Democrats: Get Up and Walk Out by Will Rivers Pitt

[Jon8503]

MEMO
To: Congressional Democrats
From: William Rivers Pitt
RE: A bold maneuver


- - - -

I have a wild and crazy idea.

George W. Bush's delivery of the State of the Union address will take place on Tuesday, January 31, a little more than a week from now. It is my strong belief that every single Democrat present in the House chamber for the speech should, at a predetermined moment, stand up and walk out. No yelling. No heated words. Every Democrat should simply stand silently and leave.

Crazy, I know. Crazy, and possibly the best idea ever put before a body of Democrats since the New Deal.

Understand this, congressional Democrats, and understand it well: you are not dealing merely with a body of political opponents in the GOP. You are dealing with a group of people that want you exterminated politically. The days of walking the halls of the Rayburn Building, sharing a bourbon with a colleague from the other side of the aisle, and hammering out a compromise are as dead as Julius Caesar. Collegiality is out. Mutual respect is out. They want you gone for good. Erased. Destroyed.

And you have been far too polite about this. The writing has been on the wall for a while now. Back in 1995, Republican Senator Phil Gramm said, "We're going to keep building the party until we're hunting Democrats with dogs." That was eleven years ago. If you listen close, you can hear the beasts baying in the distance, waiting to slip the leash. Your limp tactics in the face of the assault upon you, your vacillation, your strange hope that maybe the GOP will be nicer tomorrow, has left you all smelling like Alpo.

For the love of God, you are being compared to Osama bin Laden all over network television because some within your ranks have had the courage to question the war in Iraq. It hasn't been subtle. Bin Laden, according to the right-wing talking heads, is getting his talking points straight from Howard Dean. These are the out-front spokespeople for the folks running the GOP right now. If you think there is compromise to be had with these people, if you think there is quarter to be given to you, then I have a nice, big red bridge to sell you in San Francisco.

(rest of article @ link)

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/012206A.shtml

[NMDemDist2]

1. where do I sign? n/t

[xchrom]

2. beautifully written.

and i love the idea -- even if it just meant that some of the democrats did it -- that would be something indeed.

[adarling]

3. someone posted an idea like this earlier

not sure if they read this but it was earlier in the day so possibly not. i agree with him, this president has broken the law and has totally disregarded congress. This is the only message that this jackass will get and understand.

[Cronus Protagonist]

17. The Republicans did exactly that in 1995 - we might as well do it too

Walkout during the SOTU, that is.

[samhsarah]

4. thanks will. K&R

:kick:

[NanceGreggs]

5. As always, Mr. Pitt hits the proverbial nail ...

... squarely on the head, not just with the facts he has set out, but with the action he is proposing.

Our elected Democrats have been silent for too long. Do they want air-time on every major network and cable-TV news outlet? Well, here's their opportunity.

These people have been elected to represent us, not to thwart our goals as to where this country should be headed, and how we can get there.

To paraphrase Bush in another context, we Democratic voters can step down -- just as soon as our elected Democrats step up!

K'd & R'd!

[Hardrada]

6. The Democrats on Congress should realize that

the more they vacillate and be nice and quiet, the fewer are the chances for non-violent opposition to GOP totalitarianism.

[Boo Boo]

7. Yes, as soon as Bush starts in with the justifications for his illegal

surveillance activities and his inherent CINC powers the Dems should boo loudly, British Parliament-style---I mean really go all out---and then take a walk. Right on National TV.

Of course, they never would. Too bad, it would be a helluva great show.

[Triana]

8. K & R...where do I sign?

If here, consider it SIGNED.

[Carni]

9. Excellent! One of your best yet!

Now let's hope they take heed (the big bunch of fools!)

[Kurovski]

10. I vote yea on the move to move out the door.

William, have you sent this out or are you adequately assured that it will be seen by those who most need to see it?

[Clark2008]

11. Good article, but they won't do it.

They're wimps, for the most part.

[kentuck]

12. Would that be a more courageous move than filibustering a judge?

I wonder?

[il_lilac]

13. Sent the article to both my senators

Why not? Maybe they have'nt thought of it yet.

[CanOfWhoopAss]

14. Daschle played nice and where is he now? STAND UP WHILE YOU CAN!! nt

[emc]

15. get real

its a great idea---but the odds are that congress is going to play it safe again---why take chances---

Look at it from this point of view----Ive made congress my career, Ive been here for 10-30 years, --why should I rock the boat and get myself in hot water---- ...Why ,I might not be reelected for another term of tv talk shows, and basically doing nothing for a living other then showing up for a vote once in a while----

besides I can concentrate on great legislation like passing a flag burning amendment, instead of national hospitalization---------

I guess you can tell I'm pissed--------

[Senator]

19. This is real

Why not take chances? Why not defy the odds?

We can change their point of view. Yes, really.

And stay pissed. It's the proper state of mind.

Remember, for months we heard good, smart, pissed Democrats telling us the same thing:

You'll Never Get a Senator!

Well, you know what?



We got one.

--
www.january6th.org

[whometense]

16. I love this idea.

When the dems sit there through his lies it looks like acceptance, whether it is or not.

[Senator]

18. Let's Give Printed Invitations >>

(substitute InvitesSOTU.jpg for "two-up" version should you want to print/cut/passout)

---
www.january6th.org