I'm mad as hell and not going to take it any more.

[demgurl]

First I started calling my representatives whenever you all asked.
I may have not always let you know, but whenever you guys asked, I was at your service.

When I joined my local MoveOn group I was just getting my feet wet. I ended up also going to a house party for DSM and joining their group.

Then I joined our activist corps here at DU.I have done everything they have asked.

Last week I bought tickets for The Peace Train so I could go to DC and march against the Iraqi occupation.

During all of this there is one thing I did not do. I was very polite and respected all of those around me. A good democrat is nice and we do not just speak out and tell the republicans how wrong they are. You figure if they were interested they probably have found out the information on their own.

Two days ago I reached the point of no return. I started writing to everyone I know. If they get tired of me they can delete my emails. I know I am right and I refuse to be silenced. I will get the word out at all costs.

I pledge all of my efforts to unseating * and everyone around him. I promise I will not stop until I have done everything in my power to get the truth out. I will speak, sing, email, call - I will use everything I have at my disposal.

I used to have a great country and these people have stolen it from me. I have let them do so by my silence. I am guilty. I will no longer participate in their stealing of this once fine country.

Who is with me? I am mad as hell and I am not going to be SILENT ANY MORE!!!!

[AuntPatsy]

1. I haven't been, people around me get very wary when they see me...

Mad? More than mad, sick, enraged, disgusted and extremely horrified that there are people in this country that actually have faith in this administration...

Your not alone I promise you..

[demgurl]

14. AuntPatsy.....

I hope everyone is as disgusted as you are. We can all work together as a single unit. When one needs to be pumped up, others can give aid and comfort to them so they can keep going. We need each other more than ever. We can not let them win. Our country will be ours again.

demgurl

[Uncle Joe]

77. We are family. n/t

[Imagevision]

91. Too bad more of our Democratic Senators didn't feel the same way.

[Shoeempress]

2. Good for you, keep up the good work.

I'm with ya, and have been for quite a while.

[demgurl]

15. Shoe, thank you and I hope you are speaking as loudly as you can. eom

[roguevalley]

55. My cell phone groans on weeknights and weekends. :)

I know how you feel. I'm 52 and can remember America. God willing, you too might get a taste of it some day.

[demgurl]

70. rogue, I hope so.

I have children and I do not wish to raise them in a country like this. To think that at one point people flocked here but now they are leaving. How sad.

demgurl

[Lannes]

3. Good for you

Ive been reaching out to like minded people in my town and trying to educate people about what is being done to this country.There is always more I can do.

You sound like you are going out there with both guns blazing.More power to you.

Edit: you also reminded me what movie I forgot to get with my amazon gift certificate!

[LoKnLoD]

5. my mother told me

to stop sending her propaganda whenever I included her in my distribution lists of emails of anti * stuff. funny thing all three of her children are all anti * and liberal

[demgurl]

16. LoknLod, welcome to DU.

This is the time to draw the lines. You are either with the insane and depraved or you are with us. I have drawn that line and I will be on the lookout to see where others draw their line.

When you look back on life you always seem to have regrets on what you did not do, than what you did do. It is always, "I wish I had....". I want to end my life with no regrets at all.

demgurl

[Mnemosyne]

24. Amen girlfriend, AMEN!!!

NO regrets, what must be done, must be done and we have ourselves and each other to help us through!

Lucky aren't we!!!

[demgurl]

27. We are the luckiest!

I would much rather be on our side than theirs!!!!

demgurl

[Mnemosyne]

28. Is there any other place to be for people

with even half a heart or brain?!

[demgurl]

29. There is nowhere I would rather call home. ...

Now about that half brain.....there have been times I have wondered about others in a different forum!

demgurl

[Mnemosyne]

32. We're all here for the long haul I think!

Just some in different ways. Sometimes laughter here is all that saves me!!:hi: :toast:

[demgurl]

87. Having like minded people saves me.

I am glad to be in this fight with such intelligent people.

demgurl

[Mnemosyne]

88. Just make sure you take time to laugh well at least

once a day demgurl. Too much stress is NOT good and will slow you down.
I have a friend that totally cracks me up, really helps take the raw edge off and saves my sanity. Some of the stuff in the lounge is pretty good too! If we lose our sense of humor, they will have won also.
:patriot: :rofl: :yourock:

[demgurl]

98. vickiss....

Talking about humor, have you ever seen the video and heard the song "Idiot Son of an Asshole" by NOFX?

http://www.bushflash.com/idiot.html

It might bring a smile to your day.

demgurl

[Mnemosyne]

111. I LOVE that song!! Have had it

as an earworm off and on since released! It is totally perfect, NOFX and Blumrich rock! I actually had friends start singing along with me a few times. I know now you won't forget to relax! I have to remind myself to sometimes!

[Pachamama]

57. I'm with you Demgurl! I will not be silent & I've drawn the line too

I too am talking to all I know and if I am in the parking lot at the store and see a car with "Bush is my Prez" etc., I put info on their windshield to take back their party and reminders of the lies and even torture policies from this administration.

My grandparents escaped Nazi Germany in early 1939...I will never be silent.

[demgurl]

99. pachamama....

Yes, if any of us have learned anything from the past it would be not to be silent. I am not saying exterminations are going on but our country is turning fascist right before our eyes and these people do not care as long as they have the same thing as prisoners - three squares and a roof over their head. The world is crumbling around them and they are whistling "Mr.Bluebird on my shoulder..."

Keep talking and perhaps one day we will all get through.

demgurl

[Sequoia]

74. I hear ya!

Some members of my family and others are "concerned" (as is, I'm going crazy, off to the looney bin)because I send them anti-chimp stuff, and how the hate is eating me. Well, I quoted the bumper sticker, "If you're not angry, you're not paying attention". The reply was: I don't give a S*^t.

Really, as long as their lives can keep going on smoothly the dead in Iraq, the raping of our Constitution couldn't concern them in the least.

Wecome to DU !!!

[ray of light]

68. great job Demgirl...the same emotions overcame me and I became

an activist too. That's why I'm here and at the Democracy Cell Project as well. The Democracy Cell Project is all about activsm and organizing grassroots and becoming an effect advocate. Please, join http://www.democracycellproject.net and let's form our powerful network together.

Please check it out and then register at the forum. Let's build grassroots together.

[demgurl]

71. ray of light....

thank you for sharing and I did join. I am also going to do my own activist group but I will be standing with you as well. I am happy to stand beside you and all of the great Americans in this country who will fight for our freedom.

demgurl

[ray of light]

85. Thanks demgirl--I firmly believe the change will come from US

with our groups and our actions. Moveon and some of the national orgnizations are great, but the power comes from all of us in our own towns getting people to find each other and work together for the betterment of our country.

And thanks again for your post here. For many of us, it expresses the complete change of our psyche from inward "victim" to expressive action oriented activist.

Everyone, please join http://www.democracycellproject.net and bring democracy to a town near you too!

[Lars39]

4. Could you give me info about the Peace Train?

[demgurl]

10. Lars39....

I would be happy to give you information. Here is an URL:

http://neworleans.indymedia.org/news/2005/07/3586.php

it is happening the weekend of the 23rd of September and Cindy Sheehan will be on the train! (she attended DSM meetings, she did an interview with 'Democracy Now' and she reported that her daughter had never seen such a disgusted face as when she interacted with Bush - a must see interview in my opinion)

There are also bus trips being set up all across the country. If you stay until that Monday, they are also having a day of non-violent civil disobedience. I have to go back on Sunday since my kids have school.

If you have any more questions, let me know.

demgurl

[devilgrrl]

6. I'm with you!

:-)

[demgurl]

17. devil......

You're either with me or against me! ;)

demgurl

[iconoclastic cat]

7. That sounds like a good idea for a blog!

Seriously, I'd love to read daily accounts of your proactive approach. It would help those of us who feel lost as to what we should do and how far we can go.

[demgurl]

11. I started my own blog a long time ago.....

but I just lost interest since I really was not getting feedback. If you want to see what email I sent out yesterday just look at this post : http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4252551

I am not even sure where I would go to set up a blog that all of you could see, my last one was so unsuccessful! I guess you could come here and look for me to vent on a daily basis! :silly:

If you have suggestions then I am up for them. All I want is for everyone to get as charged up as I feel and to do something. One of us is nothing but a bunch of us together could really spell trouble for the * admin.

We have the activist corps here but that only gives us direction once in a while, I guess we could also form a list serve group like yahoo and kind of start a think tank to coordinate things to do on a daily/weekly basis.

I already know one or two people who might be interested in doing this. If there is enough feedback here maybe we should start one!

demgurl

[iconoclastic cat]

13. I'm up for it! I've never done anything like that, but I'm game!

Do you want my email?

[demgurl]

19. Sure, you can send me an email .....

I just opened an email account just to receive emails about this group. Send emails to [e-mail]

I will open a group tomorrow and we can go from there. You should get an invite tomorrow in your email account. We may start small or perhaps some more people will be interested from here?

If enough people sign up and they get more to join, we could end up having a big effect.

Anyone who is interested can email me at the above email addy.

demgurl

[iconoclastic cat]

40. done!

[demgurl]

45. Great icon, I got your email.....

pass on the info to anyone who you might think woudl be interested.
One way or another we will change the world.

demgurl

[tavalon]

64. I blog at LiveJournal

and many, many of my posts get no responses but I continue because it's necessary.

[demgurl]

69. tavalon.....

Have you shared your URL with people here?

I am tired of not getting a response and not knowing if people are reading what I write. I have decided to start a daily activist group where we will hit people where they live. We will get the word out if the media will not do their job. We will take back our country.

demgurl

[tavalon]

97. Naw

Because here I'm preaching to the choir. I try to get fencesitters to read the stuff I think they need to read.

[demgurl]

122. I agree.eom

[Gronk Groks]

73. You need to start posting on DU on a regular basis...

...get the administrators to put your posts up as articles. Focus and refine your writing for Maximum Effect. Get a regular following to help you get noticed. SCREAM OFTEN AND LOUDLY !!!

Our trouble is that there are too many sites to keep track of and people's time is limited.

Focus like a laser on a few subjects and refine, refine, refine...

...we need powerful people to offset the reThugs noise machine.

Go Girl !!!! :headbang:

[demgurl]

75. Gronk...

I honestly do not feel qualified enough to write articles, define them and then ask to have them put up as articles. It took me months before I ever even posted here because I felt so inept compared to others who are here.

I read posts by people like Will Pitt and I shrink thinking I can never write something that beautiful. I write a letter to my lawyer and my husband even has to refine that for me!

I will not be quiet and I will write, call, phone or email. Maybe it is a lack of self-esteem, but what you propose seems so far out of my league. I do thank you for suggesting it.

demgurl

[Gronk Groks]

119. No one starts at the top...

...you have passion and can articulate it. Perfection comes with practice...so practice !!!

Always believe in yourselve...you'll be glad you did !!!

[demgurl]

123. Gronk...

I am so lucky to be surrounded by so many supportive people. Thank you very much for your kind words.

I have now started a group and I think the people have such great ideas. They are so creative and are think outside the box type of people. I am very excited.

I will post here but maybe after many, many more practice posts I might feel confident enough to try something as bold as you suggest. Right now, without practice, I stand in the shadow of many great DU writers.

demgurl

[karlrschneider]

8. I'm with you all the way...in fact, I won't be surprised if MIBs show up

at my door given some of the letters I've written ... to papers, congressmen and the AWOL coward chickenshit squatting in our WH.
:grr:

[demgurl]

34. karl.....

you will not be alone, we will be there with you. I have warned my husband time and time again that I may just disappear one day. He just does not see that they are that truly evil. Well, there are a lot of things that used to happen 'over there' that are now happening over here. I have made it quite clear that I ma happy with my marriage and if I ever disappear, do not believe them when they say I ran away with another man. Now that I am starting this activist group, I believe the chances of disappearing are even more so. At least I will be in good company.

demgurl

[garybeck]

9. here is a free CD you can make copies of and give them away

check it out:



http://www.solarbus.org/election/cd/

[demgurl]

12. graybeck....

Thank you so much. I will make copies and I know just the person who will do it for me. I will do a mailing to people I know. Every little bit of information helps. Everything I can do, I will.

demgurl

[garybeck]

18. PM your mailing address to me...

any CD burner is all it takes.

Abbie Hoffman said--

"you can start a revolution with a xerox copier"

this is the 21st century version of the same idea.

[karlrschneider]

47. Gary...I hope I didn't wimp out on you, I have your CD that's marked

"do not copy"...it works fine as I think I reported. Is it ok to make copies now and give them out?

[garybeck]

60. no, don't copy that one

there have been several improvements since then

that was a tester. if you are a seedplanter you will be getting a new CD any day now. please use that one instead.

thanks!

[karlrschneider]

121. Okay, gotcha...thanks

:D

[fishnfla]

20. with you

I'll be in the peace pick-up truck.

September 24th.

Bang the drum loudly!

[demgurl]

21. You'll be there, too?

Woohoo! I got a great price on a hotel just outside of Washington. We will be taking the Metro in each day. Do you have a place to stay? There are groups of people sharing rooms. I wonder how many more DUers will be there? I will bang that drum VERY loudly. I hope you do as well.

demgurl

[fishnfla]

22. I just decided tonight!

I dont have any plans yet. Margaritamama and I might do a hit and run.

There better be a shitload of DUers there!

[demgurl]

35. It is great that you are going.

We need to let everyone know that what is being done is not representative of what we want to be done. Just to let you know, I got a hotel in Priceline for Crystal City. I bid on a two star hotel and got a three star hotel for $65/night. Considering the Washington hotels were a hundred and up a night, I thought that was pretty good.

Are you folks going to be wearing any DU apparel so you can be easily identified?

demgurl

[Mnemosyne]

23. We're here demgurl!

Almost everyone I know has gotten an education and more will, I swear!:patriot: :woohoo: :hug:

[demgurl]

30. Good, make sure you keep giving it to them...

there is new news every single day!

demgurl

[Mnemosyne]

33. Can't stop now!! n/t

[anarchy1999]

25. So when are we going to open our windows?

Thought so.

[demgurl]

36. That is on next week's agenda.

At 1 PM on Monday of next week we will all open our windows at the exact same time.

demgurl

[anarchy1999]

42. Well allrighty then.

Be sure and keep us all posted.

[demgurl]

51. anarchy....

I am starting the activist group and will be sending out invitations tomorrow. You are welcome to join if you are so inclined.

demgurl

[lonestarnot]

26. Wooohooo productive anger! Now join up with some protests, paint

some signs MARCH! SILENCE KILLS!

[demgurl]

31. It does kill and it has been killing.

I hope I can get that through to others that I talk to. I will not be a silent partner in the crime of torture. You think you run the country Georgey boy? I say BRING IT ON!

demgurl

[lonestarnot]

39. Git em demgurl!

[demgurl]

44. Only if you will git em with me. You in? eom

[lonestarnot]

46. In baby!

[Donailin]

37. preaching to the choir-- every SINGLE FUCKING DAY another assault

on my intelligence with their lies and BS. I just listened to Schmidt say on hardball that Hackett ran as a pro bush candidate. :grr:

Seriously, everytime their lips move they lie, and the media just repeats the lie without ever calling it a LIE.

I've written, protested, written, voted, protested, called, emailed, on and on. My last hope is on Fitzgerald. If Rove and others don't go down, I will literally do something insane. I know I will lose it. I will probably just tell every republican I know to go fuck themselves. I swaer to God I can't stand it anymore.

[demgurl]

41. So why not join my activist group

and maybe we can make a difference together? I have the info above.

I am with you. They could not tell the truth if their lives depended on it.

I think we need to make a concerted continuous effort as a group. Hit them and keep hitting them. I have lost it at times as well but if we draw together we can truly make a difference.

demgurl

[proud patriot]

38. I have your back , I'm proud to stand with you

:patriot:

[demgurl]

43. Thanks, Patriot.

Are you joining our group?

demgurl

[proud patriot]

86. I have been on the frontlines since the Patriot Act passed

My car is covered . My house has a big Rove
wanted posted in the front yard ...

I'm a walking talking Driving even when at home
protest .

I've been called every name in the book .

I've not backed down yet , and don't plan
on stopping anytime soon .

[kitkat65]

48. No effing kidding!

This administration is filled with the worst this country has to offer, isn't it? I passed the screaming point about a year ago.

But, yeahm when will people wake the fuck up!?

Incidentally, I have an mp3 of that sound clip from "Network" if you want it. I'll send it to whoever wants it. Just PM me. (Demgirl, I just know you do!)

:evilgrin:

[demgurl]

49. kitkat......

Yes, they are the worst and I often wonder why other people can not see it. It is like a select group of us ordered those x-ray glasses you used to see at the back of comic books. We are seeing through all of the administration's B.S. but they do not seem able to even when we point it out to them.

I want anything you are willing to share with me. I am so motivated right now and people are going to get sick and tired hearing from me.

You have my addy, it is the same one that I am using for the activist group mentioned above : [e-mail]

Send it my way and I will share. Thank you.

demgurl

[kitkat65]

53. It's on it's way now...

[Viva_La_Revolution]

50. well said!

|
|
|
|
V

[demgurl]

52. Viva...

I am also a proud member. But I want to do more.I want to create a war machine against the republicans. I want to have consistent hits against them on a weekly, if not daily, basis. They are working like a well oiled machine but I have noticed many of their cogs have stopped working. I want to hit them hard and often. We can all make a difference. Viva La Revolution!

demgurl

[JRob]

54. Been there, do that, have lost a lot of friends... kick nt

[demgurl]

79. JRob...

I am sorry you have lost friends as well. I do thank you for speaking outto them all. We all need to do that a lot more.

demgurl

[JRob]

113. It's a character flaw... when you see it, you loose respect at which

point it hard to continue making small talk anyway.

later, we live in different worlds.

[Is It Fascism Yet]

56. more power to you. with you all the way. n/t

[demgurl]

104. Thank you, is. eom

[OKthatsIT]

58. We have no other choice but to SPEAK THE TRUTH

...make them listen. They will eventually begin seeing. And believe me, our economy and infrastructure is suffering...its only a matter of time before they feel its effects.

The real scare is 'Martial Law'. Cheney's little speech warning americans of nuclear attacks inside the homeland?


The Police State is pretty scary, folks. But let's not be intimidated by these thugs. WE, The People, have control over the budget, ultimately.

Let's focus on getting good people elected in 2006.

[demgurl]

80. OK...

We have so many things to focus on. This administration has us swimming is issues on any given day.

I do not remember when I first started becoming aware but I am sure I must have been at least skeptical, at first, when I realized there is no real media and that we are being lied to on a constant basis.

I think we need to do a variation on what they did. They believed if they shouted something loud enough and long enough it would become true. Perhaps if we shout it loud enough and long enough, they will realize the truth.

Bit by bit if we get into their subconscious they may start thinking a little while watching TV, playing golf or eating dinner. Maybe they will wonder and they will turn to us or the internet to try and figure out the truth. I do not believe many of us just became 100% instant believers.

If there are enough of us out there saying the same thing then it will start to seep in whether they realize it or not.

The new elections will be a good place to start. We need paper trails and great candidates. We need to push these candidates and get people voting.

Peace!

demgurl

[BlueIris]

59. Yeah. That's the spirit. Yup. Sounds like a plan.

No, seriously, good for you. I've been doing this for awhile and I'm kinda out of gas...although I did go on a "no bigotry" crusade the other day to find a new hairstylist who is a rampant, unrepentant bigot. That went well. But I pissed off a couple of salons first. I was pretty loud when I did those things.

[demgurl]

105. Blue, every little bit helps.

I am sorry you are worn out but we will welcome you when you get your second wind.

demgurl

[Swamp Rat]

61. Kick ass demgurl!

We do what we can in our own way... though, my way can get noisy when I'm at a protest. :)

[demgurl]

106. Swamp Rat, love the picture.

If you are that noisy then I want you next to me at any protest I go to. Keep up the fight.

demgurl

[nofurylike]

62. well said! thank you, demgurl. with you, absolutely. eom

[nofurylike]

63. kick eom

[wildeyed]

65. Do it, demgurl!

I reached the point of no return Spring 2004. In addition to badgering every single * voter I know, I began to stand out on street corners with a clipboard and voter registration forms in heavily dem neighborhoods. Just begging people to vote.

Sure it is frustrating when we lose. But the struggle is more important than the results, if you get my meaning. I am much happier knowing that I showed up for democracy, truth and justice rather than sitting on my bum watching Survivor and ignoring the situation. And someday, a brighter day, I will tell my kids about the bad old days and how mommy and daddy worked for justice.

[demgurl]

81. wildeyed....

It is wonderful that you have worked so hard for our party. We need more people like you qt the front of this struggle. I am sorry it took me so long. I just wanted to play nice and that was wrong.

I love your vision. I hope I will be able to impart the same stories to my children as well. Taking action is so much more rewarding then sitting and being ignorant. Each day more and more of us speak out. Soon they will not be able to ignore us.

demgurl

[CTyankee]

66. Letters to the Editor

DU has helped me formulate my LTTEs. The only problem is that there is no organization, apart from the "canned" letters going to Sens and Reps, of progressives in our area dedicated to countering every misleading or downright false Republican talking points repeated in editorials or the LTTE of the RWers. I'm sure my local paper wouldn't print a letter from me as often as I could write them. I wish I could corral a group of the progressives (and we have many in New Haven) into a LTTE group so that each of us could take turns rebutting all the disinformation and downright smears being circulated. Anybody have any ideas how such a group could be organized?

P.S. I feel just the way you do! As we used to say back in the day, "If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem."

[demgurl]

72. CT.....

The letter to the editor is one of the tings I have proposed to my new activist group. Since I can only have one a month published I have been very frustrated so we will work on a rotation of each other's newspapers and get the word out that way. We will come up with the important event of the week and we will work together on talking points. If this is something you truly want to do, you should think of joining.

demgurl

[AbbyR]

82. Letters to editor

I AM an editor - I have tried to confine myself to writing about Bush only once a month, because I'm afraid people will get tired of me. One thing I notice - the folks who disagree with me invariably write nasty letters back or corner me in public and tell me how deluded I am. Others, the ones who agree with me, quietly come up and thank me, but we never hear from them. Interesting observation, I think.

Abby in Arkansas

[demgurl]

84. Abby...

An editor? Thank you for participating in writing letters. I do think your observations are very interesting. I think it says a lot about the other side. Why do they feel they must speak so loudly and attack if they are so sure of themselves and what they believe in?

I was one of the quiet ones until a few days ago. Quiet with my friends, anyway. I have faith in America and these people will rise up when they get mad. Right now they are agreeing with you but do they truly know how deep the deceptions of this regime have gone? Do they fully realize the propaganda that the media has perpetrated on the people? Do they fully know the extent of the torture?

If we can get people to rotate and get anti-Bush letters read every week then people will feel, perhaps, the tide is turning. Remember, this is how the other side has been working to get the word out. When you see it all around you start to believe. We can work it from the other side just like they have. The tides will turn, my friend.

demgurl

[annabanana]

114. Hi Abby!

Welcome to DU! :toast:
Even though I live in a big market, I suspect that the local paper "sees me coming" and keeps my published notes to maybe 1, 2 a month. I'm in a "blue" area, so I don't get a lot of negative blowback, but I do get quite a few "Well, I see you're in the paper again today".. without any implicit agree/disagreement.

[CTyankee]

94. That's great

So you're saying you can put a pool of DUers from this area together to write LTTEs among other activities? How exactly would that work? If I wrote a letter this month and an issue came up the week after it was published how would people know who was "eligible" to write a letter?

As for talking points, that's fine but I found that researching and reading on DU helped enormously with my LTTE, which dealt with the REAL issue of the release of Kerry's records (and it wasn't grades at Yale, but this being New Haven it was something that interested folks). I posted for help on DU, got several helpful responses, and was able to cite sources in the letter and really drive home my point. Several of my progressive friends saw the letter and told me that hadn't realized that the grades issue was a sideline to the Swift Boat smear issue. I felt good that I gave them more ammunition!

I am semi-retired and determined to be a voice for truth. I will join your group gladly. Hope to hear your plan soon!

[demgurl]

100. Well here is what I had in mind.......

We will all submit the URL for the LTTE of our local papers. I will publish that list to our group. You will start with the first newspaper under your local newspaper - I am assuming we are all active enough that we have had letters published within the last 30 days so we will start with the one under ours. You move down one URL each week. We may not be able to write our own newspapers, every week, but we can get the word out while we write to other newspapers and we will know that someone is filling in our spot and writing to our own newspapers. Does that make sense?

The premise, with this, is that one way the RW did what they did was that they had a ton of talking heads out there parroting talking points. The more our public seems to hear a certain thing, the more they tend to buy into it. We will be spreading the truth when we speak.

This, hopefully, will also have an impact on the newspapers. They will see many different people constantly writing in a democratic viewpoint and they may actually start swinging back over to the center of issues. That would be the icing on the cake.

I have heard from different members of the group and they have some great ideas. I am very excited about this.

demgurl

[CTyankee]

117. how this would apply here?

My local newspaper in the New Haven Register. If I understand your system, if I had just had a LTTE in the Register I would move to, say, the Connecticut Post (covering greater Bridgeport) or the Waterbury Republican or Hartford Courant. While they are not strictly local, people do read them here (partic. the Post and Courant). The trick is to get the out of town paper to publish them.

I'm all for it.

[demgurl]

124. We would actually make a list of all of our newspapers.....

All the people in the group post the URL for their paper. Local papers will still print letters submitted by anyone. I post the list of the papers with the URL after them. You start at the paper after yours the first week. You submit a letter to that person's paper. Then the next week you move down another one.

This way we get coverage (hopefully) across the country and we are getting the same message out about issues.

Was that clear or am I muddying up the waters?

demgurl

[CTyankee]

126. I getcha

My paper requires that a letter writer list the town or city they live in. I often felt that that was a way to keep out "canned" talking point letters. I'm afraid that your system might get their suspicions up and they wouldn't print these letters. I've only written LTTEs in response to an editorial or a burning political issue of national stature. (My politically active spouse is more interested in writing about local issues.) What I'd like to see is a system whereby some DUers in CT to take turns sending a steady stream of LTTEs so that each rightie letter or editorial gets a response from us.

[demgurl]

127. CT

If we can get enough people on board, we could do that. WE just need a group big enough in each city.

I can see what you mean about papers being suspicious of letters from other cities. Maybe this is something we could be co-ordinating with the democratic party in every city of any real size. It is time we all worked together.

demgurl

[CTyankee]

128. Spouse is on ward committee (Dem of course)

I am going to check with them as they are local grass roots Democrats. I'll tell them about DU if they don't already know andI'll try to form a little group and figure out a way we can divvy up letter writing. I'm also going to check with Rosa DeLauro (our congressperson)'s office so that we could extend out to surrounding towns in her district. Of course, I have a personal network of dedicated liberals but not everyone is willing to stick their necks out with LTTEs.

But I still want to work with you and your efforts. Sounds terrific.

[SeanQ]

67. I'm with you demgurl!!

[demgurl]

101. SeanQ...

Speak out loud and speak proud. Tell everyone what you know.

demgurl

[jasop]

76. That was the greatest post I have EVER read here at DU

Demgurl - That was awesome. I totally agree with you and I want to do more. I do a little here and there but honestly I mostly do what everyone else does. Get mad about it and vent by bitching and ranting on blogs and message boards or to my wife. Its a good day for me to have read that post because I feel realy powerless lately and you just encouraged me to change that. Thanks!

[demgurl]

83. Welcome aboard jasop....

it is a pleasure to be fighting alongside others who believe as I do. This is the new war of the 21st century. It will not be fought on land and with conventional weapons. It is fought behind the scenes just as the republicans have done for the years leading up to this.

This is the war that the * regime has declared on the American people. There will be no prisoners in this war and there will be no torture. There will be our side and their side. It will be the people who believe in the goodness of America and the traditions we grew up with. We will fight those who have settled for something grim and evil. No matter how they have been lured, they are the ones that we will target. We will take away their biggest weapon, the weapon of secrecy.

They were counting on us being quiet. They sneer and put us down because they are afraid of us. Words are our weapons. They will defeat ignorance. They will overcome lies.

We have entered a cold war with other Americans, but do not be fooled, a war is a war none-the-less. We are the generals and commanders. We will gather together and we will fight.

demgurl

[TumorSupressor]

78. You are so right....

List night I saw a guy walking down the most traveled streets in my small town carrying a sign that said, "Honk if Bush LIED!" This is exactly the kind of thing we need. We need to get in the face of the sleeping American public and say, "WAKE UP AMERICA! Pay attention and voice your anger and frustration to Washington!" I'm going to make a sign tonight. I want to put a banner on the over pass on the 101 freeway going to LA as well. Any ideas what it should say?

[rateyes]

93. Didn't you just answer your own question?

WAKE UP AMERICA. How many more will die for Bush's lies?

[demgurl]

102. Tumor.......

I love that sign. Honk if Bush lied. Wow! Hmmm....ideas of what it should say. Maybe something about the new 1800 number? Maybe something about DSM?

A good friend of mine just sent me a bumper sticker that read, "Did you get the memo? www.dowingsteetmemo.com" That would get people curious enough to look and see information on their own. So many people do not even know what the Downing Street Memo is so that may peak their curiosity and it is something that would not immediately offend anyone who is Republican. The idea is to peak their curiosity so they will take a step forward and want to know more. It is like an alcoholic, you can not help them until they come to the conclusion, on their own, that they need help. Take a picture and share it.

demgurl

[volitionx]

89. YOU HAVE TO BE MILITANT...

to win against these sick fuckers. We have to UNITE to unseat the neocons and PERMANENTLY remove them from power. They must NEVER be allowed back in.

Neocons, who are actually Corporate Fascists, have taken over our government. Corporations are beginning to dominate and dictate EVERY facet of our lives. The Global Corporate Empire is GROWING. They use fundamentalist Christians to help fund them and get them in power.

It doesn't matter if we don't all agree on every political issue. That's fine.

What REALLY matters is that we speak with one voice on the most important issue facing us, which is GETTING THE NEOCONS OUT OF POWER.

We absolutely MUST speak out at all times. NEVER hedge your message, never wimp out. Never give in. Never surrender in the face of opposition, no matter how outnumbered you may be in any given situation.

You must think of yourself as a soldier in the cause of democracy and freedom. You must take this fight seriously.

Nearly all neocons and conservative Republicans are on the same page. My father, for example, is a neocon who used to be a moderate to conservative Republican. Now he quotes Rush Limbaugh verbatim.

We must take this fight ABSOLUTELY SERIOUSLY at all times. They are brutal fascist fuckers and will NEVER give up power until we wrest it from them. Once they take over the entire voting apparatus, we'll never get them out. They will stop at nothing in their quest for a Global Corporate Empire.

If we view this as just another swing of the political pendulum, we will LOSE this fight. This is HUGE. If we don't take this seriously, the pendulum will NEVER come back down from the far, far right.

Together, we're an army fighting for the future of our country and the world.

This is DAMN SERIOUS.

Imagine, if you can bear it, another stolen presidential election in 2008. Imagine also, that Jeb Bush changes his mind, runs for president and WINS.

If you don't like the thought of a LIFETIME of neocon rule and a LIFETIME of the bogus "War on Terror", fight these evil shits every day of your life.

Don't think for a second that these guys will settle for a loss of power in 2006 or 2008. NO! They have taken over PERMANENTLY. They have dispensed with the notion that they are even somewhat willing to occasionally lose an election.

[demgurl]

107. volitionx....

You state it like I never could. I agree with you 100%. This is a war and that is how the republicans have treated it for years. We would like at articles such as placing their people in key places and we would roll our eyes. Now we see just how seriously we should have taken it. This is a pivotal point in our history and it is one we can not walk away from. Never let a day go by that you do not contribute to the fight in some way.

demgurl

[volitionx]

90. And Another Thing...

Remember that WE are the people who will boot the neocons out of power.

People make a HUGE mistake when they think that democracy requires no effort. IT DOES REQUIRE EFFORT. If it isn't us, who will fight against the neocons? The lazy masses staring at their televisions? Right.

IT'S UP TO US and people like us to turn this around. We must evict these scam artists from power.

Take the long view...look into the hypothetical future, after the neocons are removed... Who got them out?

WE DID.

Us. Together. As a unified front.

"Somebody else" will NOT solve this problem. It is OUR responsibility, OUR duty, to regain our country, for the wellbeing of every other living thing on this planet.

Does this sound grandiose? Tough. It's a fact.

It's US or NOBODY.

[sintax]

108. yep, yep and yep

In the streets -in the towns. No political process will address the situation we are in. Forget your fears and speak UP!

EVERY DAY YOU MUST SHOUT IT OUT- EVERY SINGLE DAY

Too much is at stake for us all and the children in Iraq and the children all over.

The Earth is being blown to shreds and the Pentagon is on the march destroying everything in its path including our communities.

Silence Kills

Resist

[demgurl]

110. Yes, we are 'we the people'......

Maybe we should look back to the protest era when everyone fought for what they believed in. You are right, is is hard work and those who oppose us are willing to do anything considering how high the stakes are.

A united front is an essential. We have to all work together for the cause just as they did. You may not like republicans but you must admit they knew what they were doing.

Somebody else handling matters did not work in Germany and it will not work here.

Nothing grandiose here, my friend. You are speaking the truth and have many followers.

demgurl

[rateyes]

92. What brought on the epiphany, demgurl?

Is this the same demgurl that just a few days ago was wondering whether or not she should start a thread on DU because of her "under 1000 post" count? Way to go! I'm with you! Count me in with the "mad as hell and not taking it any more" crowd!

[demgurl]

109. Yeah, one in the same, rateyes.

I still contend that I do feel a little shy at times and you saw just how little headway I made in the thread you urged me to post. It is those types of reactions that sometimes make me feel that I am just not up to par with others around me on this board.

The torture stories were just a breaking point for me. I could not be quiet and let this go on without speaking out to people. I can not believe our citizens have let this go on all of this time.

I started sending out emails to family and friends and the more adversity I got from them, the more determined I seem to get.

And, by the way, I am now over a 1000! This thread has also helped because I see people who believe the way I do and who have signed up for my group. I am revved up and ready to go!

demgurl

[rateyes]

118. Way to go! You go, demgurl! eom

[DearAbby]

95. I am encouraged by the man alone with a plak-board "Honk if Bush Lied"

It seems that people want to stand up against this regime but are fearful of being singled out...to the point of apologizing for having a dissenting thought and actually having the audacity of speaking out.

I am one, I fear that my name will be placed in some list and being marked. I overcome this fear with each letter I write and sign my name too. Each and every time, there is that nagging thought...what danger am I placing myself and my family into?

We need numbers, many people standing together, we need leaders with good ideas on getting a movement started. Creating a community that supports each member.

That man alone on the highway with that board, hundred times that, thousandfold that...people silently standing in a public area with a sign. Sentinels for truth. Peaceful. Exorcising our first amendment right.

You are right, we need generals, leaders, we need a plan. WE NEED TO ORGANIZE!

[Loge23]

96. Losing hope rapidly

I'm not sure it's salvageable anymore - this country, the one we used to know and love.
The abuses of this administration are countless, from the voting, to the 911 response, to Iraq. In between are literally thousands of attacks on our Democracy and freedom from the Bushites - all virtually unanswered and unchallenged.
Kids are dying in Iraq and most of them actually think they are "dying for their country". Bush knows this - that the younger generation are complacent and will, for the most part, accept anything he says as fact.
We can't even vote them out anymore - the electoral process has been effectively hijacked. The press? Non-existent.
Angry? Very. But what can we really do? We can do this until they come for us - and they will eventually. But besides this we are looking at a long underground struggle to reclaim any semblance of the free America that we hold dear.

[demgurl]

112. Loge, welcome to DU.

It will be a long time before we get our old country back but we only have three options.

We can sit and do nothing. This means everything will just happen with no one resisting. If you are unhappy now, wait until you see this country in another five or six years.

We can move. This also will not accomplish anything because you may be safer in this country than another one that Bush may attack.

You can fight. What can we do? Well the republicans have been so successful that I think we need to seriously study their strategies. We need to hit the public with coordinated efforts and not let up. We need to strike often and continuously.

Join groups like mine and take action. It is incumbent upon us all to act in this way.

demgurl

[annabanana]

115. Welcome to DU, Loge..

Don't lose heart, we are not licked yet. There are hundreds ofthousands of Americans wondering "where did my country go?".. and they're finding each other.

Keep reading, keep posting and we will bring this big old ship back around.

[Gronk Groks]

120. Don't quit, for that way leads to Darkness,

Say after me, "I'm not dead yet"

Okay louder, "I'M NOT DEAD YET"

This is still MY country...and I will not fail her... :patriot:

[uppityperson]

103. Exactly demgurl.

Keep it up. You sound like I have felt and sounded and feel and sound and keep it up. There are lots of us who feel this way, and we can spell each other when we need to take a break and then come back. Good post and keep it going. Be mad. Harness the outrage!

[Paradise]

116. We've found our leader!!! n/t

[demgurl]

125. Paradise....

We can all be leaders and help save our country. Now, more than ever, we need to get back to the tried and true. We need to come together and act as one.

my husband and I talked about this tonight and I recall hearing stories about San Francisco and the peace movement. I think we need more of that than ever.

Perhaps what is missing from our society is the human connection. We think of ourselves more as individuals than a group here to help each other. Now it only takes a nanny to raise a child. How many of us know our neighbors? I contend we need to get together more as individuals and take away that anonymity.

An example of how these people are so individual is the response we get to our arguments. The other side would never be so rude if they saw us as one big community/family together. Back in the day of our mothers and fathers it would be rude to give such a response as "Yawn" or "That's old news" and yet that is the standard today. You only get a rude response like that when people are self contained.

That also goes for the media. If we were all closer and felt a relationship to each other the media would feel obliged to look after our interest rather than shielding the pResident.

We need to really step back and take a look at this problem and address it in the best way possible. There is a lot of work ahead and I am digging in my heels. We can go forward, I think, by looking back.