Dennis Talks About Setting a Direction for the Democratic Party

[redqueen]

http://www.kucinich.us/031304-illinois.php


Video by Ryan Adkins (9 mins.)
Saturday, March 13, 2004
Chicago, Illinois
Rainbow-PUSH Weekly Forum

Introduction by Reverend Jesse Jackson

VIDEO TRANSCRIPT:

Reverend Jesse Jackson: I want you all to hear something real, real basic about this campaign: no matter what the polls say, no matter what the polls say, George Bush has the inside track. They stole the election without the White House; they can control it with the White House. We must overwhelm the machinery on Election Day, but I do not want to ever mislead you, because we can win and still lose unless we change assumptions. If you get the flipside of the same nickel, you have not won.

In slavery times there were liberals and conservatives. Conservatives said, "Treat the enslaved as you want; they are property." Liberals said, "Don't treat them bad; I want to go to heaven." But both liberals and conservatives were for slavery. Abolitionists was another coin. I have no interest in the liberal side of a right-wing coin. We need another coin. We need another proposition. Y'all hear what I'm saying?


I want to express my thanks to Dennis today for being in the race, and for assuming the burden of saying "you make the most sense, but you can't win". I heard that. Every now and then, sense ought to count in these campaigns. And even if sense is a minority it's going to let its light shine anyhow. You might go along with darkness -- darkness is popular -- but if this room was totally dark and someone lit one candle you would be saved by the power of the light, not by the size of the darkness. Can I get a witness here?

Somebody has got to make sense about Iraq, about Haiti, about the federal right to vote. See, no matter what the count is I hear somebody saying that no good thing will be lost if you do the Lord's work and do it right. And so, Dennis Kucinich, your work in this campaign has not been lost; keep speaking truth against the odds. A big hand for Dennis Kucinich from Cleveland, Ohio, the congressman! On your feet. Show your respect and your appreciation for Dennis Kucinich.



Dennis Kucinich: Thank you very much Reverend Jackson, my colleague, Congressman Jackson. Happy birthday to you and your daughter. Since we're all in a birthday mood, let me share that I come to the microphone with a distinction of my own in that regard. I happen to share the same birth date with Reverend Jackson, October 8th. So the stars were in alignment on October 8th -- 1941 in his case and 1946 in mine. But I was close behind.


I like to feel that the things I bring to this presidential race are also close behind, traveling in the powerful wave Reverend Jackson created for democrats years ago when he said “keep hope alive.” And that wasn't true just for that one convention: it was true for all the conventions we would hold, and it's certainly true for 2004. Because while the nominee for the upcoming election may be a foregone conclusion, what we stand for as the Democratic Party is not a foregone conclusion. We must be the party that stands for peace, for health care, for voting rights, and for social and economic justice.

If justice is in fact to be the measuring line, then let us draw the line here at Push today, because we shouldn't have to choose between a Republican version of the war in Iraq and a Democratic version of the war in Iraq. We have to stand for peace. We have to stand for connecting with the world community. And we have to bring our troops home.

It's time for us to realize that when the President of the United States us took this country into a war, we were taken into that war based on a lie. We were told that Iraq had attacked us. It had not. We were told that Al Qaeda had something to do with Sadam Hussein. This also turned out to be untrue. We were told that Iraq had something to do with the anthrax attack. Not so. In fact Iraq had neither the capability nor the intention to attack the U.S. Iraq wasn’t trying to get uranium from Niger. And Iraq did not have weapons of mass destruction.

Reverend Jackson, I was mayor of the City of Cleveland, and I could have helped George Bush find weapons of mass destruction. All Bush needed to do was to come to the neighborhoods of any city in America; we could have helped him find all sorts of weapons of mass destruction. Because poverty is a weapon of mass destruction! Homelessness is a weapon of mass destruction! Joblessness is a weapon of mass destruction! Poor health care is a weapon of mass destruction, poor education is a weapon of mass destruction, and racism is a weapon of mass destruction! We have weapons of mass destruction here at home that we have not taken care of; that we have not disarmed. We have to address these things here at home before we go around the world looking for dragons to slay.

We're talking about the essential mission of government -- and John Kerry is going to need a lot of help. He may not be able to say the things he needs to say, so we need to say the things that must be said. We need to present the issues. We need to set the priorities of our party, and we need to set a direction for the Democratic Party, so when people come in November they’ll be lining up outside the polls. We need to set a direction for the Democratic Party so there will be so many people lining up to vote that it will be a like a mighty wave come to sweep this administration out of office -- a tidal wave for social and economic justice.

So I'm in this race all the way through to New Jersey and beyond. I'm in this race for peace. I'm in this race for health care. I'm in this race for jobs. I'm in this race to do everything I can to raise the level of the debate. I'm in this race, Reverend Jackson, to take the principles that you've worked your life for -- the principles that Dr. Martin Luther King stood for – and to create with them a cabinet-level Department of Peace where we can make non-violence an organizing principle in our society. What do we stand for? It's time to do away with war. It's time to do away with war and start to put a peace dividend back into our communities.

I want to thank you, Operation Push. I want to thank you for what you stand for. I want to thank you for keeping the dream alive. I want to thank you for helping to keep a catalyst for change in the Democratic Party. And I pledge to you that I'm going to stay the course. I'm going to run. I'm going to run strong, and I'm going to run hard. I'm going to run for justice. And I'm going to carry that banner for peace right into the convention. I'll be there right next to you. We'll go in together!

Thank you very much.

[bobthedrummer]

1. Dennis has no problems stating that Bush is a liar.

He certainly can back that up.

I'm proud to have voted for him.

[Kanary]

2. I find myself wanting to attend *ALL* his speeches!

Since I can't (and since I have yet to hear him in person), I'm so appreciative of the effort to post his words here.

Thank you sooo much!

That is such a clear picture of the choices between conservative, liberal and progressive. It's very clear. I can do nothing else except continue to follow him.... in the "light". :)

Wish I could get the video of this speech...sigh...

What an inspiration!

Kanary

[redqueen]

4. You're so welcome!

And if you click the link, the page it goes to has three streaming video links, and one for just the audio.

Enjoy!

[Mairead]

3. I still find it incredible that there are people who claim to be Democrats

who refused to support him for President. Or maybe not literally 'incredible', but certainly disgusting.

So many people have 'slavery thinking' -- although they have no privilege, they want to preserve privilege.

What does it take to create that kind of thinking?

How can we get rid of it?

[Kanary]

5. "What does it take to create that kind of thinking? "

Fear.

Pure and simple.

Fear.

Bush has a lot of people quaking in their boots.

The antidote for me has been Dennis.

However, soon we won't even be able to talk about it here, so I guess we'll leave the centrists to their own devices.

Kanary

[sangh0]

10. And here's a good reason why not to support DK

The intolerance and moral superiority of his supporters, who just can't believe that it's anything but fear or selfishniess.

You know, maybe some of us just disagree with DK.

[Kanary]

11. We disagree with Kerry and supporters

But we haven't gone around for months searching out their threads to tinkle on.

Kanary

Another Delusional Diehard for Dennis!!

Kucinich 2004!

[sangha]

26. No, you tinkle on all DUers who don't support DK

Here's what you said

Fear.

Pure and simple.

Fear.

Bush has a lot of people quaking in their boots.

The antidote for me has been Dennis.

However, soon we won't even be able to talk about it here, so I guess we'll leave the centrists to their own devices.

And when another poster question if they are even Democrats, you think that's just a great thing to say about thousands of people.

The next time you want to take a leak on a whole bunch of DUers, find a quieter place to do it.

[Mairead]

13. Yeah, and what kind of sick sods would disagree with peace, prosperity,

and freedom? Nobody I'd ever want to know better, that's for sure.

[sangha]

25. The kind of *person* who might disagree with *DK*

is one who might notice that his supporters do things the candidate never would, like call someone else a name like you just did. DK is a Good Man, and would never do such a thing.

[Name removed]

14. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[youngred]

30. yeah that's us so much!

you've sure got a spot on sense of things :eyes:

[sangha]

31. Yeah, right

I guess I was just imagining that post where Mairead questions if non-DK supporters are really Democrats, and the one where Kanary calls every non-DK supporter a centrist.

Oh, I forgot! That's OK. I'm just bad, bad, bad.


:eyes:

[youngred]

34. two people does not a movement make

nice try though

[sangh0]

38. Who said anything different?

Nice try, though

[Mairead]

42. "New and stirring things are belittled because if they are not belittled

the humiliating question arises, “Why then are you not taking part in them?”
—H. G. Wells

This explains a lot, I think.

[redqueen]

6. Just a guess

I think might just be a twisted kind of selfishness. They have no privilege, but they MIGHT! If they hit the lotto, or invent that fantastic something they've been dreaming about for years, or start that business they know they would succeed at...

As for how to get rid of it... I guess a good start would be to raise our children to enjoy the truly worthwhile things in life, and not just fat paychecks and lots of stuff from the store. What's the first thing that happens when kids tell most parents they want to be an artist? They get a lecture about how that won't earn them any money, so they should do something else. I think it's sad but in this society nothing is valued unless it produces profit. There's lots of lip service paid to teachers and firemen and how they're so wonderful, but look how they're treated. :(

[paulk]

17. what does any of this have to do with

voting for Kucinich? Or being a Democrat?

[redqueen]

18. It has to do with why people vote against their self-interest.

Read the post I replied to. Maybe that will help.

[paulk]

19. People often do vote against their self interest

for reasons of selfishness.

I only hope you're not referring to the 98% of Democrats that Maired is. The "disgusting" one's who didn't vote for DK.

[goodhue]

22. great ganesh avatar!

very auspicious

[paulk]

29. there are some obstacles

in the White House that need to be removed.

Is kielbasa really a sign of civilization?

[goodhue]

32. It is if you are of Eastern European descent.

Like Frank Kucinich, Dennis' dad. Obstacles take many forms. Some must indeed be removed. Others can be redefined.

[Nicholas_J]

15. It amaze me as well

That those who support Kucinich subject other candidates to a level of scrutiny that they do not hold Kucinich to. Kucinihc dos have a record or rabidly opposing policies that have been and still acre sacrosanct to the Democratic Party's platform. such as right of choice. Kucinich has a record spannin three decades opposing abortion rights, and has even cast voted to criminalize the performing of abortions under any circumstance. While he only recently changed his stance, his prior stance was overwhelminglt anti-abortion and his votinig record and his stance on abortion for many years was excessive and extreme. His fiscal record as Mayor of Cleveland was to say the least abysmal.

I am not knocking Kucinich, but I am questioning those who hold him up as the most Democratic and progressive candidate running, and those who present the idea that voting for other cnadidates is somehow voting for someone less progressive, and less representative of Democratic principals. In all fairness, if one is going to examine the past records of candidates, one is obliged to use the same microcope and tools of scrutiny on all of the candidates, Kucinich included.

Kucinich has one of the highest records fromt the NAtional Right to Life Comittee, while he has oone of the lowest from Planed Parenthood (ten percent) and the lowest record from NARAL (a zero)

He supported the Bush reinstatement of the gag order for recipients of U.S. family planning funds abroad, Supported the Child Custody Protection Act, which prohibits anyone by the parents of a teenage girl from taking them across state lines for an abortion, voted for the Unborm Victims of Violence Act, VOted agfainst finding for research on RU 486, Voted for a ban on partial birth abortion, without a maternal health exemption, HE voted against coverage for contraceptive coverage in insurance coverage for federal workers, and he was the co-sponsor of a bill banning all sorts of human cloning, enen for research prurposes, as well as opposing embryoninc stem cell research. He voted specifically against allowing Washington D.C. to find abortoins for poor women as well as voted against having voted against allowing female soldiers and female military dependent from having abortions in overseas military facilities even if they paid for the procedures ouot of their own pockets

Again, Kucinich's record is one of long term opposition not only to abortion, but even to contraception. His recent rebirth is nice, but He has yet to show any real active behavior which would indicate that his change of heart will take. So far, Kucinich has not showed that he has actively embraced the Pro Choice side of the fence, but has merely maintained a very low profile. There is little or nothing on the Kucinich website which indicates any strong support for the right to choice. So there is a bit about Kucinichs's total support of the progressive agenda which should be of concern to anyone who supports a totally progressive agenda. On this issue, Mr Kucinich has been very much regressive, rather than progressive.

Organization that have followed the political record of all of the candidates do not acceed the title of most liberal candidate by record to Kucinich, though he does rank high as a progressive and liberal. By record, it is still Kerry who's record has met with the standards of being most consistantly progressive, Anericans for Democratic Action, which is the most highly regarded organization examining the record of elected oficials ranks Kucinich high, but not as highly as Kerry. They actually do apply the same methods for determining record of supporting democratic and progressive ideas.

[redqueen]

16. Still ranting about his pro-life voting history?

Which you amusingly (and tellingly) characterize as 'recent'. *sigh*

And then, to add insult to injury, we see the Cleveland 'default' paraded once again.

Yes, Nicholas_J, you are knocking Kucinich. Why is anyone's guess. He's no threat to Kerry, that's for sure. What is the reason that Kucinich's detractor's find his threads so irresistible?

And if we were to use the same microscope on Kerry which you use for Kucinich, we'd see what we've seen before on this site. Allegations of quid pro quo donations, failing to stand up for his own beliefs (e.g. voting for Fast Track Trade Promotion even AFTER his amendment was defeated), etc.

You are right that Kucinich has not towed the 'progressive' line for all the special interest groups who do those ranking things. Unbelievable as it may seem to 'progressives' today, there was a time when the party WASN'T only about abortion and gay rights. There USED TO BE a LABOR MOVEMENT included as well. Lately that movement has to be satisfied with chump change increases in the minimum wage in order to feel as if it exists at all.

And guess what? If working families can't provide for their kids, NOBODY does well, not ABORTION defenders, not GAYS, not ANYONE except for the privileged.

[Mairead]

21. "a record spanning three decades opposing abortion rights"

Just for curiosity, Nick, how about a cite for that 'three decades' part? I know that if there is a cite, you have it because you're excellent at research. So how about it?

The reason I say 'just for curiosity', though, is because the principal question in politics is always and ever 'what have you done for me lately?'.

Because people change, Nick! Some for the better--like DK on Choice, and some for the worse--like John Kerry on, as far as I can tell, everything. I consistently give Kerry props for his past liberal record--it's why I helped put him into and keep him in office, after all--but his recent past is horrible, and I voted against him in '02 along with the other 25K people that Randy Forsberg managed to organise from a standing start in 2 weeks time.

So the only time I care about what happened in the distant past is if I have no information about the recent past. I deplore DK's original stance on Choice. I would never have voted for him then. But he got right with it, and he explained the change in a credible way, so he's now okay by me on that issue as on all others excepting flag desecration. Has Kerry ever explained, in a credible way, how he went from being the guy who asked 'How do you ask a man to be the last man to die for a mistake?' to being the guy who's going to do exactly that to some poor bastard in Iraq? Has he ever explained how he went from being a Kennedy-esque liberal to being a DLC conservative? I don't think he has, Nick.

[no name no slogan]

51. Al Gore was "pro-life" until 1988, as was Gephardt

Even Hubert H. Humphrey Jr. would be considered "pro-life" today, as would be George McGovern's 1972 stance on abortion. HHH's son, Skip Humphrey, was (and still may be) "pro-life", too, but it did not stop him from being elected MN's attorney general twice, and its gubernatorial nominee in 1998.

Al Gore was steadfastly "pro-life" in the mid-80s, until he ran for president. However that did not stop him from getting the VP nod in 1992, or the presidential endorsement in 2000. Like Kucinich, he also changed his position on this issue-- as have many other Democrats over the years when faced with the current crop of Repubs and the make-up of the current SCOTUS.

In my own state of MN, we've long had a "pro-life" contingent in our Democratic-Farmer-Labor party-- at one point, they were 1/4 of the active membership! To this day, we still have a minority of "pro-choice" Republicans in high-level positions in our state Repub party, too.

It has only really been in the last two decades where the abortion issue has become a litmus test for Democrats-- and even to this day, we still have "pro-life" Democratic elected officials.

[Mairead]

39. I'm waiting for that cite, Nick

[Mairead]

40. Still waiting, Nick. Any progress?

[Zomby Woof]

44. He did vote against the 'partial-birth abortion' ban

That was a major pro-choice vote - the biggest of the past 5 years or more. I think it is due to the recent nature of his change of voting on this issue that has lent him to not have many chances to demonstrate his sincerity or willingness to go to the mat for pro-choice votes. Time will bear him out, given the chance.

Dennis hasn't changed his personal views on abortion, but he realizes he cannot keep voting the way he did in the past or it restricts women's human rights. He knows, unlike other anti-choicers (and not a few pro-choicers), that the two views can be reconciled.

I have to also defend his mayoral record. The fiscal damage was brought on by him refusing to play ball with the private utility company that wanted to take over MUNY Light, the public utility who provided affordable electricity to the working class people of Cleveland. The banks that held significant controlling interest in this private utility (they shared board members) also kept Cleveland solvent through municipal loans. When DK refused to let them have their way, the bank refused to loan Cleveland any more money, and the city was forced to default. He survived a recall election (that was forced by a bank-private utility-media-induced propaganda drive), and saved MUNY Light, which to this day still provides electricity 15-20% cheaper than the privates. He did lose re-election, but at least did his damndest for a full term, and what more could one ask of a mayor?

Plus, all of the late-70's rust-belt industrial cities had hard economic times back then, and DK inherited a mess to begin with. They never gave him much of a chance to turn things around, but in the end, he was vindicated when the city of Cleveland honored him for his effort to save MUNY years later in a public ceremony.

DK is not perfect, as are none of us. But when I disagree with him, I can't cite the reasons above.

[Mairead]

52. It's worth noting, too, in connection with the bank loan

That (as far as I can tell without having worked my way exhaustively through the evidence) the debt that was hanging around the city's neck was an artifact of the unfair business practices the NRC found that the monopolist had engaged in. If the get-rich-quick schemers hadn't resorted to quasi-criminal practices to begin with, the city would have had less or no debt.

[Cognitive Diversity]

36. it is scary to me

when people resort to people worship.

perhaps i misunderstand your post, but it seems that you want all democrats to support kucinich, or they are disgusting

kucinich isnt the only good charachter, some like a less extreme voice. some dont like the un very much because the majority of the world doesnt have equal representation
some liberals actually like the iraq war... heaven forfend, but some see the us as responsible for a lot of grief in the iraqis life and think we had a duty to alleve it, even with our soldier's lives and our precious money


some democrats dont agree with you, and maybe they disgust you, but they shouldnt, they hsould inspire you to appreciate that the democrats represent a whole bunch of people who generally agree and dont fall apart at the slightest detail

maybe that generality dilutes true progressivism, but its more effective than a uniform party with 5% of the vote

[Kanary]

47. Uh, what part of the "Democratic Party" do you represent? n/t

[Mairead]

54. There's no "people worship" involved, except insofar as he is the

only person advocating a full array of pro-working-people socioeconomic policies. Actually, he appears to be the only one advocating ANY unambiguously pro-working-people policies. Kerry's seem to be all the reviled Dem tax-and-spend, transfer-the-burden-to-working-people policies. Lower taxes for the wealthy, pay their costs of doing business, yada yada, what a windfall for them.

(edit: And yes, it does indeed disgust me that there are people who call themselves 'Democrats' who choose to support more wealth for the already-wealthy, and more poverty for the already-poor. It should disgust you, too.)

[Mairead]

7. Cockbill Street

Unlike the Shades, though, Cockbill Steet was clean, with the haunting, empty cleanliness you get when people can't afford to waste dirt. For Cockbill Street was where people lived who were worse than poor, because they didn't know how poor they were. If you asked them they would probably say something like 'mustn't grumble' or 'there's far worse off than us' or 'we've always kept uz heads above water and we don't owe nobody nowt'.

He could hear his granny speaking. 'No one's too poor to buy soap.' Of course, many people were. But in Cockbill Street they bought soap just the same. The table might not have any food on it but, by gods, it was well scrubbed. That was Cockbill Street, where what you mainly ate was your pride.

What a mess the world was in, Vimes reflected. Constable Visit had told him the meek would inherit it, and what had the poor devils done to deserve that?

Cockbill Street people would stand aside to let the meek through. For what kept them in Cockbill Street, mentally and physically, was their vague comprehension that there were rules. And they went through life filled with a quiet, distracted dread that they weren't quite obeying them.

People said that there was one law for the rich and one law for the poor, but it wasn't true. There was no law for those who made the law, and no law for the incorrigibly lawless. All the laws and rules were for those people stupid enough to think like Cockbill Street people.

...

The gods had made the people of Cockbill Street poor, honest and provident, Vimes reflected. They might as well have hung signs saying 'Kick me' on their backs and had done with it. Yet Cockbill Street people tended towards religion, at least of the less demonstrative kind. They always put a little life by for a rainy eternity.

Who do Cockbill Street people vote for, or are they the ones who sit home? How do we get them to vote for DK?

[RichM]

8. It's a mark of shame that the Dem Party did not demand that Dennis be

heard. The party big-shots saw those outrageous muzzlings of Dennis at the LA (Larry King) and NYC (Dan Rather) debates. They should have reacted with a fury appropriate to the offensiveness of what was taking place -- but were silent. This silence speaks volumes about the Party's actual commitment to freedom of expression and honest exploration of real issues.

[Kanary]

9. It's the silence -- past, present and future

that's killing the party.

You'd think that would have been Lesson #1 learned from 2000!

Kanary

Another Delusional Diehard for Dennis!!

Kucinich 2004!

[Mairead]

55. "You'd think that would have been Lesson #1 learned from 2000!"

You would think so, wouldn't you Kanary. But I guess that's 'cos we're Delusional Diehards, not 'sensible' folk.

[goodhue]

12. Shout out to Rev. Jackson!

"Can I get a witness here?" he appropriately inquires. I continue to hope that folks will continue to join in witnessing the light of sense rather than turning shoulder in resignation of the engulfing darkness.

[redqueen]

20. I wish I could see that!

I'm gonna have to go beg off a friend to let me watch it on their home PC.

Go Dennis! Keep speaking the truth!

:loveya:

[G_j]

23. that is beautiful! ..he is coming here April 3

I can't wait!

[Kanary]

27. Where is "here", G_J?

He's planning to come to Denver, but we don't have a confirmed date yet.

Kanary, anxiously awaiting word..

Another Delusional Diehard for Dennis!!

Kucinich 2004!

[G_j]

28. NC

Asheville, we're all very exited :-)

[snoochie]

24. Wow

Reverend Jesse Jackson:

"I want you all to hear something real, real basic about this campaign: no matter what the polls say, no matter what the polls say, George Bush has the inside track. They stole the election without the White House; they can control it with the White House. We must overwhelm the machinery on Election Day, but I do not want to ever mislead you, because we can win and still lose unless we change assumptions. If you get the flipside of the same nickel, you have not won.

In slavery times there were liberals and conservatives. Conservatives said, "Treat the enslaved as you want; they are property." Liberals said, "Don't treat them bad; I want to go to heaven." But both liberals and conservatives were for slavery. Abolitionists was another coin. I have no interest in the liberal side of a right-wing coin. We need another coin. We need another proposition. Y'all hear what I'm saying?

I want to express my thanks to Dennis today for being in the race, and for assuming the burden of saying "you make the most sense, but you can't win". I heard that. Every now and then, sense ought to count in these campaigns. And even if sense is a minority it's going to let its light shine anyhow. You might go along with darkness -- darkness is popular -- but if this room was totally dark and someone lit one candle you would be saved by the power of the light, not by the size of the darkness. Can I get a witness here?

Somebody has got to make sense about Iraq, about Haiti, about the federal right to vote. See, no matter what the count is I hear somebody saying that no good thing will be lost if you do the Lord's work and do it right. And so, Dennis Kucinich, your work in this campaign has not been lost; keep speaking truth against the odds. A big hand for Dennis Kucinich from Cleveland, Ohio, the congressman! On your feet. Show your respect and your appreciation for Dennis Kucinich."

[goodhue]

33. Yes, Rev. Jesse Jackson really hits the nail on the head here.

Can I get a witness?

[revcarol]

53. Amen!!

"You get the flip side of the same nickel, you have not won."

[ThirdWheelLegend]

35. Kucinich is the voice of the people.

He is the one who speaks of the issues that matter to all. Kerry can be the nominee, but Kucinich deserves a bigger voice than Kerry at the convention. :)

TWL

[Freddie Stubbs]

48. If the primary voters wanted DK to have a greated role than Kerry at the

convention, they would have nominated him.

[goodhue]

37. kick

[Desertrose]

41. Thurs morning kick

:kick:
Kucinich folks...I miss you all so much......

Dennis is magnificient...we gotta keep him on the boards here....:thumbsup:

:hug:

Peace
DR

[redqueen]

43. Awww

You're right, we do need to keep spreading his message. Right now, though, he's completely focused on March 20!



March 20 - Global Day of Action


http://www.ncccusa.org/iraq/firstanniversary/timetoreflect.html">Call to a Time to Reflect
NCC Urges Peace Vigils Nationwide March 19-21
to Mark First Anniversary of the Invasion of Iraq

[revcarol]

45. We're having ours the 19th. The day of "shock and awe."

Service of mourning...we will read the names of all those killed, including Poles, Spaniards,etc.
(gulp:cry: ) we keep having to add sacks for Americans. One luminario for each person killed. Massed luminarios for the Iraqis, who are NAMELESS.

So sad that our nominee-apparent will continue the occupation...

Edit: "and they shall beat their swords into plowshares..."

[redqueen]

46. Yes it is sad

I can only pray that once he's in office he sees the wisdom of forgoing the loot and gathering a true coalition focused not on profiteering but on really helping the Iraqi people.

[Desertrose]

49. I just really love that Dennis photo....

I really do...and yes, the focus is on the 19/20th! I am SO PROUD of Dennis for being there in NYC. He so totally ROCKS....ohhh I wish....(well you know what I wish I'm sure....sigh....)

Am going to a peace protest Sat afternoon in Flag and a candlelight Peace vigil here in the evening...

and when I get off this computer am going up on the red rocks and sitting in my medicine wheel and soaking up the sun while I send out some prayers....

:grouphug:
:loveya:
DR

[redqueen]

50. Sounds like a good plan!

Nader will be at the Crawford rally, I hear.

I love that pic too. :) Glad maggiefaye used it so I could copy her link! (thanks, maggiefaye!)

:grouphug:

[Kanary]

57. Aw, I can just see all those farolitos!

Such visions of home!

Wish we were doing something like that here.

I'm SOOO glad you're including the Iraquis! I'm so distressed that they are mostly forgotten in all this MESS.

Wish I could light a candle with you, revcarol........ Thanks for taking part in such a beautiful remembrance!

Kanary

Another Delusional Diehard for Dennis!!

Kucinich 2004!

[Kanary]

56. I miss you all too, Desertrose!

There was such good comraderie here!

However, all the attacks on Dennis, no matter what the thread of him is about, has pretty much soured me. So, the attackers have had their desired effect.... I've pretty much given up.

Then, of course, they'll have more attacks ready when their relentless campaign has soured us on voting for their candidate.

It all amazes me. Dems, after all these years, still so accomplished at self-foot shooting.

I'm enjoying doing what I can for Dennis in Denvoid, and looking forward to his visit here!

All of you are the best, and I appreciate all the support you've given me!

Kanary

Another Delusional Diehard for Dennis!!

Kucinich 2004!

[Dragonfly]

58. Thurs evening kick

It seems there are some folks attempting to seek Sen. Kerry's stance on DK's Department of Peace. I heard it is the subject of an online petition, but haven't read the wording as yet.

If anyone comes across this info, could you please post it here?

I recall a pro-DK person stating recently that over 400,000 Americans have voted for Dennis during the primary season. This outstanding conceptual framework for a cabinet-level DOP shouldn't twist in the wind any longer. My strong sense is that core Kucinich people support the idea that the presumptive nominee needs to speak his mind/heart on the viability of implementing the DOP fairly soon.

I'm coming out of a long winter spell of what I'd like to describe as "productive hibernation." Many here realize why the stakes are so high for Dennis' message to be heard by the Kerry steering team. Count me as one of this spiritual-political demographic. Creating structures to give the win-win progressive platform "permeating visibility" is one of the Spring projects that I'd like to examine with "cousins" here at DU.

The "pockets of sanity" around the country grasping the significance of a grand societal transformation are well represented within these threads. Thanks to all of you who refuse to surrender the highest ideals of America to tyrants bent on achieving total control between now and November via mass psychological deception.

I hope that "Air America" decides to book Cong. Kucinich in early April (and beyond) to discuss these kinds of issues in-depth.