A citizen's plea to all of you....

[understandinglife]

....and to Mr Olbermann, to Ms Harris and to Senator Kerry:

Everyone here at DU, the problem is not Ms Harris and Mr Olbermann, both of whom are placing their butts on the line, every moment of every day in defense of our Constitutional rights and our democracy franchise.

The problem, the lethal threat is from those who are driving the theocratic totalitarian steamroller.

We will not prevail by bickering; we must focus our efforts on convincing Senator Kerry to lead.

We must focus our efforts on enabling Senator Kerry to convince every truly patriotic US Senator and Representative to boycott all Congressional activity until we have halted this corrupt 2004 National election and established a mechanism by which we can vote in a fair and legitimate process who should be the next President and Vice President of the USA.

It can be done; it must be done. If the Ukrainians can make it stick so can we.

Please realize who you are and the power you possess -- all of you represent an unprecedented, intelligent and passionate network of patriots, dedicated to the ideals of our Constitution and to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice that is the reason we are all able, today, to communicate with each other, join together and act in concert to reverse the tragedy of 2000 and the corruption of 2004.

Please focus on convincing Senator Kerry to step to the front of what will be millions of our fellow citizens and lead an unrelenting effort to save our franchise and serve our Constitutional responsibilities.

Here is my letter to Mr Olbermann.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Good evening Mr Olbermann,

Understand your concerns & frustration with Ms Harris. But, from my perspective, isn't it odd that a lone ranger lawyer, Ms Harris, and a lone ranger reporter, you, are among the very few 'public' individuals trying to save our franchise of democracy.

How odd and tragic, in_deed.

Mr. Olbermann, I assume you realize, as do many of us, that the one American citizen who can bring the intense focus on the crisis that our democracy is hurtling toward, is Senator Kerry.

Let's face some facts:

1. Had the Republicans been in Al Gore's position on 7 Nov 2000 a fire storm would have scorched our nation before they would have allowed their opponent to be inaugurated.

2. Had the Republicans confronted what Senator Kerry and Edwards did at ~ 2200, 2 Nov 2004, a fire storm would still be scorching every square foot of our nation. (want an example, just look at how frothy and loathsome they are being in the WA State Governor's race -- i surmise for more reasons than just getting Rossi into the governor's mansion; they don't want all those ballots actually scrutinized and compared to the current tables in the county's databases).

3. Had just ONE US Senator stood with their courageous colleagues from the House of Representatives on that horrible, treacherous day, 6 Jan 2001, our nation and the world might very well have been spared some of the most imperialistic, immoral and illegal activities witnessed in the past 100 years.

4. Thus, we must not let the 2004 national election stand. We must force a nation-wide audit. We must force a nation-wide commitment to allow every citizen equal access to a ballot and to an absolutely unambiguous accounting of how their vote is recorded or WE HAVE NO GOVERNMENT; we will have defaulted to tyranny because the franchise of democracy begins and ends with the robustness and accuracy of it's electoral system.

We must HALT THIS ELECTION.

You can see the letter I have written Senator Kerry here:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph ...

As I've indicated to Senator Kerry, he cannot 'win' this election; no one can 'win' this election, because this election is not valid based on what we already know regarding voter suppression.

Mr. Olbermann, I've been working on the contents of this letter since late in the evening o! f 2 Nov 2004. As I've told several individuals who have corresponded with me on various drafts of the letter -- our franchise has been hijacked; the decision now is do we rescue it or do we continue to delude ourselves as we have been doing since 7 Nov 2000, and hope for it to be returned unharmed? I opt for the rescue mission.

We will prevail but not by approaching the situation in a 'business as usual; we'll get if fixed for next -time' manner.

It is no longer a matter of politics, party, or party organizations. The rescue operation will be successful by how committed every citizen is to its success. Senator Kerry is the only person at this moment who can authoritatively and selflessly enunciate what the challenge is and why we have no choice but to call halt, account as precisely as possible what has transpired, and then take appropriate action.

Without Senator Kerry's visible and vocal leadership, now, we go from that extraordinary mis-step into darkness that is the legacy of not even a single Senator enjoining the fight with their courageous colleagues from the House of Representatives, on 6 Jan 2001; to a somewhat delayed, but inevitable confrontation with an even more entrenched and vicious tyranny.

Unfortunately, I don't have the stature or resources to lead the rescue mission. If I did, I wouldn't be sending you this email or writing a letter to Senator Kerry; I'd have already been rescuing it.

Mr. Olbermann, I must rely on you. Please just post the request to Senator Kerry or call him -- whatever it takes. Please call on him to step forward and lead all of us in a valiant, and likely successful endeavor to save our franchise and the credibility and value that so many of our citizens have made the ultimate sacrifice to preserve and share.

Thank you,
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"I Declare The 2004 Election Invalid: Someone I do not know was prevented from voting"

[RaulVB]

1. Kick

[smartvoter]

2. Up, we go.

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. I called my congresional delegation today

I asked the election not be certified at the Joint Meeting of Congress

I was asked by one, you know what this means?

Yes, perfectly well... will you h ave the guts? I know what I ask of you...

Will you call your delegation?

[dmac]

6. and the answer was??? n/t

[understandinglife]

10. As you might expect, I've sent a copy of my letter to...

Senator's Byrd, Cantwell, Murray, Fiengold, Feinstein, Kennedy and Congresswoman Pelosi and have asked each of them to support it and to contact Senator Kerry directly. I have communcated with numerous others who have the stature; issue is will they use it.

I will be making incessant calls and writing to all those whom I think might have the stature and the courage to use it.

Hopefully, many of you will do the same.

We have EVERYTHING to lose if we don't succeed.

Thank you for your comments and your efforts.

We will prevail.

"I Declare The 2004 Election Invalid: Someone I do not know was prevented from voting"

[anamandujano]

12. Can you pm Will Pitt and blm.

they can get the message to Kerry.

[understandinglife]

14. I'd would do so in a heart-beat, but...

...can you give me a bit more details as to what 'blm' is and to the best approach to Will Pitt is? Or, feel free to just send it to them; I have zero pride of authorship -- just want the message spread as far and quickly as possible.

Thank you very much for your help.

"I Declare The 2004 Election Invalid: Someone I do not know was prevented from voting"

[anamandujano]

16. They are members here from Massachusetts

and somewhat closer to Kerry than any of us. I'll find posts of theirs and will try to pm them--but I'm not a donor yet so have limited usage. If I can't, I'll post links to their posts and you can send your wonderful letter. I'll let you know either way.

[understandinglife]

19. Much appreciated and count on me to follow through...

Thank you.

[anamandujano]

21. mission accomplished

fortunately I posted to them today and was able to track them down with the "my posts" feature. I sent them a link to this thread and your original post. You can find them here--


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=2117491&mesg_id=2117491&page=


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=203&topic_id=99305&mesg_id=99358&page=

[understandinglife]

24. Thank you very much (n/t)

[understandinglife]

27. Posted to each of them and...

....thank you again for your suggestion and support.

Peace

[JoMama49]

63. William Pitt

Posts to this board, so hopefully he will see this!

[bunny planet]

56. Send it to Senator Frank Lautenberg of NJ!

[understandinglife]

58. Will do; thank you.

Peace.


"Did Bush Know?"

[JoMama49]

57. Dear Understanding Life,

I'm with you 100%. I'm doing everything I can too -- sending postcards, calling, writing, emailing. I happen to personally know one of Barbara Boxer's aides. I will be calling her tomorrow -- I know she can get to the senator with our concerns. Thank you for all you are doing too. I know we will prevail too!

[understandinglife]

60. Thank you so much and I sent a copy of my ...

....letter to Senator Kerry to Senator Boxer on 1 Dec 2004.

Peace.

"Did Bush Know?"

[RaulVB]

4. Kick

[Timebound]

5. kick

[dmac]

7. Sigh . . . . .

SO well done. If only it were this simple.

I am not saying it was simple to write the above letter. I know it was difficult to articulate everything that needed to be said in such a concise and meaningful way. And I would LOVE nothing more than for this idea to meet its mark. But sadly, I just don't think it will be given the attention and respect it deserves.

[understandinglife]

8. Fully recognizing that I am but one citizen...

....I give you my word, I will not stop, I will not rest, I will not falter, I will not be distracted -- I will persist until millions and millions of our fellow citizens demand "Halt, we will not permit our franchise, our Constitution and the honor of all those who have died to give us this opportunity to act, to save, restore and extend our democracy.

Count on it. Anyone who knows me knows one thing - I only say what I mean, no more, no less.

Peace.

"I Declare The 2004 Election Invalid: Someone I do not know was prevented from voting"

[eowyn_of_rohan]

26. Too bad we can't say "Someone I KNOW" was prevented from voting

In fact, Let's just SAY it! :7

[understandinglife]

35. You most certainly can and should...

...say that.

The reason why I decided on the wording:

"I Declare The 2004 Election Invalid: Someone I do not know was prevented from voting"

is I wanted to force the realization that what we are supposed to be all about in a democracy is the defense of each other's ability to participate fully in that franchise, whether we 'know' one another or not.

Please say your version as many times, to as many people as you possibly can. We want the current '2004 national election' farce, halted. We demand equivalent access to vote for every citizen and we demand an independent, nonpartisan and observed process for tallying every ballot.

Peace.

[truehawk]

9. Is Bev Harris a Lawyer?

She is listed as a writer and activists.

She also has had Diabold shut her site down before on a technicality, and is under constant hack attack, so she is understandably sensitive.

This pre-fallout artical explains some things.

[understandinglife]

11. I have been informed that she is a lawyer, and, I am not surprised....

...that efforts to render her ineffectual have happened and will persist. That's the way it is when you are striving to effect change.

Thank you.

"I Declare The 2004 Election Invalid: Someone I do not know was prevented from voting"

[RedEagle]

53. Correction: She is not a lawyer

Just so you know.

She does, however, have the help of a really good lawyer.

With HeddaFoil(?), I think, and the lawyer, set up the 527 for donations to the Ohio recount.

[Stand and Fight]

54. She is not a lawyer. Trust us. n/t

[understandinglife]

61. I trust you; thanks for the update.

Peace.

"Did Bush Know?"

[pointsoflight]

13. Thank you for bringing some sanity to this board.

[understandinglife]

15. It sometimes takes a totally crazy old dude to ...

...bring some 'sanity' to anything -- by comparison to me, everyone will seem lucid, cogent and effective ;-)

Seriously, thank you and thank you for your incredible persistence and insights.

We will save our franchise and honor all of those who sacrificed everything to provide us the opportunity to do what needs doing.

"I Declare The 2004 Election Invalid: Someone I do not know was prevented from voting"

[YellowDoginthehouse]

17. understanding, these people have gone nuts n/t

n/t

[eowyn_of_rohan]

29. Forgot to say.... magic word: "Ukraine"

We can blog and email all day, and for weeks on end, and as long as those things serve a purpose, of keeping us motivated and feeling like we are making an impact, they are great tools. But if we are getting demoralized, depressed, etc., and if we are worrying that all the people and groups we have paid to do this work for us (eg, BBV, Dem. party, John Kerry, whomever) might not come through, well, we need a new and better outlet for our pent-up anger, fear, and frustration.

The protests in Ukraine should inspire us to get OFF our butts and on our feet, and go to the source of the problem (or the symbol of it) to express ourselves. I attended a protest of about 200 people the other day. I hadn't realized how exhilarating and empowering it would feel to go straight to the source of the problem (outside our election office), and express ourselves. In fact, we ended up storming into the office itself. It was covered by 2 local TV channels. One was sympathetic, the other wasn't. But the word got out, and the next protest will be more passionate and attract more people. Remember the image of all the little fish gathering together and devouring the single big fish...It's a good one. :grouphug:

[understandinglife]

37. To prevail, we must bring as many of our fellow citizens...

...to action as possible.

One goal might be to convince the every Democrat in the US Senate and House of Representatives to do what they should have done before 6 Jan 2001 -- boycott all governmental duties, immediately.

By their not acting in Jan 2001, they are responsible for the reality that had a full, valid count of all the ballots in FL been done as numerous members of the House of Representatives demanded, Mr Gore would be in the final days of his first term as President of the USA. The fact is, Mr Bush was sworn to an office he neither won by the 'popular vote' or by what would have been the true number of Electoral College votes.

We have more than adequate and verifiable claims of disenfranchisement, through voter suppression, of targeted members of our franchise. This election is not valid and it is not over.

We need every member of the US Congress whose duty it is to serve the Constitution, to boycott all legislative activities and thereby effectively halt this election. We must demand of every Democratic member of the US Congress to stand with us and invite those Republicans of conscience and Independents to join the boycott.

Once halted, all aspects of disenfranchisement recognized, all votes counted and compared to tables in each county's central tabulating system in every State.

Concurrent with that investigative process I expect a mechanism be established for a re-vote to ensure each eligible citizen be provided equivalent access to a vote and a valid, independently conducted and supervised count of their ballots. If we are proposing to do it in Iraq in 2005 and if the Ukrainians are capable of doing it over until they do it fairly, we certainly have the $$ and the capability to ensure a fair, valid election in the USA.

Anything less is a disgrace to the notion of democracy, a mockery of our Constitution and all those who have died defending it, and a default to tyranny.

Folk planning for what happens in 2006 have no basis in reality that they will be participating in a franchise of democracy unless they fix 2004.

Peace.


"I Declare The 2004 Election Invalid: Someone I do not know was prevented from voting"

[understandinglife]

18. This link to the letter to Senator Kerry should work...

...sorry for any inconvenience:

http://www.dailykos.com/comments/2004/11/30/33526/427/25#25

Peace.

[understandinglife]

20. Will sleep for a few hours and return to answer ...

...any questions or concerns.

Thank you all.

"I Declare The 2004 Election Invalid: Someone I do not know was prevented from voting"

[anamandujano]

22. kick

[Hekate]

23. Big ol' donkey kick -- and thanks for the sanity

You are right about the need for DUers to not alienate our friends! In the past couple of years I've seen some weird s*** here, like the night one of our prominent DUers thought he was going to be interviewed on Aaron Brown's CNN news program, and told us so. By the time a bunch of folks on this board had finished trashing Aaron Brown and CNN, the invitation was not-surprisingly withdrawn, and a golden opportunity had been lost.

A wise person once said, "Don't let the perfect drive out the good." We're dealing with human beings in this lifetime, not plaster saints.

Hekate
:kick: :kick: :kick:

[understandinglife]

25. Yes, indeed, we are each what we are and when....

....you find individuals who are willing to do stuff that is dangerous, hard, requires much skill and passion, it is best to look in the mirror and remind yourself that the day the person looking back at you is perfect is the day that you might expect to find another perfect person!

So, let's accept the imperfections and focus on the enormous challenge we currently encounter -- saving our democracy.

Thank you for your comments; much appreciated.

"I Declare The 2004 Election Invalid: Someone I do not know was prevented from voting"

[Vidar]

28. Very well-stated. In complete agreement.

[PATRICK]

30. Going over the heads

who cluck and coo and do not move. I have an idea that the disinherited and disenchanted should form a People's Coalition, something really bipartisan for the sole purpose of storming the hijacked government with the agenda that has gone ignored I don't know how long now.

Election reform and campaign finance reform
Reducing the deficit even if it means raising taxes
Getting morality posing out of the piously fraudulent government
Peace, idiots, peace!
Jobs here. Safety from being poisoned to death.
Basic regulations for business and the market, like you know, the LAW, but not the law they write
Fair and modern, supported education system for all
Health care for all
Getting vital human resources out of the hands of greedy entrepreneurs and sneaky, disserving cartels
A fair media bound to the public service, even if it means ripping them away from the seven behemoths.
REAL homeland security.
No to super weapons, shields, space wars and wasteful pork.
Holding Congress to the fire every time they SEEM to be addressing the above but in fact are weaseling out of honest action.
Holding political parties accountable to their constituents.

Such a real centrist coalition need not BE a political party in its own right since jumpstarting into a rigged game almost inevitably kills such movements. We the people are not being represented by doltish millionaires and diatribe brained zealots and local good time charlies. No one is doing the job whatever their speeches sound like or whatever emasculated bills they are ALLOWED to sponsor.

When things get bad we should just keep empowering one side of the problem over the other? If issues ARE that important, like staying alive for one thing, then we can move more effectively right down the middle and shove the gameboard aside.

While we are waiting dubiously for a messiah with no hope or plan that we know of, how about NOT letting them drag us and our children and our land further down into the soft bed of shame and disgrace and certain death.

Or we can wait until people ARE rioting spontaneously, uselessly, too late, in the streets for partisan boil overs that will only accomplish more misery.

MoveON. Working Families, various democracy advocacy groups, Conservatives not corrupted by Bush or wacko religion, Greens. Libertarians, independents, ethnic minorities who get the shaft every time, women, gays, state and local officials, public servants(police, firemen) and in the military sick and tired of the ultimate addle-brained civilian domination abusing their every function.

I wouldn't see any of the media elite as "stars" or any of the sad bunch of politicos as "leaders" and such a coalition should not be structured for easy buy outs and hijacking.

[understandinglife]

32. Quite willing to discuss with you and learn of...

...your plan in more details. How would you like to proceed?

Thank you.

[PATRICK]

33. Plans?

Purely a new concept of severing a big coalition from the special interest trap and political trap. Severely critical issues are being played off against costly divisive and trivial ones that pretty much trash to Constitution and the very notion of civil government OR Republic.

A People's coalition should be an action unification across a broad board. Mail, phone, street, media, alternate media. People know when and where there is trouble and the politics just distracts and sidesteps every time. People feel they are being screwed, threatened, their future going into the red with war threatening their children as much as shriveling job opportunities and educational quality due to wrong government oversight and unfairness. NOT to be played off where we disagree OR where some issues seem to conflict with others. That was supposed to be where parties and reps were to work out the possible NOT shift and play off the simple just desires while ripping us off grandly.

Drawing up our own "Contract for America" would have been a good step. Demanding all people toe the line on those things in the Declaration and really really basic common sense needs like responsible budget and sacrifice for the common good and the liberty of the individual.

Election reform is absolutely a good first step in that none of our system or parties are able to address such an agenda. The broader and clearer the statement of passion(or "No Confidence") the more firm the effect on the establishment which has so far been impotent(to put it kindly) to do anything but harm and tokenism.

Peace movement should be broadened again and revisited with STRENGTH to include those tending to express isolationist views. NOW before the planned actions against Syria and Iran we do yet do not hear about. Funny how most people agree about the evils of war BUT the politicians skillfully divide and conquer by opposing the extremes of pacifism and isolationism. Hmmm. I thought war was itself pretty extreme, but apparently innocent deaths matter little to our glorious leaders. The common ground is avoiding wars and sowing the world with the benefits of peace and cooperation. The anti-globalization coalition hodge podge is a good example even though it is derisively lumped to the fringe of media inattention and corporate scorn. And THAT for a very theoretical abstraction most people can only get when it comes to job loss.

Several issues can be brought into a mega package of powerful and simple coalition actions. We don't need a platform so much as a unified demand for sanity, common good, our rights and the law.

Simply, I wish to avoid the smaller, weaker urges to build a splinter progressive movement or party with the very innocent rational lefties who cannot match the ruthless force of those now usurping the entire American system while the dawdling "New Dems" in search of becoming the New Old GOP can't even muster enthusiasm or actions for the old Roosevelt coalition in ANY of its constituencies. The thoughtful soul searching by the Dem leadership and the frustrated "left" is NOT action, cannot come up with a plan that will not show the GOP where to take the next step ahead of the guileless brains of the party. The core constituencies are choking and lost while this useless party structure debate spins into its grave. The core constituencies like the NAACP and many others should meta-size things like the Rainbow Coalition into a new force of the real moral and rational majority of this land. Back to basics. Screw the parties. Even Nader's idea of transforming the Dems into some mythical progressive party are pretty naive at this time.

Endorse no pol. Only their actions. Unite. Take back the national debate.

[understandinglife]

34. I will study this thoroughly and post...

....a response to you sometime this evening.

Thank you for being willing to share your ideas.

Peace.

"I Declare The 2004 Election Invalid: Someone I do not know was prevented from voting"

[anamandujano]

44. Thanks for joining this debate PATRICK

[understandinglife]

51. Have been thinking about your insights...

....and wonder if 'The Alliance for Democracy' may not already have an infrastructure and mission/operations framework that could be supported and grown as a way to jump-start what you are urging.

Let me know your thoughts on that, please.

I agree that what we want is an organization that educates and motivates all citizens to participate in their government by realizing 'they are the government' and the folk who are elected work for them. Thus, any explicit party affiliation may not be the most effective way to proceed.

Peace.

"Did Bush Know?"

[cyn2]

31. Beautiful...

Thank you!

[KaryninMiami]

36. Thank you.

This is lovely. Keep this kicked and let's keep those cards, letters, calls and emails going to Keith, to Kerry and to Bev.

We can do this! We must. Our democracy depends on it.

[understandinglife]

40. Thank you; have just sent a comprehensive letter to...

...The Alliance for Democracy and urge all of you to do the same.

http://www.thealliancefordemocracy.org/home.html

They are on the front line defending our franchise.

Peace.

"I Declare The 2004 Election Invalid: Someone I do not know was prevented from voting"

[Twist_U_Up]

38. very well said and I`m with you

[Twist_U_Up]

39. kick

[mary195149]

41. We need to stay focused now more than ever!

Looks like things are starting to take a turn so let's fight together!

[understandinglife]

43. And, I find these two posts from 'truthisall' helpful in ...

...maintaining that focus and spirit:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x102241

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=203&topic_id=103519&mesg_id=103519

Peace.

[pauldp]

42. Kick!

[understandinglife]

45. Seattle Times: Two groups vow to contest election

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2002106824_ohiovote02.html

By Steven Thomma
Knight Ridder Newspapers

2 December 2004

WASHINGTON -- Ohio counties yesterday certified election results showing that President Bush won the pivotal battleground state Nov. 2 and with it a second term. But disgruntled groups alleging vote fraud planned to contest the statewide result and demand a recount.
One coalition plans to seek a recount. Another plans to file a lawsuit with the state Supreme Court today contesting Bush's victory.

Official results from Ohio's 88 counties were sent yesterday to Secretary of State Ken Blackwell. He is expected to certify the tally Monday showing that Bush won the state.

The challenges are proceeding along two tracks."

NOTE: Google now showing 255 returns on "Arnebeck election fraud" at 1128 PST 2 December 2004

Peace.

"I Declare The 2004 Election Invalid: Someone I do not know was prevented from voting"

[rodeodance]

48. nice to see this in a major newspaper (even if only a summary)

"The second track is the group that plans to challenge the election, which said it would file a lawsuit with the state Supreme Court today. The group includes 25 Ohio voters and is backed by a Massachusetts-based interest group, Alliance for Democracy."

[JoMama49]

59. Yes, and don't you see

how important it is that Kerry/Edwards are not yet mentioned here? I think they are playing this thing wisely. Keep the faith -- don't give up on thoughtful, intelligent strategy based on logic and righteousness. These are the values we have that THEY don't!

[understandinglife]

64. I have not questioned their wisdom on 3 Nov...

...of doing exactly what they did. It has been absolutely essential that Bush have zero cover for all the horrendous acts he is directly responsible for perpetrating -- from Iraq to Gonzales to the environment to 'privatize social security'...... .

Yes, we would not have wanted to have 'sore loser' be Bush's media cover.

But, by 30 Nov 2004, it is my opinion that Senator Kerry, Edwards, all of their Democratic colleagues in the US Senate and House of Representatives and any responsible Republican member of the Senate and HR (and Independents) are at a point where they must take a stand.

Long before 'reform' is ever going to be possible, we need a remedy to the current fiasco. That remedy will only begin when we the people and our representatives halt the fiasco, insist on an extensive investigation and not allow the national election to proceed.

That investigative process is underway, but it deserves much more visible and unified support from those representatives of the people who will not let stand the systematized disenfranchisement of our fellow citizens.

As Rep Conyers and Mr Arnebeck intensify their activities in the next 4 days; as groups like www.thealliancefordemocracy.org expand their communications efforts; as WA State launches the manual count for the Governor's race; and several other events unfold, you can expect quite a bit more 'national awareness' of what happened to many of our fellow citizens on 2 Nov 2004.

Had it happened to one, it would be reason for all of us to be active.

One consequence of the intense scrutiny is that Rep Conyers has already 'asked' Mr Mitofsky to share the raw poll data. I expect all of us to be vehement in our support of a demand that that data be made available no later than during the hearings that begin at 10am EST on 8 Dec 2004.

As one can readily see in the following analysis....:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=203&topic_id=112 108&mesg_id=112108

.....what happened cannot be explained by chance and our franchise deserves to know what happened. One of the most essential and undoubtedly illuminating insights into what happened reside in the Edison-Mitofsky exit poll data. To deny full inspection of that data, at this time, is a gross disservice and should not be permitted. And, Mr Mitofsky and his colleagues had best be sure to provide the 'raw data,' i.e., exactly what they accumulated during the day on 2 Nov 2004.

So, I have reached the point where I think the full attention of every member of the franchise needs to be focused on our national election, not just the Ukrainian national election. And, I think more than ample evidence for voter suppression exists to have every responsible member of Congress call halt and investigate before proceeding. And, I think all of those responsible members of Congress should be present when Rep Conyers begins his meeting on 8 Dec 2004.

Thank you.

Peace.

"Did Bush Know?"

[jamboi]

46. Right on! n/t

[understandinglife]

47. Thanks for your support and thank you for all your efforts..

...re: Madsen.

Peace.

"I Declare The 2004 Election Invalid: Someone I do not know was prevented from voting"

[anamandujano]

49. I got a pm from blm, did you

Message:
Re: Can you get a message to Kerry--link to thread
From: blm
Date: Dec 02nd 2004

No more easily than anyone else here. It's PeteNYC who worked with the Kerry campaign.
=====end message from blm


======PeteNYC

If you cross his path, pm him. I will also be on the lookout.

[understandinglife]

50. Will do and thanks for the update.

We will prevail.

"I Declare The 2004 Election Invalid: Someone I do not know was prevented from voting"

[MarkusQ]

52. Not the roll of the media

It isn't the roll of the media to call on politicians to take action. Their job is to report to the world when we call on the politicians to take action, not to do it themselves. You wouldn't ask a doctor to come to your home and drive you to the hospital, or an ambulance driver to operate on you once you got there, would you?

The letter to Kerry should come from you (or us) and then it would be reasonable to ask K.O. to cover it.

--MarkusQ

[understandinglife]

55. You are correct and here is the letter that went to Senator Kerry...

....on 30 November 2004 -- to his DC and Boston office by Fax. It was also sent to Senators Feinstein, Feingold, Kennedy, Murray, Cantwell, Byrd and Congresswoman Pelosi. It was also sent to several other individuals and organizations; some of whom are going to be using segments of it this week and some of whom forwarded it, with personal messages to Senator Kerry, in the past 3 days.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Honorable Senator John F. Kerry
US Senate
BY FAX: [phone] & 617.248-3870

30 November 2004

Dear Senator Kerry,

Subject: W 2: Democracy O-ver ?

I ask you two questions:

1. Are we prepared to let that happen?

2. Who is the only person who can lead an effort to change the score to W out: Democracy, the Winner?

I can answer the first question only for myself, obviously. The answer is No.

In my opinion the only person who can lead all of us to the only victory that matters is you, Senator Kerry. I urge you to realize that fact and the fact that it is better to make a valiant attempt now rather than deluding ourselves that we are going to get another chance. Because, foul ball, strike 1 was 2000; foul ball, strike 2 was 2002; foul-tip was 2 Nov 2004, and we can't wait for the next pitch for several obvious reasons.

Our opponent truly controls the scoreboard, owns the field, and has been showing our Democracy the exit since 9 Dec 2000. We must refuse to leave; we must insist that the third pitch was no different than 1 and 2 -- spitballs.

Thus, Senator Kerry we all need to focus.

We must assert that the only 'winners' in a franchise of democracy are supposed to be the stakeholders, the citizens, who irrespective of what happened to their candidate, got to swing at legal pitches and didn't have the score changed from 3 to 0, and reported as a mandate.

Senator Kerry you cannot truly 'win' no matter what the numbers in OH, or FL, or..., happen to be.

Why do I say that without reservation -- well, let's reflect on what would it mean for you to "win" the current "election"?

What exactly would you and our Democracy be winning?

An HR and Senate controlled by Republicans; an intractable Iraq; a close to collapsing debt structure; a fanatical bunch of neocons who'd never let up; a voting system that you would not be able to reform because of the intransigence you would face from a Republican controlled Congress; a media that has shown zero interest in finding the truth, in defending the disenfranchised, and on and on.

You and your fellow patriots would arrive at 2006 and face a disaster that would make Newt's ravage of the Democrats in 1994 look like child's play.

In my opinion, you and Senator Edwards have only one realistic option - declare the current election process invalid, demand a comprehensive audit and commit to one of two outcomes:

1. Audit shows Bush 'won,' so be it;

2. Audit shows you 'won,' then you demand a re-vote using a fair and legitimate system and you abide by the outcome.

I am suggesting that you and Edwards take the type of courageous and selfless action that might just rescue our democracy franchise.

You need to call the spitball for what it was in 2000, and in 2002 and on 2 Nov 2004 -- a systematic attack on our Constitutional rights and our value proposition to all of humanity.

You, along with all of us who are dedicated to our Democracy, should not waste another second trying to 'win' something that simply cannot legitimately be 'won'; the other team not only breaks the rules, they control the scoring process, the umpires and the media.

Senator Kerry you must lead from a position of selfless service to the franchise.

From that vantage, with that sudden jolt to everyone's attention, you will have earned the moral and patriotic authority required to convince millions of Americans to shout -- "Halt, prove to us our vote was counted as we intended. And, for all those who were prevented from voting, let them vote, now.

Rev Jackson got a bit of attention yesterday by saying 'fine with win and lose, but let's count first.'

Just imagine what would happen Senator if you said 'we have nothing to win, we have everything to lose if we first do not determine exactly what happened in this election and if we do not insist that those who were disenfranchised are permitted to express their vote before anyone claims to be the Next President of the United States of America.'

And, just imagine the power and credibility you would have if you stood before all the Nation, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia and committed pledged yourself to this commitment:

'Even if the numbers swing in our favor, the current system is so bankrupt that we will insist on a re-vote, using a fair, legitimate process to ensure that whomever then 'wins' will truly have done so knowing that every eligible voter is confident that they had equivalent access to vote and confidence that their vote was counted exactly as they intended.'

Senator Kerry history is happening and it is a broad, black stroke being painted over our Constitution, our heritage and our credibility -- if you do not lead now, in a way no less dramatic and courageous as the Founders, as Lincoln and as FDR, our franchise is over.

I will be there next to you; I will take as many hits as I can withstand to protect you; I will die at your side and, at 57 years of age and having witnessed as an MD exactly what death is, I assure you, these are not idol or idealistic words. This is a commitment from someone who fully recognizes that we either halt the next pitch or what we call "America" is no longer a democracy franchise.

Awaiting orders, Senator Kerry.
xxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Halt, Audit & Prove My Vote Counts, Now"

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Once again, thank you for your insights.

Peace.

"Did Bush Know?"

[NVMojo]

65. has anyone sent this to Senator Harry Reid yet?

[understandinglife]

66. Please feel free to do so and....

....zero 'pride of authorship' for anything I post here, at dKos or Brad Blog on these topics. So, you are welcome to cut/paste/send. Just one small caveat on 'letters' -- for those I request that they be sent as is -- complete and without edit.

Thank you.

"Did Bush Know?"

[suston96]

62. The Media?

It is not the role of the media to get involved, if not actually be the leader in protecting and safeguarding the rights of the people?

When I was a kid, a long, long time ago, I saw the newspapers as the crusaders for the people's rights.

Even when television came into the picture, there was constant and aggressive vigilance regarding people's rights, with understandable emphasis on the First Amendment and the freedom of speech and of the press.

Try to recall what the media does when free speech and the free press are assaulted by bad laws and bad government regulations.

No way should we give the free pressers and free speechers (?) such a free ride.

They should be leading us in fighting for the most precious right of all - the right to vote!

"The right to vote - without which all other rights are illusory". (Associate Justice Hugo Black).

[MarkusQ]

67. Truth vs. Action

I would wholeheartedly agree that the media should be leading the crusade to get the truth, and once the truth is known, shout it from every hill top.

But I disagree that they should be urging anyone to take action before that time, and argue that there would be no need for them to do so afterward.

If I were to ask anything of K.O. and co., it would be just that: Find the truth, and spread it far and wide. That would be enough for me.

--MarkusQ