The Senator's Birthday?

[ObamaKerryDem]

Hey guys:),


Is anyone here was doing anything special for Senator Kerry's birthday this week? Like putting together a card to send or something like that? I think I remember reading of something like this on here before, for his past birthdays. So I'm just wondering if anyone here is doing or knows of something like that for this year? Would love to sign or write a message for it if so! :)

Thanks!

[MBS]

1. well, last year, luftmensch and I put in a lot of work

to provide JK with an incredible scrapbook full of incredible contributions from this group. Despite heroic efforts (thanks Tay) to make sure the book was hand-delivered to his Boston house, I never heard a single word from the senator's office after that, which, I admit, disappointed me. (I even groveled to the level of later asking two different staffers, one in Boston office, one in DC office, to check to see whether he'd seen it -- no response from them, either). Plus, to understate the case, I've had way, way more than my share of professional/job stresses lately. For both those reasons, I haven't been able to summon the heart, the time, or the energy to put together an extravaganza of this sort again. (In any case, last year -- his 65th birthday -- was special -- that kind of major effort every year would be a little over the top, even for this group :))

Maybe we could just have a birthday thread here, and make sure someone calls the senator's attention to the contributions?

[beachmom]

2. And thank you so much, MBS and Luftmensch, for doing that.

So here is my take:

This group went through a time period where we were pretty much on our own doing our thing, and then starting in late 2005 through late 2008 we had more contact with the Senator than we could possibly have dreamed of.

Now we're back to a group pretty much on our own doing our thing. I have no regrets in being part of the effort to get a birthday card/party together for a couple of years when the Senator needed that the most. But the fact is we are not his friends. We are supporters who felt he got a raw deal following his presidential defeat. Now that that phase is over, I just don't think we need to do that sort of thing, especially since it's no longer what the Senator needs.

The truth is he doesn't really need us anymore. I am happy that we succeeded in assisting him through a rough patch (remember, for a time, ONLY the blogs, and just some blogs, supported him). But he has now been set free from that '04 baggage, and the crucial part we played has now ended. If you go back to my posts in early 2009, I wasn't all that happy with the Senator. But that was a healthy reaction to this new transition of no longer being needed. Now I am fine with no longer being needed, and only read blogs or participate in blogs for the fun of it.

I think that WE, the John Kerry Group, are who we have been waiting for. This group has always been very strong, and I have made great friends here and in person. That is why I intend to continue to post here (and hopefully a spring meet up in Pittsburgh IS in the cards), and enjoy the conversation here. There is no Mission like there was before except staying engaged and enjoying the conversation.

I realize others may think differently, but this is my take, and I am happy being here, and greatly admire the Senator.

[Luftmensch067]

3. I hear you both!

And I think you have summed it up perfectly, Beachmom. Love the idea that "we are who we have been waiting for" and in that vein, I'd like to say that MBS was the real powerhouse behind last year's effort and it has been as disappointing for me as it was for anyone to see our gesture not acknowledged. But the best part of helping put together that book of cards and that basket of gifts last year was seeing what everyone here contributed. The cards and gifts and mementos were not only a heartfelt tribute to the Senator, but a true expression of the creativity and passion and patriotism of this group. I wouldn't trade the experience of seeing that or the experience of being part of the DU JK community. I am so pleased to see JK fighting the good fight and looking healthy and happy and I wish him a most wonderful birthday celebration with his family and friends this year and every year. He is a bright inspiration in my life and I'm grateful for his example.

That said, I think a birthday thread is a great idea -- let's have one of our famous pic threads, in fact!

[MBS]

4. I have no regrets either

While I longed to know that he really received our book, luftmensch and I have pictures of the whole book, and those pictures are a treasured memento of a fun experience and the amazing creativity and heart of this group** . I also agree that, with JK finally - finally! - getting the recognition he's so long deserved, boosting HIS morale is not as important a role for this group as our shared admiration for JK and our own continuing internal conversation.

Speaking only for myself, I probably won't be able to afford (little time, and less money) a trip to Pittsburgh, but it will be great if it happens, and -- who knows-- maybe I'll somehow be able to swing it, too..

**luftmensch, maybe we could post a photo of last year's birthday album cover for the birthday thread? I've got a complete set, but you'd have to instruct me how to upload non-web photos here without making my computer location public. . I still haven't been able to figure out to do it.

[Luftmensch067]

6. Oh, good idea!

I'll try to figure it out!

[blm]

9. Yep - big pat on all backs - we were no small part of JK getting his mojo back

(sooner rather than later) and on the road to being the best damn lawmaker in DC.

I think 2008 (especially the last 2 months) was incredibly time-consuming for Kerry, and 2009 proved to be even more hectic, and even more so by Kennedy's failing health and eventual death.

I think the book fell through a crack made wider by his chaotic schedule.

[MBS]

10. yup. lots of important transitions going on

-- time-consuming ones, too, and ones in which JK was/is intimately involved.

Such a joy to see him really hitting his stride, and people finally seeing who he is.

[cadmium]

11. I keep in mind that

last year he was pretty much the solo senator from Mass. He had his own gig and his own staffwork with a larger role in Washington as well as taking on doing a lot of the Massachusetts advocacy that Ted used to do. I bet it just go lost in the shuffle.

[ObamaKerryDem]

26. Very good points.

He really seems to, by all other accounts, appreciate his constituents/supporters, so I'm sure it wasn't intentional! :)

And I agree with the other posts--this really is a great group. I am glad I found you guys! :yourock:

[ObamaKerryDem]

5. Oh that makes sense.

As you can probably tell,I am somewhat of a newcomer to this group, so I had no idea what had went on with that project, only that I remembered reading a thread about the idea last year around this time, when I used to "lurk" on this forum, lol. :) But I'm really sorry to hear that it went down that way! :( I can't blame you guys for being dissapointed. It seems like his staff dropped the ball on that one. :/ But I think it's great (and really sweet) that you did it and hope the Senator was able to see it anyway!

But yes, a thread is a great idea. :)

[Blaukraut]

23. Well said, beachmom

While some of our group have withdrawn since the '08 election, most of us realize that the John Kerry Group actually transcends John Kerry because it is about like-minded people coming together and trying to make a difference.
That said, I really miss our get-togethers, whether they were the long planned birthday meetings, or the more off the cuff, 'let's get together for lunch in Boston' kind. You guys became my friends, and friendships should be nurtured, not left to die a slow death.
So let's have that meeting in the spring!

[karynnj]

24. What both of you said was well said and I agree

It will be great to meet in spring.

[wisteria]

7. The card idea has wained in the last year or two, so what I do is just

e-mail his office and send birthday wishes that way- from a citizen who appreicates all he does for this country.

I read others suggest we have a pic thread and that would be great.

[ObamaKerryDem]

8. That's a good idea, too

Not to mention probably more practical at this point anyway, as it's the day after tomorrow! lol :)

"from a citizen who appreicates all he does for this country"--Well put :fistbump:

[karynnj]

12. I agree with all of you

The nice things were meeting all of you, having discussions online that really were different, interesting and challenging on so many issues. It really was unusual and very special that for a time that we had some real contact with an extremely important person, who is one of the most important people in DC and for me, who is a hero to all of us. I never expected anything like that. It has been great to see that while he, like any one else, is not perfect, he is genuinely who he presented himself as.

I am personally glad that I had the chance to be part of a group, who stood behind him in 2005 and 2006 when there were few who did. He deserved better and I am proud to have been a part of being part of this group pushing back against the negativity. Especially in teh beginning, I was surprised at some who when pushed, agreed and it was clear they were parroting others, writing things they never believed. Though he didn't acknowledge the book, there have been times when he met groups of us and each time he took the opportunity to say thank you - though, in my opinion, he never had to do that. I know I was and am here because I was inspired by the good he works so hard to do. If anything we did helped him, I am proud of having in a small way been a small part of something that was important and good.

As Beachmom says, one thing unexpected that we got is this group. I know I have been pushed to read more, think more and research more because of interesting comments of others here. The diversity, intelligence and honesty here is something I haven't seen in any other online group. The nicest thing about Boston to me, was not seeing JK and THK, which was very, very special, but meeting so many here and finding that everyone was who they said they were and in person even nicer than online.

I think the idea of a birthday thread is fantastic. It will give honor to JK and what people chose also shows a lot about them.

[MonteLukast]

13. I like to think that JK inspires me to do things like this.

Especially in teh beginning, I was surprised at some who when pushed, agreed and it was clear they were parroting others, writing things they never believed.

I refer, of course, to taking that extra time to stop, think, listen and remember. JK challenges us all to love and serve our country in many ways, but especially in that subtle little everyday way that we might miss, unless we catch ourselves (or we have JK there to catch us!)

And the fact that he spends real time with us, citizens and supporters. Why do you think he's so progressive and on-the-ball? Because he takes time to listen to where the action's really taking place. He gets the facts, and disregards the filters of those who have an agenda.

I will be right there for the birthday thread. :party:

[cadmium]

15. well said I agree

You hear the term "movement politics" thrown around a lot. It is usually based on solidarity over a few issues. I have always felt Kerry style movement politics is based on standing up for the truth. I have disagreed with Kerry on a number specific issues, but always felt it was taken as constructive criticism as long as it was based on pertinent facts and an up-front admission of bias..for better or worse.

Who reads his emails??-- i dont know.. I do know that some email language and opinion gets through to him.

I have at time in the past been invited to personal one-on - ones. The timing with work and my hospitalization last year made that impossible. Hopefully I can someday and maybe even with Gilbert present. He really likes Gil.

Polititicians, staff, and accessibility change. None of it really precludes us sticking together and giving ourselves credit for being part of a sensible and loyal movement.

[MBS]

17. this is it!

This is exactly it! "I have always felt Kerry style movement politics is based on standing up for the truth. I have disagreed with Kerry on a number specific issues, but always felt it was taken as constructive criticism as long as it was based on pertinent facts . .."
thanks

[karynnj]

18. Your first paragraph is awesome

It helps me understand my own view.

[cadmium]

16. that is almost identical to my feelings.

With Kerry as the focal point or not something happened -- attracting like minded friends from all over the county . Kerry's approach to truth in governing and our commitment to fairness are a few thing that brought us together. I think there is something different about us as a group that we should preserve no matter what direction Kerry's career takes.

[blm]

20. You're right - I think we all have that FAIRNESS gene that compelled us toward Kerry

and the efforts of his work in the first place.

[Luftmensch067]

14. I love what everyone's writing here!

:grouphug: :yourock: :patriot: :party:

[Inuca]

19. Just wanted to chip in

just to say how much I enjoyed the comments above and how well they describe how I feel about the interaction in this group back then and now. Wish I were able to write a bit more but head feels like mush, back with a cold only a few days after getting over (mostly, kind of) the flu. Since yesterday it feels like it's back with renewed vigor, all the lovely symptoms minus the fever :-(. Anyways... love ya all :grouphug:, and hoping for the Pittsburgh meeting to take shape.

[karynnj]

21. Completely irrelevent, but it is Baucus' birthday tomorrow too

(I was looking up bios to make the point that Cheney is not as old as he appears on a Cheney thread, Baucus was born 2 years before Kerry on December 11.)

[Luftmensch067]

22. I have no words...

:-)

[wisteria]

25. That is interesting. They are so different. So much for Astrology. n/t

[ObamaKerryDem]

27. Oh, that's so interesting-- I had no idea!

They ARE very different, lol, though they appear to get along well. :)

[MonteLukast]

28. I've always liked "The Secret Language of Birthdays"

... and, as I recall, December 11 was "The Day Of Intensity". That's one of my favorite astrology books, since I had never seen one that narrowed it down to the day before.