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Lessons To Remember
I spoke with some of the Princeton Fristibuster organizers last week about what they had to share with us. Their effort was a success in many ways, not the least of which was that they stayed with an action long enough to get national press and attention. At best, they may have re-ignited a student-led movement to restore democracy to this country.
Pete Hill, Peter Turner, Cathy Kunkel, and Karen Wolfgang were kind enough to reflect on the actions of the previous two-plus weeks and to discuss their own recommendations.
“Timing is everything,” Pete Hill pointed out. “If we had any control over this, we would not have done it right before finals.”
One thing they felt good about was role delineation. Peter pointed out “It’s important to have someone whose job it is to oversee everything, and who knows who would be good for each task.”
I asked about managing personalities. “No one ever blew up at anyone else. The emails were constant and the lines of communication were open all the time,” said Karen Wolfgang. They said that the email list became a little oppressive because it grew to huge numbers, but that it allowed them to be creative and to cross-fertilize. At times one individual or another would step up to the plate, and serendipitous camaraderie would be the result. They had to be very aware of the needs of the individuals regarding scheduling, but the large size of the group actually helped in those cases. They could fill in for each other as needed.
Karen added that the face-to-face meetings they had were also important. Cathy said that they were a true grassroots organization, with strong communication and attention to the process. They all seemed to feel that a very positive aspect of this ongoing effort was a narrowly defined and delineated focus. There was really no room for ideological conflicts—they were pretty much on the same page all the time.
The engine and genius of the entire idea was to keep it simple, according to Peter Turner. “We were thinking about what we were doing—consciously—all the time.”
In hindsight, they were aware that they needed more lead-time and organizing in gathering students from the DC region. There were very few who participated in the filibuster once they were here. If they were to do it again, they would send a few students down earlier to meet with campus student leaders at the colleges, or have students who remained at Princeton work solely on organizing student leaders in DC via the phones, emails and faxes.
They were concerned about making “devil’s bargains” with other groups and were therefore a little shy about asking other groups to help bring people in.
“On the media front, we were lucky, not skilled,” someone pointed out. The Hardball appearance was tricky, because the student Republican group found out about it and showed up, making the situation look far more contentious than it ever was. In actuality, several of the Princeton students filibustering were Republicans who felt strongly that the filibuster option needed to continue.
In general, they operated on a level playing field. There were twenty equal decision-makers. When a new decision was made, that decision was accepted by all and everyone moved forward.
I asked them if they had gotten tired. They said that, yes, they had, but that the webpage/webcam and attention they got from outside the campus re-energized them readily. Everything they did went up on the webpage and they could follow along with the energy they were creating.
In all, Peter Turner pointed out that “this was a clearly defined action, promoted heavily.” “As students, we occupy a unique social position. We are marginalized and can get away with antics in a way adults, who have to be responsible in a different way, cannot. If we were a different group, in a different time and place, we would have had to do it differently.”
As I have thought about their efforts, and seen the attempts to build on what they began over the past week, I am thinking about a number of lessons learned, from my own experiences as well:
1. The Big Tent vs. The Purist's Soapbox:
During the campaign, we all came to understand that the tent that housed those of us who wanted a change in the direction our country was headed would be larger and more diverse than might be comfortable. Contrast that with what goes on on some blogs-remaining-nameless, where the purity of ideology causes a good deal of energy to be spent on a circular firing squad. In such cases, it is easy for the forces of the neocons to simply move past us and create policy without our eyes on them. In other words, while we’re arguing about whether or not Howard Dean is doing the exact right thing, or saying what we think he should be saying, the Congress is passing National ID legislation.
2. Timing Is Everything
We all love the internet and what it has wrought in terms of lightning-speed reactions. Our own Five Minutes a Day for Democracy is actually do-able because of it. But perhaps we need to recognize that an email request received at 9 pm will not result in people re-arranging work and life schedules for full-press actions the next day. There is a big difference between pushing a button and filling out a petition, and leaving town to head to a state capitol for a peaceful confrontation with state or federal leaders. The Princeton kids were able to develop their participants over the course of days, and with a live webcam to boot. The idea grew organically and became a small groundswell. The lesson here is to be willing to start small, publicize widely, and see what grows. Pushing the timeframe cannot work. At the same time, one needs to attend to the rhythm of the change at hand. Is Congress in session? What is on the agenda? Are people headed for the beach instead of the Capitol?
3. Smoldering vs. Communicating
The students discovered that it is not useful to assume a strict hierarchy or to expect that one needs to evolve to same in order to work in concert. Role delineation need not mean stratification. There were times when one or another had to step up to the plate, so to speak, and the others might need to be quiet or attend to their school work at times. The seesaw of overfunctioning and underfunctioning can be another obstacle. If one person consistently overfunctions in a role, and others underfunction, the overfunctioner feels resentful and the underfunctioners feel guilty. Always. It is important for everyone committed to activism in a complex social world to take care of self, attend to the whole, and listen well.
4. Message Discipline
Peter’s understanding that “this was a clearly defined action, promoted heavily” is also useful to remember. The media is far more likely to “get” a simple but elegant idea over a complex divergent message. It is also critical to be like a dog on a bone with that simple elegant message. The right-wingers are very disciplined about staying on their simple messages; we have a history of ADHD, tending to be easily distracted as new concerns come along. Keep it simple.
5. Fringe or Vanguard?
The Princeton kids could pull off this piece of political theatre, in part because they are already considered antic-prone. We have seen a long history of student-led rebellions. When fringe members of society are successful in leading towards innovation, they become vanguard members of society. It’s tricky to move from being marginalized to being leaders. But it happens a lot. This is not, currently, a culture that is innovation-friendly. Those who voted for George Bush and who still support him are the most resistant to change. Therefore, the earnestness and basic kindness of the Princeton kids is important to note. If any one of us is to move into the vanguard positions, it will need to be with some understanding of the source of resistance on the right, a sensitivity to the pacing of change, and the courage to speak up in the face of occasional ridicule.
6. The National Conversation
The last time we all had such a public and clearly divided conversation was during the Vietnam War. As I watched people in conversation about the issues at hand over the past two weeks, I have seen evidence of the power of simply connecting. There are those who only want to shout at us—to prove an alliance with power that is telling, as in the (usually) men who begin an interchange by pointing us out as “losers” and “cowards”. They are not interested in conversation. But many are. There are those who are truly uninformed and somewhat curious about the passions that we can display for justice and peace and participatory democracy. For those people, it is always critical to heed the words of DiAnne: “Tell them something they don’t know.” It is also important not to engage in hyperbole or paranoia—speak the truth quietly and clearly. As we continue this struggle over the next weeks and months, let us heed the lessons learned already. There will be many more to add.
2. Timing Is Everything
When the national filibuster was announced, it was clear that the timing was off--by at least 24 hours. We should have done this all day Monday and into the evening.
All weekend, while we were discussing whether or not the compromise would be reached, it seemed likely that the moderates would want to avoid a large national showing and media coverage of same.
So last evening's announcements were not a surprise. I do think, however, that MoveOn's crew need to think about timing a little more thoroughly.
Could we have mobilized a national effort in four days? What do you think?
BTW, next issue up: MUST be Iraq, folks. National Security and media coverage of same.
RE: National Security...
Wash Post has a 2-article series about the technology issues around homeland security, its cost, and its failures.
Contracting Rush For Security Led To Waste, Abuse
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/05/21/AR2005052100778.html
U.S. Border Security at a Crossroads
Technology Problems Limit Effectiveness of US-VISIT Program to Screen Foreigners
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/05/22/AR2005052200613.html
Also, Clark Kent Ervin, former DHS Inspector General, will be online Tuesday, May 24, at 2:30 p.m. ET to discuss The Post's report.
In a special report, Post reporters Scott Higham and Robert O'Harrow Jr examine how homeland security contracting is run. After the terror attacks on New York and Washington, the U.S. government rushed to secure the nation. Billions of dollars were spent but the government's own internal audits have repeatedly questioned the cost and effectiveness of the equipment and security systems purchased from corporations that received a torrent of money under loosened regulations, limited oversight and tight congressional deadlines.
Submit your questions before or during the online event: http://discuss.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/zforum/content/submit_nation23.htm
Wonderful photo on the main page (& poem) - thanks Karen!
Re Iraq, national security & media coverage - & we must not let Afghanistan recede in our memories. I've been following Karzai's trip to the US & a foreign article called him a "contortionist" because of all the hoops he had to go through on his trip here. He came with a mission of asking for help & of expressing outrage about events in detention centers there & was pushed into a conciliatory meeting with W where he had to agree to "work together" & not have his grievances addressed or his requests fulfilled. As a leader, he must feel like an installed "puppet" but he also loves his country, I think.
US Not For Any Afghan Say In Troop Operations
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/2916.html
..or in operation of prisons
Karzai Interviewed on "All Things Considered"
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4663336
http://www.afgha.com/?af=article&sid=49161
Poppies are blooming in my yard & in Afghanistan.
Hey all another drop in.
In some ways I think what our Democratic Reps did on the filibuster, might be seen as a weakness by the other side. I am sort of glad the showdown was averted for now, but does anyone truly believe it was averted forever? I do not. The Republicans in control are to power hungry.
We keep hearing how they are not doing any differant than the Dems when they were in control. But I can not honestly remember any of the extreme things that the Republicans have proposed or done being proposed or done by the Democrats when they had control. The press rarely mentions this aspect of things when they report on what is happening, and to me this is very sad. The one that gets me is very few News agency's even bother to point out that Republicans who were the minority for the first few years of the Clinton Admin., blocked a whole lot more of his nominees than Democrats have of Bushes. It seems me to me we have released some of the power we could have gotten from forcing a stand on this issue. For once in a long while Democrats had the full support of the majority of the public on this issue. McCain knew this its why he worked so hard to broker a deal, Bush and the bulk of the Republican party, may be blind but a few in there are far from stupid, McCain being on of those who is just smart enough to be dangerous. Next time Neo-cons push somthing that has no public support those who represent us better be ready to do so! We as activists can only do so much. We need the support of those who supposedly represent us to actually accomplish anything. 2006 is awefully close, we have a real chance to get at least a few more seats and get a larger voice, I am praying we do not blow it!
Here is the news - women aren't in it, American researchers discover
New York: Men are far more likely than women to be named as sources in US news stories, despite women comprising just over half the population and nearly half of the workforce, a study has found.
The Project for Excellence in Journalism said the disproportionate use of male sources in US media ranged from national affairs to entertainment and across newspapers, broadcast and cable television and online.
"The numbers suggest that the representation of women as sources in the news has a significant distance to go toward reflecting their role in American society generally," it concludes.
The study on gender in news coverage found men were relied on as sources more than twice as often as women. In every topic category except for "lifestyle" stories, most items named at least one male source.
Only in lifestyle stories, such as those related to parenthood, were named sources mostly women. Female sources were least likely to be cited in stories about foreign affairs, it said.
The study, titled The Gender Gap: Women Are Still Missing as Sources for Journalists, said men held most of the positions of authority in the US government that would lead them to be quoted as sources.
Among house press secretaries, the people to whom reporters usually speak, 44 per cent were women. Fifty-one per cent of all house staff members were women.
One or more female sources were used in 44 per cent of stories about government, compared with 86 per cent of such stories citing male sources.
Among different media, newspapers were the most likely to cite at least one female source in a story. Cable television news was least likely.
The study was based on an analysis of 16,800 news stories during 20 randomly selected days over nine months. It looked at 45 news outlets, including newspapers, broadcast television and websites.
The report can be viewed at http://www.journalism.org.
For once in a long while Democrats had the full support of the majority of the public on this issue.
Posted by: April at May 24, 2005 09:11 AM
Not just this issue...
On domestic issues, the president's approval ratings are at an all-time low -- 40 percent of respondents approve of his work on the economy and 33 percent approve of his plans for Social Security changes.
On the Iraq war, the president's approval mark remained low -- just 40 percent of those agreed with the way he is handling the situation.
But many said they differ on the issues that matter most to them -- 57 percent disagreed with the president, while 40 percent said they agreed.
The poll also indicated Americans might want a change in Congress, with 47 percent of all respondents saying the country would be better off if Democrats were in control, compared with 36 percent who favored Republicans. Nine percent picked "neither."
http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/05/23/bush.poll/index.html
I got yer mandate right here.
Posted by: MoNkEy at May 24, 2005 09:32 AM
The wonderful thing about this poll is it was conducted by Gallup. We all know where their numbers usually stand they poll a higher majority of Republicans even if Republicans make up a smaller portion of the Electrate. Makes one wonder how the next poll will look by someone else.
Oh Incedently did anyone else notice how gas prices have miraculously started to lower after Bush's pretty much failed meeting with the Saudi's? I believe Bush called up his Buddies and said Hey guys you are killing me here, how about we get those prices down and see if my approval rating comes back up! but that is just my opinion :)
Ken Salazar (one of the Senate moderates) just nuked James Dobson and the Religious Right on MSNBC. He described these groups as "unchristian", and as wanting to impose a Saudi Arabian-like theocracy on America, etc. Good for Salazar.
Karen,
I went over to the MoveOn site to see what was happening in my area, only to discover that the "big event" was a filibuster in Michael Bloomberg's Office. Bloomberg was a Democrat until about ten minutes before he decided to run for Mayor (and sensibly understood that there was no way that an outsider could hope to wrest the Democratic nomination from the party establishment). He supports Gay Marriage, Reproductive Choice, etc.
If this was the best plan that the MoveOn organizers could come up with, then MoveOn needs to find new organizers.
Dobson on the filibuster compromise:
http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=47847
- SNIP -
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., May 23 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Focus on the Family Action Chairman Dr. James C. Dobson today issued the following statement, upon the announcement by members of the U.S. Senate that a "compromise" had been reached on the filibuster issue:
"This Senate agreement represents a complete bailout and betrayal by a cabal of Republicans and a great victory for united Democrats."
Apparently, Dr. Dobson wants 100% of his agenda, 100% control, 100% adherence to his viewpoint.
It's not gonna happen. Ever. Unless he wants to move to his own island and start his own country. A concept of which I personally am highly supportive.
BTW, let's not forget about the damning Downing Street memo...we need to make this a very big deal, IMHO...
http://www.downingstreetmemo.com/index.html
Posted by: madame defarge at May 24, 2005 10:12 AM
Madame,
In the forum, I posted a letter "from my heart". And I have sent that memo with it.
I also sent them the information about torture and Bush's authority to perform torture.
Posted by: Victoria ellen at May 24, 2005 10:02 AM
Maybe Dobson should direct his attention to getting some of his so-called christian brethren to focus on the family a little less...
Police: Church sex abuse case may involve 24 children
Louisiana pastor arrested and charged with child rape
http://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/05/22/louisiana.church/index.html
Speaking of abuse, I highly recommend the Showtime original film, "Our Fathers". The film tells the story of the Catholic Church child abuse scandal in Boston. The next showing is, I believe, Wednesday night.
Cyranno and mOnkEy,
Just remember you can't paint all Christians with that same brush.
To do so would be the equivalent of them comparing all liberals to Satan.
Gang:
We haven't seen the end of a contentious Congress. Figure Rehnquist going public with his intention to retire, and the whole ball of wax starts again.
I think we have to think in broader terms about lessons learned--we need to focus on how to prepare and expand efforts for the next battle--The Supreme Court.
remember that the neocons have their lessons learned too.
Posted by: Suz at May 24, 2005 11:31 AM
Suz, that's not what I was doing. I was recommending an outstanding film that describes copiously documented recent events - and portrays the righteous outrage of the Catholic community.
I was also reporting on remarks made by a United States Senator in reference to a group of people who apparently would have little problem with the overthrow of our system of government.
I was being very specific.
Posted by: Suz at May 24, 2005 11:31 AM
I would never generalize an entire group based on the behavior of some.
However, when morals and values are legislated (translation: forced) upon ALL based on faith, I'd better see the so-called "leaders" of that intertmingled faith-political bloc cleaning their own house before they tell me what to do with mine, which by the way, I can handle just fine on my own, thank you very little.
The devil is in the details.
Some notes about the process:
1) Dobson and the Christian Right are taking the compromise as a blow. This is a tactic to keep his base riled up and contribute money to go to blows the next, and perhaps most important round--the Supreme Court.
2) If progressives take this as a blow and shoot at each other, we will have killed our troops before the most important battle begins. Let's break the habit of shooting at each other when we have nothing better to do. Let's instead use this to gain tactical knowledge of the opponent's weaknesses and strength, as well as our own, to move on to the next battle.
3) I wish, and pray, and hope that please God THIS time, that progressive Democrats, centrists, and moderates of all stripes start building a coalition. Because that in the end will work. Looking at the Gallup polls--this is what the PEOPLE want. If we can come together to build an agenda that actually DEALS with the problems everyday Americans think about--like Social Security, National security and jobs, there goes your winning slate, regardless of party lines---for 2006.
I compare what's happening in Congress to driving by a publicly funded multi-million dollar construction site one year and watching a bunch of superintendents chewing the fat while the projects lulled. Drivers in front, and behind, and passengers in my car screamed:
MY TAX DOLLARS!!! GET OFF YOUR BUMS AND GET BACK TO WORK!!!
It sure feels good reading this...
Bill Frist’s Power Failure
May 24, 2005
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist and right-wing conservatives suffered a major defeat last night when a bipartisan group of 14 senators struck a deal to defuse the nuclear option. In reaching this deal, these senators rejected Frist’s core argument that the judicial filibuster is unconstitutional. The compromise recognizes the right of senators to filibuster judicial nominees in extraordinary circumstances and two Bush nominees – William G. Myers III of Idaho and Henry Saad of Michigan – will probably be withdrawn or subject to filibuster. Conservatives declared this compromise a defeat, and while this agreement has its downsides – the probable confirmations of Judges Pryor, Owens and Rogers Brown – it is a victory for those who want to preserve the filibuster and traditions of the Senate.
This agreement assures that the nuclear option will not be invoked in the 109th Congress. In the agreement reached, the senators vowed not to invoke a rules change in this Congress. Section IIB of the compromise states: "In light of the spirit and continuing commitments made in this agreement, we commit to oppose the rules changes in the 109th Congress.” Section IIA makes clear that senators maintain their commitment to the agreement as long as they only filibuster in "extraordinary circumstances," a determination to be based on their "own discretion and judgment."
Conservatives have declared this compromise a defeat. James Dobson – who helped lead the charge for the nuclear option as chairman of Focus on the Family – called the compromise a crushing defeat and “betrayal by a cabal of Republicans.” Gary Bauer, president of the right-wing American Values, said that Republicans who supported the compromise have “undercut their President as well as millions of their most loyal voters.”
The compromise calls on the White House to once again actively consult the Senate on judicial nominees. During prior administrations of both parties, the White House routinely consulted with both Republican and Democratic senators. The compromise reached last night calls for the president to consult with members of both parties prior to submitting nominations to federal courts. This step – which is consistent with the requirement that the Senate not just consent but "advise" on judicial nominees – could significantly reduce the partisanship and acrimony that plagues the process.
Daily Talking Points is a product of the American Progress Action Fund.
"Republicans reserve the right, individually, to support the nuclear option if they believe Democrats are abusing the agreement. Democrats said the final language on that point is closer to what they had wanted. But at the news conference, DeWine explicitly said that if the agreement breaks down, Republicans in the group feel free to support the use of the nuclear option."
Sounds to me that Dewine and Frist plan to use the nuclear option again as soon as a filibuster is ever used again by a minority. And for this we give the most radical judges in my lifetime a free pass. Seems like we have only delayed the inevetable showdown and got nothing for it. What a deal.
Posted by: mOnKeY at May 24, 2005 11:49 AM
Yeh, MoNkEy,
I know you would not do that. And I agree with you, I would TRUST them just a little more, if they cleaned their own ranks before they told US how to behave.
But you know what? I can not throw the word "hypocrite" around anymore.
Maybe it's time to call them what they are: "pharissees!"
And wasn't it during the campaign that a minister in Colorado who was part of the Bush re-election committee was found guilty of child pornagraphy or pediphia? Perhaps I'm remembering that wrong.
But mostly mOnKeY, my reason for my post to you and Cyranno is so that OTHERS don't get the impression that you were painting all with that same stroke.
Posted by: Cyrano at May 24, 2005 11:42 AM
Hey Cyrano,
I know you weren't either, but I just wanted to make sure OTHERS knew you weren't either.
MonKey and Cyrano,
Since we can agree you were NOT painting a whole group that way, will you agree to paint something else with me?
There's 3 big ROCKS I would love to go paint, "PROOF BUSH KILLS, DOWNING STREET MEMO!".
So you comin'?
1) Dobson and the Christian Right are taking the compromise as a blow. This is a tactic to keep his base riled up and contribute money to go to blows the next, and perhaps most important round--the Supreme Court.
Posted by: Fe at May 24, 2005 12:26 PM
The devil is in the details.
Posted by: mOnKeY at May 24, 2005 11:49 AM
He sure is. "Uncle Karl" is laughing all the way to the bank. Dobson feels betrayed. What was his first clue? I can NOT fathom why he cannot SEE how his group is being used. Naivete', is what I think. Maybe there is hope yet: maybe he and his followers truly don't know about the evil empire Darth (Uncle Dick) is leading. Throw a little truth and honesty his direction, and who knows what could happen?
Now, mind you, I am NOT saying Theocracy is good. I am only saying I still don't think Dobson knows he is flirting with more danger and evil than he is able to imagine or even accomplish with Theocracy alone. Theocracy is counterproductive, and not in the interest of freedom, and we don't want it. The evil empire goes WAY beyond that. Maybe that's where we need to focus, on educating ALL, including members of Dobson's following and ilk. I sincerely don't think they realize the depth of depravity they are getting mixed up in, and their agenda is dangerous enough alone. I don't, however, think it is the greater of freedom and democracy's enemies.
Progressive social issues; civil rights, voters rights, womens rights, fair election laws, equal education, and the hundreds of less well known acts that empowered people, all people, are what made this Nation Strong. It is what Made America the envy of the world.
People flocked to our shores because of opportunity. America Had an Education System that hypnotized the world, backed by years of progressive social change. We created jobs for millions of people, regardless what color, faith, or background you came from. We created Engineers, doctors, bridge builders and rocket scientists, because we fought for social change first.
The Economy of the 1970's through the end of the 90's was not an accident, it was a planned thoughtful excercise. Civil rights opened the door to millions of people otherwise left behind, equal education gave them tools to step through that door. The social net helped millions of people otherwise not able to help themselves lead a productive life.
The high tech economy did not appear out of thin air, it came because Great social movements preceeded it. There would be no Microsoft today had it not been for African Americans fighting for civil rights 40 years ago. These two issues are directly related, and must be recognized as such.
Our Economy did well because Americans fought for a better world. We need to continue fighting for that better world the same way we did years ago.
America used to march and shake the pillars of government. The White house trembled at the voices of hundreds of thousands of people, gathered at the Lincoln memorial 40 years ago.
This is what progressive social change does, and what it looks like. It is what made the economy strong, and American education the gold standard. We need to do this again. We need to shake the pillars of the White House, and rattle the silverware. We need to make our voices heard above the Mainstream media, above the allure of Money in the Political system.
American has come to a standstill, frozen by fundamentalist desire to go backwards, to stall change. We cannot allow this, we must not allow this.
We need biochemists, bridge builders and Laboratory technicians. But we need social change first. This Nation created its Future before, we need only follow the examples laid down so well by past leaders. We can create our future again.
Toolmaker,
I agree with you.
How do we get people to ACT, like they did 40 years ago?
We need to remember and follow the legacy and the voices of Robert F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Karen.They led the path for us to follow, it is up to us. Its in us, we just need a leader like I hoped John Kerry would be to carry us there.
We must inspire action. We need to bring people, All people, Everyone, to realize without their involvement there is no Republic. There is only the Illusion.
We need to assemble peaceably, hundreds of thousands strong in Washington DC. We need outreach to Moderates, to Activists to Everyone with a Vested interest to see this nation Progress. Then we do the same in Chigaco, in San Francisco, in Denver....we raise money for local progressive programs; womens outreach, food kitchens, homeless shelters.
We need to organize speakers from the Honorable Senator Barak Obama to Social Workers managing soup kitchens. We need the Girl that spoke at the Democratic Convention, the Kids for Kerry dynamo. We need Teachers, Bridge Builders and Rocket Scientists talking about this Nation.
We need evangelicals that see through the Politicizing of their religious beliefs, and we need Muslims talking about their fears.
We need to stop being afraid of confrontation and actively pursue it. We should be seeking this Battle for the future of our Nation, that is what Americans are supposed to do. Our ancestors went to war to insure Liberty, Freedoms, and the right to Fillibuster in the Senate. We need only show up and support our fellow Human Beings.
Most of all we need the DCP.
Toolmaker,
That girl who told Vice-President Potty Mouth to park it in Time Out is named Ileana Wexler. I was just having a conversation about her with Bob Fertik, the head of Democrats.com and wondering what she has been up to.
I was wondering if she would like to write something for the Democracy Cell Project. Maybe an open Dear John Kerry letter...