Why won't Dems SPEAK OUT vs. writing letters which are ignored by the WH?

[Broken Acorn]

?

Is it me or I am missing something here?

Obviously, our country is so dumbed-down that the public only responds to soundbytes these days and can't actually read and think on their own.

So why can't Kerry, Dean, or other hold press conferences and TALK about it? Furthermore, when these influential representatives have an opportunity to speak out on talk shows, they totally skirt the issue.

We, the Dems, are the fools in a foolish nation.

[OldLeftieLawyer]

1. Remember Conyers' petition?

A big deal about handing it over, and what?

Nothing, that's what.

You're absolutely right.

Words. Talk. The truth. They have to get out there, start talking, and not stop. That's exactly what the Other Side does, and look how well it's worked for them.

There can be no stopping to let the Other Side respond, because we've already heard everything they have to say and look where we are now. That's why the Democrats have to be unyielding and strong.

Sadly, there's not one of them - not one - who will do this, and when a concerted effort is called for, no one responds.

I lost faith in them a while back.

So people content themselves with signing worthless "petitions" and making phone calls to staffers on the Hill who know how to agree with everything the callers say, hang up, and laugh. No one wants to get off their butts and take to the streets, which is what it takes.

That's the only thing that's keeping these mofos from instituting a draft - they know that would bring everyone out, and they're not about to let that happen. They'll just keep the troops there until they drop from exhaustion, not bullets or bombs.

End of rant.

[shraby]

2. They can't just walk into a television studio

and start talking. They have to be scheduled. No schedule, no talk. Simple as that.

[mitchtv]

3. they need to be leading people in the Streets

in every major and most minor cities in the US, that'l get them an apointment. Maybe the marches should go to the corporate media outlets. People say what will it take to get people into the streets? ANS... leadership, guts, some star power.I gave to Kerry, he ended his campaign with 15 million dollars he could have spent, now all I get is requests for more. How about leading an anti war march John? Oh that's right

[calimary]

7. Man, you sure bring up a sore point that still burns me.

I, too, gave to Kerry. Gave and gave and gave. Many times. Til it hurt. There were TONS of other things I could have, and maybe should have, spent at least some of that money on. And he wound up with a whole lot extra at the end of his campaign that he could have spent. He's got name recognition. Why the hell doesn't he stage some sort of media event? Hell, he's from Massachusetts, WHY THE FUCK can't he get some of his followers together in his own home state and stage a Boston Tea Party or something? Something with color, action, and lots of extra meaning - lots of interesting visuals that the TV whores would be drawn to like moths to porch lights. I mean, Dear God! We DO need people in the streets. DAMN, I want my country back! This is getting too Third Reichian for me. THERE! I did a Nazi reference. And I'm NOT apologizing!

[cyberpj]

10. I'm with you comrade.

You expressed my sentiments perfectly.

[LightningFlash]

31. Kerry was a whimp....

Lets see if he changes to save all from the lions den.

[cyberpj]

11. YES! I've been saying that until I'm blue in the face!

500,000 in NY during the conventino and NO TV COVERAGE!?

There would sure as hell be TV coverage if we had some A-list Dems doing the leading of some protests.

Where are they?!

[Zhade]

30. Agreed - they should be LEADERS.

But most of them are Status Quo Dems, so it's unlikely to happen. Just toss a few bones our way to make it look like they're doing a lot.

That, of course, does not apply to someone like Conyers, for example, who busts his ass every day because he cares about the truth.

[OldLeftieLawyer]

4. And that's relevant to what I wrote how?

Of course they have to be scheduled. And the way you get the attention of schedulers is by making news.

Duh.

[Dr Fate]

18. Dean has been on TV more than Brad Pitt lately. MUM on the DSM.

So dont buy the "Republicans wont let us go on TV" BS excuse.

Dean, Kerry, Hillary, Obama can get on TV interview or debate shows anytime they want.

I've SEEN them on TV shows with my own eyes, in fact!

[OldLeftieLawyer]

19. Not Dean

He's not an elected Democrat.

Is anyone paying attention?

It's not about "debate shows," which, by the way, are anything but "debate."

(You know, I'm old, and I've got mine, and I've done more than my part, and I'm starting to think I should just quit all efforts and watch the world go to hell because people wanted to watch TV.)

Is anyone paying attention? Will anyone do anything?

[Dr Fate]

20. Why not Dean?- he is on TV shows pratically every other day.

And I agree with putting "debate" in quotes.

The point is that star DEMs could be going on TV to give this issue maximum exposure.

[OldLeftieLawyer]

21. Face it - Dean's soiled

He's a failed candidate. That marks him and makes his credibility - to a lot of people out there - questionable.

Kerry, Pelosi, Boxer, Frank, Clinton - need I go on?

And it doesn't start on TV.

It starts in the streets, where all revolutions start.

[Dr Fate]

22. You cant get my Aunts & Uncles on the streets. But they will vote.

And they vote based on what they see "on the TV."

But hey, I'm basically wit-cha.

[OldLeftieLawyer]

23. Then let the old folks - like me -

see all the people in the streets, hear all the noise, read all the signs, listen to all the speakers, and they'll vote, all right. Won't they?

[Dr Fate]

25. The media wont show protests. But they will show those interview shows.

That is my point.

We need to go where we have access. Just my take.

[OldLeftieLawyer]

27. You've got it backwards

If Democrats start honking and stay on-message, stay the course, relentless and without cessation, THEY become the story, and that's how they get on TV.

Remember - first comes the news, then comes the TV.

So, Democrats have to MAKE news. And, imagine this as a lead (I'm kidding): "Today, Senate and House Democrats, in a unified and concerted group, grew a spine and denounced everything George W. Ratface has done since stealing office. Stay tuned."

See?

[Dr Fate]

16. Who is denying interviews to Dean ,Kerry,Obama, Hillary, etc?

????

[nikraye]

6. Generation "i"

"I", as in Internet...

Seems the general populous here on DU is too young to remember Vietnam. Oh, many of you make reference to it, sure enough, from all you've read in text books and on the Internet. But most of you must be too young to have actually LIVED Vietnam. To have felt in your gut, the shock and horror of the Kent State Massacre--thirteen gunned down by National Guard troops, four of whom died...

Americans then--against the interminable war, against a corrupt administration (Nixon), against tyranny--were willing to fight tooth and nail for their country. Fight. Not sit at a computer signing on-line petitions. Not sit around speed-dialing their cell phones to leave messages of indignation on congressional voice-mail systems. Not sit around bitching, biting, and baiting through one's personal blog. It should by now be crystal clear to all of us, all of us who truly care about this country, that such passive-aggressive efforts are not working. Are we to simply sit back and wait until 2008 to try to oust this administration? By 2008, even more states and counties are going to be using Diebold and/or ES&S. No matter how we, in actuality, cast our votes, it'll make no difference: The Republican Manip-u-vote machinery is already firmly in place. Don't kid yourselves; they know PRECISELY what the word "fixed" means, in any language, in any context. They INVENTED it.

It's time, kids. Time to set the pen, the keyboard, the paper petitions aside. Time to get up, go out, and get noticed. Time to fight for this country like we've never fought before, like we'll hopefully, never have to fight again.

It's not the Iraqi insurgency that is "in its last throes"... it's America. America, the beautiful, is dying. Before our very eyes.

It's time. Time to make noise, make headlines and, if need be, make bail. For the sake of your children and your children's children, people, brave to make a difference. Brave to save America.

[calimary]

8. Amen.

I'm old enough to remember all that, and to have participated. We need sit-ins again. Maybe we do need a draft. That, at least, mobilized and activated younger protestors. And that got TV coverage.

[OldLeftieLawyer]

12. Perfect

Dead right on.

Maybe we really do need a draft ................

[welshTerrier2]

14. just for the record ...

there are as many DU'ers above the age of 40 as below and many of us are looking at 50 fading away in the rear view mirror ...

i do agree with your main point, though, that the movement has to be in the streets ... it has to shut down every university in the country ... it has to be supported by those we voted to represent us ... otherwise, we're out of sight and out of mind ... the internet's power should not be underestimated ... what happens online is very important ... it is an underground media ... it energizes us and allows of to see that millions of others are of like mind ...

but citizens do need to get more invested in defending their democracy ... we need to stand together and feel the movement building ... we need to actually appear ...

you just cannot phone in a revolution ... even with broadband ...

[napi21]

5. I think this is part of Dean's phylosophy.

Say something dramatic that catches the attention of the media. Believe me, there are media hounds everywhere, especially in Wash! If ANY of the Dem Sens or Reps really SAID something exciting, it would get some media attention!

I don't know why they aren't doing that. I hate to say it, but without an explaination, I have to assume theyy're are all simply afraid!

[Dr Fate]

17. Because they really dont want to make the DSM an issue. Thus the "letters"

With "letters" they can say "See- we are fighting Bush- we wrote a letter-didn't you read about it on a Dem. website?"

Then when no media outlets cover those exciting "letters" they will blame the media for what they could not say in front of cameras.

[Hello_Kitty]

9. How about we do both?

I agree that it's important to have our voices heard and our faces seen by the public but we need to write the truth too. Some of those people who respond to soundbytes will go on to read more about the issues and it needs to be there for them. We need to get these letters to the local paper and on our e-mail lists. If it sways one out of 100, that's progress.

[OldLeftieLawyer]

13. No, sorry

That's nothing. That's all that people have done for almost three years now, and look what we have.

Living bodies in the streets. Loud voices that refuse to be silenced.

Never giving up.

Never giving in.

Never.

Never.

[mitchtv]

29. I thought I could outgrow this kind of stuff

But I'm still having to go to demonstrations, as well as the seniors in my area. Unfortunately there are few under 50 and even fewer under 40. Our job now is to Teach, but who? My guess is Barbara Boxer will catch on to the need soon . Why not Barbara Streisand= Bring back Joan Baez, how about a 4th of july Picnic/rally with the whole gang in someplace marginal like St Louis? Cleveland?Denver? All three? I am getting to old for this

[Dr Fate]

15. Because with "letters" they can tell the base "See-we are fighting"...

...without ruffling any feathers.

Of course the Star Democrats could go on TV and raise the issue and make accusations- but that would mean getting dirty fingernails.

When they ask for money or volunteer time form the anti-war base, they can say "We tried to fight Bush on this, we wrote letters, we put things on our websites, we said things at all-Democratic private speeches- but the media refused to cover it- now, about that check..."

That is why the Top, Star Democrats only talk about the DSM on websites or in "letters" or "releases"- but not on TV interviews or debate shows.

They want this to go away so they go on to "safe" issues. That is their strategy.

They want your MONEY but NOT your input or your issues- GET IT?

[trudyco]

28. Which is why I'm not voting for any of them next time....

I'm looking for a younger John Conyers to think outside the box. I was hoping Dean would organize summer "Concerts" and "liberal Christian revivals". Robert Kennedy Jr. is coming into our town to talk about autism and possible connection to vaccines - great idea, wrong subject. All the Dems should be pushing DSM, Iraq money fraud, Valery Plame outer, the Ohio money scam and its effect on the elections, still no Osama (why did we take our eye off the ball?), etc. Independent accountability and answers. They should be leading the people. If they can't get airtime then they should take it to the internet and the streets. If they rally the base then maybe the message will penetrate the swing vote, even if it doesn't get through MSM pravda.

All I get are disjointed pleas for money, the occasional "oh we sent them a petition!" and then pleas for money. The Dems always follow the Bush lead. And they plea for money.

This isn't vietnam. There is no draft(yet). The TV is not showing grisly pictures (though they could - they are definately in the B*sh pocket, not just lackards). A lot of people are older and working. Still, if we had leadership we could do a lot. I don't know if the Dems are afraid of the consequences. If so, I really hope they are considering the consequences of not doing anything. If you don't draw a line in the sand then the Neocons will just keep pushing the envelope into fascism and illegal activities.

I don't think a single Dem in front of a camera should ever NOT say something about DSM, Iraq money fraud, Valerie Plame outing and the need for an independent inquiry because all of these are serious crimes.

[blm]

24. Kerry's working up to an OFFICIAL INVESTIGATION. Ever hear of IranContra?

It took a year of Kerry pushing other senators to get that investigation off the ground...WITHOUT INTERNET HELP.

[quaoar]

26. Signing petitions is great

but it has to be much more than that.