I gave my life to this election. Are you ready for November 3rd?

I started writing about politics during the impeachment. At the time, I was working as a paralegal somewhere...I don't even remember where. By 2000 I was a teacher. I remember sitting in my basement apartment in Brookiline, an off-season warm wind billowing in through the porthole window, on Election Day, 2000. I took it all in for a couple of weeks and then wrote this:

"I will not be a part of that national amnesia. I will not forget what has happened these last few weeks, and I do not accept George W. Bush as my President. He is a fraud and a pretender, and he lost the election. I will pay my taxes, and if I am called upon to protect my country in a military crisis I will serve, because thankfully George W. Bush is not America. But he is not my leader, and I will spend the next four years resisting him and his work. There is a long road ahead of us. Those of us who love our country and dread what this process has done to the people's ability to determine their political fate must remain vigilant and angry for four long years. I am here, and I am ready. It has been said that America works best when we have a common enemy. For years we had the Soviet Union. If the Republican party warmasters and the arms-dealing corporations they serve have their way, we might soon have China. My enemy is George W. Bush, and I am not alone. Keep the faith. Tend the flame. Never forgive, and never forget. There will be a reckoning."

I kept my promise. I gave my life to this election. Almost 1,500 days of reading, writing, marching, speaking, thinking, planning, worrying, fearing...everything I had to give and more. My health is less than it was. My friends, the people I grew up with, have all gotten married and moved away. I had a thought about calling an old friend, any old friend, for a beer tonight, and realized after a bit that I didn't have one available.

Promises kept.

17 More days. 17 days out of almost 1,500. I'll be honest. There's a part of me that wants to quit. There's a part of me that says, whatever happens on November 2nd, I have done my share, I have bled my required quart, I started this fight in a lush life full of love and friendship and am greeting this last slog in the lonliest place I have ever known in my life, and the attention I gave to this fight is a large amount of the reason why I am where I am.

I fought a scorched earth campaign within my own crops. So it goes. Every day. Waking to sleeping. That's what the country needed, that's what the situation asked for, that is what was required. To repeat the answer I gave whenever anyone asked why I do it: "Somebody has to."

I am going to get up tomorrow and do it again. I will find that place within that demands obedience to the necessity and to the fight.

If we win on November 2nd, I will roar and bellow and leap, and then remember that we have won nothing but an opening towards the possibility of real victory, perhaps in my lifetime but no matter regardless. I will be here on November 3rd.

If we lose on November 2nd, I will weep, and sleep, and be here for whatever is required in the service of my country. I will be here on November 3rd.

I will be here on November 3rd. Will you?

On edit: I'm not asking for thank yous. I'm asking a question.

Whatever happens, I'll be sobbing hysterically on election night as the final results roll in.

:scared:

I even THINK about the election and I cry. No matter which way I imagine it. One way is tears of rage, one way is tears of relief and sheer joy.

It's been a long dark night.

The road we travel has a few less bumps, but we cannot quit until the end.
I appreciate the Cheney's phony outrage story has to play itself out but there was a real gaffe at the debate, a HUGE gaffe and that is what we need to focus our attention on today any every single day until November 2nd.

Dailykos Diary:
<http://www.dailykos.com/story/2004/10/15/93534/109>

DUers-We need to get media off Mary and onto *'s lie about OBL.
This was a diary entry that got recommended, much like we do here.
It has many suggestions on how to get media interested in this.
Many of the comments also have suggestions, a CNN pol, rating the Yahoo story high to keep it front and center, etc.

C'mon everybody, lets do this! Are you with me?

contact media-email major media to not let this gaffe be forgotten
Rate the Yahoo story high to keep it visable

<http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/latimests/20041014/ts_latimes/bushnotconcernedaboutbinladenin02>

Thanks!

Yahoo story about (one of 10 +0 Bush lie in debate 3

Scale 1-5 average 3.86 with 2,254 total rankings

Even under president Kerry, The house and possibly the senate will be in the hands of the Republicans. The media will still belong to their corporate masters. The roaming bands of thugs who are tearing down Kerry/Edwards signs will find other mischief to work. The extreme right wing will be whipped up to a frenzy by talk radio. The most extreme will be stocking up their newly legal assault weapons for terrorist action. We have a lot of work to do to restore the America we once knew. God help us.

I met you here in late 2001, and have read your writings. They have inspired me, and kept me going! We have all changed over the past few years, and it comes down to this...

We will work till the last minute. We will be strong. Till Victory!!!

Thanks, for ALL you've done. You've added much to the campaign. Not just the Kerry campaign, but 'The Campaign,' to avoid decending into fascism at all costs!

Rick

But good luck to you.

that you have done, and I'll be here with you on November 3rd. Come what may...

...the NeoCons will be removed from power.

But, if Kerry wins, I will be VERY nervous between Election Day and the Inauguration...who knows what those people are capable of doing on their way out.

Will, thanks for your service to your REAL country and your REAL fellow citizens. I hope that it was worthwhile to you because your writings have helped sustain me over the last few years.

You are a true American hero, sir.

on edit: YES, I'll be here. Of course. We had a conversation just today in the party HQ.

Our topics included: clean elections, media reform, solidifying the base, and all the other good jazz we're going to do after after we sleep for a couple of weeks. We're putting down the marker and calling the meeting NOW.

I got off my a** and sent this email to the crew I've been working with. Cheers!

------------------------------------------
I'd like to put the marker down now ... for a post-election organizational meeting.

Now before you throw shoes at me, I know we still have THIS election to get through. I'm just worried that the election will come and go and we will all fall down out of sheer exhaustion and then we'll just not do anything else and everything that we have built so far will just kind of fade away.

I'd like to pick a date NOW for a couple of weeks after the election for a brainstorm and regroup meeting, regardlesss of the outcome of the election.

Some thoughts & topics might include:

- how to preserve our expertise / a place to keep all the materials we have developed.
- local topics of interest.
- initiative, clean elections, etc.
- us & the local party.

Some suggested ground rules might include:

(This bit borrowed from the homies in the Texas forum, thanks!)

1) This is a planning and idea meeting. Think big or out of the box. We will work on the details later.
2) Just because you propose it doesn't mean we can or will do it.
3) If it costs money, you need to say how you would pay for it too.
4) This isn't a meeting for "us" to tell "them" what "they" should do or say.
5) This is a meeting for "us" to get "us" to do "whatever" we can do locally.
6) Everyone will get a polite hearing on their idea. But if it's off-the-wall crazy, we reserve the right to politely move along to the next idea or topic.
7) We are going to be out of the idea meeting in 90 minutes.

Anyway, it's just a thought. I'm just saying, let's get a meeting on the calendar now and then it'll give us a chance to keep some momentum rather than simply falling apart from sheer exhaustion. Much as we might prefer that.

Thoughts?
- C

c'mon everyone, just 17 more days. Let hit it. There will be time to rest on Nov. 3.

November 3

(And I got this great feeling I can't explain in my gut that we are going to win)

where I was breathing pepper gas in the Kulturkrieg of that era. I dragged other PhD students with me out into the suburbs to canvass for McGovern.

I'm still here, a little less physically active, but agitating, writing a little, keeping some veterans stirred up, pushing messages around & connecting people that need to be connected, even a little street canvassing for old times' sake.

Sorry, kid. It doesn't end.

The torture never stops...

But, every so often, the good guys win!!!

It's time!!!

It is my greatest fear. Through the history of this country, revolutions like this have been successful, but often over a longer period of time. My greatest hope is that this election will not just be the end to the nightmare of 2000, but that it will be the end the nightmare that began in the late 60's. In many way, we are fighting the same people who we fought then. I hope I am right.

I don't know which is more proper description for Bush, cancer or fungus. But this is the slimiest president in my lifetime. He reeks of anything but decency.

As a VN vet, I have never been more disgusted to be an American. We should be real proud that we can can shoot fish in a barrel. It should just make us beat our chests in pride that we can kill thousands of innocent Iraqis from 20 million dollar Apache helicopters, when their defense is the equivalent of left over hand grenades from the Soviet Union.

Yes how brave we are, that with the most superior military technology in the world we can attack a country that perpertrated absolutely no aggression towards us, and have great cigar smoking parties that we can claim we killed another 15 insurgents. Only right along with them, 100 people who just wanted to live a lowly existence without having the great America tell them, no you have to die so we can force democracy on you.

He hasn't attended one funeral of any of our dead. I'm confident he never even made a phone call. It makes me sick! I'd like to see Bush dropped out of a C-130 right into the heart of Felleujah, and let him get a good close up look at his precious war.

Stood in my living room with my fist literally raised up in the air (I'm not normally so dramatic) and vowed to myself, my dog, my cat, my daughter, and my husband that I would make it my personal mission to see this asshat out of office in 2004 or before.

Now I'm in it for the long haul. I will be a Democrat to my death. There is no turning back, no more dicking around with third party crap like I used to do.

I am exhausted too Will, but I will be here on November 3 no matter the outcome.

I've also given more than I thought I had to give.

But I've also realized there is yet more that I can give.

And so I shall.

I want no regrets on November 3rd (my birthday).

If we lose (and we won't), it will not be because I didn't leave my blood on the ground.

And I know I have more to give on November 3rd, whether we win or lose.

Because remember: the GOP responded to Clinton's victory in 92 by tarring and feathering him so they cleaned up in 94.

We cannot let that happen this time.

Remember: this victory is only the beginning.

And I know you're not asking for it, but please let me tell you, Will Pitt, you have inspired me during these dark times, and I salute you, sir, as the patriot you are.

Bruce

Political junkies can't stop until we crash and burn.

n/t

Like you, one part of me wants this to be over soon. Then again, unless it's a Kerry blowout, the final decision may still indeed be for at least a few more months of litigation and spin.

I've been following Kerry and filming him and his family when I had a chance and I've been looking at the videos from back in August 2003 to now and there is so much hope that is part of the message. So much honesty. So much dedication and so many emotions. There are so many people out there that want change so badly.

I'm convinced Kerry will win. That is the only way I think right now.

November 3rd is too far away.

If Bush steals the election, November 3rd will mean the beginning of a long and possibly bloody war to get America back from the criminals, liars and chickenhawks.

I'm not kidding.

110304.

Either we win and get America back or we mobilize for the next fight. November 3rd might seem like an eternity from the day before.

I've never stopped fighting as a Democrat living in Texas and I never will. I'll admit without DU (which I found through you) I think they may have broken me but check it out, I'm still here, still fighting.

We are occupied. Even if we win the WH. There is a a hell of a lot to do reclaim my state from the hands of the fundy fascists.

It reall was good meeting you last year. :hi:

that drove this election, it will be an internet revolution. Like the men and women before us who camped out in Washington in the late 60's and early 70's we have camped out in cyber space. We have become researchers, writers and friends. We have formed communities with people we may never see or meet, but we will all perk up for the rest of our lives when someone utters the buzz words that we have all become accustomed to.

Beautiful people, everyone. :-)

On Election Night I plan to get shitfaced drunk. I plan to watch Fox News all night. I want to be a witness when the Democratic daisy cutter detonates in the capital of Bushworld. I want to see the arrogance wiped clean off their smirks.

I will tape it so I can play it back from time to time and remember what great things are possible when Democrats are united and inspired.

I have never been more militant about an election as I have about this one. I have prayed about it. I have obsessed about it. I have spent gobs of money on Dean, Kerry, the DNC, MoveOn, Operation Truth and numerous congressional candidates around the country. In 2000, I think I made one small contribution to Gore.

We -- in a collective sense -- let down our guard in 2000 and we let the Republicans bend us over and fuck us. I don't see that ever happening again. If they want to beat us this time, they are going to have to pummel us into a bloody pulp. If they try to steal another election, they better call out all the lawyers, guns and money they can lay their hands on.

And if Bush somehow manages to win this, we can't wait four more years for another chance. The country might be completely wrecked by then. If Bush wins, it's time to take to the streets and deny him the illusion of legitimacy.

I have been wonderingaboout what to do if Bush wins; leave the country or take to the streets in protest.

I will work forever to get change to occur. Today I am canvassing to get out the vote. Other days, I am phonebanking. Soon I will be sign waving in front of an early voting location. Whatever it takes, we must have John Kerry as our President.

I agree. I am trying to steel myself to make the ultimate sacrifice. It's something we all have to think about.

this I'm ready for whatever the future brings.

But I'm optimistic that Kerry will be in the WH this Jan. and it'll be a future worth fighting for.

One of them was my father. He fought in a justified war, one we had to be dragged into. It is true that an earlier entry may have saved lives........ or maybe not. We were dragged into the war but we knew for some time that we would be. We were no superpower in the aftermath of WWI. Our nation postponed the inevitable in order to give our troops the best possible odds of the time.

If I suffer one hundred concussions there is one memory I don't think could ever be knocked out of my psyche. My father sat across the kitchen table from me in 1979 and grabbed my hand - something he NEVER did - and looked into my eyes and said: "Never forget what I've told you. This kind of evil, it can happen anywhere. It can happen here. It doesn't happen all at once, people need to be submissive and compliant and not think for themselves. Always think for yourself."

I am wherever the DNC needs me those last few days. And I will keep fighting these bastards. My fathers memory demands no less.

struck a cord. My dad is from Greece. Went underground in WW2, and to this day recognizes the similarities between * and Hitler. My Dad has been as right wing as possibe up until about 2 years ago. He is as afraid of * as I am today.

"You've Got Lots of Friends"

When your down and troubled
And you need some love and care
And nothing, nothing is going right
Close your eyes and think of me
And soon I will be there
To brighten up
Even your darkest night

You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I'll come runnin'
To see you again
Winter, spring, summer or fall
All you have to do is call
And I'll be there
You've got a friend

If the sky above you
Grows dark and full of clouds
And that old north wind begins to blow
Keep your head together baby
And call my name out loud
Soon you'll hear me
Knockin' at your door

You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I'll come runnin'
To see you again
Winter, spring, summer or fall
All you have to do is call
And I'll be there

Ain't it good to know that
You've got a friend?
People can be so cold oh yeah
They'll hurt you and desert you
And take your soul if you let them
But don't you let them

You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I'll come runnin'
To see you again
Winter, spring, summer or fall
All you have to do is call
And I'll be there
You've got a friend

You've got a friend
You've got a friend

==
sniffle.

I raised $250,000 for the dems, I have written hundreds of email and letter to editors/congress,got hundreds registered to vote. I'm 54, regardless of what happens I pass the torch to the next generation. This 3 years have taken its toll on my health, friendships and my economics.Starting on 11/3 its about ME!........I wish you all god speed. I've done my part for more years than I care to count....You are all great.You'll always be in my heart.....BUT now its for me and EINSTEIN!

Thank you Will, for all of the sacrifices you have made. For depleting your physical being while building your spiritual being. Drawing the line between right and wrong is easy for most of us. Living your convictions have taken you to a place that many of us can only give lip service to, although we feel the urgency no less ourselves.

I find myself with the same motivation as you. Deeply moved to protect the country that I was told would be there for us to inherit. I feel robbed of not only my dreams, but often of my sanity as well. If I were to follow my heart, as you have, and fight daily, relentlessly, for that which we both believe deserves our effort, I would be emotionally depleted as well. Unfortunately for me, the battle had to be tempered with child rearing concerns that could not be placed on the back burner for the amount of time that I would have devoted if that obligation did not exist.

I find myself experiencing the gambit of emotions on a daily basis. The highs of good numbers, good speeches, and hopeful conversation with friends or coworkers. The lows of smear campaigns, unfair sound bites, and apathy of the voters to seek the truth on many important issues. The tears as the fear that maybe the task is too big to succeed. The tears of joy when I feel that we will succeed. The tears to cleanse the anxiety and, like a summer rain, to clear away the emotional debris and find the rainbow again.

I must thank you from the bottom of my heart. I thank you for doing the job that I wish I could have done. I thank you for speaking for me when other obligations demanded my attention instead. Thank you for letting us live through your efforts just enough to know that the best were doing the job for us all. Just Thank you.

You see Will Pitt, you really did make a difference in the world. Is that a bell I hear ringing Clarence?

edited to add -- YES I will be here on November 3 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 etc.

for the guilty.

I want the American people to know the truth.

our country, our world, can possibly survive another four years of making war on behalf of corporate sponsors.

I wonder how many more young men and women will be sacrificed to our country's endless thirst for oil.

And then I wonder ... if this truly is a religious war, how did I end up on the wrong side? I am thinking of volunteering for the Peace Corps and ask to be deployed to Iraq if Bush is reelected. I wonder if they would send me there?

I've similar feelings about the illegitimacy of these last four years. I vowed to fight them until they were defeated. I hope I have made a difference. Your passion and leadership have been greatly appreciated for the last almost four years. You have been a leader in the cause. Thanks brother.

However, I do not know if I will be able to continue the fight for four more years if we do not defeat these illegitimate bastards this time. I look at the damage that has been done in four short years. I look at where we were and where we are now and I realize it didn't have to be that way. I'm not sure that we would have been attacked on 9/11 if justice had prevailed. It's almost like this was our punishment for permitting such a travesty to happen.

I will not submit to slavery or the taking of my liberty ever. I will fight to the death. I do not know what the future holds for our country. I fear to ponder the consequences of November the 2nd. I hope and pray for the best.

. . .I'll be right there with ya' Will, and so will many millions of other Americans. We're "MAD AS HELL AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO TAKE IT" There are a lot of people out here who, while they may not have given to the cause at the 'scorched earth' level, have given more for this cause than they have ever before. AND, we can't let up now!!! This is the final hour! Sound the Alarm! Rally the troops! To the barricades! Down with the Czar!!! GOD BLESS YOU!

We have to take responsibility for it.

If Bush has done anything, it's to create this awakening in millions of people across the country.

He "won" the election by less than the margin of statistical error.

He made us all realize that every vote DOES count.

Someday perhaps we can all be grateful that Bush was president. I say this in the most Buddhist sort of sense.

For those who think that John Kerry will do all the heavy lifting once he's elected, that we can all just go back to doing our merry-old-thing and not worry about who's running things anymore ..........

Well you're wrong.

Getting Bush out of office is just slaying the beast. There are more beasts where he came from. They're gonna come after us again.

I am new to this forum, but I've learned so much since the debates online here, and doing independent research on my own. I read yesterday about PNAC, and was vaguely familiar with the Straussian neocons, but reading about PNAC literally gives me the chills. It is a topic that I'd like to discuss with those who know more about it. Why is the media so lenient on this administration? I don't get it. All of the moral outrage over Clinton, when Clinton's sins pale in comparison; no, they are not even in the same category as Bush, Cheney, Rove etc, and yet next to nothing in the media.

I just found out tonight that Jeb Bush was an original founder of PNAC in 1997, and war with Iraq was envisioned long before 9/11. And Lynn Cheney is a senior fellow of the AEI. Bush announced his foreign policy (PNAC) plan to AEI I think before 9/11. Why isn't this reported on? Can't people see that Bush is just a puppet president for PNAC? Or am I wrong? It is not irony that the contest was in Florida. I remember the look of shock on Bush's face when it was announced that he hadn't taken FL, and it was like....no way is that possible. Sure enough, his brothers and the Supreme Whores of America made it possible. We (as in WE THE PEOPLE) give them lifetime membership without elections so that they will be politically impartial. I'm so afraid something like that will happen again this election. These people have no souls. What's several thousands of innocent lives when their end is world domination by force?

And, in spite of your closing line, Will, I thank you.

I have to admit that I really didn't feel close to it. I didn't feel the fascination that some outsiders have - just saw it as a place on TV, with bigger buildings than we have in Canada -- and being Canadian, there was always a bit of resentment mixed in. The US was always so large, so strong, the attention-getter that seemed to take everything for granted, and that irritated me.

After watching the coverage of that election day in 2000, and being on DU since the Unauguration -- I actually admire Americans more now, after talking with many of you online and feeling the passion that people like Will Pitt, and Crewleader, and Plaidder, and countless others have shown. To paraphrase Al Gore, "I like what I see".

I've gotten more involved with democracy and activism in my own country. I'm now speaking up on behalf of Americans when others mistake the will of their government for the will of the people.

If those in power resort to trickery and intimidation, you might not succeed in taking back your country next month. That's a possibility, and I'm not going to gloss it over. But I now realize that the spirit that you share, as Americans, cannot be crushed or stamped out. No matter what the outcome, the quest for a "more perfect union" is an ongoing process. Most of the world will be walking alongside you. After all, you helped teach many nations about what being a democracy means, and what the price of that is -- in exhausting days and lonely nights, going far beyond military service or even the ballot box. Picking yourselves up and starting again is very much part of that.

Will made you a promise, and I'll make you a promise too. I promise not to let you forget what's good about Americans. Even those who are so angry and ashamed by the past few years that they don't want to be part of the United States at all. When an American teenager who served with pride in the US Army tells you with tears in his eyes that he doesn't want to be an American anymore, and that he doesn't think he'll ever be able to go home because of what the current administration has done -- this has got to stop! As much as Canada would benefit from a surge of immigration, the United States would lose so much in terms of creativity and idealism that it might never recover.

I'll do my best to help make Canada a welcoming haven, but one which looks ahead to a happier time, when Americans can be proud again and we can enjoy mutual respect and that undefended border we used to brag so much about. (Until then, you're always welcome to come up for a break, while you're working to repair the damage to your nation. And bring some of those Krispy Kreme donuts we've been hearing so much about.)


Love,

Lisa

You make a run across the border very tempting...I live in MI, so it's only a half hour away!

I have lived 63 years in this country, and I will not give up on it. It's hard to imagine us losing. The depression would be great; but, as long as I live I will do everything I can to rise above it and do what I can do for the common good.

I know you don't want thanks, but you have been an inspiration to me; and, I thank you.

Or putting sand bags in front of our home.

I will be here on November 3rd and every damned day until we rid the world of their shadow.

The question keeps arising here on various forums along the line of what will we do if we lose. I am astounded at the people who are planning to leave the country. I can't see doing that-- not only is it caving in; it's running away, and it's WRONG. If the worst comes to pass we MUST stay and fight the good fight.

If we lose, democracy in America (and eventually a good part of the world) is finished. A fascist police state will come into open existance within weeks. This must not be allowed to happen. This must not be allowed to stand unchallenged. This must not be allowed to succeed if we want to escape Orwell's worst predictions (many of which are coming true day by day already).

Due to your resources and circumstances you have been able to position yourself to do far more in the cause of our future freedom than I. I stand and salute you for your words, deeds, and sacrifices, Mr. Pitt. Many here have joined you in the fight, and many have sat on the sidelines planning their escape.

I will not leave my country. My family has donned military uniforms in service and defense of a free United States for generations. My father earned the Purple Heart in the fight. To the day of his death he carried shrapnel from a Bouncing Betty in his body. His partner, the man who stepped on the mine, never left the minefield. How can I possibly walk away from such a legacy? It's true I haven't been able to do a lot thus far, but if in the near future it comes down to it I promise I will do what I can to help free us from the coming tyranny.

I do not believe you and I will be standing alone, my friend. Many here will be at our sides. I think that when you sleep, you should sleep soundly, and not worry. We will not desert the United States Of America, and we will not rest until this country is put to rights.

while listening to street fighting man by the stones.

24.

If you are a commander of forces, and you care about those forces and about winning, you do not overextend them. Rest and recreation are essential to maintaining a top fighting unit. If the hours are too long, and the time at the front unbroken by moments of rest and sanity, you end up having a far less effective team to combat the enemy. This is simple fact, and it is applicable to this battle.

I would recommend that you get in your car, drive down to the Cape, go to Dennis or Harwich, or further along if you so wish, check into a cheap hotel, spend the day walking on the beach and then go to Seafood Sam's before they close up for the season and pig out on scallops. Or fried clams. Go to a karaoke bar and sing a few stupid tunes. Then rest, get up the next day, walk on the beach some more, and then go home and pick up the banner again.

Clear your head. You are no good to anyone, much less yourself, if you are exhausted.

The fact of the matter is that even if--I am still thinking WHEN--Kerry wins, there will still be a lot of work to do. Take a look at the House and the Senate. Take a gander at the Supremes. There are some states that have whackos in charge, that will need attention too. We can't just put on rose colored glasses and sit back, smug.

This is a real war, too--what we are fighting is the terrorizing of a nation by a despot who will stop at nothing to impose his personal views on us and the world. And there are crazy bastards who see a buck in it, and they are along for their happy ride. Even if W goes quietly, don't expect those guys to trot along behind him because we say so. So, we have to educate people, complain, speak out, contribute, do whatever we can. But we also have to have regular periods of R and R--otherwise, we're not running at peak efficiency.

My two cents, FWIW.

Volunteer, go to your precinct and speak out aganist the fraud!!!

during difficult times. Your have motivated DU.

I have struggled through Viet Nam and, like Jackpine mentioned, I can say that it never seems to end. It gets better from time to time, but you just can't let your guard down or the fascists come marching in again.

I recently met Amy Goodman and I commented to her how much I appreciate the courage and dedication that true investigative journalists put into their work for the sake of bringing a little truth to the masses.

Will, you are right up there with the best of them and your effort will not be forgotten.

I have been donating to various campaigns and organizations around the country with the hope that they will use those resources to the best advantage. Still, I must do more.

I have never been more concerned about the future our country, and the life that my teenage sons will have to look forward to. I will not sacrafice them to the machine.

I'll be here with you on 1103. And if you are ever in NorCal, you've got a friend to have a beer with.

There's WAY too much "Oh jeez, what IF we lose?" mentality around here.

Get to work against Sinclair and other enemies of democracy and educating the media about things that can hurt us!

I too have been working hard to get rid of Bush and Co. But getting them out of the White House is not the whole mission. Not that you (or others on this thread) don't know that.

But in some ways I have had to hold back. I've had to bite my tongue for the sake of party unity. But come November 3rd the Democrats will have to do more than just defeat Bush to satisfy me.

In 2000 I wanted Bush gone.

After 9/11 I kicked it into high gear.

But now I want them all gone.

Not just Bush. Not just Cheney. Not just Rummy and Wolfie and Ashcan.

I want Will Marshall and Joe Lieberman outed for the neo-con moles they are.

I want the DLC to become a political pariah - a third rail no one running for office would dare associate themselves with.

I want people - ordinary, everyday Americans - to feel they have a stake and a voice in the system.

I hope and pray John Kerry will do more than balance the budget and smooth things over in Iraq. I want him to take these mf'ers down. I want him to make them think his work on the BCCI was a college term paper. I want them in jail fearing for their asses - literally.

So yes, November 3rd I will still be here - on DU and on the warpath. Maybe even more than I am now.

And Will, I know it isn't the same, but you have a lot of friends here. We have never met, but I would have a beer with you any time, anywhere. In fact, I am having one with you right now.

Cheers. To the good fight. Thank you for serving as one of the generals in the war for Democracy.


On edit - the thank you was from the heart. I know you weren't looking for it, but I felt I had to say it.

I think we will win but I will be here if we don't.

Dian

again....I'll be sick, so heartsick and depressed (as I was on 1/6/01)...I don't know if I can continue as I have since 2000, as you and all of us on DU have, with so many letters, protests, petitions, emails to the newspapers, Congress, etc. I think I may just realize that the Nazis have won and there is no use to continue to fight. I pray that that will not happen and that we will prevail.

This election reminds me so much of the McGovern/Nixon election in the 70's when our country was as divided as it is now. My husband and I fought and argued for our families and friends to vote for McGovern but it was not to be...after the election when Nixon won and then when Watergate finally came to light, it didn't make an iota of difference for my husband and I to say to our families and friends, "I told you so", because it didn't matter--we were ALL screwed!

Will, I thank you for your extremely moving and beautiful articles on TruthOut and here on DU. You have always moved me to tears, as well as boosted me to just get up and do what we all have to do to get John Kerry elected! I pray to G_d that he will be our next President!

On Edit:

I forgot to add that whenever you get down to the DC area, please let me know and we will have on hand every kind of good beer you can think of and we'll have a party!

:)

and to begin the surgical removal of the Repugnant party from the national body.

If we lose this election, we've only lost a battle, not the war.

but lets not cross that bridge today, ok? :)

and just redouble our efforts today :)

If we go down, let us go down standing, not kneeling.

Never kneeling.

We recline.

"The price of freedom is eternal vigilance."

If Bush retakes the throne of his rapidly declining empire, we will have to set watchers everywhere.

But I seriously believe that if George manages to get in again, the Republicans will impreach him. They will have to.

I may be down in DC election night and won't return until morning really but I'll be here then I'll have school the next day, betcha I'll be hungover likely or just exhausted.

"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat."


"Citizenship in a Republic,"
Speech at the Sorbonne, Paris, April 23, 1910

:hug:

Sorry you're feeling so burnt.

Me 'n Hizzoner will be here November 3rd. With pitchforks and torches, if necessary.

and his family, James Hafield and all the disappeared ones, known and unknown, Michael Moore, Mike Hoffman, Jim Hightower, Howard Dean, war vets, Chris Reeve, the hungry, the Boss, Randi Rhodes, Paul Krugman, Wes Clark, VolcanoJen, Bob Graham, Richard Clark, America's children, Scott Ritter, Sue Niederer, her late son, Big Dog on the mend, Grant Hill, people of Palm Beach, people of Duval, all Floridians, students, Obama, Elad, that lady who's dying wish was to beat Bush, Al Gore, civil liberties, Jimmy Carter, Sen. Robert Byrd, American women, Al Franken, Hans Blix, Chuck D, Skinner, our teachers, Cynthia McKinney, Deans dozens, our brave soldiers, Daniel O'Keefe, the Iraqi people, real cowboys, Krugman, world citizens, Joe Wilson, Plain Adder, Victoria Plame, Krugman, RNC demonstrators, Earl G, Bob Graham, Steve Earle, gays, ex-felons, Al Sharpton, New Yawker99, families, Garafalo, Jesse...John Edwards, John Kerry, Abe Lincoln, George Washington and everyone else that kicks ass. I wouldn't miss it.

As another DUer has mentioned on a another thread, a sprint runner aims past the finish line and I think it wise to prepare ourselves mentally for that. In this way we will be less disheartened and more prepared.

But let's say Nov 3 is poetic metaphor for "after election dust is settled" and that means we are reacting to one of four scenarios, pretty much.
On a spectrum, and in my opinion, descending order of likelihood:
(JK=clear win, JK=disputed win, GB=disputed win, GB=clear win)

Each will require a different reaction, in terms of differences in tone and resulting memes, spin/counterspin. But on first chance, we will have to look at the landscape of the battlefield and assess the situation and environment.
In any of these scenarios, we will need to re-calibrate how we integrate our activism to our personal lives, because many of us will be almost broke financially or otherwise. I know this to be the case personally. In doing this, we will also need to be evolving INFRASTRUCTURE that will enable us to better continue to improve our position. This would include long-term and short-term defense and offense, ways to feed and tame the media beast, ways to build bases and empower and engage people in new ways. There is much more we can do by using new media tools to new effect. We have just scratched the surface on that.
So, it will be exciting work, full of potential and creativity.
We will, in our re-calibration, make it FUN and REWARDING.
I WANT to be there for that!

I'm sure there will be no disintegration on November 3, Will. But this campaign we are on began in May 2003 in earnest and has been full of death in the trenches, murderous fire in the open field, failed generals, endless artillery bombardments, and the burning down of everything within the lines of battle. We do have to give some furlough.

This war has been long enough that its victims and outrages and savagry claw on our dignity. There is no compromise that is bearable now, no armistice that will hold for long. If Bush wins, which I doubt, he'll serve us new outrages. Kerry winning will be followed by vile obstruction of his efforts for the public good in Congress.

We will be back because victory is within reach, defeat will only be followed by insults and grevious offenses. We are going to be beyond any bitterness or aggression, entering into that easygoing state of relentlessness in face of abject heresy and insanity. In 2006 we're going to smash the Republican majority(ies) in Congress and governorships, win the war.

I was in another place back in 2000 -- health problems that kept me far away from the battle that all of you have been fighting. Thankfully I found DU and I've done what I can so far. At night, while trying to fall asleep, I've comforted myself with the thought that no matter WHAT happens on November 2nd, there is going to be a hell of a lot of work to do on November 3rd and beyond, and I am going to be a part of that. I will be here November 3rd and every day after that. No matter what the outcome, I will be here.

I want to say thank you to everyone on this board who has worked so hard to keep the faith and hope alive while doing the impossible day after day. It never ceases to amaze me how quickly the DU troops come together when something has to get done and get done now. And it happens. Time after time. You are all inspirations. Thank you.

And William, about that beer...I don't know where you live and I'm in the San Diego area. Whichever one of us is in the other's area first, whether it be this year or ten years from now, I'm buying. :toast:

we are all coggs in the spin cycle except our coggs are made of hardened steal whilst thier coggs are made of swiss cheese..Behold the power of cheese. Our media or should i say apologist and panderers love cheese and don't realize that the machine works better when its made of hardened steal but even though cheese melts it taste really f_cking good.And America has been covered lavishly with the gooey milk product masking any truth with the sweet diversion of the creamy tasty topping never realizing that all this cheese is going to hurt us in the morning and friends there isn't enough toilet paper or a (to quote married with children about thier toilet)Mighty Ferguson big enough to flush what has been done to our system.All we can do is try to scrape the cheese off our broccoli grab a fry and carefully scrape it off of our cheeseburger.Get in there and replace those coggs one at a time..
Sleep well my compadre you are going to need it because no matter what happens nov 2nd there will allways be cheese to scrape coggs to replace and tears to shed.

no question about it.

Whomever drops the flag, I will be there to pick it up. This is only the most important election in my lifetime, SO FAR. There will be others

Like Dylan said-"the loser now will be later to win"

Iam having a hard time trying to understand why this race is so close ? I just dont get how any Americans, Dem or Repug can back this miserable failure of a President. I get so frustrated by the mis information being fed to the voters on a daily basis. I cant nor will I ever be able to understand people I know,that are backing bush ,they are not stupid ,yet they are when it comes to this issuse. bush has been bad for almost everyone in this country ! If bush should win ,or steal this election ,I will hang my head in the shame of what has become of my country. I hope beyond all hope that the polls are way off and that Kerry has this election won already. Its happen B/4 , and oh God how I hope it happens in this election !!!!

this election. If we win, the right will do everything in their power to tear John Kerry down, just like they did with Clinton. We were too quiet during the Clinton years, I was anyway. I railed at them for smearing Clinton; the Travel Office sham, blaming Hillary for Vince Foster's death, the Whitewater investigation, the demonizing of Hillary's health care plan, the sexual misconduct allegations, wag the dog scenario in Bosnia, and then the impeachment. But,I did nothing.

The right wing undercut Clinton every inch of the way. They tied his hands so that any action by Clinton was suspect and ridiculed. And I did nothing.

Maybe if I and the many loyal DUer's here had been half as active then, as we are now, maybe the media would have been less lazy and more critical of the RW smear tactics. Then Clinton may have been more aggressive in pursuing Osama Bin Laden and maybe 9/11 would not have happened. Maybe the RW would not have gotten as firmly entrenched in the Congress as they are now. Maybe the bogus impeachment would not have happened. Maybe Gore would have embraced the successes of the Clinton administration during the campaign, and the outcome would have been different. Maybe the media would have done a better job of reporting the RW abuses during the 2002 election, and the outcome would have been different.

But I wasn't as active then as I am now. We cannot let this happen all over again. If JK wins we have to continue to be diligent. We have to fight fire with fire. We cannot let the RW fringe and neo-cons define Kerry's presidency. The fight will not be over if he is elected, it will only have just begun.

If John Kerry loses the election, then we must continue to keep our voices loud and clear for the abuses that will surely be perpetrated on the American people, our Constitution and our freedoms.

I will be there.

It lives in perpetuity - good vs. evil - defined by the latest in a series of good guys vs. bad guys.

This is another battle for us old folks, and the first for many here. You fall in the middle, for you never saw us gunned down in Ohio, or killed in our beds in New Haven and Oakland. But you have seen them use the Constitution for a doormat, and steal the right to vote from those who failed the test of color.

And you, like many here, could not and would not let it stand. You took the baton from those of us who are tired of the fight, and with the energy of a thousand pulled us back into the fray. We came along - we knew we would - and poured back decades of energy into the fight.

The bastards made one big mistake - they believed we wouldn't answer the call one more time. How foolish of them. For those of us who came of age during the 60's know we are defined by those times. That, my friend, will never change. We'll look to the young for the energy, and we hope they'll look to us for the wisdom. Together we will right the wrongs. How long it will take we don't know, but we WILL right the wrongs.

"We are voices of chaos and anarchy,
everything they say we are, we are,
And we are very proud of ourselves"

Up against the wall, motherfucker, indeed.

17 more days. And beyond.

I know everyone's tired, and depressed and frightened and frustrated. I feel the same.

But we have to hope for the best and be prepared for the worst. If we lose on November 2, it will be because this election was stolen. And if the election is stolen (again) we will be unable to deny that we are living in a different country from the one we grew up in.

What I've done the past four years (getting informed, talking to people, donating money and time, learning, learning, learning) barely scratches the surface of what I believe will be required of all of us if we lose this election.

So I'll be here. I have two kids who are going to grow up in this ocuntry. I have no choice.

I sat down and talked to my family the day the supreme court stopped the recount. I told them all of my energy would to Take my Country back, as so many veterans had given me the right for free speech and I was not sure how 2000 happened but I would be spending 4 years working my butt off to boot Bush and this bunch of criminals. I too started working during the impeachment.

September 11th came and I had a moment of pride for our selected president wanting to go after the terrorists but it only lasted a moment and then I got to thinking, "Did this guy benefit from 9-11"?
I started working harder. I wrote articles, I contacted talk shows, I put out a Take it Back CD, I spent money I didn't have. I registered voters. I talked day and night to people I have never met. I had interviews. I attend rallies, meetups. I have put my family on the back burner to a degree. My Mom took very sick and at the hospital to get my mind off things, I was telling people in Florida at the hospital whenever appropriate like the cafeteria to help remove Bush out of office. I did this when I heard them complaining of money or cost of healthcare. When my Mom died several months later, I was grief struken but still would not stand for people praising Bush. I was even angrier as I felt they used my Mom for experimental purposes and had tripled her Vioxx dosage.
I came back and instead of grieving, I started working harder. Taking it to the streets.

My family has been wonderful. I have lost family, friends, or so called friends and received hate mail and boycotted on events but I did what I said I would do. I will be here on November 3rd and it should be an interesting day as God only knows what is going to happen when either one goes in. People are angry and filled with hate and venum on both sides. Since 2001 I have had children hospitalized, one diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes, one with a cleft pallet lose his hearing, we are not being compensated for either child., a husband who has deterioated since Iraq was invaded, a grown son fall into depression from losing business and can't find work and I am doing this and taking care of 7 people as I took in my 81 year old blind Father. My Mom died and this has been the longest 4 years in my life. I am glad I have done what I have done.

I have met beautiful people like you all through this journey. I cried when Paul Wellstone was killed. I cried when I worked hard on 2002 election for naught. I know that I did my part and thank you Will for doing your part. I will be able to know I did everything I could to take it back no matter how it turns out. I know I did all I could. I know you have done all you could Will and so have many on this board.



...................................................................


HARRIS: I certainly think they are and they are being very sensitive to it. They are very interested in our trip. And it was rather historic that we met with some of the women, since they comprise 61 percent of the population, how they were going to interact in the Governing council and writing of the new constitution.

But, yes, they are being responsive to the terrorist attacks and how we are dealing with it. They're constantly reevaluating. And I think they are going to have some different opportunities for the troops.

BLITZER: Let's take another caller. Amanda, go ahead. You are on the air.

CALLER: My question is for Katherine Harris. Did you get the opportunity to speak with the Iraqi women and encourage them to follow your lead in going into public office so that they, too, could disenfranchise voters?
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0310/30/nfcnn.02.html

http://groups.msn.com/FocusGroupNow/whatsnew
http://groups.msn.com/UnitedVeteransofAmerica/whatnew
http://groups.msn.com/PrayforKerry/
http://theguyjamesshow.com/
http://radioleft.com/
http://c-span.org
25 year Essay winner

I'd be proud to sit and have a beer with you, Will...and I don't even like beer! :-)

Believe me, I will be here on November 3rd, for better or worse. I can't imagine any other place I'd rather be.

:grouphug:

be here in victory. Your work has brought our hearts and minds out of the oppression that has been manufactured and applied to us since bullies have invaded our government. There is something that pulls through from our souls that will not be ignored. It's not the fear or faith that drives this country .It's freedom to follow our integrity to the truth. Truth will prevail and we will be here to see it.
Power to the People. USA is going to lead a New World of Cooperation. I just sent my letter to the FCC. Any one reading this(Get out the Vote. TALK to everyone who is around you. Bush in not credible and that's it.)
Kerry is better the more you know him. Environmentalists agree. Civil Rights Workers agree.True Journalists agree. Single working moms agree. Factory workers agree. Peace officers agree.
Even Christians who know the love of Jesus agree.Minorities agree.
Texas has seen The Bush Works so they agree.Freedom fighters in major musical bands,stage and film agree.Scientists agree. Patients agree.
Families with two or more average incomes agree.All those without unreasonable fears agree.People working to protect our everyday life from terrorism agree.Students agree.Economists agree.Stock market investors agree. Small business owners agree.Reservists agree.Dock workers agree.Gasoline consumers agree. If anyone else agrees. Let your voice be heard.
Tell WIll PITT it is not in vain. We will keep it alive an Kerry our leader.

The following article by Margaret Kimberley pretty much covers all the bases about what to do on the day after Election Day, regardless of who wins:

Published on Thursday, September 30, 2004 by the Black Commentator
The November Third Movement
by Margaret Kimberley

November 2 is Election Day. On November 3, 2004, a new movement must begin, regardless of that election’s outcome. If Bush emerges triumphant the reasons for opposing his regime are obvious. His agenda is so horrific that opposition is a necessity. America must be saved from corporate corruption, a loss of individual rights, and unending war that threatens the entire world.

Of course the painful situation we find ourselves in makes the possibility of a Kerry defeat unthinkable. It would be the worst electoral defeat of a Democrat presidential candidate in modern political history. It would be worse than the Gore defeat of 2000, worse than the landslides that sent George McGovern and Walter Mondale packing. If a president who cheated his way into the White House, presided over the loss of one million jobs, and made war based on lies isn’t defeated, the recriminations and blood letting must be immediate, public, and uncompromising.

There should be no talk of being positive and unified when the Democratic party is in shambles. The clumsiness of John Kerry on the campaign trial is not only a reflection of Kerry the man, but of the dysfunction promoted by the hapless Democratic National Committee and the Democratic Leadership Conference. The only outcome worse than a Kerry defeat, would be continued deference to the people who made it happen.

The party leadership, including the deified Bill Clinton, must be exposed by this movement as the architects of a disaster. Democrats who stood up to Bush when their leaders took a dive must liberate themselves from the belief that the people who have run their party into the ground know more than they do or are deserving of any respect.

http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0930-06.htm

We have truth on our side. This can be done as last resort.You don't deserve to win a fight if you don't take it to the limit.!

The truth is that we lost the war and that we must bring our troops home now.

No one has told the truth about the Middle East conflict.

No one has told the truth about PATRIOT Act.

No one has told the truth about same sex marriage.

The best thing about November 3rd is that the ABB coalition will have come to an end, and we can all go back fighting for our progressive causes.

So go and vote for the lesser of two evils, as I will certainly do, but come the day after Election Day, let's stop pretending we are a big happy family. Bush is but the most extreme example of what is wrong with our country, but getting rid of him is only the first step in a very long journey.

'we' were in 1968 when Nixon won the election and then got re-elected in '72. He was the anti-christ of his time and bush* fills the bill for these times. American politics appears to be a lifelong struggle, it doesn't end with the election of one or another politician. The voting body in this country tends to be reactive to the last 4 to 8 years, so after Clinton and the badgering his penis got American voters reacted and elected this fucking idiot we have now (well sort of). If Kerry wins, 4 to 8 years from now the electorate will vote in another nazi asshole and this whole process will start over. There is no END to the process. Gotta be there on Nov. 3, when Kerry wins it will just be the beginning of another cycle.

all of you who've worked so hard.

of taking our country back. The work will have just started.

:kick:

You are, in large measure, preaching to the faithful here. I get so annoyed with the people (one of them my closest friend) who are making provisional arrangements to emigrate if bush wins. Fine. Leave me here to fight the good fight. Somebody has to.

If we win, on November 3 and for a few days thereafter, I won't know whether to shit or go blind (I think you have to be from NY to know what this means). But really, that will only mean that our work is just beginning. It's a different kind of work. (No, not the george bush kind of "hard work"). Now I'm involved in local politics and I'm committed to changing it. I've been asked to chair my local committee. I couldn't have imagined such a thing 3 years ago.

Once you move out of your corner, out of the box, there's no going back in. But I'll never be sorry I took that step.

As for friends, many of mine think I'm orbiting around the lunatic fringe. Fine, too. I've made new friends, people committed to walking the walk, not just talking the talk. I find I have very little truck with people who whine and complain, but do nothing. I no longer have time for that. We have a world to change.

Will, lonely you may be (it's writer's lot dontcha know), but you are far from alone.

"They don't know whether to shit or go blind"! I always thought it was so incongrous, for some reason! LOL

.

I admit the error of complacency during the latter part of the 1990's. I could not believe a nation would be dumb enough to elect Bush in 2000, or that it could even be close.

I was wrong. I learned my lesson. No matter who wins, greedy, short-sighted people will always be out there, like a pack of hungry wolves, awaiting for signs of weakness. I will now be ever vigilant, and on guard for the wolves. The nation, and my children deserve no less.

--

whether we win or lose.

The fact is that the entire system is broken (government, media, health care, basic discourse...). The powers that be will not fix our problems without our help, and persistence.

I'll be right here.

Thank you for all the work you have done.

Novemeber 3 a lot of new work begins.

PS -- I know you're not asking but fuck that, I'm saying it anyway --- THANK YOU! LOVE YOUR WORK!

hope that day doesn't arrive.

I haven't given as much as many others, but for a lazy bastard I haven't done too badly. ;)

"Mission accomplished, we saved the world, I can get on with my life now!"

After Kerry wins, there will still be much to DU in terms of keeping him on the right path and in putting the Bush gang behind bars. And I pray that you don't assume that the freepers are going to just to fold up their tents. When Air America's Randi Rhodes was asked what she'd have to talk about if Kerry won, she said, "Rush Limbaugh didn't go on unemployment during the Clinton years."

They took control because we took so much for granted. After November 2, win or lose, we begin to take it back. Politics is part of my life now and forever. As the Jews one said, never again.

:headbang:
rocknation

and won't let it happen again. DU will be as necessary as ever.

Well, maybe it's like Casy says. A fella ain't got a soul of his own, just a little piece of a big soul - the one big soul that belongs to ever'body. Then...then, it don't matter. I'll be all around in the dark. I'll be ever'-where - wherever you can look. Wherever there's a fight so hungry people can eat, I'll be there. Wherever there's a cop beatin' up a guy, I'll be there. I'll be in the way guys yell when they're mad - I'll be in the way kids laugh when they're hungry an' they know supper's ready. An' when the people are eatin' the stuff they raise, and livin' in the houses they build - I'll be there, too.

November 3rd may see us still in the trenches, either for 'fear more years' or for some months (aka 2000 election).

I'd get over to the Brookline Liquor Mart, pick out something nice, for Nov 3rd, either way. Other folks will be VERY busy if there is BS in the air; let them handle that day.

A day (maybe more, if we do this right) of respite. Hercules and the Stygian stalls.... even he needed a break!

because that's when the real work will begin. They dogged Clinton for 8 damn years and you know that they're really going to be going for blood once Kerry takes office.

I've lost friendships over this president. There are family members I just can't talk to anymore. Every night though, I thank the good Lord for giving me a job where I'm finally making enough money that I can throw down good-sized contributions to the organizations that have been fighting the good fight. And I've fired off e-mails and letters to newspapers, magazines, and broadcasters alike throughout the past four years. I've phone canvased and I've decorated my yard up like the Democratic Headquarters.

But I've been in the worse mood since the last debate. I'm angry that the lies of * go on and on and on and no one seems to call him on his bullshit. I'm angry with my fellow Americans who can't seem to see that the man is lying his ass off and can't see the deep trouble this country is in. I'm angry at the media who won't report what we know or under report or distort or just flat-out lie like their hero * and his cabinet of war criminals. And I'm angry too because I know in my heart that when we win (and we are going to win) that we're going to have to keep on fighting--and I think that's making me more than a little depressed and I'm more than exhausted from the toil of the past four years and esp. the last three or four months.

Anything worth having is worth fighting for and the future of our country is certainly worth fighting for. So yes, I'll be here, ready to go and do whatever it is that we're going to have to do so Kerry & Edwards can govern this country the way it ought to be governed.

Glad to have the committed working here. No slackers, that is for sure. Keep the anger fueling the effort, not the ulcer! Been there on the contribution bend, too. Money where the mouth is.

Seriously, I want a life again. I'm going to start getting drunk election night and don't intend to sober up for at least 2 days. After that, I'm going to mend some friendships and get back to living.

I have two sons and five nephews, the youngest one, Wesley, was born in the wee hours of yesterday morning. No surrender.

a good night's sleep and then get up and start working on the House and Senate offices that are up next and then the next presidential race.

I love my country and he's killing it!

My friend Kim and I are going to run for State Rep seats in 2006. There are practically no Democrats running for anything locally in this current election. Republicans are running unchallenged in many positions. That is ridiculous and completely inconsistent in a democratic society.

Thank you for your years of work and thank you for that post. So many times I've thought that I just can't live here if that Chimp takes office for another four years. Canada. Switzerland. Italy. ANYwhere but under this clown's rule.

Your post really made me think again. Thank you for that.

A Kerry victory is merely the opening salvo in the larger war. We'll be there.

I am here Nov. 3, and beyond. Whatever it takes. I know you're not looking for thanks, but thanks!

Get a life, get some balance, we will need you for a long time yet, I am afraid! (I am the same way, these almost 4 years have been HELL!)

My vow was one I too have kept. I haven't let a day go by these past 4 years without expressing my righteous indignation at what happened to my country.

I've learned a lifetime of political lessons on DU. I've marched, protested, written letters, become active in local party politics. I'm weary. And ready to put on my dancing shoes on November 2nd.

We will win this fight. We have no choice.

You beat me to it. I think this site and our fight must go on after Nov. 3. We still have work to do. We need to educate the people who did not see what we see. We need to work together to lobby our legislators as to the changes we want to make: election reform, breaking the media monopoly, ending the war, preparing our nation for the baby boomer retirement, ending reliance on oil and many other values we hold dear. As a lifelong Dem I wanted to ask the Green Party members and others who have joined us to defeat bushie to stick around and teach us about your ideas - I have read some of them and am impressed. We are a long way from ending the power that the right wing has amassed and we need to continue our fight.

...be positive, be determined, and stay focused. We were despondent when HHH (Hubert Horatio Humphrey) got edged out oh so many years back (had he TWO more weeks, he could have pulled it out, the tide was starting to turn), but we kept fighting anyway--in the goddamn streets when we had to.

I'm hopeful it won't come to that this time around. I can't run as fast as I used to! I'm looking for victory, and I am also looking for continued activism at the local level. The way you grow national Democratic leaders is to start at the local level, and no election is too small. Keep that in mind--a Democratic dogcatcher could someday be a city councilman, then a state rep, and so on, and so on... all politics is local, as the late, great Tip O'Neill once said.

I read it first the day it posted, then again then next day (today, 10/16/04).

I've not seen you act this way. It's almost as if you're preparing us for defeat. Have you seen something that makes you feel things have turned back towards Bush?

I don't happen to think Kerry will lose, or that the vote theft (there will be attempts) will be successful. But your post struck me as uncharacteristically fatalistic.

I hope I'm getting your point all wrong. I very much hope that I am getting your point all wrong.

But this is George W. Bush's America right now, and anything is possible. What would be worse: Think about the possibility of defeat and having that possibility come true, or utterly refusing to acknowledge the possibility and having it blindside you completely?

You know, and you knew this fight is gonna go on 'til we are both dead and long after! You are welcome to a little wallow, once in a while-you've earned it.
But that's enough, dammit! Stand up and salute me back!

Thats all I wanted to hear you say.

Thanks!

My stock answer is, I have done my time. I did my duty. I joined the Army when I was 21, and married a fellow soldier. He re-enlisted. I did not. I have sent him to Korea, Germany, Cuba. I've had babies by myself, and raised three kids alone. Twelve years I have given to this country, and this Army, and my stock answer is, I have done my time.

My husband was deployed for 23 months. He got home about two months ago. I spent that time trying to spread the truth amoung the Army wives I know. (And too much time trying to keep sane with three kids alone lol.) I feel like I've earned a break, but I'll be here Nov 3. Win or lose, the work is not done.

I'll be here, I won't thank you. Not because you don't deserve it, but because you fight with us all. I will try to buck you up. I posted "I am tired" today. I got more than 5 responses, they made me cry and gave me what I wanted, all I hope that better than thanks I can give you what they gave me.

You fight for a true and just cause! You know it, but many others know it as well, you are making a difference. I read your columns after a particularly bad day and you give me hope, I am not a complete psychotic, it really is as bad as I think! (not that it being so bad is comforting, but not being psychotic is!)

I always hated Bush, but was a bit less "involved", "informed" whatever before I saw 9/11 and the windows and walls it blasted through and the justifications it gave for unjustifiable actions. I started looking for truth and some were getting it out. I may have been an inning late, but I wouldn't have stayed in the game if people didn't speak truth to power from the beginning.

I can't leave my life behind. I conceived my first child in February 2002, she was a blessed surprise! And it all comes through the filter of her future eyes today. I can't drop it all in pursuit of truth, I thank you for doing so, in the same way I thank troops for protecting me in a way I cannot or will not. (oops said I wouldn't thank you LOL, I take it back)

We all fight every day, today in particular I got tired. I showed Farenheit 9/11 to my upstairs neighbors, they were floored, they didn't even grasp the simplest of the complicities we held. They were actually saying "Saddam really didn't make 9/11 happen, did he?", now I have been working on them bit by bit for over 3 months! I was still as devestated by watching the integral parts of the movie, but to see GOOD AMERICANS be so shocked, I don't know I felt tired!

I turned to DU, you know what they lifted me up! I hope the doors that were closed by your attention to this matter when things were so important opens up windows to more beautiful gardens you would have missed all together had you followed easy paths.

We all fight so hard, to a long desired rest for a good two months till it is time to hold Kerry's feet to the fire!!
Kathy

n/t

but there will be so much damage done that we won't recognize this country. The fundies will think they have a mandate to bring on their dream of a theocracy. The nation will be more fascist. The middle class will all but disappear. We will lose Medicare and social security. I think there will be some kind of civil war. I would expect rioting and burning like there was during the civil rights movement but this time it won't only be in poor neighborhoods.

People will finally have had enough but things won't be put back together in their life time.

I'm 58 yrs old and I don't know what my future will be like. If I lose my job or my wife loses hers we will not be able to keep our house and land. If they were paid off I think I could just sit here and watch the country go to hell around me. But that is not an option at this time.

I will be here on Nov 3rd. I can't imagine how bad I will feel if we lose. I know it will be worse than in 2000. I will be disgusted with the American people but I will believe that they deserve all the hell they will have brought on themselves.

I can't accept that! I just can't.

My husband and I work in Social Services. We have crap when it comes to "ownership society" or financial security in reality. I feel damn good we are now out of debt (other than to IRS) for the years he was sick and couldn't work. We have a beautiful two year old girl, and she will change the world, and deserves at least a functioning one to start with.

We have little to lose, but so much to sell out for when you look at it. You know what we have a damn good life and I shall settle for nothing less than the American Dream for all of my fellow Americans, maybe at 30 I am still too young to know better, but damn it, it is my truth and I am sticking to it! I am not moving, I am not giving up, I may hide if the unthinkable should happen in November, but noone has heard the last of me!
Kathy

Noam Chomsky and others were on CSPAN2 Book TV and Chomsky did point out one important thing--the election is the big stage show. It is the day to day local activism and figts at the local level, state level, etc. that will rebuild the true democratic spirit this country is lacking.

I'm glad you've invested so much of yourself into this battle. This community. This journey of real living. I've done some real soul searching and will be committing myself at an even higher level to open society initiatives and a focus on the world community coming together and breaking down the prejudices and tribalism. The human race has the power to do so much better.

I'm broke and worn out. I kicked in full gear when Bush started the war and I spent every day since committed to ousting Bush. Not that I needed a war to go there. I'm a dead dog Democrat and I'll be committed till the election and beyond. Good luck to us.

There are no guarantees about where I will want to be after we see more corruption and murder and gutting of social programs and willful destruction of our environment. Every day of Bush's administration has made me understand less and less why anyone would be proud to be American. There are many enlightened and progressive countries on this good earth that not only will accept who I am, as I am, but will also respect my rights as a citizen and a human being, and will care about the same things we once cared about. The United States under control of these fascists is no longer looking like the United States into which I was once so proud to be born.

I'll be on the ground in Ohio, nursing a post campaign wrap hangover, hoping that they're not still counting votes, hoping that I'm not going to be looking for a Job in NZ or Canada.

Am I still going to be paying attention? I'm I still going to care about the issues that I think are important, and about the people that run or desire to run this country? Yes. Of course.

If we loose will I care less, or more? I joke about moving, But I live this stuff. I keep a copy of the constitution on my desk at work. I read (electronic versions) 10 papers every morning, and my political bookmarks cover something like 28 sites, blogs, and analysis sites.

With a few friends, I run a politics blog at http://www.robot-invasion.com. We've been discussing what we'll do after the election? We'll still be there. Why? Because even if the players change, the game remains the same, and it still matters.

It's your country. Pay attention.

where else would I be?

You peope are like family but better. You have collectively given me a reason to be hopeful about America no matter what happens. I will do whatever has to be done now or four years hence.

And I hope that all your effort and sacrifice will be rewarded. Even if Kerry doesn't win, what you did mattered, and still matters.

Thanks for all your hard work and devotion to the cause. The world needs more people like you.

Yes I'll be here (God willing) and most of us will be here on Nov 3rd with you (no matter how it turns out). We'll be at CommonDreams, Truthout, Fair MoveOn etc as well. We'll be listening to OnPoint, The Daily Show, The Connection and Air America Radio. We'll be out in the street strategizing, we'll be working through our local and Federal Government and we'll continue the fight for Democracy.

If we lose (I tell myself we WON'T lose) we'll shift our focus to any Congressional leverage we may have gained (Fed or State) and continue the fight.

If we lose, we'll morph to a different political strategy in order keep our fight for education,decent jobs, affordable health care and responsible Environmental policies alive.

If we lose, we'll endure the endless Corporate Media "fellatio" of the Bush Administration for weeks on end and then pick up the battle from there, dejected as all hell but determined.

If we lose, for sure I will cry but the people who cheer their Bush Administration "victory" will be the real and unwitting victims of a colossal tragedy.

And don't forget, if we lose, I have three rounds to buy (read expensive) at a bar in a "libarrull" city in Mass :) .

In all seriousness, and to be sure, I'm worried but even if the "unthinkable" happens, I'm too stubborn to declare Democracy D.O.A yet and I'm not suggesting anyone here is. There will be mourning and then we'll collectively carry on because there is just no other choice.

I'll be here, if I'm breathing and conscious.