Barbara Boxer Told DU - You're doing the right thing

[darkworkz]

What exactly did she say? (link:http://tinyurl.com/6f8xs) In this quote here from the link - "This morning I entered the Senate hearing room with a wonderful feeling, knowing that over 40,000 of you stood behind me as I sought to hold Condoleezza Rice accountable for her many actions leading up to the war in Iraq and beyond."

She told you that the volume of communication was / is the foundation she's standing on to wage the campaign for exposure of the present administration. Exposure, exposure of what some may ask? I'll name 2; elector contest & Boxer's outing of Condo'leeza's lies at the confirmation hearing. (intentionally left the DoJ Conyers matter out because it hasn't cracked the MSM yet)

In the past 4 years the administration and its friends have done a remarkable job of keeping "real" news & information from reaching the mass public mind. The democrats have been on the loosing end of this equation with seemingly no end in sight. Now in the space of 10 business days the neoCons have had 2 major MSM exposures where they've had to show visible cracks in their system to the public.

Without retelling the neoCon's immediate reaction to these 2 seminal events, what have they (neoCons) done to shore up their tattered and fraying image in the public mind? They've said nothing.

I contend that Karl was unprepared for the event's that have taken place and has no operating contingencies for future events. He has proven that his only tactic is to use the echo chamber of the MSM to get his points out and keep the masses focused on non issues while shoring up his crumbling base (i.e. Social Security as example of distraction tactic).

To get back on point, Barbara Boxer thanked the 40+ thousand people for writing her, in recognition of what letters mean in the representative system. If you look at that statement from another angle you could easily surmise that repeating that action with other Senators and House Representatives will achieve similar results.
Think about this for a moment - Most people (esp. on DU) understand that Karl and Krew send talking points out daily. These talking points fill the MSM to the point of over saturation. Such that TV is now finding itself with plunging ratings across the board (from entertainment to news). I wonder what the reaction would be if DU began writing the talking points for a series of Senators and House Representatives?

Is something like this be possible?

Well, as Senator Boxer said, she was able to stand with confidence knowing a meager 40+ thousand were backing every word she said. Why not write their talking points weekly? Craft a series of 5 - 10 talking points and with 10+ thousand of your best friends, then snail mail them off every week to a targeted list of 5 - 10 elected officials in D.C.

What would your reaction be if you (insert your name here) suddenly received 10-50 thousand letters out of the clear blue sky telling you to change the color of your car from red to green? Then the very next week you received the same amount or more, with the same message. How many weeks would it take you to get a new paint job?

There's less than 51 weeks left in 2005. So that's under 51 stamps per representative (saying the targeted number is 5-10). Only thing needed is the talking points, your own printer or pen, and 10+ thousand close friends + a blog or two.

You can change the words coming out of the mouths of both parties. And you'll know by summer which progressives, like Senator Boxer, are real.

[Vincardog]

1. I'm in lets start with the Social Security LIES and deception of the BFEE

Let our representatives know, NO CRISIS NO false BU$h fix giveaway to wall street.

[Democrat Dragon]

2. What about the environment?

afterall both Democrats and Republicans have to breathe the same air ;)

[Peace Patriot]

84. See FINAL CONDOLEEZA RICE LETTER! Send it! URGENT! KICK!

Go here and send the letter to Senators and media. VERY IMPORTANT! Full Senate debate on Tues-Wed 1/25, 26 (9 hour debate!). Boxer, Kerry and others need support!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x296466

Our Media and DC Protests Letter is also out. Send Fri, Sat, Sun, 1/21/22,23. Use MEDIA BLASTER! Go here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x294547

See below for environmental letter draft (based around oil issue). Comments?

We have nothing on Social Security draft letter. Anybody who reads this can start composing it here at this forum. It would be a great help. If you have info on Soc Sec, what would you say to Congress and media?

We need someone to track Soc Sec, and alert here to time for letter blast.

[Hugin]

3. Good Idea. :) n/t

[lady lib]

4. Let's never underestimate our collective strength. n/t

[blm]

5. Yep, the GOP's image is built on lies and they CANNOT hold once exposed.

That is our job. Everyday.

And do not underestimate the power of constant letters to the editors to as many papers as you can.

[meganmonkey]

6. You just put a big smile on my face!

:D

Not just the idea you proposed (which is an excellent one, btw), but mainly the way you said 'with 10+ thousand of your best friends', and that made perfect sense, what a lovely thing to have!!

I love DU!!!

:toast:
:grouphug:

[dweller]

7. start a new DU group

it would be easier to find the info than scattered all about the forums here.

just a suggestion.
dp

[Laura PourMeADrink]

8. I think it is a great idea. I just wish there was a leader, who

people would listen to post what the talking point was for the week. Or maybe I mean a single source, with a single message, that everyone would agree to follow.

I think this would only have a big impact if there was focus. That's the million dollar question.

Maybe people here could sign up for one week and develop the copy for the talking point and then post ???

[lostnfound]

19. We could select a few ideas and vote on which to pursue each week

Couldn't we?

[Donailin]

81. Yes

A folder where there are suggestions and a hashing out of what the strong points of the argument will be, then a draft of the letter(s) when it's decided.

[NJCher]

9. bookmarked this thread

Whatever you guys decide, I'm in. I like the separate forum idea.


Cher

[kster]

16. bookmarked and in........nt

[Pam-Moby]

10. OK, I am in!

Who will get the letters first?
What topics first?
When?

[Diane R]

11. I hope everyone .....

... shares the DU information in other forums that they visit. I frequent a forum that includes approximately 3,000 women. I am always starting threads about the news that I read here. I find that people are so thankful to hear what is going on, and shocked that it is not on the airwaves.

Today I started a poll asking how many of them thought the election was legitimate. Nearly 65% believe it was not. And, I started a poll asking who they voted for in November, and who they would vote for if the election were today. Just over half say they voted for Kerry, but over 60% state they would vote for him today.

I truly believe this is the way we will make progress....carry our DU message out to other groups on the web.

[seito]

12. Excellent

We are the opposition.

[darkworkz]

13. nope. Progressives.

[stillcool]

14. I like this idea as well....

Its positive and effective! And....I just got my first LTTE printed a few weeks ago and am feeling emboldened. I think, and take it from the source...I've only been here since DDDay, that we would only need the issue of the week say, and focal points. I despise the phrase 'talking points' as it sounds like 'lies' to me.

[buddysmellgood]

15. Count me in. I suggest people keep bullet pointed talking points,

paper, envelopes and stamps handy. If you convince a friend to write a letter, then whip out the paper and get them to do it. Tell them you'll mail it for them. I'm going to donate postage and try this at various meetings of dems in my area.
Do you have any numbers on the plunging ratings in TV. I was wondering about this. I know I don't watch. I don't trust them.
We should spread the word that MSM cannot be trusted. Turn them off.

[frictionlessO]

17. I APPLAUD YOU! Brilliant!! Start a group! You have enough

interest from donors. You've had a great idea now babysit it till it bares fruit.

On Jan 6th I had an idea wrote it down and posted it here. There is now a fully functional thank you website for Boxers and the new progressive leadership that is being born out before our very eyes.

I have an idea for the group, lets practice principles of linguistic judo as well. We know here on DU how our opposites operate, they are screaming easy to anticpate once you've watched them for a while and arent easily distracted. We should use this against them by not only attacking and going after them where and when it hurts, but by also knowing the kinds of attacks we can expect. We should be ready to defend with facts, figures and such that fit into nice little sound bites.

Senator Kerry would've benefitted greatly if he had not try to over explain things so much at the beggining of the campaign.


The only thing I worry about is freepers/operative types getting in there and just spying, not even disrupting... I anticipate a lot of PMing...

It would at least be interesting to see if we have any effect.

[darkworkz]

21. IMO, another group isn't necessary.

This section of DU is perfect real-estate for what I've pointed out. What does it matter if the freepers read it? As long as the talking points (or what ever you chose to call them) are sent to D.C.

If you want an example that the neoCons are weak, read again what you've already seen; Karl is trying to light back fires to give them (neoCons) a position as they continue to discover how little support they've actually got. Here's proof - http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/0119-12.htm

It seems to me during any given week a list of points should be posted, like the daily running articles on the election recount (forgot who was doing that, sorry). People add to it, it doesn't matter if for several weeks running you send them (representatives) the same points, in fact that just might be a good thing. The key is to keep hammering away with 5 - 10 simple ideas that you want accomplished or on their mind.

As an example, say you want full hearings on the Ohio election. Fine. Make that point one. Then follow below that with 4 specific items you want investigated. Once that's together mail it off to the chairman of the committee and CC anyone else you'd like. Make sure the chairman sees the CC, that's crucial. Then bury them in paper week after week. Bet you see a green car real soon. ;-)

Kinda simple.

[frictionlessO]

24. I dig what you're saying.

I just think that the idea could be taken farther I guess... but I also believe that you're right to wanna keep it simple.

any way you cut it lovely idea!

[BigBearJohn]

18. Love this idea.

[s-cubed]

20. kick

[mod mom]

22. Great idea! Count me in! nt

[meganmonkey]

23. Kick!!!

[understandinglife]

25. Excellent; and that is why I'm calling several Congressional offices...

....several times a week. I want the staff folk to become familiar with just how committed so many of us are, in addition to the hard copy they are receiving from my fax machine.

BE THE BUSH OPPOSITION;24/7

[fooj]

26. I'm willing to help in any way I can!

:kick:

[Peace Patriot]

27. Excellent idea! But it needs to be combined with action at the state...

...level for election reform, vitally important. I don't think the Democrats in Congress have the power or the focus to get election reform done (look at their past record! quite miserable). But even if they had the will, they don't have the votes. The BushCons in Congress will not let go of their corrupt and fraudulent election system, is my opinion.

Democrats should raise a stink about it (and should have long ago)--and we should certainly write to them about it. But beware any "national solution" that involves compromising with BushCons. I fear what they might do!

I will look for some other web sites that may be organizing such state by state efforts. If no one else is doing letter writing, we must. Letter writing could be very important to the efforts of organized groups that are pushing reform upon state SoS's and legislatures.

And I absolutely agree that "focus points," organized here, and barrages of letters to Congress folk, are a great idea. Buck them up! Support them! Give them ideas!

I volunteer to draft and edit letters!

The first should probably be about Condaleeza Rice--to bolster filibuster efforts over the next few days--don't you think?

[Peace Patriot]

28. P.S. Call it the "DU LETTER OF THE WEEK" forum...

...post a draft letter, or several, each week, and continually provide contact info--with targeted representatives on specific issues.

[darkworkz]

32. I think this is a great idea!

I didn't propose an actual forum on DU because I don't know the rules for that. But if this is feasible, I think it'd be wonderful.

[itzamirakul]

63. How about also storing this information on Demopedia?

I still haven't learned fully how that feature works, but I think it is used to store things like in a library .

Anyway...Great idea and I'm in...I started writing yesterday and already I am in an email war with a NY Daily News columnist who wrote a column full of lies about Sen. Boxer's questioning of Dr. Rice.

www.democraticunderground.com/discusss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x99283

Today, I am going to contact his editors and question their reasons for printing such blatant lies.

While I believe that it is vitally important for us to choose important topics and then to STAY ON THE POINT, our writing styles will differ. I think that the well-thought-out, intelligent letter is the best type to send, but I do encourage a few of the "angry" type letters also. It makes it seem much more realistic.

[Peace Patriot]

66. itzamirakul: On NYD & Boxer, keep us posted here about...

...your efforts, and give us alert as to when a DU blast might help, support for your discussion with them. Next few days? Next week? Probably they should get a pretty immediate reaction, right?

It would help a lot if you would start laying out the facts on the NYD article, itemize them, the lies....then we could start composing a sample letter or at least talking points...and get it posted sooner rather than later.

[itzamirakul]

69. OK...I'll keep you posted..

If you get a chance to go to the link I provided upthread you will read snips of the column, my full letter to the columnist and his ranting, lunatical reply to me.

Thanks to another DUer, Clarke2008, I have a letter to espond to him with, which I will post here.

ThenI am writing to his editors. I will post their email addy here also.

Please read that other post if you can.

www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x99283

[zann725]

51. Also maybe DU group letters thanking those who supported our cause(s)...

during the week...i.e. Boxer, or Arnebeck. (The Arnebeck thing would be real nice about now. He's been so tireless. And while we're all a bit discouraged with the EF issue, imagine how tired he must be in the 'trenches'...yet still he battles on.)

Overall, good idea..."DU Letter of the Week."

Minds that compose together, lead together...to a brighter future!

[Peace Patriot]

64. Send donations to Arnebeck!

To
Alliance for Democracy, to: Ohio Election Litigation Fund, Cliff Arnebeck, Esq., 1351 King Ave., 1st Floor, Columbus, Ohio 43212

[Donailin]

82. Yes, please let's do this

It would cost me minimal time and would be the most effective use of it.

I'm in, how do we go about this in this DU forum?

[emlev]

29. This is an important part of our "exit strategy" for Bush!

Somebody's got to have an exit strategy. Who better than us?

[Straight Shooter]

30. I hereby make a motion to nominate Peace Patriot as the initiator

There are lots of great DU'ers (some of them on this thread right here), but I know Peace is really involved in politics on a local level, I've read her posts and love the way she writes with passion and clarity.

I hope this motion is seconded and that Peace will step up and accept the honor (and the slings and arrows of misfortune) which accompany choosing a topic and our targets for the week.

FWIW, I suggest the SS fabricated crisis first, because bush is getting pretty hammered on the blogs and lots of great info is coming out to rebut his rhetoric.

Good-night, friends, I have to return to work x(

[darkworkz]

34. I don't have a problem with this.

But don't forget, it's about hitting them on the big issues, and not the drivel of the moment seen on MSM. The process outlined in my original message is the first steps toward the citizens actually driving the ship of state.

Our ship is mighty big, but you've got to learn it sometime. Better now than after * has driven it off a cliff.

[Peace Patriot]

37. Hey, Straight Shooter! Thanks! I accept!

But I hope some others will be nominated as well, or will volunteer, to co-host it with me. And I'll do some recruiting. It would be best to have a couple of people rotating as topic picker and letter drafter.

Let's get started.

TOPIC #1:

I nominated the Condaleeza Rice potential filibuster, above.

Straight Shooter, I'm not sure what "SS fabricated crisis" that Bush is "getting hammered in the blogs about" is all about. Secretary of State fabricated crisis? Could you give me a clue? Anybody know?

Other topics for this week?

[wakemewhenitsover]

31. Let's write to the NY Daily News for slamming Boxer...

...in an incredibly offensive column by Michael Goodwin, which depicts Rice as a paragon, and stops just short of calling Boxer a post-menopausal crazy lady.

http://www.nydailynews.com/front/story/272798p-233349c.html

[Carolab]

33. Refer them to the New York Times editorial from yesterday.

They complimented Boxer and said the other senators were too kind and gentle in questioning the dragon lady.

[kitkat65]

75. Ugh. It's so over the top I don't even know how to reply.

And not surprisingly, I couldn't find a link to submit one anyway.

[wakemewhenitsover]

76. Phone calls are good, too.

Imagine if this were a Dem denigrating Repubs...

[4democracy]

35. It is a great idea to keep up the pressure, but snail mail is very

difficult to get to the Representatives in DC. the mail has to go through several different security screenings before it reaches anyone. One of the Congressman from my state said it would be better to send letters to his state office because it is not as complicated and doesn't take as long for them to receive them.
On the other hand swamping the security centers with thousands of letters would probably get some attention.

[darkworkz]

36. The idea is to send the mail.

If you find it better to send to the state office, do that. If you want to "risk" D.C., do that.

Just send it. Some people already are, even if they're alone in their actions.

[JoMama49]

38. I'm focusing my efforts right now (besides continuing with the stolen

election) on stopping them from stealing social security, and then I'm turning my attention to getting the truth out about 911. If it ever came out, that could bring them down faster than those 2 towers fell!

[Peace Patriot]

40. There is also faxing. I will work on getting a fax no. list...

...together.

I think state offices is a good idea, too, for snail mail. It's also easier to CALL their state offices--not so busy.

In fact, I'll see what I have as to contact info., and find some contact web sites to recommend.

I think we should recommend snail mail (maybe to state offices) and faxing, but also provide email contact info. for those who would not do it otherwise, so we don't lose anybody willing to write letters (even by email).

In addition to DU LETTER OF THE WEEK on selected topics, we could have project #2, selected situations, such as BB being targeted--we need to defend her. Project #2 would be more about media. I'll go find the Media Blaster and post it here. The Media Blaster was great. And we might want to use it tomorrow to push coverage of the protests, and to complain about the obscene cost of the inauguration (and maybe about the fact that it shouldn't be happening at all--Bush approval rating sunk to 39%! Did you see that?!!!.)

TOPIC #1 (for Congress) ????? Suggestions?????

[Peace Patriot]

42. Here is the MEDIA BLASTER!!!

http://www.independentmediasource.com/voteintegrity2_12.htm

It may look difficult, but it's really easy. You just copy and paste four sets of media email addresses into your email program, and then copy and paste either the letter at the site that is already prepared (currently about election fraud coverage), or write your own, and send.

A few easy steps...

BLAST AWAY ABOUT COVERAGE OF THE PROTESTS TOMORROW!
--their responsibility as the Fourth Estate to provide independent, bi-partisan news, covering all sides - bitterly divided country - Bush approval down to 39%!
--the Inauguration will be boring! Protesters much more colorful and fun! Free speech! Democracy!
--obscene costs of Inauguration, with people losing jobs, homes, medical coverage, wounded veterans with inadequate care, families having to provide armored vests, tsunami victims homeless, hungry, dying...
--are we the Holy Roman Empire II? what is this crap?
--and he wasn't elected!

Like that. I'll compose something more sensible in the next hour, but you get the idea.

[OKJackson]

39. This should be a new topic...

But this is a good topic to post it under. For some reason I can't post new topics no matter how many times I click the "post" link.

SUBJECT: Tommorow will be a good day

No I haven't lost my mind, nor am I a repug in progressive's clothing.

Tommorow the traitors will gather round Bush, with the ringing Boxer gave them still ringing fresh in their ears.

At work, maybe even at home and definitely out on the other places of the net you will all be facing Repugs who will be looking for fear, sadness, defeat.

DENY THEM THE SATISFACTION.

You know and I know that investigations are getting deeper, more evidence keeps turning up, the neandercons are getting sloppy and we are starting to have the effect we want.

So put on a brave face tommorow, enjoy your day and give them hell.

:^)

[IronLionZion]

41. link:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=203&topic_id=291365&mesg_id=291365


in case anyone hasn't figured it out yet.



Yes, It's important that we let our elected officials know when they are doing the right thing and we appreciate it.

[Peace Patriot]

43. I guess I'm doing Topic #00: The media and the protests

I'll do a sample letter for this (for the media, to be sent via Media
Blaster), then one on Condi (to Congress critters) as our DU LETTER OF THE WEEK Topic #1, if no other topics get nominated for our consideration.

Dear lapdog media (TV):

You wonder why your news ratings are dropping? You wonder why people are turning more and more to the Internet to find unedited news that they can perfectly well evaluate for themselves, and even participate in?

It's because the BushCons are boring and their coronation is boring. Same old imperial bloodshed in foreign wars, debt and deprivation at home, and the country's treasury squandered on gold crowns, jewels, ermine lined coronation capes and obscene banquets and balls, while their people are hurting.

People have seen this before for thousands and thousands of years. They would rather have a president and a real democracy, with all its free speech, diversity and healthy skepticism. And instead of coronations, they would rather have help with their medical bills, finding jobs and surviving in this BushWhacked economy. THAT would interest them--leaders who care!

So, get creative! Start thinking for yourselves, and cover the REAL news--like all those protesters out there in the cold DC weather with their colorful signs and rebellious ideas about "counting every vote" and "bringing the troops home" and a "balanced budget." THAT's news. Bush is not.

Sincerely,

(I'll get serious in a moment...)

(Actually, it's not a bad letter. A letter with attitude.)

[Peace Patriot]

44. Social Security. Environment.

I just read back through the thread and found these suggested topics for DU LETTER OF THE WEEK.

If we're going to do one letter (suggested sample letter, topic agreed upon) per week, we should probably try to make it timely--keyed to Congressional debate and action, if possible.

When you nominate a topic, please try to provide some details on its immediacy. Its importance will probably be without question. But how do we choose among all possible topics? Best to try to influence a situation, I think, if we can. So give some clues, and links if possible.

We can start a list and prioritize. We so far have (unprioritized):

Social Security
Environment
Condi Rice nomination
Inauguration protests (media)

And OKJackson's: Tomorrow will be a good day, deny them satisfaction, enjoy the day and give them hell. (I'm not sure who this letter would be for--perhaps a buckup message to our reps in Congress?)

I still think our Topic #1 should be Condi Rice. Does anyone know the status of potential filibusters by Dem Senators?

[OKJackson]

45. An answer and priorities

The answer to your question is that letter is to us, especially anyone who feels gloomy tommorow, don't. We haven't lost, while they drink the Jonestown punch and celebrate an empty victory with everything that they are doing failing... we move forward to crush them. That's it in a nutshell.

As for your items... not bad. Just remember that if we don't have democracy, many become unimportant. So I believe our highest priority needs to be election investigations, paper ballots and accountability.

And don't forget our "friend" Kenneth Blackwell... he's left so many fingerprints that we must push for his prosecution. If we prove him to be a dirty crook unseating Bush becomes much easier.

Remember that a focus is like a knife. The more narrow it becomes the faster and deeper it cuts. The envirornment and social security is important, but if we lose the right to vote then... well... do the math.

[Peace Patriot]

46. Well, I happen to agree with you completely!

Restoring our right to vote is the FIRST PRIORITY!

And maybe, coming from the DU Election Fraud 2004 letter consortium, it should be our our 1st DU LETTER OF THE WEEK topic.

But I didn't make it that for two reasons:

--potential filibuster on Condi Rice nomination (very timely--highly dramatic--and issue is war in Iraq, so terribly important--and Dems will need lots of support)

--and, I've pretty much given up on Congress on election reform--I don't think the Dems have the power, the votes or the will (not based on past history) to get this done for us, so I was thinking, strategically, of a special letter writing campaign, coordinated with the state voting groups, to put pressure on SoS's and state leg's.

However, you make some excellent points on this, and Congr Dems can certainly EDUCATE and INVESTIGATE.

I still don't know status of potential filibuster on Condi Rice--re: prioritizing it.

What I will do is prepare several 1st topic letters, see if I can get them commented upon here, and post them as a DU LETTER OF THE WEEK with contact info, as a separate post, with a link to here--and we will keep it kicked.

[OKJackson]

48. Think of it like this...

...imagine every Democrat in the chamber turned into a Barbara Boxer because they know their constituents want them to challenge the Bush administration.

We did it with one, and we can do it with all of them. Even the ones that don't want to do it will when they realize their career is the price to pay for not being loyal to those that put them in office.

We can enact election reform in Congress, the Republican attack machine can't even handle one woman, much less all the Democrats singing the same, objective song of "Rule of law~~~~~... rule of law~~~~~~!"

Sing it with me now!!! :evilgrin:

[OKJackson]

52. Don't forget Conyers

While Boxer had to be turned around by voice, Conyers is already travelling in the right direction and he's in the right group of people to hit them in their weakest spot, the law. We need to fill up Conyer's sails so full of wind that there is not a single doubt in his mind that the entire progressive movement is backing him. With that confidence and his slew of evidence, how could we lose?

We won't.

So keep that in mind, if Conyers succeeds we all succeed. Every victory from his camp is something massive for the entire movement.

[Mojorabbit]

50. Gonzales nomination?

This is one of the most important to me. I shudder to think what will happen if he becomes AG

[OKJackson]

53. Gonzalez? Kennedy is all over him right now

http://www.bluelemur.com/index.php?p=561

Read up, things are going in our favor we just need to fill our representatives up with our confidence. Keep their mailboxes stuff with support!

[Peace Patriot]

47. Please keep this kicked! KICK! KICK! KICK!

We need more participants in choosing topics, researching, organizing this letter writing forum, drafting and editing letters, and assembling contact info.

[Peace Patriot]

49. Congressional contact web sites:

This seems to be a pretty good one:

CLICK ON THE STATE & GET TEL, FAX & EMAIL/OR WEB SITE
http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/

It gives you a list of all the congresspeople in that state at once, with the above info. But it doesn't list snail mail addresses--nor state offices tel/fax (for most). You have to go to individual web sites for that. It gives you only the DC tel/fax nos. (Certainly okay to use, but if you were looking for state contact info., you have to go hunting.)

Anybody know of an easy (and current) list of Congress snail mail addresses?

Also

EMAIL CONGRESS PEOPLE (AND COMPOSE LETTER) DIRECTLY FROM SITE:
http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/cgi-bin/mailform2.cgi?site=ctc

I will keep looking for the easiest sites. If someone else has this info at their fingertips, please post it here.

[Peace Patriot]

54. SAMPLE LETTER TO SENATORS ON CONDALEEZA RICE

Dear Senator ____:

The war in Iraq is by far the worst and most disastrous mistake that the Bush regime has made, and Condaleeeza Rice, whom George Bush has nominated for Secretary of State, has been responsible for conveying the false justifications for this war to the American people and to the Congress.

We need a Secretary of State whose word we can trust, and who can be trusted by other countries. Condaleeza Rice does not meet that job description.

I oppose her appointment as Secretary of State, and I support the efforts of Senators who have subjected her to tough questioning, who filibuster the Senate in opposition to her appointment—and I hope they filibuster it for the rest of this regime's term of office--and I support all who speak and vote against this appointment.

Thousands of Americans have been killed and wounded, over 100,000 Iraqis have been killed and many have been imprisoned and tortured, in this war—a war based on falsehoods, and a war that also holds grave consequences for America's reputation as a just and conservative country for whom the use of a force is a last resort.

The administration is now stuck in a quagmire in Iraq, similar to the one in Vietnam in which over 50,000 US soldiers and over one million Vietnamese were killed—and now the regime is spoiling for war in additional countries.

The American people cannot continue to pay for these reckless and bloody policies, and we can no longer tolerate war crimes being committed in our name.

Ms. Rice has also been less than candid about the failures of this administration to protect the U.S. from the 9/11 attack, and supports policies of completely unethical interference in the internal affairs of other countries, such as Haiti and Venezuela.

A regime that holds power on the tenuous grounds of massive vote suppression against minority voters in violation of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, on the further tenuous grounds of a non-transparent election system that is controlled by partisans of the regime, and that currently has a lowly 39% overall approval rating, with almost 60% of the American people opposing its war policy, would be well advised not to commit further arrogant acts against the consent of the governed, such as nominating for Secretary of State a person whose lies have resulted in countless unnecessary deaths.

Sincerely,
------------

Comments from DUers?

[Peace Patriot]

55. Updated, prioritized list for DU LETTER(S) OF THE WEEK--first topics

1. Inauguration protests (to media)
2. Condi Rice nomination (because of potential for filibuster)
3. Gonzalez nomination (horror!)
4. John Conyers election fraud investigation (& election reform)
5. Social Security (need legislative timeframe, more specifics)
6. Environment (need more specifics)

----------

I will proceed with Inauguration protests (to media), so people have a reasonable letter to use at Media Blaster (see above for url) for tomorrow (today!).

If others want to try drafting 3, 4, 5 and 6, please do so! Post here, we can all help edit and finalize. Then I will see that they're posted in a letter forum.

[Peace Patriot]

56. Oh, and I forgot NY Daily News attack on Boxer...

wakemewhenitsover's post #31 above.

Add that to the list. If we could get a sample letter out soon, it would be great to hit the NYD with a DU blast.

Make Boxer/NYD #2a., after Condi Rice letter (because of timeliness).

I haven't checked out the Kennedy/Gonzalez link yet. OKJackson, what is the legislative timeframe on that nomination--do you know?

[TexasLawyer]

88. Here's My LTTE

They ran the same editorial in the Houston Chronicle.

Re: In Boxer-Rice Smackdown, Democrats Got the Black Eye
By Michael Goodwin, Houston, Chronicle, Jan. 19, 2005

Contrary to Mr. Goodwin’s editorial, Barbara Boxer’s tough questioning of Condoleeza Rice during Dr. Rice’s confirmation hearings was neither childish nor embarrassing. If anything, the other senators should be faulted for blithely giving Dr. Rice a pass on her disastrous performance as national security advisor.

Dr. Rice was one of the primary administration cheerleaders for this country’s preemptive attack on Iraq. Her warning that the “smoking gun” proving that Saddam Hussein possessed WMD “might be a mushroom cloud” was a scare tactic intentionally used to hype the Iraq War and to counter critics who correctly pointed out that Saddam posed no real danger to the U.S. Dr. Rice knew full well that intercepted aluminum tubes, which she cited on CNN as “only really suited for nuclear weapons programs,” had non-nuclear uses, and that a large amount of countervailing evidence showed that Iraq had no current nuclear capabilities. She was also well aware that Iraq had not threatened any neighboring country for over a decade. Even worse, despite knowing full well that Iraq had nothing whatsoever to do with the 9/11 World Trade Tower tragedy, Dr. Rice nonetheless fed the public’s misperception that there was indeed a connection.


Thanks in large part to Dr. Rice’s crisis-mongering, this country is now mired in a war that is, and always has been, based on lies and half-truths. Not a good track record for Dr. Rice to lay before the Senate. It is peculiar, then, for Mr. Goodwin to criticize Senator Boxer, whose job it is to examine Dr. Rice’s fitness for the new post of Secretary of State, for daring to hold Dr. Rice accountable for her grievous failures as national security advisor. But then again, considering that George “slam dunk” Tenet received the Presidential Medal of Freedom despite his rendering of fatally flawed WMD intelligence, these are peculiar times.

[sorechasm]

60. A starter draft for #6: The Environment

An energy policy that ignores environmental consequences is like building a city on the slopes of an active volcano. This administration’s energy policy is built on even less secure foundations. It is becoming increasingly obvious that all the justifications for the Iraq War were just a front to the real reason: America has an addiction to oil, and Iraq was to be our quick-fix, energy-policy solution. This administration’s energy policy was to secure an easy target in the Middle East, and establish American military bases in that country to protect “our interests”.

In light of the disastrous consequences of the Iraq War, the President has recently begun promoting Nuclear Energy as another quick-fix solution. Nuclear power has the obvious potential to become an even greater disaster. As a nation, and as citizens of the worldwide community, we believe that our environment, the air we breath, the soil that grows our food, and the land we take pleasure in, requires a more sensitive and sensible approach.

If we chose to invest in the ingenuity of the American people, instead of foreign sources of polluting fossil fuels, we could solve both our energy and environmental problems. We have the technology to improve our energy efficiency to cut our current consumption significantly. Couple this with investments in new technologies (solar, wind, biomass…), we could eliminate our dependence on energy from foreign lands.

[Peace Patriot]

65. sorechasm, I love this letter!

You draw so many issues together so well!

Depending on what use we put the letter to, we could add a paragraph that says something about our creativity and industriousness as a people. Just give us some leadership--the problems, the solutions--and WE WILL DO IT! We always have...until now.

Now, no one is asking anything of us--except to shut up, worship Bush and consume, or go die in Iraq. God, how I hate wasted light! The LIGHT that we can shine! We can be such a fine people!

Anyway, like that. Some motivation to them to LEAD.

Or, if we use the letter as a general environmental statement, we might want to add a paragraph on other or related issues. (Related-Alaska oil pipeline comes to mind.) (Not directly related--forestry, clean water, clean air (related to oil), and gutting, disempowerment and underfunding of the EPA.)

--------

One of the things we're doing here is tying issue and letter to event (legislative action or drama). Is something coming up we can tag this letter to?

[sorechasm]

78. Still working on the Environmental tie-in for such a letter

* is planning some kind of payback for one of his $100K 'investors': The Nuclear Energy Institute. See last Thursday's RAW story:

http://lists.sierraclub.org/SCRIPTS/WA.EXE?A2=ind0501&L=raw&D=1&T=0&O=D&P=176

Much of the facts of which I cribbed for that draft letter. (Thanks for the encouragement, though, Peace Patriot.) I'm not sure I want to wait for *'s other foot to drop before we find that he plans on building a nuclear power plant in every low income neighborhood in America.

I like your idea of leaning the letter toward the industriousness and innovative spirit of a true democracy, 'The LIGHT that we can shine!' On the environment Sierra Club et. al. are better suited to take on the targeted detailed issues. DU forum is better suited to showing how the environment is the only stage we've got to play on (if she goes, we all go), and we want to play on it, goddammit.

Sorry I'm so slow, Peace Patriot (I've been at work). You're really good at gathering and directing momentum. Congrats on getting this letter campaign started. (Peter Jennings commented several times on the protesters at today's coronation. It was hard for him to avoid considering that every camera angle showed an "Impeach Bush" poster.) You think he got one of you're letters? I'm glad you're on our side.

[Peace Patriot]

57. Here's an update on Gonzalez. Hearings delayed. Letters needed!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x292528

[Peace Patriot]

58. Please keep this kicked! KICK! KICK! KICK! --until we can post...

...these sample letters, contact info., and the need for particular letters, in a separate DU LETTER OF THE WEEK URGENT ACTION forum.

[sorechasm]

59. and Kick Again.

Peace Patriot you've got stamina that puts Bill Clinton to shame.

[mulderig]

61. kick!

:kick:

[Peace Patriot]

62. Our LETTER OF THE WEEK Forum ***IS POSTED***!!! Go see it!

It's just the media letter (new versions), but it's a start!


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x294547

[Peace Patriot]

67. HOUSEKEEPING

TOPICS

1. Inauguration protests (to media) - DONE!
2. Condi Rice nomination (potential for filibuster) - DRAFT
3. NYD attack on Boxer (timely)
4. Gonzalez nomination (horror! - timeframe?)
5. John Conyers election fraud investigation & election reform
6. Social Security (need legislative timeframe, more specifics)
7. Environment (legislative timeframe) - DRAFT

Any more topic suggestions?

----------

NEEDS

1. Someone to find web site for Senate snail mail address, or willing to compile list.

2. Long term: Someone to research state groups that plan push for election reform, and how DU letters can plug in to help

3. Someone to find out if/how to get a permanently kicked forum at DU; also look into demopedia

4. Someone to make calls to Senators & others to aks them about when letters might be most useful--right now, we really need to know about potential filibuster on Condi Rice

5. Someone to deveop a new category of letter, a thank you letter, to Senators & others, for recent and future past good deeds

6. Someone to keep track of media incidents--like the NYD Boxer thing--so we can fight back right away

7. Someone to search web for similar campaigns (like Media Matters on Sinclair Broadcasting), to decide if/when to push letters at DU

Any other needs?

----------

TOOLS

Congress contact info. (tel/fax/web site, and direct send email)
http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/

Media Blaster
http://www.independentmediasource.com/voteintegrity2_12.htm

 

[OKJackson]

79. Perhaps a reorganization of those priorities?

Conyers investigation should be higher than Gonzalez. Gonzalez is, pardon the unintended slur, small beans compared to our democracy. If we don't defend our vote, we're going to lose more positions until we become a bona fide dictatorship with one party rule. Remember that all Republicans aren't fascists, they're just going along with the program and are unwilling to look as long as they believe no one cares. The more we pressure them, the closer they'll get to breaking and asking questions.

Let's target Sensenbrenner and make him snap to!

A-ten-HUT! About-FACE! Election Reform! MARCH!

:evilgrin:

[Peace Patriot]

98. Agreed! We'll change the priority and get out sample letters on...

...on Conyers/Sensenbrenner, and/or election fraud/reform in general, this week--and do Gonzales if possible (in time for hearings). Note the key election fraud para in the C. Rice letter...

"A regime that holds power on the tenuous grounds of massive vote suppression against minority voters in violation of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, on the further tenuous grounds of a non-transparent election system that is controlled by partisans of the regime, and that currently has a lowly 39% overall approval rating, with almost 60% of the American people opposing its war policy, would be well advised not to commit further arrogant acts against the consent of the governed, such as nominating for Secretary of State a person whose lies have resulted in countless unnecessary deaths."

I think we should continue to tie Bush policy to illegitemacy and election fraud.

[hoosierblue]

68. Sounds like a plan...

Since the Repubs have taken over the MSM, we must take over the new medium, the internet - which also happens to be the Grand Poobah of media - and make it work for us.

I do think it's working.

[Peace Patriot]

70. HOUSEKEEPING II

TOPICS

1. Inauguration protests (to media) - DONE!
2. Condi Rice nomination (potential for filibuster MONDAY) - DRAFT
3. NYD attack on Boxer (timely)
4. Gonzalez nomination (horror! - timeframe? A WEEK)
5. John Conyers election fraud investigation & election reform (STATUS?)
6. Social Security (need legislative timeframe, more specifics)
7. Environment (legislative timeframe) - DRAFT

Any more topic suggestions?

----------

NEEDS

1. Someone to find web site for Senate snail mail address, or willing to compile list. - DONE! (Thank you, ac8916!)

2. Long term: Someone to research state groups that plan push for election reform, and how DU letters can plug in to help

3. Someone to find out if/how to get a permanently kicked forum at DU; also look into demopedia

4. Someone to make calls to Senators & others to ask them about when letters might be most useful--right now, we really need to know about potential filibuster on Condi Rice - Rice - DONE! MONDAY TIMEFRAME (Thank you, ac8916!)

5. Someone to develop a new category of letter, a thank you letter, to Senators & others, for recent past and future good deeds

6. Someone to keep track of media incidents--like the NYD Boxer thing--so we can fight back right away

7. Someone to search web for similar campaigns (like Media Matters on Sinclair Broadcasting), to decide if/when to push letters at DU

Any other needs?

----------

TOOLS (new tools!)

Congress contact info. (click on state, all Sen's & House, tel/fax/web site)
http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/

Congress direct send email:
http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/cgi-bin/mailform2.cgi?site=ctc

Senate (has list of all Sen's, snail mail address, DC tel, and webform)
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

Media Blaster
http://www.independentmediasource.com/voteintegrity2_12.htm

---------

NOTES:

Reminder - include help to Arnebeck in Election Fraud & Conyers letter - we want that lawsuit to go forward.

Need someone to call Conyers office to find out about need for letters and to whom (Conyers got bombed with emails in a campaign I started here once, and staff begged us to stop!).

Gonzales and Election Fraud letters say by mid next week.

Condi Rice letter to go up today - with Senate contact sites, and preface for Media Blast.


 
 

[Al-CIAda]

85. Kick

[sorechasm]

94. Updates on #7 Draft for Environment - seeking legislative voice

Sent the following to Senator (unfortunately) Kerry. Not being from Massachusetts, I'm not sure how long, or if I will get a reply. Looking for any pending legislation on Sustainable Energy to protect the environment (any politician, any location will do, not just US Congress).

Dear Senator Kerry,

Remember the President’s 2000 campaign pledge for an exorbitant tax cut and no one took him seriously? Remember the President’s musings on attacking Iraq soon after 911? Get ready for another Texas surprise: Nuclear Power Plants in our back yards. It’s payback time for Republicans to give a gift to the Nuclear Power Industry.

See Sierra Club's Jan. 11 story in RAW:

http://lists.sierraclub.org/SCRIPTS/WA.EXE?A2=ind0501&L...

In light of the disastrous consequences of the Iraq War, the President has recently begun promoting Nuclear Energy as another quick-fix solution. Nuclear power has the obvious potential to become an even greater disaster. It’s time we quit fowling our own nests with quick fix solutions. We know that you have supported a more sensitive and sensible energy policy that respects the world around us.

When are you planning on reintroducing Sustainable Energy legislation that would counter the President's Nuclear Energy Policy plan?

We want to start a letter writing campaign to build a foundation for your new Sustainable Energy legislation (fuel efficiency, wind, solar,...), whatever it may be.

Thank you for all you have done for America.

Also, have started short one for the local media:

Did you see the armored fortress traveling down Pennsylvania Avenue for the Inaugural Parade? How would you like that traveling through your neighborhood on a monthly basis. Only instead of carrying a President, the armed vehicles were transporting nuclear waste; not a welcome sight in an age of terrorism.

Say no to the Nuclear Industry’s push for plants in our neighborhoods.

Also am soliciting help from DU's Environmental Forum

[Peace Patriot]

99. HOUSEKEEPING; "Priority List" AMENDED...

...put Conyers/election fraud as no. 3 priority for letters. NEXT!

[tinonedown]

71. She brings joyful tears to my eyes

Every time she speaks. What a true patriot fighting in times of distress. Her words and actions resonate with so many across the real America. I'm so proud of her!

[Peace Patriot]

72. HEY, wakemewhenitsover!

See:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=203&topic_id=295207#295443

Big nasty attack on B Boxer by Michael Savage protege Rick Roberts...

Mailing Address:
KFMB - San Diego
7677 Engineer Road
San Diego, California 92111

Tracy Johnson, VP, General Manager

E-Mail: [e-mail]

E-Mail: Dave Sniff, Program Director
[e-mail]

BigBearJohn post. And he links to KFMB adveristers at

http://760kfmb.com/advertisers/index.php

Emails and letters to station, and contact of advertisers needed.

[darkworkz]

73. Letter for Sensenbrenner and Conyers

You have to remember that you send these letters to both 'pugs and Dem's. Flood the opposition just a hard as your guys. That way you've created a paper trail that they can't deny and opens them up for losses in the elections.

The 4 members I suggest getting this letter are:
Hon. F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr.
Hon. Henry J. Hyde
Hon. John Conyers, Jr.
Hon. Melvin L. Watt

addresses for all can be found here: http://judiciary.house.gov/CommitteeMembership.aspx

Letter below dotted line
-----
Dear Chairman Sensenbrenner,

I have recently learned about Representative John Conyers request to hold full committee hearings on the election results from the State of Ohio. I am writing to show my support and interest this matter. I am deeply interested in having the full committee investigate these issues:

Unusual Results in multiple counties
Over votes which are statistically impossible
Counting irregularities in multiple counties
Spoiled ballots
Provisional ballots not properly dealt with under the laws of the State of Ohio.
Anomalies with touch screen voting equipment

This is a short list of items I would like the committee to investigate.

Representative Sensenbrenner, I know you are as interested as I in resolving these issues for the good of our election system and the full confidence of the American people in our franchise. It is our mutual appreciation of our representative democracy that I make this request and I am sure that you will do all that is in your power as Chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary to see this matter through to its proper conclusion.

Respectfully,
(sign name)
Citizen of the State of (insert State) in these United State of America

CC: (insert other HR members that you've CC'd)

[darkworkz]

74. Letter of the week benefits...!

One of the side benefits of sending the "Letter of the Week" out to the Republicans is you instantly create a massive paper trail. What good is that, you may ask?

Well, if the potential candidate of YOUR choice knows that a seated Representative or Senator has received X hundred thousand + letters over the course of Y months and hasn't responded? How much legitimate attacking power on substantive and current issues have you just provided said candidate?

yep, quite a bit.

This is just one of the more obvious end results that are born from "Letter of the Week". There are quite a bit more. How long until they change the color of the car? ;-)

[OKJackson]

83. Remember that they can say...

"...I received X amount of letters and I know that you (Republican rep) did too."

It's such an easy set up :evilgrin:

[SnoopDog]

77. I am up for the task as well...

I already wrote letters about Rice and about Social Security.

I think it would be a great idea to have a separate group so we can find it easier.

I suggest two 'sub-groups": 1) an area where we as DU can discuss what issues to deal with and what our desires are and 2) the action area where we publish (in the group) a task that we all have decided to work on.

Example: #1 discuss Social Security and formulate our goals about SS and #2: letter writing campaign to Congress stating our position.

[Donailin]

80. This is a really good idea

Can this be organized here on DU? Some sort of strategy of talking points put out by we the people, not them, the enemy? We need to shape the debate, not constantly play catch-up like the last four years.

[Al-CIAda]

86. kick

[jdog]

87. This is so fantastic and empowering!

Couldn't we include a PS on EVERY letter that, no matter what issue we are addressing, if we do not protect the vote all of our efforts are meaningless? Put it on every letter.

Also, a topic I'd like to see is a call to courage, asking them each to take a brave stance on principal, like Boxer and Conyers, et al have done. Regardless of the issue, they need to have courage and the unfolding of the historical record in their minds when they represent themselves.

[Peace Patriot]

89. See draft of LETTER OF THE WEEK #3: Election Fraud at... KICK!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=203&topic_id=297687&mesg_id=298142

Forum title: "Alternate Reality" - ignatzmouse

[darkworkz]

90. Conyers points DU toward Sensenbrenner

In this article http://www.bluelemur.com/index.php?p=567 Representative Conyers tell us that it is Chairman Sensenbrenner that attention should be focused on. Read this quote from the article:

"Conyers: I don't expect them to fully support it. All I have to do is persuade chairman Sensenbrenner that it is in all of our best interests and that he support it because he can unilaterally grant the hearings."

Ok, let's pause at this point and expand the picture to get a broader view of the landscape. This will help with the context in which Conyers makes the above statement.

For four years the neoCons have held a death grip, so to speak, on the MSM. Most can agree upon that. Some believe that this hold has been due to some short sightedness on the part of the MSM and nothing more.

It is said that fewer than 50 people control all of the MSM in the U.S. This is done through cross pollinated boards of directors. This small group of people dictate what does and does not reach the print, radio, and television. If the above is true then what portion of the administrations actions are they not aware of? If the above is true then not only are they aware of the actions but have consciously withheld information from the "consuming" public. If these things are fact, and I'm not saying they are, then how can information sent to the MSM educate them on what they already know?

Next lets delve into power; who has it now and do they know how to use it? Well, base upon the visible cracks in the now recognized MSM "blindness" veil, and how those cracks came about, the obvious answer would be the "people". How, in the briefest space possible, can this be proven? One could say Boxers statements were proof. One could also say the MSM talking heads statements at the inauguration - referencing the two separate crowds size and visible disapproval of the inaugurie. Also, there was the matter of the election contest. All of these "break throughs" came about through the direct action of the "people". So that's a strong indicator that the power now rests with the people.

If the power does indeed rest with the people, wouldn't that indicate a rapid shift and explain some of the remarks and actions from those that used to have it?

Looking once again at the media. Why would you want to educate someone that has proven to not work in your best interest? If you do have the power wouldn't you want to exercise it in a way that brings those things that you want, and like, back into some order that you can recognize?

Think of it like this - let's say you've got an unruly child. The child is constantly acting up. You've got a couple of options, you can a) let the child continue with the unruly behavior (b) punish the child thus forcing him/her to understand that your not pleased with the action and your correction, in the end, alters the behavior.

But how you may ask, can you punish the MSM yet still get your message out? Well change the focus of your approach to them. You could stop speaking to them (no editorials). Cancel subscriptions. Send them a final message that you no longer watch their channel until they do X. And this will force them to get their information from the true target that you're after. Which we'll get to in just a moment.

Now comes the issue of "how to wield power". There are a ton of good ideas going around right now. What to do. How to do "it". Who to contact. So forth and so on. What quite a few have neglected in the rush of new strength, is figure out timelines. In other words - what do you want done and how soon do you want it to happen?

Let's say you want 3 things (just examples): 1 - environment 2 - economy 3 - * out of office. 3 good things in the minds of most. Well first you should figure out which you want first, so we'll organize them from "need done right now" to "ASAP". So we'll say that #3 is "need done right now". Fine. How do you use the power you've got to do that? Do you send letters to the MSM? Do you drive to the local union hall and have a meeting? Or do you figure out who in the structure that he's (*) in that holds the keys to unseating him? I think it's that last one, you be the judge. So if this is the case that should be the target of focus, right?

After a long journey we finally get back to the Conyers interview. Conyers mentions Sensenbrenner by name twice and once as chairman of the committee in the article. Conyers states that he's sending the chairman a letter requesting full committee hearings on the Ohio matter. Well what's so important about Ohio? (Sure, I know this is a stupid question) In the Judiciary committee the Ohio matter is the first step toward impeachment, if you didn't know. The Ohio matter is being held up by very weak players (i.e. Ken Blackwell) that have direct connections to *. If the Judiciary committee breaks through in Ohio that is a very short path to the steps of the White House. And a few guys whose names I won't mention here getting new suites, color orange, evicted with new fashion accessories.

Sure, the filibuster of 2 * appointees is great! More noise = more MSM coverage. But remember how it's breaking through on them. It's not coming from you, it's coming from the "top" down on them and they have to "report" it. So change the game. Come from the top down all the time. Go around them, hit the people they "have" to cover and then they'll have to publish the facts.

Sorry about that - The issue is focus the attack on the "weakest link". If Conyers is writing a letter to Sensenbrenner requesting hearings on Ohio, why not you? Mind you this doesn't mean stop sending letters to (insert name of kick ass progressive) but learn to focus on that point that helps you achieve the end you need done "now"! If you send that "focal point" the same letter week in and week out, what's the big deal? As long as the message is received loud and clear is the issue.

Before concluding this post I'd like to point out something that a few might not know. You've heard politicians say quite a bit about polls? Well polls are the only way, for the past 2 decades, that politicians have had to gage public interest or reaction toward the actions they might take. One of the reasons this is the case is the death of the party "machines" in the late 70's early 80's. The city block, district, city, county, state, political machines that once ran politics in the USA all but disappeared in that time. The replacement was commercials and NPO's that did / do...what? Most don't know. What you're doing now is recapturing the power aspect that the machine once exercised and you're doing it directly, sans intermediary. Only thing you've got to learn is how to focus, and once you do you'll be amazed how fast the things you want to happen, happen.

[mirrera]

104. Excellent post!

I know you wrote this days ago (a lifetime in DU) but I have to say you have got it down. Hammer at the top and Blackwell is close...

[darkworkz]

91. not sure about this group...

But they might be interested in helping.

http://backbonecampaign.org/

Anyone know who they are?

[OKJackson]

92. KICK!

We need to keep this going, Boxer told us that we were right and Conyers basically gave us our marching orders to bring Sensenbrenner into our line of thinking and actually ACT!

Let's go people!

[sorechasm]

93. Kick some more. N/T

[OKJackson]

95. Kick again! N/T

[sorechasm]

96. Kick, Kick, Kick! n/t

[sorechasm]

97. Sunday Morning Kick-Off

I really think the letter writing thing worked with MSM coverage of the coronation protest. Seeing the phalanx of an over-armored *escort amongst the hordes of protesters, George Will called the Inauguration Parade a 'banana republic'display. Of course it would be hard to make that sorry display look rosy: 'entombed leader touts freedom to people in cages'.

[Peace Patriot]

100. I agree! I think our campaign (Letter #1: media/protests) worked!

They're worried about their ratings. Bush is a crashing bore. We are much more fun than BushCons. And we ARE the majority! (of viewers as well as voters).

[Peace Patriot]

101. Keep this KICKED for discussion of Election forum focus... Kick!

Some folks here are kind of dissing us the last couple of days, saying "Election Fraud" should split off--cuz of various reasons like time-consuming anti-fraud attacks (they want a forum with a mission statement that excludes them), but also cuz they think C. Rice letter is off point (focused away from Election Fraud).

Let me quote the last para of the C. Rice letter:

"A regime that holds power on the tenuous grounds of massive vote suppression against minority voters in violation of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, on the further tenuous grounds of a non-transparent election system that is controlled by partisans of the regime, and that currently has a lowly 39% overall approval rating, with almost 60% of the American people opposing its war policy, would be well advised not to commit further arrogant acts against the consent of the governed, such as nominating for Secretary of State a person whose lies have resulted in countless unnecessary deaths."

Unfocused? I don't think so.

Also, look at the enthusiasm here. People have energy for both, it seems to me--and lots of people see the connection between supporting Boxer--especially when she asks for help. One of the great heroes of Jan. 6.

I TOTALLY AGREE that election fraud, investigation and reform is PRIORITY NO. 1 for all of us, and for the country.

I just hate to give up this fab revolutionary forum where it all comes together--what Bush is doing, and that he has no legitimacy in doing so. --or see it split up, or defused in any way.

Always open to discussion for improvement, though. I see the problems. I think we need subforums within this forum.

[OKJackson]

102. Kick and a comment

She's right, we can do both, just remember that our first focus in when and what we send off should be our support for Conyer's investigation. Even when you send letters about Rice and stuff, mention conyers too! We can do both at the same time, but always put Conyer's investigation in the top slot.

[sorechasm]

103. Still kicking, and miles to go before we sleep...

...Walking through the moods on a snowy evening.

Supporting Conyers investigation should be our first priority (no vote, no democracy).

But because there are so many ideas out there, we best keep parallel tracks of other issues at the same time so that we can all feed upon each other. Keep the pot boiling. Remember why we want to vote in the first place: differing minds, conflicting opinions; that's a good thing in a true democracy. You know 'the road less traveled by'.

[sorechasm]

105. Kicking another round n/t