What are we fighting FOR?

[JD Lau]

Since it appears there are going to be protests and demonstrations regarding this election, and since there is a LOT of energy going both into the demonstrations and into preparing for them and being involved in them...I think it is a very good idea at this point to focus this energy into the best possible channels.

I read this article yesterday and thought it very appropriate.

See what you think:



Reaffirming democracy by Luciana Bohne

http://www.onlinejournal.com/Commentary/111704Bohne/111704bohne.html


JD

[JD Lau]

1. I see that the quote from the article that I mean to post

did not appear(probably due to my putting it in brackets).

Here's the quote:

Our business is upholding democracy and human rights—as in "restoration of"—or, more correctly, as in "demanding democracy and human rights." We must organise to fight FOR something not AGAINST, because to fight FOR something is to become empowered by the strength of our beliefs, but to fight AGAINST something is to be knocked down by the force of theirs. We must not allow ourselves to be drawn into a discourse the terms of which they determine and control.

[HereSince1628]

5. The party needs to either develop or return to basic principles

The party has become an eclectic wardrobe full of diverse issues and constituencies.

All too often this looks more like a stack of assorted dirty clothing rather than the vestments of freedom.

Such wide tastes leave the party open to criticism of things that were worn or things that could be worn, rather than the uniform of the day.

Many people would rather wear Republican than think their way through all the choices.

Democrats may or may not need to clean out the closet, but they definitely have to come up with some basic, easily understood over-riding statement of style so that everyone, including the party leaders, can show up at the same party dressed appropriately.

My preference is to work from a few basic principles like comfort and freedom of movement during the occassion and let the actual cut of the clothing follow from those decisions...

For "my" party I'd work from Liberty, Justice, and Equality, I think Thomas Jefferson could even find something appropriate to wear.

[HereSince1628]

2. And it's 1 2 3 what are we fighting for

http://www.countryjoe.com/crisis.htm#fixin2


Well come on all you new young men
Uncle Sam's in a mess again
Got himself in a terrible jam
With a crazy Muslim named Saddam
So put down your bibles pick up your guns
We're gonna have a whole lot of FUN

And it's 1 2 3 what are we fighting for
Don't ask me I don't give a damn
I just know we gotta kill Saddam
And its 5 6 7 open up the pearly gates
Aint no time to wonder why
Big oil is startin to cry


Well come on all of you christian right
We all know you love a good fight
Now's your chance for a last crusade
The whole damn word has got to be saved
Just remember when your children all die
They'll be standing at the good Lord's side

Come on Dubya, better move fast
Our gas is burnin and it won't last
Your daddy started but he couldn't finish
Now's your chance to make your own image
Aren't you glad you don't have sons
Cause were callin up the guard for this one

[proudbluestater]

3. Country Joe And The Fish - Vietnam Song

This is the original song Country Joe wrote and performed at Woodstock. That song was ROCKIN'. One of the best protest songs eva!


Well, come on all of you, big strong men,
Uncle Sam needs your help again.
He's got himself in a terrible jam
Way down yonder in Vietnam
So put down your books and pick up a gun,
We're gonna have a whole lotta fun.

And it's one, two, three,
What are we fighting for ?
Don't ask me, I don't give a damn,
Next stop is Vietnam;
And it's five, six, seven,
Open up the pearly gates,
Well there ain't no time to wonder why,
Whoopee! we're all gonna die.

Come on Wall Street, don't be slow,
Why man, this is war au-go-go
There's plenty good money to be made
By supplying the Army with the tools of its trade,
But just hope and pray that if they drop the bomb,
They drop it on the Viet Cong.

And it's one, two, three,
What are we fighting for ?
Don't ask me, I don't give a damn,
Next stop is Vietnam.
And it's five, six, seven,
Open up the pearly gates,
Well there ain't no time to wonder why
Whoopee! we're all gonna die.

Well, come on generals, let's move fast;
Your big chance has come at last.
Now you can go out and get those reds
'Cause the only good commie is the one that's dead
And you know that peace can only be won
When we've blown 'em all to kingdom come.

And it's one, two, three,
What are we fighting for ?
Don't ask me, I don't give a damn,
Next stop is Vietnam;
And it's five, six, seven,
Open up the pearly gates,
Well there ain't no time to wonder why
Whoopee! we're all gonna die.

Come on mothers throughout the land,
Pack your boys off to Vietnam.
Come on fathers, and don't hesitate
To send your sons off before it's too late.
And you can be the first ones in your block
To have your boy come home in a box.

And it's one, two, three
What are we fighting for ?
Don't ask me, I don't give a damn,
Next stop is Vietnam.
And it's five, six, seven,
Open up the pearly gates,
Well there ain't no time to wonder why,
Whoopee! we're all gonna die.

[Chili]

4. we are fighting for... ELECTION REFORM

...for fair and transparent elections with verifiable results and an end to voter suppression.

We must, or we will be oppressed by a one-party system for generations to come.

[JD Lau]

7. YES. We are fighting FOR election reform. So then, let

everybody's banners say that: WE ARE FIGHTING FOR ELECTION REFORM!!!!! (And I hope that's enough exclamation marks!)

ELECTION REFORM!!!!


ELECTION REFORM!!!!

WE ARE FIGHTING FOR ELECTION REFORM!!!!

YES!!!!

[JD Lau]

8. Thank you Chili, for your post!

[ClassWarrior]

9. Agreed. But I'd add the word "responsibility."

I am also fighting to make sure that those responsible for vote FRAUD pay for their crimes.

NGU.

[JD Lau]

6. My point in posting this at all is very much the same as

Senator who posted the FRAMING issue. If hoards of folks are going to be getting out in the streets to protest, it would be much more efficient energy-wise if our groups were FOR something(such as Citizens FOR Honest Elections) rather than against something(such as Citizens AGAINST Diebold).

I suppose I wasn't clear enough or sensational enough. And now that the election is over everybody is back into the millions of little groups they were in way before the election.

If people could be FOR something, though, at least we could unify for that.

Like screaming in the wind it is....

Like screaming in the wind...

[ClassWarrior]

10. Excellent point.

Have you visited the DU "Frame the Debate" forum yet? We can use all the word warriors we can get:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=252

NGU.