Pick me up and brush me off folks..

[juliagoolia]

After I was told that local papers were going to be taking letters to the editor by someone in my local dem group..i put one or two together,and after sending them to the group( email list) for two days asking for feedback..I got slammed by the president of the group.

Mind you this is after I emailed it to the papers.

Here is what he said
Well thought-out letter Julia. I can see this letter in the Washington Post. Republican bashing is the name of the game in that part of the planet. I cant see what its going to buy us at the local level. We are moving in the direction of improving the image of the Democratic Party in XXXXXX County; ie. more community involvement, elevate our standing within the County, etc. We need to lure the independent -middle-of-the-roaders over to the Democratic way of thinking . Bashing, whether it be Republican or Democratic , in my view, is not going to improve anyones image. We as Democratics have to rise above the conservatives in the community, not sink to their level. I would encourage you to foster ideas and projects that will make the XXXXXX County Democratics the envy of the political community.

-----mind you we are central tx and a bedroom community to a large city----------------------------------------
Here are the two letters I sent.
One..

Radical Clerics Invade Washington!

The American Taliban and other Radical Clerics are camped out in Washington DC in front of Senator Frist’s office cashing in chits! These people are as radical as any Taliban or other theocratic terrorists. They don’t want to take over a third world country in some desolate region; they want to take over our country. They want power and lots of it. They bullied the entire administration and the legislature today to force their radical ideology into our laws. Call me crazy, I thought they were in the business of changing hearts and minds.

If they value life as they proclaim, then why aren’t these people lined up trying to adopt the unwanted children in foster care? If they can’t afford that, then why aren’t they helping young women learn about birth control so they don’t become pregnant? Why aren’t they helping young women with health care expenses so they can afford birth control? Why aren’t they outraged as well about the thousands upon thousands of dead and disabled because of Iraq? Aren’t these legitimate moral issues?

Do these extremists really want to stem abortion, or do they want to impose their own radical ideology on the majority of us who do not support their agenda? It’s a fact that the majority of people are pro-choice. It’s a fact that these people do not represent the majority of mainstream America. Wake up, women! Wake up, young ladies! Young mothers of girls, Wake up! They do not only want to eliminate choice, they want to eliminate birth control as well. They want to control the government and set us back to a time of Salem and witch trials! Tell your senators to stand up to these extortionists, and that you don’t want Radical Clerics running our courts
and

Two.........

Tom Delay can invite the energy lobbyist to play golf while Congress considers energy legislation. Tom Delay’s abuse of power also used the FAA to track down our local TX legislators so the gerrymandering could continue on schedule. Tom Delay abused power again when he tried to extort the vote of a fellow congressman by offering an endorsement for his son in a political campaign in MI. Tom Delay even threatened lobbying groups if they tried to hire democrats. Tom Delay can remain the majority leader in the house EVEN IF he is indicted here in TX.

In this new tyrannical congress they meet in the middle of the night; they are absent while Democrats are debating the reckless attempt of raising the debt ceiling of an already choking debt that extends a tax to those not yet born. This tyrannical legislature wants a new credit card and for the bill to come to us.

The GOP added the rule about not holding office if you were indicted to show that they were morally superior to Democrats. Now that one of their own faces possible criminal indictments they change the rules to keep him (Delay) in office. That is the definition of legislative tyranny and shows the depths that the morally bankrupt GOP will go to in order to remain in power. Elephants never forget unless its one of their own.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Now, I just don't know what to do!!!!!!!!!! HELP ME>> Big city girl stuck in rural TX!!!!!!!!!!!

[XanaDUer]

1. This is how bad it is where I am...

last night, at our local Dem meeting we had as a guest...the local Republican mayor and one of his supporters who began to lecture us on how, "We're all Americans..." and should vote for this yutz.

To their credit, quite a few of us went batshit. :eyes:

Good letter, tho'.

[juliagoolia]

2. Think the letter is overboard or...

Is the guy off base.. I sent him this note in reply
------------------
I think we let the other guys bash us for a long time on AM radio. They have gone untouched, their image of the "moral ones" grew all the while. They have called us everything from Baby Killers to nazi left wing communists and traitors. This is what people hear on the radio all day long. John Kerry took the high road and the Swift Boat Vets cleaned his clock for the entire month of Aug. Bush called him all kinds of names and mocked him while Kerry took the high road.

I also understand the change the image but we really aren't what they have called us to begin with. So, if we are defending the words on the radio and TV that are down right ugly then maybe they need to be on the defensive?

I will call you so we can discuss it in person. Thanks for taking the time to write the note.
Julia
----------------
think i ruffled the small town feathers too much?

[XanaDUer]

4. No. I think it's the truth.

There seem to be two lines of thought, roughly, on this:

The wrong one (my opinion) is the "let's move more to the right and capture the _________ voter."

Then the more aggressive one, the one I agree with.

Yes, I think you ruffled some feathers, but who cares?

I take it you're not indigenous to that area?

[Lydia Leftcoast]

10. Small town feathers need to be ruffled on a regular basis

lest smug stagnation set in. :-)

[laheina]

3. In their way, the Dems are very conservative.

Our party is the same way. Support gay rights, but don't promote an anti-war protest. I've just learned to find other political outlets beyond the party.

[XanaDUer]

6. It depends where you are.

In NYC, our "dems" were far-left socialists, pretty much.

Here in Freepland, there are a handful of lefties, more moderate dems. I will say that, to my joy, after this last loss (whatever the reason) , even the mods are moving more to the left and are angry.

There was a lot of talk last night at our meeting about going into the churches to talk about Jesus' true message. I'm an atheist, so I'm not gonna do that, but I do like the big-tentedness of the party.

[juliagoolia]

7. Rural TX.. Central TX...

Bedroom community to Austin.
We had about 25,000 voters county wide this time.
Austin WENT BLUE.. we went red! We kept our congressman but not because of the voters in this county.

[juliagoolia]

13. And what do you do?

I got really excited about writing to the editor, even started to think about asking the paper to let me put a weekly column in.

[juliagoolia]

14. And what do you do?

I got really excited about writing to the editor, even started to think about asking the paper to let me put a weekly column in.

[MuseRider]

5. I like them

send them anyway. They are honest.

[juliagoolia]

9. Ya think?

If they don't put them in the paper I can send them to Austin.
They might print them.

Heck. I might just wake up some folks sitting on the butt not bothering to go vote cause we are gonna go red anyway... those voters.

[MuseRider]

15. We often get calls

some good some not very nice but we keep on sending them. Mostly they are from Dems who felt very alone out here. Our papers editors, even though it is owned by a RW company in another state, are always happy to see them. You have every right to send them and if the local dems don't like it, well, go out on your own and make some noise. Maybe they will see you as a positive influence.

[juliagoolia]

17. I had sent the first one

I just sent the second one. Glad I talked to you guys cause I spent a lot of time looking at it and re-doing it and well.. was needing the lift. Thanks.

I think we need to shake them up and if the local club wants to go around with their head tucked and ashamed then so be it.

Im pissed! And I am probably ruffling feathers but oh well, its my country too!

[MuseRider]

18. I am proud

of you and proud to be a LIBERAL Democrat with you. I think you did good, especially because it IS your country too and all of our opinions count, even if or epsecially if they do not want to hear them.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

8. You tell the truth about Republicans, and it's "bashing."

Funny how "bashing" was a patriotic duty as long as it was directed at "liberals." It was only when Dems began fighting back that "bashing" became a bad thing.

But it's really sad that your Democratic leader has internalized that form of oppression.

[missouri dem]

11. I would ask him just how successful he has been with his philosophy.

Are there lots of Dems that are winning local offices? We need to forget about the Middle of the road voters and bring new voters into the party. Being republican lite will not do it. The right wing has been successful because they have defined the debate and have moved it to the right. Never be afraid to speak the truth.

[juliagoolia]

16. Maybe I will start a new club

A social club..
A Saturday coffee club..

Come one, come all ..only disgruntled democrats.. we are having coffee at so and so on saturdays. See ya there??

[laheina]

20. I've decided to start one in my area too.

I live in a suburb that has a strong red influence too. Thing is, if you do your own thing, there will be people who agree with you, and just didn't have the courage to speak out before. That's my philosophy.

[librechik]

12. hah! sock it to em!

bashing indeed.

Keep your chin up and don't back down--the Dems have a big tent, remind him!

[shesemsmom]

19. Sound like the Democrat leadership in Texas

are trying to get themselves eaten alive. What is it the wanted in the first place. You responded in fine fashion. GEEEs sounds like our local leaders here( soon to be replaced thank the Lord) What you said was right, what their response was wasn't. Sounds like your locals need to see you often at those functions. Got get em

[juliagoolia]

23. A rural county and

I'm new to the scene so I have no clue what the past has been.
I might be the new they need though if they are afraid to speak the truth to bullshit.

The GOP has wrapped up a pile of crap in a couple verses of the Bible, and all they really have is crap but they've disgraced the Bible with it.

[Cheswick2.0]

21. 1st.... your letters are just fine

I would not worry another minute about this. In the future I would suggest that with the fine strong rhetoric of your first letter, you include specific details about what you are talking about. Some people will understand your point better that way. For instance you could have talked about the legislation making it illegal for college profs to criticize Israel.

Good letters though and If they don't print them keep on writing.

In the meantime join DFA and bring a whole bunch of your friends into the local democratic party and take it over. Then you can boot this sanctimonious appeasement leader who wrote you this note.

[Doohickie]

22. Is your real name

Molly Ivins?

;)

Seriously, we here in suburban Fort Worth have been having some school board trouble. The school staff we are trying to help had the same reaction when we tried to read the riot act to the school board regarding his issue. He said that here in Texas, you just don't get things done that way.

I'm not originally from Texas, but I think I'm starting to learn what the "good ol' boy network" is. And I don't like it. And it's in Washington now.

Shit.

[juliagoolia]

24. Good Ole Boy network?

Thats a network that if you are not in it already you never will be.

I know what you mean and yes it has moved into Washington, and we have to get it out.

Did you ask this person just how things are done>? The answer might have been interesting to hear.

[Doohickie]

26. I think in his case it was just an excuse

He's basically non-confrontational and didn't want us to stir things up on his behalf.

[crispini]

25. eh, don't worry about it.

He should have given you feedback promptly.

This kind of thing is always happening in organizations. Old guard don't wanna rock the boat, new young enthusiasts are ready to rock and roll. It's happening here too. (Dallas).

The thing you have to remember is;
1) DO listen to the advice of people who have been around and been doing it for a while, but
2) DON'T let it curb your enthusiasm. and DO take it with a grain of salt.

The thing to remember is that it IS useful to know some history, and know the power structures, figure out what's there, what's good, what's bad, before you figure out what you want to do an end run around, what you wanna get rid of, etc.

Does that make any sense? PM me if you wanna talk Texas politics in particular.... I have a few things to say I wouldn't wanna post here. :evilgrin: