I did a presentation on the Downing Street Memo in class today.

[Mutley]

I covered all the major points, read the most important quotes, and handed out copies of the memo from www.downingstreetmemo.com to everyone. Of the fifteen students in the class, only one other had even heard of the DSM, and she is a PoliSci major. So, I'm glad I was able to spread the word a little since the media hasn't covered the DSM in weeks.

It seemed as though I was well received and most of the students were shocked at what the DSM revealed. Only one girl sat there and glared at me, but she didn't say anything. My instructor said he was impressed that I risked talking about such a controversial topic, and he said that though he follows politics he had never heard of the DSM himself.

I was also able to shamelessly plug DU and several other progressive sites like MoveOn and Bartcop. Maybe we'll get some new members out of this.

[Carolab]

1. Good for you.

That's the kind of civic action we should all emulate.

You get an "A" from me.

Maybe you can follow up with a little about Plamegate, or the election fraud issues.

[Mutley]

5. Thanks!

I was so nervous but once I got started I was able to really get into it. I was so glad that the response was so great and people left feeling pissed that they had been duped for so long.

This was the last day of regular class so I won't have an opportunity to get into anything else, but I will refine this presentation for future classes. Unfortunatly we didn't have enough time for me to get into anything else, so I chose the DSM because I felt that would have the biggest impact on people who don't normally follow politics.

[Siena]

49. Fantastic!

It's always easier to talk about something when a)you know what you're talking about and b) you're passionate about it. GREAT JOB!

where do you go to school?

[Mutley]

52. Towson University in Maryland.

And thanks!

[Siena]

54. I was just wondering..

if you were in a red state or not. Maryland is pretty 50/50, right?

[Mutley]

57. We go blue for most of the Presidential elections.

But we have a Republican governor, but people are not happy with him and it seems to be everyone's expectations that he will not win next year's election. There are some very red areas and very blue areas in Maryland.

[Siena]

74. Got you.

Will you vote in maryland or just go to school there?

[Mutley]

77. I voted in Maryland in 2000, 2002, 2004, and I should be able to vote here

in 2006. After that I will probably haved moved somewhere else. My fiance and I are ready to move somewhere with nicer weather.

[Siena]

87. i hear you on that!

I went to school in PA but still sent in my absentee ballot to NJ. I don't think I realized at the time that I could have voted there.

[swag]

2. Nice job, woman.

[Mutley]

6. Thanks!

[Imagevision]

98. Your teacher hasn't heard of the DSM and he's teaching YOU??

[Mutley]

101. LOL!

Well, I taught HIM something yesterday!

[emdee]

3. Way to go!

It's hard to believe that the instructor hadn't heard of the DSM and it's sad that it is considered brave to speak of it.

I'm proud of you! You educated many today.

emdee :thumbsup:

[Mutley]

7. Thanks!

I figure if I got at least one person to read the memo and spend some time looking into it then I did a great job.

[spuddonna]

4. You rock! :)

You know what? It takes courage to stand up and speak the truth. The truth is not always popular, and often the one spreading the message is attacked (verbally, I mean).

Now if only our elected Democratic officials could do the same and grow a backbone! :)

[Mutley]

9. Luckily, no one attacked me.

I'm not very good with face to face confrontation, but like I said, the one girl who seemed to not be happy with what I was saying just sat there and kept her mouth shut. Then she ran out of the room at the end of class. :rofl:

And if I, of all people, painfully shy mutley can get up and speak about this in front of people, then you would think the elected officials would be able to do the same. :eyes:

[blm]

8. You should post your presentation in a thread. We should all be moving on

the DSM story to keep it out there - especially since the Senate Intel GOPs are trying to block the investigation.

[Mutley]

11. Well, it was mostly a powerpoint presentation

but I can type up and post my notes along with the things I talked about and some of the questions I was asked. I live in Maryland which is a blue state so I had the advantage of speaking to people who mostly lean to the left anyway. I can't imagine doing this presentation in, say, Texas.

[blm]

28. It'd make a good reminder for all of us to get back to action on DSM story

It might make a nice flier and a sendaround to the media, too.

[Mutley]

33. I'll work on that.

I have a final next week, but once that is over I'm free for three weeks and will have nothing better to do!

[blm]

51. Thank you. It would definitely be appreciated here.

.

[guntherconcept]

10. I did the same thing...

...but the response from my classmates was a lot of blank stares, and I really confused and angered my teacher. Maybe that's because it was a cooking class.

[Mutley]

13. Was your teacher angry because of the content?

[annabanana]

14. heehee

good one
:spray:

[blm]

29. I'd say a "cooking class" is the appropriate venue to discuss cooked intel

.

[Uncle Joe]

72. Yea, the idea of a President

or government "fixing intelligence around the policy" or in layman's terms lying to the American People about the reasons to send them off to war stinks, and the last thing you want to do is stink up a cooking class. :sarcasm:

[annabanana]

12. Good Job!!

(And shame on your instructor, for not being familiar)..
Congrats on being another "pebble in the pond".
:toast:

[Mutley]

15. I was surprised he hadn't heard of it.

We've had a few other political conversations in class, and I could tell that he leans to the left. He even spoke to me after class about a play he is in about Democracy and politics and such and said he would email me about when they go on the road with it so I can see it.

[proud patriot]

16. Well Done

:patriot:

[Mutley]

18. Thank you!

[Sunkiss BlueStar]

17. Good Job !!!

People are afraid to talk about this Administration's Fkups across the country.
You are just like the Marines dad that spoke out against the war.
the truth needs to get out and the MSM isnt going to do it, so we need to become the Media.
:patriot:

[Mutley]

19. I was terrified.

But I figured I was in a relatively safe environment and the instuctor wouldn't let it get out of hand. I expected boredom and blank stares but people were very interested, it seemed.

[proud patriot]

24. "Speak even if your voice shakes"

I forget who said that , but I love the quote

[Mutley]

40. And my voice was shaking, that's for sure!

But I got better as I went along and saw the interest everyone had in what I was saying.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

55. "Stand before the people you fear and speak your mind -

"Stand before the people you fear and speak your mind - even if your voice shakes. When you least expect it, someone may actually listen to what you have to say." ~ Maggie Kuhn

:hi:

http://www.dailycelebrations.com/080303.htm

[Mutley]

58. Thanks!

I'll copy that quote and use it sometime!

[Daphne08]

100. That's a great quote.

Thanks for posting it. :)

[fooj]

20. Well done! Are you in high school or college?

I would be very proud of you if you were a student of mine.

Peace.

[Mutley]

22. College.

And this is a business writing class but the instructor gave us free range of what topic we wanted to talk about. He said the point was to learn how to make and give a presentation, and not the content, so we could choose what we wanted.

[merbex]

25. Excellent! Because those people that received your presentation

all went home and told 2 friends

Realize that what you told them was powerful stuff; you had to have floored them

Amazing that we have to inform people individually on what would have bought down any other American government within 5 minutes of the release of DSM during any other administration

[Mutley]

41. Especially the Clinton Administration!

The repubs would have been all over him if he had been in this position. And I truly hope that some of those people go home and talk about this to others. That was the whole point of my choosing the DSM as my topic.

[fooj]

63. Right On! Great exposure and fantastic way to spread "Truth"!

Peace.

[Mutley]

66. Thanks!

Now I'm thinking of printing out maybe a couple hundred copies of the DSM and leaving them under the windsheild wipers of cars in the garage at my school.

[OctOct1]

21. Bravo!!!!

My hat is off to you.
I took a speech class in college and never improved a bit.
The teacher said I was a good writer and had a lot to say, but, I am a lousy presenter.
I shake, my mouth gets pasty and I am just a wreck speaking in front of people.
Thank you for speaking for us.
I wish more who could, would
:toast:

[Mutley]

23. I'm a terrible public speaker.

Terrible! It helped that the other students we interested in what I was saying and asked a lot of questions. I was shaking and stumbling over myself as well! But, I've been so frustrated lately at the lack of DSM coverage that I felt I should do my part.

[yorkiemommie1]

26. Good Job!

sad to see that DSM is not as popular a subject as a blue dress.

[Mutley]

34. No kidding.

:eyes: They ALL know about the blue dress I'm sure. Though I didn't ask.

[Beaverhausen]

27. Good for you!!!

:yourock:

Pretty scary your instuctor had never heard of DSM!

You could probably enlighten him on many topics!

:yourock:

[Mutley]

35. Probably!

I didn't get to talk to him for long but he did say he follows politics and is even in a political play! I'm actually hoping I will get a chance to speak to him after the final about a few things.

[Tim4319]

30. Good job!

I must say, it is ashame that out of 15 students, only one has ever heard of the Downing Street Memos. I am extremely surprised that the instructor hasn't heard of it either. That's how the repugs do, keep you dumb, deaf, and blind to the facts!

[Mutley]

36. I told everyone that DU is a great place

to get news that you won't see in the media so hopefully some of them will check it out. I was very surprised the instructor had not heard of it.

[sakabatou]

31. It's good that you told the un-informed about this...

But then again, DSM hasn't been in the news for months.

[Mutley]

37. Thats one reason I chose the DSM as my topic.

I figure if even one person was touched enough to look into this, then they will help spread the word too. If everyone of us did this sort of thing we might just be able to keep the DSM alive.

[leftofthedial]

32. way to go!

:thumbsup:

[Mutley]

38. Thanks!

I've finally ventured out of the lounge! :rofl:

[wryter2000]

39. Well done

You woke a few folks up. Good job!

[Mutley]

44. Thank you!

That was what I had in mind.

[HootieMcBoob]

42. Excellent Work!

That's the way it's gotta be done. :toast:

[Mutley]

46. I'm so fed up with the media.

I decided to become a one woman news room. :rofl:

[Siena]

43. Good for you!

:headbang:

[Mutley]

47. Thanks!

[lostnfound]

45. O.M.G. Only 1 out of 15?!??! In a college class???!!

That is so depressing.
Great job!

[Mutley]

48. Yep. Only one out of 15.

I was very surprised. There are TWO Political Science majors in that class and only ONE had heard of the memo. The instructor had not even heard of it. But, I educated them all.

[Griffy]

50. WELL DONE - politics cant be taboo to talk about anymore...

we all must find ways to talk about the problems we face with everyone you can... I talk to telemarketers and people at stores and try to raise there awareness or curiousity! Talk about the failing media and how they know all about the woman missing in Aruba, but they know nothing about the bankrupcy bill... then ask them, which is news, which effects your life? Direct people to good sources of information such as DU and progressive radio. Tell them you love this country and are fighting for democracy, which needs informed citizens. If they take to it, then ask them to talk to there friends and family.. and be part of the solution!

BE the MEDIA!!!

they think we are weak.. prove them wrong, be strong and use the freedom of speech we have... before its gone!

[Mutley]

59. I will be speaking to people about these things more.

I feel more empowered to bring it up. And I will.

[SheepyMcSheepster]

53. great job!

excellent!
:hi:

[Mutley]

60. Thanks!

:hi:

[dhinojosa]

56. Gah! Democratic Underground is not Underground if you tell everybody!!!!!

hehehe. Just Kidding. Good work and thanks you. :)

[Mutley]

61. Thanks!

One girl seemed very interested and I saw her write down our web address when I said it. So I think we may have at least one new member out of all of this.

[AllyCat]

62. Way to go!!

:yourock:

[Mutley]

67. Thanks!

[CrispyQ]

64. Most excellent!!

Although I cannot believe that your instructor hadn't heard of it!!! ~gasp!

Excellent work! We can't relax for a moment, while doing the job of our lazy, complicit media, & getting the real scoop out there!


:yourock:

[Mutley]

68. Thanks!

I was surprised as well. He knows now though!

[bobbieinok]

99. every time I mention something like DSM to liberal types, I'm shocked

at how few know anything at all about it

still stunned to learn selection night 2000 that democratic party activists had never heard about W being AWOL in the National Guard........and they were mad b/c they thought they could have really used the info

[flyarm]

65. so wonderful !! good job!!! proud of you !!! n/t

[Mutley]

69. Thank you!

:hi:

[okieinpain]

70. very well done. you deserve a du medal.

[Mutley]

71. heh... I don't know about that.

:blush: But thanks! :hi:

[immoderate]

73. Congratulations to you (and your teacher.)

Nothing succeeds like success.

Great that you were able to tackle the situation and get important ideas across, especially to those that need to hear them.

Great for your teacher for providing you with a situation where you could develop your undiscovered talents. Not a good public speaker? You can't say that any more!

Here's to growth!:toast:

--IMM

[Mutley]

78. Thank you.

I am a terrible public speaker. Had I chosen a less interesting topic I likely would have bombed. I was shaking and stumbling all over myself. But I feel great!

[immoderate]

93. Sounds like one of the keys to being a good public speaker...

is to have something to say.

And remember you'll be better next time. That's the best kind of feeling great, that comes with accomplishment. So much more enduring than the instant gratification kind.

--IMM

[Uncle Joe]

75. You are a patriot !!

Well done.:patriot:

[Mutley]

79. Thanks!

I'd like to think I'm a patriot... despite what the repubs say about us... :eyes:

[King Coal]

76. Yea for you

Good on ya!

[Mutley]

80. Thanks!

good on you, too! :hi:

[B Calm]

81. A+

[Mutley]

82. Thanks!

I hope I get on one the presentation, too.

[I Have A Dream]

83. That was a great idea, mutley_r_us!

Thanks for spreading the word.

[Mutley]

88. Thanks!

I try. :D

[AtomicKitten]

84. You rule.

[Mutley]

89. heehee...

nice picture, very cute. And thanks! :hi:

[redqueen]

85. Well done... go you!

:applause:

[Mutley]

90. Thanks!

:blush:

[Tsiyu]

86. You Rock, Sister

:yourock:

Keep up the good work. You get an A+ from all of us!

[Mutley]

91. Thanks!

I've inspired myself to do more. I think I'm going to write and talk about this every chance I get in school. And I'm considering making flyers and putting them on cars, and taping them to doors, etc at school. I want to spread the word!

[stevans_41902]

92. Wow, great job! I am also shy and a lousy public speaker, so i know

how nervous you must have been, but there comes a time when the truth needs to be told and you are braver than a lot of the well spoken politicians out there. I still cannot believe that DSM has gotten so little attention. NOBODY i know has heard of it, and if it weren't for DU I wouldn't have either. I think its time that everybody start talking about it because if we are silent it will surely get swept under the rug. Thanks - your post made my day:toast:

[Mutley]

94. Thank you!

I suppose I was brave. It was tough, but I did it. And I'm exhilarated!

[ArkDem]

95. You are a true hero and patriot!

[Mutley]

96. Thank you!

:blush: :hi: :patriot:

[tavalon]

97. Kudos!

You are truly a patriot in the tradition of Jefferson, Franklin, Patrick Henry and others.

Thank you.

[Mutley]

102. Wow! I don't know about all that now...

:blush: But thanks!

[Hissyspit]

103. Your instructor at Towson didn't know about them?

That's pathetic. I mean, the students not knowing about the DSM is bad enough... speaking as a college professor who thought about applying to Towson for a job.

You did great, though.