California Peace Action: Send Senator Kerry a Message

[damnraddem]

It looks like Kerry is the nominee, and here's one group's approach to dealing with that: http://www.californiapeaceaction.org/voters/petition/capa/petition.htm.

>'Today we need your help to send a clear and immediate message to John Kerry that we expect the next president of our country to institute a new foreign policy that will make us safer by reducing the nuclear threat, ending US weapons sales to dictators, and supporting international law and the world community.'

I sent my message, with the following comments:
"You are now in the driver's seat in the 2004 Democratic campaign, and you know it. I and others like me have no alternative but to support you, to work actively for you, because the alternative candidate is so horrendous, has already done so much damage to our country and to the world. But we have our own commitments. Mine include: opposition to pre-emptive war, to U.S. efforts to impose its will on the world, to PNAC-like jingoism; support of international institutions and diplomacy, rather than attempts at coercing the world; support of worker rights and the environment, alongside trade, not a globalized "free but not fair trade" that runs roughshod over both workers and the environment; support for needed social programs; support for our heritage of civil rights and personal autonomy, and for the fights for extensions of recognition of such rights; and true democracy, supported by extensive grassroots organization. Insofar as you support such things as president, I will praise you, support you, and work for you in future. Insofar as you disagree with such things, or betray them despite voiced agreement -- well, we progressives DO know how to fight Democratic politicians much better and effectively than we do how to counter the damn Republicans and their conservative minions. I know that you had strong convictions, meant something, and intended to accomplish something when you opposed the Vietnam War after seeing in person what that war was like. I know that you carried such convictions into politics. And I know that being a politician erodes such values and convictions as one undertakes the compromises necessary to be effective as a politician. But dealing with the aftermath of the Bushistas will take a Democratic president with strong convictions and a rock-hard intent to move this country forward on a positive road, off the road to perdition onto which the Bushista neocons have hijacked it for the past few years. Please be that president."

[MasonJar]

1. If you check Kerry's record, you will find a very progressive man

with real concern for the people and their environment. Kerry is smart; with Bush the country is dealing with a small-minded, completely provincial, utterly witless. yet arrogant malaprop.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

2. I only hope the Naderite pot heads heed your words.