Can you explain this to me?

[Blue Christmas]

I don't understand the self-contradiction displayed by those who concurrently applaud Barbara Boxer and the House Representatives for being the brave few who stood up amidst overwhelming odds and opposition, only to despair because not enough people stood up and thus conclude that we should give up.

If we applaud the actions of Boxer and Tubbs-Jones et al, then shouldn't we aspire to emulate their bravery and stand up ourselves in the face of such opposition, rather than admitting defeat on the ground that not enough people are standing with us (yet) and joining the fight?

[Shalom]

1. Right On! A Partial Victory is No Cause for Despair !

[katinmn]

2. Yes! Exactly my sentiments.

[Kurovski]

3. keep in mind that some crocodile tears

have most likely been shed here on DU.

Today was a good day.

Anyone who would "give up" because Bush wasn't drawn and qaurtered today wasn't in for the full fight to begin with.

we're dealing with folks who want fascism in this nation. they are truly dangerous fucks. support those who stand up, and more will follow.

[seabeyond]

4. isnt that a clever way of seeing things

seeing how i dont much like people telling me to get over it........i dont think i will

[Blue Christmas]

5. kick for more answers!

I'm still seeing a lot of this kind of self-contradictory sentiment on the board tonight...

And ultimately, I hope those who applaud today's actions by the brave few who stood up WON'T give up and instead will continue to fight and turn the few into the many.

[mzmolly]

6. Welcome to DU Blue Christmas.

:toast:

Good post.

[Blue Christmas]

7. heya, thanks!

I enjoy your posts as well, mzmolly. And I ain't just sayin' that...
:-)

[mzmolly]

10. Thanks.

:hi:

Looking forward to more of yours!

[Carolab]

8. I think the despair comes from the realization

that not enough of their colleagues stood up with them. Certainly, the senate fell far short.

[Blue Christmas]

11. yeah - I understand the despair...

I just don't understand how that translates into "give up"

[Carolab]

12. It doesn't mean "give up".

It just means disappointment with the Dems who didn't object, that's all.

NGU.

[FreepFryer]

9. Correct! You have identified a (poorly aimed) frame attack! You get Gummi!

[TrustingDog]

13. what you said...

""then shouldn't we aspire to emulate their bravery and stand up ourselves in the face of such opposition,"""

'They' should emulate Yours, you got that ack basswards. and not enough did as I see it.

[Blue Christmas]

19. TrustingDog, I empathise with your frustration...

and I too am disappointed that more didn't stand (especially in the Senate). But I still think that - regardless of the stances of our so-called representatives - the power still lies in "we the people."

As Gandhi once said (and I'm paraphrasing here), "the people cannot be ruled without their consent." And as he showed in his nonviolent revolution, the British could make all the unjust laws they wanted; but they couldn't enforce them if none of the populace complied.

That is why it's especially important that we DON'T give up, when fewer and fewer of those in government aren't willing to fight for democratic ideals.

I completely understand others' frustration and disappointment - but I don't see how throwing in the towel is an appropriate conclusion to draw from those emotions.

[marzipanni]

14. Refresh your memories-Read this page about 2000 election !GRRR!

Round 2 "dance like a butterfly, sting like a bee"

>snip
2. A couple of days before its infamous ruling, the court in effect handed the election to Bush when they stopped the manual recount ordered by the Florida Supreme Court of some 60,000 undervotes. Bush's lead had shrunk to 154 votes when Justice Scalia intervened with an emergency order claiming that the count could cause "irreparable harm" to George Bush.
more...
http://216.239.63.104/search?q=cache:s7LB-KX1XvkJ:www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/2606/bugliosi.htm+Scalia+recount+will+hurt+Bush&hl=en

[FogerRox]

15. we put 1500 Peeps in DC, I was at CBS in NYC

Before that I put 30 Peeps at the state House in Trenton NJ on Dec 12th. Protetsing the ELection fraud

I stood tall, as did Kip Humpfrey and Laura K.

[MoonRiver]

16. OK, explain this to me. Why don't our elected officials emulate them?

Why is it always up to US to do the dirty work? Why can't our elected officials ever stick their necks out and demand fair elections and oppose those that have been stolen. There's only so much that we foot soldiers can do. The people we elect to represent our interests should be helping us! And I don't think there is any contradiction with applauding people who fight for freedom while condemning those who put their heads in the sand.
:argh::argh::argh:

[Blue Christmas]

18. agreed

I too don't think there's a "contradiction with applauding people who fight for freedom while condemning those who put their heads in the sand."

The contradiction, rather, is in those who simultaneously applaud the people who fight for freedom but then say they want to give up because not enough did.

[MoonRiver]

20. Maybe I'm not reading your post correctly. If so I apologize.

I'm not giving up on this country, but I have given up on the Dem Party, in general. It can always get my allegiance back, but I won't just blindly follow it as the ABB or ABR alternative anymore.

[Blue Christmas]

22. Got it

I just don't want people to give up the fight for election reform or "give up on democracy" etc. And that is what I was responding to with my initial post.

But I agree with you in that we shouldn't just blindly trust people just because they have a "Democrat" label.

[MoonRiver]

25. I won't give up on either of those goals!

Solidarity! :hug:

[Pacifist Patriot]

17. Here's my analysis.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=203&topic_id=257730&mesg_id=257730

[Blue Christmas]

23. And an excellent analysis indeed

Highly kickable. So I kicked it. :)

[genieroze]

21. Bravo! eom

[meganmonkey]

24. Can't you see?? The world is ending!!!

:P

I'm with you, Blue Christmas, it was a great day, and our fight is just beginning!

:toast: