Heads Up!

Kudos!! to both Dick and Karen. You are both so inspiring regarding
positive steps we can take to save our Democracy. I have truly enjoyed the
blog and the sharing of info--I feel as if the fight for our country has
just begun and those of you have been an inspiring support for me and my
email buddies.

Thanks for all you do.

Check out this link. The Agency for International Development is now
promising 35 million instead of the original 20 million pittance we promosed
as help for the Tsunami victims. But it's mentioned in the article as a
"line of credit." Does that mean the AID is borrowing the money to send
overseas, or that the countries we are so "generously" helping will be
expected to pay back the money???? If they are, that's really not much of a
gift, is it? Here's the link:

href="http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/ap/20041229/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_quake">http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/ap/20041229/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_quake

I have been on the democraticunderground
the past few days and the Kerry bashing
is getting worse. Call me crazy but my
anger isn't at Kerry it is at the master
minds behind the voting fraud. Anyone
agree with me on this one?

Sherry, You bet! The grownups with perspective are all HERE.

Sherry, it's the waving the magic wand crowds, and they're everywhere. We
simply do not know, exactly, or can't prove what happened. I know we can't
claim the suppressed or walked away to change the election, only to reform
the system.

And Karen, may we choose which of our regrettable, dumb comments you lose,
like re-writing history?

Thank you both for this site.

I second the praise for Dick and Karen and everyone involved with this site,
as well as the upgrade.... :-)

Can I do a little Heads Up here and ask that everyone read this link in
particular, please??? This, ladies and gentlemen, is, in essence, what we
are fighting on the political horizon: Willful ignorance, even by educated
people....

Dr. Teresa Whitehurst | Careful Not to Get Too Much Education...Or You Could
Turn Liberal
href="http://www.commondreams.org/views04/1228-32.htm">http://www.commondreams.org/views04/1228-32.htm

Ignorance may be bliss, but to deliberately keep one's self from learning
"too much?!?!" That falls under the category of sheer stupidity in my
lexicon. I just do not understand it....

Some of the Kerry bashing is getting difficut to hear; however, can we keep
in mind a few facts--and if we can post them on other sites I think it would
help.

1. VOTER FRAUD (suppression, intimidation is not Kerry's fault. The
republicans had YEARS to hide their tracks, and it may take a while for us
to bring to light what they have attempted to burry. So maybe we could
recognize that his concention did not hurt, hinder , or affect the recount
in any way. (In 2000 Al Gore made the protest in front of the media--and
the media made it worse.)

Which brings me to point number two!

2. The media is a bunch of liars who have intentionally misrepresented
kerry and any democrat for the last 10 years---it's time to STOP the bashing
and start the planning and consolidating on our side.

3. Read some books and learn how to frame the issues to republican or
moderates. (Lakoff)

4. We need to be the media--and start wearing our message on our heart!
Our message isn't or shouldn't be anti-Kerry or anti-anyone. It should be
the GOOD things we stand for. My inlaws wear their t'shirts, "a life
without Jesus is like a sandwich without meat" everywhere they go. It's a
constant reminder/rebutall everywhere they go. We need to have KIND-POLITE
messages too--not hate filled ones but ones that speak to the GOOD of giving
to the poor--taking care of the elderly--not bombing little babies in
Iraq...(ok...sorry...lost control there.)

Anyways, the following letter is a new attempt on my part after reading some
Lakoff and my first attempt at framing.

Dear Management:

I am deeply concerned that you have hidden the truth from your viewers. You
have indicated that Kerry gained a few votes in the recount but that the
election still went for Bush. You've also kept you're lips sealed about all
the election fraud, harrasment, supression, and intimidation in many
states--not just Ohio.

During all the years I've raised my children, I taught them that a lie by
ommision is still a lie. Yet here you are--behaving exactly like children!
Shame on you.

The WHOLE TRUTH is that the election recount in Ohio included only 3 percent
of the ballots, and that there was FRAUD and corruption in the election
itself and in the recount. In fact, there was so much fraud that Kerry and
his lawyers have asked for everything to be held for further investigations
with the FBI. Futhermore, Kenneth Blackwell, himself, is behaving like a
child with his hand caught in the cookie jar while the chocolate is smeared
from ear to ear and is refusing to answer any questions under oath, yet
trashes others on tv while not under oath.

Perhaps, you don't realize that your network and Disney represents our
family values. Now we see that you truly don't care about family values
because you teach everyone it's ok to lie, and it's ok to steal, it's ok to
invade foreign countries and rape their citizens when you have lied about
them, but it's not ok to stand up and speak the truth.

I'm sorry that from now on, my family and friends will no longer trust your
network and your lipservice to family values and democracy.

Ohio GOP Officials Ducking Subpoenas as Kerry Enters Recount
href="http://www.truthout.org/docs_04/122904E.shtml">http://www.truthout.org/docs_04/122904E.shtml

New Mexico Recount Goes Back to Court
href="http://www.commondreams.org/news2004/1228-20.htm">http://www.commondreams.org/news2004/1228-20.htm

Kerry Joins Cobb's Request to Preserve Evidence in Ohio Recount
href="http://www.commondreams.org/news2004/1228-21.htm">http://www.commondreams.org/news2004/1228-21.htm

[Two reasons for other Senators and Representatives to protest the
certification on Jan. 6: Ohio AND New Mexico recounts.... I haven't read
anything about Florida recently - should they be added to the list or not?]

NonnyO:

Latest from New Mexico is about 2000 "phantom" votes...hmmm really close to
the margin of erro there!!!

yep...this election STINKS with fraud and illegal activities. Hope some
people get to see some prison bars! Maybe they will have to decorate the
walls with lots of elephants and pictures of "Mission Accomplished!"
pictures.

Oh..yeh...that's white colar republican crime- and we know how republcans
feel about anything colored white and republican.

I read the article- Yes, it is a form of self censorship, but it originates
with their pastors and with their parents. And it's actually proof that the
brainwashing of the right has succeeded so well in this country that those
who have been brainwashed are afraid of going back to their original state
of being seekers of knowledge.
Seeking knowledge is one of the things I believe we are put on this planet
for, and that idea actually jives with many of the "near death" experiences
that people have reported over the years. These people come back with the
desire to do two things- to learn to love fully and to seek knowledge.
They're filled with the belief that that's what we're put on this planet
for, and I believe that is true.
The right wing in this country doesn't want their followers to hear
anything that is inconsistant with what they are being told by the
Limbaugh's and Hannity's of the world. So, they teach these kids that they
have to fear knowledge. Knowledge is evil, and it will make you evil if you
accept it. Amazingly enough (and I'm a Christian, so I don't want anyone to
take this wrong), but one of the first dictums in the Bible was that Adam
and Eve were not to eat of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good
and evil. Maybe some of these pastors and parents and professors are taking
that warning literally. But what they are doing is killing the souls of
these kids and destroying their very reason for existence- which is to grow
and mature and learn.
It's an outrage, and it's all part of the Republican brainwashing
experience.
Just one reason to fight harder against these monsters.

Thanks guys for all your comments.
I now know I am not alone. You all
have some excellent points! I am so
sickened by the right wing media
blitz I honestly don't watch it any
longer.
I agree that until the voting system
is changed we will keep going thru these
frustrating elections in the future. I
just feel we were all robbed of having
John Kerry as our president. I get
a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach
every time I think about it.
For people to think this good man doesn't
care about us and potential fraud in this
election? Well, I won't even begin to go
there because I do not believe it.

Congress Is Quiet on Abuse of Detainees
href="http://www.truthout.org/docs_04/122904B.shtml">http://www.truthout.org/docs_04/122904B.shtml

Robert Scheer | A Devil's Island for Our Times
href="http://www.truthout.org/docs_04/122904C.shtml">http://www.truthout.org/docs_04/122904C.shtml

CIA makes no disclosures on abuse:
The CIA is refusing to disclose any information about abuse of detainees in
Afghanistan and at the U.S. naval base at Guant‡namo Bay, Cuba, invoking a
legal precedent that involved a secret project by the billionaire Howard
Hughes to recover a sunken Soviet nuclear submarine in the 1970s.
href="http://www.iht.com/bin/print_ipub.php?file=/articles/2004/12/27/news/cia.html">http://www.iht.com/bin/print_ipub.php?file=/articles/2004/12/27/news/cia.html
http://snipurl.com/bmye

It's Time To Support The Troops
By Sheila Samples
I have a considerable stash of words, but none sufficiently harsh to
describe the contempt I feel for these Democrat and Republican legislators
who silently lowered their heads -- who turned their backs -- and allowed
Bush and Rumsfeld to send their young constituents to their deaths.
href="http://207.44.245.159/article7558.htm">http://207.44.245.159/article7558.htm

Russia and China to Hold Joint Military Maneuvers
href="http://www.truthout.org/docs_04/122904I.shtml">http://www.truthout.org/docs_04/122904I.shtml

But what they are doing is killing the souls of these kids and destroying
their very reason for existence- which is to grow and mature and learn.
It's an outrage, and it's all part of the Republican brainwashing
experience.
Just one reason to fight harder against these monsters.
Posted by: Linda Enterkin | December 28, 2004 10:27 PM
~~~~~

Kudos..!!! I couldn't agree with you more...!!!

The article quite horrified me. Whether it's a curse or a blessing to be
born overly-curious may be a moot point (I believe it was the latter) the
thought that someone would deliberately stop themselves from learning... I
just can't go there even in my imagination to even attempt to understand
that attitude.... I can willingly attempt to imagine what it's like to be
in someone else's shoes, for most any situation... but my imagination and
understanding just stop dead in horrified shock when I read about someone
keeping themselves from learning, or only relying on one minister's
interpretation (or anyone else's interpretation) without checking things out
for themselves. Words fail me....

Posted by: sparrow | December 28, 2004 10:17 PM

Thanks for sharing, sparrow.... think I'll use your words as a guideline
when I write some of my more pointed observations.... :-)

Posted by: Sherry from Iowa | December 28, 2004 08:50 PM

Sherry,

I hope you can spend more time on this blog. I think you will be impressed
with the quality and level of discussion and debate.

There is always room for disagreement about how the campaign and post
election strategey was handled. To me that is old news. We are focused on
the future.

As I see it, our mission now is to learn from our previous miscues and
develop a strategy that invites everybody to consider a democracy based on
principles, not morals. The DCP goals (IMHO) are those of inclusion for all
individuals to contribute their opinion no matter their point of view.
Another goal is to make the public aware of the risk to our democracy if we
don't change our election process. Additionally, we the people need to not
only hold the media accountable for their poor performance, we also have to
use all the tools at our disposal to disseminate the truth. We can not trust
the main stream media to objectively report the issues. Once people with a
sense of principled values (by far the majority of the country) are aware of
the truth-we will be unstoppable.

Posted by: Patti Ferschke | December 28, 2004 07:39 PM

THE KERRY BASHERS ARE WRONG

With all respect and fairness to John Kerry, he HAMMERED the message of
Bush's incompetence, and related it to morality.
Loud and clear. He worked tirelessly. He was HUSHED by
the media. He was robbed of fair and equal exposure. He was given one sound
bite to every hundred Bush was given. He pulled alot of votes despite the
force against
him. I have enormous respect for his effort. I thinked he was also limited
by the length of his exposure after his nomination to be the candidate of
the Democratic Party. He stumped all over the nation delivering those very
themes. Maybe he would have had better results had he thumped his chest, and
said in monotone: "Administration crooked". "Bush liar.""War bad." "Bush
phoney". He refused to stoop to name calling, but he did EVERYTHING but draw
the people a picture.
They played dirty by smearing his credibility before he had a chance in the
media to close.

People HEARD......so either the election was fixed, or Karl Rove did his
homework on the hearts and minds of the masses he knew he could reach years
in advance. He reached
masses of people by focusing on a theme, and using the clergy and the
Christian coalition to help him do his dirty work. He was the silent
schemer, and in the end they thought it was their own idea.

I live in rural America. I asked alot of questions before the election, and
I can tell you that I heard alot of people in say "I don't know who to vote
for, so I will vote for the man who holds my values." Period. Somehow, some
way, they were taught in the past eight years,
at a very basic level, that Bush shared their moral value system.

Now, be encouraged!!! Kerry kicked booty anyway. Mother Theresa
wouldn't have stood a chance. We are up against a ruthless adversary. If we
realize this and don't allow discouragement and pessimism to get the better
of us, think of what we can accomplish.

So what was I saying earlier today? That we need to communicate our values
in a stronger way for a longer period of time, and it wouldn't hurt to pick
a candidate sooner. And I was telling the story of churched America being
manipulated.

And, as an afterthought. If anyone doubts who John Kerry is, take a look at
the woman he chose to marry. I doubt very seriously if Teresa Heinz Kerry
has ever had a man dominate her.

Truth shall prevail,

AMEN! I could not have said it better!

NonnyO:

I guess I did a great job of comparing all of them to children and squeezing
in a little bit of morality and democracy.

yep...this election STINKS with fraud and illegal activities. Hope some
people get to see some prison bars! Maybe they will have to decorate the
walls with lots of elephants and pictures of "Mission Accomplished!"
pictures.
Posted by: sparrow | December 28, 2004 10:27 PM
~~~~~

I'm busy visualizing words from your keyboard to Goddesses' mind.... prison
bars.... over the face of shrubbie and rummy and condisleazy and (list would
spam the blog...)... the state 'officials' who happened to be repellicans
who ran shrubbie's campaign where votes were contested, plus the corporate
executives who own the companies the e-voting machines came from..... that
stupid "Mission Accomplished" photo... any other photo of shrubbie in his
various smirks.... orange jump suits.... bars....

(For the sake of the memory of the real elephants who are actually quite
nice, loving and caring parents, keep photos of real elephants out of prison
cells with bars.... Wonder if repukes realize elephant society is
matriarchal?!?!?!? OK cartoons for repuke logo...)

But still... orange jump suits, bars, photos of shrubbie's smirking face in
their cells to remind them why they are there.... Priceless!!!

Patti and Truth!

Well said!!!

James Carroll | A Year of Living Dangerously
href="http://www.commondreams.org/views04/1228-20.htm">http://www.commondreams.org/views04/1228-20.htm

From America's Heartland: Europe Drops Out of the Picture
href="http://www.truthout.org/docs_04/122904L.shtml">http://www.truthout.org/docs_04/122904L.shtml

Kelpie Wilson | Like a Christmas Tree in the Gutter
href="http://www.truthout.org/docs_04/122904A.shtml">http://www.truthout.org/docs_04/122904A.shtml

Rebecca Clarren | Selling the Forest for the Trees
href="http://www.truthout.org/docs_04/122904G.shtml">http://www.truthout.org/docs_04/122904G.shtml

The last two links are for those people who are dismayed about BushCo's
environmental policies... or lack thereof.

Sorry for the typos. I THINK not THINKED, and heard alot of people SAY not
IN SAY.
My apologies.

Posted by: sparrow | December 28, 2004 10:54 PM

True... but when "adults" in mainstream media act like children, they need
to be chastized like children.....

They've had years of trying to tell us that Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny
are real and embodied by the image of shrubbie, but they haven't succeeded
in making us believe the images they've conjured up in their kool-aid
deliriums... I'd say a good dose of reality is just what they need to shock
them to their senses....

Well,

My last point before I hit the sack is trying to think about specific how to
define US instead of the 1000's of ways to define their corruption. I'm not
sure their corruption resonates with the public.

They lie, cheat, steal, and walk away scot free. Yet, democrats do anything
1/2 that and it's a massive outcry.

I really think we need to stop our side from bashing our own while sending
out more messages about OUR good qualities.

Because everytime we call them liars, people say, "well all politicians are
liars." So in effect we're painting us with he same stroke.

Well..maybe you guys have more active brain cells than I do..so on that
note...goodnight. When I wake up tomorrow and catch up on the blog, I'm
sure you all would have come up with the master plan.

Thanked you, Truth, for something similar on the last thread. As much as we
need to go forward with what we know, we also need to hear what we know to
be true of how we got here, with the valiant, and I believe, success against
the odds efforts, by our John Kerry. I am so disheartened by the blame
gamers and flame throwers, as if that would accomplish a change in the
presidency. As much as I will always hope, I want all the effort currently
in bashing be directed to positive beginnings, and a thorough recount and
investigation, state by state, to prove our case.

Around here, at least, we can remember. That helps. Thanks everybody.

Somehow, some way, they were taught in the past eight years,
at a very basic level, that Bush shared their moral value system.

Posted by: Truth Shall Prevail | December 28, 2004 10:45 PM

I know that you don't agree with the "moral values" argument as related by
your neighbors. Over the next several months to years, the DCP will show, at
a very basic level, that Bushco actually doesn't share any of your neighbors
moral values. The DCP will successfully demonstrate the amorality of buschco
policies. I envision a cell in rural America challenging the moral argument
as it is espoused by your neighbors. I see another cell headlining the New
York Times with their efforts to ensure transparent elections in their
county. I see another cell captivating young Americans (mid-teens) with the
hopes and dreams of the founders of our country. I see another cell
sponsoring a lecture series focussed on peaceful coexistence. I see another
cell working in their church or house of worship leading a discussion group
about important isssues of the day. I could go on and on.

I see our triumph when we develop a successful network of cells
communicating their projects to the entire network via this blog. The future
is bright not only for us, but for all of America.

Posted by: NonnyO | December 28, 2004 10:11 PM

Nonny O

I read the article and since I have a Ph.D. I guess I am one of those
progressive liberals--but I think I was this way before the doctorate. This
is really scary--the neocons are just a small percentage of our
population--and they seem to be taking over in the most insidious way.

What about good ol' American values like Superman's 'truth, justice, and the
American way?' Principles like equality and justice, and holding criminals
responsible for their actions like the war crimes being perpetrated in our
names - war crimes we did not approve of in any way, shape, or form...?

When I read that Russia and China are engaging in mutual military
activities, that other European allies are engaging in talks that exclude
the US, it "sounds like" the rest of the world has had it up to their
eyeballs with BushCo policies and they are taking a stand against the United
States because of BushCo's illegal activities in world affairs..... If
BushCo advocates invading any more countries, I think they will put a stop
to it - by military force, if necessary. What our senators and
representatives have failed to do by stopping BushCo and restoring our
checks and balances when he abused the powers he was given after 9/11, other
countries will do for us, if we don't encourage our senators and
representatives to clamp down hard on BushCo and stop the rise of corporate
fascism in the US. Communicating with our elected officials - and actually
getting through to them! - becomes imperative. If they don't do the will of
the people, they can be voted out of office in honest elections, too (at
least in those states with all-paper ballots where genuine recounts are
possible).

Sparrow:

Walt would turn over in his grave if he
could see what Disney has done to his
legacy. $$$$$

NonnyO,

VERY interesting. The concept that other countries could step forward and
do what we did not. Sobering.

Posted by: latina4justice | December 28, 2004 11:21 PM

I was this way before college - never stopped reading... the education was
to certify what I already knew, and add more to my knowledge base. To stop
learning, to stop questioning, means I'll be dead... mentally and/or
physically....

Okay, I admit it...I have an exceedingly low threshhold of boredom and I'm
obsessive about learning - and learning about many, many things...! :-)

Oncall, that's how I see this, as well. An internet and neighborhood remedy
to those hopscotching islands in the urban archipelago. They need
connection, and a way to flourish.

You see subject area cells helped by our specific knowledge or empathy. Some
may be solely on how to organize. Unlimited possibility.

Posted by: Truth Shall Prevail | December 28, 2004 11:38 PM

Sobering, indeed.... I've been following those stories about the Russian and
Chinese alliances, meetings of European nations, etc., for a few weeks now,
and the thought has occurred to me that our senators and representatives are
listening to repuke-controlled mainstream media news, and not getting enough
input from their constituents.... and if our senators and representatives
are not going to stop the madness occurring right here under our very noses,
then they should probably be told other points of view on the various issues
that come before them to vote on... and they should know that they can say
no to BushCo, and maybe that will make the news and some questions would be
asked by those who should have started asking questions a long time ago.....
Kind of a domino effect. But, yes. I believe it is in the realm of
possibility that if we don't urge our senators and representatives to take
steps to restore the balance of power in this country, others will do so for
us if/when BushCo starts grumbling about invading other countries with our
under-staffed military (most of whom belong here in this country, which is
where the National Guard units are supposed to be to protect us... not
stationed overseas fighting an illegal, immoral, and unethical war). It
would be cold comfort to tell the other half of this country's citizens "I
told you so!"

Oncall,

It is very encouraging and exciting!
Thank you!

Marjorie,

I would like to see ANYONE who hurls
flames and insults about John Kerry to
do what he has done to help
his fellow man. Including taking a
tour in a war zone. Try campaigning
as hard as he and Teresa, the Edwards,
and their families did. He has shown
bravery, and purpose, and discipline.
It's easy to be a blaming arm chair
quarterback. He has earned my respect
by laying his life on the line. He
put himself at considerable risk during
the campaign. And in my opinion, he
delivered the goods. It's not the
message, not the messenger, but the
stealth of the adversary. The stealth
of the cunning adversary.

Posted by: oncall | December 28, 2004 11:21 PM

Oncall:
you're right about all the different cells and all multiplying and
reproducing.

What the dcp andprogressives need to remember is that we all want close to
the same thing! We are more alike than different. Some arguments we may
win and others we may not. But in the overall spectrum we are more like US
than like them.

The more we tear each other to shred, the harder it will ever be to reunitie
with each other.

The republicans have allowed themselves to merge the religious zeolots, the
financially selfish corporate people, and the moderates too--and they don't
do it with the infighting that we do. They all learn to accept the party
line--differences and all.

That is what we need to do. As the dcp--as we build different cells-we also
need to learn to unite our cells for all our causes and to "let go" of
differences.

A wise person once told me, "The republicans have learned to
divide/divide/divide plus one--and that is how they win elections."

So until we learn how to unite/unite/unite plus one--they will always have
the upper hand. I think uniting our cells and uniting the progressives is
HOW we will change the DNC and Moveon and all--we will be the force because
we will have learned from each other how to UNITE and add. NOt divide and
subtract.

I kind of like this idea from someone at D.U.

Hmmmm...I'm not real great at biblical verses--but isn't ehre something
about feeding the poor? or giving is better than receiving. Maybe a lot of
letters to newspapers and calls to repubicans might show how little morals
Mr. Bush and friends have! What do you think?

*********************************

SHAME on you George Bush Junior if you spend this money to celebrate
yourself while 23,000 lay dead and millions are homeless and endangered.

I CHALLENGE you, George Bush, to show us the COMPASSIONATE in your
conservatism by DONATING ALL of your inauguration funds to relief for the
earthquake/tsunami victims.

_______________________________

According to the committee's Web site, seven corporations donated $250,000
each to help raise more than $3.3 million in the past six days. The updated
list of major donors was posted on the Web site Thursday.

More than $8 million has been raised for the inauguration, which is expected
to be one of the most expensive in history.

Inaugural organizers initially estimated that the cost for three days of
events would reach $50 million. Last week, the committee said it would spend
$30 million to $40 million, all of it from private donations.

href="http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/polit...">http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/polit...
_______________________________

SHAME on you George Bush if you waste this money on yourself.

Sparrow,

Plus I think perhaps Democrats are more
diverse. They are intellectuals, artsy
and nonconforming, independent (men and women), women who don't always want
to take the traditional female role of yesteryear; gays, minorities. They
are also the noncorporate people with a conscience and a backbone. People
get very testy about their uniqueness, in my opinion. They get defensive
about their uniqueness. A big goal of ours should be encouraging tolerance
and acceptance of
diversity. We are free enough to be diverse (unlike the neocons and alot of
the church who are conformers), so we can learn to be free enough to be free
to live and let live. Sure wish there was a way we
could win back some of those red states that used to be Dem.

Well, that's for another day, another time.

Hey guys, just checking in from my hotel... hopefully ill have more time to
be on tomorrow.

I just wanted to say on the subject of "Kerry bashing" it sadens me, too.
Not only is it not constructive, but id agree with many others here in
saying its wrong.

Has anyone here been to "toughenough.org"? Its just a small blog that
uplifted me with how they still stand by Kerry and move on to more
constructive things than bashing him. =)

Posted by: NativeTexan4Kerry | December 29, 2004 01:37 AM

NativeTexan

Thankfully there are still a few Blogs around that still stand by JK and are
doing constructive things. I check by ToughEnough on a regular basis and a
few other blogs that belong to former Kerry Bloggers who still believe!

Wish I could be there - href="http://kerryblog.blogspot.com/2004/12/not-just-republicans-have-balls.html">http://kerryblog.blogspot.com/2004/12/not-just-republicans-have-balls.html

John Kerry is cool.
This country is wierd.

Posted by: DiAnne | December 29, 2004 02:31 AM

True... very true!

Some bruising articles in the news:

1) Sadness --

Disaster's Toll Soars to More Than 76,000

href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A33255-2004Dec29.html">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A33255-2004Dec29.html

I still have not heard from my brother his wife and 2 small children who
live on Sumatra. They where scheduled to start a 2 week vacation of island
hopping the morning of the quake.

And Bush offers a few million while spending 200 billion to desstroy Iraq?

2) anger, or maybe a warning?

In a Clueless Party --

Scores of thousands of people, many of them paid (how else do you squander
$200 million?), knocked on millions of doors during this campaign. The
Democratic-leaning canvassers left information, repeated a canned sales
pitch and moved along. They did not engage the people in real conversation.
They did not listen to their concerns. They did not recruit real volunteers
to work on their own blocks. They did not take the time to find out which
pastor or rabbi was a leader in an area and which congregations people
attended. They were progressive salespeople with a high quota of contacts
and no time to relate, who disappeared from people's towns and lives the
very moment, on election night, that they learned the sale had not been
made.

href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A32586-2004Dec28.html">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A32586-2004Dec28.html

3) hope

Energetic New Faces . . .

Yet the year wasn't a total loss for the nation's oldest, if no longer
majority, party. In particular, it brought the greatest outpouring of new
Democratic activists since the epochal elections of 1968 and 1972, when tens
of thousands of preponderantly young, anti-Vietnam War volunteers flocked to
the presidential campaigns of Sens. Eugene McCarthy, Robert Kennedy and
George McGovern. None of those campaigns prevailed, but in time, the
Democratic Class of 1968-72 became the core of the modern Democratic Party.

href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A32609-2004Dec28.html">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A32609-2004Dec28.html

Lots of work for the DCP but we shall prevail.

I still have not heard from my brother his wife and 2 small children who
live on Sumatra. They where scheduled to start a 2 week vacation of island
hopping the morning of the quake.
Posted by: bob-in-co | December 29, 2004 11:03 AM
~~~~~~~~

May you receive good news soon!!!!!!

Pentagon: Rumsfeld misspoke on Flight 93 being 'shot down'
Defense chief said to remain firm plane crashed from passenger-terrorist
struggle
href="http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=42130">http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=42130
[On yesterday's early morning news, ABC affiliate KSTP mentioned this story
in one of its segments from Rummy's latest visit to Iraq. I saw nothing
about it in NYTimes or WaPo e-newsletters, or any of theother e-newsletters
I get, so I wrote to KSTP and asked for a link to the story, and got an
answer this morning.... With all the major news concentrating on the
earthquake/tsunami disaster, news of Rummy's latest gaffe could have passed
under the radar in mainstream media "infotainment news." The local news
broadcaster said the 9/11 conspiracy theorists had picked up on Rummy's
comment, but I did find it curious that no mention of Rummy's latest
"misstatement" was written about in mainstream media's newspapers (if it was
mentioned on TV's national news, I missed it - if I catch TV news by
accident I may watch it..., or not).... Interestingly, when I clicked on
links on the web site, it seems to be geared toward a right-wing neocon
audience... and clicking on the link for the speakers available, John
Stossel of ABC News (20/20) is on the list.... Of course, the other thing
that disturbed me is the fact that the local affiliate apparently got the
news item off of a neocon web site....!]

6 Members of Elite Navy Force Sue News Agency Over Photos
href="http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/29/national/29suit.html?th">http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/29/national/29suit.html?th
[WTF? The photos were posted on the Internet by a wife of one of the Seals,
and she didn't think anyone would find them?!?]

Director of Analysis Branch at the C.I.A. Is Being Removed
href="http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/29/national/29intel.html?th">http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/29/national/29intel.html?th
[Or, how to purge a government agency of people who might dare tell the
truth to power....]

Protection Denied In NIH Dismissal
href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A32315-2004Dec28.html?nav=rss_politics">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A32315-2004Dec28.html?nav=rss_politics
Escerpt:
"Fishbein contends that NIH is trying to fire him in retaliation for his
refusal to overlook shortcomings in research practices, including failure to
obtain proper informed consent, in NIH-sponsored studies of the drug
nevirapine on African research subjects." [AIDS research; Fishbein is a
whistleblower, but not being given whistleblower protection after he
reported what was wrong with the study...]

I haven't been checking this blog for a while, so someone may well have
posted this already, and certainly many or most of you already received this
directly through the johnkerry.com email list. But for those of you who may
have missed it the first time around, here's a message from John Kerry. For
those who have been impatient for some sort of statement or action from
Kerry, please note (see message below) that he's planning to visit Iraq in
January and also note the sentence that I've capitalized in that meessage.
If you donate $ for phone cards for the soliders, as he requests, be sure to
click the "John Kerry" box, so that Kerrycan go to Iraq in January with lots
of $ and credit in hand:

FROM JOHN KERRY (Dec. 23):"I hope this message finds you and your loved ones
enjoying the holidays. I have been thinking a lot about what our
johnkerry.com community can do to mark the end of what has been an
extraordinary year. We have formed bonds of friendship and commitment that I
know will extend far into the future.

"So, in addition to thanking you once again for all you have done, I'm
writing to invite your participation in one final 2004 act of collective
generosity. As a soldier, I remember how much it meant to hear from loved
ones - especially at the holidays. So, I thought you and I could work
together to make it easier for our soldiers serving in Iraq to phone home
and hear a friendly voice.

"We've found a program that does just that. Operation Phone Home is run by
the USO, which has been an extraordinary friend to American soldiers for
decades. The USO buys phone cards at cost and provides them to our soldiers
free of charge. You can help the USO help our troops this holiday season
right here:

href="http://www.uso.org/carddonations">http://www.uso.org/carddonations

"In January, I will go to Iraq to see the situation firsthand and personally
visit with our courageous troops who are serving America so well. Nothing
would please me more than telling them that hundreds of thousands of us have
expressed our thanks to them in this concrete and personal way.

"Your gift can help a soldier phone home.

href="http://www.uso.org/carddonations">http://www.uso.org/carddonations

"IN THE NEW YEAR, I WILL BE WRITING YOU ABOUT OUR 2005 PROJECTS AND
PRIORITIES. In the meantime, I hope you will enjoy this special time of
year. Thanks so much for your constant acts of friendship and your special
consideration of this request.

Sincerely,

John Kerry

"P.S. There are 140,400 U.S. military members serving in Iraq. Any calls
they make home to those anxiously awaiting their safe return are at their
own expense. A gift of $100 will provide 20 soldiers with a 100-minute phone
card. A $1,000 donation would do the same for 200 soldiers. Please help. A
friendly and familiar voice can mean so much to a soldier serving America so
far away from home.

href="http://www.uso.org/carddonations">http://www.uso.org/carddonations

Bob:
I am not deeply religious but I am praying for you and your family.

Yesterday someone posted that the US was sending $15 million to Indonesia.
My response: Big Deal. Do we not understand the enormity of this loss.
Obviously others feel the same way.

"Aid Grows Amid Remarks About Bush's Absence
The Bush administration more than doubled its financial commitment Tuesday
to provide relief to nations suffering from the Indian Ocean tsunami, amid
complaints that the vacationing President Bush has been insensitive to a
humanitarian catastrophe of epic proportions.

Is this unexpected? Don't blame me I didn't vote for the sob. Why in the
world is he once again getting a free pass?

Why are we not hearing from Nancy Pelosi and Sen Reid about this? Why all
this silence, aren't 70,000 lost lives significant enough. Where is the
humanity? So far only Bill Clinton has spoken out. Is he the only politican
left with common sense?

Posted by: Ira | December 29, 2004 12:11 PM

I saw that same story on a couple of e-newsletter links this morning.
Clinton has been criticized for speaking out, expressing his sympathy for
the victims of the earthquake - tsunami... (He was in England and reporters
there had been talking with him.)

So, even as shrubbie is continuing to enjoy his vacation at his ranch and
keeping silent (ironically, much like he did right after 9/11 - vacationing
is something for which he is spectacularly gifted), Clinton is criticized
for doing the right thing by speaking up when asked what he was thinking or
feeling about the situation. Go figure.....

Why does shrubbie always get a free pass??? Because the neocons control
mainstream media and no one in the Fourth Estate is willing to broadcast his
sins to the entire free world using our free airwaves, nor are they going to
hold him accountable and responsible for his actions or the actions of his
hand-picked staff who are loyal to shrubbie alone, and no one else....
They're afraid of speaking out because they will be blacklisted as
"unpatriotic," too, I'm sure. This is stuff only half of the US citizens
are aware of....

BTW, supposedly that aid number has gone up to $35 million. I've no idea
where we are getting the money for that, or if BushCo is including the
monies various charities are gathering here to send to the quake-tsunami
victims, and not all of that total will be coming from the US treasury.

I found it singularly odd that BushCo sent a destroyer and radar planes to
the region and had to pause and ask why, and what good it would do to send a
battleship and radar planes to that region when the victims of this
monumental tragedy need clean drinking water, food, and physical help to
bury the dead, and later they will need help to rebuild.... It is
comforting to know that the whole world is responding and sending whatever
help it can to the region....

As a P.S..... I would far rather we spend our treasury dollars to help out
victims of a horrible tragedy than spend one more penny on shrubbie's war in
Iraq.... and I want those kids who are in Iraq to come home to American soil
where they belong...!!!

Nonny:

$15 even $35 million is nothing. Yes we can afford that and even more if we
can spend $75 billion down the Iraqi rat whole each year. Where is the
humanity? Where is the outrage from the DNC leaders.Oh I forgot. There are a
lot of Moslims in this region that we could apparently care less about.

Just FYI-We started out offering 15M yesterday. Although the amount is now
up to 35M, the additional 20M is a "line of credit". Seems the chimp only
decided to make a statement after Clinton spoke to the BBC. This is what
passes for leadership these days. Excuse me while I go vomit!!!

Excuse me nancyjane but isn't that quote about a line of credit what Kerry
said about his vote on the $76 billion for Iraq and was mocked for. I should
stop reading these posts as it is making my blood pressure rise.Oh we can
throw $76 billion down the Iraq rat hole and not expect to be repaid, but
when 70,000 lives are lost and an election is over we expect it to be paid
back for a paultry and yes $20 million for this govt is a paultry sum. Say
it aint so.

Ira-I think your #'s are optimistic. I believe we're up to 200B for Iraq &
the death toll now being reported is over 100,000. I think this number is
going to go much higher. Also, we are VERY stingy when it comes to
assistance............

Among the world's two dozen wealthiest countries, the United States often is
among the lowest in donors per capita for official development assistance
worldwide, even though the totals are larger. According to the Paris-based
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development of 30 wealthy nations,
the United States gives the least -- at 0.14 percent of its gross national
product, compared with Norway, which gives the most at 0.92 percent.

href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A32337-2004Dec28.html">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A32337-2004Dec28.html

And meanwhile he's spending 40M on coronation #2.
Sure makes one proud to be an Amerikan doesn't it??!!

nancyjane:

the $76 billion I referred to was a a one year appropriation bill that Kerry
insisted be a loan in that infamous vote. How ironic. No how sad this
country has become.

" It isn't Uncle Sam playing Scrooge. It is the Bush administration."

Tax Cuts for the wealthy... Reduced Services for the poor...

Pells Grants, will soon be gone....

Social Security, a thing of the past...

Robert Kuttner, co-editor of The American Prospect and columnist for the
Boston Globe, says "You can't blame 'Uncle Sam' for what Bush does."

NEXT YEAR, 1.3 million college students will receive reduced Pell grants for
college aid. Another 89,000 currently eligible students will get no aid at
all. These cuts will save the Bush administration about $300 million, a
small part of what it needs to pay for its tax cuts and military forays.

more ... href="http://www.lightupthedarkness.org/blog/default.asp?view=plink&id=174">http://www.lightupthedarkness.org/blog/default.asp?view=plink&id=174

The more information that comes out about this enormous tragedy, the more
enraged at this administration I become.

href="http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/12/29/tsunami.diver/index.html">http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/12/29/tsunami.diver/index.html

snip
At the airport in Bangkok, other governments had set up booths to greet
nationals who had been affected and to help repatriate them, she said.

That was not the case with the U.S. government, Wachs told her mother. It
took the couple three hours, she said, to find the officials from the
American consulate, who were in the VIP lounge.

Because they had lost all their possessions, including their documentation,
they had to have new passports issued.

But the U.S. officials demanded payment to take the passport pictures, Helen
Wachs said.

For Bob in Colorado-have you seen this? Don't know if it will be of any help
but, worth a try. Hoping you hear from your family very soon............

The Swiss-based International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said its
site -- www.familylinks.icrc.org -- was already getting an active response
and registrations were building up fast as its existence became known.

This is from the Arizona Ecumenical Council.
Money is needed, not goods...
Thanks to all who participate..

Dear Friends,

One of the Arizona Ecumenical Council Bishops reminded us "Then was
fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah: 'Avoice was
heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her
children; she refused to be consoled, because they are no more'." (Matthew
2:17-18)

A poignant scene in the Broadway classic Les Miserables has the hero sing,
"There is a grief that can't be spoken." What does it mean that many more
than 1.5 million people are suddenly without their homes? What does it mean
that over 40,000 are known dead and that there will never probably be an
accurate count? Whole fishing villages are simply wiped from the face of
the earth.

The Lord Jesus always meets us in the person who is poor, homeless, hungry,
and naked. He is calling to us from southeast Asia in these days. Please
be generous in helping with disaster efforts by taking part in special
offerings at your church, through your synods or judicatories, the Red
Cross, Church World Service and other legitimate donation opportunities.
At this time only financial aid is needed for immediate assistance. There
is no place to store donated goods or any way for delivery of these items.

If you have any questions, please contact the Arizona Ecumenical Council,
602-468-3818. We will also accept donations to be forwarded to legitimate
relief agencies.

Actually, Kerry was only talking about a loan for the $20 billion for Iraqi
reconstruction not the portion that would go to support the troops. Also,
he was asking that the tax cut be rolled back for those over 200,000 income
to offset the Iraqi cost.

Seems we could find a measly $1billion for tsunami relief out of what has
been appropriated for Iraq but unspent.

Good theme for the alternative inauguration parties -- to raise money for
the tsunami victims our government can't afford to help.

The Swiss-based International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said its
site -- www.familylinks.icrc.org -- was already getting an active response
and registrations were building up fast as its existence became known.

Posted by: nancyjane | December 29, 2004 01:58 PM

Thanks nancyjane

Nuclear Capabilities May Elude Terrorists, Experts Say
href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A32285-2004Dec28.html?referrer=email">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A32285-2004Dec28.html?referrer=email
[Okay; I have a naive question: Given the fact that terrorists do so well
with low-tech weapons against high-tech military, why would they even want
to consider obtaining or using a nuclear bomb??? Is this speculation about
if or when or how terrorists might obtain a nuclear weapon yet another scare
tactic on the part of BushCo and/or the media he controls, all to keep the
ignorant in this country scared enough to keep voting the repukes into
office because they are stressing fighting a "war on terra"???]

House Ethics Panel Chief May Be Replaced
href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A32307-2004Dec28.html?referrer=email">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A32307-2004Dec28.html?referrer=email

GOP sets up Senate collision on judges
href="http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2004-12-26-judges_x.htm">http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2004-12-26-judges_x.htm

FBI Names 6th Counterterrorism Chief Since 9/11
href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A32313-2004Dec28.html?referrer=email">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A32313-2004Dec28.html?referrer=email

Dow Chemical Is Told to Curtail Pesticide Sales
href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A32287-2004Dec28.html?referrer=email">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A32287-2004Dec28.html?referrer=email

So, even as shrubbie is continuing to enjoy his vacation at his ranch and
keeping silent (ironically, much like he did right after 9/11 - vacationing
is something for which he is spectacularly gifted), Clinton is criticized
for doing the right thing by speaking up when asked what he was thinking or
feeling about the situation. Go figure.....
Why does shrubbie always get a free pass???. . Posted by: NonnyO | December
29, 2004 12:58 PM

________
Bush's hiding-out from this unprecendented tragedy is just more evidence
(added to his consistently , weirdly, detached, robotic statements about
lost lives in Iraq, his nonattendance at funerals of US soldiers, etc, etc,
etc) that Bush is not only an intellectually limited, but also emotionally
limited man. I will go to my grave still shaking my head as to why, really,
ANYone (not to mention 1/2 the voters) could vote for Bush on the basis of
"character", "morals", or "values" .
I care about character, integrity and values, too: in fact, that's EXACTLY
why I voted, proudly, for John Kerry. Kerry would not have been silent in
this situation; he would have had an immediate, appropriate, dignified,
thoughtful emotional response, and he would not have stinted on aid.

U.S. Seeks Assets of Ex-Riggs Executive
Government Alleges Improper Transfers
href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A32473-2004Dec28.html?referrer=email">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A32473-2004Dec28.html?referrer=email
Excerpt:
"Kareri, who joined Riggs in 1994, managed more than a dozen embassy
relationships. Equatorial Guinea's accounts at Riggs were fueled by hundreds
of millions of dollars in payments from oil companies producing the
country's vast reserves. At one point, Equatorial Guinea and its officials
had more than $700 million in various deposit accounts at Riggs. A federal
grand jury and the Securities and Exchange Commission are looking at whether
bribes were paid by U.S. oil companies to the ruling family of Equatorial
Guinea through the Riggs accounts."

You're welcome Bob-GOOD LUCK!!!!

Bob:

You are absolutely right in your ananlysis of the Iraqi vote. My point is
the irony of it.
Your suggestion about the alternative inauguration Humanity Theme is right
on.

Can you imagine the contrast of having a Humanity Ball to raise money for
the tsunami victims in absolute contrast to the Pioneer balls.
Brilliant idea Bob.

Sorry for the weird posts.... but these things will undoubtedly go totally
under the radar and not ever be mentioned in mainstream media, I'm thinking,
and are ongoing stories in print (Internet) media, even if they likely
haven't been mentioned on TV. Sorry to sound ignorant, but I really have
been ignoring national news and except for knowing they are covering
earthquake and Iraq stories, I have my doubts about anthing other news....
and BushCo seems to do their most damage behind closed doors when everyone
is paying attention to something else in the news and not paying attention
to their behind the scenes activities.... (like after 9/11.... when he was
vacationing but his staff was busy finding fictional links to Iraq.... and
the Patriot Act was being drafted and shoved through Congress....etc...)
With the world's attention diverted to the earthquake victims and the
aftermath, I expect BushCo is really, really busy coming up with something
else that will harm us all....

Auditor Found Recent Lapses At Fannie Mae
'Post-Closing Entries' Made After 3rd Quarter
href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A32472-2004Dec28.html?referrer=email">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A32472-2004Dec28.html?referrer=email
Excerpt:
"The report Fannie Mae issued yesterday, a formal statement that it had
fired KPMG, also said the accounting firm had cited "strong indicators of
material weaknesses" in Fannie Mae's internal controls. Those comments also
came after the OFHEO report, Greener said.

Fannie Mae said it is assessing the seriousness of "numerous observations"
KPMG has made about the company's internal controls to see if more needs to
be disclosed about them.

The District-based financial company faces few options in its search for a
new auditor. With the collapse of Arthur Andersen in the aftermath of the
accounting scandal at Enron Corp., there are only four giant accounting
firms. Ernst & Young advised Fannie Mae during its long-running defense of
its accounting. PricewaterhouseCoopers audits Fannie Mae's rival,
McLean-based Freddie Mac. And Deloitte & Touche helped regulators prepare
the report that faulted Fannie Mae's accounting."

Pentagon to Delay Lockheed Payments
Fees Tied to Joint Strike Fighter Goals
href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A32474-2004Dec28.html?referrer=email">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A32474-2004Dec28.html?referrer=email
[I posted a link to a story about Lockheed's governmental ties a week or two
ago which went into some detail about just how many governmental projects
they do, all in addition to the planes they make.... Lockheed benefits
hugely from the US government in many different areas....]

Nat Hentoff Has His Eye on Our Eroding Freedoms...But Do the Rest of Us?
href="http://www.buzzflash.com/interviews/04/12/int04062.html">http://www.buzzflash.com/interviews/04/12/int04062.html
"Nat Hentoff: ... I suggested in print that the Democrats, in their
reconsideration of what went wrong, should, among other things, make
themselves the party of the Bill of Rights. Most Americans will rally if
they know that their liberties are in danger."
[I don't know what to think about much of what Hentoff has to say in the
BuzzFlash interview.... but on this one answer he has a valid point....]

Ohio Recount Gives a Smaller Margin to Bush
href="http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/29/politics/29ohio.html?th">http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/29/politics/29ohio.html?th

The Soft Money Boomerang
href="http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/29/opinion/29wed2.html?th">http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/29/opinion/29wed2.html?th

Office Pool, 2005
href="http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/29/opinion/29safire.html?th">http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/29/opinion/29safire.html?th

Posted by: mbk | December 29, 2004 02:14 PM

I think I know what you mean.... Lucky I had hospice training years ago so I
recognize the anger and frustration and near-inability to come to terms with
the reality of this surreal world as part of the grieving process in my
depression.... With shrubbie as president (likely by fraud and stolen
elections), all I can do is hang my head in shame that so many of my fellow
Americans are so damned stupid they don't know what the heck they've done by
voting for him and using quotes from sound bytes as a justification for
doing so because they were too lazy to keep themselves informed from various
sources to find out the truth!!! Un-flippin-believable!!!

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