Bill Nelson's office just hung up on me!

[DoYouEverWonder]

I am livid.

I called up because it just came out that Nelson will not stand with Rep Conyers.

I asked to speak to whoever was handling the voting issues?

She told me that the lady was out until tomorrow.

I said oh that's nice. I guess she doesn't want to hear the complaints from the citizens of this statem, regarding what Bill Nelson just did and she hung up on me.

Now I have to admit, I did not use my nicest tone of voice. But to be hung up on is an outrage.

Bill Nelson you and your staff are wimps and cowards. I will never vote for you again. Never.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

1. You realize you probably talked to a friggin intern, right?

[Racenut20]

2. So you will be voting for Katherine ???

[Jersey Devil]

26. LOL, that's the really funny (and weird) part

Is there such a thing as hysterical tinfoilism?

[KnowerOfLogic]

58. Of course that's not the only option; if you think it is, them dem office-

holders know that there is NO ACCOUNTABILITY for them, because dem voters will vote for them NO MATTER WHAT THEY DO! Ironically, the only accountability for dem congresspeople will come from repukes and independents.

[Wilms]

3. When I lose my nicest tone of voice...

I often think I should fake one.

[demo dutch]

4. That's the spirit! Come on now! He's the ONLY democrat left in Florida!!

The least we can do is keep him in office, he's done a lot of good. Eventhough I want him to, I also don't want him to stick his neck out if it looks dim! That's counterproductive! The repugs will nail him in Florida!

[TheDebbieDee]

7. Isn't he the one that's been shot into space....

Wasn't he an astronaut? Or is he just a Space Cadet?

[BarbinMD]

13. The wingnuts...

...have already specifically named him as a "Senator with a target on his back" in 2006. They're going after him regardless...I guess I'd rather go out with a bang than a whimper.

[hootinholler]

56. Who are the wingnuts?

I thought they were West Wing fans, of which I am one.

-Hoot

[BarbinMD]

64. Oops!

Sorry! :P I've watched the show since day one and have never heard that.

I was talking about this:

http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0105/197681.html

[DoYouEverWonder]

57. With rigged elections

anyone who does not play the Repug game well enough will never win another election. Only the Dems who play along will be able to win because they will always need a few tokens for appearance sake.

[candy331]

72. Yep, he immediately jumped out and said he could work with the

newly elected/selected(depends on the machines) senator Martinez without being asked, so he can kiss his seat good bye, go along to get along is a ticket out the door, but if one must go seems he would go down with a bang.

[pacalo]

18. Exactly!

DoYouWonder shouldn't let an intern's impatience decide a critical vote in 2006.

Keep in mind Jethro the election fixer stated publicly Nelson is going down in 2006. (It's no wonder Nelson is the only Florida senator left.) If we don't take care of the election fraud NOW & put Jethro&Co. in check, this crap will continue.

[demo dutch]

32. Exactly, and so they only way we're going to go something about it

is to keep democratic senators like Nelson and House reps like Wexler fighting for elections reform and a PAPER TRAIL in Florida

[DoYouEverWonder]

31. Oh please

You think after Bush is inaugurated that any DEM will be anything more than window dressing?

[Dr.Phool]

33. They got tired of hearing from me

A long time ago. I kept calling about his not joining in on the judicial fillibusters.

I've met the Senator several times, and he seems a nice enough guy, just not enough balls. He did stand up against tort "reform", and said the only beneficiaries would be the insurance companies.


He has a big bullseye on his back, and he knows it. Why not fight?

[demo dutch]

39. Unfortunately there are just a lot a really stupid people living in FL

voting for the repugs,I guess it's the bible belt. But we'll see what happens in 2006 with the governor's race. Let's face it Mcbride wasn't exactly a strong candidate! The interesting thing is though that if you read the book Metro vs Retro State Florida is still considered a "Blue" state. Maybe there's hope yet!

[Name removed]

5. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[bunny planet]

20. oh, .......we better give up then.

[pacalo]

22. They told you to quit calling? Unbelievable.

:eyes:

[Der Blaue Engel]

67. Yes, isn't it?

:hi:

[pacalo]

73. Hi, Der Blaue Engel!

:hi: Welcome to DU!

[tx_dem41]

6. Have fun with two Republican Senators from Florida, then! n/t

[DoYouEverWonder]

10. What would be the difference?

A coward DEM or a greedy pig Repug?

[tx_dem41]

17. I can name hundreds of issues that it would make a difference.

Sen. Nelson has a 90% grade from the ACLU. Do you think a Republican would? If you have to ask that question, I wonder if you really understand what the issues are out there.

[DoYouEverWonder]

34. I don't think you understand what is at stake here?

After 01/20/05 there will be no more democracy. It won't matter if Nelson takes a stand or doesn't, BushCo will have him voted out in their rigged election next time around anyway.

[tx_dem41]

35. What are you going to do then? n/t

[DoYouEverWonder]

40. Find other ways to fight back

but supporting the Democratic Party will no longer be a top priority for me.

If a viable third party forms, I would be very interested in redirecting my time and energy there.

[tx_dem41]

44. But, but...if there will be no democracy left...

why waste your time with a third party? I'm confused.

[DoYouEverWonder]

46. Because I'm a hopeless fool

who will never give up trying.

[tx_dem41]

50. Well....I surely won't try to dissuade you...

Sincerely, good luck this week! Nice talking with you!

[Zhade]

61. Strawman. Florida Dems can always nominate a different Dem.

But keep thinking that it's either the current Dem (no matter how good or bad) or a Republican. It helps them escape accountability.

[OKthatsIT]

8. First ask them ...To whom am I speaking?

This should curtail any insolence

[Dr.Phool]

36. I met with his staff in Washington

Last year, including his Chief of Staff, when I was running for Congress. They were all very courteous and polite.

Must have been an intern.

[DoYouEverWonder]

41. This was in the FL offfice

she did sound young.

[The Gigmeister]

9. If you we're polite, I'm not surprised.

[DoYouEverWonder]

11. I was very polite

I used no foul language but I was clearly not a happy camper.

[The Gigmeister]

23. OK...

"Now I have to admit, I did not use my nicest tone of voice."

It's simple. Rude emails get deleted, rude callers get hung-up on.

[DoYouEverWonder]

27. I was very polite

I only said, Oh that's nice in a sarcastic tone when she told me the person you handle the voting issues wasn't in until tommorrow.

That is why I got so angry AFTER she hung up on me.

[Freddie Stubbs]

12. That's what you get for being rude

These people are paid to take messages for the Senator, not to be abused or treated rudely.

[DoYouEverWonder]

15. I was not rude

I know how to act professionally. I was polite, used appropriate language and was used the voice I use with my son when I need him to listen to me. I am not a screamer and I used no foul language.

The girl on the phone was the rude one.

[bemis12]

25. The voice you use with your son????

Pretty condenscending, I'd say. It's a Senators office, show some decorum.

Little surprise they hung up on you.

[Freddie Stubbs]

29. Did it ever occur to you

that the person was actually out of the office? These people have lives, families, and other obligations. They often work long hours when Congress is in session. Your insinuation was wasn't rude enough to cause a hang-up in any of the congressional offices I have worked in, unless this was the umpteenth time it has happened today.

[DoYouEverWonder]

37. I can not believe

how many people assume this is all my fault.

This was the first time I called today.

Maybe there was a legitamate reason for that particlur aid to have the day off but under the circumstances, especially since Nelson was making this announcement today, they should have been prepared for an onslaught of phone calls.

I run a business, that depends on giving good customer service. If any of my people ever did this to a customer, they wouldn't be working for me much longer.

[Freddie Stubbs]

42. What announcement did Nelson make today?

:shrug:

[DoYouEverWonder]

47. Statement: Sen Nelson's office says they won't challenge election

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x227725

[Freddie Stubbs]

60. Why would such a statement require that staffer to be in the office

the Senator has never, in his his words or his deeds, indicated that he was going to challenge the election. His office simplly issued a statement to dispell a rumor.

[DoYouEverWonder]

62. So far it seems that Nelson may not have even issued a statement

which means that I jumped to conclusions based on other threads here that stated that he did.

Neither here nor there, the issue is not that someone had the day off. My beef is getting a phone slammed in my ear.

[DoYouEverWonder]

59. Upon more careful examination

it seems that Nelson has not officially done anything.

Time to take a few deep breaths and go pull some weeds. My yard is starting to look like a disaster area.

[Carni]

65. I certainly don't blame YOU

And frankly I cannot believe what I am reading on this thread!?!?

These people are PUBLIC SERVANTS

We pay their salaries

We contribute to their campaigns and volunteer our time

AND ELECT THEM (at least we did for the most part until 2000)

You have every right to call up and use a stern tone while voicing your displeasure about your reps lack of spine.

IF this election was tampered with (and I think it was)
it MUST BE investigated, or we will never have another free election.

I don't care about the political futures of various Dems just because they are Dems and I should go along with the party line.

I want to be fairly represented--I want my interests and the interests of Democracy to be served.

It's about time people stop thinking in terms of "Well who will you vote for then? You have no choice bla bla"

THIS IS PRECISELY WHY WE ARE LOOKING AT BUSH FOR ANOTHER FOUR YEARS.

God damn it people take a lesson fron the Ukraine--the time to be "nice" went the way of the dinosaurs in 2000.

We let them get away with this once we cannot let them get away with this again--this isn't about reversing the election it's about discovering the truth IMO

[DoYouEverWonder]

68. Thank you

finally, someone who gets it.

[Im with Rosey]

69. I don't blame you...

I sometimes wonder why people are rude to me in some situations, then it occurred to me, I have a very strong voice. Sometimes I am intimidating without realizing. Perhaps that was the situation here. I am not offering an excuse for this person that hung up on you, that is never acceptable. I am only saying what has been my experience when I wonder what the hell just happened!

[ISUGRADIA]

Delete

duplicate

[DoYouEverWonder]

16. I was very civil

Read my comments above.

The girl was out of order.

[ISUGRADIA]

21. If that is true then I suggest calling one of the local office

for the Senator and ask for the name and number of his state director (the highest person on staff in the state) I'd relay your concerns to the person about the issue and staff. People in Senate Office in DC or local who initially take the calls are on the lowest levels of staff and may be inexperienced. Or call back the office you called first thing Tuesday Morning and get the voting issues staffer.

[DoYouEverWonder]

43. Good idea

I did call back, after I calmed down and spoke to a young man about what had happened and why I was so upset about what Nelson did.

I even gave a plug for DU. I told that I was a member of the democraticunderground.com and that I was going to post a thread about being hung up on. I told him they might want to check it out, since 1000's of people read this forum everyday. Who knows if it will make if a difference?

[ISUGRADIA]

14. Having worked for a Senator once

there were rules on phone calls. If someone became abusive in tone, obscene in language or geerally out of control it was time to end the call. If you cannot conduct yourself in a civil tone I cannot blame the staffer.

[Dr.Phool]

38. I wouldn't want that job

I was in Bob Grahams office, and I met the guy who answers the phone, and I'd spoken to many times. The calls coming in are non-stop all day long.

[Ryder911]

19. I worked in a Senate office as an intern....

there's not nearly enough staff to personally take every call. You're best off leaving a quick message. It is counted and they do listen to their constituents. If you are not a constituent however, don't bother calling them.

Lastly, don't take it personally, they are just trying to do their job.

[DoYouEverWonder]

24. I am a constituant

and when I asked to speak to the approriate person I was told that she wasn't going to be there until tomorrow.

That's when I said of that's nice, I suppose she doesn't want to hear all the complaints. That's when I got the phone slammed in my ear.

Also, I wasn't livid until I was hung up on.

[ISUGRADIA]

30. Here's a link to state offices

http://billnelson.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm

It looks like Orlando may house his main HQ in state. A call there may be worthwhile.

[DoYouEverWonder]

45. That was the office that hung up on me

I'm a FL resident, so that's why I call them down here. I figure it might get a little more attention that way. Plus they do send the info onto DC supposedly.

[Jersey Devil]

28. You don't suppose she really might have taken the day off

on the weekend after the New Year's weekend, do you? Nah, no one does that. It must be a lie.

[DoYouEverWonder]

51. Gee it's the first day back for everyone in Congress

you would think the aide working on voting issues would be sure to be there?

Besides whether or not she legitimately had the day off is not the issue. It was the rudeness of a person whose salary I help pay hanging up on me.

[Generator]

48. Maybe if we irritate them enough

They will get out of politics. Who cares anymore?

Maybe if there were no DEMS left, then we'd realize that we actually had to fight to change things.

I just don't care anymore. What DO they care about? Their cushy jobs? They've got a "President" that is detested by most of the world, and their entire constituency, but they don't want to rock the boat?

Who do they represent? I'm really bitter. I think they only represent themselves. What a sham of a Demcracy.

[DoYouEverWonder]

52. Exactly

All the apologists want us to roll over and play along.

This is why the DEMS have lost everything. The WH, the Congress and the Judiciary. Yet, we aren't supposed to get mad. We aren't suppose to demand better from our so called Representatives.

I'm sorry, if this was 1934, I would not march quietly to the gas chambers, they will have to drag me kicking and screaming.

[jjmalonejr]

49. You keep saying that you were polite...

...but you cop to being sarcastic and using the same tone of voice that you use when speaking to an unruly child. That's not polite or professional, it's rude.

Should she have hung up on you? No. But you act as if it was completely uncalled for. I'd say you gave an already harried intern reason enough to end the conversation.

[FreepFryer]

53. It's astonishing

how many Dems I've seen the poster bash of late. He's entitled, but my advice:

Take heart... and send Sen. Nelson an encouraging, firm, POLITE email.

Losing a courteous tone of voice is NOT THE WAY to communicate. Imagine if one of your millions of bosses called you to demand you do your job in an inconsiderate tone. Now, imagine you're an intern instead, doing your job for the Senator.

How much patience would you have?

People - don't self-destruct - it's working, believe in truth and the strength of your convictions!

[DoYouEverWonder]

55. How many Dems you've seen this poster bash lately?

are you referring to me? Your comment confuses me?

I have posted here for over 2 years. I generally save my bashing for BushCo.

[anti-fundie]

54. Cowards.

[catgirl]

63. Hey look at the brad blog posting

It was posted one minute before this one and shows a different story. Nelson is in meetings discussing the voting issue and the person on the phone seems to have been very pleasant and helpful.

[m.standridge]

66. I know, I saw that, too

He's a "moderate" so that means he probably feels very strongly both ways.
He might vote FOR challenging the Electors--AFTER he votes AGAINST it.

[greatscott15]

70. NOT going well today with Senators

I wish a few would stand up; at least to make a point.

[OrangeCountyDemocrat]

71. The Democrats Are Wimps

My days of supporting the democratic party, and believing that this country is a democracy, may shortly come to end. Following the political process is really a joke. We really don't have a say in what happens anymore, so it's time to accept and get used to it.

If none of them stand up, the democrats in this country have lost my vote for many, many years to come. Assuming I even bother voting again.

[FreepFryer]

74. http://www.redefeatbush.com

[sepia_steel]

75. I can't believe people are actually

berating YOU for this. Hanging up on a constituent is NOT ACCEPTABLE. Especially for an "oh, that's nice."

DYEW deserves our support for trying to call her(?) Senator. The lady on the phone was out-of-line, PERIOD. I guess some of you have never held a job dealing with the public before. People get FIRED over that sort of behavior.

Please give DYEW a break. :grouphug:

[DoYouEverWonder]

76. Thank you sepia_steel

I really do appreciate your kind words.

I think if people read my responses to this thread they can tell I am not some kind of crazy hot head that goes around attacking people.

I got attacked plenty in this thread and I still managed to be civil.

Thanks again.