Screw Scamdy, screw the FReepers. Put your grief and rage to work.

[Jackpine Radical]

I think the two things where we could best put our energies to memorialize Andy would be, first, to carry on the battle to reclaim the right to have our votes counted, and second, to commit ourselves to establishing a national health insurance plan in America. If we can do those two things in Andy's name, we will have given him a tribute built of love and compassion for our fellows, one that will endure long after the hateful little brains and hearts of the Scamdy sleazeballs have digested themselves with their own neurotransmitters of hatred.

Hatred feeds on hatred. Let us starve our enemy.

[liberalnurse]

1. I hate them......I will not forgive them. ....ever.

There is definitely a vast difference between their souls and Andy's. They are Creatures of Darkness....Andy's is a glowing Creature of Light.

I will forever be inspired by Andy's work. He has shown us the way to embrace our friends and overcome the falsehoods the freepers spread. We can all learn form Andy's plight....at how he successfully overcame their hate with bravery and hope. He has set the bar for all of us to jump.

[mzmolly]

2. I join you in your hatred. They are sub-human.

:(

[Rick Myers]

3. Agreed!!!

This is BELOW human behavior. They are SAVAGES!!!

The "Reagan" arguement is cracking me up. "You guys dissed Reagan!"

Well, we didn't actively interfere with his health care, did we????

[Ian David]

49. No, the repugs did that themselves with their stem-cell B.S.

Although now I guess we might believe his testomony at the Iran-Contra hearings, when he kept saying, "I do not recall," and "I have no memory of that."

[shireen]

25. unbelievable

After the first $25K was raised, I tuned out of DU because of other personal issues that overwhelmed me. This evening, just by chance, I thought I'd check out what was going on at DU. The news about Andy on the first page stunned me. I had thought he was going to be OK. The news of his death didn't seem real, I just could not believe it.

Not only that ... I was completely unaware of the sick evil way that certain people went after Andy and his friends. Reading scamdy.com broke my heart. Those posts are expressions of hate and bitterness. What kinds of lives could these broken people have? I feel sorry for them. With minds like that, they cannot possibly understand love, compassion and support.

[ooglymoogly]

38. evil feeds on hatred....lets just get to work and get

some work done for the good of the country

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

4. I don't hate them.

It is hard, if not impossible, to hate young, mouthy, self-absorbed mental deficients. That said, they need a stark lesson in impulse control and insight.

A lesson it looks like they will receive.

If this goes to legal action, and I hope it does, even if it does not make the inside of a courtroom, it will make their lives living hells. A wise barrister once said to me: "If you want to know what hell is like, get sued.".

He is a wise man, not taken to flights of hyperbole. I believed him.

[Jackpine Radical]

7. I didn't say anything about not suing them.

And I certainly understand everyone's anger now. Maybe I posted this too soon. People have a right to their feelings and I'm not trying to take that away. The time will come, though, when it is better to move on. At that pont we will all be standing taller and seeing further because Andy lived.

[hippywife]

5. Hatred feeds on hatred. Let us starve our enemy.

Excellent thought, Jackpine. They should not be hated, but pitied for their inhumanity and vileness.

Hatred only destroys the soul that harbors it.

Peace.

[mzmolly]

6. I shall consider that. I don't generally "hate" anyone. But after

reading some of the posts, it's hard not to.

[hippywife]

11. I know it's hard after reading some of the things

they said and know what they did. They are the poorer people for having said and done them. Those of you who pulled together to help Andy showed the best possible side of human nature. It would only make sense to continue to do so.

Peace to all who are mourning this terrible loss.

[liberalnurse]

15. I have no problem with identifying my true feelings.

I HATE them.....Let me double check here....Hmmmm...Yep, I HATE them!

[mzmolly]

26. LOL.

Gawd it's hard not to!

[serryjw]

30. Can you make your avatar available to all

Let's all change our avatars for a week to honor Andy :grouphug:

[mzmolly]

35. Well, I just saved the pic of Andy to my personal PC and cropped it.

If there is a way I can make it available, I'll gladly do so?

Just tell me how. ;)

I think someone could do a better job of it frankly?

[serryjw]

40. Just send it to Skinner

and have him post that it is available. I can't make the memorial since I live in Denver but would like to publically honor him and his great work.:patriot: It was so appreciated.

[Donailin]

13. circle gets the square

I have someone in my life (deadbeat dad)who deserves all the anger and bitter resentment and hatred I have to offer, and it is everything I can do to keep that in check. When ever I allow that hatred to have it's way emotionally, it always ends up badly for me, but not for him. However, whenever I try to understand his own poverty of spirit I am able to feel an empathy and compassion and things go better for everyone. Righteous anger is the most difficult thing in the world to overcome and I think Christ tried very hard to impart the wisdom and benefit of overcoming it in order to heal both parties, but still. . it's very difficult. Especially when you're suffering.

[liberalnurse]

27. I have no intention or desire to try and forgive.....

I own my hate and rage for the freepers, earned it fair and square, I would not try and fake it by saying, I forgive them. That would be a lie. That truth is my strength. There is a time when such feeling is motivational.

[Donailin]

34. it is unfortunate

the heading of your post "I have no intention or desire to try and forgive....."

I hope those weren't Andy's last thoughts.

[liberalnurse]

41. On the contrary, Andy already knew of my feelings

regarding the freepers and scamdy asses when it was going down.

[Raksha]

45. I understand your feelings completely and I share them.

Today I got so tired of being smeared with the label "Bush hater" on another forum that I proudly embraced it! I told those freepers that I am indeed a Bush hater, and I would no more deny being a Bush hater than I would deny being a liberal.

This was after some freeptard told me I was probably peeing in my pants with joy over the London attacks, so it's not like I didn't have provocation. But it wasn't only about that, and it's not like I suddenly woke up one morning and decided to start hating George W. Bush because I had nothing better to do. He's earned every last bit of that hatred, and it would simply be dishonest to call it anything but what it is.

[Trajan]

22. Well Spoken, Hippywife ...

My own view lies there: Hatred poisons only the heart that it inhabits ... It does NOTHING to the supposed target of that hatred.

I refuse to hate .. EVEN Bush and his sad ilk : I completely, absolutely and utterly disagree with them, and I will RESIST there policies and philosophies forever ... But I will not allow my own soul to darken in steeped hatred for them...

Life is WAY too short to allow someone else such control of my own psyche ...

My mind will be free to love ....

Goodbye Andy, friend and patriot ..........

[Southsideirish]

8. My sainted Irish mother told me there are devils here that walk among us

in order to make good people despair. Those devils are now known to us.

[Pachamama]

23. How right your Mother is! Those devils are now known to us...

I agree with your Mom and I believe those people and their Karma is going to come back to them in spades...then again these demons who call themselves human are probably just reincarnates of Concentration Camp guards from WWII who took pleasure in hurting and taunting the Jews as they were marched into the "showers"....

I will also agree with the poster of this thread about the need to not fuel the hatred, the very same vile venomous evil that courses through the veins of these demons. I am utterly disgusted by them, literally sick to know that they even exist. I feel this about Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Wolfowitz, Perle, etc. and every person that has tortured and killed innoncent lives, regardless of "what side they were on". But then I remember the teachings of Jesus, Buddha and words from the Dalai Lama and many other wise teachers who talk about the power of love. Think of it like Matter and Anti-matter....If we put more energy of hate into the Universe, it only feeds these Demons and its what they thrive on. Love and truth is what they fear. I'm not suggesting that you have to love or even like these people, not at all. Pity them, feel disgust for them, realize what they are, but lets put our energy and love for Andy and what he believed and fought for in his few precious years in this dimension to carry on his work for truly honest democratic elections and for a national healthcare policy and to pursueing the indictments and impeachment of the Bush Cabal for high crimes against humanity and treason.

That's where my energy is going to go...and it is oh so much more powerful than any hatred I'd waste towards these vile demons who walk amongst those of us on this planet...there truly is a special place in hell reserved for them and soon enough when they exit this dimension they will know it...

Namaste

[Name removed]

9. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[MelissaB]

17. Who is PJ?

[Jackpine Radical]

29. PJ O'Rourke?

[MelissaB]

32. Well, now...isn't that interesting?

[bonito]

10. hate only if you would have hate in your world

Understand hate and you will have love in your world.

[libnnc]

12. I just don't have anything else in me anymore but hate

and sometimes I think I'm going fucking insane. What will happen to all of us?

I need you guys. :cry:

[Catbird]

14. Good suggestions, Jackpine

It can be hard to accept the hatred of your opponents and continue the fight. But it is much harder to accept your own hatred. My hatred draws me to the dark side and does no harm to an opponent. I like Jackpine's suggestions as to ways to focus this energy and move beyond hatred.

This comment is not meant as a criticism of those who have expressed strong reactions in this thread. We all have our own paths to follow in dealing with anger and grief. Let us not be critical of those who are, at least for a while, on a different path.

[liberalnurse]

18. Okay, I have what it takes to

live with a Dark side. I fight battles and don't look back. I stay on the path as my anger has always been my inspiration. It takes a lot to have me reach a level of hate....but when I do......I am focused.

[garybeck]

16. In Andy's honor, let's all

do one extra thing that we wouldn't have done to help the election issue.

suggestions:

Donate money to an election organization - voters unite, OVC, US Count Votes, Sherole Eaton Fund, Ohio Honest Elections, Vote Trust USA, etc...

Volunteer for one of the organizations - volunteer opportunities here:
http://www.solarbus.org/election/volunteer.shtml

Write a letter to the editor in your local newspaper (especially if you live in a place that has Diebold, ESS, etc.)




rest in peace
andy stephenson

[tinfoilinfor2005]

21. Excellent suggestion. Donate to Andy's passions.

[lapfog_1]

33. May I suggest

set up a fund at one of these organizations (someone who knew
him better should select) in his name... and we'll all contribute
$$$ (what we can).

When I brother passed away, the family created a scholarship at
his university in his name... very fitting memorial.

[eaprez]

19. Pardon my Ignorance - who is Andy?

[garybeck]

24. Answer

Andy Stephenson was an activist in the fight to restore fair elections in our country.

If you want to learn about him and the issue a bit, go to http://votergate.tv and watch the free movie

peace,
gb

------------------------------------
the solar bus
ELECTION JUSTICE CENTER
your home for updated information on the fight for democracy in America
http://election.solarbus.org
------------------------------------

[mzmolly]

37. More here.

http://www.seattleweekly.com/features/0528/050713_news_andy.php

His pic is in my sigline and my avatar.

[Wetzelbill]

20. I'm running for office, If I get elected I will write voter legislation

based on Andy's work. That's a promise. I guarantee it. I'll even name it for him if I can.

[havocmom]

28. Come on home, and I'll vote for ya... wait. wrong district.

Ratsass. Well, I can write LTTE for ya. :hi:

[Darkhawk32]

46. Where are you from? Post a link if you can. n/t

[Wetzelbill]

48. I'll let everybody know officially here in a few weeks

I'm from Montana.

[merh]

31. I don't see it as hatred.

I see it as a pursuit of justice.

I can multi-task - seek justice because of the evil one's hate and the harm they brought, and work for Andy's cause.

I just don't want these sick, evil scum to victimize others and they will. This was sport for them. They are envious and evil and must be stopped.

[Rob_G]

43. This was my point too.

I should have read the entire thread before posting, but merh is exactly right. You don't have to *hate* the people that you think should be prosecuted for criminal behavior. Said another way, don't assume that a vehement expression of wanting to see justice done *is* rooted in hate.

[frankly_fedup2]

36. I cannot believe a man is dead because he did not have health

Insurance and that a physician, who has taken an oath, and/or the administration of a hospital, denied him a procedure that could have "POSSIBLY" saved his life. I, like everyone else I am sure, have heard of such horror stories; but there is something else wrong with his situation in addition to the problems W. Pitt posted about.

I agree with you Jackpine Radical. Killing someone with kindness turns out to always be sweet revenge; however, whatever the injustices were, there are some pretty angry people here on DU regarding this (hundreds). I have seen anger here before; however, not to the extent I have seen regarding this situation. Unfortunately, some wrongs cannot be righted that way.

I did not know Andy, nor was I aware of anything to do with donations (I'm sorry and my thoughts are with the friends and family and, of course, Andy.) He is not in pain anymore and that is a blessing; however, a lot of you obviously knew him well, and from what you have said, he sounds like he was a wonderful human being, and I truly feel cheated for not knowing him. Also, from the bits and pieces I have read here tonight, there were some horrible individuals that obviously hurt Andy even more when he needed help. Their actions appear to be even more deplorable then the physician and hospital that seem to have turned a blind eye to Andy while he was dying.

I would just like to say that those who are aware of the situation, I hope you follow through with whatever legal avenues you have with or without the courts.

I don't know how I missed the posts regarding this terrible situation; however, posts move pretty quickly on DU, and unless one is on everyday, some things can get by you. I know that is really no excuse and I'm so sorry. However, I would sincerely like to know the hospital and/or physicians that denied Andy treatment because of no health insurance or money to pay for it. Seriously, I would like their mailing addresses, and I will write them a letter through snail mail with no mention of who gave me the information. Also, local media addresses would be good to post as well. If anyone wants to IM me with the information, I would greatly appreciate it.

The hospitals around where I live have signs up EVERYWHERE that state that NO ONE will be denied treatment due to lack of insurance or money. I wonder if those signs are up at the facilities that this young man went to for help? If there are, and he was denied care only because of that, then his premature death is unbelievably unjust and deplorable, and legal action should be taken and/or attention (through the local media) regarding the circumstances of his premature death and how it came about. It appears as if he was left without any options and that is unacceptable. Andy’s gone; however, bringing his situation to the public might save the life of someone else.

If there are going to be any actions taken against the scum that were so cruel to this poor soul in his final days online, please post the information, and I will gladly contribute through DU. From some of the posts that I have read, it appears no one wants to deal with Pay Pal ever again either.

I wish I had paid more attention to what was going on. If I had, I would have helped in any way that I could.

DU is a very large community and a lot of us really do not know one person from another personally and have never met anyone. I know I am passionate about my politics (among other things), same as most of you are. I have to say that over the years, I have had so many people offer to help me with different issues and information and I didn’t even have to ask. Democratic Undergrounder’s have opened their hearts to me when I was having problems, freely offering me their time as well as resources to help me with an issue I was confused about, and even some people have invited me to stay with them in their homes whenever I may be in a particular area. Last but not least . . . always friendship.

I would just like to say "Thank You” now because as we all know too well, none of us are promised tomorrow.

Andy obviously had many friends here that loved him. It is so clear to see that even those that had never met him, but had gotten to know him online thought the World of him. It reminds me of that old song that asks, “Why do the good die young?”

Rest in peace Andy.

[RandomKoolzip]

39. Great post.

I feel exactly the same way. I really wish I had been paying more attention when the shit was really going down; now that he's dead, I feel rage at my own apathy and a white hot anger at those scumbags who prevented him from getting medical care because of his fucking politics.

I'm sorry I couldn't help you, Andy. RIP.

[Darkhawk32]

47. That was a beautfiul post. n/t

[frankly_fedup2]

51. Thanks you guys. I just didn't know what else to say. I feel terrible

about what I have read and what has gone on. I feel like I have had my head up my arse. I'm glad you understood and feel the same way regarding this horribly sad situation.

[Rob_G]

42. Hate?

You know, wanting to see the creeps who trumped up their smear campaign get frog-marched off to prison where they belong does not have to be motivated in hate, just in wanting to see justice done.

[WilliamPitt]

44. You do that

I''ll do that, too.

But thankfully I can multitask.

[frankly_fedup2]

50. I went to that site and I cannot believe how Andy was attacked so

mercilessly. I saved it and everything they have on it just in case they try to get rid of it now. I'm sure you have since you have the inside scoop on it all.

Is Andy's death been put in the obituaries where he lives yet? That would be the first thing I would bring their attention. I would even give them the number to the paper so they can verify it to their satisfaction. (not that I give a whoop about their satisfaction); however, even though they obviously crawled out from under some rock, they are subhuman, and maybe the funeral arrangements would get their attention.

They can run but they cannot hide from this one.

I do wonder how much jail time someone gets for filing a false claim to the FBI? I know if you file a false claim to the police department it is a pretty serious crime and is guaranteed jail time; but, can you even imagine what kind of charges someone would get for filing a false claim to the FBI? I guess we will find out soon enough.

[fortyfeetunder]

52. That's right, continue the fight.

I see no point in getting angry anymore. Reading these posts is getting to be emotionally draining. It's time to unite and fight the corruption that is our voting system. Plain and simple.
We shall overcome.

[blondeatlast]

53. Some national/single payer health care sites of interest:

http://www.physiciansproposal.org/

http://www.amsa.org/

http://www.pnhp.org/

The Massachusetts Nurse's Association (as a longtime insulin dependent diabetic, I have the utmost respect and admiration for nurses) has some very good links to information promoting single payer insurance:
http://www.massnurses.org/single_payer/mass_nurse.htm

Keep your eyes on the prize for Andy!

[sybylla]

54. I cannot imagine Andy being anything but an inspiration for his causes

He was an inspiration to me in life. His death only makes me more determined.

But I have also jumped on the bandwagon of justice seekers. I don't believe in an afterlife. I want justice on earth for Andy and I will do what I can to see it done. Screw Scamdy, Screw the Freepers is a rally cry, imho.