Democrats: Stand Up and Walk Out (rough)

[WilliamPitt]

From this thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=204315&mesg_id=204315

Seeking suggestions, additions, alterations.

On edit: Just got an email from Cindy Sheehan. She will be there on the 31st for a people's state of the union. Hm...

===

MEMO

To: Congressional Democrats

From: William Rivers Pitt

RE: A bold maneuver

- - - - - - - - -

I have a wild and crazy idea.

George W. Bush’s delivery of the State of the Union address will take place on Tuesday, January 31, a little more than a week from now. It is my strong belief that every single Democrat present in the House chamber for the speech should, at a predetermined moment, stand up and walk out. No yelling. No heated words. Every Democrat should simply stand silently and leave.

Crazy, I know. Crazy, and possibly the best idea ever put before a body of Democrats since the New Deal.

Understand this, congressional Democrats, and understand it well: you are not dealing merely with a body of political opponents in the GOP. You are dealing with a group of people that want you exterminated politically. The days of walking the halls of the Rayburn Building, sharing a bourbon with a colleague from the other side of the aisle, and hammering out a compromise are as dead as Julius Caesar. Collegiality is out. Mutual respect is out. They want you gone for good. Erased. Destroyed.

And you, you puddings, have been far too polite about this. The writing has been on the wall for a while now. Back in 1995, Republican Senator Phil Gramm said, “We’re going to keep building the party until we’re hunting Democrats with dogs.” That was eleven years ago. If you listen close, you can hear the beasts baying in the distance, waiting to slip the leash. Your limp tactics in the face of the assault upon you, your vacillation, your strange hope that maybe the GOP will be nicer tomorrow, has left you all smelling like Alpo.

For the love of God, you are being compared to Osama bin Laden all over network television because some within your ranks have had the courage to question the war in Iraq. It hasn’t been subtle. Bin Laden, according to the right-wing talking heads, is getting his talking points straight from Howard Dean. These are the out-front spokespeople for the folks running the GOP right now. If you think there is compromise to be had with these people, if you think there is quarter to be given to you, then I have a nice, big, red bridge to sell you in San Francisco.

I know you believe the Abramoff scandal is going to be your bread and butter in the upcoming midterm elections. I hate to break it to you, but you have already been outflanked. The television nitwits have flooded the airwaves with the meme that this is a “two-party scandal,” despite the fact that Abramoff would have sooner lit himself on fire than give money to a Democrat. As you have been collectively incapable of setting the record straight in public, with the exception of a two-minute crunch between Howard Dean and Wolf Blitzer on CNN that left Blitzer spluttering impotently, understand that “this scandal affects both parties” is now commonly accepted fact all across the land.

Oh, yeah, P.S., the investigation is being run out of the Department of Justice. If this scandal does touch some sixty Republican officeholders, as Abramoff’s donation history indicates, do you really think this White House is going to let the investigation get far enough to do real damage? If so, I again need to mention that big, red bridge I have for sale.

In all likelihood, however, the White House won’t even need to derail the Abramoff investigation to save Republicans from their ridiculous greed. Did you see the Washington Post headline from Friday? It read, “Rove: GOP to Use Terror as Campaign Issue.” In reality, the headline should have read “GOP to Use Terror as Campaign Tactic.” Once again, the Republicans are going to try to win midterm elections by scaring the hell out of the American people. This time, the fear factor will center around Iran and nuclear weapons.

The intelligence specialists in the United States, Germany and Israel all agree that Iran is between three and five years away from being able to manufacture nuclear weapons. This, of course, is based on the premise that such manufacture is Iran’s goal. Take it as a given that it is, and we have at least three years to use diplomacy, economic pressures and possibly sanctions to keep them from creating these bombs.

But “three to five years” isn’t going to help the GOP win the midterm elections. They need things to be scary, and they need things to be scary now. The same right-wing groups that ginned up the fantasy that Iraq was laden with weapons of mass destruction, and was an imminent threat, are now at work building up a martial froth about Iran. They did this in time for the midterms last year, and are preparing to do it again.

United Press International carried a story last Thursday about a group called the Foundation for Democracy in Iran. This group, according to the UPI story, claims that, “Tehran is planning a nuclear weapons test before the Iranian New Year on March 20, 2006.” FDI, according to the story, offered absolutely no proof to back this claim. But that’s not three to five years. That’s less than ten weeks. Scary stuff, right?

Take a closer look, however, and you can see the fingerprints of the architects of our current Iraq boondoggle all over this. The Foundation for Democracy in Iran is run by a man named Kenneth Timmerman. Timmerman is umbilically connected to the godfather of right-wing think tanks, the American Enterprise Institute. It was the American Enterprise Institute that spawned the Project for the New American Century, the think tank that gave us Cheney, Wolfowitz, Rumsfeld, the original noise about Iraqi WMD and the idea that a military takeover of the entire Mideast is a bully idea. The same people that terrorized the American people into unnecessary war in Iraq are preparing to do the same with Iran, and all in time for the midterms.

One must also note the irony of the suggested date for this Iranian nuclear test. March 20, 2006, for those not paying attention, is the three-year anniversary of our invasion of Iraq. And round and round we go.

You’ve been outflanked, Democrats. Abramoff won’t help you, and the noise machine is preparing to terrorize the American people into such a distracted state that anything you say in the next ten months will be lost amid the howling. The midterms are pretty much a done deal, and your continued marginalization will proceed at speed.

You can stomp your feet and yell at the wall. You can put your head in your hands and weep. You can sit silently and be simply satisfied that your own job-for-life is secure, thanks to your friendly district back home, and be damned to actually doing anything of substance. In other words, you can continue to do what you’ve been doing since this outrageous assault on basic American democracy began.

Or you can stand up.

It takes a spine to stand up. Find yours. Get up and walk out of the State of the Union speech. Turn your backs on the blizzard of lies and empty promises that are sure to pour forth from that podium. Give it exactly what it deserves.

Walk outside to the steps of the Capitol Building and hold a Counter-State-of-the-Union. Lay out your plans for a better future. Explain how you will reform the system that spawned Mr. Abramoff. Demand answers and explanations about what is happening in Iraq, what is happening over at the National Security Agency, and why this administration believes itself to be completely above the law.

I can even offer a bit of text for your opening statement. “Three years ago during this very speech,” your leading spokesperson can say from those steps, “Mr. Bush told us that Iraq was in possession of 26,000 liters of anthrax, 38,000 liters of botulinum toxin, 500 tons – which is one million pounds – of sarin, mustard and VX nerve agent, 30,000 missiles to deliver the stuff, mobile biological weapons labs, al Qaeda connections, and uranium from Niger for use in a robust nuclear weapons program. He said all this three years ago, during this all-important annual address, and all of it was a lie. The American people deserve an explanation.”

See? It’s easy. All it takes is courage.

What I am talking about is political theater on a grand scale. No opposition party in American history has ever turned their backs on a President and walked out of a State of the Union address. No opposition party has faced the degree of potential extermination the Democrats face today. The stakes have never been higher. You are dealing with a President who wants to make his Executive powers absolute, and with a Republican party that has been usurped from soup to nuts by extremists that would be cartoonish if they were not so very real.

Abramoff won’t help you. The fear factor will subsume you. You can sit there and take it, clapping politely as the ram rolls towards you, or you can stand up and make yourselves relevant again. To walk out of the speech would be a huge statement, bold and potentially dangerous. But if you don’t do something bold, something grand and unprecedented, something to take back the initiative, you will join the Whigs in the dustbin of history.

Stand up. Walk out. You have a week to get this organized.

[bpilgrim]

1. will never happen - wouldn't turn thier backs, let alone walk out!

since most of them are in agreement with the neoCONs goals, they're just upset with the way it is being executed.

our 'leaders' would NEVER bring such 'disgrace' to their own house.

we need NEW LEADERS before this idea would ever fly, shoot they can't even muster the courage to filibuster a fascist judge (which we ALL should be focused on) let alone a symbolic act that most don't even understand.

but hopefully the effort will help expose their complacency and help us get NEW leaders in 06.

keep up the good work :toast:

peace

[Marleyb]

35. I agree, but it is worth a try

That way our democratic 'representatives' will understand why we are outside protesting.

Now if William Pitt will join the effort and call for mass protests at the State of Union....that would be something....

from the world cant wait...
http://worldcantwait.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=578&Itemid=208

Washington DC: In DC, we will gather as close as we can to the scene of the impending lies:

We will be on the west side of the Capitol, around and in front of the reflecting pool. The Press will be parked along 3rd Street and along the South Side of the Capitol (Independence). Cindy Sheehan and Ann Wright will speak to us (and them) at 8 pm; they will be followed by other speakers (the Rev. Yearwood and Doug Nelson, an Vietnam War vet) and then at 9, the main event will begin:

Picture a marching band/brass ensemble, a drum circle, a choir, tap dancers, a rock ensemble, hip-hop poetry, other spoken word, hootenany, African, Asian, Irish glorious soaring rhythmic, each beginning and doing a few minutes in sequence, followed by overlapping moments, followed by at least 30 minutes of jazz-like improv, call and response, followed by one fully stunning long-held harmonious wall of sound that rises to the heavens.

The whole main event lasts 50 minutes, from 9-9:50. It’s possible the media might be roused from their hypnotic stance to report on it.

If you are interested in either helping with logistics or performing, or can help us get great performers, please email Karen Bradley at [e-mail] or call 202-669-3927.

listen to eddie vedder-people have the power
http://www.radio4all.net/pub/archive/07.12.04/[e-mail]/1124-1-20040625-eddie_vedder_power_pdx.mp3

[Marleyb]

47. Cindy Sheehan wrote about this protest back in December...

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/12/28/1679/8399

On January 31st , we will be in Washington, DC for the State of the Union address when George gets in front of Congress and the world and lies through his teeth about how great everything is going in Iraq and here at home. His idiotic policies have ruined Iraq and New Orleans and made the world a more dangerous place...allowing that terrorist attacks have tripled world wide since he decided to "fight them over there."

I love this from another blog of hers...

If I hear one more rendition of "We Shall Overcome" and then watch the vigilers or marchers go home and turn on their TV's and crack open a brewsky content in the fact that they have done something for peace that day, I am going to scream! We can't overcome unless we take the proverbial bull by the horns and overcome!

Hold your vigils and marches in relevant places: such as warmongering local Congressional offices. So many Senators and Congresspeople come to mind. Or in front of a recruiting station. Or Federal Buildings. Or military bases. Then instead of going home and cracking open a beer, or uncorking a bottle of wine, sit down and say "we aren't leaving until you call for an immediate end to the occupation of Iraq." Put your butt on the line for humanity.

Change will not happen until we make it happen. We can't make change happen by wishing or praying that it will happen.

We actually have to do something.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/1/6/133316/2771

[bpilgrim]

48. the leaders will follow only when weTHEpeople lead!

thanks for sharing :toast:

peace

[ThomWV]

2. Our "Rump" Congress get off its Rump?

Not a chance.

[robbedvoter]

3. Thanks for the daydream. Felt good to read it.

Waking up is hard.

[CrazyOrangeCat]

4. Beautiful idea . . .

. . . well written, too.

Sure wish they had the nads to pull it off. They'd be instant heroes. I wish I knew what they're so frightened of . . .

Cheers.

[Imagevision]

113. Kicked and recommend maybe Murtha will have the balls to stand up

and walk out

[burned]

5. Game on

Where do we sign?

[WilliamPitt]

6. Let me finish it

I will post the final when it is ready.

[burned]

8. Never give up

I've got goosebumps.
Whether it happens or not.
Just the thought....and the hope. :)

[chimpymustgo]

15. Great job, Will. It's worth a shot.

Yesterday, I asked you "how we can fight"? This is a start at an answer. My fear, is, as stated above, that our "leaders" don't have the spines needed for this. But put the challenge before them. Let's see what happens.

And let's get this all over the Internet(s).

[WilliamPitt]

25. Wait for the final

and thanks.

[KoKo]

36. Good to call for this...it's about time they stood up together against the

emperor. A theatrical effort might bring huge rewards or huge backlash with ridicule,though. The ridicule might obscure any weak message they hope to put out in the coming months.

I'd like to see them do it, although with the MSM we have we can't count on the "shock value" achieving anything except making us out here on the "internets" feel we still have a party that cares what we think. :shrug:

[Imagevision]

70. Doubt if Lieberman and Obama would agree...! (unfortunately)

[boobooday]

7. I like it, think it is a good idea

I have another idea, too. What if they walked out and instead gave their seats to constituents from their states/districts? What if the audience was packed with average working people?

What if Bush had to look at a roomful of American citizens, dressed in their work clothes on one side of the aisle, and the black-suited Republican congress-punks on the other?

That's my little fantasy. I don't think he could handle it.

[glitch]

17. Now that would be worth watching.

Can you imagine the squirming at the podium? Bush fear Americans, he'd probably go catatonic.

[boobooday]

24. Yeah, I think he would meltdown

And not even Cheney's remote control joystick would save him. ha ha

Are you in Bloomington? I'm a PhD student here at IU . . .

Just noticed your link . . .

[glitch]

26. No, Seattle. I googled the Declaration and it was one of the first hits

so I grabbed it for my signature. :hi:

[boobooday]

28. Well I guess that makes you an honorary Hoosier!

Say hi to my brother out there.

:hi:

[glitch]

29. Will do. (perhaps I already have ;) nt

[AbbyR]

62. Wonderful idea! (nft)

[Mutley]

9. It's worth a shot.

:thumbsup:

Thanks for writing it.

[babylonsister]

10. Excellent, Mr. Pitt, and Thank You! No guts, no glory; theater and

drama are good, and might open some eyes.

P.S. "...smelling like Alpo." Love it!
:rofl:

[HereSince1628]

11. Every protest needs to be tied immediately to a message.

I'm completely sympathetic with the notion that there needs to be a public demonstration of Democratic rejection of the lies, abuses and crimes which are the record of the Cheney puppet theater.

If you walk out, and explain why 10 minutes later, the event will be seen as two different events. Guess which one will be completely ignored? Is there a way to protest without letting that happen?

Maybe the Democrats could each be assigned different issues to listen for. Each time a lie or misrepresentation is made several legislators could rise and shout "Lie!," or "Misleading!" or "Fear Mongering!" Then several might walk away.

But then the rational part of me says SOTU is really a very visible mole hill. It's a Constitutional obligation of the President to report the SOTU. Trying to make it a mountain is to choose to fight on ground that is not particularly favorable for our fight. It is reasonable only if that is the last ground left to stand on. Is this really the last place to carry on the fight?

[TahitiNut]

12. "Stand Up To The Lies - Walk Out On The Liar!"

'It's not the "State Of The Union" - it's the lies, stupid!'

Oh ... Will ... it's not a "red bridge" ... it's an orange bridge. A lovely, golden orange.

[ooglymoogly]

45. a magnificent golden california poppy colored bridge

like the hills north where the bridge connects to marin that are a brilliant golden orange when they are covered in poppies in the spring which i can now only remember from childhood.

[asjr]

13. That is the best idea I have heard in 5 years.

[MuseRider]

14. I would sign it.

You might ask them at some point what they have to lose. I know you have alluded to it but do they know that we don't hear them at all out here? Do they know that only those of us who truly, deeply care ever hear anything about them? Do they know that the people really think they have no ideas because they never hear them? This is the one and only way now for them to make a big enough stink to actually get some kind of coverage and if the polls are true, even bad spin won't stop the sense of pride and vindication that all of us who don't like what is happening will feel.

The only other thing I would add if I was writing it is that we are begging them to stand up for us. They are the only thing we have left. NOTHING we have done has made one single bit of difference and now we have only them to save us from this maniacal administration. Make them feel like they need to be the front line and we will have their backs. They just need to know we are here and we will back them.

I am no writer but only a voice from a totally unrepresented citizen.

Go for it Will. Like them we have nothing to lose by trying.

[cali]

16. How right you are.

I just emailed my Senator regarding this. Have you read Haynes Johnson's 'Age of Anxiety'? He contrasts the repub party of the McCarthy era with today's GOP, and concludes that today's GOP is a refined product of the repub party forged under McCarthy era tactics.

18. I wish they would do it

Bullies don't listen to reason or crying, they have to be pushed down. Gore sounded the alarm, will his fellow democrats act?

[SammyWinstonJack]

50. I wish they would do it, if only too see the reaction from the Chimp!

Well worth it, imo. :evilgrin:

[Raksha]

102. And remember the immortal words of Molly Ivins

in her most recent essay:

"I've said it before: War brings out the patriotic bullies. In World War I, they went around kicking dachshunds on the grounds that dachshunds were "German dogs." They did not, however, go around kicking German shepherds."

[understandinglife]

19. K&R.

Peace.

[acmejack]

20. If only dreams would come true!

But I know better in my old age. Our cadre of spineless wimps will continue with business as usual, enabling their own (and our constitution's) destruction. The only way they would leave in the middle of the SOTU is if we walked in two by two and physically carried them out.

But it feels so good to dream, if only for a moment.

[madokie]

21. Thanks Mr. Pitt

I too am tired of being lied to, taken advantaged of. I want my country back no matter the cost.

[mom cat]

22. Instead, they should stand up to Alito this week! I want action, not

feel good symbols! Please focus on Alito instead...We can win this one if we pull together!


By now we all understand that the entire corporate media has conspired to sell us yet another lie, this one about our power to stop a stealth candidate with a lifelong agenda as a record from completing a reactionary takeover of our Supreme Court. We CAN stop Alito. Oh, yes we can. All we have to do is keep speaking out to our senators. Yesterday, Senator Durbin made it very clear, a filibuster is NOT off the table. They are just waiting for us to show them that we the people are ready to back them up and all the representatives we need will stand up WITH us.

http://www.nocrony.com

[electropop]

87. My letter to Allen and Warner:

"Dear Senator _____,

I am writing to warn you of a serious threat to the independence and power of the United States Senate. There is an effort going on now to strip the Senate and the House of their power to check and balance the powers of the Executive and the Judiciary branches of the Government. The name of this effort is "The Unitary Executive." Amazingly, there is a nominee for the United States Supreme Court who has publicly espoused support for The Unitary Executive concept. If confirmed, he will act as a White House servant, supporting numerous unconstitutional acts by the White House, exemplified by the NSA Wiretapping scandal of recent weeks.

If you feel you must favor loyalty to party over loyalty to the Constitution, or even loyalty to the traditions of the Senate, I urge you to consider one more important point. At some time in the next few years, you will most likely find yourself in the minority party in Washington. If you have thrown away the revered tradition of the Filibuster, you will find yourself with no effective power at all. For your own political future, avoid the Nuclear Option - you know that a nuclear war can not be contained and harms the aggressor as much as the victim.

Thank you."

[mom cat]

93. That is one fine letter. Try putting it in a separate post as a letter for

Repub Senators. It is the kind of thing that others might borrow!
Keep up the fight!

[electropop]

109. Thanks; maybe I will!

:-)

[lonestarnot]

23. Fine. Calling!

[Surya Gayatri]

27. Excellent argumentation, Will. K & R!

Seeing the situation couched in such stark terms, I'm ready to sign on to this, although I had my doubts before. I guess the rock is up against the hard place, the devil has come to the shore of the deep blue sea and the Rubicon will have to be crossed. SG

[Hotler]

30. Can you vision the fit chimpy would have???

He would be so pissed. That would be sweet.

[Just Me]

31. Yes. Now is the time to do something historically relevant,...

,...in response to the worst administration in U.S. History.

I'm with Will.

Stand up. Turn your backs. Walk out.

[pretzel4gore]

32. fukk the dems, we know they're on top the bronco with the pukes(?)

bronco more like workhorse...
a nationwide hunger strike by tens of millions of citizens would do the trick, mind you (the repukes might see this as a guilty whistling-and-looking-up-at-the-ceiling way to get ridda all us whiners:() but when vast numbers of foreigners also join in the hunger strike, to pressure their mediawhores and governments, in sympathy with the US liberals/democrats (and why should all the burden be borne by americans when bush is obviously a global danger acting in contradiction to every living thing's future?) then at some point the enormity of the opposition to bush would become plain as the ass on george bush...btw no one would really have to starve (haha gopig!) we all just wear a blue ribbon or sometrhing saying 'we're on hunger strike until impeachment proceeding begin against bush, and a public prosecutor starts to looks into the media's rightwing whoring' etc....
if the democratic party doesn't act in solidarity against the busheviks at the SOTU, then maybe a national hunger protest would be necessary (desperate times demand desperate measures)

[cornermouse]

33. They won't do it. I wish they would, but they won't.

You're right on target, but they're too used to thinking of the republicans as colleagues if not friends, and too afraid that the public might react negatively. And that's why they won't do it.

They are afraid to take a definitve stand because the repubs will have something to attack. They never seem to notice that when their refusal to stand up and say "that's just wrong" that they've opened the door for a repub attack on weakness and waffling. And so we continue to wait...and wait...and wait.

[European Socialist]

34. A good idea, and has as much of a chance as Kerry saying the 2004...

election was stolen and a honest investigation of WTC#7 collapsing for no reason. The Democrats will not challenge the legitimacy of the Bush Presidency or 9/11.

[carolinalady]

37. Nix the pudding statement. It is inflammatory and may cause

them to not read the rest of the letter. The goal is to make them mad at the Republicans, not you. Otherwise it sounds pretty good.

[WilliamPitt]

40. Done

Thanks.

[WilliamPitt]

38. INTERESTING EDIT ADDED TO TOP OF OP

Just got an email from Cindy Sheehan. She will be there on the 31st for a people's state of the union. Hm...

[Carni]

39. One suggestion

Can you add something in there somewhere about how we their constituents have been trying to do all we can (and some times at great personal cost) but that quite frankly we're up shit's creek without a paddle without their leadership and help.

Obviously you'd have some far more eloquent way of saying it lol

[benburch]

41. This is a good effort Will.

Good job!

[Imagevision]

112. At least more would be accomplished by silently walking away from it

giving Alito nomination no digity whatsoever! kuddo's Mr. Pitt!!!!!!!!

[Midlodemocrat]

42. Outstanding. Thank you, Will.

We need to push this and push it hard. I will help in any way that I can.

[Catchawave]

43. I like it !!!!

Such a ballsy move would speak for me :hi:

Last year Dems didn't stand or applaud with the Goppers? Didn't the RW spin that as rude and weak and sour grapes? Couldn't get worse than that and defintely would prove SPINE :)

[teryang]

44. Will, add something about election fraud, this is the foundation

...of everything that has gone wrong and the need for reform to correct it. The recent demonstrations of unreliability of electronic voting machines in Leon County, Florida, was covered on another recent DU thread.

It bears making a comment or two about it. Without electoral reform, we're sunk. A minority in Congress just can't cut it.

Great piece! Go for it.

[mopinko]

66. something like-

p.s. paper ballots, hand counted.

[Sydnie]

46. Interesting idea .... n/t

[BillZBubb]

49. Bold idea.

One item wasn't clear in your text: "...are now at work building up a martial froth about Iran. They did this in time for the midterms last year, and are preparing to do it again." Did you mean like the 2002 midterms?

Another suggestion, the walkout should be based on some outrageous claim or comment by Bush. For instance, if he starts complaining about war critics, or bragging about NSA spying, or talking up the Medicare drug "benefit". One of those issues should be the cue to move out. Then once outside the Democrats could use that issue to hammer home their grievances.

[bigtree]

51. that's the stuff

Time To Pull the Plug On This Fascist Regime

[Plaid Adder]

52. I've been waiting for them to do this since 2001.

At this point, the only reason the Republicans keep them around is to give a semblance of legitimacy to a one-party system. By walking out they would be demonstrating to the American people that we now have one-party government. That's what they need to understand.

They'll never do it. But it would be a great idea.

The Plaid Adder

[helderheid]

53. I think you have a better chance of getting them to simply turn their back

backs on him. FWIW

[John Q. Citizen]

54. Yes Will, as a poster above said, add something about Florida 2000.

Even Jimmy Carter spoke about the illegitimacy of that election.

The media didn't condemn when GOP staffers and operative staged a riot to stop the recount.

That riot was the turning point of the GOP strategy.

With the exception of the House Black Caucus, no one stood and objected to the stolen election. So they must stand now or sit down and shut up forever.

[AbbyR]

61. Great line...

"With the exception of the House Black Caucus, no one stood and objected to the stolen election. So they must stand now or sit down and shut up forever."

And that's what I'm afraid of - the little guys out here, who are depending on the dems to stand up and fight, will "sit down and shut up forever."

Sad. Scary.

[Tuesday_Morning]

55. Stand Up. Walk out.

A simple riveting gesture.

A beautiful and exciting idea, Will. Thank you.

[bear425]

56. Perhaps, you could mention the impending Iranian Oil Bourse

coming up in March. read here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=2052600&mesg_id=2052639

I would include it in this paragragh: One must also note the irony of the suggested date for this Iranian nuclear test. March 20, 2006, for those not paying attention, is the three-year anniversary of our invasion of Iraq. And round and round we go.


And just one nitpicky style thingy:

In all likelihood, however, the White House won’t even need to derail the Abramoff investigation to save Republicans from their ridiculous greed. Did you see the Washington Post headline from Friday? It read, “Rove: GOP to Use Terror as Campaign Issue.” In reality, the headline should have read “GOP to Use Terror as Campaign Tactic.” Once again, the Republicans are going to try to win midterm elections by scaring the hell out of the American people. This time, the fear factor will center around Iran and nuclear weapons.

It should read center on or revolve around.

Toldja it was nitpicky. sorry.

Otherwise, the article is excellent. Hope they do it! :toast:

edit: to add clarification

[Pharaoh]

57. Mr Pitt please add

This spying scandal.

The reason Bush has been going behind the back of FISA is because they are spying on democrats, our leadership, Dean, Reid, the Clintons, Gore, Patrick Fitzgerald,.............ect.

you get the picture, If the dem leadership has'nt figured this one out we are indeed in deep do do..........

:dem: :dem: :dem:

[Beelzebud]

58. In a perfect world

where we have democrats who aren't afraid of a fight, it would happen.

We, unfortunately, don't live in that world...

[progressoid]

59. It'll Never Happen. It will take a week for them just to discuss

the ramifications of such an action.

Besides, most will dismiss it out of "respect for the office".

Nice thought though.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

60. WWTJD? What would Thomas Jefferson do?

And, some of those other guys who were willing to put their lives on the line in the face of tyranny?

[zippy890]

63. exactly!

in the face of tyranny - some action is necessary.

to Will Pitt: personally I think might be a better chance of having the dems
just boycott the SOTU- not show up in the first place - than do something
some would paint as a divisive, disruptive maneuver.

instead of getting up and walking out - they could do something
symbolic - some positive gesture

[Pharaoh]

68. I agree on that

no showing up, and showing up at the alternate SOTU would be more appropriate

[mopinko]

64. the golden gate bridge is orange, not red.

sorry, i am a painter, this color shit is my job. otherwise, fucking beautiful. polish it up. i will be sending it out on my prettiest linen paper.
i think this is a great idea. this is no ordinary time. it is time our representatives acted accordingly. they do smell like alpo.

[proud patriot]

65. Best Idea ever

I sure hope they listen to you and all of us Will ...

[WilliamPitt]

67. PLEASE READ THIS POST

I have to go out for the afternoon. When the truthout version of this goes up later this afternoon, can someone post it in a thread so we can get signatures? Thanks.

[ClassWarrior]

69. Will do. I'll check back later.

Peace, Will.

NGU.

[bleever]

71. My only suggested edit to this fine letter is

a change to this part: "It takes a spine to stand up. Find yours."

I would change the last sentence to "Use yours". It acknowledges that they are not spineless, and that they need to use the courage they already have.

My thinking is that given recent developments where the Dems have shown real gumption, it is better to acknowledge that and encourage it's expansion rather than to potentially insult them.

Thanks for doing this, Will!


:thumbsup:

[Name removed]

72. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[garthranzz]

73. Inspired by this, my letter to Sen. Kerry

Dear Senator Kerry:

An idea has begun to circulate on the internet, on such sites as DemocraticUnderground, that on January 31, when Mr. Bush gives the State of the Union, at a pre-determined moment, all the Democrats get up and walk out, en masse. They would then hold a counter State-of-the-Union address, raising the vital questions concerning the lies, deceptions and illegal activity of Mr. Bush, Mr. Cheney, etc. and laying out a plan for the future. If this could be done without advanced notice to the press, so that the "protest walk-out" would be a surprise, that would be even better. We are at a stage in our country's history similar to that before the Revolution and during the Vietnam War protests. You have always been a leader, one who analyzes carefully (said analysis sometimes mistaken as being over-cautious) and then acts boldly and decisively. I hope you will take the lead in organizing this "mass protest." I fear nothing else will awaken the media to its dereliction of duty, nor demonstrate to the majority of Americans who want real leadership, not demagoguery, that it still exists among our elected officials.

[DanCa]

74. is she going to picket the sotu?

Ohh I just may watch. I wish we'd start picketing the lifers, dobson, tbn, and the rest of the church policy makers. Not the liberal christians on the page who :rock:

[The Witch]

75. Will, have you sent this yet? What should we do?

Are you waiting to release this at a specific time? Should we all fax/email copies? Or our own requests? Let me know.

Also, I'm in DC and available to help set up/run events.

[Triana]

76. Let us know when it's finished...

...I'll definitely sign it.

[Fiendish Thingy]

77. This would be beautiful if it happens, even if a few Dems stayed...

Like Hillary, Leiberman, Feinstein, etc. It would certainly help separate the wheat from the chaff...

[Zhade]

78. FANTASTIC.

I would heartily applaud such a move!

Good piece, Will.

[Donailin]

79. YOU MUST ADD ONE CRUCIAL POINT

that if they walk out, if they stand up for what is right -- our country, our constitution, and our security -- and finally reject the lies in a bold way, THE MONEY WILL POUR IN FROM US: the voters.
I will happily donate to ANYONE democrat who has the cajones to speak the truth and take the stand just as I did for Chris Van Hollen this weekend because he joined Rep Conyers on Friday's panel in the basement.

The bottom line is always on their mind.

[Pacifist Patriot]

80. Excellent point! My Democratic senator...the ONLY Democrat I have

representing my interests at any level of government is up for re-election. I have been disgusted by recent votes and comments of his. Were he to participate in a State of the Union walk out I'd open my bank account the following day.

[yy4me]

81. This would be like Tea into Boston Harbor,

If this ever took place, it would be one of the best things to happen in my lifetime. At this point, there is not much we can do to get the media to pay attention. Surely, this would catch their collective eye. Just thinking about it makes me laugh even though this is serious stuff. Got my fingers crossed. Anyone think this could happen?

[EVDebs]

83. Pizzas Pies (at the Democratic Caucus) instead of Bush Lies in Congress

At least schedule something as a pretext, like a Dem Pizza Bash.

Dems should schedule a TV viewing with pizzas instead of watching the cavalcade of lies.

[Hardrada]

85. The should schedule something like watching old

Marx Brothers movies or Hopalong Cassidy westerns. Just to give a realistic sense of proprieties.

[EVDebs]

90. Bedtime for Bonzo or more Reagan B movies is a better deal n/t

[Raksha]

101. Exactly! The Capitol Tea Party. n/t

[EVDebs]

82. Demand rehearing of the Iraq War Joint Resolution

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2382761&mesg_id=2382761

The Joint Resolution allowing for the Iraq 'misadventure' is unconstitutional and violates the War Powers Act of 1973. Unclear 'pretext' for war in Iraq is NOT allowed according to the WPAof'73.

Congress is acting as a Bush enabler in a serial fashion. As with any addiction, an 'intervention' is required. We need to get Congress to intervene. Perhaps your idea of a walkout possibly could get their attention.

In order to get them to listen to the truth you first have to get their attention; Gen Patton's salty language and slapping a soldier once certainly did the trick. This seems to be a similar tactic.

"Audacity, audacity, always audacity !"

[lakeguy]

84. would be something, wouldn't it!

might even be enough get me to call myself a democrat again.

[tlsmith1963]

86. I Wish That It Would Happen...

...but I doubt that it will. I am just so disgusted with my country right now. America always had the fighting spirit in the past. We always got through things. What is wrong with people now? Are we the same people who dumped all that tea into the ocean? Are we the same people who helped stop Hitler? Are we the same people who protested Vietnam? I almost feel like most people in this country were taken away & replaced by aliens. The people around me just don't seem like Americans anymore, & neither do these spineless Democrats in Congress.

Tammy

[kentuck]

88. They should....but will they ?

They need to take a stand somewhere. If not Judge Alito, then the SOTU... They only give credibility to George Bush when they don't stand up to him and the Repubs.

[Tom Joad]

92. Let's not wait for congress, let's hit the streets ourselves!

On the night of Tuesday Jan 31st, thousands of us in the SF Bay Area will hit the streets in protest of Bush and his agenda. We will gather in Union Sq in SF and make noise during the speech, then topple a 30ft paper mache statue of Bush.

Protests like this will take place all over the country. WE LEAD CONGRESS, it has never been the other way around. Look at the link below for an action near you, or make your own.
http://worldcantwait.net/

"If you don't like the news today, go out and make some of your own."

[Tom Joad]

89. How about offering a real counter-agenda instead? Not gonna happen

It would be wonderful, but it is almost impossible for such a thing to happen. Most Dems are behind the Iraq war, though want it better managed (the majority will not even sign on to the Murtha res. and that does not bring the troops home... the McGovern bill to stop funding has even less support). We have Joe "strom thurmond for the 21st century" Lieberman who never give up a photo-op with the W. Many of the others are not far behind... they say yes, bush mismanaged the war, yes, he should have waited until we had more allies (what, so we can be multi-lateral imperialists??), but we must support the troops (meaning, let them complete "the mission").

Nancy Pelosi just had a town hall. She actually said some good things. However, she also said, besides vowing not to defund this immoral, illegal war and occupation, she said that she does not support impeachment, that the problem should be solved electorally. Nah, a walk out is not going to happen. Not from this bunch.

I would be surprised if you could encourage dems just to not applaud.

[EVDebs]

91. The Executive Orders are already in place; a 'counter agenda' is 2Late

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=2056463&mesg_id=2057986

Roberts and Alito both worked in the Reagan era rubberstamping these exec orders. Get the picture. It's pretty much a 'done deal'.

Trouble is, they can't arrest and detain over HALF of the population that demonstrably can't stand their current furher.

[Raksha]

100. Not "instead," but AFTER they walk out.

They could even say it: "Now that we have your attention (and they WOULD have it!) here's our lobbying reform plan..." or any other issues they choose to address.

[mmonk]

94. Even if they do nothing, they need to hear (read) it.

The do nothing democrats. Sure, they've made me proud on occasion like the Senate shutdown and such. But too many of them break ranks over this illegal war and assorted issues that are defining this country. There aren't enough screams over the dismanteling of the constitution. Still too few making public noises over what could be permanent change that won't "swing back" in future elections. Too many still playing politics or aren't patriotic and democrat enough to fight aggressively the pressing dangers to our liberty.

[kpete]

95. Will - You are EVERYWHERE!!!

I cannot go to any site without seeing your whole article, parts of it, comments about it (All Terrific!!!), references to it, arguments for it, suggestions regarding how to implement it, inspiration for letters to government officials because of it. I could go on and on and on....

YOU ARE A ROCK STAR!

[kpete]

96. YOU ARE A ROCK STAR!

I cannot go to any site without seeing your whole article, parts of it, comments about it (All Terrific!!!), references to it, arguments for it, suggestions regarding how to implement it, inspiration for letters to government officials because of it. I could go on and on and on....

YOU ARE A ROCK STAR!

[RazzleDazzle]

97. Red bridge? I don't think so.

[USA_1]

98. WALK OUT!!!

JUST DO IT!!!

[leftstreet]

99. Just don't show up

Sorry, but I think walking out would fail. It would hand the Corporate Media their ready-made talking points. Unfortunately those talking points would resonate with voters who still believe one must "respect" the office of the President.

And yes, they're out there.

Far more shocking to the "average" SOTU viewer to wonder why half the chamber is empty. He or she might actually surf the channels and/or internets to find out what the hell happened.

[Senator]

103. Perhaps if we gave out Printed Invitations >>

(substitute InvitesSOTU.jpg for "two-up" version should you want to print/cut/passout)

---
www.january6th.org

[ClayZ]

104. Stand Up, Walk Out! The whole world still watches...

:kick:

[Peter Frank]

105. K & R... n/t

[deacon]

106. I agree, they should walk out! It's time to make a stand n/t

[ScreamingMeemie]

107. If they did that they could be assured of the support of this person

forever.

Will Pitt...from your mouth to their ears...I hope.

[samhsarah]

108. Great letter, Will! K&R

[lapislzi]

110. You are so in the zone on this one...

We need a big can of Spine-o-Genesis. I think you just brought in a whole case.

[Generator]

111. It's not too late

But I'm afraid that the Dems we have now wouldn't be in such a mess if they had the balls to do this, which they don't. In other words, if they were different this wouldn't be required. Or maybe the Republican machine would have had them all snuffed out if they fought back anyway. I'm not sure anymore-it seems so bleak.

I do love the deperation around here-nuclear survival and craziness. I'm not alone, apparently. Iran! Supreme court lost! Oh well..honor..I know Kerry and Conyers, and Boxer have it in spades. The rest I wouldn't count on to save their lives, much less our own.

[nini]

114. Stephanie Miller is reading this on her show now!

She loves the idea :bounce: