I'm seeing some awesome stuff here today. Do me a favor and read this.

[rockymountaindem]

We are sad. But we are not only sad. We are motivated and practical. In many ways I think we are more motivated now than before. I fully expected to log on today to see a whole bunch of "I hate America" or "I'm running away" threads. There have been some, but they have been drowned out in a sea of people saying "I'm still here and I'm not going anywhere".

What do I see here? I see a bunch of pissed off people who have realized that this is a marathon, not a sprint. We're talking about starting liberal religious movements, populist movements, progressive book clubs, radio and TV shows. People are talking about getting campaign training. I see a bunch of folks who are not going to quit. I honestly thought there would be a lot more quitters. I'm plesantly surprised.

The reason I asked you to do me a favor and read this is because I want to get people's reaction to what I have to say now. As we all know, there is a lot of work ahead, and everyone has their own idea on how to accomplish our goals. All I'm saying is, we must act together on this. I think that if we work hard enough we can find a way to accomidate most everyone's wishes.

What we must not do is crack and start hating each other. That's what doomed opposition parties in many nations in the past. We must cooperate. Someone started a thread suggesting that we all get some kind of solidarity symbol, like a lapel pin or a t-shirt. I think tha we should all resolve to keep something with us, a daily reminder of what we must do to retake our country. Something to carry with us everywhere. Here's my suggestion: During the Spanish Civil War, the anti-fascists weren't a great military machine. They did not have uniforms, for the most part. Furthermore, there were many groups organizing their own batallions. However, each group had a colored scarf or neck-tie that they all wore to distinguish themselves. I humbly recommend that tomorrow we head out and buy a small square of blue cloth, big enough to tie into a scarf around our necks, knot at the front with the ends making an X under our chin. I think that would be pretty cool and *suave* ;)

Ok, so maybe that's a little cultish, but you have to agree it would be pretty cool and stylish :)

But most importantly, we are not quitting. That's the first step, and I'm proud of you. When the next election rolls around I will be 21, hopefully in grad school, and I'll be a young man starting out on my road in life. There's no time like now for me to start doing my part. I'll be young and ready to cut my teeth in party politics. I'm not quitting, and neither should you.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

1. I stopped reading the "other" GD forum after a few threads.

[LisaLynne]

2. Excellent post!!!

I was thinking the same thing. I really am enthused by what I'm seeing. We are coming up with plans and ideas. Yes, as you said, this is a marathon. It was intoxicating to think we would just win and it would be over, but it's not. That was, I guess, wishful thinking. Now, we're faced with reality and we're going to win. :)

[The Doctor.]

3. Very nice sentiment... I like it.

The Idea of a scarf may have gone over well in Europe, but in these modern times we must not engage in such overt practices.

Besides - I'm an Autumn. ;)

I will certainly find something blue which will 'surreptitiously stand out' if I can.

[rockymountaindem]

4. Perhaps some jewelers could design a little kicking donkey pendant!

That would be private and personal.

[The Doctor.]

23. I like the Idea, but...

I'm a republican.

I'm not giving up my party affiliation because these ASSHOLES in the WH give the party a bad name.

Not yet at least, I'm holding on to the last. After I've lost all faith that the party is lost to neo-cons and fundamentalists... I may join you guys after all.

(I hear the Libertarians are nice this time of year...)

;)

[rockymountaindem]

27. I'm online with one of my best friends now.

He's a Repub. and one of the finest people I know. He and I agree on everything (almost), but he still calls himself a Repub. More power to him. We need decent Repubs too. I'm proud to call you my allies in this struggle.

[The Doctor.]

34. We're going to need more than just a few Real Republicans...

To be effective.

We'll see.

Thank You for realizing that it's not Republicans that are the problem - it's the assholes who hijacked the party like an airliner into a building.

Sorry - strong feelings today coupled with alcohol... it's what the Dr. ordered.

[mbee]

40. I was in Rehoboth Beach recently and purchased an Flag Pin with a

donkey on it. I wear it on my lapel and it is awesome - love it! The lady who owned the shop must be a diehard Dem because she also had very glittery peace sign necklaces which, of course, I had to buy. There were no elephants in the place!

[intheflow]

5. I met a minister once who worked with the Sanctuary Movement

in the '80's, smuggling Nicaraguan and Salvadorian political refugees thru the US to Canada when the CIA was backing military dictatorships in S. America. The US would send the political refugees back, claiming they were economic refugees. Almost certain death unpon their return.

Anyway, this guy said the same thing: "There's no such thing as instant pudding. The work of justice is ongoing, an almost non-stop uphill battle." That remark has always stayed with me, sustaining me through many actions and protests and even personal struggles.

I really needed to be reminded of that today. Thanks!

[FeelinGarfunkelly]

49. maybe i'm too young...

But there is such a thing as instant pudding. Jello makes it. Yummy. Okay, end obnoxiousness..

[intheflow]

52. LOL!

[Chili]

6. solidarity

I agree - fracturing into defensive groups all coming from different corners of some philosophical boxing ring doesn't help us at all.

On the other hand, I was watching Larry King (I know) and nearly punched the screen when I heard David Gergen pontificate yet AGAIN in his inimitable doom-and-gloom way about how the Democratic party must now look itself in the mirror and admit it's mistakes and decide what they believe in. WHAT? I respect and even like David Gergen, but he has no right to say what we DON'T believe in. This is not the time to compromise on gay rights, abortion, health care for everyone, job creation, equal rights, civel rights, gun control, women's rights, unions, teachers, religious tolerance, world peace, the environment, NOTHING. Nothing! We should never compromise on our principles or "reshape" OUR values just please the rest of the nation - hell, half the nation AGREES with us! We just need to build on that. To compromise would be to fall right into Republican hands... they'll immediately call us the "flip-flop" party and hang us with that stupid label for the next 20 years. No, we stand firm and build on our beliefs and at the most, refine them and find a different way to express them. But compromise on them, back-peddle, blame each other and alienate those we "blame"? No!

For me, I won't allow the RIGHT to define the Left. We must define ourselves based on what we already believe. And do it without beating each other into a bloody pulp.

[rockymountaindem]

7. I'll be by your side, friend.

We're all in this together now.

[Chili]

11. *clapsing hands with you*

...and maybe we should add something else to that list: FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY. Here's our chance to hijack that particular hammer, snatch it out of their hands, and OWN IT. Own it and slam slam slam the right wing with it and never let it get away from us. We can have Clintonian fiscal responsiblity, move slightly to his left, and WIN. I firmly believe that.

[rockymountaindem]

12. *clasp* You know it brother!

(or sister)

This deficit and debt could be the ruination of the American power and strength. It worries me more than anything else.

[Chili]

16. right!

...and I like your idea, I meant to say... maybe, until we really get organized, we can make it a personal statement. I'm going to find something that represents how I feel right now, maybe some kind of pin with blue in it, and wear it every day on my jacket.

(and this sister thanks you!)

[crispini]

8. I'm in. But can I wear a blue pin instead of scarf?

I don't think I could get away with the scarf thing at work. :D

[haydukelives]

9. I like the idea of a blue pin

how about a pin that says "turn America blue"

[rockymountaindem]

10. Just wear it out and about.

Everyone will be like "oh, what's with the scarf?" and you can reply "it's my reminder to crush the Republican party in EVERY election, EVERY race and in EVERY debate and conversation. What's the significance behind your charming white tube socks?"

[MuseRider]

13. This is good.

I like this. It keeps us together, it keeps us strong and it keeps us learning for that is what we must do. It gives us an identity, We are the ones who proudly say we are liberal. Yes, I like this. We should put ideas together every day until we solidify this thing. If we are not committed and in this for the long haul then we will never get anywhere and to tell you the honest truth, I am proud to be a part of anything that you all would belong to and prouder still to be able to identify myself in some way with the movement. Productive, great idea. Perhaps we should do a color and then decide how to display it. A bracelet, like the yellow ones would be a cheap way if a scarf does not work. Thank you. Things like this help the healing and we can't afford to take too much time away to heal.

[crispini]

14. A blue bracelet, that's great!

Men and women could wear and not take off. A committment to our liberal cause. Now... how do we get them made, etc?

[ethereal]

17. kick

i'm so in!

[rockymountaindem]

21. Thanks!

[The Doctor.]

24. My wife said the same thing -

I'll find something 'bracelet and blue'.

[kimchi]

15. Great idea.

I'm no longer young, and although I thought I was idealistic, I guess I'm not anymore. Thanks for reminding me of the promise I made myself when I was a child -- to always fight for justice for the poor and persecuted.

Thanks for being our hope and our future. It's....it's tough work...saving the world!

[goclark]

18. Thank you for bring sunshine into our lives

I usually come to DU for support but I have been trying to post messages all day to encourage us to get our fighting spirit back.

I like the idea of the bracelet and the scarf.

I am not a designer but I see stuff in my head. :)

I see a bracelet with small symbols of all we have stood for in this election. The bracelet could have various stamps on it.

For example, I may want a stem cell icon, a kick ass donkey and a heart representing compassion.

Someone else may want an ear piece icon, coffin iron,Mosh iron etc.

Someone else may want a BBVoting Machine with a big "X" through it.

In other words, when we see each other we will know that we have a friend and a fellow warrior for Justice.

[rockymountaindem]

19. Keep in mind I'm talking about a cultural movement.

I don't want people to go through a day without being confronted with liberal ideology. Goodness knows there's enough racist and homophobic jokes people hear on a daily basis.

There are College Dems, but are there High School dems? No. We need kids and their parents to set up clubs. It's no more insidious than the FCA or bible study. Let the people claim it's indoctrination, it's not. At said clubs we *will* have the coolest parties, the hottest girls and studliest guys. We will also have the most hard-hitting flyers and most entheusiastic voulnteers. We will make it the place to be, but only for people who truly believe. It won't attract new Dems, but it will make kids like me and John Kleeb and others like us feel confident and proud in our choice.

That's just an idea, but it's a start.

We need to be seen as a pervasive force in society. Be loud, be proud. They can't put us all away if people realize we're so powerful.

[rockymountaindem]

20. Kick

[rockydem]

22. excellent post

[rockymountaindem]

25. Thanks!

But you still stole 2/3rds of my name ;)

[TexasBushwhacker]

26. Here ya go

http://www.victorystore.com/item/wristbands/

I'm sure there are lots of different companies that make these, but we'd have to decide what will they say, what's the minimum order we would want to make and what we would want to sell them for and what organization the proceeds would go to.

1000 2500 5000 10000 25000
Printed 1.40 1.26 .82 .64 .60
De bossed 1.70 1.30 1.10 .84 .64

[Born_A_Truman]

29. Those are great!

Think DU could sell them here?

[crispini]

31. Let's see, I vote for blue, of coursee,

and how about simply "2008" for the design? Or "D 2008" -- kinda cryptic, in a good way.

I'd be willing to help with seed money costs. Probably not all of it but if a few of us chip in I'm sure we could cut it.

Maybe we should start off with 1000 and see how well they sell... then buy more if they take off.

The DU store is run by cafe press, so they couldn't put up a new item on there. I'd be happy to help with a website, I can do graphic design and such.

[TexasBushwhacker]

35. Actually I think Cafe Press will let you sell other items

I'll look into it and see how it works.

If this is a bracelet we want to wear for solidarity, well then I guess crypytic is okay. Personally I'd rather just put IT out there.

How about "NO MORE LIES 2008" ?

On edit: I like blue too. Not just for "blue states", but other than white, blue seems more "pure", like the clear blue sky.

[mbee]

41. We need to make something cheap enough that we can give out

free to people by keeping say 10-15 in our pockets all all times so we can spread this like wild-fire. I still think Restore Democracy is the way to go in Blue or maybe just the American Flag with Restore Democracy on it. I don't really like the Donkey because it would appear to be only for Democrats. I'm talking something to bring everyone together that opposes what is going on and there are Republicans who voted for Kerry so we need to include anyone outside the Democratic Party. We must unite the Good People of America!

[July]

42. How about "OF . . . BY . . . FOR . . . THE PEOPLE"? nt

[July]

44. That's what we're looking for, but their products look sort of

right wing, don't they? GWB gifts, "patriotic products," etc.?

[TexasBushwhacker]

46. I agree. I'm going to look for some others

I just wanted to put that up so that we had an idea of how much they cost and all. Lance Armstrong has the "Live Strong" yellow bracelets that are sold for the Lance Armstrong Foundation, and now Melissa Etheridge has pink bracelets that are being sold to raise money for breast cancer research. They say "Be Strong - M L E".

http://www.thepinkbraceletfund.org/preorder.htm

I'm sure there are several companies that make these and some are better quality than others. I'll keep looking.

[SammyWinstonJack]

28. Excellent idea!

Liberals are not quitters! It's not in our nature. We were down, but only momentarily. I don't think the other side realizes what a sleeping giant they have awaken! They will soon find out! Awesome post btw!

[Maiden England]

32. excellent post and excellent idea

I like the blue wristband idea. we need a silent protest symbol.

[AntiFascist]

30. Hi RockyMountainDem....

I like your spirit! I don't appreciate those who are pointing their fingers at the youth and complaining that they didn't try hard enough in this election. From what I've seen around here there is a unique movement growing, powered by the younger generation, which has a clear and singular voice and whose effects are being felt throughout the blogs and the liberal media, and more than occaisionally in the general media as well. It gives me chills to think what can be accomplished through this kind of spirit!

[rockymountaindem]

33. We're coming, my friend.

Young people don't usually vote that much. But just wait until my generation gets our 30 years of running things. Even in my conservative neighborhood (in conservative Colorado Springs) there were closet libs everywhere. The kind that go to church every Sunday like the fundies, but read the parts of the Bible that talk about helping others.

We'll be here. Soon.

[rockymountaindem]

36. Kick!

[rockymountaindem]

37. Kick

[democratreformed]

38. Strength and commitment - two things that we must have right now.

Please, if you have any, let your strength and commitment to YOUR values be your guiding light right now.

[redqueen]

39. I like the idea of a donkey pendant

But only if we all promise to move that donkey LEFT! ;)

[NoBorders]

43. I'm in, ready for the longhaul - lookikng forward to it

this was the beginning, not the end.

[starroute]

45. Someone on another thread suggested a blue United States pin

I like the US outline because that doesn't identify with the Democratic Party -- and it does express the theme of Taking Back America.

In addition, though I know some people will not agree with me, I feel the Democratic Party is largely self-crippled at this point. What we have here at DU is bigger than the Democratic Party and bigger than electoral politics in general. We should let it find its own shape and not immediately start funneling it down to what-do-we-do-different-in-2008. What we need to do different is right now, in 2004 and 2005. Let 2008 take care of itself.

Getting back to specifics, the idea offered on that other thread was that it should be a lapel pin, like those flag pins all the talking heads seem to wear. Someone on the thread objected that they don't wear anything with lapels, so I'm thinking that it might come in a variety of forms -- charm bracelets anyone? iron-on patches?


On edit: I just checked around online, and I saw lots of map-shaped flag pins, but no plain blue ones. So we'd have an open field if we went with it.

[TexasBushwhacker]

47. So what color? What should it say?

I've found another bracelet maker and asked that they send me a sample. Here's a color chart:

http://www.flagdist.com/PMS%20Color%20Chart.htm

I'm thinking a nice blue, not too dark or too light (no baby blue). Maybe something like PMS #2728 , or Blue 072.

So any more suggestions for the "slogan"? I was thinking, since Bush never was the "uniter" that he promised, how about "United 2008".

Post your suggestions here and then I'll do a poll in a separate post.

[FeelinGarfunkelly]

48. too dark?

this could just be my monitor, but those colors look almost black. what about Process Blue, or PMS 2995? Either way, whoever does these, I'm buying one..or five.

in the other bracelet thread someone mentioned "Y Pluribus Unum" which I kinda liked.. So many good "idears" (as JK would say) on DU!!

[TexasBushwhacker]

51. I was shooting for a Royal Blue, like they use on the maps

But I like your suggestions. They are more in the cyan family (blue with a touch of green).

I like Y Pluribus Unum too.

[bigwillq]

50. Great post

Well put especially the part on how we must not turn on each other.

We're all in this together and although we may not always agree, the one thing I think we all believe in is: fighting to take our country back. Together we can do it.

I'm not quitting. I'm not stopping the fight.