Stand Up Next to a Mountain

[Rhiannon12866]

By William Rivers Pitt
t r u t h o u t | Perspective

Tuesday May 03 2005

Don't let me change my heart,
Keep me set apart
From all the plans they do pursue.
And I, I don't mind the pain,
Don't mind the driving rain.
I know I will sustain
'Cause I believe in you.

- Bob Dylan, 'I Believe in You'

An interesting thing happened to me last week. I got heckled while giving a speech. Now, don't get me wrong, I've been heckled before. I've given speeches in most of the Red States across the country, and have gotten quite adept at the call-and-raise verbal jousting required when addressing an unfriendly crowd. I've been heckled by irate conservatives in Texas, in Montana, in North Carolina, in Colorado, in Arizona. I've been called a Socialist, a Communist, a Fascist, and a Communist Fascist, my own personal favorite. It's actually fun once you get used to it.

Last week was a different thing, however. I got heckled by people on the Left.

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/050305B.shtml

Another gem by our good friend and fellow DUer, Will Pitt. He eloquently expresses not only what is happening out in the world, but on our beloved DU. And he also tells the story of another good friend, Andy Stephenson, one of my first friends on DU. It choked me up to read it. Liberals come through for each other when the chips are down, even though we've been pretty down, ourselves.:-)

[Rhiannon12866]

1. I'm kicking this because I'm hoping others will read it.

It's by our good friend, Will Pitt, and I think it's one of his best.:kick:

[Wilms]

2. Neat n/t

[Rhiannon12866]

3. Thank you!

Whew! At least you read it! Maybe I should have put Will's name in the subject line, so more people would pay attention, but I got in hot water the last time I posted one of his best articles here. The title was "The War is Lost" by William Rivers Pitt, implying he lost the war all by himself. He got a kick out of it, but I felt silly.:eyes:

[WilliamPitt]

5. I remember that

:)

Thanks for posting this.

Here's the new one, btw:

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/050605Y.shtml

[Rhiannon12866]

6. Thank you, my friend. I hope you remember this, since you wrote it.

I thought it was exceptional, so was moved to post it. And the part about Andy choked me up, and I am not a crier. But he was one of my first friends on DU, and has always been so kind to me.:-)

Thanks for the new link, which I will read. I subscribe to Truthout, but you know how it is. I never get to everything. This one, I'll be sure to read.:shrug:

Please keep up your great work. It is appreciated, though I know you've been discouraged. We all are, but what you do keeps the fires burning. It's important.:-)

Rhiannon:hi:

[bklyncowgirl]

4. Touching. and articulate article.nt

[Rhiannon12866]

7. I agree. Will's articles are always the best.

I'm just pleased that we get to hear what he has to say also here on DU.:-)

[Maat]

8. Excellent work once again!

Thank you, Mr. Pitt.