Why it's not a good idea to protest the inauguration on Thursday

[liberalhistorian]

I am very concerned about the protest plans for Thursday's inauguration. Not that I'm at all happy that Bush is in the WH for what will be four very loooooong years, or that I don't think there may have been some election fraud in several states, including my own state of Ohio.

But I think it's time we let it go and focused on the issues of real importance, working within the system to make change happen and fighting against further erosion of our civil rights and the unraveling of so many important programs that help so many millions of people and that are vital to our success as a nation.

Bush's election has been formally certified and there really isn't anything else to be done about it, however angry and heartsick we may be about it. Any inauguration protests will only make us look ridiculous and will further marginalize us, as well as further embolden the right against us and give them more opportunities to discredit us.

Remember that the Dems had far more support in the election than the right and the media make it seem. Kerry received more votes than Reagan did in 1984, and made an impressive showing against a wartime president, which was unusual. History indicated that Bush would have a far higher margin of victory, since wartime presidents tend to have much more support than they often would under peacetime conditions. In fact, no wartime president has ever been defeated in American history and Kerry came damned close to changing that, closer than a lot of republicans and Bush people were comfortable with. Pretty much half the country is on our side, however much the right wants to paint it as an unqualified, overwhelming victory. Quite simply, many people voted for Bush simply out of fear, which was what they were counting on.

So, we need to capitalize and focus on that, instead of protesting an election that simply will not be overturned. That is over and it's time to let go and move forward. It's time to buckle down and focus on the hard work ahead of us of rebuilding the party and fighting against much of the right's agenda. We will only look ridiculous and marginalized if we protest this inauguration. There are now more important issues to focus on. Flame me if you must, but that's the hard truth.

[7th_Sephiroth]

1. the bush admin. has been too friendly to protesters for this

i think it may be a trap

[nadinbrzezinski]

You missed the you are to keep your eyes

looking forwards when you go in front of the recviewing stands, and you are not to make any sudden moves.

No, they have not been friendly, they know they are going to happen... whether people like it or not... but if any sniper strokes that triger, not even the stenography corp will be able to hide it

Oh and I don't agree with the original poster, this is not about Kerry but bull headed policies and my vote... he may be willing to live to 100 and live causitiously... I am not...

If I should get killed or seriously hurt (not at DC cannot be there) but at any demonstration, so be it. Hopefully this sacrifice will make life better for my nephews.

The tree of liberty needs some watering from time to tiime, and one has to consider what one is willing to sacrifice for freedom.

[7th_Sephiroth]

16. Friendlier

they have thier own bleachers instead of a metal cage 100 miles away

[da_chimperor]

4. A mysteriously overlooked pipe bomb in the protesters section?

I wouldn't put it past them.

[nadinbrzezinski]

8. My mind goes more to Kent University, and a nervous

Sniper...not the SS people, but the other organizations. the SS snipers are too well trained to loose their cool...

[musette_sf]

87. Yes. I agree.

I expect something that will make Kent State look like a day at the beach.

[7th_Sephiroth]

88. the abu Ghraib Guards Do america?

how far off from that can we truely be?

[musette_sf]

91. Your post subject

made me think of "Beavis and Butt-Head Do Abu Ghraib".

I only wish Mike Judge were subversive enough to come up with something along this topic.

[amazona]

2. how does a day of protest hurt anything?

SOme will protest "Not one Damn Dime" style and not spend any money.

Others will protest by marching or attending events and likely not see their protest reported in the news.

My question is: Who does it hurt? No one imagines their protest is going to cause * to grow a conscience and suddenly resign. 15 million people protested the war in Iraq and he declared war anyway. But protest doesn't have to be "successful" to be worthwhile. It can be a bonding process. It gives people an idea of how many other like-minded people are out there. It's a reality check. You are not just a lone nut talking to your invisible friends on the internet...

We won't look ridiculous because it won't be reported anyway. But the potential for bonding and networking should not be denied.

The conservation movement is a breeding ground of communists
and other subversives. We intend to clean them out,
even if it means rounding up every birdwatcher in the country.
--John Mitchell, US Attorney General 1969-72

[calimary]

5. I'm going ahead with my protest. But then again, I'm in L.A.

I think it's worthwhile.

If it's big enough where you are, maybe your protest will get some coverage, locally.

[zann725]

35. Where in L.A. is there going to be one? What time?

n/t

[liberalhistorian]

6. I think you're wrong about it not

being reported. I think the media will seize on any little incident, even if it's just 20 people standing on a street corner in D.C. with signs, and blow it all out of proportion. And I think that Bush's security will be extra vigilant and very aggressive as well, and that could cause some real problems.

[nadinbrzezinski]

11. So we should all stay home and do whatever the Reich tells us

okay... I see... I guess the Founding Fathers should have also remained home and never gone to Concord either... I mean somebody could get hurt!

Oh and I am counting on the Stenography Corp to either NOT cover it, or do such a slap job of it that it will be laughable. You have heard of underground news papers, I am sure...

[liberalhistorian]

34. Please do not put words

in my mouth. I am NOT saying that we should just roll over and do whatever they tell us, far from it. I am saying we need to pick our battles, and right now we need to focus on fighting to rebuild the party to what it should be and fighting for the issues that are important to us. Especially since Bush will be working overtime to strip us of even more civil rights and to gut the important programs that have become a necessary part of the social fabric of our country.

[nadinbrzezinski]

43. The democratic party has no back bone

that said, I am sure you RAN for your local District Chairman... or other important Party office...

(For the record I did, and I did loose VP for my local district... but other PROGRESSIVES made it and are now IN, so I consider that mission accomplished for that day)

That is how you rebuild the party and try to give it a spine transplant, but thinking that demonstrations will not be effective is innane. After all History does teach us that movements are built in all kinds of places and this includes the streets.

You believe they are going to be innefective, stay home. Me... I wish I could be there, with a camera and a notebook... what happened on the sixth was Rosa Parks standing up... now we need to continue that work and show the world, we are not asleep at the wheel.

Oh and that stay at home and don't fight attitude comes from YOUR ORIGINAL Post.

[itzamirakul]

47. I fail to see the reason in your argument...

how in the world can the actions of a group of people on ONE DAY, take away from the larger fight that we have on our hands.

As long as we sit in a corner, quiet and cowed, while they have their big, trouble-free party - at our expense - they will assume that they REALLY do have a mandate.

Sometimes you gotta stand up for what you believe. And sometimes youj gotta stand up for the folks who won't or can't stand with you.

This is only ONE DAY, for chrissake. Why do you have so much wind in your sails about it? How much work will be missed by several thousand people taking part in this demonstration against Bush and his policies?

[amazona]

19. actually then good if it is reported

It sends a message to the rest of the world that not all U.S.ians accept this crap!

I like to travel, so for me this is a very valuable message to send.

The conservation movement is a breeding ground of communists
and other subversives. We intend to clean them out,
even if it means rounding up every birdwatcher in the country.
--John Mitchell, US Attorney General 1969-72

[Vincardog]

3. we need to capitalize and focus on that, instead of protesting an election

that simply will not be overturned. That is over and it's time to let go and move forward.

I heard the same shit in 2000 and it is the same shit. We need to stop the death of democracy NOW. Stop Fight protest do not let the theft of our country go without comment. VIVA la Resistance.

[liberalhistorian]

10. And look where protesting

got us in 2000, NOWHERE! Nothing changed. And people spent the next four years bitching and moaning instead of rolling up their sleeves and working to change things. THAT is what we need to do now, focus on fighting the fight of our lives.

[nadinbrzezinski]

14. So what exactly have you been doing?

I mean protests don't work... tell MLK and Ghandi they don't work....

May I remind you that it took A LONG TIME, a whole generation, to get to the Civil Rights Act of 1965... but the Rosa Parks moment happened on the sixth..

[Vincardog]

22. MLK and Ghandi DID WORK check your facts

We have to protest and resist at every step. The $hrub refuses to face reality. We have to make sure the rest of America and the World not only sees reality but knows we do not support the illconceived delusions that aWoL harbors. I will not be the one at the war trials saying 'What else could I have done?'

[nadinbrzezinski]

23. I know they worked

that is the point I have been making, that if we took this piece of advise and MLK and Ghandhi staid home... you know what I am saying, sorry for not getting it thorugh... I was being sarcastic.

:-)

And I agree, we need to be out there and in their face as much as we can. I cannot be there, but I will not buy a thing on the 20th. Will also wear black

[Vincardog]

32. You are Right I mis read your post. Keep up the good work nabin

[The Backlash Cometh]

20. Why does it have to be one or the other? Why can't it be both?

[mike_c]

7. personally, I think it's time to man the barricades...

...but that's just me.

[Tinoire]

48. Chuckle... I'm right there with you. n/t

[dvaravati]

9. i agree 100%

.

[babsbunny]

15. YEAH!

GET LOUD!}(

[nadinbrzezinski]

26. Of cousre you do

no protests to the fuehrer are good huh?

[gater]

12. "...look ridiculous"?

Gee, I guess this means to hell with the voice of dissent huh?
That's the biggest pile of dung I've read in quite a while. After the first step taken toward conformity, the path gets slick as ice!

[The Backlash Cometh]

13. I don't think you get it. 99.5% of the errors went for Bush.

Randomly, these statistics are IMPOSSIBLE. Therefore, there is no system to work within. Bush will not compromise because he knows he doesn't need votes to win.

He has divided this county so let him reap that capital. Though I won't be going out there myself, I support anyone who plans to protest in a clean and non-violent manner.

[Erika]

17. I respectfully disagree

As Americans we should feel free to protest whatever we want and be proud of that right. Protests can be a powerful tool to spread messages. Look at Ghandi and MLK.

I will wear black on Thursday as a symbol that Bush is heading this country into the Dark Ages again.

In fact, I think it would be unpatriotic to support the election and inauguration of Bush. It would be letting our country down.

I agree with many others that even if Bush was legally elected, he does not represent the view of the majority of American citizens.

[Lone_Wolf_Moderate]

18. I agree completely. Another thing about the protests,

for those committed to going (I'm not much of an activist), there is the question of effectiveness. If ONE SINGLE protestor does something stupid, EVERY SINGLE OPPONENT OF BUSH gets blamed. In other words, if one guy loses control and burns a flag, then the next day you'd hear stories of how Democrats burn flags at anti-Bush rally.

My point: Pick your battles.

[nadinbrzezinski]

21. Stay home then

I guess it is a good thing that MLK never listened to this advise. By the way try to find how MLK was painted by the media in the 50s and 60s, hell find how Ghandhi was portrayed by the british press.

It does not matter how well the people behave... they will find something. Either they will have infiltrators or just plaiin out make it up.

[Lone_Wolf_Moderate]

38. This isn't exactly the same thing, mon ami.

Back in those days, the protesting and activism of MLK was really the only option, and under infinitely different circumstances. I'm not saying that bad pres is reason enough to stay home. I'm saying, be effective. Dr. King and his followers had a clear campaign to their activism. I'm just saying, if you go, don't do anything stupid, or you're alone going to wreck things.

[nadinbrzezinski]

46. This is the second phase of the Civil Rights movment

it is to defend your vote and my vote... like it or not we have no choice...

So yes it is the same thing... and yes people were warned the same back then...

Don't do it, or you may ruin for all of us....

Don't rock the boat.

Don't ask

Don't question.

When did we loose our will to fight?

Well at least some have.

[CatholicEdHead]

28. Happening already

if you like it or not.

http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2005/1/16/93354.shtml

[liberalhistorian]

30. Exactly!

That is EXACTLY what I'm trying to get across, thank you! I don't like that we're blamed en masse for the actions of even one protester, but that's just the way it is. And the right will gleefully seize on that, saying "look, these are the people who voted against us, so we're vindicated." Of course, that's wrong, but it's also reality.

Pick our battles, indeed, that's exactly what we need to do. We have a long, hard road ahead of us and much work to do. We'll need our energy for that.

[charlie]

33. Michael Moore made us look ridiculous

Cynthia McKinney made us look ridiculous. Michael Newdow makes us look ridiculous. Jerome Armstrong and Markos Moulitsas are currently making us look ridiculous. Post-election Gore made us look ridiculous. Being Democrats makes us look ridiculous.

Go ahead, pick your battles. You'll be made to look ridiculous.

Fear of "looking ridiculous" is one of the more ridiculous arguments for quelling action against opponents whose stock in trade is holding us up to ridicule.

[nadinbrzezinski]

44. They are called infiltrators, they will do it

anyway... you can bet on it... you can bet the farm on it

Even if nothing happened they would make it up. If nobody showed up they would claim that as a victory. If we showed up in millions they will not report it. You don't get it, they control the stenography corp and what the peoople hear and read. It does not matter what actually happens, so we need to fight them and fight them dirty... every day and all the time... and we need to educate, educate, educate and develop class consicoousness.

Oh and they will make fun of us, live with it, regardless of what you do

[itzamirakul]

49. So now we have to live our lives walking on eggs because

one person might muck everything up? Puh-leeze!
Everyone could go and be as sweet as Pollyanna and the press would still lie about SOMETHING!

Some of you guys are too willing to cave in too soon.

[Tinoire]

51. Great. Why stop there? Why not just shut up for the next four years.

Wouldn't want to "embarrass" gentile Dems in front of the entire world.

Nope, not me. I'll be right up there with the DLC on inauguration day, saying not a peep, saluting smartly, and celebrating as we usher in 4 more glorious wars.

[hector459]

24. Just think if the Ukraine followed that advice.

Protesting may not change the outcome of the election but it sure might have some affect on the outcome of governance. As more and more of the truth comes out unchallenged with lies and distortions now that the election is over and Bush is not running for office, more people will come to know how evil and deceptive this administration has been. Once the real numbers of KIAs and WIAs becomes known, this country will turn on those in power and it may enable the country to rid itsself of the neocon and PNAC brigade in the future.

[buddysmellgood]

25. LOL. God that's pathetic. Let's all roll over and show Dubya our bellies

and maybe they'll let us come to the party.
Remember, the "it" is democracy. Never get over "it."
"There isn't anything else to be done about it."
Well we could say that about our civil rights as well. If we can't fight for election reform along with other important issues, then we don't deserve to win.
And that is the hard truth.

[liberalhistorian]

36. God in heaven, what

does it take to get through that I am NOT NOT NOT NOT saying to totally roll over and let them do whatever they want. FAR FROM IT. But it's important to pick our battles. And we've got a lot of hard work ahead of us that we need to focus on.

[PassingFair]

68. When we have the time and the inclination

...we should protest at every available opportunity. My outrage at this administration is unlimited.
We who hesitate are lost.

[NoFederales]

27. Dr. King

I believe no will one will flame you, nor would Martin Luther King, but if he could speak, he would instead say again that if anyone who felt strongly about issues pressing the day, being silent would be tantamount to one's dying. By silencing yourself, will you have committed suicide?

I will not protest the inauguration, but I will celebrate a national day of Administration Lies Exposed for anyone toxically ignorant enough to irritate me on the 20th with "their" exuberance.

We all cope as necessary.

NoFederales

[jdots]

29. I am not flaming but it is your hard truth.

My hard truth is that I have to march more in the face of what has happened and if they kill me for it too bad. I need to help change what has happened for my kids and all the kids in the world and I don't have the money to run for school board or the education to delve into the political arena.My wife just burned out from working 20 hours a day for 5 years to stop this return to fuedalism and i am going to take her place while she works on the inside.
The people I admire the most are in thier 70s now and have been there all these years protesting racism,war and greed,to say what they have done has helped or not is a question that has no answer. The four people who died at Kent State may have had more to do with ending Viet Nam than history will tell.

[liberalhistorian]

39. For your information,

I am a graduate of Kent State University and I was a member of the May 4 Task Force while a student. I knew many of the wounded students and the victims' family and friends. I know the history of that day backwards and forwards, including the fact that two of the four students murdered were on their way to class and not even a part of the demonstration and that the demonstration was over, the students were turning and leaving, when they were fired on. All of the students shot were shot in the back or side, many from hundreds of feet away.

I've always been a firm believer in the right of the students to hold their demonstration that day, and I will always believe that. I have fought for twenty years along with the Task Force to educate people on the events of that day and the importance of Americans having the right to protest and speak up for their beliefs regardless of the cost. And I know all too well how many people still view the events of that day and those who died, and what their families have had to endure from ignorant, hateful jackasses all of these years. So, please don't put words in my mouth and accuse me of things that simply aren't true.

I am NOT saying we do not have a right to protest. I'm saying that it's simply not a good idea to do so, for the reasons I've already stated.

[nadinbrzezinski]

45. I am sure you mind goes back to that day

and you wonder if you could have done something to stop what happened.

Well it seems the torch has been passed... let it go, and let others do what needs to be done... for the 20th will happen... and people will not stay home.

By the way, thank you for your service at kent.. but it is time to let others who are now willing to do this to do it. It is not a matter of picking battles, or looking ridicolous, or god forbid having some people killed. If the right could, they wouldl erase Kent from our consicousness and remove all avenous to disent.

[candy331]

31. You should flame yourself for such a cowardice post. Many people

simply sit back and enjoy the fruits of others labor. Scores of people made sacrifices before you were ever heard of and will make more when you are gone, such as Jesus Christ, MLK, Ghandi, Mother Teresa and countless others who lost their lives(just think if those 3 civil rights workers killed in Mississippi had taken your attitude they may still be alive today and a whole population of people could still be denied basic human rights.. Move on to get along is not the answer.

[TXlib]

83. I don't see it as "moving on to get along"

What is more important: to air our anger, or to move forward, rebuild the Democratic party, and get out a message that resonates with the American public?

I'd rather swallow my bile for now, and be more effectual in politics later for it.

This sort of thing, IMHO, plays into our opposition's hands, and allows them to paint us as rabid extremists. And that sort of thing turns off the moderates in this country.

In war, a single sniper's bullet can sometimes accomplish more than hundreds of thousands of troops. Similarly in politics, all-out snarling rage is ineffectual, compared to saving your anger for the right moment.

[candy331]

93. And just when would the right time be, when we are under tyranny? n/t

[Skittles]

37. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

the purpose of protesting the coronation isn't to change the results of that f***ed-up election - IT'S TO LET AMERICA AND THE REST OF THE WORLD KNOW WE ARE NOT HAPPY WITH THIS PIECE OF SHIT INCOMPETENT "LEADER". DON'T YOU GET THAT??????????????????

[liberalhistorian]

50. Geez, Skittles, maybe

it would be easier to communicate with you if you WEREN'T FUCKING SHOUTING AT ME!

[Skittles]

53. GET USED TO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

[liberalhistorian]

57. Well, now, that's certainly

the way to communicate with and convince people of the truth of your position. Claim your ultimate superiority and then scream in their faces. That's really mature and intelligent. That's the way to get people to listen to you. :eyes:

[Skittles]

58. oh get off your high horse

that is how I will address anyone who suggests CIVILITY for that OBSCENE CORONATION.

[liberalhistorian]

95. Oh, get off of your

own high horse, my friend! I realize you are always perfect and always right and never, ever wrong, but by acting that way you are only confirming the general opinion of leftists as ranting idiots and doing NOTHING for the cause! Or, let me put it more in terms you'll understand: THAT IS DOING NOTHING FOR THE CAUSE!

[Lostnote03]

40. Bkack and white w/ babystrollers, reminding them of our constitutional ...

.....Protections!!!

[Carolab]

41. It's a personal decision. Don't go if you don't agree. n/t

[nashville_brook]

42. nonsense -- the frame is ILLEGITIMACY -- this is a movement

and movements do things like protest.


"Any inauguration protests will only make us look ridiculous and will further marginalize us, as well as further embolden the right against us and give them more opportunities to discredit us."

make us look ridiculous to whom? marginalize us? embolden the right against us??? as if they are our buddies now!

this isn't high school. it's not a popularity contest. this is outsider politics. it's a diff game than writing letters and calling congress. it's theater and ritual.

no one is going in the hope of CHANGING anything. it's like going to church. you go, you bond, you network, you do your thing and you earn your salt.

this isn't a flame -- just another truth.

[moggie12]

52. Two thoughts on the matter

I agree with you that protests focusing on the "stolen election" would be counterproductive. I would rather see the focus of any inaugural protests be on Bush's Iraq lies, or the attempt to gut Social Security, or any number of other things Bush has done where we have definitive, incontrovertable proof. Focusing on an issue where we don't yet "have the goods" will diminish the strength of our arguments on these other issues.

Since overturning the election is out of the question now, I'd like to focus our efforts on getting the millions of voters who chose Bush on Nov. 2 to WAKE UP and realize he's leading the country recklessly down the path to economic ruin and geopolitical chaos. When we get more Americans to see what's really happening, we can stop him. With election reform and a clear, strong message, we can take back the House and Senate in '06 and the Presidency in '08.

[Jackie97]

54. I agree.

Fifty-five million voters proved that Bush has no mandate. There will be plenty of anti-Bush policy marches to go on in the future (probably near future). We don't need to protest this.

In fact, I encourage everybody not to go. Since this is an event that the president is actually a part of (unlike regular marches), I think a protester is more likely to get falsely accused of things and get beaten and/or put in jail as a result.

I thought about participating in the protests just to show that there's no mandate, but that's already been proven just by the sharp division in this country. If any seriously bad shit (including damage to reputation) was to happen to the left at any event, it would be this one. My gut instinct tells me that this protest is a really bad idea, and my gut instinct is almost never wrong.

There will be plenty of marches to go on related to the war, choice, gay rights, and other issues. We don't need to protest when they crown the emperor. My advice to everybody, don't go. I'm serious. This one is a bad idea.

[liberalhistorian]

56. Thank you, I couldn't

have said it better myself! Like you, I'm also getting a really bad feeling about this, which is why I put my head on the chopping block and posted this thread.

[Tinoire]

55. Why it IS a good idea to protest this coronation

To show the entire world that we are NOT with the idiot who shouted "You're either with me or against me."

It is NOT time to "let it go", it is time to bring the entire world's attention to the anger of the American people because contrary to what Bush said, I, WE, are NOT accountable for his crimes. HE and his NEOCON whores MUST be held accountable and their shame exposed for all to see.

I take grave exception to your thought that "Any inauguration protests will only make us look ridiculous". Looking ridiculous is the least of my concerns. People are dying and some would tell us to be moderate, to patiently work from within a system so corrupt that we're being subjected to 4 more years of obscenities.

Bush started 2 wars in less than 2 years. If that's not THE issues of real importance, I don't know what is. Especially not when there are clearly several more coming!

I will NOT stay home on inauguration day like a good little citizen and fade gently into the night as the boy-king's coronation goes on. And what's more, I will NOT shut up so that war-supporting Democrats and war-supporting Democratic politicians can continue their lie that we were not overwhelmingly against this war and against this President.

It is TIME for the ENTIRE WORLD TO SEE THAT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE LIVID AND NOT TAKING THIS SITTING DOWN!

It's a damn good thing Skinner, Elad and Earl G didn't stay home on Inauguration day in 2000 and instead had the BALLS to get up there with their www.democraticunderground.com sign.

I hope to that people are more than embarrassed. I HOPE THEY'RE ASHAMED for their tacit complicity in the face of all these injustices.

Coronation 2001

[0007]

64. Couldn't have said it better. Thanks for the photos!

[TrustingDog]

82. yeppers, THAT is the reason. and what Skittle shouted

I also totally agree with.

Now is the Time to Separate Yourselves from that piece of steaming excrement in the WH. If you're worried about what 'they' will say or 'they'll' laugh at you - o Good Grief!

Likely our mess media won't be showing pics of the protestors but foreign cameras surely will. The word MUST get out that a lot of americans are ANGRY and DISSATISFIED with what THAT MONSTER is doing and planning to do.

[fujiyama]

59. "Rebuilding", "working to build"

All these are cute little phrases we've heard much of since the election.

Let's face the truth:

The Dems have power of NO BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT.

Not the Supreme Court
Not the Senate
Not the House
Not the White House

Democrats and liberals and moderates, and basically anyone to the left of Atilla the Hun has no place in DC right now.

I really am not confident and don't really know what else can be accomplished.

That's why I say, fuck the RWers and fuck all that believe that protesting is "unpatriotic", "treasonous", or "Anti American".

The majority of this country is BRAIN DEAD. I frankly don't care what they have to say at this point. Even the skewed, distorted view the MSM gives should have given enough of an idea that things aren't going well...and on top of that they were too lazy to research any deeper.

Bush is "great at fighting terror". Those that believe it now, will believe it next week, regardless if someone protests this or not.

That's why I say, protesting at this point may be one of the few of blowing some steam and venting our frustration. It's time to show that
50.7% that there are people that DON'T like what is going on and that this isn't the direction this country should take.

That said, I'm weary of groups like ANSWER. Any group that can defend mass murderers isn't a group I'd want to be seen anywhere near. I hope they don't end up becoming the image of the entire protest.

[ErinGoBraghLess]

60. I agree with Original Post

I couldn't agree more with this post -- that protest makes us look silly and marginalized. This seems to be an issue that is a divisive one here at DU. I'm a new member I realize, but I consider myself a level-headed mainstream Dem. I was watching some of the protest plans on t.v. recently and it all looked so much like 1960's retread protest wanna-be's. A bunch of college aged kids really getting all fired up about changing the world. But I have to ask: What good will it do to hold up a caricature balloon of Bush? Of turning your back on him? Or saying he's not my president? To 90% of the country, on both sides of the fence, it will make the left seem spoiled and whiny and won't change a thing. It just reinforces the idea that the right has promulgated -- that the left is a bunch of Michael Moore reactionaries who want to force their issues down your throat.

[Q]

62. Looks like you got a little carried away...

...and couldn't help falling into your natural rhetoric.

I'm starting to believe that (most of) America got the 'leader' and rubber stamp congress they deserve. They want everything to fall into their laps without lifting a finger to protect what previous generations fought to bring for the 'average American'.

Maybe it's because they didn't bother to study world or American history? What would lead this generation to believe that freedom is free?

Many brave Americans will show up anyway...despite the Right and some on the Left telling them that they're doing it for nothing. They understand what's at stake.

[ErinGoBraghLess]

65. How will it change?

The civil rights movement was momentous because change could be forced by demonstrating. If enough people showed the inequality of Jim Crow or other discrimination, the rest of the people would have to listen. Civil rights protests were vital. But the Presidential election is a different matter. What good does it do to protest Bush being sworn in? Is it going to cause him not to be sworn in? Of course not. Will it affect his ability to run for President again? No - he's already done his two terms. Will it convert some Republicans to our side? No. So what will it do? He'll still be the President and it won't change a thing. And we run the risk of being portrayed as the party that won't accept elections to determine our leaders, which is a dangerous perception.

The fact is that 90% or more of this country believes this election was fair. So to protest that makes it look like you're protesting the result, not the process. In this country, we should celebrate the orderly transfer of power which has occurred for 200-plus years. In the last 100 years, this country has made it through two world wars, Korea, Vietnam, the burning of our inner cities, the civil rights movement, and 8 years of Ronald Reagan. Not to mention the evil that was Michael Bolton. I think we'll survive four years of George Bush. Work toward 2006 and beyond. Don't be the weird homeless guy on the corner we all see muttering to himself all day about past injustices.

[marions ghost]

86. Visibility is effective

...why do you think the media has been prevented from covering recent large protests? Why do you think they want to pretend that protesters only exist in the Ukraine?
--BECAUSE it is effective, draws attention to issues, and galvanizes supporters.

Being "The Party That Won't Accept Flawed Elections" would be a winner for the Dems. Where do you get your figure of 90% believe the election was fair?

Protesting the inauguration is about much more than protesting the election issues. Etc etc--those points have been made here.

You can go toast your "Orderly Transfer of Power'--my heart is with those who will be standing against an Overwhelming Abuse of Power on January 20.

[ErinGoBraghLess]

97. Visibility

I agree visibility is effective if you're talking about showing a little cleavage on a date, or wanting a nice long slit up the side of your skirt. But for the inauguration, just go home and stew about it in private. Might as well protest the amount of traffic on the roads or the sun setting in the west.

Here's a suggestion -- take all the time you are going to spend planning on the protest, going to the protest, talking about the protest, etc. and go to an elementary school and tutor a child, or read them a book, or clean the garbage off your street.

I also HATE the idea of telling kids to walk out of school on January 20th. It is completely irresponsible to tell kids to ignore their education and to protest something when they are too young to even know what the world is about.

[PassingFair]

69. Yes, you are right...

It is better that we are complicit. Let us not protest the pillaging of our country. Let us not protest the murder of 1,000's of Iraqis in our name. Let us not protest.
Let us remain silent and unseen.
Let the world think Bush's mandate is just that.
Screw You.

[moggie12]

80. I think you misunderstood post

"ErinGo.etc" wasn't saying be "complicit", she was saying be "effective". So yes, by all means, go ahead and protest Iraq and carry signs saying Bush doesn't have a mandate (i.e., 52/48 isn't a "mandate" like Bush is claiming). However I believe that you would be more effective in "reaching" people if you didn't rest your argument entirely on the "stolen election" claim (because we don't yet have definitive, conclusive proof and Bush's 4 million vote plurality makes people automatically discount the argument).

[PassingFair]

84. Sorry, Moggie...

...I'm a little sensitive to the "let's do nothing" injection I've seen here today.
That it directly coincides with the MSM meme that the protests will be mild for this travesty makes me smell manipulation. A big steaming pile of manipulation.
By all means, lets keep the signs varied and colorful!

[moggie12]

90. No need to say "sorry"

I can see why you were sensitive if you thought people were advocating doing "nothing". Thanks for listening to what I was saying!

[ally_sc]

61. dpn't spend any mopney on thursday the 20th in protest...see link

http://www.notonedamndime.com/boycott

[justiceischeap]

63. Wow, Ijust really don't know how to respond to all of this

There are moments in history that people, at the time, naysayed but when you look back you see that it was the right thing at the right time. Nothing will ever be accomplished with the "pick your battles" mentality because we all have different battles. You feel it is unwise to protest and should work from a different angle. Obviously then, that is your roll in the movement. Others, such as myself, feel it's important to be out there J20 and in some way have my voice heard in an activist setting. That's my role in the movement. It takes all kinds of different actions for a successful movement.

This protest, to me, is more about showing my fellow Americans who voted for that idiot, that I don't just disagree with Shrub but I disagree with them and I'm not going to just sit down and shut up like a "good little patriot." I feel a good patriot stands with other patriots on the streets and says, "No! This is not going to happen if I can do anything about it." I think the RW needs to see there are people in this party and the independent parties that have backbones and are willing to stand up for what they believe in, in a vocal way.

Will someone do something that makes us look like idiots, of course, but to many, Senator Boxer did that J6. To me, the dems that didn't stand with her made the party look like idiots.
With so many people passionate about our democracy, it is going to take all kinds to make change. I'm just doing my portion J20 in DC. I'd ask that you support your fellow Americans in their views just as you'd expect them to support yours and agree that there are several different ways to contribute to the movement, whether you agree with it or not, because history may look back at this as a defining moment. I wasn't alive during the sixties but I'm sure many felt the same way about protesting then as you do now. It is important that this be the first protest of many over the next four years or however long it takes until people who's minds can be changed, pay attention.

[Blue Wally]

66. Except

History indicated that Bush would have a far higher margin of victory, since wartime presidents tend to have much more support than they often would under peacetime conditions. In fact, no wartime president has ever been defeated in American history and Kerry came damned close to changing that, closer than a lot of republicans and Bush people were comfortable with.


Truman in 1952 and Johnson in 1968 were wartime presidents who looked at the handwriting on the wall and decided not to run again because of certain defeat.

[mtnester]

67. Although I will be unable to be in DC that day...

I will be wearing black, a black armband, taking a sandwich with me to work (sorry, I work at a fire department and I will not stay home that day) and handing out my "What I would have spent at your company today" fliers that day.

If we sit down and do nothing, we may as well wave the white flag.

My feet are sore from the door to door, protesting, on the ground work...my fingers are sore from sending letters, Emails, petitions, making calls....

what about yours? Pick a battle...SOME kind of battle, but you should not dictate what battle others choose.

[Walt Starr]

70. Then I have a suggestion for you

Don't protest the inauguration if you feel so strongly about it.

Don't get pissed off at others who do, though. They are exercising their freedoms.

[trezic]

71. Huh?

I'm not a protestor and never will be one. That being said, I just want to ask the protestors a couple of questions.

1. Why is it important to show foreigners what you think? They don't owe us apologies for their governments. Well, except China. I could easily endorse protesting trading with the Chinese Army.

2. What practical effect will result? I say nothing much. It seems like all it does is further radicalize the already radical. It also doesn't seem like it would call attention to the fact that it was a bitter election. Anybody who doesn't know that by now isn't terribly likely to suddenly realize it because of a protest.

3. How does it appear to others? The various protests of the last few years have appeared to be an admission of weakness. It seems to me that wearing black or something could be more effective. A lot of people will see protestors and dismiss them pretty quick. However, a black armband might spark a conversation. If the wearer doesn't come on too strong, you might find an open mind. Maybe not, too.

4. Will it embarrass the rest of us? I'm not a protestor, but who the fuck cares. The only time this question should be controlling is when you have a chance of winning, not when your ass has been soundly beaten.

That's about it.

[robbedvoter]

74. Nice sig. Well dear, W sez going to war is my fault, cuz he was elected

THE PRESIDENT: Well, we had an accountability moment, and that's called the 2004 election. And the American people listened to different assessments made about what was taking place in Iraq, and they looked at the two candidates, and chose me, for which I'm grateful.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A12570-2005Jan15.html

I do not protest for "furiners" as you guys call them - althouugh the opinion of the world matters to me. I protest for my own conscience - to be able to look myself in the mirror - matter of integrity (look it up).

I am not admitting to weakness - I am the majority in this country - no matter how you and your friends cover (up) protests. Dismissed.

[Tinoire]

75. Just curious.

after reading your post and signature line...

What are your thoughts about live Liberals? Are they as useless as dead ones?

[trezic]

78. Hopefully

Thanks for the laugh.

They can be. It's just a warning against the 'blaze of glory' mindset that so many liberals have.

[robbedvoter]

72. self delete

[robbedvoter]

73. Instead of protesting racial segregation, Rosa Parks simply should

have gone to the back of the bus. No one was going to overturn it.
The appeasers have spoken with the same forked tongue always, through history." You are powerless. it's done. Go home and get drunk."
Happy Martin Luther King Day to ya! (he didn't just "dream" either)


P.S. "Some" election fraud in Ohio, cancelled my vote in NYC. That's why, civilised countries like Romania and Ukraine had new elections rather than accept fraudulent results. In both, the result was different. Good night.

Also, if you don't care about the right to vote, what civil rights are you mumbling about?
And: remember the slew of posts here in August saying that protesting the RNC convention will lead to disasters? Glad I didn't listen to you then either.

[HeeBGBz]

76. I wish I could be there

My video recorder is itching for use.

[leesa]

77. mmm...no one is expecting it to be overturned. The point is to tell the

country and the world that we don't agree with his fake mandate.

[Danascot]

79. "This is wrong!"

We need to take every opportunity to stand up and say, "This is wrong!" J-20 is one of those opportunities. A war about oil and political distraction, the loss of our civil rights, the economy mortgaged to our children, the rightward lurch of our laws and society... too much evil to comprehend. If we don't say it's wrong, others take our silence as approval or aquiescence. We've been letting the right walk all over us for four years afraid we would somehow lose more than we have already. Just recently not enough dems in Congress stood with Conyers and Boxer, saying we can't alienate them or they won't let us have any scraps that fall from the table. If we don't say anything now we'll keep losing for another four years. I fear the point will come that we may never get our country back. They think we've been routed and we're in retreat. If we say nothing, they will be right. We have to take a stand, every single time, make our voices heard and say, "This is wrong!"

If there's a 30 sec clip on the evening news showing lots of us saying it's wrong, at least a few Americans who have the feeling that all is not well will know that they are not alone, and may become emboldened to stand up themselves.

My personal goal for the protest is that Bush hear the news that more people protested his inauguarion than any American president in history. I will be there.

[GreenPartyVoter]

81. How to protest long-term

------------------------------------------------------
Join the new Boston Tea Party!
http://timeforachange.bluelemur.com/index.htm#shopping

[fooj]

85. That rat bastard just arrogantly proclaimed his immunity from all

ACCOUNTABILITY and we are supposed to sit on our hands? Was that what the almighty duct tape is for? To silence us? Fear. Yes, fear! The people who voted out of fear now know that the fear was simply a manipulation device! These people have a right to be heard! They've been lied to. Again! When will enough be enough? In tribute to MLK we need to rise up and do the right thing. As long as they have full control...we cannot sit back and allow them to pillage our country and our democracy for one more moment! I understand you point, though. I do respect your position. However, I believe that this is much too grave a situation to sit by and passively allow these thugs to move forward unchallenged! It serves their interests...not the interests and VALUES of the true America of which I am proud to be a part of.

[jonnyblitz]

89. I wouldn't even know where to begin with this....

so I won't waste my time. :puke:

[IndianaGreen]

92. "the issues of real importance"?

But I think it's time we let it go and focused on the issues of real importance, working within the system to make change happen and fighting against further erosion of our civil rights and the unraveling of so many important programs that help so many millions of people and that are vital to our success as a nation.

There is no system left for us to work within! In case you haven't' noticed, the PATRIOT Act stripped all Americans of the protections that were once enshrined in the Bill of Rights, while the Iraq War Resolution established the principle that an American President could launch a war of aggression against any country he so pleased to invade.

We must recognize that we are in the middle of a war that will determine whether America will slip further into imperial tyranny, or the republic be restored. We are the 21st century version of the Revolutionary Minutemen, and we must fight against the Bush regime using every weapon at our disposal. This includes attacking those that choose to collaborate and compromise with the Bush regime.

We must take to heart the words of Winston Churchill to the House of Commons during the darkest days of the Second World War:

"I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat."

We have before us an ordeal of the most grievous kind. We have before us many, many long months of struggle and of suffering. You ask, what is our policy? I can say: It is to wage war, by sea, land and air, with all our might and with all the strength that God can give us; to wage war against a monstrous tyranny, never surpassed in the dark, lamentable catalogue of human crime. That is our policy. You ask, what is our aim?

I can answer in one word: It is victory, victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory, however long and hard the road may be; for without victory, there is no survival.

http://www.presentationhelper.co.uk/winston_churchill_speech_blood_sweat_tears.htm

[veracity]

94. protest is vital...

...just to emphasize that there is an active opposition. One has nothing to do with the other. We can focus on the issues that matter for the future and still keep in mind what is most important this week....and that is to show that there are people who will not quietly accept this administration.

[KJMagic]

96. cant lie down and die...

If you dont protest your are simply saying: I aprove of Bush.