Molly Ivins says it is "time for real leadership" and the Alito Fillibuste

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Molly Ivins says it is "time for real leadership" and the Alito Fillibuster

Molly Ivins wrote a great article http://www.workingforchange.com/article.cfm?ItemID=20250u">article last week calling for Democrats to stand up and fight. After today's events in the Senate, the article gains even more importance.

Here are some quotes.

The recent death of Gene McCarthy reminded me of a lesson I spent a long, long time unlearning, so now I have to re-learn it. It's about political courage and heroes, and when a country is desperate for leadership. There are times when regular politics will not do, and this is one of those times. There are times a country is so tired of bull that only the truth can provide relief.

We are hungry for the truth, yet there are so few who have the platform and are using that platform the good of the average American.

The majority (77 percent) thinks we should do "whatever it takes" to protect the environment. The majority (87 percent) thinks big oil companies are gouging consumers and would support a windfall profits tax. That is the center, you fools. WHO ARE YOU AFRAID OF?

Who are they afraid of?

Bush, Cheney and Co. will continue to play the patriotic bully card just as long as you let them. 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. The MINUTE someone impugns your patriotism for opposing this war, turn on them like a snarling dog and explain what loving your country really means. That, or you could just piss on them elegantly, as Rep. John Murtha did. Or eviscerate them with wit (look up Mark Twain on the war in the Philippines). Or point out the latest in the endless "string of bad news."

Do not sit there cowering and pretending the only way to win is as Republican-lite. If the Washington-based party can't get up and fight, we'll find someone who can.

This article is even more important after today's failed filibuster, where 19 so-called Democrats showed no guts and failed to stand up and fight. Progressive Democrats now know who is fighting for them. There are 25 or so Senators, the chair of the DNC, the former Vice President Al Gore, a couple news anchors (Olberman/Stewart/Moyers), a great radio network in Air America Radio, and a lot of people in the blogosphere.

The line is drawn in the sanud. Now we need to get out there in our towns and start organizing from the ground up. Let's find those candidates who will stand p and fight. Maybe they are living in your neighborhood or they might even be looking at you in the mirror each morning.

Remember: "A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead