Open Thread to Sen. Kerry and Kennedy

Senators Kerry and Kennedy:

Thanks for your leadership. We need to continue showing that we MUST fight in order to hold ground and GAIN ground. In both cases, massive amounts of energy are needed. Thanks for yours today.

Thanks to both of you, Senator Kerry and Senator Kennedy. You were both eloquent on our behalf. Even though it was not likely to meet with success, it was important to put a stake in the ground and make the point that candidates like Alito are unacceptable.

And to elaborate on what we do need to see in a nominee for the Supreme Court. Thank you for fighting for us and not just sitting back and letting this opportunity to speak out -- to elaborate on important progressive principles -- pass you by.

Thank you for your efforts to stop alito and the dictatorship he will try to install. We must keep fighting and win. The NSA spy scandal must be accurately portrayed to the American people.

Please buy airtime if you need to explain what the real Democrats are trying to do to save our country and the Fourth Amendment.

Thank you again for your courageous stand.

Senator Kennedy and Senator,

For so very long, both of you have given me at least some hope in the political process, and in the face of staggering odds - from Nixon through Reagan to these unprecedented "interesting times."

Thank you for all you have done, with this recent action of opposing the turn of the Supreme Court to the far right and for all the votes you have made, situations you have studied and tried to affect the outcome of and for being role models for living. Thanks for making us more respected in the world, as many know we don't all support the direction the country has been going in.

Peace from Seattle.

Dear Senator Kerry,

I had a wake up call this weekend. That wake up call was when I heard Fox news saying, "Only the far left liberals support the filibuster."

So I thought to myself, "Hmmm...Am I far left?"

So I thought to myself everything I knew about Alito. I thought to myself about all the other justices. And I thought about our constitution and what it means to me and my family.

I thought of the little ten year old girl strip searched (against the 4th amendment in the Constitution), and I thought about all the young girls who were affected by Alito's ruling.

It made me realize that the left liberal stuff really doesn't matter. If I'm left then I'm left but I'm also right too! Little ten year olds should not have to endure strip searches without a specific judges order.

All of this will come back to the supreme court later when they hear arguments related to Bush's illegal wiretaps. I personally do not feel that Alito answered the questions. I also feel the media (as usual) turned a blind eye to truth about his record.

So in the end, I beleive most people would have wanted the filibuster to succeed if only to be convinced that all the questions asked of Alito were asked and answered and that the media did it's job in reporting the facts.

I know it's hard to stand up and be heard in DC with all the spin and lies, but I thank you for trying.

Could this vote be the one that splits up the democratic party from the progressives? If this happens then what would be the result? Would this embolden the neocons and Republicans even more?

Why were Democrats so afraid to talk about the other issues with Salito? It wasn't just the abortion! And why aren't they standing up for right and wrong?

Whereas the Republicans and the theologians bind together, in thick and thin, the progressives and Democrats find themselves unable to work together to accomplish big and better things for Americans.

Sincerely folks, I highly encourage you to run for office. Maybe it is time for a three party system. (Though I personally wanted to see the Republicans and neoCONS split up, it seems that maybe they're more alike than I thought.)

Sparrow:

They are not more alike. They have party unity.

Dear Senators Kerry and Kennedy:

This is a difficult message for me to write, because quite frankly, I'm mad as hell and I can't fake it any more.

You two spoke earnestly and eloquently on behalf of the everyday citizens of this democratic republic of ours, and you were joined in today's voting by dozens of other courageous and committed Senators who felt as strongly about our issues as you so clearly do.

I am appalled and digusted at the sorry state in which the tattered remnants of the once-proud Democratic Party stand today. But I am still impressed by the courage and honesty of you and the duly-elected Democrats who chose and still choose to stand tall against the devious machinations of the Rove-centered neocons who have taken over the GOP.

I have tried my best to keep faith with the Democratic Party as an organization. Alas, I find that I have finally failed in that attempt. I do, however, still have faith in individual democrats like you and those who chose to stand up and be counted alongside of you.

Thnak you both for your stalwart service and for your steadfast example of what the Dems as a whole should, and maybe still could, be someday.

with gratitude if not quite joy,
Otter

Posted by: Fe at January 30, 2006 07:53 PM

Fe,

We can not have party unity when half the party and the other 'moderate' half of the Republicans show no backbone!

Ethics, Fe! Ethics is sorely lacking! I'm sorry but that is what all of this is boiling down to and I'm boiling mad! I demand some HONEST, compassionate, compelling, and couragious people run for office!

Is that asking too much?

A heartfelt and loving thank you to both of you. It was worth it, it is worth it and speaking truth to power is all our jobs,

marjorie

I haven't been so proud to be a Democrat since I stood under the balcony at Pioneer Square and watched John Kerry and Howard Dean come together for the benefit of the American people.

This ain't over guys, not by a long shot. We didn't win this fight, but they heard us. Pick a Senator and a Congressman and contact them every day.

No Retreat, No Surrender!!

Dear Senators,

Thanks for leading a valiant fight against the tyranny and the fascism that marks the W Administration.

This was an uphill battle from the start, but the vast majority of Americans found Alito too extreme to entrust with a seat on the Supreme Court. The two of you made it clear, and even though you may not have victory, you have moral victory on your side, just for having put up the best resistance you could.

There are DINOs (Democrats in Name Only) who should be sent to the other camp, like the segregationists of the 1960s. But if that is what it takes to make the Democrats a party that matters again, so be it.

Again, thanks for the valiant fight. I will be supporting you all the way, like I supported Senator Kerry's successful-if-not-for-Diebold presidential campaign in '04.

Senators Kerry and Kennedy:

I will be moving to Massachusetts in several months and am so looking forward to having the honor of calling you my senators! You are both truly Profiles in Courage. I showed some of my conservative-leaning friends Senator Kerry's speech on the floor of the senate and each of them strongly opposed Alito after watching it. So do not worry. We will get the message out and the people of this country will know the truth and believe that they can act on it again.

Dear Senators,

Thank you for standing up for our country. Although this loss may be stinging and terrifying, to have done nothing would have been far, far, worse. If you are seen as the party who only fights battles you can win, you lose justification for even being in the game. There are times when all you have standing in between you and Tyranny is the ability to throw yourself on the tracks in front of their oncoming theft of Liberty. No matter the consequences. This was one of those times, and you should be proud, because we are proud of you.

My thoughts yesterday kept returning to the young man in Tiananmen Square who put himself in front of that tank, which could have easily crushed him. But he knew. He knew that the tank was tyranny and his voice was all he had to oppose it.

Thank you for raising your voices, Senators.

We heard you.

Sparrow:

Your post underscores my point. The moderate Repubs are in party lock-step, even while it kills them, while the vacillating half of the Democratic party will kill themselves before walking in party unity.

Hey Lou. How's life?

I understand the anger towards those Democratic senators who did not support this filibuster or who are supporting Alito. I am as angry as anyone. I believe that those senators have let the American people down in the worst way. HOWEVER, the problem lies within these specific senators and their priorities (and perhaps in their ability to get the message out to their constituents). This is not a problem of the Democratic Party as a whole. Sure, those Democratic senators who support Alito do not deserve the honor of calling themselves Democrats. In fact, I hope that they are replaced in the senate! But let us not wish to be more like the Republicans with their lock-and-step, herd-of-sheep unity. Let us not forget what Senator Kennedy said at the DNC in 1980:

"There were some who said we should be silent about our differences on issues during this convention, but the heritage of the Democratic Party has been a history of democracy. We fight hard because we care deeply about our principles and purposes. We did not flee this struggle. We welcome the contrast with the empty and expedient spectacle last month in Detroit where no nomination was contested, no question was debated, and no one dared to raise any doubt or dissent."

The party's failure to unite on the issue of Alito is terrible and needs to be addressed. I find it unconscionable that any senator differed from Senators Kerry and Kennedy in this case. But sometimes, differences within the party are something to be proud of, as Senator Kennedy said, and it's important that we not lose sight of that.

When the DCP was formed...there were two main ideals that were deemed to be paramount...one was media reform, the other was the voting process reform. It now seems clear that we somehow lost track of those two concepts, and their importance.

The media STILL continues to fail to report the bloodless, neocon coupe that occurred in 2000.

The need for voting reform to ensure that these "DINO"'s (love that term ally!)DO NOT get re-elected in 2006...to come back and supposedly speak on our behalf is MOST important.

As for those who DID speak out, and you all know who you are...THANK YOU!!!

Oh! One more thing for the Senators from Massachusetts:

"These are the times that try men's souls: The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it Now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict the more glorious the triumph."
Thomas Paine, "The Crisis," 1776

Thank you to all the good Dems who voted for the Constitution and for civil liberties and privacy today. Thank you to my Sens Kennedy & Kerry for leading this fight. (Sen. Kennedy, I got the sig forms this week. I will meet quota, I promise! LOL!)

Obviously we have a ways to go. But last week we had 2 votes of conscience, today we had 25. That is something to build on. I am not defeated, I believe we have just gotten started.

pcdoc
The media is also ignoring the new book about cheating in the 2004 election

Thank you for your boldness and valiant efforts today Senators Kennedy and Kerry. A piece of each and everyone of us here at the DCP was with you on the Senate floor this afternoon. We had your back Senator Kerry.

Our country is seriously adrift Senator Kerry, and I for one will be with you on the 2008 battlefield as one of your footsoldiers if you should choose to make that sacifice. Hopefully those of here and across the country appreciate even more the fight You put up in November 2004 to steer this country in a different direction and how important our efforts as citizen soldiers were to that cause.

We need your voice, we need your passion, we need your inspiration to lead us us out of this wilderness and towards a better tomorrow for our nation.

To those Senators who took the easy path today they should remember that the whole world is watching how we as a party conduct ourselves and when we choosen to stand up for our values.We lost much today and expect much better of our party in the future.

The Road Not Taken By Robert Frost

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference."

Five months, five years, ten years from now-who knows? There will be millions of Americans who will wonder why they didn't step up and support your courageous fight. Some would say It would have been easier not to have taken the stand you did, but I don't think it would be easy for people of conscience-like yourselves-to watch our Constitution come under attack. Who knows when it will happen, but it will, our Constitution will be brutally and shamelessly laid to waste by a judiciary that will have abandoned its responsibilty to it. That is when millions of Americans will realize that there were two Americans who took their oath to defend the Constitution seriously. Thank-you for showing Americans what real courage is maybe one day they will be smart enough to stand up and support those who demonstrate it.

"If there is no struggle, there is no progress. Those who profess to favor freedom, and yet depreciate agitation, are men who want crops without plowing up the ground. They want rain without thunder and lightning. They want the ocean without the awful roar of its many waters. This struggle may be a moral one; or it may be a physical one; or it may be both moral and physical; but it must be a struggle. Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will. Find out just what a people will submit to, and you have found out the exact amount of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them; and these will continue till they are resisted with either words or blows, or with both. The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they oppress. Men may not get all they pay for in this world; but they must pay for all they get. If we ever get free from all the oppressions and wrongs heaped upon us, we must pay for their removal. We must do this by labor, by suffering, by sacrifice, and, if needs be, by our lives, and the lives of others."

~Frederick Douglas - August 4, 1857

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refuted his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their Public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected, whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.

He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:

For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by a mock Trial from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:

For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trial by Jury:

For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:

For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies

For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:

For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation, and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & Perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred. to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. — And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

— John Hancock

New Hampshire:
Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, Matthew Thornton

Massachusetts:
John Hancock, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry

Rhode Island:
Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery

Connecticut:
Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott

New York:
William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris

New Jersey:
Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, Abraham Clark

Pennsylvania:
Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross

Delaware:
Caesar Rodney, George Read, Thomas McKean

Maryland:
Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Carroll of Carrollton

Virginia:
George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton

North Carolina:
William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn

South Carolina:
Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward, Jr., Thomas Lynch, Jr., Arthur Middleton

Georgia:
Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, George Walton

An admirer for decades, you never disappoint, and always reaffirm my faith placed in you both.

You were magnificent today, and I thank you for your conscience, decency and willingness to lead despite the odds,

Marjorie G

What's interesting to note is how many of the names of those original Declaration signers still live on today. And I'm not just referring to the obvious ones like Ben Franklin and Tom Jefferson.

There's a college in Pittsburgh named after Robert Morris, for example. (My older sister graduated from there, many years ago.) And Gwinnett County, now part of the ever-exploding Atlanta megalopolis, is named for Button Gwinnett. (Two of my best friends from my own A-town days still live in Gwinnett, right near Hall County.)

Chase, Braxton, Bartlett, Harrison, Rutledge, Hopkinson, Lee -- these and many other surnames from that time still echo down through American history even to this day.

Oh, yeah... and not that this matters the littlest whit, mind you... on my mother's side of the family tree, yr hmbl otr crspndnt is also a direct lineal descendant of John Adams & Co.

that and four bucks might still get you a double mocha latte these days,
Otter

Senators Kerry and Kennedy,

Thank you for being our voice by speaking on our behalf. You spoke for the millions of us who gave our best effort by writing letters, emails, making phone calls and faxing our views to our senators.

We didn't win this battle, but, thanks to representatives like you, we haven't lost the war.

In the midst of the battle, there you were, and your voices rose above the battle din. I sincerely appreciate both of you, and am thankful and proud each time I see you or hear you speak.

Senators Kerry and Kennedy

You stood up for what was right, in the face of daunting odds and harsh opposition.

I am very proud.

You had our backs when it mattered, and I, for one will not forget it.

We have yours.

Thank you.

Posted by: Indy at January 30, 2006 10:38 PM

Thanks!!

Always a good reminder.

Oh, and P.S.,

Way to go, guys!!!!!

Number of State of the Union speeches that Bush has given since 9/11 ........ 4

Number of times Bush mentioned Iraq in those four SOTU speeches ........ 74

Number of times Bush mentioned Saddam Hussein in those four SOTU speeches ......... 28

Number of times Bush mentioned Osama Bin Laden in those four SOTU speeches ......... 0

Lives lost and lives ruined as a result of Bush's war of foreign adventure in Iraq ........ Priceless

let's make tonight's SOTU speech his last one,
Otter

Coretta Scott King dead at 78
Widow of civil rights leader suffered heart attack in August

BREAKING NEWS
NBC, MSNBC and news services
Updated: 8:11 a.m. ET Jan. 31, 2006

ATLANTA - Coretta Scott King, who turned a life shattered by her husband's assassination into one devoted to enshrining his legacy of human rights and equality, has died, former mayor Andrew Young told NBC Tuesday morning. She was 78.

more... http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11110291/

Free at last...

Thank you, Senators, for standing up for human rights.

Thank you for protecting and defending the Constitution.

Thank you for representing the values of the people and the party who elected you.

Thank you for having the conviction to do the right thing simply because it was the right thing to do, even in the face of opposition from your own party.

Thank you for being an opposition party.

Thank you for having guts.

For those of you who missed watching/hearing Senator Kerry's speech from the Senate floor regarding the Alito nomination yesterday, the text of his remarks can be found here: http://kerry.senate.gov/v3/cfm/record.cfm?id=250913

Also available on that site is a long list of his other Senate speeches and press statements, those referencing Alito and many other topics as well:
http://kerry.senate.gov/v3/cfm/press-statement.cfm

Re-reading his words from yesterday and earlier in the week just reminds me of how ably and resolutely he stood up for us in resistance to the Alito nomination.

Thanks again, Senator Kerry. You're the best previously-elected President ever to serve in the U.S. Senate.

2008 is just around the corner but 2006 is already here,
Otter

A big, heartfelt THANK YOU for fighting for what you believe in and for not giving up. Many were with you , even more will follow.

Senators Kerry and Kennedy:

Thank you for reminding me of a time when being a Democrat actually stood for something. It's not how many battles you lose that count. It's how many times you're willing to fight for what's right. That's what our party used to be.

To those Democratic Senators that did not stand with you, I can say this:

I will personally work to ensure your defeat, and to see that you are replaced with an actual Democrat. Someone who is not afraid to stand up and say "I believe this is wrong, and I'm willing to back it up."

While our system of government is one based on compromise, this does not negate the important role of the opposition party. A party that is willing to compromise when it serves the interests of the nation, and that is unwilling to compromise when it undermines the interests of the nation.

Unfortunately, the Democratic party has become the official flagbearer of eternal compromise.

I thank you again, and all the Senators who stood up with you.

I remember what this party used to be, and I'm damn well gonna see it come back or die trying.

See you out on the ice.

White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan said Tuesday night's speech will be "optimistic and confident," centering around four new proposals.

McClellan would not disclose details -- but at a Cabinet meeting Monday morning, Bush said viewers can expect to hear him discuss health care, energy and education.

"I'm looking forward to speaking to the country," he said. "We got a lot to be proud of. We got a lot of work to do."

Presidential adviser Dan Bartlett said Bush will emphasize the need to "maintain our economic leadership" in an increasingly globalized age.

"Oftentimes, people look at these challenges and only see those challenges," Bartlett said. "The president sees opportunities, and the history of our country shows that America always does best when we are shaping the events of the world, not being shaped by them."

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/01/30/bush.sotu/index.html

Dear Senators,all 25 of you,much gratitude is due.You organized & stood for "We the People"
You motivated & reinforced the grassroots movement.As Robert Kennedy said
"If John Kennedy's life stood for anything ,it was for the fact that an individual can make a difference-that an individual has an obligation and a responsibility to try to make a difference."(address NY State Constitutional
Convention,Albany NY 04/04/1967)
Sincerely,
Sheriann Collins

This is coming late, but I wanted to add my public voice of thanks. As a resident of Massachusetts, I was already a strong supporter of both of you. But never have I had more respect for your service, nor have I been more proud to be a Democrat, than when I heard your speeches on the floor of the Senate Monday. thank you for keeping my hope alive that we can restore the Constitution and democracy in this country, and regain our country's soul. Sen. Kerry, you were magnificent yesterday. Bravo, Bravo, Bravo. And Sen. Kennedy, too.

Never let it be said that the Dems. don't have "values:. I vote "values", too-- that's why I voted, with pride, for Sen. Kerry for president in 2004. My values are embodied in everything the two of you did for us these past few days, and everything you continue to do. We need you now, more than ever!

By the way, the press coverage of this historical moment of courage and true heroism in the Senate was criminally shallow. The New York Times, The Boston Globe: both of them useless. I shouldn't be shocked by now, but. .

There's a lot more we can do, so I'm back to blogwhoring for justice, at VichyDems:

First, I've cross-referenced the Dem Senators for and against the filibuster with who's up for reelection this year, and who's in the Gang of 14. (Hey -- everyone in the G14 voted for cloture! Hey -- if everyone up for reelection pandered to their base, we would have won!)

(I've also got links to a couple of challengers: Ned Lamont (vs Joementum) and Mark Wilson (vs. Cantwell). I'd appreciate people's thoughts about Wilson, in particular: is he the best guy to beat Cantwell in the primary and still win the general? Is Cantwell really a Vichy?)

Second, I REALLY wish that everyone who made millions of phone calls, emails and faxes to Senators before the cloture vote, would make at least a few - and hopefully more than a few - to praise those who did the right thing, and later to chastise those who didn't. I'm starting with the praise to the good guys. It's really important, both to retain the moral high ground (we say thank you to those who support us), AND TACTICALLY, because it reminds them that WE'RE STILL PAYING ATTENTION.

Please, please, make the thank you calls, and then we'll start making the screw you calls. I estimate we -- meaning everyone, Kos, MoveOn, NARAL, everyone -- turned out several hundred thousand phone calls against cloture. I'd like to crank out at least 50,000 thank yous over the next week or two.

As before, resources are over at my site, but go wherever you want for your info. I just want the calls to go out!

Thanks.

Dear Senators,

Thank you for standing up for our rights as US citizens, rather than bowing to pressure from the right, or folding because you knew we couldn't win this.

Your bold actions are what we need in the democratic party, and your leadership is a breath of fresh air. Please continue on your path of righteousness. You are true patriots.

Carol, Massachusetts