Now, Dear DUers, How was that. (Schilling Bows Out)

[louis c]

To all of you folks who criticized me yesterday, our Union efforts here in Mass may have had some affect on Shilling's decision to "Bow Out" of his joint appearance with President Asshole.

You see, his commercial endorsements as well as his charity are all centered where it will have the greatest affect, here in New England. Well, outside of NH, we are all deep blue, and NH is pale blue.

We instantly had the AFL-CIO, as well as a rash of local unions complain about Curt's actions. This was not coordinated with the Kerry campaign, thereby leaving no downside to them. We did this on our own.

Even though DUers, like Will_Pitt tried to undermine our efforts, we accomplished our goal of not having a photo-op for Bush with Schilling, and now Bush will travel to NH for nothing, and there will be a disappointed crowd in Portsmouth.

I don't know if what we did was the reason Curt changed his mind. I have a felling his wife may have convinced him that their effort's to help others in this region would be hurt by his appearing with President Asshole. We may never know the exact reason, but those of you who E-mailed Curt, or called Dunkin' Donuts to complain may have helped change his mind.

To you folks, the Union workers in Massachusetts say thanks. This will turn out to be bad news for Bush in NH, in a day of all bad news for the Asshole in the White House.

God Bless all here at DU.

[Career Prole]

1. Thanks, Louie!

I appreciate the effort!
:yourock:

[Meryton]

2. good job

maybe hundreds will show up like they do for Cheney?

whatever the reason, good job.

(nice win too)

[CarolynEC]

3. Hats off to you! We are in a battle for New Hampshire...

... and a Schilling-Bush photo op had potential to do real harm to our cause.

[WilliamPitt]

4. I "undermined your efforts" by posting on DU

...or something. My powers are beyond my understanding.

You missed the point yesterday, and it isn't worth the time to rehash today. I'm glad you feel you got something done, and I am indeed glad that Schilling isn't going to NH.

But he had the absolute right to say what he said, and to go where he wanted to go.

[louis c]

14. You tried to pour cold water on our efforts

Everyone has a right to his opinion. Use your efforts more wisely.

I think your heart's in the right place, but your head's not.

This is a war, and Union workers know how to fight.

Watch Hoffa, Sweeney, Haynes et all.

We're in this to win, and will use every legal tool at our disposal to accomplish this goal.

You can sit here and complain, I'll try to work with my Union Brethren to deliver the 4 EV in NH.

[LuminousX]

24. At least be honest with yourself and say you are ok with a double standard

If Curt had cried out for people to vote for Kerry, you'd be thrilled.

[bicentennial_baby]

26. Word to that

Hypocrisy at it's best.

[louis c]

27. Absolutely, but I have one standard.

I never criticized Freepers for boycotting Springsteen. I went out and bought a CD for myself to show my support.

As I said yesterday, I bought Springsteen CD's for my nieces and nephews as gifts on every occasion that warrants a gift.

Sometimes I listen to Right Wing Radio just to know where I shouldn't shop. There is nothing wrong in voting with your dollars.

Rather than whine and cry when the other side does it, which I have never done, I believe we should go out and beat them at their own game.

Springsteen is drawing huge crowds for Kerry, and they had to pull the documentary against Kerry, and now Schilling has folded.

We can beat them at their own game, because our numbers are greater and our passion is stronger.

I'm a Union guy, we don't cry, we fight back.

[BillZBubb]

36. Double standard? HOGWASH!

It is only a double standard if you accept a MORAL equivalency between the two candidates and motivations for an endorsement. There is no such equivalency. Bush* has a record of war and death, deception and debt. Kerry doesn't.

If Shilling had said "vote Kerry" I would have been happy. He would have been promoting something beyond his own self interest. By saying "vote Bush*", he was selfishly promoting his own narrow self-interest (a big fat tax cut for rich people like himself).

That is no double standard.

[CarolynEC]

47. ***** BING BING BING BING **** We have a winner.

You are absolutely correct -- there is no moral equivalency here!

Someone in another thread tried to compare Schilling to Muhammed Ali, who spoke out against the Viet Nam war. What nonsense! Speaking out against a horrible quagmire and embracing the architect of our own generation's horror simply cannot be compared.

It's not a matter of taking a stance. It's a matter of the stance you take.

[Name removed]

52. Deleted message

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

[SammyWinstonJack]

55. So agree!

[billyoc]

28. "I'll try to work with my Union Brethren to deliver the 4 EV in NH."

Ah, that's the stuff. Greetings from TWU local 125 in NYC. Don't forget how * likes to refer to working people as a "special interest group"(not that you would).

[ret5hd]

30. greetings to you from...

TWU local 567 in ft. worth, tx.

[mvd]

16. And I agree with you

Schilling had a right to say what he said (even though a bit ill-timed,) just like celebs I like such as Rachel Bilson and Natalie Portman have the right to say they're supporting Kerry on national TV. The Repukes' Celiberal site is one of the most worthless sites on the internet, and I don't want to get like them with hatred of celebs for political views. That said, hurray for Schilling backing out of campaigning with Bush!

[louis c]

17. It wasn't accomplished

because of attitudes like yours.

We are in a war. You want to play bean bag, good luck. I want to win.

[mvd]

25. I'm not saying not to fight

And it is war. If there was pressure on Schilling not to campaign, then I have no problem with that. I just don't get caught up in celebs.

[louis c]

31. No, you don't say "not to fight"

but leave it someone else.

Politics is not a risk averse business, it takes bold, quick initiatives.

Sometimes, one can get burnt.

But this election is not for the faint of heart.

Let me give you another example. I belong to the Greater Boston Labor Council, AFL-CIO. It has over 100 locals in the area.

When the Boston Police threatened the convention, we supported them. However, I spoke to their President, Tommy Nee, and got a promise that if we supported him, he would not embarrass us by endorsing Bush.

The Boston Police never endorsed a Democrat for President.

He promised that he would at least make no endorsement, thereby taking an arrow out of Bush's quiver.

Last week they did better than that, they endorsed Kerry.

We are fighting to liberate America every day, in every way that is legal. We can not, and will not leave a stone unturned.

If Karl Rove wants to play rough, we here at the Mass AFL-CIO say Bring It On.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

35. He has a right to say what he wants and we have a right to boycott his

interests....that's our free speech right....again...this is a man who has the right to strike against his owner and has an airtight labor contract..who was going to schill for a man that would just as soon fire him than allow him to strike.

Glad he backed off.

[trumad]

38. I swear when I'm to lzay to post... I just wait for you to post

because quite often you post exactly what I am thinking. As usual you hit this dead on......BTW: When ya coming back to Tampa?

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

42. Probably in January since Misunderestimator

will be coming out for THanksgiving and the holidays....we'll give you the dates as soon as we know so we can work something out this time :)

[CatWoman]

39. Damn Will,

your'e about as powerful as the Clenis!!!

You go, boy!!!

[Rebellious Republican]

56. Will, he is right about you having an influence on DU'ers, you know it

I have been posting here for a couple of years, Don't be coy, you know that you have somewhat of a cult following on DU.

And for good reason, your prose are very powerful, extremely passionate and moving. You are a natural born writer and have an instinctual flare for reaching into the hearts and minds of the masses.

Now with that said, you also have an incredibly huge ego as a result of this elevated status here. I have posted replies to some of your threads, but have been ignored by you and others in your clique.

Why, I don't know, but I have been snubbed by you and others, maybe because I am not New England bred and considered Harvard stock.

I may be just a former republican redneck from the south, blue collar, pick up driving, run of the mill hick.

But I do have some intelligence, can read and have life experiences that helps me to see the world with an open mind.

In regard to your post yesterday, your passion may have crossed the line on several levels. It is possible you do not or can not see the power of your statements.

Yes you have your right to express your opinion on this forum.

However it did strike a nerve with some, as with many influential and passionate writers, it can also have a adverse effect and negitive impact.

Well thats my two cents worth, but who really cares what a rebellious old republican thinks anyway?

[DrZeeLit]

5. Excellent work. Say thanks to the union wokers! n/t

[madmax]

6. Hats off to louis

Nice job!!! :hug: :bounce:

[JuniorPlankton]

7. Thank you SO much!

[skylarmae]

8. thank you - his bowing out is the best

boost we could ask for considering the situation. Making lemonade out of lemons, I'd say.

[demokatgurrl]

9. I always say- UNION YES!!!! Thank you!!!! n/t

[Cerridwen]

10. Good job! Thanks for your contributions and hard work! n/t

[Michigan Dem]

11. Congrats and thanks...

...enjoy the parade on Saturday and the even bigger party on Tuesday night...:)

[snippy]

12. Very cool. I just asumed that Schilling's doctors

were American patriots who love their country.

[npincus]

13. not as sweet as Sinclair folding like a cheap suit, but close

thanks for your good works

[K8-EEE]

15. No Criticism Here!

You go!

[Malva Zebrina]

18. He admitted himself that mixing politics with the win was the wrong thing

to do, and the next story was that his doctor said he should not do it due to his health.

When I saw Kerry wearing the Sox hat in so many different photos after they won, I looked around for something out of the Bush camp re the win. I found nothing. No congratulations, no pats on the back--and this from a guy and a National Security advisor who reportedly are so very interested in baseball--I found nothing. Of course, I am not exposed to every word and photo in every corner of the US so there may be something I missed. I wondered why Shilling was so willing to stump for Bush, in view of all that non support.

[Rose Siding]

23. He called the owner

Typical.

[luckypunch]

19. Great job

I know he has a right to his opinion, but it was a big disappointment that clouded the win.

[freedom_to_read]

20. something I heard yesterday on Faux 25

David Wade said something like "I talked to Shilling about his support for Bush and he said he was really a McCain supporter and therefore, by default, a Bush supporter."

Actually this is not an exact quote, as it's 5 times more eloquent than Wade knows how to be. But the point is, as early as yesterday afternoon Shilling was backing off his pro-Bush stance.

Now, why a McCain supporter would ever support Bush after all the shameful crap he pulled in South Carolina is beyond me, but there you have it.

Good news for our guys, in the end.

[DeepModem Mom]

21. Thank you!

[senseandsensibility]

22. Thanks brothers and sisters

I was at work yesterday and missed this entire story. I didn't hear about the union efforts until I read your post. Anytime that working people use their power is a beautiful day to me. Thanks for any part you had in this, Louis.:-) I choose to praise the brave working men and women who made their voices heard in a legal and ethical manner, and to ignore a multi millionaire who uses his celebrity to try to influence poor people to vote against their interests. Of course he has the right to do it, but we have EVERY right to complain.

[louis c]

54. You're Welcome

[theboss]

29. I still don't care

I mean, from a purely political standpoint, it's good that Schilling is not shilling (ha!) for the President.

But, I simply hate the idea of "mobilizing" every time somebody states an opinion.

The eventual outcome is that we are going to live in a country where everyone is terrified to state an opinion.

And that is what the Bush Cabal wants more than anything.

The political culture has changed for the first and you are helping to facilitate that.

[louis c]

33. Let's just say we should mobilize

only during a close election when our lives are at stake.

Is that a deal?

[July]

46. I wouldn't want Schilling to be afraid to state his opinion;

however, I felt that he was taking advantage of the win and his important role in it to influence voters. To me, he was a bit over the line, although I'd have less of a problem with his appearing with Bush and stating his support for him, which is something celebrities supporting both candidates have done. If someone asked him in an interview about his political views, I'd also have no objection.

Of course he's free to think and say what he wants, but he picked a poor moment and politicized a nonpolitical event. And when you do something like that, the rest of us are free to respond. In other words, we must all be prepared for unintended effects when we exercise our right to freely state our opinions, which are never offered in a vacuum.

[theboss]

48. I agree with you mostly.

What I hate is this new environment where someone states a relatively non-controversial opinion and half the country's response is "Destroy him!!!"

It's new even an argument of ideas at this point. It's really just turning into an economic battle. I mean, if you want to challenge Schilling by getting Larry Bird or Bill Russell or Carlton Fisk to campaign with Kerry, that's one thing. Then it's idea versus idea/icon versus icon. But this "boycott" attitude strikes me as more akin to intimidation than discussion.

[July]

50. I think a boycott is OK when we are Joe Blows & he's a famous sports star.

His use of a sort of "bully pulpit" given him by his fame and WS win is difficult for us nobodies to respond to in a meaningful way. A boycott is one option that can help us get our point across when simply stating our views won't. And a boycott call only works when people are annoyed enough to put their money where their mouths are. To me, it's another way to express ourselves. If corporate lobbying is "free speech," I'm okay with speaking with my dollars, too.

Also, the other side (people supporting Schilling's point of view, in this case) is free to use its $$$ to "counterboycott," if it chooses.

Just my 2 cents, though.

[realcountrymusic]

32. Bravo to the people who made him see the light

I guess money IS more important than JESUS to some of those freaks.

Schilling can KISS MY ASS. And I'm a Red Sox die hard. Change of mind or not, he should still be punished in the wallet for this episode. Let it be a lesson to all of them.

RCM

[The Wielding Truth]

34. Let's send that will power over to media. Bush scary and incompetent!

[mitchum]

37. Good work, brothers and sisters!

[Ksec]

40. It was a bonehead move.

He must be a stupid man to go in the middle of a huge celebration and inject politics into it . That will go down as maybe the dumbest move ever made.

I imagine the president of the Bosox wanted to kill him. To have so much good will comin their way and then have Shilling throw aa wrench into it was insane. If he didnt realize it would be a bad move, hes a stupid man. If he knew what would happen hes a troll looking for attention. Either way he lost. the dumbass.

[umtalal]

41. Thanks Louis and the Union.

[louis c]

53. There is strength in Unity

[nolabels]

43. Thank goodness he did

I am not really going to speculate why exactly he did and I think there is hope for him yet. Sports-Politics-Art the axis of opinion

[prayin4rain]

44. Wow, awesome job ya'll. Really, way to go.

[Catherine Vincent]

45. I'm glad he changed his mind.

He should be celebrating their victory with his fans and other teammates and not out there campaigning with Bush.

[DemocracyInaction]

49. I just saw that on CNN and didn't know you had already posted

ANyway, the first thing I thought was that it doesn't go down well with Sox fans around here who have stayed with this team and believed for so long to have Shilling come home and shit on our "hometown" boy. Kerry's New England's hometown boy and, thus, Curt insulted us all. Think maybe Curt said to himself, "gee, I want my tax cut BUT hell, if I piss off my fans and I lose tv ad money I come out worse". As they say in the 'biz', Curt, break a leg.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

51. Thank you so much.

I really appreciate everything you have done.