Open Letter to Senator Kerry and Edwards

[BernieBear]

Dear :

I’ve forwarded you several links as requested in a posting I read on www.democraticunderground.com. If they are helpful that’s great, but I’m sure you’ll be able to get much better information by teaming up with Bev Harris at www.BlackBoxVoting.com or one of the other sites attempting to get statistically relevant data.

My question, should you have the ability or desire to answer it, is Why? It’s obvious these electronic machines don’t work correctly. It’s obvious that this administration will do everything within its power to get re-elected. It’s obvious that the exit polls don’t match the final tallies in the states where electronic votes took place (see the great graphs on WhatReallyHappened.com or DemocraticUnderground.com).

All of this was so obvious even before the election occurred that we heard there were thousands of lawyers ready to go to begin to challenge should irregularities take place. So to watch Senator Kerry give a concession speech WHILE VOTERS STILL STOOD IN LINE IN OHIO is most demoralizing for those who support him. To watch this “Democratic Campaign that was fighting for “our” backs” simply pack up and vanish into the night is most demoralizing for those who support Senator Kerry.

Is this the desired outcome? Was Senator Kerry’s and Senator Edward’s campaign loss a “given” from the start? Was there collusion or desire on the part of the Democrats to let George Bush have his deficit and war for 4 more years (I don’t know why anyone would WANT to be President right now) and thus pave the way for Hillary in 2008? If so, it was a poor plan and one that may backfire.

I am sick at heart after losing what should have been won in 2000 and to have this occur again in 2004 depletes my emotional energy such that it’s doubtful I’ll ever again desire to support a party that will not fight for itself. We truly are a one party government now – the Republicrats. All the talk of unity and coming together for America is such ridiculousness in the face of the voter irregularities that have occurred in two consecutive Presidential elections. I now lack faith in any and ALL politicians. It’s now clear to me the expediency needed to remain in politics undermines the very reason for being there – to implement the people’s will and protect our national life and personal freedom and liberties through sound policy and defense.

Our dollar is tanking, our deficit is rising, our liberties and freedoms have eroded or in some case are gone. Our government is untruthful, our politicians unwilling to speak clearly, our nation divided, our official doctrine edging closer to theocracy, our policies on human rights and war on the slope of illegality. Is not the decline of America clearly underway?

I started out as someone against the theocratic, non-democratic, pre-emptive policies of GWB and ended up a believer that Senator Kerry was a man of integrity and honor. I believed he was someone who had the people and the nations’ best interest in mind. I believed that he was someone who would restore national dignity and leadership in a world where we are hated abroad. I believed that he was someone who would restore honor and loyalty to a nation whose own people were beginning to feel the stirrings of fear of their own governments’ policies.

And now, I feel nothing but disillusionment and discouragement. Surely, two lawyers as talented as Senator Kerry and Senator Edwards, two men skilled in the art of strategy and masters of the surprise tactical move, surely a man who investigated Iran Contra and got to the bottom of the BCCI scandal, would be strong enough and smart enough to ensure that an election was not rigged against them and surely these smart and skilled men would be prepared enough that if it was rigged or otherwise inaccurate that they would have a plan immediately ready for activation?

I would hope so. But thus far, I am having grave doubts that there is a plan. Perhaps it’s an internet rumor, but I hear Senator Kerry is off to Europe for a rest and then on to Idaho to ski. If there had been a clear mandate (the new meme promulgated by Karen Hughes and President Bush) and a landslide victory without doubt, then that would be a reasonable thing to do. However, this election doesn’t have “some” doubt, it is highly doubtful, and thus, this seems like an unreasonable action after an unreasonable concession speech given at an unreasonable time (voters still IN LINE to cast votes).

So again, at this point, my only question is WHY?

Sincerely,

<BernieBear>

[mzmolly]

1. Ahhh, divide and conquer?

Nice try.

[UpsideDownFlag]

2. he raised a legitimate question.

at least, it appeared so from my skimming of his letter. dems and progressives all over america were shocked and dissapointed by his premature concession.

[mzmolly]

6. He made a good "try" read the entire letter. He's attempting to sound

like one of the idiots here who thinks Kerry should have started a Civil War.

Kerry felt he lost, he conceeded. He has more faith in the system then we do. He is monitoring the situation as is John Edwards, as we were recently told ...

Now read the part of the OP's note at the end where he/she mentions a supposed trip to Europe and a ski trip to Idaho. And, did you get this load of dung?

Is this the desired outcome? Was Senator Kerry’s and Senator Edward’s campaign loss a “given” from the start? Was there collusion or desire on the part of the Democrats to let George Bush have his deficit and war for 4 more years (I don’t know why anyone would WANT to be President right now) and thus pave the way for Hillary in 2008? If so, it was a poor plan and one that may backfire.

Gimme a break! :eyes:

Sorry, but I'm not buyin it.

[UpsideDownFlag]

7. read it a second time...i'll just be undecided. nt

[mzmolly]

8. Thanks for the open mind.

Your a better DU-er than I.

I'm "decided" :P

[BernieBear]

10. The good thing is you don't have to buy how I feel

I don't know why anyone would want to take on GWB's mess. But through the campaign I came to believe in John Kerry and John Edwards. I read of all these lawyers ready to go and then the very next day John Kerry (gracefully) concedes and we don't hear anything from anyone, much less the media considering they've been Bushized. Then this Hil in 08 stuff - give me a break, I'm still grieving this election.

And I am doubtful right now that I would emotionally invest the way I have the last two elections. It is possible (maybe not the DU'ers who are great activists) that all those people who stood in line and worked so hard to vote for Kerry/Edwards might in 2008 say F*&k It - my vote hasn't counted the last two elections, I'm going and having a beer and playing pool (or going to a movie, or read a book or whatever - anything but stand in line 4 hours to vote!).

So think of me what you'd like (the great thing about our country!!! at least right now!!!) but I was sharing with the board my feelings.

Bernie

[mzmolly]

11. Bernie, you lost me at the *Kerry was a plant to allow Hilary to run in 08

:hi:

[BernieBear]

12. It wasn't literal

I didn't say she was a plant. I was saying that the fast concession and lack of any outward signs of fighting what to me has obvious irregularities led me to ask the question or at least have the thought. Jeesh... give me a break huh, you don't have to agree but you can't dismiss what I feel or think, that's what I was thinking/feeling.

Bern

[demokatgurrl]

25. Yea, that's old Republican made-up crap intended to

divide the Democrats. Even some Democrats are now regurgitating it.

[Oak2004]

16. No, Kerry should not have started a civil war

but by failing to defend the integrity of the vote, he might just have done so.

[mzmolly]

24. The plan was to monitor the vote, and they did.

WE are the ones who feel the election was not honest, WE don't know that Kerry feels the same.

[saracat]

19. I don't think that those of us who think that

the vote is worth fighting for ought to be referred to as " one of the idiots here who thinks Kerry should have started a Civil War" Our opinions deserve just as much respect as yours. And I have no "faith in the system". Why should I , with two elections stolen? And exactly what is so wonderful about rolling over and playing dead? Could the country be more divided? And if we don't fight now, when would be a good time? When they put up concentration cAmps? Or don't you think it could get that bad? Dubya isn't such a bad guy????

[mzmolly]

23. I don't think those who feel the votes are being counted should be

referred to as "rolling over and playing dead" ... especially when they've given years of their life in public service.

MAIN POINT: John Kerry OBVIOUSLY DOESN'T FEEL THE ELECTION WAS STOLEN at this point. If were going to be "tolerant" here, let's start with Mr. Kerry.

I remain open to the possibility of a stolen election, but I don't expect most of Washington to agree.

We have to change the system so that we at least have faith in our democracy going forward. Let's get to work on that.

[saracat]

27. I don't know MZ Molly. If this isn't a stolen election

and the people really have voted for Bush, I guess I will have to leave. It makes me sad to consider it. I convinced my husband to pull the house off the market Nov. 3 rd. I said wait. Maybe I was wrong. Because if you are right there is nothing to fight for.

[Maat]

3. Well said. It's like rich men are just playing with us.

What kind of future does my precious daughter have in this theocracy? I worry about it a great deal.

[Maat]

4. I certainly don't want to be subject to manipulation.

But I certainly would like my Democrats to stand up and fight.

I certainly do not begrudge anyone a rest after that arduous campaign.

However, I would like a sign that the Kerry/Edwards campaign is paying attention to voter fraud and intimidation charges.

[pacalo]

13. I thought it was a good letter, too.

Bernie Bear did a good job of relaying to Kerry that we've been left to sort this thing out by ourselves. What ARE we to think?

I took the statement about paving the way for Hillary in '08 to let them know we're left to let our imaginations run wild. We're not stupid - we know something's rotten about this election.

And I want to see the Democrats stand up & fight, too. We want to know that something is in the works to restore our faith in this election system.

[Upfront]

5. Couldn't Agree More. NT

[LauraT28]

9. They are not our leaders...We need to be our own leaders.

Hasn't that become clear people?

[tavalon]

14. Yes n/t

[PATRICK]

15. It seems utterly forlorn

to rely on a Democratic secret plan from past experience. The beachheads were taken against democracy in the past four years. The question is legitimate and there is that other very dumb meme the GOP chose that is now chillingly waiting like a dragon. "Flip-Flopper" if he undoes his concession without clear proof and an overwhelming body slam against the media. This amateur, myself, would love to be absolutely dead surprised at the prospect of some hope materializing soon.

It is relatively cheap and painless to cruise online in our rather disorganized and very patchy fashion. This is an odd frontline with a few radio hosts, a jilted BBV activist, and a couple of columnists when there should be 100 times the residual effort at least. This rear guard can sometimes resemble the donkey's ass, but we are getting to the truth. And it matters because this time I do believe they will go for our freedom of speech on the Internet in some stylish manner of despotism. We are fighting with a fraction of our abilities or common sense. The truth is on our side too. Sorry truth, it doesn't look good at this precise moment.

Rather than being astounded at other people's weakness we should be looking to our own. I mean to claw down their beast's dying throat.

They prepared to deal with an Al Gore. Kerry has yet to become a Gore like fighter or one to beat the media which Gore never did.

[melissaf]

17. I have a question

Can I write a letter to the DNC to demand that they give my donation $$ back if they don't spend it on investigating voter fraud?

[Slit Skirt]

18. good job..good letter

many of us feel like we have been duped....
I wrote numerous times saying if he didn't fight he couldn't have my vote....

looks like we are alone out here fighting gwbush....
YOU DON'T SEE ANYONE RUSHING TO OUR SIDE

THERE'S A GOOD LESSON HERE...DON'T EXPECT ANYONE TO FIGHT FOR US OR KEEP US SAFE...IT IS UP TO US AND WE BETTER GET OFF OUR ASSES.

[ever_green]

20. I'm with you! The concession was a little early.

I don't think it's unreasonable for us to raise concerns about voter fraud or about Kerry's apparent lack of concern. If he really does nothing, I'll regret ever voting for him.
How many times are we going to get shafted before we finally DO SOMETHING?!

[OneBlueSky]

21. well, you get a big "BRAVO" from me . . .

only rather than "disallusionment and discouragement," I probably would have used "thorough disgust" . . .

look, I was an early Kerry supporter . . . based on his voting record in the Senate and my belief that he had the best chance of beating Bush . . . I wavered for about a week when Wes Clark announced, and I was discouraged that Clark wasn't selected for Veep, but I stuck with Kerry despite the obvious gaffs and the rather weak campaign up until the last month . . . I was thrilled when he finally took off the gloves, and I actually believed him and the party when they promised that every vote would be counted, that armies of lawyers were at the ready, and that what happened in 2000 would NOT happen again . . .

and then they let it happen again . . . they folded like the proverbial cheap suit, and slithered away without so much as a whimper . . .

I feel betrayed, and I feel like a fool for trusting this guy . . . my only question, like yours, is "WHY?" . . . I doubt that either of us will get an answer, though, and even if we did it wouldn't reflect the real truth of why they chose not to fight . . .

at this point, I've pretty much had it with politics . . . despite Nader's self-serving candidacy, he has been consistently correct about one thing, i.e. that there's very little difference between the parties . . . they PRETEND that there's a difference, but when push comes to shove, they're all part of the corporatocracy and are beholden more to their corporate sponsors than to us . . . my involvement in public affairs, if it continues at all, will be with issue-oriented organizations (particularly environmental) . . . because with the voting system under the complete control of Republican corporations led by Dominionist CEOs, there is no chance in hell of electing a progressive or even a moderate president in my lifetime . . . I'm 58 years old, and I have better things to do with my time than to take part in this charade any longer . . .

[BernieBear]

22. I feel the same Maybe an answer will be forthcoming sometime N/M

[Eloriel]

26. Ah, Bernie

It makes my heart hurt:

Dear :

I’ve forwarded you several links as requested in a posting I read on www.democraticunderground.com . If they are helpful that’s great, but I’m sure you’ll be able to get much better information by teaming up with Bev Harris at www.BlackBoxVoting.com or one of the other sites attempting to get statistically relevant data.

My question, should you have the ability or desire to answer it, is Why? It’s obvious these electronic machines don’t work correctly. It’s obvious that this administration will do everything within its power to get re-elected. It’s obvious that the exit polls don’t match the final tallies in the states where electronic votes took place (see the great graphs on WhatReallyHappened.com or DemocraticUnderground.com).

All of this was so obvious even before the election occurred that we heard there were thousands of lawyers ready to go to begin to challenge should irregularities take place. So to watch Senator Kerry give a concession speech WHILE VOTERS STILL STOOD IN LINE IN OHIO is most demoralizing for those who support him. To watch this “Democratic Campaign that was fighting for “our” backs” simply pack up and vanish into the night is most demoralizing for those who support Senator Kerry.

Is this the desired outcome? Was Senator Kerry’s and Senator Edward’s campaign loss a “given” from the start? Was there collusion or desire on the part of the Democrats to let George Bush have his deficit and war for 4 more years (I don’t know why anyone would WANT to be President right now) and thus pave the way for Hillary in 2008? If so, it was a poor plan and one that may backfire.

I am sick at heart after losing what should have been won in 2000 and to have this occur again in 2004 depletes my emotional energy such that it’s doubtful I’ll ever again desire to support a party that will not fight for itself. We truly are a one party government now – the Republicrats. All the talk of unity and coming together for America is such ridiculousness in the face of the voter irregularities that have occurred in two consecutive Presidential elections. I now lack faith in any and ALL politicians. It’s now clear to me the expediency needed to remain in politics undermines the very reason for being there – to implement the people’s will and protect our national life and personal freedom and liberties through sound policy and defense.

Our dollar is tanking, our deficit is rising, our liberties and freedoms have eroded or in some case are gone. Our government is untruthful, our politicians unwilling to speak clearly, our nation divided, our official doctrine edging closer to theocracy, our policies on human rights and war on the slope of illegality. Is not the decline of America clearly underway?

I started out as someone against the theocratic, non-democratic, pre-emptive policies of GWB and ended up a believer that Senator Kerry was a man of integrity and honor. I believed he was someone who had the people and the nations’ best interest in mind. I believed that he was someone who would restore national dignity and leadership in a world where we are hated abroad. I believed that he was someone who would restore honor and loyalty to a nation whose own people were beginning to feel the stirrings of fear of their own governments’ policies.

And now, I feel nothing but disillusionment and discouragement. Surely, two lawyers as talented as Senator Kerry and Senator Edwards, two men skilled in the art of strategy and masters of the surprise tactical move, surely a man who investigated Iran Contra and got to the bottom of the BCCI scandal, would be strong enough and smart enough to ensure that an election was not rigged against them and surely these smart and skilled men would be prepared enough that if it was rigged or otherwise inaccurate that they would have a plan immediately ready for activation?


Again and again we've relied on our illustrious Dem leaders to, well, LEAD, and again and again they let us down. This has been going on in desperate ways since the Selection (and in less desperate ways well prior to that).

I am sorry to see the disillusionment that it causes, only because I have felt depressed nearly unto death a few times, counting on them myself, only to have my hopes dashed and see that what they have to offer me is only a sense of betrayal.

I suppose most of them mean well, may even be real decent people (tho I do believe a number of them are or have been corrupted).

But the simple truth of the matter, as I've said sevral times now, is that WE have to BE or BECOME the leaders we have been waiting for. There is no other option.

It's all up to us -- they're not going to come along and "save" us, or save democracy. It's up to us.

I'm glad you wrote your letter. I'm sorry, though, for your disappointment. Once you (and others) gotten over it perhaps we can all work together to do it our bleepin' selves, 'cause it ain't gonna come from them. Period. I see so many posts here at DU, hopeful and optimistic and wildly naive, saying "maybe they've got a plan," or "maybe they're working quietly behind the scenes."

I saw the same posts after the Selection, and numerous times since. It ain't happening, folks. They're clueless or scared or fill in the blank. It's US or nothing.

I hope people will get it -- and soon -- so that they will quit putting any energy into hoping and waiting for our fearless leaders to act, and work with us to pick up the mantles and yokes ourselves.

[BernieBear]

29. To Eloriel

Thanks for understanding.

And I do hear you. It is up to us.

Prior to the 2000 election I never paid much attn to politics. I'm one of those Moderate Republican/Conservative Democrat types. I believe in self-sufficiency, but sometimes people have to be taught how to be self-sufficient, they have to be taught how to have hope and how to plan and how to dream and how to set goals and how to achieve. I believe in low taxes, but we must have balanced budgets so taxes have to pay for the programs we have and those programs need to include health care for all and a level of living above poverty for those who are in unfortunate times or our seniors who have passed the age of working and must be provided for.

I did not like GWHB as a candidate, didn't like him as RR VP nor as Prez. Voted Clinton twice, and was very disappointed that Al Gore just ignored him during his campaign, though I voted for Gore. I was positively crushed by the Supreme Courts decision when it went against Gore. And I was crushed that he took himself out of politics and disappeared.

That's when I really started to pay attn. And then came 2001. I worked for one of the best known Brands in the world in a corporate capacity and 911 hit me hard. I had been there just a couple days before, and had planned to stay through the weekend and into the first of the next week but went back for a planned press dinner in my city. I couldn't find my bearings after 911. An aunt was killed a number of years ago on one of the airplanes that crashed and that had made me nervous about flying. And with my position I flew long overseas flights often. 911 made that worse. I couldn't concentrate well on work as I began to peer through a glass darkly to see that there was a world I'd never noticed in the buzz of my days.

As I watched 911 unfold, and somehow morph into what I was sure was an unnecessary war against Iraq, my spouse (with whom I'd argued quite a bit about who to vote for in 2000) reminded me that prior to the 2000 vote, I had said I would not vote for GWB because he would take us to war with Iraq as a finale to Desert Storm. I sensed within myself that "Fuck 'Em" feeling about Germany and France not supporting our efforts, a sort of "Kick Ass" mentality and I realized that's where our country's emotional energy for the war was coming from which scared me. I know about Alcoholism, which GWB is an untreated alcoholic, and I know about Schizophrenia, which GHWB's brother had prior to his death of alcoholism in France some number of years ago. We have M.D.'s in our family who specialize in these areas, and I could see GWB's actions in light of this knowledge.

Since then I've grown ever more disallusioned. I came to Senator Kerry as an ABB (anybody but Bush) and watching his COMPLETE testimony from Vietnam (How can you ask any man.........) and seeing some of the clips from the documentary and watching his effort in the obvious face of being tired and having had an illness and I thought, this man is someone to really believe in. The clips of his parents and their dediction to service, the stories from his daughter, the fact he would marry a woman as outspoken and educated as Teresa, his step-son's seeming appreciation and respect for his step-father, his two daughters and their classy level of articulation and demeanor.

And then, I had extra time on my hands and I started searching the internet. I found 911 sites, FTW, In Plane Site, the list is to long to mention. One night I spent the whole night up reading and I felt as though my heart had stopped.

The veil had begun to lift.

And I became active at a personal level with my views. I even "came out" to my father and admidted I leaned Democratic (having voted that way for 12 years). You would have thought I'd stated I was a serial killer. But we got over that. And then it became now. So there you have it.

Thank you for understanding. It means much to me. BernieB

[Joanne98]

28. change it to www.blackboxvoting.org

com is not Bev's site