If you're feeling discouraged in light of events around you...

[Sapphire Blue]

... get thee post haste to a local activist group... a Democratic group, a liberal activist group, a community activist group, a liberal church group.

If you go to church, speak out about the issues that are important to you, phrase them in terminology appropriate to your religion (as in The Beatitudes & Matthew 25 : 31-46 in Christianity).

Write LTTE's. Contact TV 'news' orgs, sponsors, etc... demand factual, unbiased coverage of the news; demand a return to journalism... and an end to WH shilling.

Keep calling/emailing/writing your Senators & Representatives (US & State), your Governor, your mayor... even that idiot in the White House; hold them all accountable; let them know that you are a member of the People's Lobby... the one that goes to the voting booth & pays their salaries. .. the one that they are elected to represent. Remind them that this country has a Constitution... send them a copy of the Constitution. Schedule meetings with your Senators & Representatives when they are in their home districts.

Get involved in the upcoming election campaign, do what you can, campaign door-to-door, deliver/send out flyers, volunteer for a phone bank, drive voters to the polls, make copies of political material & leave them around your community... libraries, lobbies, waiting rooms, public transit, laundromats, supermarkets.

Can you volunteer in your community? This may see to be a lame suggestion, but some of what needs changing in this country is the restoration of community, of caring for one another, making a difference in someone's life. Remember the beloved community? Someone out there needs you... a child who needs help learning to read; a teen who needs mentoring; a neighbor who needs transportation to doctor's appointments, the store, the food bank; a lonely senior in a nursing home... so many need us desperately. Check United Way: http://national.unitedway.org/volunteer /

Do what you can, and encourage others to do the same. Have faith in the love & courage in yourself... and find others who share your love & courage. Spread that love & courage... from sea to shining sea.

And in the words of the Rev. Dr. William J. Barber...

"But for God’s sake, don’t ever give up, because some child is depending on you, some family is hoping for a better day, some worker needs a breakthrough, the voiceless still need a voice, the poor still need an advocate, those in the margin still need to be mentioned, people who are down still need to be lifted, the hurt still need to be healed.

Use your life in the court of humanity to say “I WILL OBJECT UNTIL JUSTICE ROLLS DOWN LIKE WATER & RIGHTEOUSNESS LIKE A MIGHTY STREAM!"

http://www.unc.edu/law/povertycenter/audio/barber.mp3

[acmavm]

1. You are so right. The best medicine for depression and sadness is

action. It is righteous anger. It is doing.

Thank you for this post. I'm bookmarking it.

[UrbScotty]

28. Know what? So will I.

;-)

[babylonsister]

2. Great post, Sapphire Blue! Thanks and rec'd! nt

[Nashyra]

3. Absolutely

Get involved with your local Democrat organizations. Especially important is get out the vote. Check out being a precint leader. We have several precint leaders who have maybe 8-10 people who are organizations with in and when the Democrats need to get the message out these folks gather together, divide the area and walk with the message, flyers, announcements etc. When it comes time to vote they use the same concept, we had over a 95% voter turnout in our area. It works, the key is to organize early.

[Sapphire Blue]

7. Yes, getting involved in local Democratic orgs is extremely important!

Thanks so much for your valuable input! 95% turnout... :toast:

[goclark]

70. Fight fight fight and kick kick kick nt

[mahina]

4. Are precinct elections March 7th everywhere?

I know they are being held March 7th in our area. 7 pm folks, get elected in your precinct, organize your precinct, ( I have, and it's been a ton of fun!) go to the state conventions, and move the platforms toward a more progressive direction. Good luck and aloha!

[OhioBlue]

5. Thank you Sapphire! n/t

[gizmo1979]

6. I joined the local democratic party last summer

best thing I ever did.At least you feel like you're doing something.Remember all politics are local!

[Sapphire Blue]

8. Great to hear that!

Yes, it's important to feel like you're doing something, that you're accomplishing something. And yes, all politics are local... sometimes we need a reminder. Thanks! :thumbsup:

[oscar111]

9. Luke eighteen: twenty one... IIRC

that is verse twenty one.

IIRC that is the one nixing all GOP economics... jesus, not some diciciple... 'SELL ALL AND GIVE THE MONEY TO THE POOR'

this is to amplify sapphires urging to frame the message in the language appropriate to your church. This verse is the best one IMHO, for christians.

[Sapphire Blue]

13. Agreed... a very important verse!

[calimary]

10. Five votes! Get thee to the Greatest Page!

This should be required reading for every DUer and every activist who feels that the whole world and everybody/everything in it are stacked against them.

Don't give up. NEVER give up. Howard Dean said it: the only way we lose is if we give up. Because then, the bad guys have won. The dark siders have won. The evil ones have prevailed. And WE let that happen IF WE GIVE UP. Think of it that way. That way, YOU control the game.

And remember this: (I tell myself this all the time to buck myself up)

Dinosaurs once ruled the earth - the most fearsome creatures ever to rumble through a jungle or savannah or plain. Now, they're gone. Rome fell in 476 AD. The Greeks had their day, and were gone. So were the Phoenicians. The Sumerians. How-the-hell-many empires in and around Babylon. The mighty pharoahs. Attila the Hun, Genghis Khan, and Alexander the Great, Charlemagne, Napoleon, and many more - seemed pretty formidable, didn't they? For awhile, yes. Then they fell, too. So did our friends Hitler, Stalin, Mussolini, Ceaucescu (sp?), Chairman Mao, Pol Pot, Idi Amin. J. Edgar Hoover, Tammany Hall, Al Capone, and MGM and United Artists Studios. William Randolph Hearst. Michael Ovitz. Michael Eisner. Michael Jackson. They all had their day, cleaned up, and then had their own clocks cleaned. The sun DID INDEED set on the British Empire. And on the Crysanthemum Throne of Imperial Japan. NOTHING lasts forever. Not the Third Reich. Not the Romanovs. Not the Spanish Empire or its Invincible Armada. Not the USSR - the mighty "Evil Empire" that Reagan used to rant about. Hell, even Reagan couldn't stand tall forever. NOR could his much-vaunted "Reaganomics."

All these entities had opponents who never gave up. None of these had time on their side.

All these things eventually failed.

NOTHING lasts forever.

Neither will these guys.

Many of them WILL live to see their fondest hopes and dreams of world domination and wholescale piracy and unchecked global greed dashed and their "empire" dismantled. And that will be their heartbreak. And WE, TOO, will live to see that. And celebrate. And then get back to work - remaining EVER VIGILANT.

This is a great thread, Sapphire Blue. Thank you for offering it! Everyone should keep a copy of it handy.

The ONLY way WE will lose - is if we give up.

[Sapphire Blue]

14. calimary, THANK YOU!!! As always, you are a breath of encouragement!

[calimary]

48. So are you, my dear.

Kicking this again for ya!

:toast:

[Sapphire Blue]

19. BIG kick for calimary's post!!!

:kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick:

[nofurylike]

34. outstanding post, calimary! it really is THAT important! i hope and hope

all will hear your words, and hear Sapphire Blue's words and act and act and act!!!

these are excellent suggested actions! if all will do them we will see change and feel hope again!



peace and solidarity, always!!

[calimary]

49. Thanks! I couldn't agree more - it IS INDEED that important.

I hope everybody sees it.

There's ALWAYS something you can do. SOMETHING. Even something little. Even something that may appear, at the moment, useless and insignificant.

NEVER GIVE UP. As our brother Class Warrior says here all the time. NGU. Besides, why should we? The bad guys never give up, sooooo... we should all slouch back in our seats and watch 'em gain more ground because THEY never gave up, and WE DID?

Don't think so. I'm not letting them get a leg up on ME.

[nofurylike]

56. "NEVER GIVE UP. As our brother Class Warrior says... all the time. NGU."

ABSOLUTELY!!

very well said, calimary, who also has taught me so very much and inspired me so very often!


peace and solidarity, always!!

[Sapphire Blue]

71. !

[Rose Siding]

11. Wise council, indeed

It's remarkable that the Idea of America -which is, expanded, what you describe- has so many positive applications.

[glitch]

12. K & R for Excellence! nt

[goclark]

15. Sapphire Blue You Are The Greatest!

Thank you for one again showing us that sitting at our computers and complaining about the Chimp is not the answer!

Get involve, DO something is what we must do.

:grouphug:

[Sapphire Blue]

16. WE, all of us together, w/our love & courage are the greatest!

[goclark]

17. You Got That Right

No guts no glory, we can not waste time crying and moaning.

[nofurylike]

36. isn't that true, goclark! i'm wondering how we can have a Sapphire Blue

column here at DU.

SB is always teaching us, and inspiring us to do more, and reach further.

such a blessing!


peace and solidarity, always!!

[goclark]

50. Yes! Sappire Blue is a real teacher

She would be perfect!

For all that are wishing to learn and be inspired and WILLING to learn how to be more compassionate, SAPPHIRE is it!

[nofurylike]

55. "For all that are wishing to learn and be inspired... SAPPHIRE is it!"

YES!!

so very well said, goclark!


peace and solidarity, always!!

[WiseButAngrySara]

18. Lovely, lovely, lovely, Sapphire Blue! And so inspiring. K & R! ....n/t

[cap]

20. Mount Everest does not exist on the prairies...

it is surrounded by a whole range of majestic peaks. We will be finding great leaders arising out of this because we are tapping into our own personal power to become leaders in our own right. Maybe we will not become the person celebrated in history books, but we have all become more involved in making the world a better place and by doing so will generate the momentum to crush the evil doers that have led this nation down such a dark path.

[Sapphire Blue]

21. Inspirationally & eloquently stated!

[goclark]

51. Sappire, you inspire US to be the BEST we can be

That makes you a real TEACHER!

[Sapphire Blue]

53. ...

:hug: Just a student, forever learning... through mind, heart & soul.

[nofurylike]

35. so very well said, cap! it helps so much to read that! thank you! eom

[Wind Dancer]

22. It's just good for the soul, Sapphire Blue!

Your inspiration and words of wisdom have made my day. It's amazing how much better we feel after helping others.

Thanks for yet another great thread!

:hug:

[Sapphire Blue]

24. ...

:hug:

[Earth_First]

23. Thank you!

K&R

[Sapphire Blue]

25. ...

:kick:

[RazzleDazzle]

26. And remember that miracles happen

Miracles HAVE happened --

* the Berlin Wall coming down
* end of Apartheid
* Mandela released from prison

and others

I think it helps them along to think of them as possible, and expect them.

I myself spend too much time too negative. It's just as easy -- and a lot easier on the system -- to be every bit as realistic about where we are, but then go on to affirm that We CAN change things and triumph. We CAN have a miracle.

[Sapphire Blue]

27. Here's to working for miracles, great & small!

:toast:

[nofurylike]

37. absolutely! what an excellent point, RazzleDazzle! thank you! eom

[Sapphire Blue]

29. ...

:kick:

[nofurylike]

30. brilliant, and inspirational, Sapphire Blue. k&r

thank you SO very much for posting this. it is everything that needs to be said, and it is said by YOU who has earned the profound admiration of this community, including mine.

we must do these things, we MUST!

and you have shown us how, again. you are able to break it down into specific actions that, if we really do them, will make a real difference.

i hope and pray that everyone will do some or all of what you have drawn so clearly here.
i will. i will work my way through your list and i will start over and do them all again and again.

THANK YOU!!


Peace and Solidarity, always!!

[Sapphire Blue]

32. Above all, remember to have faith in the love & courage in yourself!

When you feel like your efforts aren't making a difference, when you don't see any results, think of your efforts as if they are the wind... the wind can't be seen, but it has an effect on everything it touches... it makes a difference... just as your efforts do.

[nofurylike]

38. beautiful moving words and encouragement, Sapphire Blue!

oh my, you always amaze and inspire me so. i am so grateful to you!

we have so much to do, and so far to go, yet you gift me such hope, over and over again. all of us!

thank you thank you for ALL you do...

Peace
in solidarity, always!!

[nofurylike]

39. *

:cry:

:hug:


gratitude

[Sapphire Blue]

44. *

:loveya: :hug:

[nofurylike]

59. kick and

thank you!
:blush:

:hug:

to YOU, dear Sapphire Blue:

:toast:

:yourock:


:loveya:


peace and solidarity, always!!

always

[nofurylike]

31. please, everyone, we must do these excellent works! kick!

[threadkillaz]

33. Agree, and if you're feeling depressed,

Go find one of the "Ape Escape" series games for Sony PS2.

Here's some good used prices for "Ape Escape 2" via froogle
http://froogle.google.com/froogle?hl=en&q=%22ape%20escape%202%22&btnG=Google+Search&sa=N&tab=wf

I'm up to the "Defeat Specter" level at the alternately-rotating wheel cog bridge. Total hoot. n'joy!

[nofurylike]

40. i hope everyone will copy and keep this OP and do as much as can of

these outstanding suggestions!


peace and solidarity, always!!

[nofurylike]

41. please keep this kicked and pass this on to everyone! kick!

[goclark]

52. Sure will kick it ! nt

[nofurylike]

54. you are so great, goclark!

:hi:

:hug:


peace and solidarity, always!!

[nofurylike]

42. kick!

[nofurylike]

43. kick before going. please pass this on and please kick! eom

[Tsiyu]

45. Some more kicking, here

:kick: :kick: :kick:

The best way I've found to cure malaise is to get up and do something.

And the Democratic party needs new blood, people who will take our "Good Neighbor" message and frame it in fresh, meaningful, effective ways.

[nofurylike]

57. "The best way I've found to cure malaise is to get up and do something."

YES!! the BEST way!!

thank you, buddyhollysghost!


peace and solidarity, always!!

[Sapphire Blue]

47. ....

:hi:

[nofurylike]

58. *

:hi:



peace and solidarity, always, Sapphire Blue!!

[TacticalPeek]

46. Morning kick.

:kick:

[nofurylike]

60. these are real, potent suggestions. i hope all will read and pass them on!

:kick:


peace and solidarity!!

[goclark]

63. Sure we nofurylike k for the afternoon!

[nofurylike]

61. please kick and pass this on! eom

[nofurylike]

62. "“I WILL OBJECT UNTIL JUSTICE ROLLS DOWN LIKE WATER &

RIGHTEOUSNESS LIKE A MIGHTY STREAM!"


YES!! WE MUST OBJECT, CONTINUOUSLY!!


peace and solidarity, always!!

[nofurylike]

64. kick! going off. please keep kicked! maybe repost in Activist HQ? eom

[AirmensMom]

65. Kick.

:kick:

[goclark]

66. I'll second that kick

[AirmensMom]

67. Thanks, goclark.

I'll kick your kick now. :D

:kick:

[KAT119]

68. K&R! Thank you for the lift Sapphire Blue....

[Sapphire Blue]

69. You're welcome... and Welcome to DU, KAT119!

:hi: :hi: :hi:

[goclark]

72. I love this thread Sapphire Blue

:)

[Sapphire Blue]

73. A kick for those feeling discouraged

:kick: