My letter to John Kerry about his not contesting the election tomorrow.

[helderheid]

Dear Mr. Kerry,

I just received one of the 3,000,000 emails you sent out about the contesting of the election tomorrow and your lack of participation. You stated you would not participate because it would not affect the outcome of the election.

Mr. Kerry, with all due respect, this is not about overturning the election. This is about saving our democracy (if there is any left to be saved). This election must be contested. The corporate media must cover this. The American people must be made aware of the problems with this year's elections the same way they were made aware of the problems with the Ukrainian elections. You contesting this election would give the story the legs it needs to reach the American people. If the people aren't made aware of the problem, we may never see a fair election again. I know many Democrats who have lost all faith in our system, myself included, who feel that voting is pointless if you cannot verify it, so why bother in 2006 let alone 2008. Our elections have been privatized. The software running the machines counting the votes is secret making our elections no longer transparent. That is troubling enough, let alone that we don't even have a paper trail for recounts! It's unacceptable.

Please Mr. Kerry, reconsider your position in this matter. If the problems of our election in 2004 are not made public and the problems are not fixed, I will not be voting for you again, nor for anyone else for that matter. I know my vote won't count.

Sincerely,


____

Send yours here:
http://kerry.senate.gov/bandwidth/contact/email.html

[slackmaster]

1. The proper salutation would be Senator Kerry

n/t

[helderheid]

2. oops

Too late for me!

[Dark Secret]

31. Opps...That should be for Kerry. He's a Quitter. n/t

[steelyboo]

8. ok, let me try it...

Senator Kerry,

Get in there and fight like your career depends on it, because it does.

If you or at the very least a fellow Democratic Senator do not challenge tomorrow, I will never vote for the Democrats again.

But, if your act like a man, I will fight to the death for you, and I mean that literally.

Regards,
A Voter That NEEDS you to be a Patriot

[Ms. Toad]

32. Some of us

find titles offensive, since they have historically been used in support of the concept that some of us are more equal than others. Some of my religious ancestors even went to jail rather than acknowledge such class distinctions. When I can, I routinely reject the use of a title or honorific for myself even though I am "entitled" by degree and profession.

Unfortunately, if I want to send electronic correspondence to congress using the submission forms (Kerry's included) the website is set up to refuse submission unless I designate a title for myself. There are no restrictions on use of title for the recipient, however, so I generally don't use one.

[slackmaster]

34. Don't shoot the messenger

Every widely accepted manual of style says that people elected to public office should be addressed with their title, e.g. Sheriff Soandso, Mayor McMuffin, or President Muffley.

John Kerry earned the honorific Senator by being elected and taking on the responsibilities of public office. That doesn't make him better than the rest of us as humans, but he has accomplished something much larger than I or most of us here ever will in our lives. It's more like a military rank than some kind of royal title.

When I can, I routinely reject the use of a title or honorific for myself even though I am "entitled" by degree and profession.

Would you then address him as "Dear John"? Traditionally that's how a particular type of bad news letter starts; not a persuasive one. :crazy: I suppose it would be OK to address him as Lieutenant Kerry (if that was his rank in the Army, I don't recall at the moment.)

Unfortunately, if I want to send electronic correspondence to congress using the submission forms (Kerry's included) the website is set up to refuse submission unless I designate a title for myself.

That's because they want to, if possible, capture whether you are a minor or an adult, your gender and (if female) marital status. All very stuffy old traditions and ageist and sexist and all that, but that's the Senator's choice.

[pbartch]

3. your letter was so AWESOME, I used it too.

Thanks!

[noamnety]

4. He's out of the country

He didn't say in the letter he wouldn't be contesting because it wouldn't affect the outcome. You put those words in his mouth.

He's in the middle east, he won't be attending the session.

[helderheid]

7. Did I?

I didn't mean to. That is what I read from this part of his letter:

"Tomorrow, members of Congress will meet to certify the results of the 2004 presidential election. I will not be taking part in a formal protest of the Ohio Electors.

Despite widespread reports of irregularities, questionable practices by some election officials and instances of lawful voters being denied the right to vote, our legal teams on the ground have found no evidence that would change the outcome of the election."

[noamnety]

13. I've got the letter also

He isn't taking part in the protest. Also he believes it wouldn't change the outcome. But he didn't say he's not contesting it for that reason.

You added the cause and effect (the "because"). The "because" implies that if he thought it would change the outcome, he would contest it (in fact he might not because of a conflict of interest), and it implies that he thinks it should only be contested if it would alter the outcome (and I didn't read that at all in his statement).

[helderheid]

14. hmmm

I'm curious how many people read it how you did and how many read it how I did, as well as what his intention was.

[Atman]

9. If he thought the it was that important, he'd be in DC

Period.

It isn't that important to him. Maybe he needs a dose of this...



NotBannedYet.US

[Atman]

5. EXCELLENT!

Superb letter.

I especially like this part...

Please Mr. Kerry, reconsider your position in this matter. If the problems of our election in 2004 are not made public and the problems are not fixed, I will not be voting for you again, nor for anyone else for that matter. I know my vote won't count.

[SueZhope]

6. beautifully worded letter n/t

[HeyManThatsCool]

10. A+

:thumbsup: :yourock:

GREAT LETTER

[MindPilot]

11. pretty much sums it up for me; good reply! n/t

I say again: no text

[politicasista]

12. Nice letter

I don't think I want to be around here if people continue to bash Kerry or we don't get things our way. :scared: :nopity:

[keopeli]

15. If you can't stand the truth, then maybe you should move on

Many people here just tell it like it is. Kerry has failed to live up to the only promise he gave us if he were to lose: making sure every vote counts. I'm not surprised that a politician lies, but I'm not upset at those who call him on it.

[helderheid]

17. he may have something up his sleeve...

there were a couple threads about the possibility this is strategic and he already has enough support from other Senators - so hard to say.

Here's a positive thought to all you great DUers about tomorrow.

[NightOwwl]

20. If I had a nickel for every post like this I'd be rich.

Kerry does not have something up his sleeve, he is not strategizing, he is not going to come out fighting.

"I will not be taking part in a formal protest of the Ohio Electors."

That says it all.

[chi_girl_88]

22. Okay, let's say Kerry was in Washington tomorrow

How pathetic would it look if he was the only Senator who stood up to protest fraud in the election he just lost? What's he supposed to say? I won, get over it? Maybe he could even stamp his foot and pout a little.

It is a much more powerful message that others are standing in his defense. And he did support their efforts behind the scenes.

Why doesn't anyone on this board "get" the fact that you can't be the one to protest losing your own election unless you have a smoking gun? And no matter what evidence there may be that suggests fraud, nobody has produced a smoking gun. None of the evidence I've seen posted here or anywhere else would ever stand up in a court of law as "beyond a reasonable doubt." Kerry was a prosecutor. He knows that's what it would have taken, and nobody found it in time to make a difference.

[helderheid]

23. You have no idea how much

I hope you're right. :) Welcome to DU! :hi:

[chi_girl_88]

24. I should make sig that says

"Stop welcoming me to DU, I've been lurking since July!!!!" B-)

But thanks. :)

[helderheid]

25. LOL

:) I know what you mean! I can't remember how long ago I registered - maybe 2 years or so ago - but only in the past 2 months really got active!

I officially unwelcome you. :) Still, glad you're here.

[flpoljunkie]

35. Thank you for posting this, chi_girl. Jk cannot be the one to protest

his own election! The Democratic Senators--all of them need to stand up for him and for us. There is nothing more important in a democracy than the citizens trust their elections are free and fair. Ours are not, and it must be fixed now!

[LittleClarkie]

21. He's still doing exactly what he said, no more, no less

All that secret code crap, rewriting his words until they fit what y'all wanted to happen. Well, this is what he said he would do. He's doing it. He was never trying to flip the election. He never said he was. He knows there's a problem with the election, but he doesn't have the evidence. He is doing what he can. No more, no less.

I think that those of us who still stand with him are the ones who see the truth. Of course, you feel differently.

Opposing views. Welcome to democracy.

[roenyc]

38. Its like hearing a guy say i love you when he just

says hey like your dress. we take Kerry's email and turn it into a relationship that he really isn't having with us. at this point in the game we are no longer in need of cryptic messages. um, shit or get off the pot. ya know.

Whatever he is doing is not exactly what i think he wants to be doing. (there i go making excused). I dont think he is happy about it. because it probably rubs him the wrong way.

i cant play this game, i made excuses for my boyfriends and x husband all the time too. nope cant be objective. i will sit this out!:eyes: :crazy:

[lucca]

16. Thank you.

What a great letter!
That is exactly how I feel.

[davidlynch]

18. Done n/t

[helderheid]

19. Thanks!

To you and all y'all that have said such kind things. I am thinking I'll send this as an open letter to Sen. Kerry to my local paper.

[consciousobjector]

26. I was agast

when I first read that letter. I posted it here asking if it was real. Then I started a very harsh letter to Senator Kerry...then I reread his exact words:

"I will not be taking part in a formal protest of the Ohio Electors"

I am grasping at the word "formal". He won't be taking part in a "formal protest"...we never really expected he would...too selfserving. Am I just an eternal optimist, or can I still have hope?

[helderheid]

27. Keep the faith

Kerry is a damned smart man. Besides, hope feeds the soul.

[chi_girl_88]

28. AHA!

I look at it this way. Kerry came of "political" age in the '70's. He gave his infamous anti-Vietnam War testimony before Congress and attracted the attention of Richard Nixon, who enlisted John O'Neill of "Swift Boat Liars" to try to discredit him. Kerry cleaned O'Neill's clock on Dick Cavett in front of the whole country. There's no real taint on him then because so many are against the war anyway.

Fast forward a few years, to 1974. The whole Watergate scandal erupts, and Nixon resigns in disgrace because of? Fraud committed in the act of trying to get re-elected in 1972.

Fast forward to the 2004 campaign. O'Neill surfaces once again and dredges up all the '70's lies about Kerry, only this time he finds a willing audience. His efforts contribute to Kerry's loss to Bush.

Except? There's something rotten in Ohio in 2004. Kerry, a former prosecutor, knows that he needs a smoking gun to prove that the stink in Ohio is indeed, fraud, but he can't find it in time to do anything about it this time around.

So, he works with those investigating fraud, behind the scenes. And, he does nothing to stop those who will contest the electoral results on Jan 6th. He removes himself from the equation so that the focus will be on fraud and fair elections. As it should be. Instead of making a protest in Washington DC, he goes on his trip to the Middle East and Iraq that has been planned for months, because he has fought for veteran's issues his whole career.

In the meantime, the Electoral Challenge goes forward, there are several Senators who stand up to support fair elections (and, by default, supporting John Kerry).

And against the backdrop of those advocating fair elections at home - and, by default, possible cheating by Bush's re-election team - John Kerry is in Iraq, visiting with the troops for real, and NOT carrying a plastic turkey. Or, side-stepping about the lack of up-armored HUMVEES for the troops just before departing in one, like Rumsfeld did.

Sounds like a plan to me.

Tomorrow is just the seed. Proof of Election fraud takes alot of nurturing. We must be patient. Remember Watergate, I'm sure John Kerry does.

[helderheid]

29. brilliant

and I think you have it right on.

Still, it doesn't hurt him or us one bit to express our concern. It shows how many are truly concerned and will be there to watch his back when it all comes pouring out.

[helderheid]

30. why is my avatar missing?

Is it just me? I see no more avatars. :(

[thjay]

33. another letter to Kerry

My husband wrote this one. He's been teasing me about my tin foil hat and obession with DU since 11/3. Obviously he's been following this as close as I am. It's a great letter. Too bad it probably won't be read.

Senator Kerry :

 I write this despite my moral certainty that no live person at your end of this note will actually read it. I am deeply disappointed that you are not taking part in the formal protest of the Election certification.  Systematic denial of access to the Ohio ballot - as appears to have happened in certain poorer precincts in Ohio, the clumsiness of  Triad Systems' efforts to "help out" in the minimalist recount which took place in Ohio, the over-reporting in some precincts which was corrected, the still incomprehensible "terror alert lockdown" in one Ohio County,  the twin hats of conflict worn by J. Kenneth Blackwell, the oligarchical ownership of the voting tabluation companies,  the knowing smugness of Karl Rove and the President even as early exit poll data strongly pointed toward your decisive electoral victory - all of these scream loudly if not uniformly that something is wrong and needs to be corrected NOW or we're in danger of becoming a sham republic - one of, by and for special wealthy interests.  The entity formerly known as the liberal or mainstream media has become largely coopted by concentrated corporate ownership, and seems to be of little help to any of us in this endeavor.

I sincerely hope that you are urging some more courageous member(s) of the Senate to step up with the Congressional Black Caucus and formally protest the election certification.  WIthout such a protest - whether or not it results in putting you and John Edwards where you should be - where I and millions like me worked, donated, lobbied, wrote, haggled, and pushed to put you - we cannot hope to get this electoral situation corrected in time to guard against further, more prolific chicanery in future elections.  Isn't the country you fought for, whose policies you courageously spoke out against in 1971, worth the effort?  I think it is, and so do millions of other people.

[roenyc]

36. hmm, maybe all of us who like it should sign it as a

group of democrats who once fiercely supported him?

[fasttense]

37. Done.

[myschkin]

39. Great letter!