If I wrote a book about Dennis Kucinich, would you read it?

I'm leaving for Iowa tomorrow to spend the entire weekend with Dennis Kucinich, in the following places:

Saturday, January 17

Dubuque, Iowa
2:30 - 3:30 p.m. CT
Tri-States Banquet
Grand River Center, 500 Bell St.

Maquoketa, Iowa
4 - 5 p.m. CT
Caucus for Peace, Jobs and Health Care Rally
Maquoketa Community Center
506 S Elize St.

Clinton, Iowa
5:15 - 6 p.m. CT
Get-Out-The-Vote Rally
Clinton YWCA
317 7th Ave S.

Davenport, Iowa
7:30 - 8 p.m. CT
Scott County Red, White & Blue Dinner
Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds Expo Center
2815 W. Locust

Davenport, Iowa
8 - 9 p.m. CT
Get-Out-The-Vote Rally
LULAC Center
4224 Ricker Hill Rd

Sunday, January 18

Cedar Rapids, Iowa
10 - 10:45 a.m. CT
People's Church
600 3rd Ave SE

Cedar Rapids, Iowa
11 a.m. - Noon CT
Caucus for Peace, Jobs and Health Care Rally
CSPS/Legion Arts Hall
1103 3rd St SE

Iowa City, Iowa
12:15 - 1 p.m. CT
Caucus for Peace, Jobs and Health Care Rally
The Hamburg Inn
214 N. Linn St.

Grinnell, Iowa
3 - 3:45 p.m. CT
Caucus for Peace, Jobs and Health Care Rally
Grinnell College Campus
Forum South Lounge, 1119 6th Ave.

Ames, Iowa
4:45 - 5:30 p.m. CT
Caucus for Peace, Jobs and Health Care Rally
Fellowship Hall at the First United Methodist Church
516 Kellogg (across the alley from the Ames Public Library)

Des Moines, Iowa
6 - 7 p.m. CT
Dinner with Dennis
A Dong Restaurant, 1511 High St.

Des Moines, Iowa
7 - 8 p.m. CT
Dennis Kucinich introduces Ani DiFranco (Kucinich supporter) at her concert
Hoyt Sherman Place
1501 Woodland Avenue

It strikes me that Kucinich is the candidate I most identify with after I put my cold, analytical gotta-win crap on the shelf. This trip is going to be a full saturation of speeches, people, places, images, moments surrounding a guy I greatly admire, a guy who has a lot to say, a guy whose story and basic principles should get a wider dissemination.

I was going to write my next book on PNAC, Iraq, September 11 and the Old Boy network that runs all the way back to Truman. That could all be a part of this.

Would you read it if I wrote it?

Sorry.

OK, for purposes of this thread, let's say you do.

1. He used to be pro-life. Yes, I know he's not anymore, but it makes me doubt his common sense - not just as a Democrat, but as a politician. As "flip-flops" go, that's BIG. And dumb.

2. Pulling completely out of Iraq, the position he continues to maintain, is also non-sensical at this point. Do I agree with him that we never should have been there? Of course. Do we leave a mess like Poppy did last time? WAY too much at stake.

3. This one's obvious - you do have sales numbers to think about, yes? You might get some disgruntled Kucinich reporters to buy it on Amazon after he drops out, but that's probably about it. But again, that's common sense - so publishing a book about Dennis Kucinich might be the ultimate extension of his philosophy.

a true visionary and prophet in our own time, operating on a plain american politics cannot handle

hell yeah i would read it

getting a little nutty there don't ya think?

people who speak of a truth before it happens generally are regarded as prophets

I see nothing of the sort. Also the word "prophet" has religious conotations.

it has religious connotations if you give it religious connotations

Dennis told the people in 1978 he would save them hundreds of millions of dollars by not selling Muny Light

he was right

I think these scenarios Dennis talks about are going to happen, and the truly enlightened see it...we are slipping into the Military Complex so deeply we can't even see it

I believe it has been 1984 since 1980

In all seriousness, much of what Kucinich has said in the past has proven true and it is still happening. That's all prophesy is, foretelling things to come, and he's done that.

The religious connotations are entirely man-made and in our own minds, not a reflection of language, definition or usage.

I probably wouldn't call him "a prophet" but a man of prophetic vision, mostly because of the religious connotations you brought up. My personal choices aside, the statement is not entirely inaccurate.

1. Yes he was pro-life, so was the majority of his district and he is Catholic. This deeply personal change is not a flip-flop or dumb. You don't know anyone that is/was pro-life? If they were to or have changed to be pro-choice would you call them dumb? He took over a year off in voting on choice related issues. He spoke with many people and came to the right decision. He is still personally pro-life just as many people are. He just now understands choice is required and women cannot be equal without it. He also has one of the strongest pro-choice positions of all the candidates.

2. I feel this is a misrepresentation of his WELL THOUGHT OUT plan that is available here:
http://www.kucinich.us/bringourtroopshome.php
There is no plan to 'leave a mess' as you suggest.

3. DK's book, A Prayer for America is a pain in the tush to find. Took me 5 bookstores to find it since the website was sold out, they have since restocked. Opposed to what the media likes you to believe there are a lot of people that would be interested to read it. Kucinich has way more support than what Koppel and friends want. Progressive passion and integrity and fighting for what this country should be is the REAL philosophy that Kucinich displays. Publishing a book about Kucinich would be an extension of a progressive philosophy, that from what I can tell by reading Will Pitt's work, is a philosophy shared by the both Pitt and Kucinich.

I am truly sorry you do not know what the Kucinich PLAN is for resolving the Iraq situation.

Like most of us he realizes 1) the killing will not stop on either side so long as we keep troops in Iraq or continue to try to control things there; 2) drastic changes must be made quickly in the way contracts for rebuilding Iraq continue to be handled; 3) no foreign country, including the United States, has the right to decide on and install a government in another country

Only by removing our controlling government role from the cleanup and reconstruction project .... only by doing this .... can confidence be restored over there and over here and around the world. So, supervision of those contracts must be turned over to the U.N. There is no other way to demonstrate that Imperialism is not our goal.

Then, NEW contracts for rebuilding and cleanup will be opened for competitive bidding, open to all countries, including construction companies in Iraq. No more sweetheart deals!

Our government will be paying for this work of course, but the contracts can be guaranteed to cost far less than what the ones do that are going on now and certainly cost much, much less than the ongoing cost of keeping troops over there. Those costs are draining our Treasury and military resources, the human costs on both sides are unspeakable, and the cost in lost prestige throughout the world may never be recovered.

That is a LONG ways from the "Cut 'n Run" soundbite.

Even Dean speaks of keeping our troops there for several more years; Clark might bring them home sooner, but that in unclear. Neither of them has spelled out anything that could amount to an actual plan.

Please consult Kucinich's full argument and plan at his website:

http:/www.kucinich.us

not your vote.

Dennis has lived an amazing life, and inspired alot of people. Plus while I don't agree with all his issues either... with CMB out now he's one of only two speaking for single payer (I think Sharpton is on board with that)... and a number of other issues. What he's doing, and what he's done, WOULD make an interesting book IMO

I have no interest in this SORT of subject matter.

While I acknowledge that I have only scratched the surface of any og these folks, they're polititians and simply don't interest me. Their platforms do as that has the ability to impact me specifically and directly but on a personal level ?

No, thanks. BUt I'm probably in the minority on this so have fun !

He's an inspiration, people need to know his life story.

the PNAC book is needed badly. I hope you write that one. a book on DK is needed, too, though.

have a great trip. I'm sure you will get enough info and inspiration to write an entire book...

give 'em hell
and tell Dennis we all love him

Not sure about a book on Dennis, although I know it would be well-written and, frankly, it might be nice to have in any event. But I'm already about 12 books behind in my reading, and Al Franken, Michael Moore, David Brock, Jim Hightower, and Robert and Christopher Scheer are already drowning in dust on my shelf, I'm embarrassed to say. It's terrible. I can't get to SO MUCH, anymore!

It would probably be an excellent book, but unfortunately not about a president-to-be (at least not yet). While I'm a Dean supporter, I very much appreciate where Dennis is coming from, and I agree with a lot of what he says. I am an absolutely ardent pro-choicer, and I am a bit leery of him on that score, but I also appreciate how people can have changes of heart. And, frankly, anybody can be on any side in the right-to-choose question, just so long as they don't try to force their views on ME. Plus, it strikes me that Dennis would likely have the integrity as a human being to respect this hard-won women's right and not muck with it.

I would LOVE-LOVE-LOVE to have someone with his overall mentality in the White House (where it belongs). But I don't think the rest of America is ready for it. Particularly when so much of the rest of America is so blindly pro-bush. If there are that many of them who actually, honestly, and sincerely believe that bush is a "good Christian man," then I doubt they'd ever see enough of the light to vote for someone who's truly worth it. I don't think he's electable, much as it'd be damned neat to see (and something I'd support). And hopefully, maybe he's not electable NOW. But he's not all that old, either.

I do know this, Will. With EVERY truthout that comes my way via the Dem-CA groups, I go directly, and first, to your article, whenever it appears.

on edit - forgot something

But I'll also tell you this, Will, a PNAC book is URGENTLY needed. Yesterday. Heck, the day before yesterday. Or a few YEARS before yesterday.

sounds like quite the road-trip there

DK alone wouldn't be very entertaining. Put DK and Gary Bauer in a book and it's magic.

I suspect that DK is going to be an increasingly important voice in American politics after this year (presuming he isn't elected president, of course, otherwise case his importance is foregone).

Go DK!

You can even interview me for it.
heh

and hell yes I would buy this book. I bought the first book, and with it being by Pitt its a bonus.

"PNAC, Iraq, September 11 and the Old Boy network"

If you want to throw Kucinich in there too, great.

Actually, I'd like to read this book:

"PNAC, Iraq, September 11 and Dick Cheney"

not just the biographical stuff, but what he stands for, what he's fighting against, and how & why he is virtually ignored.

Hell yeah!

edit: Careful, Will...you may fall in love. ;)

The story of who he is, what he's about, his place in the US politico-historical spectrum, and MOST IMPORTANTLY a chapter-and-verse analysis of how we're subtly and openly being steered away from him.

An exposé of that magnitude might take more time than you have to spend, of course.

...
Ok, that came out sort of taudry. But the point is,
if you wrote a book on that great great man, I'd
buy it and read it in a heartbeat.

I'm not really into reading about particular people and would rather see PNAC and the cabal exposed because it's bigger than one person. DK is the best candidate that will never win because the system guarantees the status quo by design. I read a few bush-bashing books last year and got virtually nothing out of them other than "bush sucks" which we all know and don't need to read a book to affirm it. The same goes for a progressive candidate, most of us know that he's the best guy for the job, but we also know it would take an alien intervention to make him pres.



hammer away at the whoring of the country, it's what is important.

i enjoyed sedition quite a bit, as an aside..:yourock:

I'd like to know more about his life. :kick:

I can't believe people would dismiss a book about a man who has fought his whole life for Democratic ideals just because he is a long-shot in the presidential race. This man deserves A LOT of respect seeing as he is a true New Deal democrat who has put his neck on the line for the little guy.

He has dedicated his WHOLE LIFE to politics and I would love to see a book on him!

I read the book "One Car Caravan" by Walter Shapiro, but he really dismissed Kucinich and didn't spend any time with him. DK is an interesting guy, I'd like to read and learn more about him..

just a few miles away... i can really see dennis and william..cool..

If it was just about his stump speeches, no. If you can get inside his head a bit, yes.

That's the kind of book I want to read!

:toast:

Give DK a BIG hug from us at DU!!!! :yourock:

and while you are at it mr. pitt...PLEASE tell ani difranco that spike in pennsylvania loves her...

that oughta do it!

it's a good thing you do!

consider yourself lucky my friend!

one love
spike

If I can help on the research.

:evilgrin:

along with my copy of his "Prayer For America" and your other books (they have a special place on my shelf). His poetry of ideas and your wonderful writing would make such an interesting book. I am so jealous, green with envy. Have a wonderful time.

sorry had to brag :) but defintely write that book!!!!!!!!

Geemoneychristmas EVERYBODY will meet Dennis before I do! LOL Yeesh, I can't even meet Will for the grand conspiracy to keep me from my tiny little circle of personal heroes. :(

Ok, I'm done whining now, carry on.:evilgrin:

hes been to austin(of all places) at least four times (and with great people like jim hightower, ani difranco,willie nelson jello biafra and so on)
where do you live ?

Frankly I'd read both books and if I were you I'd have a hell of a time deciding which to write first, which is "more important" or more timely.

I understand your desire to see Dennis' message and story get out to a wider audience. I'm in the same boat with you - my heart and my brain both tell me he's the candidate I agree with on the issues and want to believe in...but my gut tells me it just ain't gonna happen. I hate having to listen to my gut. I want to be an optimist, an idealist. But dammit we have to win this one. And I just don't have faith that there are enough idealists out there for DK to pull it off...even if you wrote a book. :-(

So maybe the PNAC book has to come first. Maybe we have to deal with the ugly reality of what is before we can talk about what the world ought to be. I wish it didn't have to be that way.

It's a head-over-heart decision. MY gut, too, tells me that Dennis can't go the distance in a climate and national zeitgeist like the one reigning now. My head tells me to support someone more practical and realistic. And every time I've let my head overrule my heart, it's been the correct decision. At least FOR ME and those directly around me.

...sounds like fun in Iowa.


Dennis doesn't seem to be getting much coverage - Cspan and CNN and all. That's what needs to happen.

And regardless of the number of votes Dennis gets - I think he makes Dean look less like an extemist what with Dean's anti-Bush message and all - with Dennis being more so.

back Clark when he drops out. Don't laugh! Clark is left of Dean and also wants us to get out of Iraq as soon as sensibly possible.

AB. I'd love to see him back Clark if he did, but that's not going to happen, neither one.

You should read it anyway. It's worth more than backing or not backing, dropping out or not dropping out. A book containing Dennis Kucinich's courage and honesty is worth something for anyone who thinks the world has become a lost cause and, friend, that was me a few months ago. Dennis Kucinich, John Kerry and Wes Clark give me some sense of hope. Please don't dismiss Dennis' contribution to this race whether he wins or loses.

His voice matters because it's MY voice. It's the voice of millions of suffering, desperate and disillusioned people all across the globe. You don't think he'll make a good President or doubt he can defeat Bush in a GE, that's ok- just don't dismiss the message he carries based on something like this demand. You won't hurt him, you'll only hurt yourself.

I have heard you speak, and I have read many of your articles and comments online at DU, truthout, etc. I haven't actually read any of your books to date, but not for lack of interest.

The work that you suggest sounds intriguing. Scott Nearing had many pithy comments on western-style capitalism, warning of its dangers.

Such as:

"Where possible the oligarchy seeks to perpetuate itself, handing wealth and power from father to son, generation after generation, thus converting a ruling group into a ruling, exploiting class, controlling and operating a state apparatus designed to safeguard and extend its wealth and power. Yesterday the process was a rat race, today it is a class dictatorship. If it survives until tomorrow it will have consolidated its position and have become a caste structure, perpetuationg the privileges and prerogatives of those who enjoy privileges and wield power." (The Making of a Radical (A Political Autobiography) by Scott Nearing, Harper Colophon Books, 1972.)

Old Boy Network, hmmmmmm.

Go, Dennis!

when you get back right? Please? Give him a hug (well you don't really have to if you are not into that kind of thing) from Topeka one of the most unlikely places on earth to go for him but I'm working my ass off to change that.

Political books tend to have a very short shelf life and as much as I admire DK's politics he is little more than a blip on the currant political radar screen.

PNAC etc. are history making and changing topics that desperately cry out for further analysis. That I would read. Just my $0.02 worth.

Kucinich, who appeals to your heart, and Kerry, who appeals to your head.

I'll try to get son, daughter-in-law, exhusband, and friends to attend in Ames

I was shocked that my son thought only Dean was 'left'

he hadn't heard of DK - but then he's a bit apolitical

NOTE: I've donated to DK but will probably vote Clark in OK

I would like to suggest that you include the PNAC influence on the DLC in the book. I would also love to hear Kucinich's thoughts on this - including what it's like to be a non-DLC Democrat and if he is aware of Will Marshall's affiliations.

I sent an e-mail to you through DU about this in response to your post of your TruthOut article, "The Mission." I have more info if you like.

Have a wonderful week! I think it will probably be one of the greatest experiences of your life.

I am a big fan of Dennis K (even waved a banner for him in downtown houston rush hour traffic), but given the fact that his campaign is going nowhere, and the fact that he will be 61 next election cycle, maybe you want to include someone else in the book, maybe someone you see as Dennis's possible successor? In a way, Dennis himself is the biggest part of Dennis's political problem. In order to be a True Liberal and also catch on with the American voters in such a short time, you need to have a lot of personal advantages, which Dennis does not and will never have. Why not find someone else with those advantages and compare him with Dennis, and maybe present him as possibly the Next Dennis? Part of a blast from the past, part of a New Wave of liberalism.....

DK is wonderful and I intend to vote my "heart" in the primaries and then for the primary pick for the next Democratic president, whoever that may be.

This man's life has to be a good read and who could more eloquently tell his story than you! I have read your articles and one of your books (it's even autographed, although it came that way from MonkeyWrench Books).

DK is an extremely important Democrat and human being. I remember when you wrote about meeting him. I think it was in your "road diary" posted on DU.

I wish you a very happy and fulfilling road trip and hope you consider journaling on DU again.

Peace!

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A study in invertebrates. Maybe it'll be a science textbook.

that sounds like it will be a great book!:)

If you do it, try to get beyond the political. I'd like to know more about his outlook on life, what makes him tick.

who usually turn out to be wanna be old boys

I want to know about overcoming adversity. I can't think of anybody who has been through more and went so far. And more about peace as a foreign policy strategy.

Have a great time. Booze is not a good idea in below zero weather. :P

My reading list is too long as it is.

I know a fair amount about DK and admire him a great deal...so I'm not likely to put a book just on him ahead of a number of others I still haven't gotten to.

But, a well-researched book on DK with a significant sales push is a good thing.

In the publishing world, I think it would be hard for him to get any better exposure than that received in Studs Terkel's "Hope Dies Last"

And my book list runneth over.

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I live in NEOhio (south of Cleveland) and I've heard, seen, and read enough about DK to last for quite awhile. Look, the guy is fine, okay. He's a good dude. But I'm telling you, the folks around here scratch their heads that he's developed a following. He's a whole lot more popular outside of Ohio than in it.


Do the DLC book. THAT I'd read (and, more importantly, hahahaha) BUY.

eileen from OH

No. I've learned too much about Kucinich already.

It has nothing to do with cold, analytical gotta win crap. It has to do with his 90% pro-life history (even though he's waffled as of 2003 away from it) and a whole bunch of other stuff that I'd probably be banned for mentioning. This is not a liberal, not at least in the ways that count for me.

I would vote for Kucinich were he the nominee, but that's really not saying much. (At this point, I'd probably vote for Richard Nixon's corpse. Hell, I'd vote for Ronnie Raygun. A houseplant has to be safer than Bush.) I'd bet though, that were Kucinich even close to becoming the nominee, the scrutiny of his past would doom his candidacy.

If you think the right wing media is bad with serious candidates, just imagine what they'd do with this guy. HR2977 would be more than enough. It would make Eagleton's electroshock revelation in 1972 seem trivial.

We have 5 or 6 much better options. There are at least 200,000 more topics in the world of political reality that would make a better topic for a book.

Dennis' race would be long over by the time this came out.

the more the idealistic side of my brain takes over and thinks it's a good idea. I like the idea of it having nothing to do with the election per se but rather with the ideals of one of the few really progressive politicians on the national stage.

The PNAC/911/etc book needs to be done too. The world needs to know what they're up to and how they've been fucking us all over for decades. But wouldn't it be nice to have a positive message out there as well. Telling the public why the other side is wrong isn't enough...we need to tell them why we're right, why they should choose a more liberal course for the country.

You'll have to let us all know how you feel about the idea of doing a book on DK after you've spent a whole weekend with him. :-)

?

but that's pretty self-evident.

Kucinich is an uninteresting person in my book (excuse the pun.)

This is because I have a low tolerance for what is called (for reasons that escape me) "New Age" thinking. It seems to me that there are very serious issues facing the planet, many of which will require deeper understandings than the types of platitudes that I associate with Mr. Kucinich. Therefore, I would not be inclined to read or even show much interest in your proposed book. This of course is simply my opinion, of course. I'll bet that 2% of the Democratic electorate vehemently disagrees with me.

If you absolutely must write a book about a congressperson, I would suggest Congressman Rush Holt from New Jersey. That man is an interesting person, not necessarily colorful, not as much of a self-promoter as Kucinich, but far more interesting than Kucinich. I believe Dr. Holt is one of two nuclear phyicists in Congress. He once held a senior position at the Princeton Plasma Physics lab, where he was directing fusion research. He is also the man who introduced HR-2239. His father was a Senator from West Virginia, though he seldom mentions that. Like Howard Dean, his wife is a doctor who is seriously dedicated to her practice. He stuck his neck out to defend a Middle Eastern widow (whose husband had been killed in a racist attack) from being deported, this during the 9/11 war frenzy.

Rush Holt would be worthy of a book. In my view, a valuable book would be one who could lead us to contemplate in a new and considered way what we ordinarily ignore. It's a tough task though for a writer to do that, though.

With all due respect, why is it, with any remotely Kucinich-y thread, you have to bring up the fact that 1) he used to be pro-life, and 2) he offered up a bill that would ban weapons from space?

Seriously, can you think up anything else, because the two above points have been debunked/refuted ad infinitum ad nauseum.

I'd like to see you criticize him on issues other than these two, which are largely irrelevant, as Kucinich has addressed both of these.

There are lots of anti-choice zealots who don't feel anymore that they can't trust Kucinich. I don't trust Kucinich either. I view this "debunking" as simply political expediency and nothing else. You don't get a 10% rating from NARAL and suddenly become progressive by saying "Oh, I'm sorry." THIS IS A PERSON WHO VOTED AGAINST EXTENDING CONTRACEPTIVE RIGHTS TO POOR WOMEN AND TO MILITARY WOMEN. Should the women in question who got pregnant under these restrictions suddenly feel better because Denny decided a few months ago to reverse himself?

Also, I make my living in science. The anti-mind control weapons in Space bill is but one issue associated with Kucinich's anti-reason views. There's the whole matter of Chuck Griscom, Shirley McLain, reincarnation...etc, etc. This anti-science bit, like a lifetime of anti-choice work, doesn't get waved away simply because he says, "Oh, I changed my mind." Actually, there is very little evidence that he has changed his mind in this area. He simply edited the ChemTrails and "Psychotronic" stuff out of his bill and reintroduced it. Does he have a science policy? Does he know anything about science?

You may feel these issues are debunked, but I don't feel that they are. I, like many anti-choice zealots, think Kucinich is a liar. I am not satisfied that much has changed with him. There are many quotes available on line from people who worked with him who say more or less, "Kucinich is for the little man...and the little man is Kucinich." I take this to mean that he will say anything or do anything to get himself elected, anything to promote himself, no matter who is hurt by it.

The two issues I harp on alone are enough to make me oppose him as the Democratic nominee.

It goes further though:

This is a person who has supported an amendment to the constitution to disallow flag burning. I view this amendment seriously, as an attempt to repeal a section of the Bill of Rights, a section that is close to my heart.

I am an atheist, and my right to NOT have a religion is under serious assault. Why would I support a candidate who feels it appropriate to insert his religious views into his public life?

There is no point in going into the many other things I don't like about Kucinich, going way back to the tone of his first political campaigns for city council in Cleveland...many articles on this subject are available.

If you are able to make Kucinich into a winner (in the primaries) I will vote for him in the General Election, because he is no where near as pathetic as Bush. But this, like a vote for Lieberman, would be a nose holder...

I've considered myself a liberal my entire adult life. Kucinich is NOT my idea of a liberal thinker.

Maybe one day you can change fact into fiction.

You've been repeatedly informed Kucinich began to vote Pro-choice in 2002, and that was with a vote cast in March of 2002 in OPPOSITION to a PBA Ban.

Funny, way back when, people ridiculed the likelihod of people walking on the moon, too. Make fun of preentive measures all day, it doesn't change the fact that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Write the book, post an "excerpt" on DU and if it's interesting, I would buy!

:shrug: He's made some excellent points and in many ways has taken up a little of the vacuum since Wellstone died. Kucinich is an interesting character.....good for you. DO It! Report back and let it hang out there!

and i know my hubby would read it and my ma would want one.

Or are you traveling with DK?

Yes I would read the book.

Are you near there?

I work in The Quad Cities weekend night shift. Was going to haul my father to the Clinton meetup. I may just go myself to the lulac one. I have to be in town @11pm anyway. Or Both! lol DK really fires up my old man. Speaking of work, I must warm the car now!


BTW I live 45 minutes from the QCA and about 35 minutes from Clinton, over here on the Iller-Noise side.

into a book about Clark. Now, that would be an interesting story.

I've already seen what you wrote about DK and how you feel about these issues. I would eagerly read it! I envy you Will! Enjoy your week-end- God knows you deserve it but it will be tiring!

On edit Oh and tell him (my real name) from Democratic Underground says Hey!

n/t

:evilgrin:

Actually, Mr. Pitt, I bought your last two books,so write on!

Should I build another bookshelf? Are you feeling prolific?

I'll be in NM at the Dineh Bidziil coalition conference in Farmington for Fri eve & Sat morning!! Took awhile to get the schedule set but its happening!! Been working with my Navajo friend, Cora,for a few months and we made it happen! Woohoo!!! everyone is so excited!



Navajo grass roots endorse Kucinich
By Jim Snyder/The Farmington Daily Times
Jan 15, 2004, 12:29 am

SHIPROCK - Navajo Nation grassroots coalition DinÈ Bidziil - Navajo Strength - has endorsed U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, for president, said Norman Patrick Brown, a coalition leader, on Wednesday.

Kucinich is scheduled to speak at 9 a.m. Saturday , following Farmington Mayor Bill Standley , in the Farmington Civic Center during the coalition's third annual Healing the Uranium Legacy conference.

The all-day conference will feature speakers and audience discussion on uranium, Navajo water rights, government reform, coal power plant air pollution and a plethora of other issues. It begins at 8 a.m. with a prayer for the victims of the uranium legacy. An awards ceremony follows at 7 p.m.

A majority of the coalition's 24 Navajo grassroot organizations support Kucinich because of his strong stance on ending the U.S. occupation of Iraq, Brown said, adding that some may support other candidates.
<snip>

Sounds like you will have a great time Will...let me know if you want anything from AZ & I'll send it along with Dennis (heh heh)..or maybe BC or Paul...

Have a good time...please do write a book....we need Dennis as our Prez...thanks for your support Will!

...and yeah, I'll read it!
:loveya:
Desertrose

Say hello to Dennis from one of his Minnesota supporters!

(I don't yet know what my canvassing assignment is.)

And I know several other people who'd do the same. Have fun in Iowa this weekend. I know a small army's worth of people down there who'll be with him and/or working on his behalf.

And be prepared for the DK upset-- he'll do MUCH better than the current predictions. :D

All the calling me an my freinds have done today, along with the calls of thousands of kucitizens across the nation, in suport of DK has got to make some difference.

I have a feeling that Maine could be his big upset. The state does tend to be more progressive then most.

Also, i nvr tend to trust the polls anyways. its the actual primaries that will tell it how it really is.

Edit to say, Will, make sure to tell DK hi from his Texas supporters.

Count me an enthusiastic yes!

Dan Brown
Saint Paul, Minnesota

The guy is my hero, mainly because of what he did with Cleveland's electric utility company. I think that most people don't know of this story, but if they did, they would probably vote for him. What a guy!

Maybe a comparison of the boy born on third base thinking he hit a triple versus the boy born outside of the ballpark who made the team as a free agent out of nowhere and is standing on second after a double.

That could be an interesting angle, but heavy on the old boy network, family ties, PNAC, etc. Everything the boy king has been handed to him (maybe 80% of the content) with flashes of Dennis' hard climb as a counterpoint and contrast to highlight the way the wheels are greased for the corporate elite.

Just a thought.

When ya coming to Chicago, Will?? Damn, I hopped a freight in college and ended up in Clinton. My buds and I had enough cash for a case of beer and 2 bags of fritos and a can of sterno (for heat) for the ride and $.99 each for 2 fried eggs with toast in the morning, had to hitch home. Wish I could make it out there next weekend!!

perhaps I wasn't paying particular attention to what was really going on - too many personal problems - but, Dennis was not well liked among the people I worked with and socialized with. I would be very interested to read your point of view.

I will buy several copies as gifts, too. Even long after the campaigns are over.

It will be an important book. Dennis' history is a fascinating study by itself. He has had a number of unique life experiences (some from his childhood, unfortunately, not so unique) that left deep imprints on him.

His philosphies are consistent and deep. They certainly offer a stark contrast to the PNAC agenda.

I think you will be panting for breath trying to keep up with Dennis over this rapid-paced weekend! :-)

And I would share it with/give it to others.

The man has a story, and a message that needs to be heard.

Yeah Will! Go for it. I respect your opinion and your writing.

On Edit. You know my theory. I have been long predicting the catastrophic failure of the spin machine. There are so many Bush crises popping right now that the conventional wisdom has become, trust your instincts and run for daylight. Since the failure of WMD's to appear, and the beginning of the resistance to occupation, the differential between the Administration's Baghdad and the New Saigon it looks like on the news has unbalanced Karl's centrifuge.

People are trying hard to forget, Overtime, Healthcare, Social Security, the collapse of Airlines, Energy, Technology...but they can't let go of the plastic turkey. Listening to Kucinich is like a tour of what Americans lost since the 90's.

No one I know really wants to go on living in Bush's America. Everyone I know who reads Dennis's platform wants to live in Dennis Kucinich's America. It is never entirely that simple. But that is an important truth on the ground, Will.

The value of mainstream journalism as honest observers of the political process is falling faster than the dollar. The influence of the net-- Truth Out, MoveOn, DU, MWO, and foreign journalism is rapidly gaining in real importance.

When someone like O'Neil starts saying things far harsher than Kucinich or Dean, I would regard it as a whole new campaign.
O'Neil validates Plame, Contract fraud, and gives a lot of traction to some nasty little stories, previously thought smothered will start smoking again.

The good ship SS Arbusto is filled to the gunnels with skeletons, but no WMD. The escape rafts will go first, then folks will be heaved overboard.

Ashcroft and Rove may have both had to drink the black koolaide over Plame, Rove because he was the purp, and Ashcroft because he was in Rove's pocket from day one on this.
OR, if Bush staggers the other direction,
Cheney may have to take the fall for the Iraqi deception and all wagons will circle around Rove.

By August, they will wheel Colin Powell out to sing "nobody knows the trouble I've seen," and explain why we are not going to be handing over Iraq for the foreseeable future to the UN, the Iraqis,or anyone else.

By next summer, we will be seeing chapter 2 of Dennis against the Energy Tycoons, wherein 2004s the blackouts and electricity price gaming are unspinnable. It might well be as hot in the East this year as it was in Europe last year. If that happens, our grid is in a load of hurt. The first wave of Fastold's Enron executives will be going to prison.

Dennis will look like an entirely diffent sort of candidate at that point. And Bush will look like Caligula, having staff fall on their swords for his survival/entertainment.

Yes, it doesn't even have to be a long book. Time Value is very important. Could it hit the stands by March?

Be well man,
RealP

when that day comes if you've finished it by then. Good luck and have a great weekend, it sounds like you are going to enjoy it.

and kicking this thread to add: RealP, you sound like you should be writing up a screen play or a broadway show with your take on the immediate future events, at least a scathing editorial for DU homepage. Do it man.

peace,
dp

and the idea that we are basically dealing with consolidation of power manifested outside our borders into land grabs relative to owning strategic natural resources.

Hey, I have Prayer for America, the posters, the calligraphy book of quotes, the t-shirt, the tote bag. If there was a schlocky velvet painting I'd probably get that too.

I have never collected campaign memorabilia, I admired MLK and JFK, but have never had pictures of them or any other political figure--hell, I didn't even have a favorite Beatle. I do not, do not, DO NOT usually go gaga over any celebrity or public figure--this is a first time in 57 years phenomenon and it scares me a little.

I'll buy anything you write on any other topic also.

Lots of people do; look at the popularity of those about St Princess and St-to-be Agnes Gonza Bojaxhiu. Those books have their place with those who already adore the subject and who do not want to hear anything less than flattering.

I would not expect someone who describes Kucinich as "someone I greatly admire" to write a book that takes a good, hard look at the man and his motives; that would not be a fair expectation when the author has made clear his lack of objectivity. As someone who neither admires nor trusts Kucinich, I also would not be the intended audience of such a book.

I plan to be at the LULAC event. I hope I'll get to meet you.

...when I met him at the Kucinich rally in Davenport tonight. In our brief encounter, I'd asked, "Well, do you really see a book in all this?"

"Yes, definitely," he said. "I've got the framework figured out."

I recognized Pitt from his mugshot at truthout.org and his media badge. He stood at the back of an exuberant crowd, its numbers respectable enough, although many more could have fit into the hall.

Having met him, I'll be watching with new interest his Iowa dispatches at http://www.truthout.org/docs_04/Iowa_Caucus.shtml . I hope he's sleeping well tonight because it will be a long road tomorrow.

Dennis, too! HIS stamina, alertness, and good humor simply astound me.

Safe trip to Iowa today William...how wonderful for us all! :hi:

I'd make Dennis Kucinich a book on its own - unless you'd present Dennis Kucinich's views on PNAC, Iraq, 9/11 etc throughout it, but that probably won't do justice to either.

I really like DK, he is high on my list of favorables, right up there say, 2nd or 3rd.

Behind Wesley Clark. Which is strange, I know many Clarkies who like DK too. -Crozet4Clark

One to read and one to donate to the local library. Based on what I've heard to date, I think the story of his life is inspiring.

low-sticker-price book that explains why electing DK will produce peace, prosperity, and freedom for us. Something that does the job the press should be doing, in other words.

You'd have to pull it together and get it through the publishing-and-distribution steps practically overnight, of course, but printed with several alternate titles ("Make Every Tax Dollar Work For YOU", "Live Rich Starting NOW", "No More Terrorism!", etc (you're welcome to all these titles, btw)) to hook different readerships and I bet the bookshops wouldn't be able to restock fast enough.

The book would be about campaigning in Iowa, on the ground and hour to hour. It would dovetail Dennis' opinions on things with realities of Iraq, 9/11 and the PNAC boys. It would not be 'for' Dennis, but about him, about the election, about the base, and about all the reasons we need to win in 2004. It would definitely not be done in time to help his campaign.

I was making a suggestion for a different book, not trying to change the creative direction of the one in your basenote.

My point is only that I think you could make a minor fortune out of an inexpensive, do-what-a-free-press-would-do-if-only-we-had-one book because in fact DK does offer the best tomorrow for working people of any candidate and the biggest problem is getting that information out there in a clear and positive way--something you're good at. As Chomsky says: "If anyone hears {Kucinich's message}, he might get large-scale support. But who will hear it?" You could create that vehicle.

I would read any book about Dennis Kucinich as long as it is not mean-spirited. If you don't write it someone else surely will. Have fun in Davenport, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Ames, Des Moines.

He hails from modest roots, reflective of a vast majority of Baby Boomers. He is the last of the old style politician in a "good way". He fights the good fight with sincere thought and passion. Much of his drive comes from a presonal and private zone within his soul. His progrssive accomplishments dispite adversity are what hero's are truely made of...

Yes, I'll read the book with the hope of a personal autograph. :)

I'll even share with friends.

With Nader discredited and Paul Wellstone deceased, Dennis Kucinich is an excellent new leader for the progressive movement in America. I have been mightily impressed by the high tone of his campaign.

to death to read that book, Will!

Go man GO!

Hi Will, :hi:

Sure I would buy your book and read it with great interest and enthusiasm. I too support Dennis Kucinich and I plan to support him until he is either the President or has no choice but to drop out. I am hoping for the 1st option myself. I have great hope for him.

In fact, Dennis Kucinich is the only candidate running that inspires any hope in me sadly enough.

Please write this book and share your experiences with the profound man who possesses great integrity with the entire world!

In the meantime ... :D



:dem: :kick:

A kick for the coming book! :D



:dem: :kick:

she in favor of Kerry, me in favor of Dean and/or Clark. Funnily enough, after tempers cooled, we realize that we're both voting for Kucinich anyway.

Because, come hell or high water, we gotta win this one. No foolin around. This is serious business. If Bush wins in '04, the course of American history will be reshaped for 50 years or more. If we stop him, we can still undo the damage he's done and prevent the complete dismantling of Rooseveltian America.

Please don't permit sentimentality and raw idealism to sidetrack your objectivity. If you want to do a biography of an interesting guy, fine. Do it later. But if you want to be a player in the coming campaign, stay on message. Pick a winner and stick with him. If your winner goes down, find a way to sing harmony with the nominee.

You're a very talented guy. We'll need everyone's talents for the coming war. It ain't gonna be easy. Plus, you need to position yourself to play a role in the next Dem administration.

I look forward to reading your article about this weekend, too! Don't forget to pack warm clothes! :)

:shrug:

But will get an update tomorrow. :-) Networking with the Navajo nation, both in NM and here in AZ, I think.

NM, IA tomorrow (Saturday)
http://www.kucinich.us/schedule.php
so you heard wrong

later, one about PNAC, etc.

Actually, write articles about Kucinich and get them printed SOON so he can win and fight PNAC, etc.

Seriously, I hope you write some articles about him soon. Letterman and Leno are making jokes about him every night and people laugh because they don't know any better. If people hear about him and know what he stands for and then reject him, that's one thing (though I might have to emigrate, if that's the case.) But to have him buried by media ignorance (they know nothing about him) and ignoring (but they deny him coverage, anyway) is unacceptable. People must be informed before they vote.

I have been a registered Democratic voter since 1968 and Dennis Kucinich is the first presidential candidate I've ever really believed in. I did support Gene McCarthy in the 1968 primary and voted FOR George McGovern in 1972 with some enthusiasm and a belief that they would fight to get us out of Viet Nam, but every other year I've just voted AGAINST the GOP.

I will be voting proudly and enthusiastically FOR Dennis Kucinich in the 2004 primary.

I know of several others that will read it too.

:dem: