Dear John, Ray, Cindy and David,

[EFerrari]

I followed as closely as I could yesterday the conversation you tried to have with each other. And first, I want to thank you for your work. Without you, our national conversation on the topics of war and peace, accountability and human rights would be in a deeper ditch than the one Cindy camped out on in Crawford that first year. So first, thank you. You all give me hope that the welfare of our people is important to someone.

And maybe, that's all I should say. Our people have been victimized in so many ways these last seven years. We've been slaughtered at our desks, and drowned, and killed by IEDs, killed by preventable disease and by poverty. Today, it seems like a breakthrough that people who agree, as much as you all actually agree, would go to all the trouble of having a fight over us.

I will never forget the first time I heard each of you speak. Because you never promised solutions for all our ills -- instead, you each raised questions, important ones. And you evoked a vision of an American electorate that could locate its inherent power to care for itself. That is the strength that you fostered, that is the muscle we need to tone, flex and use.

Today, I felt downcast because my comrades in struggle have fallen out with each other. Peace. What movement hasn't met this moment? And we, being human, will have these moments. They are inevitable. Our challenge is to counter them despite the last upset, the last reaction, the last angry word, with the profound knowledge that our work is before us and that we share our commitment to that work. You all know that better, more deeply, than I do.

I submit, we can meet this moment with the strength and the respect and the history of struggle we share. The pressures that swirl around you all are mighty -- more than I will ever know in my small sphere. But, I trust you all to manage those currents and to continue to stand up for us.

Solidarity,

Elizabeth Ferrari

San Francisco

[Subdivisions]

1. Amen, sister Elizabeth Ferrari...amen. We must move on, I think. n/t

[EFerrari]

2. Herding cats, even big ones, is hard work.

lol

peace, Texas Explorer.

Beth

[Maat]

3. Amen, Sister Beth.

And, I agree, we have to move on! Maybe this whole episode served to make people think about the whole mess, who wouldn't have normally. Then, it will have done some good.

[EFerrari]

4. I trust our people, Maat.

We're lucky to have them.

[Maat]

10. Yes, Ma'am.

We'll get through this.

[Breeze54]

5. Nice letter.

Thanks for that, sfexpat2000! :hug:

Peace...Now!! Bring Them All Home...NOW!!

[EFerrari]

9. I can get behind that.

:hug:

[jpgray]

6. It's etremely frustrating because we all want accountability

And yet we're fighting each other like crazy. It's better than monolithic agreement on strategy, but it's still depressing, no?

[EFerrari]

8. Sure. It's hard to see people you care about and believe in

go at each other. Let's help them come to terms.

[Madspirit]

7. k&r...of course...n/t

[mod mom]

11. Thank you , Beth. rec'd.

I no longer know whose side I am on and whether I belong here. It seems like we should be united against the cancer that has infested this country, but when I heard such horrid name calling as "media whore" toward a committed soul who has lost her son I feel the divide. I tink it might be wise for me to dis connect from this site for a while.

Your words bring comfort. peace.

[EFerrari]

14. mod mom.

:hug:
:grouphug:

[H2O Man]

12. I am glad

that you are on DU.

[EFerrari]

15. These moments are difficult. But we can work through them.

As you well know. Peace, my friend.

[doublethink]

13. Ah the voice of sanity.

Well said. Peace. :) :thumbsup:

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

16. Ain't Fallen For It. Sorry.

The extremists did this to themselves and did so intentionally. They caused the rift on their own with full knowledge of what grief they would cause. They have stabbed good Democrats in the back and have gone over the edge of sanity. I'm not about to fall for some bury the hatchet garbage expressing a concept that both sides are innocent and it's unfortunate some 'unforeseen' rift occurred, but let's all shake hands.

No. I will not be such a fool to do so. They have intentionally provoked and created this drama all on their own, without a care in the world as to whether their actions carry any legitimacy or productivity any longer. They have turned their backs on what is real and what is right. They have gone too far, and they have done so under their own power and choice.

The honorable John Conyers has my full support. Until the extremists come forth and apologize for their bullyish and counter-productive behavior and show that they once again ARE on the same side as we are and willing to work together once again, then they are not worthy of any political respect from me and many others who feel the same way.

[jpgray]

19. We're meant to work together for common goals even if we argue when we disagree.

I wish you could see that.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

22. Like I Said: I Ain't Fallen For It. That's A Bunch Of Crap Now In My Opinion.

Those working for common goals do not bully someone like John Conyers.

I wish you could see that.

[jpgray]

23. Speaking of that, Nader's past activism is uniformly great, and inspiring

His strategy of showing up every four years to negligible effect on advancing any of his beliefs is less than inspiring. People aren't wholly good or evil, and neither are public figures. Take the good and bitch about the bad--don't pretend only the former or the latter exists.

[Yukari Yakumo]

31. Under whose banner? {nt}

[Virginia Dare]

37. Argue and disagree...

or attack and smear? There's a difference you know.

[liberalhistorian]

25. Exactly! There are times when the whole

"peace, love and flowers" bit just isn't appropriate, and this is one of those times. Very well-put, OMC!

[EFerrari]

26. Because what trumps understanding, agreement and joint action?

:)

[EFerrari]

39. I think it's always appropriate to remind people of the good

they have done and of the values they share. If that seems countercultural somehow, thats funny all by itself. :)

[EFerrari]

17. kick

[proud2BlibKansan]

18. Wow

May I send that to my Camp Casey group?

[EFerrari]

20. I'd be honored. Let's get our folks back together.

:hug:

[Bake]

36. I'm with OMC on this one ... not buying it either.

I admire the sentiment you expressed, and wish that it were so. Just like I wish we had the 67 votes in the Senate to impeach everyone in BushCo. Reality slaps me in the face, though, and I realize we don't.

By the same token, Sheehan and her group have no interest in making nice or working toward common goals. Their only goal is get what they want, right now, reality be damned. Otherwise they wouldn't have attacked someone who, if they could see past the ends of their own noses, IS already on their side. Sheehan would save some of her bile for the Republicans, who do in fact OWN this war, instead of blaming it on the Democrats and calling them the party of slavery and the party of every war in this century.

You'll have to do more to convince me that she's on the same side I'm on. Sorry.

Bake

[EFerrari]

38. It isn't Sheehan's group, it's a coalition of impeachment activists.

And, I'm not trying to sell you anything, Bake.

[Bake]

40. She may not own it but she is the face of it.

And I use "Sheehan's group" as a term more of convenience than anything else.

God, how I do wish you were right and that we could all just get along and work for common goals.

Bake

[EFerrari]

41. We'll never all get along but maybe we can learn to have

better fights.

lol

[shance]

21. Wonderful Elizabeth! Thank you

for caring as much as you do and for contributing such wonderful posts here at DU.

[Raksha]

24. K & R - Beautiful! n/t

[Swamp Rat]

27. peace

:hug:



:grouphug:

[EFerrari]

28. Good idea.

:hug:

[FourScore]

29. Beautifully said, Elizabeth Ferrari!

Kick and recommend.

[EFerrari]

30. Kick

[Jax]

32. Classy and well said as always

I am not sure they know better or more deeply than you sfexpat, you know and share a lot with all of us here and it is spot on and deeply felt.

For me you are a gift on these forums.

Alyce

[EFerrari]

33. Thank you, Jax.

And DU is a huge gift to me.

[althecat]

34. Very eloquent indeed SFexpat.....

Saying what you say, you speak for me.

Hear hear.

[EFerrari]

35. I'm going to post it to my CodePink list and hope

I don't get kicked off of it. That would involve an expensive wardrobe change. :)

[althecat]

43. I think if people are going to divide over this its going to get messy...

.. far better people just adopt your position.

[femrap]

42. Great letter...thanks.

I fear what this evil regime can do in the next 18 months...that's why removing Impeachment from the Table gave the evil ones carte blanche to put their authoritarian plan into effect.

I just don't understand the Dems...why remove Impeachment? Who the hell makes these decisions anyway? Are they listening to some stupid Consultants? The Business Roundtable made up of the CEOs of the Fortune 500? I just don't get it.

I truly fear that this regime will not cede power come 1-20-09.