I believe, in you folks and in JK! (And Teddy too!)

[TayTay]

Thank you Senator Kerry! Thank you for taking on this fight and standing beside Teddy Kennedy and fighting for what is right. I appreciate your standing up for me and my right to medical privacy. I appreciate your wonderful speeches of the last few days that really laid out what a Justice Alito means for America and for the poor and the marginalized in our society. Thank you for taking on this fight that had such long odds. You both inspire me.

I am sorry that so many 'Democrats' deserted you and stood up only for their own re-election chances. But, as you already know, that is how it usually is. Men and women of courage and conviction are in short supply on this earth. It's just too tempting sometimes to take the easy road and not 'rock the boat.' These people will learn that when you stand for nothing, sooner or later no one will stand with you.

I am so proud of 'you guys.' When this filibuster attempt was first proposed, your own colleagues in the Dem caucus argued against it, and against you, as if the two were the same. I have read the reports of all the people who wanted to 'keep their powder dry' for some mythical fight that will be 'worth it' someday. I read about the fear that some Dems have that if they stand up and demand to be heard that the Republicans might be mean to them. Thanks for showing that having someone 'be mean to you' is not the end of the world and that it can put real steel in your spine and lead to greater resolve. I have never been prouder to have voted for 'you guys' all these years. It is an honor to have you both as my Senators. You inspire me.
***********

Thank you to everyone here who fought the good fight. Losing, quite frankly, sucks. You never get used to it and there is never a time when losing a battle like this, especially one fraught with betrayal, doesn't hurt like hell. (If losing ever stops hurting, then just pack it in. It's supposed to hurt. That's because it means something.)

You guys are the absolute best. (And not just because you share my good taste in determining what makes a good Senator.) I am so proud of you good people for all you have done. We did, in our own way, rock the world a little bit.

I love you guys! I really do. You also inspire me.

I salute you all and am so happy to 'report for duty' every day with you fine people
:patriot:

[TayTay]

1. By the way, small point, but did you notice

how many people came over to shake hands with John Kerry during that vote. The people who didn't vote for cloture made a point of coming over and shaking hands with JK and giving him a kind word. What was up with that? They didn't shake hands with Harry Reid, they went over to John Kerry. Hmmmmm.

[ginnyinWI]

2. Shadow Minority Leader too?

Busy man--he's already the Shadow President and Shadow Sec. of State!! :)

[Island Blue]

3. Democrats were shaking his hand or Republicans?

Or both? I didn't see it.

[whometense]

4. I didn't see that.

Computer screen way too tiny. But I'm so happy to hear it.

[saracat]

5. Mabe it was et tu Brutus? Or the kiss of Judas?

I will never forget or forgive these bastards. And not just for what they did to JK but the irreversible damage they did to this nation.

[TayTay]

6. There are people who can admire courage when they see it

even if they themselves cannot emulate it. I think they were recognizing that some one took a stand and fought like hell for a principle. Even the betrayers knew that. Maybe especially the betrayers.

[saracat]

7. I think you are being too nice to them. They admire nothing.

Next you will say they have a concience! LOL! LoveYa TayTay. I HATE these people, especially the traitors!

[TayTay]

9. In all seriousness, I meant that.

I truly do think that some of these people saw what a little courage can do and were envious of it. It is a kind of hell to see this quality in others and to know that you don't have it in yourself. You can never be that person who takes a stand and gives their all for a cause. It's just not in them. But they have enough brains to know when they see the qualities of courage in others. You are condmened to see what you can never have.

"The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who, in times of moral crisis, maintain their neutrality." JFK used to quote that line.

[saracat]

13. I hope you are right. I am probably too pissed to see it. Still, you are

nicer than I am ! Love Ya!:loveya: :loveya: :loveya:

[whometense]

8. This is an inspiring thread,

and I for one need it tonight. I'm okay, but feel drained, and there was a comment on my dkos thread that reallllly upset me.

So thanks.

[globalvillage]

10. Which one?

The idiot or the asshole?
I wouldn't be upset by that, whome. There are a few out there, but JK got a lot of support for his efforts, and very well deserved. Wonder how he's doing, BTW. Hope he's stuffing himself with chocolate and swearing like a sailor.

Tay, you're right. And the more I think about today, the more inspired I am. I was very disappointed by the vote, but the groundswell on the part of the blogosphere was tremendous.

Our guys stood up today. This is what democracy looks like, and I couldn't be more proud.

Fuck the haters and the quitters. We're the winners, and that's what matters.

We rock.

[whometense]

14. hee hee

The idiot or the asshole?

I'd say it was the idiot asshole.

The one who said JK didn't really do shit. :grr:

[MH1]

15. Aw.

Now you made me :cry: all over again.

I just hope JK knows what a good thing he's done.

[ProSense]

16. I like this. Thanks.

Senator Kerry should have the respect of every American after today.


:grouphug:

[karynnj]

17. That's actually nice

I didn't see that because I had quit watching and was just listening. Did they go to Teddy too?

[elshiva]

11. THANKS.

[beachmom]

12. Thanks so much for such inspiring words, Tay Tay

But, damn, what do you mean losing never stops hurting? I was just thinking tonight, as I secretly went into the garage to shed a few tears so my husband and kids wouldn't see me, that I'm such a novice at this sort of thing. That I don't have the "steel" for it. I was thinking maybe I'm not cut out for being politically active, when, as a Democrat, we keep losing (it even crossed my mind -- damnit! why aren't I a Republican?? Then I would be WINNING all the time, but obviously, no chance in hell I'd ever be one, but you know what I mean it just sucks to keep losing over and over again. Ugh). Anyway, the fact that seasoned veterans are hurting, too, means that maybe I'll stick around and fight another one . . .

But you know I've changed since Nov. '04. On a personal note, I actually gained some weight after we lost that election, perhaps comforting myself with food. But starting at the end of last year, I've started to exercise and eat right. So tonight, I went on my elliptical trainer to watch the speeches of your amazing two senators, and then did a bunch of weight training. So that's another postive -- * (the ultimate evil behind this whole effort) is NOT going to wreck my health anymore!!

All of you guys are awesome, of course. Whometense, I recommended your diary, and I'm very sorry someone said something so hurtful. Know that we're here and we love you!!

[whometense]

18. beachmom,

that's so sweet! Thank you! And you should know that you are certainly not alone in your feeling that you lack the steel for politics. I feel that way pretty much every day. JK and Tay are my role models for this. If they can keep bouncing back, I guess I can too - and since you and I keep coming back to this forum, that must mean we have some inner steel, right?

Were you around here when we were describing JK as a weeble? I don't know if you remember weebles, but here's one:



Their slogan: Weebles wobble, but they don't fall down. Please note I chose a Superman Weeble for our hero. ;-)

This one's just for the :loveya:

[Inuca]

19. That picture speaks volumes

Wonderful

[beachmom]

20. Thanks for the pics, Wometense!!

Does anyone know how JK is doing? Did he weeble this one, too?

It's true -- I keep saying to myself -- no more. I don't need this sh**!!! And then one hour later, I think -- oh, wait a minute, what are my JK buddies doing now? I have to say, it's the friendships that keeps me coming back. Thanks everyone.

Edited to make sense

[TayTay]

21. Honey, it hurts for all the right reasons. That's why.

It hurts because it's about something, something greater than myself. It's about that 'fight that's worth having' even if we don't win it this time. That's the deal, that's the whole thing. It's not about me, it's about what I believe in. I hurt because now it is going to be that much harder to do something about those beliefs. But the beliefs haven't changed. Neither has my will to fight.

You have aligned yourself with the 'progressive' or 'liberal' causes. That is absolutely 100% guaranteed to break your heart from time to time. Why? Because that means you stand for change, you stand to take power from the powerful and redistribute it to those who are poor or marginalized or outside of the halls of money and influence. Change is the hardest thing to accomplish on earth. The natural impulse of all human beings to to keep doing things the way they have been doing them and to not upset the social order or the way things are done. Change is hard and often takes a lifetime to accomplish. That is why we have heroes, they give us hope in struggles that might otherwise break our will. We need them, they nourish our souls. We need those who don't quit, so that we can be strong and realize our own resolve. That's how it works, my dear.

Go, if you need to, and heal. There is nothing wrong with that. People burn-out of politics because they don't take the time to heal up and get their fighting spirit back. Go to a movie, listen to some music, talk to a friend. Do whatever it is that feeds your soul. Then, when you are refreshed and better, come back. We need you. And the easiest thing I can say to you is to remember: it's not about you, it's about the legacy that you and I leave to this country. That is worth taking a tough hit on every now and then. (Repeat after me: It's not about me, it's about what I believe in.)

Oh and a quick shout-out to Sandnsea. We once sort of argued when I was unable to take a compliment about 'east coast Dems' and how much you admired them. I take it all back. I am not so modest now. Yeah, they did and do rule and are pretty special people. They got steel and fight and fire and, most of all, convictions. I take the compliment now, my dear, if you don't mind.

[whometense]

24. Aw, you made me shed a tear with that.

I am a tad on the weepy side today - mostly from emotional exhaustion. It's been a wild couple of days.

But of course you are right. JK has made some considerable progress over the past few days - I don't know what it means for elections future, but I feel like he's back aligned with his people. That means a lot to me, and I'm guessing it does to him, too. I think his reach out to the blogging community (which made huge waves - people are still talking about it with awe) and leading the filibuster has gone a long way towards cancelling out that awful IWR dissonance.

What's been so difficult over the past few years is the wall of misunderstanding that vote put up between JK and his natural constituency. Win or lose, he is a progressive, and these people may finally start to see him for who he actually is. That will bring me no end of satisfaction. I imagine he (and THK) would be pretty happy about that too.

And another pic, because I am seriously smitten today.

[politicasista]

26. Thanks for the words TayTay

Feeling drained, but inspired. I will try doing the things that feed my soul also.

[beachmom]

29. Thanks for the kind words, Tay Tay

I think what's different this time is my direct involvement, and I feel the need to share responsibility if this somehow is a fatal blow to Kerry's presidential aspirations. Obviously, if he wants to take Ted Kennedy's place as lion liberal of the Senate when he retires, he's earned the creds for that. But I want him to be president, goshdarnit, and he was treated so badly in the MSM and punditocracy these last 5 days (literally the laughing stock of endless jokes and not just from GOPers). Of course, I am upset about the substance of the argument (although I did listen to a legal show on NPR today that said there was no guarantee that Roberts/Alito would strike down Roe v. Wade since this would be such a radical move, which gives a little hope), but it's the way the other Senators treated him and how they thumbed their noses at us, acting like we were just a bunch of Noam Chomsky leftists sitting in Berkely, that makes me so angry. So to sum up my feelings:

1. Mad about losing, and losing BIG -- if it were just 2 votes that would have been a near victory to me, but we didn't get that.

2. Kerry being ostracized in the media and some blogs (and my part in causing this by typing "filibuster" on that petition).

3. Kerry/Kennedy being betrayed by so-called Democrats in the Senate

4. The media not getting the REAL story which was that REAL PEOPLE (for crying out loud I'm a stay at home Mom living in a red state, not a lawyer working for the ACLU in NYC) fought hard for this and were truly inspired by Kerry's leadership.

Actually, I feel a little better just typing #4. Nobody out in MSM world knows the real story. It's a story I will try to pass on.

On healing, yeah, I'll probably skip the news and main blogs, and just read here daily for a while. Tonight sounds like a good Sex and the City night (I've got lots of episodes waiting in the DVR)!!!

[jenndar]

30. Here's the thing about

Noam Chomsky, Berkeleyites, ACLU lawyers and New Yorkers:

They're all citizens. We may not be wild about them (Noam Chomsky, for example, is a total douchbag, IMHO. Also, he doesn't live near Berkeley at all, which is good, because I do, and I don't EVER want to have to run into him) but they're on our side. This is the cool thing about the Democratic party, and the democratic (notice the small "d") ideal - we have room for all of these people, plus anybody else who wants in.

The idea that whether or not somebody is "real person" can be based on his or her job, or where he or she lives, is a right-wing talking point. There are no fake people living in this country. There are no fake people working in this country. There are no fake people voting in this country.

I know that's something the media doesn't understand, and yes, we have to correct that. But I think part of being a true Democrat means not generalizing when it comes to other Democrats, because, as we know, we are all truly in this together.

[beachmom]

31. Completely agree, Jenndar, but I guess I'm saying the RW

talking point (that liberal bloggers are only elitists living in California or NYC) is not only illogical (like you say) but that it is simply untrue. You cannot stereotype who logs in to the blogs. Some may be rich, some poor, most in the middle class. Some live in blue states, some in red states. Some are atheists, some are devoted Christians, Jews or other religions. A better way to say it, is that the people involved in this fight represent a cross section of America that CANNOT be stereotyped. I agree that an ACLU lawyer in NYC is a real person, yet I will also say that most typical Americans (at least who I know) may not be able to identify with this person, who has a law degree and lives in a big diverse city, where you must be tolerant of others. Does this make any sense? I guess I'm speaking about class, which does exist. The Republicans have this bizarre strategy (that has been highly successful) as branding liberals to be rich, elitist, out of touch with Middle America, and definitely living on one of the coasts. Then they turn around and give these rich people a tax cut. And what I'm saying is that although a lot of these types of people are liberals, there are TONS of people NOT in this stereotype who are also progressives/liberals. As evidenced by who actually voted for Kerry (he won the below $50K group), the media has gotten this story wrong, and they continue to get it wrong through today. (i.e. the Swiss meme, when so many regular folks got involved in this filibuster fight).

[ProSense]

32. But there are dead people voting.

Seriously, I agree that they are on our side, but that doesn't mean they can do damage to the cause. Robertson is on the wingnuts side, and even they admonish him when pressure comes to bear (probably wouldn't otherwise). So I agree that the Democratic Party is diverse, that why I am a Democrat. The lockstep thing doesn't work for me. At the same time, this to me wasn't about lockstep: they were all voting no. And even the argument about not wanting to filibuster a Supreme Court nominee (which for Feingold didn't seem to come into play, since his general rule doesn't apply to judicial nominees) doesn't fly. No harm in doing what Biden did (wormy, but it was support), promise one vote.

[whometense]

23. Haven't seen him yet today.

There isn't enough steel enough in the whole world to get me to either watch the senate today or watch the speech tonight.

But I'd bet the house that he's bounced back just fine. In fact, better than ever. There are people out there taking potshots at him, just like always, but today very few of those potshots are coming from his left flank. He stood up for what he believes in, and progressives are standing up for him. That's two big wins.

[TayTay]

25. Really? I am watching the SOTU tonight.

I need a good laugh. Besides, I want that moment when the camera pans the House floor and finds Kerry and checks out the look in his eye on *. That is priceless.

Besides, I'm over it. (Sort or. Mostly. Except for that one small part that will stick to me long enough so that when we do take over a congressional or senate seat or, God willing, the White House, I can reach down and find that hurt and bring it up and remember why the hell winning is so damn sweet. Oh yeah, it's because losing sucks.)

[whometense]

27. What are you drinking??

And how much?? Did you hear Rachel Maddow trying to corral her staff into going to a bar to watch?

I literally cannot watch *. He makes me sick - I have totally lost my sense of humor about him, which is a damned shame because he's such a rich source.

[TayTay]

28. No drinking. I think he is going to screw up again tonight

Like he did last year with the Social Security fight. (That we blew him away on. Yeah, we do win some from time to time. He can't even mention social security now because his plan was stomped to death by Democrats. There is that.)

Tonight is Health Savings Account night. Honey, that dog don't hunt. That is a crappy little plan that will do nothing to bring health care to more Americans. He knows it, I know it, you know and every damn pol sitting in the audience knows it. But That Friggin Idiot will bring it up anyway. It's not like he has a lot he can talk about positively.

Let's see, there was his great success in rebuilding the Gulf region, ahm, no scratch that one.
The economy is going fine, ahm, not after all those layoff announcements.
The Iraq War is just doing swell, ahm, geez, can't claim that either.
Ahm in favor of 'guest workers,' who are 'illegal aliens' until Republicans use them as cheap workers. Hmmm, that doesn't sit well with the base either.

Let's see, Social Security Deform failed. The Terri Schiavo thing was a real bust. This woman whose son died in Iraq protested and cleaned Bush's clock in August with a Mother's Protest, just before Katrina. Hmmm, gee China just surpassed us today as world's largest manufacturer of IT devices like cell phones and such. Hmmm, what can * do?

90 minutes of 'Meet my Boys: Roberts and Alito' It's the only success of the last year. (Okay, the Bankruptcy Bill and CAFTA, but a lot of 'real people' don't like those two.) We got 90 minutes of bloviating lies and idiotic pandering. I kind of like that.

I can deal. I gotta tell ya, as bad as yesterday was, there is still something, ahm, there -- just totally there, if you know what I mean, about one man, standing up for principle against overwhelming odds and persevering through all that adversity and stuff. It just warms the cockles of my, ahm, heart. (Okay, I'm human too. I am as susceptible to romantic myths as anyone else. Add in the liberal and idealistic parts of me and this story is just, ahm, OMG!) Ahm, yes I know it was two men and 23 others, but I ahm, just am susceptible to that storyline.

[globalvillage]

34. CNN says

bush* is going to say we're too dependent on foreign oil. After the quarterly reports from Exxon, he'd damn well better say something. Wonder if they'll have a camera behind him to show his fingers crossed.
He and his oil buddies will probably have a good laugh over it after the show.
I swear if he says "we can't drill our way out, we have to invent our way out", I'll throw something through the TV.
I'm going to watch. It's like a mammogram. Painful, but if you suspect a malignancy, best to check it out.

[karynnj]

37. If he says that do you think ANY major paper, pundit etc

will admit to remembering that they heard it before. Gee, may be they copied the whole Kerry web site to get all the plans. It would be good if they do start something like what he recommended.

[emulatorloo]

35. You forgot Mission to Mars and War on Steroids

what year were those? More of Bush's greatest SOTU hits. . .

[karynnj]

36. I haven't watched a Bush speech since Nov 04

Like you I can't - I do read the text later to be informed. But reading is easier than watching and seeing that smirking sociopath. (Usually my husband watchs - in a different room - so I get feedback of anything strange, but he has tickets to a Nets game)

In the Senate, at least their are good guys to balance out the bad. (Though McConnell is now on my baddest of the bad list. What a pig!) I may go over to that poll site and vote him down!

[europegirl4jfk]

39. I'm watching too

I watch most of Shrub's speeches because you have to know your enemy if you want to fight him. ;-) And you are right. The funniest thing to do is to check out Kerry and his reactions to Shrub. I did this last year and it was really great and made it less painful to sit through this awful speech.

[Blaukraut]

22. Thank you TayTay

You do have a way with words - no need for me to add anything else :hug: :-)

[babylonsister]

33. Thanks, Tay Tay, and everyone else. It was nice not to feel

so alone while the threads in GD and GD/Alito were whizzing by.
It will be so sweet when we prevail at something important!
And to Senators Kerry and Kennedy, you both rock and I'm
making cards to let you know just that! :patriot:

[paulk]

38. thanks for this thread, tay tay

Even my hip waders weren't up to job over in GD today. So much defeatism and negativity.