get up and leave or stand and face smirk at SU? (which more powerful)

[donsu]

http://www.buzzflash.com/mailbag/06/01/mai06030.html

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Subject: What If They Gave a Party and No One Came?

R. J. Crane at Topplebush.com is suggesting the Democrats walk out of the State of the Union address.

TELL THE DEMS TO WALKOUT ON BUSH'S SOTU ADDRESS: We are urging our viewers to call House and Senate Dems and urge them to walkout on Bush's State of the Union address on January 31st to protest his corrupt immoral administration. If the Dems will take this bold action, forever it will be known as: The Day the Democrats Stood up for Democracy!

http://www.topplebush.com/oped2487.shtml

Now, we at The Whirlpool think a walkout would be interesting. But, would rather have the Dems "Stand up for Democracy." Instead of walking out, they should just not sit down at all. Stand during the entire speech. The Wrong Wing couldn't call attention to the cry-baby Dems walking out. Rather, they would be panning the crowd the entire time with Democrats "Standing up for Democracy." The cameras would catch people in the gallery "Standing up for Democracy" as well. They should all be wearing their "Stand up for Democracy" buttons.

Better yet, there could be twenty or thirty different buttons! There could be, "Torture is not American" and "No spying without a warrant! "and "We got rid of King George once, we can do it again!" and many, many others. The cameras would be spending more time looking for the different sayings than watching Bush.

Let's face it. If a hooded Iraqi prisoner can stand on a box indefinitely with electrodes attached to his testicles, Harry Reid can stand for a 35 minute Dubya speech.

Stash
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[acmavm]

1. Will Pitt suggested this (walking out) a few days ago. It's a

GREAT idea.

[acmejack]

2. Do you really think they will inconvenience themselves?

I doubt it. They will save it for something more worthwhile, whatever that might be.

[JuniperLea]

3. Stand and turn your back, or stand and stare him down

I'd stand with a poster board and a black marker... making hash marks for every lie he told. But that's just me:)


Standing and turning a back toward him seems a good one to me. It reminds me of that scene in Billy Jack where the American Indians stood and put a blanket over their heads to show how embarrassed they were at the miss-use of ceremonial dances.

[SeattleVet]

4. I like the idea of them standing with their backs to *.

It'll make it so much easier for the cameras that would be on * to scan the faces (and look for the various buttons!) of those with their backs to him. "Democrats Standing Up for Democracy".

[EVDebs]

5. Psssst. They don't even have to 'walk out'--rude. Don't show up instead.

Why show up and be kissed like Sen Lieberman did last time. A big wet sloopy French kiss too. Dems, who know better, will just not show up. Leave a lot of empty seats for that 1/2 of the Congress will speak louder than looking like whiners.

You Dem Reps and Sens already have been shut out of hearings and are ignored for the past five years now anyway; what's the good of being 'respectful' to a R-controlled photo-op anyway ?

Don't give the R's any more legitimacy. Your votes on the two AUMFs were bad enough !

[WePurrsevere]

6. I like this "Stand Up For Democracy" idea. I agree that walking out not

would just give the RepubliCONs fodder.

It is a long time to stand but not impossible. I can't walk well but even I could lock my knees (shifting a bit now and then) for 35 minutes as a protest (and pay for it later but gladly). Just once I'd truly like the Dems to do something truly remarkable against this Anti-American regime. I can understand dipolmacy but when that doesn't work (and it's not) you need grow a spine, put aside egos and political differences and "Stand Up For Democracy". :patriot:

The turning their backs to him would be a nice touch too but from a practical POV, if I was going to stand that long, having the back of the seat in front of me to lean on a bit would be a good thing. ;)

[liam_laddie]

7. alternate SOTU activity

Monday, I sent Wm. Rivers Pitt** a message to the effect that a walkout will be spun by media in
the exact opposite way that it's intended. I believe the downside risk of blowback far outweighs
the temporary feel-good upside we'd experience.
**originator of the walkout idea, SFAIK.

I suggested that all Dems wear an over-the-shoulder sash, all exactly same color blue, such as
were worn (orange) in Ukraine and also used in many countries (Northern Ireland comes to
mind) as a sign of unity. It's "non-confrontational," and will show very well on TV. It works for
women and men. The sashes could be brought in in pockets and put on when they all sit down.
It would fluster *. Plus never applaud, never stand up after he enters. If the Dem members of
Congress don't have the courage for this, we are well and truly a pathetic excuse for an
Opposition Party.

Less serious here...possible accessories might include BS protectors for ears, lie-detector
cards on neck-chains (like the ID's required to enter secure areas) and the joke prop of a pile
of dog feces to put on each desk.