!

[Bjorn Against]

15. True, but I am still very disappointed with her statement

I am even more disappointed with the other 534 members of Congress who are completely silent of course, but if Lee's statement is the best we can get then we need to stop pretending there is anyone in Congress who stands with the 99%.

[peacetalksforall]

62. I would count that as #1. I take bach my statement. She only said that on

Twitter?

[coalition_unwilling]

65. Thanks for that. At least there's still one Dem in whom I believe. Agree

with you about its weakness, though.

[redqueen]

121. Her statement was very weak, and it took far too long. (nt)

[catrose]

138. when she stood up to the warmongers and voted no

I called her office and to say thank you. The phone answerer was shocked, shocked I tell you. Apparently "thanks" wasn't what he'd been hearing.

[defendandprotect]

181. Rep. Barbara Lee was on Thom Hartmann today -- by telephone --

If I recall correctly -- she was saying that there has to be an investigation into

the behavior of the police -- the apology by Mayor is nice -- but has to be an investigation!

Wasn't totally concentrated on what she was saying as I was driving -- but think she'll be

pushing for it.

Manwhile, don't know if you read the OP by "Tavener" about his own father who was a police

officer and the police brutality many practiced in the 60's that he was aware of. But I think

it shocked even those of us who have all along suspected it.

Sad --

[sabrina 1]

232. At least she uttered the words 'police brutality' which apparently

takes incredible courage for a Representative of the people to do.

I just did a google search and found, nothing.

[LooseWilly]

267. Lee is pretty tied into the power structure in Oakland... she won't need to argue this in the press

— If she really wants an investigation she'll be able to push the power structure (the city council or the mayor or simply all the donors that allow any of them to continue to hold those positions) to have an investigation.

The real worry, of course, for Lee... would be doing something to embarrass/alienate too much of her own base in the district so that the little slivers of Republicans in Alameda, the hills, and whatnot, might actually be able to show up in larger numbers than said base.

Unfortunately, the fear card is so strong in Oakland that the cops are often near untouchable ("they're the thin blue line blah blah blah")

All told though, I'd be surprised if she didn't manage to push an investigation... how long it might take, on the other hand, I'd not want to hazard a guess on.

[Fire Walk With Me]

11. K&R!

Anyone jumping on the anti-Oakland bandwagon will cause a rift in modern politics. #Occupy will have polarized those who wish to remain untouchable. It will turn us further against such heartlessness. But if they speak up, then #Occupy will have entered the White House and all will have to respond. This is a lose-lose for the embedded politician. Hooray!

[Chorophyll]

12. K&R. nt

[City Lights]

14. K&R.

:crickets:

[Name removed]

16. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Huey P. Long]

17. kicking for the SILENCE! -eom

[stevedeshazer]

18. These cowardly bastards wouldn't denounce anything, as you've correctly pointed out.

Thanks, Manny, for pointing out the obvious.

+1

[EFerrari]

19. Barbara Lee's office sent out a tweet this mornng.

@RepBarbaraLee Rep. Barbara Lee
I shared my outrage and concern about police brutality with Mayor. My thoughts go out to injured - especially Scott Olsen. #OccupyOakland

http://twitter.com/#!/RepBarbaraLee/status/129584012887...

[MannyGoldstein]

20. Lee seems to be the only one

Good on her - but a sad situation.

[Ganja Ninja]

67. "with the mayor" ???

[redqueen]

123. That was the calmest, gentlest "outrage" I've ever seen. (nt)

[SalviaBlue]

21. k

[WillyT]

22. It's Hard To Denouce, After You've Shit Your Pants...

& Rec !!!

[Hotler]

55. kicking n/t

[coalition_unwilling]

66. Truer words have seldom been spoken here. Wish I could

rec your response a gazillion X infinity.

[louslobbs]

23. K&R

Lou

[BigBearJohn]

24. kick

[TheKentuckian]

26. Windsocks and sellouts don't step up and sure as hell not against the cops

[SwampG8r]

27. every day and in every way they

show us who they really were all these years
shame
kick and rec

[Danascot]

28. If this had happened to a Teabagger at a Tea Party rally

How many GOP politicians would we have heard from by now? 99%?

[MannyGoldstein]

30. Spot on. nt

[Randypiper]

150. And the media

how much coverage would there be?

[rgbecker]

29. I'm sending a copy of this link to my rep: Keating in Massachusetts.

Maybe they just need some encouragement.

[myrna minx]

31. Other than Barbara Lee, *crickets*. Hey thanks Dems! The "party" is a real Profile in Courage.

Can you imagine if this had happened to a bagger?

[Raster]

32. Kick for shame.

[mmonk]

33. Their consultants need more time to study the situation.

Are you expecting some sort of morality or empathy?

[Marrah_G]

37. I'd like to see the lot of them dropped off on a deserted island

Republican, Democrat, Independent ... I am so fed up with them all.

[mmonk]

44. i know the feeling.

[cui bono]

54. They haven't gotten the poll results back yet to determine the "correct" response.

Or they've still got their finger in the air determining which way the wind is blowing.

[coalition_unwilling]

68. Again, truer words have seldom been spoken. (That's three

separate comments, including the OP, that have reached that threshhold.) Wish I could rec your resposne a gazillion x infinity.

[CoffeeCat]

147. Yes, that's right...

They're focus-grouping the situation, as we speak. After those results are
factored, they'll conduct a poll to determine the political fallout (or bump
in the polls for them), and then we'll see the determined political reaction--based on
what's best for our politicians.

We must be patient when it comes to OUR ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES WHO ARE SUPPOSED
TO REPRESENT ***US***. They need to be strategic about calling out tranny, Fascism
and the evaporation of our democracy.

[hwmnbn]

34. K&R

[piratefish08]

35. fucking cowards, all of them.......

[lonestarnot]

38. kick

[Sportsguy]

41. Kicked.

[Octafish]

42. No wonder impeachment was off the table.

It takes real guts to do stuff. Like, taking a shotgun fired beanbag from close range to the head.

[Hotler]

51. +1 k&r n/t

[Gin Blossom]

78. Impeachment would have been too divisive.

Our thoughtful Dem leadership is very concerned that America can't handle any more divisiveness. If it could, boy, then they'd speak up!

PS - I fell for the OP's subject line too.

[Hotler]

227. Fox News and Rush limbaugh is what is dividing us. eom.

[MoonRiver]

43. K&R for the good/REAL Dems! n/t

[bertman]

45. They're doing what they do best. Covering for each other's incompetence and perfidy. REC. nt

[valerief]

46. Kick! If they ain't agin it, they're fer it! nt

[Tatiana]

48. I'm calling Dick Durbin's office for his opinion on the matter.

I'm not holding my breath, though....

[graywarrior]

49. Looks like we're doing a better job governing ourselves

Throw them all out!

[SammyWinstonJack]

52. +1000000!

[Bozita]

50. K&R

[snort]

53. Thank you for posting this.

It is depressing and needs to go viral. This should be forwarded to all Dem members of the House.

[Fumesucker]

56. Another K&R for the brave Democrats who have the back of the 99%..

[Fuddnik]

57. They're climbing all over each other to support us!

Especially during breaks in the Super-Duper Catfood Commission meetings!

[woo me with science]

58. K&R Devastating post. Thank you. nt

[coalition_unwilling]

60. Hah! The Democratic Party is in bed with the 1%. Many of them

secretly support the crackdown. Take Governor Jerry Brown, for example. He hasn't said word one about it, to my knowledge. But, to paraphrase some of the authoritarian DUers here from yesterday's discussions, why should Brown have to say anything? He's only the Governor of California. What a fucking Quisling he's turned out to be. Then I remembered that, while Oakland's Mayor in 2003, Brown unleashed the OPD on anti-war protesters. Same shit, different day.

[tomg]

61. Letter I just sent to my Rep.

Dear Representative Hinchey,

First let me thank you for your continued and constant efforts in protecting the rights of middle class,
working class, and the unemployed and their families. I am proud to have you as my representative.

I labeled this under Homeland Security because, to me, this is an issue of the security of our communities. As you are probably aware, a young Iraqi Veteran, Scott Olsen was seriously injured at the Oakland demonstrations the other night. This is a young marine who survived two tours in Iraq, only to be wounded while exercising his rights - and thus protecting all of ours - in Oakland. My concern is that members of the Progressive Caucus and those in the Democratic Party have been entirely silent, save for Representative Lee. You are my Representative and you are a member of the Progressive Caucus, so. . .

I would hope that you and other members of the Progressive Caucus would offer your public support to Scott Olsen and reaffirm the right to peacefully petition the government, and to call on cooler heads to prevail - with the implied recognition that, to date, it has generally been the demonstrators who have clearly shown the cooler heads. Again, thanks for everything that you do. While I am often disappointed by the Democratic Party (at least of late - in fact, they now often come off as Republican Lite), I have never been disappointed by you.

Sincerely,

Tomg




( I really like Hinchey and he is one of the really good guys, so I mean what I say about him and the Dems in general).

[coalition_unwilling]

69. May I borrow some of your verbiage to send to my rep (Karen Bass in

California's 33rd)?

[tomg]

77. Absolutely. If it works, use it. nt

[coalition_unwilling]

90. Thank you. Just emailed Bass using your language pretty much

intact, save to edit to reflect fact that Bass belongs to Progressive and Black Caucuses (just like Barabara Lee).

Thanks again.

[tomg]

91. At least we have Progressives

we can write to. Good luck.

[SteveM]

113. Sent a letter to my Congressperson about this OP. nt

[RoccoR5955]

177. Thanks for that Tom.

Hinchey is the MAN!
Be certain that he will get back to you, and he will support #OWS if he hasn't already done so.

[Ganja Ninja]

64. Like the sound of one hand clapping.

K & R

[Wind Dancer]

70. Downright shameful!

Their silence speaks volumes.

[dajoki]

71. K&R

[MissDeeds]

73. Thanks for posting this, Manny

K&R

[Fumesucker]

74. Kick for the tsunami of brave Democrats who have the back of the 99%

[Kaleko]

104. Where's Al Franken?

Got an email from him this morning asking for donations to help him elect more Democrats...

Needless to say, I'm all out of charity for More of the Same.

[Rex]

75. Don't fuck with the Marines.

162 recs!

Doncha KNOW that just drives a certain group crazy!

Lemme know if you find any, I will post the same if I come across any with a backbone.

[kag]

76. k&r n/t

[sarchasm]

79. Barbara Lee on Morning Joe this morning.

[bvar22]

80. The "Two Parties" is an illusion...

...whose purpose is to perpetuate the myth
that the American People have a choice.

The Unified Silence of the Democratic Party on the Gunning Down of a Marine Veteran who was
exercising his Constitutional Rights is only ONE incident in a long list of betrayals over the last 30 years
where the Party of the Working People has shown their true colors.

They don't work for us.
They work for THEM.



You will know them by their WORKS,
not by their excuses.

Solidarity99!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Fumesucker]

81. +1

[a2liberal]

82. K&R (n/t)

[robertpaulsen]

83. Governor Brown? Hellloooo Jerry?!

You used to be mayor of this town. Any comment?

[truedelphi]

264. When he was the mayor, he wanted the youth to be in military schools, as a way out from the

Ghetto. How liberal is that?



In Winter of 1981-82, I lost my skin pigment to the waves of helicopters spraying Santa Clara County with malathion under Jerry Brown's Administration the first time around. On the aerial malathion spraying issue, he decided it was far better to poison Californians than make the trade groups from Japan and the Big Farming Interests unhappy.

[unapatriciated]

270. My son's were caught in the malathion spraying of 1990

They had an early morning paper route.
They were 12 and 14 neither of them had every been seriously ill before that time. Shortly after the spraying my older son had a very bad asthma attack never had one before and has not had one since. My youngest son was not so lucky. He slowly became weaker and weaker over the next six months developed horrible skin rashes and was finally diagnosed with dermatomyositis on is January 24,1991 (his 13th birthday). He has been in and out of remission many time since then and has suffered greatly. I strongly believe it was triggered by the malathion spraying.

[truedelphi]

288. I am so sorry to hear about this -

having skin ailments is terrible, as so many dermatologists are clueless.

dermatomyositis - what exactly is that?

Sometimes I have skin flare ups, in reaction to the new pesticides sprayed on orchards near me. These are poison oak-like rashes, and I do a two day vinegar cleanse, where I eat nothing but small amounts of veggies and drink vinegar. (It isn't poison oak because prednisone doesn't help, and the rash doesn't "weep.")

I had gone to dermatologists about it, and they don't have anything that really helps. (Though they don't mind hitting me with a $ 150 bill for their non-advice.)

I went to a neighbor's Saturday party, and mentioned how much the vinegar treatment had helped. Basically the ugly, warty-rash things had cleared up, and in just two days.

Then I noticed my girlfriend's mom eying me weirdly. It turns out that the mother works for a dermatologist - and she later told her daughter that she could not believe how well my rash had improved through my using a "non-pharmaceutical" on it.

[Fumesucker]

84. Kick for the multitude of brave Democrats who have the back of the 99%

[frylock]

86. knr

[Wind Dancer]

87. Kicking!

175 Recommends!

[entanglement]

88. Would it be enough if they uttered a few hypocritical words of sympathy?

Would it change their class character one iota? Would it make them more willing to abandon the repressive structure of which they are an integral part? Keep asking.

[Fumesucker]

89. Kick..

[deacon]

94. k/r

[NorthCarolina]

95. I think your list is pretty complete as of now. nt

[silverweb]

96. K&R

[I Have A Dream]

97. I'm really surprised that Rep. Dennis Kucinich hasn't spoken up.

[timtom]

148. While he hasn't yet addressed the Scott Olsen incident

he most certainly supports OWS:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2He1Crm97Y

[I Have A Dream]

190. Thank you! I'm happy to say that I just received this E-mail from him.

Occupy

Dear Friends,

An Iraq War veteran who survived two tours of duty gets his skull fractured in ... Oakland!
53 activists arrested in Atlanta. SWAT teams deployed to boot out peaceful protesters.

Recent actions against Occupy protesters are irresponsible and tragic. They're an assault on our democracy. These protesters are bravely exercising their right to freedom of expression, to bring attention to a political and economic system that's rigged against most Americans. I stand with them; and, all Americans -- left and right -- should join me in protecting their freedom to non-violently create change.

This isn't a Democratic or Republican movement. It's not about one party or one policy. It's about standing up to a financial system that's completely backwards. Wall Street banks get billions in bailouts and emerge with massive profits. Most Americans see a program of austerity in a painful economic climate -- benefit cuts, high unemployment, declining wages, and crumbling infrastructure. Congress moved swiftly to "save" banks (something I strongly opposed), and now Congress is paralyzed, unable to create jobs and to save our middle class.

It's no surprise Americans are standing up. Our country's economic policies have consolidated and accelerated wealth to the top. One percent of Americans now control 42% of our wealth. It's not radical to think this is out of balance or to demand a government that is of the people and for the people. I've been to these protests, and I can tell you they're filled with honest, hard working Americans who are concerned with the direction of our country and our economic future.

I am deeply concerned. I'm concerned about an economic system which tethers job creation to China and big banks. We shouldn't have to borrow money from China -- or Japan or South Korea -- to get out of this ditch. We should stop the Fed from giving billions to the big banks. We have to take back the power to manage our own economy, to regain control over our monetary system, consistent with the U.S. Constitution. That's why, one month ago, I introduced the National Emergency Employment Defense (NEED) Act. The legislation would put the Federal Reserve under the Department of the Treasury, and it would help us recapture control of our financial system. As part of the NEED Act, Congress would use its constitutional power to invest in America, creating millions of jobs by putting billions of dollars directly into circulation. And since this money is adding real, tangible value to our national wealth, it will not generate inflation.

We need a financial system that is of the people and for the people. We need to take it back from the big banks. We need economic and social justice. I will continue to support the Occupy movement. I will continue to fight for legislation, including the NEED Act, that sets America on a path of jobs for all, health care for all, education for all, retirement security for all, and peace.

Let's keep this movement alive. Let's keep fighting for economic and social justice. Keep occupying Wall Street. And, with your help, I'll keep occupying Congress.

With respect,
Dennis Kucinich

[timtom]

198. Thank YOU!

I didn't get one from Dennis. (Sob!)

I'm glad he stepped up. (Wonder if he reads DU?)

[I Have A Dream]

201. I probably got it because I contribute to his campaign so he has my E-mail address..

He's one of the few politicians that I truly respect. I'm so glad that he sent this.

(You're welcome!)

[Smarmie Doofus]

248. Kucinich. +1 n/t

[Melissa G]

98. Kicking for the brave Dems to Step up

I'll take anyone elected stepping up.

[Scuba]

99. We have a small group of Progressives on record as supporting OWS...

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


Lori Saldana, Washington's Marko Liias, Eric Griego (NM-1), Ilya Sheyman (IL-10), Lois Frankel (FL-22), Franke Wilmer (MT-AL), and Wenona Benally Baldenegro (AZ-1).

[TBF]

124. At least there are a few -

our city council here in Houston are supportive (it's a pretty small occupation down here as you might suspect) - http://houston.culturemap.com/newsdetail/10-27-11-occup... /

We do have a liberal and openly lesbian mayor and progressive council. Houston itself is pretty blue but the suburbs are another story. South of the city, where there is more diversity, we are making some progress.

[Name removed]

100. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[durablend]

101. Yea, well you just wait

When President Palin gets in office, you'll be sorry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[in_cog_ni_to]

102. Seriously! Their silence says it all, IMCPO.

[ClayZ]

103. K and R

[RebelOne]

106. OK, what am I missing? I do not see a link.

All I see is a bracketed <this space intentionally left blank>

[TBF]

116. That's intentional RebelOne -

the point of Manny's post is that none of the democratic leaders have come out and denounced the shooting of Olsen. Isn't that something?

[DeSwiss]

107. Manny....

...watch-out now. If you're not careful you're gonna expose our "Democratic leaders" for what they truly are, and who they truly represent. And to whose money they're addicted to.


- Then what'll we do??? We have no place else to go. Remember???


K&R












''All tyranny needs to gain a foothold, is for people of good conscience to remain silent.'' ~ Thomas Jefferson.

[MannyGoldstein]

108. If I had a buck for every "Manny sucks" post...

I'd be able to buy a new Ford Focus.

But some "Manny sucks" post are better than others, yours is in the good camp.

[DeSwiss]

110. Thank you.

- We both love the smell of truth in the morning. And I'm one of your greatest fans!!!

[RoccoR5955]

109. Didn't Bernie Sanders say something about it on

Thom Hartmann's show today?

I'll talk to my congressman, Maurice Hinchey in the next couple of days, and see if he'll address it at a town hall meeting. My gut feeling is that he will come out for Olsen, and against the OPD.

[tomg]

135. Hey Rocco,

I sent Maurice a letter. It is upthread.
Hope all is well in Rosendale.

[Ken Burch]

153. Bernie's an independent, though.

n/t.

[SwampG8r]

277. bernie is not a democrat

i love him but he is an independent
the silence from the DNC from top to bottom sickens me

[think4yourself]

111. The window on sincerity is closing.

Any comments made after a while are just the usual empty platitudes. I know I didn't stay quiet it on this and I didn't triangulate which position best benefits me.

[redqueen]

129. IMO it closed the next day.

They fired a canister of tear gas at the people trying to help him. There's just no excuse for not speaking out... the local and state officials (at least) should have been all over it before COB the next day.

[Ignis]

112. Well played, Manny.

What a shambolic mess of Third-Way milquetoasts our once-fierce party sometimes seems to have become.

[Enthusiast]

114. Kicked and recommended! nt

[Fumesucker]

115. Kick..

[Mimosa]

117. K&R n/t

[gateley]

118. Wow. Just hopped in to kick, haven't seen if there's a name yet. Wow. nt

[redqueen]

119. What... he was only shot in the head. And so what that they fired tear gas into the crowd

as they were trying to help him.

The silence on this issue tells us what to expect... so yeah, we are already on our own, Mr. President.

[yurbud]

120. sad that this is even necessary

[yurbud]

122. if you haven't read Jack London's IRON HEEL, you've GOT to--it gets more relevant every day

[Doctor_J]

136. here it is for free

http://www.jacklondons.net/writings/IronHeel/toc.html

An excellent read

[yurbud]

205. it covers media control, co-opting political activists, and what happens when the oligarchs think

they can't control elected officials.

[yurbud]

206. it even has a mercenary army that defends oligarchs: the ''Black Hand'' instead of Blackwater

[Pryderi]

152. +1 k&r

[coalition_unwilling]

208. Fuuny how all they teach in public schools is Jack London's 'Call

of the Wild,' isn't it? Oh, and "To Build a Fire".

[yurbud]

223. sort of like Twain's ''War Prayer'' and anti-imperialist writings.

[MrMickeysMom]

125. DAmn!!!

STILL waiting!

[Carolina]

126. K&R

The really is no democratic Democratic Party, only Wimpocrats and Republicrats (repuke lites)

[Xtraneous]

127. Actually this is a good thing

it will convince even more who say we live in free society to understand that our choices are bad and worse as long as the majority is controlled by the whims of the 1%.

And maybe it's a sign that these wimps are running scared as their overlords are telling them to do the opposite of what we are demanding. They're busy crafting the most challenging mountain of politispeak bs in their careers.

[hulka38]

128. Let the true face of this party be seen by all.

Thank you Manny.

[oldhippydude]

130. i just got something in the e-mail

from the progessive campaign committee, i forwarded this thread... wonder if they will get the hint

[louslobbs]

131. Just checking back in to see all of the names of Democratic leaders on the list. Who has the list?

Manny, is the list posted somewhere else? Maybe I'm not looking in the right place.......please let me know.....and thanks for this post, it speaks volumes. Sarcasm Alert.
Lou

[NICO9000]

132. My God, they are a disgrace, aren't they?

Thanks for this, Manny!

[Doctor_J]

133. k/r

it's good to know what we're up against, and who has the guts to speak aloud against the terrorism. Oh wait

[Doctor_J]

134. Imagine the line at the microphone if one of the occupiers shot a cop

there would probably be a unanimously approved resolution to denounce the entire OWS by the end of the day. The silence is very telling

[bbgrunt]

137. k and r. the truth shall set us free.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

140. with this congress? The truth will set a fee,

payable to the Committee to Re-Elect ______________.

[yoyossarian]

139. I think we need an entirely new slate of Dem candidates

Cuz I'd rather flay myself alive than vote Creepublican...

But at this point, it's hard to be a proud Dem.

Many thanx, Manny! K&R for a truly heartbreaking but VERY instructional thread.

[Paper Roses]

141. Is there hope for any of us? This poor soldier,

May he recover quickly and the idiot responsible brought to justice. One can only hope that the politico's will pay attention.

Doubtful. I have lost faith in justice for all.

[Uncle Joe]

142. This thread needs theme music.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvsX03LOMhI

Thanks for the thread, MannyGoldstein.

[Kaleko]

220. Heh.

Good one.

[Warren DeMontague]

143. for some reason, I'm hearing the "Jeopardy!" music in my head

[tcaudilllg]

144. I'm betting this is a waste of time.

Cynical ploy... I'll bet it gets turned around by the GOP easily enough. Yes you can try to make a star of this guy, and claim that because he was willing to risk his life for this cause it was worthy, but I'm sure the Rethugs will turn it around.

This may have potential to get some names, but those names won't necessarily translate into behind the scenes arm-twisting for Occupy. This is what armchair politics gets you: FAILURE.

I also find it repugnant that the party of equality would hail a soldier as more important than the masses of others who have risked their lives. But I guess this is a cynical appeal to the Rethugs isn't it? LOL, cynical indeed.

I won't recommend this. This is exactly the road that leads to the end of Occupy and the triumph of the status quo.

[Fumesucker]

158. Imagine..

A Tea Party Patriot vet at a Tea Party Rally was gunned down in an event easy to perceive as deliberate mayhem on the part of the police.

Two days later, exactly one significant politician on either side has weighed in on the matter.

Smell test, does this scenario pass it?

Moving on.

Liberals are ambiguous about vets but conservatives are too. Liberals are ambiguous and distrustful of the things the military is told to do very often while being supportive of the individual serviceman, conservatives are gung ho for the mission, the more the merrier, the troops as people not so much.

[hay rick]

171. Soldiers as heroes.

I don't think the Repugs can turn this story around unless Olsen is a pedophile. More likely, they ignore the story and it goes away.

I agree that the "liberal" feeding-frenzy on this story is somewhat cynical. Singling out somebody as unquestionably worthy because he is a soldier and a war veteran requires swallowing a big right-wing bullshit meme. Our media has used "support the troops" as a substitute for discussion and debate on the wars that those troops have been sent to fight. The lack of informed debate on those wars and our military establishment is a national disgrace and one of the poisons that is undermining our society.

Reining in our military spending and diverting those resources to constructive ends is one of the essential reforms that OWS should be pushing.

[tcaudilllg]

188. Now I want to be clear, he may make a great candidate in time.

He certainly has character. But making a movement about one man is not a good idea... Obama should have taught us that.

[Fumesucker]

145. Kick

[girl_interrupted]

146. K&R!

[Pryderi]

149. k&r

[Ken Burch]

151. "look forward, not backward...look forward, not backward...look forward, not backward..".

Repeat as needed.....


And remember...it's ALL about the 45-dimensional chess.

[Butch350]

154. Mr. Stupid checking in here...

I was looking for a list of names - I guess the point was - NO ONE HAS THE BA*** TO STEP UP.

[wial]

155. Not the first time, either

Back in 1984 there was a 13 week restaurant workers and bartenders strike in San Francisco. No media coverage because it was a dem city in an election year, and the GOP hates unions anyway, and besides, the restaurant owners and the media owners are all friends, if not the same people. Then a friend of mine, a Harvard educated labor organizer who happened also to be as beautiful as someone in a Botticelli painting, had her face torn open by an off duty police officer, while she was handing out checks to strikers in front of a restaurant. The policeman fled through the back of the restaurant. Still, media blackout, while the city boiled. Then one station in the east bay started covering the story, showing her brutalized beautiful face, and the city started to go crazy. A general strike was scheduled, as is happening now. When that got publicized, the restaurant owners settled, although in later years they managed to crush the union further. My friend (whose name I forget!) won a very large settlement. Never heard of this? Wonder why?

My own google searches for the story are coming up blank about the incident, although I do find mention of the strike itself. You're welcome to try "Hotel and Restaurant Employees and Bartenders Union local 2 1984 san francisco".

As in 1984 the next logical step is general strike and I'm glad they're taking it November 2.

The bought and paid for dem politicians currently in office do not represent the people of the democratic party let alone people at all. We'll have to do this on our own, and elect real dems going forward.

[democrank]

156. Stop it this very minute, harsh DUers.

I`m absolutely certain that our "leaders" are preparing a courageous and unambiguous statement. They`re just waiting to hear from Frank Luntz before they speak.

[tcaudilllg]

157. We have an idiot tradition in our party of electing leaders,

not representatives. We need to start electing the latter, lest we elect more people who equate executive office holding with elected dictatorship.

[jimlup]

159. So what are we up to now? Barbra Lee? One?

That's pretty sad...

[redqueen]

161. Yep. One very gentle rebuke from Barbara Lee.

Party of the people my ass.

[ArcticFox]

160. My message to government representatives

Police shot Scott Olsen in the head and threw a flash-bang grenade into the group of people who came to his aid. He was doing nothing more than exercising the Constitutional rights of free speech and free assembly, rights he had served two tours in Iraq supposedly defending. News reports are that he is now brain damaged with a fractured skull.


Cannot anyone in power condemn the senseless, unprovoked shooting of this young man, the utter inhumanity displayed by throwing an explosive device into a crowd of people trying to give first aid?



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

[NOLALady]

162. kick

[Tuesday Afternoon]

163. The silence is deafening.

I fear for my country.

[krispos42]

164. k&r n/t

[catrose]

165. Dennis Kucinich!

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

[Fire Walk With Me]

166. Beat me to it! :)

http://www.kucinich.us/

[MissDeeds]

168. Of course it would be Dennis Kucinich

who stepped forward and spoke up in favor of the people and the OWS movement. The silent majority of our elected officials are still waiting for opinion polls to tell them what to think and how to act. Damn their spinelessness. Some leadership.

[Desertrose]

180. Yes, of course. Go Dennis!!

[Zorra]

191. If DK had been elected Prez, OWS would not have been necessary. nt

[catrose]

194. so true

[TheKentuckian]

229. A quick look at Congress would tell you that isn't even close to an optimistic appraisal

Looking at our governors and state legislators. See our mayors and city councils.

Kooch would help a little but he'd just have a party wide mutiny and little support for his policies and appointments.

[Zorra]

278. You're probably right. Our government is infested with Wall St. employees.

That's pretty obvious at this point.

And Wall St., by using its enormous wealth, makes totally sure that no progressive legislator like Rep. Kucinich can ever be elected President.

[louslobbs]

167. Kicked again!

Lou

[Marnie]

169. Great idea.

But I don't call them the spineless Dims for a joke, so my expectations are about zero.

[Marr]

170. They'd be shouting to the high heavens if this had happened at an astroturf Teabagger rally.

[riderinthestorm]

172. They don't even have the balls to issue it for a Friday night news dump

where it most certainly would die. Nope, can't even do it during the lowest news cycle, even that is too brave.

Either they don't care about the 99% or they are in such a bubble they haven't even heard about Scott Olsen and Oakland. Both are bad.

Thanks for the thread Manny.

[derby378]

173. Oh, I'm kicking this, all right...

I may have to visit with Occupy Dallas tomorrow and see how they're faring, BTW.

[varelse]

174. K&R

[TBF]

175. OK, I finally got one - Dennis Kucinich

Just got this email from him:

Occupy

Dear Friends,

An Iraq War veteran who survived two tours of duty gets his skull fractured in ... Oakland!
53 activists arrested in Atlanta. SWAT teams deployed to boot out peaceful protesters.

Recent actions against Occupy protesters are irresponsible and tragic. They're an assault on our democracy. These protesters are bravely exercising their right to freedom of expression, to bring attention to a political and economic system that's rigged against most Americans. I stand with them; and, all Americans -- left and right -- should join me in protecting their freedom to non-violently create change.

This isn't a Democratic or Republican movement. It's not about one party or one policy. It's about standing up to a financial system that's completely backwards. Wall Street banks get billions in bailouts and emerge with massive profits. Most Americans see a program of austerity in a painful economic climate -- benefit cuts, high unemployment, declining wages, and crumbling infrastructure. Congress moved swiftly to "save" banks (something I strongly opposed), and now Congress is paralyzed, unable to create jobs and to save our middle class.

It's no surprise Americans are standing up. Our country's economic policies have consolidated and accelerated wealth to the top. One percent of Americans now control 42% of our wealth. It's not radical to think this is out of balance or to demand a government that is of the people and for the people. I've been to these protests, and I can tell you they're filled with honest, hard working Americans who are concerned with the direction of our country and our economic future.

I am deeply concerned. I'm concerned about an economic system which tethers job creation to China and big banks. We shouldn't have to borrow money from China -- or Japan or South Korea -- to get out of this ditch. We should stop the Fed from giving billions to the big banks. We have to take back the power to manage our own economy, to regain control over our monetary system, consistent with the U.S. Constitution. That's why, one month ago, I introduced the National Emergency Employment Defense (NEED) Act. The legislation would put the Federal Reserve under the Department of the Treasury, and it would help us recapture control of our financial system. As part of the NEED Act, Congress would use its constitutional power to invest in America, creating millions of jobs by putting billions of dollars directly into circulation. And since this money is adding real, tangible value to our national wealth, it will not generate inflation.

We need a financial system that is of the people and for the people. We need to take it back from the big banks. We need economic and social justice. I will continue to support the Occupy movement. I will continue to fight for legislation, including the NEED Act, that sets America on a path of jobs for all, health care for all, education for all, retirement security for all, and peace.

Let's keep this movement alive. Let's keep fighting for economic and social justice. Keep occupying Wall Street. And, with your help, I'll keep occupying Congress.

With respect,

Dennis
Dennis Kucinich

P.S. Please forward this email to your friends and family, and share it on Facebook and Twitter. Let's spread this movement, and continue to support the Occupy protests.

MODS: This is printed in it's entirety because the author says above to send to friends and family.

[LWolf]

176. This is not a surprise. nt

[defendandprotect]

178. Ouch --- !!! Maybe the news hasn't reached them yet.... ???? Maybe they just don't care -- ???

Just want to also mention this, Manny --

The Dem Party is now under control of the Third Way -- and as far as I know

Obama is Third Way.

Otoh, THIS has to be true for all voters and all Dem members of Congress and

all elected Democrats across the nation ...

IF YOU DON'T AGREE WITH WHAT YOUR PARTY IS DOING OR YOUR FELLOW DEMOCRATS ARE

DOING, OR THE DIRECTION OF THE PARTY, I THINK YOU HAVE TO STAND UP AND SAY SO

AND IF THINGS DON'T CHANGE, I THINK YOU HAVE TO LEAVE.



And we should all remember -- SILENCE IS ALSO AN ANSWER -- !!


Thanks, Manny!

[pscot]

179. Shameful.

Beneath contempt, really.

[ZombieHorde]

182. DK rocks. Recommended. nt

[Historic NY]

183. So none of the so called Dems out in Calfornia have said anything?

[Fire Walk With Me]

185. Nothing of which I'm aware. I love Dennis. Elected dems hate him, Repubs hate him even more!

[Fumesucker]

199. I disagree to an extent..

I think the elected Dems hate Kookinich far more than the Republicans ever could.

[KG]

184. ++++

[unkachuck]

186. kick....n/t

[scarletwoman]

187. There can be no better illustration of the fact that electoral politics means NOTHING in itself.

It's a Ruling Class game, a rigged game, and it will get you nothing but more of the same.

The only path to real change is in the streets, it ain't in the voting booth.

"If voting changed anything they'd make it illegal." Emma Goldman.

sw

[tcaudilllg]

189. and yet the streets ultimately end up determining who is on the ticket.

That's our problem: we are letting these rubber stamp local committees choose our candidates for us. And every candidate is the same.

[scarletwoman]

192. OWS is NOT about electoral politics.

Your response makes no sense.

[tcaudilllg]

195. Then it's incoherent babble.

[SwampG8r]

193. i have some of the "truly supportive" on thread watch

but i have seen neither hide nor hair from them in days
is this even more than the most dedicated apologist can stomach?
or are they just letting the dust settle before they begin to spin again?

[Fumesucker]

196. This is the first DU thread I've ever actually bookmarked so I could keep kicking it..

[FlyByNight]

197. Kick

[babydollhead]

200. kick

[Fumesucker]

202. Kick..

[socialist_n_TN]

203. Kick..........

I'm curious about this myself. Any DLCers want to comment?

[lonestarnot]

204. kick

[Autumn]

207. Checking back. Is there a LIST yet?

KICK

[MannyGoldstein]

210. Looks like 3 so far

Barbara Lee
Dennis Kucinich
Possibly Bernie Sanders

[Autumn]

211. So 2 lower tier Democrats and Bernie Sanders

nothing at all from the leadership. Figures.

[redqueen]

228. Leadership is all DLC, triangulating, sold-out you know whats.

Paul Wellstone warned us about the republican-light figures infiltrating the party. Sadly most democratic voters aren't intelligent enough to tell the difference or they're too greedy to care.

[Blue_In_AK]

209. I know some unelected Democrats in Alaska who are supportive,

specifically Diane Benson, who has run for US House twice, and Scott McAdams, who ran for the Senate last year. I've also seen a couple of local assembly people at the protests.

As for the elected ones, though -- nada.

[Uncle Joe]

212. Kicked for the 3:31pm CST crowd. n/t

[Generic Other]

213. Still no one?

That's pathetic.

[Fumesucker]

214. Kick..

[Autumn]

215. Kick

any brave Democrats yet?

[Ripley]

216. Excellent thread Manny

Takes the mask off of half of the DUers who are mysteriously missing.

Because they cannot honestly defend this undefensible situation.

Godz Speed Scott and OWS!

[Fumesucker]

217. Kick...

[WillyT]

218. Kick !!!

[Ilsa]

219. Kicking for Olsen. nt

[Fumesucker]

221. Kick for the multitude of brave Democrats who have the back of the 99%

[Mimosa]

222. K&R n/t

[Ignis]

224. Kick

[blkmusclmachine]

225. More "Fierce Advocacy"(TM) for the bottom 99%:

the whole lot of phony "Democrats" in DC.

WE. DON'T. NEED. YOU.

[Fumesucker]

226. Kick..

[redqueen]

230. ...

[Autumn]

231. How bout now?

How many days has it been? Guess it's too late now

[Fumesucker]

233. Kick..

[sarcasmo]

234. Back to the top.

[Fumesucker]

235. Kick..

[Fumesucker]

236. Kick..

[Electric Monk]

237. +1

[Fire Walk With Me]

238. Kick!

[Fumesucker]

239. +1

[Leopolds Ghost]

240. They're not even COVERING this incident (or the Oakland strike) here in the Mid-Atlantic.

Funny how the BBC hasn't mentioned it, but are covering Julien Assange's rape trial.

[Poll_Blind]

241. Nothing to report yet! nt

PB

[sabrina 1]

242. The Mayor of Oakland has said she supports OWS and will

minimize the police presence from now on. She seemed to be keeping her word as there was very little police presence at today's huge Demonstrations and One Day Strike, which shut down several banks and many local businesses.

Those protests and the strike today were to condemn the Police Violence that put Scott Olsen in the hospital.

Not sure if she counts although she claims she always supported them.

[louslobbs]

243. Kicked again.........n/t

Lou

[Fire Walk With Me]

244. And the more time that passes, the more shameful it is!

[Electric Monk]

250. +1

[Fumesucker]

245. Kick for the multitude of brave Democrats who have the back of the 99%

Oh, wait..

[Leopolds Ghost]

246. Kick for the swift and certain conviction(s) of our brave politicians n/t

[Smarmie Doofus]

247. Kick. How did I friggin' miss this one. n/t

[Fumesucker]

249. Kick..

[Electric Monk]

251. Still waiting and listening. nt

[Liberal_in_LA]

252. k&r

[Fumesucker]

253. Kick.

[coalition_unwilling]

254. To which list should now be added the list of elected Democrats

denouncing the Kayvan Sabeghi beat-down by Oaklnad LE's 'finest'.

I've been hammering my rep (Karen Bass in CA's 33rd) to launch a Congressional investigation. Nothing back so far other than mealy-mouthed platitudes. Color me frustrated and growing increasingly pissed.

[coalition_unwilling]

255. Kick.

[LWolf]

256. A week later, and still only DK? nt

[coalition_unwilling]

257. Um, also Barbara Lee and Bernie Sanders (not that that's

anything to get overly excited about, mind you)

[LWolf]

265. Barbara Lee...yes.

And of course, Sanders is no surprise, but then, he's not a Democrat.

[coalition_unwilling]

275. Sanders is a democrat (note the lower-case 'd'), as in

'Democratic Socialist.'

[LWolf]

279. Of course.

The OP is asking about Democrats, though.

This highlights a real, and gravely serious, problem with the Democrats the party is electing.

[coalition_unwilling]

284. OH, to be sure. I just didnt' want people thinking Bernie was a

'democrat'

I've been hammering at my Rep, Karen Bass in California's 33rd, about this since Olsen and now Sabehji. I'll be calling starting on Monday, since my emails have only produced mealy-mouthed political platitudes so far.

Bass is running the risk of losing my vote over her continued silence. And she's one of the good Dems, trust me.

[Hotler]

258. kicking n/t

[woo me with science]

259. Kick. nt

[WCGreen]

260. Kick

[lunatica]

261. Barbara Lee, Congresswoman representing Oakland

Nothing like letting your ass hang out in cold for everyone to see.

[onethatcares]

263. still nothing from Bill Nelson, FL-13

I guess he's waiting to see which side wins.

[louslobbs]

266. Kicked again! Who is keeping the list of names? n/t

Lou

[icymist]

268. Kick!

[cui bono]

269. Kick!

[blackspade]

271. Wow! The Democratic 'leadership' is made up of some of the most

cynical bastards ever.

Pathetic.

[Hotler]

272. kicking. n/t

[louslobbs]

273. Kicking again. I know someone has the list, if you would, please send me a copy, Thanks. n/t

Lou

[Fumesucker]

274. Kick..

[ChiciB1]

276. I'm A Bit Perplexed... Kicking This, BUT About The Space Being Blank

Are you saying there are NONE???

[Fumesucker]

280. At the time the OP was posted there were none..

Now there are three of which I'm aware: Barbara Lee (D), Dennis Kucinich (D), Bernie Sanders (I).

[nc4bo]

281. Wow - I clicked this post thinking I was going to hear at least 1 Dem speaking up

about Mr. Olsen and the other veteran - in fact speak up about ALL of the brutality against OWS protesters.

I'm ashamed and deeply disappointed(again).

bunch of fucking cowards!

[SwampG8r]

282. interesting and unsuprising

seeing who is not replying here
usually they have something to say about everything but not so much on this subject
that loud sucking sound?thats your credibility going down the crapper "true believers"
i am glad that we are all waking up to the "third way" sellout our party has made

[MrMickeysMom]

283. HEY! I'm still ready to kick something...

... but I STILL can't find any balls!

[Autumn]

285. Checking back. K for Dennis

Nothing at all from the big man huh? So much for leadership.

[Jamastiene]

286. I'm too late to Rec this, but

not too late to

So, we have Dennis Kucinich, Barbara Lee, and Bernie Sanders. They are the only ones? That speaks volumes.

[Fumesucker]

287. Kick..

[Fumesucker]

289. Kick..

[formercia]

290. Kick

Now we know where the Dem Pols stand.

They're afraid to lose their Corporate Sugar Daddys' allowance.

[Autumn]

291. Al Gore spoke out in support of OWS

I wish he would speak out for Olson.

[AverageJoe90]

292. Unrecced.

This isn't what we need right now.

[Fumesucker]

293. Thanks for the kick!

[TheKentuckian]

294. Tell it to the mealymouths, windsocks, and turncoats we elected.

[piratefish08]

295. Kicked

thanks for the reminder

[coalition_unwilling]

296. Emphatic kick! This is EXACTLY what we need right now - n/t

[AverageJoe90]

297. Unrecced.

This isn't what we need right now.

[Fumesucker]

298. Thanks for the kick..

[Fumesucker]

299. Kick..

[girl gone mad]

300. kick

[Zorra]

301. kick

[Fumesucker]

302. Kick..

[Fumesucker]

303. Kick..

[Norrin Radd]

304. kr

[Fire Walk With Me]

305. KICK KICK KICK

[Fumesucker]

306. Kick..

[Fumesucker]

307. Kick..

[piratefish08]

308. kicked

[Fire Walk With Me]

309. Kick

[Fumesucker]

310. Kick..