It`s a beautiful thing.....Karl Rove can not stop us.

[democrank]

The Peace Movement folks (myself included) who are defiantly standing up to the Bush administration remind me of a domestic violence victim I met a few years ago. When I first met her, years of despair had slouched her shoulders and constant turmoil had robbed her of the clear mind she needed in order to plot her escape from her hopelesness. Eventually, with a little help from new friends, she found her voice and her way.

It`s amazing to me, what a difference a simple outstretched hand can make or the comfort that comes with a genuine hug from someone who really understands. That`s what has happened with this Peace Movement. Courage from one was passed to another, then another, and another. Someone whispered, "You`re not alone" and someone else heard it and passed it on. Now we know the truth of it. We`re in this together and there is hope.

I honestly thought it would never happen. Day after day after day I heard the pundits. The media. The Swiftboaters. The Red State majority. Limbaugh`s Ditto Heads. I felt bombared with war plane graphics, meaningless briefings, asinine polls. Just when I thought things were as hopeless as they could get, I heard Cindy Sheehan`s voice and then another ten and another twenty. I knew immediately this was the moment we collectively removed Karl Rove`s stranglehold from our throats.

Starting now, I do not care what any of the media tarts say. I`ll ignore all the idiotic question-of-the-day polls. Rove can dress Bush up in fifty hero suits and Ann Coulter can froth at the mouth `til she chokes. Nothing...absolutely nothing...will stop me from standing up and speaking out. The precious part...I`ll have plenty of company and my constant companion will be my new bumpersticker with a quote by Maggie Kuhn, "SPEAK YOUR MIND, EVEN IF YOUR VOICE SHAKES."

[bleever]

1. It's a good feeling. And thanks, very well said.

[wtmusic]

2. All the money and media manipulation in the world

up against a broken-hearted mom in a ditch.

They don't have a chance.

[A Brand New World]

3. I saw the best bumper sticker yesterday in West Central Ohio -

prime Repub territory - that said "PeaceMonger". The car was driven by a middle aged man. It made my day. I'll have to research and see where I can get one. I'm not a bumper sticker person, in fact, my Kerry/Edwards one was just taped in my back window. But this one sure fits the bill.

[Iris]

10. "Peace Takes Courage" is another great sticker.

http://www.cafepress.com/irregulargoods.5750146

[sunnystarr]

4. So well said

I feel the same way. I don't watch CNN or MSNBC anymore (I stopped peeking in at Fox a year ago). I listen to Air America and Brad only and tune into Jon Stewart and now Bill Maher. I know any outrageous statements from the pundits will appear here and I check out the links. I refuse to get dragged down anymore and know from all of you that I'm not alone.

For others like me, it's time to get politically involved in a public way instead of bitching at home.

Cindy Sheehan lit a candle and illuminated the world.

[Usrename]

15. Jon Stewart held me together too.

A glimpse of reality in an otherwise uncomprehensible spinning, steaming, pile circling the bowl.

Cindy has saved us.

[pberq]

23. Another place to check is Democracy Now!

This is one of the best concise news shows - Amy Goodman and staff are outstanding.

http://www.democracynow.org/

[sunnystarr]

24. Thanks for reminding me. I do check many sites

every day like rawstory, truthout, bradblog, huffingtonpost, and I'm also on dailykos, but I've got to put democracy now on that daily list.

[xxqqqzme]

5. don't forget this either

"...If you fall on the side that is pro-George, and pro-war, you get your ass over to Iraq, and take the place of somebody who wants to come home. And if you fall on the side that is against this war and against George Bush, stand up and speak out."

But whatever side you fall on, quit being on the fence..."

Cindy Sheehan, Aug. 5. 2005

[Usrename]

17. I was for the war, still am.

Only the enemy has changed. I want these bastards for war crimes. I was just beginning to believe in our military again when these bastards came in. Remember Bush saying there was a morale problem in the military under Clinton? Makes me puke.

[ClassWarrior]

20. Then get your ass to Iraq and take the place of someone who...

...wants to come home.

NGU.

[Usrename]

29. Why would I go to Iraq? I don't feel threatened by anyone in Iraq.

[ClassWarrior]

6. I believe.

And Never Give Up. :patriot:

[Independent_Liberal]

25. I believe too...

And I'll never give up.

Remember, VISUALIZE IMPEACHMENT!

:)

[ClassWarrior]

27. Amen.

B-)

NGU.

[AuntieM1957]

7. Thanks for giving me some much needed spine control

Today, I packed my YMCA after workout shower bag with my newest tshirt.

It says "I stand with Cindy Sheehan, bring home the troops now, end the war"

I was so timid to being wearing it walking through the Y. Needed to stop at the grocery at the way home, but chickened out.

Sometimes it gets hard to be the the blue among the red sea.

But, when I muster the courage - I,too, hear the thank God I'm not the only one whispers. And maybe I give someone else the courage to find their one voice.

Your post came at a really great time for me - thanks!

[democrank]

8. AuntieM....

Forget this "chickened out" stuff. You wore it walking through the Y, didn`t you? Bravo! Good for you.

[MasonJar]

9. Auntie M, Wear that t-shirt. You will be astounded how many will

come up and say they like your shirt. Try it; you'll see.

[MuseRider]

11. Very nice.

They can smear and call names all they want. I gained tremendous courage from being in Crawford and reading about it all. I came home with several new bumperstickers, two of them are the bright pink of Code Pink. They are now on the back of my truck. Here in Kansas people usually do not speak out in this way, it is a little scary but I have never had problems. Today I parked my truck at a store close to the Base where they were having some to do. Lots of guards were in and out of the store. I took a deep breath and left my truck in the middle of the jeeps and walked in with my Crawford Peace House tee on. It was a little upsetting but I have put myself out there before. No one said anything, no dirty looks so I am even more certain that I did the right thing. We have to bring these things up and keep it up and not back down. Very well said, this is not going away. I love your new bumpersticker. Where did you find that one?

[democrank]

12. Muserider....

You asked about the bumpersticker. I got it for $1.50 in a teeny store here in rural Vermont. I`ll get one for you if you want.

I was really touched by your story, especially the "took a deep breath" part. Every time we take a deep breath before we show a little courage, we should imagine that we`re just sucking in some energy from everyone here that`s supports what we`re doing.

[MuseRider]

13. Wow thanks.

If you want to PM me I could easily just call and order one from them.

That is a great way to think of those deep breaths we all have to take from time to time. That is how it felt in Crawford, I know that those who could not go there sent so much energy and I know it is felt there and used to their advantage.

[Cha]

14. I like that very much..

"SPEAK YOUR MIND EVEN IF YOUR VOICE SHAKES"

I found this link..

http://www.cafepress.com/shop/bumper-stickers/browse/store/ibs1.17014157

[Gregorian]

16. I still hardly believe it. But when I heard Steve Earle at Crawford...

The Revolution Starts Now. I really heard what he had to say. It was- SPEAK UP. Tell your neighbor. Don't be affraid.

When I read your first paragraph, I remembered the people I have known who were their husband's doormats. It was even one of the good things about Werner Erhardt's EST that worked. It was that the women who were doormats were letting it happen. I see a graph in my mind. On the axes are TIME and OPTIMISM. At first, the optimism is waning, until one discovers the truth. The truth that the battering is going to continue, and it is you who must do the changing. But then comes the light. The freedom from oppression. And the optimism waxes.

Noone has us by the leash. NOONE! Not homeland fricking security, not Karl Pinky Girlyman Rove, not the Bush Family Evil Empire. If fear gets in our way, the truth gets pushed away from the light. When they shut down the internet, we will find each other some other way. There is light, and there is a bigger picture. It is us. We know the truth.

[Arkana]

18. It feels nice to smack Karl Rove around.

A change of pace, if nothing else, and payback for all the baseless lies he's helped perpetrate.

[NMMNG]

19. Well said

The bullies in the White House may try to shut us up but it won't work. They use the MSM and other outlets to spin the truth so we look like liars, lunatics and the like. In the end, we will still be around and we will still be shouting the truth for all to hear.

[emanymton]

21. Oh Yes They Can. You Can Be Disappeared.

What makes anyone think it can't happen here? Ever hear of "enemy combatant?"

"We the people" can win but keep in mind, they have the guns.


Bush Lied. People Died. Media Cheered.

[pberq]

22. I had this same thought when I first

heard and interview with Cindy. She has galvanized the peace movement that was simmering under the radar. We will not be stopped now!

[Eloriel]

26. About speaking your truth --

A few more quotes for you:

When I care to be powerful -- to use my strength in service of my vision -- then it becomes less important whether I am afraid. -- Audre Lord

Cast your whole vote. A minority is powerless when it sides with the majority; its not even a minority; but it becomes very powerful when it throws its whole weight against the majority -- Ray McGovern

Each of us is put here in this time and this place to personally decide the future of mankind. Did you think you were put here for something else? -- Chief Arvol Looking Horse

When great changes occur in history, when reat principles are involved, as a rule the majority are wrong. -- Eugene V. Debs

Do not submit. It is extremely critical that repression be met head on and that it be resisted with every fiber in our being. There is absolutely no compromise that can be made with it. As a matter of fact, compromise is what oppression feeds on. Without compromise it would be defeated. -- Harry Belafonte, upon being asked in a TV interview how to survive political repression

[Mad_Dem_X]

28. Excellent post!

I, too, am just finding my voice. I am determined to do whatever I can for as long as I can, to help us defeat these evil people. Kudos to you!