Some musings on Democrats, the 2006 elections, and "political pacifism"

[derby378]

I was able to listen to a little bit of Randi Rhodes earlier today, and she was talking about literacy tests and how the election official could use any literacy test he wanted on any prospective voter he wanted, and then she mentioned a black civil rights activist who was chased down by an angry mob of whites who beat his face so savagely that he still carries the scars on his face to this very day. Randi stated that this poor man refused to fight back, but just curled up in a ball and let the racists inflict whatever they wanted on his body - he was afraid that if he fought back, he'd become just like them.

Fellow DUers, I may not be the world's most devout Quaker, but I try to keep the faith in my own way. I admire pacifism, and I'm passionately opposed to the invasion of Iraq for religious as well as political reasons. A big "hello" to everyone at Camp Casey for keeping up the vigil and honoring our fallen soldiers by demanding accountability from the Bush administration.

But as far as that poor civil rights activist is concerned, I affirm that he had - and still has - the right to defend himself. I don't think a disfigured face is fair trade for avoiding self-defense because you think it will lower you. He has a right to live, and live well, just as all human beings do. When he is injured by hatred, all of humanity feels the blow.

Then I take a look at many Democrats across America and their campaigns for the House and Senate over the past few years. I get the feeling that way too many of them curled up into a ball and basically allowed the Republican neo-cons to beat up on them. Sad to say, I think the list of Democrats so victimized may include John Kerry.

Now, I've been seeing signs of life in the Democratic Party this year, including the will to adapt and survive. The grassroots are finally making their voices heard, and they are not inclined to roll over and play dead. And they've already managed to send shock waves through the Democratic Party infrastructure by helping defeat Joe Lieberman in the Connecticut primary. The party is adapting, and I'm convinced that we're finally getting our second wind.

Never give up. Press harder than you ever have before. Don't give the neo-fascists an inch. They've been dreaming of a corporatist state in America since Hoover was thrown out of the White House - let's put an end to their scheming and treachery once and for all.

[Stardust]

1. A very loud Howard Dean-like "YEAH!!!!!" to that! I hope you're right!

[derby378]

2. Thanks - I appreciate that

I saw Sen. Max Cleland on Bill Maher's show last night, too. Always nice to see people like him fighting for us.

[bryant69]

3. I agree - i don't understand some of the pessimism i see

I admit we have lots of problems to solve, but a lot of really positive things are happening as well.

Bryant
check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[derby378]

4. All our Democrats have to do is find their voice and win the elections

A growing number of Democrats already have Step One taken care of. Now it's time for the rest of our Dems to catch up.