In the Clearing Stands a Boxer... a letter from Michael Moore

[Generic Other]

January 7, 2005

Dear Friends,

Something historic happened yesterday. For the first time since 1877 a member of the House and a member of the Senate stood up together to object to the outcome of a presidential election.

This is the first step on a necessary road toward making sure that everyone is allowed to vote and that every vote is counted (something we did not see in 2000 or 2004) so the next time around ALL of us can be confident, when the election results come in, that they reflect the will of the people, not the whim of mechanical error and human obstruction.

Unlike 2000, when the black members of Congress were told to sit down and shut up, this time a senator had the courage to stand with them, as the law requires, to force Congress to go back to their separate chambers to discuss and debate the issues surrounding the vote count. Senator Barbara Boxer rose to the occasion and stood with Ohio Representative Stephanie Tubbs Jones and 29 other Representatives "to cast the light of truth on a flawed system which must be fixed now." The ensuing debate, at times, became a debate over me and all of you and the fact that we would dare make the attempt to protect our democracy.

I was blown away when Representative Maxine Waters took to the floor and said, "Mr. Speaker and members, I dedicate my objection to Ohio's electoral votes to Mr. Michael Moore, the producer of the documentary '9/11' and I thank him for educating the world on the threats to our democracy and the proceedings of this house on the acceptance of the electoral college votes for the 2000 presidential election."

I am honored to the point of embarrassment because it is Maxine Waters who deserves thanks for defending our most basic right, not once, but twice.

Coming out of the gates like this in the very first week of session sent a strong message that we are not going to be pushed around. If the Republicans think the next four years are going to be a cakewalk, they've got another thing coming. With Michigan Representative John Conyers leading the charge, we showed them something not seen in over 120 years. And we're just getting started!

Congratulations to the tens of thousands of you who called, faxed, and e-mailed Barbara Boxer and other senators. You have shown the world, with the strength of your convictions, that the movement toward a truly representative democracy will not be stopped in its tracks. Yesterday's actions will be marked by history books as a turning point for the electoral process and for a Democratic Party that has for too long sat back and taken it on the chin.

Your voices have echoed all the way up to the hallowed halls of Congress and for that, you deserve thanks more than anyone.

Yours,

Michael Moore
[e-mail]
www.michaelmoore.com

P.S. If you want to see portions of what took place, check out the video clips and transcripts on the website.

[cry baby]

1. Lots of DUers are saying the same thing. Congratulations...

To us and those with courage of conviction in the face of adversity.

[Greybnk48]

2. Damn straight!

And this is just the beginning!

[cry baby]

4. I'm so excited that I will see this "Boxer Revolution" with my own eyes

[Klimmer]

21. The contest of 1-6-05 is very Historic and Brilliant in so many ways . .

Think about it. The Repugs played right into our (we the people, John Kerry, and the democrats) hands. This just dawned on me. Maybe it has already been spoken about on DU already I don't know. (Wish I could start my own thread but I'm a low # blogger here).

Before the election the Repugs painted John Kerry to be the devil incarnate himself and absolutely wrong for the good citizens of the US and our country. John Kerry bad, the people good.

During (and now after) the historic contest of 1-6-05, the Repugs stood up there and praised John Kerry for being gracious, noble for stepping down and conceding so quickly (John Kerry knew what he was doing). Now the Repugs are painting the people of our great country as conspiracy theorists, sore losers, nut heads, etc. In other words, the people bad, John Kerry good.

They, Neocon Repugs and the Repug Party are the ultimate flip-floppers!!! This is brilliant. This is priceless.

Can anyone, in the world, not see what the Neocon Republican Party really stands for and truly is? A political party that is against and fights the good people of this great nation. Can that be anymore wrong?

[Eloriel]

23. You're not a blogger; this isn't a blog. It's a discussion forum.

Please don't misuse these terms. There are many fine blogs out there -- find some of them and note the huge difference in how they are set up.

Welcome to DU.

[cry baby]

25. Hi Klimmer!

Welcome to DU!:hi:

[shance]

3. Moore, Boxer and Waters....three role models of courage right there!!

I remember I was campaigning for Gore in South Los Angeles in 2000. Maxine Waters had already won her re-election by a MASSIVE margin, but that was not her only goal.

Most elected officials would have gone home and called it a day. She had evaporated her opponent. Not Maxine. She was out in this vacant parking lot in South LA, with about ten others of us, and she was helping us, giving us bullhorns, helping us, and telling us what was needed and where we needed to do to get out the vote. Total absence of ego, but an abundance of conviction and leadership.

She's amazing and an inspiration to all of us. Just like the other two amazing leaders mentioned above****

Thank you Maxine, Barbara and Michael for the courage and conviction all of you give us to keep charging ahead.

[Generic Other]

5. Moore is talking about all the DUers who worked so hard

This is your day!

For those who counted, those who examined the election results, those who wrote letters and those who braved the winter wind in Ohio and turned out in DC.

:toast:

[seito]

6. To all the Patriots

:toast:

[Alizaryn]

7. What a great way to end a week.

[bliss_eternal]

8. Thank you so much for posting this!

Something told me to go to Michael Moore's site today. But I saw this here--thank you! It did my spirit good to read this. Brought tears to my eyes, (I know, I'm a big sensitive baby...lol). But good tears--happy tears. I've cried so many of the other kind of tears since November 3--Thank you so much for this!

:D

[mordarlar]

9. We need to send tens of thousands of thank you letters.

[marions ghost]

12. I am sending hard copy ones as well as emails

we should let them know how much we really appreciate this...and that we will be expecting results now.

[mordarlar]

20. : ) thank you

[riverwalker]

10. The Boxer

(for you young folks out there: Moore's reference is to an old Simon and Garfunkel song)

The Boxer

I am just a poor boy and my story’s seldom told
I’ve squandered my resistance for a pocketful of mumbles, such are promises
All lies and jest, still the man hears what he wants to hear
And disregards the rest, hmmmm

When I left my home and my family, I was no more than a boy
In the company of strangers
In the quiet of the railway station, runnin’ scared
Laying low, seeking out the poorer quarters, where the ragged people go
Looking for the places only they would know

Li la li...

Asking only workman’s wages, I come lookin’ for a job, but I get no offers
Just a comeon from the whores on 7th avenue
I do declare, there were times when I was so lonesome
I took some comfort there

Now the years are rolling by me, they are rockin’ even me
I am older than I once was, and younger than I’ll be, that’s not unusual
No it isn’t strange, after changes upon changes, we are more or less the same
After changes we are more or less the same

Li la li...

And I’m laying out my winter clothes, wishing I was gone, goin’ home
Where the new york city winters aren’t bleedin’ me, leadin’ me to go home

In the clearing stands a boxer, and a fighter by his trade
And he carries the reminders of every glove that laid him down or cut him
’til he cried out in his anger and his shame
I am leaving, I am leaving, but the fighter still remains
Yes he still remains

Li la li...

[VTGold]

11. I hope he makes a movie to showcase what she did - our Hero! n/t

[Generic Other]

13. kick for the morning folks

:kick:

[mzmolly]

14. This is a dupe, but if there were ever a reason to have a dupe.

;)

This would be it.

I'll add Mike to the list of optimistic patriots who feel 1/6 was a progressive victory and we've only just begun!

[Generic Other]

16. I posted first, so the other thread is the dupe.

But who's counting! :)

[mzmolly]

18. Ok ok, I should have checked the blasted time.

;)

[ClintCooper2003]

15. Excellent letter. n/t

[SueZhope]

17. Nice letter I got one also Thanks for posting n/t

[Generic Other]

19. I want Michael Moore to be president

Maybe I could sleep nights without waking up every morning wondering what new atrocity had been committed somewhere in my name.

[GetTheRightVote]

22. Thanks MM but we have so much more to do, 1. Barb Boxer for Pres.

2. Make sure votes are counted correctly.
3. Support and protect all members who stood by us.
4. Punish all members who did not stand by us.
5. So many more tasks to drive us into the future .....

:mad:

[loudsue]

24. Good idea!! They want to see a "Boxer Rebellion"? Boxer - President!!!

I say let's get behind her! First Woman U.S. President!!

O8) I like it! O8)

:kick::kick::kick: