What brought me to DU was an accident, really. Election night of 2000, I fell asleep on the living room floor, big pillow behind my head, waiting for final word on Gore’s victory. It came, and then was retracted.
It was a roller coaster ride through the next few weeks, and I have vivid memories of which home-improvement projects I was doing while listening to the arguments in Bush v. Gore.
Four years later, across America people had fought hard and long to make sure the appointed president was replaced by a rightfully elected candidate. John Kerry was (and is) a man with a record of public service, including combat, that put the appointee to shame. And having followed every historical, sociological, political, statistical, and instinctual trend leading up to the election of 2004, I knew that all the winds and tides were in Kerry’s favor, in a country that wasn’t happy with the incumbent.
So in the hours and days that followed *’s freak “re-election” I scoured the internet, and I stumbled upon DU. The reason I stayed was the people. People who knew in a hundred different ways that the election was fraudulent, and who would not remain silent, even while being scorned as “conspiracy theorists”, sometimes by members of their own party.
In the early hours after the election, many in the 2004 Election Results and Discussion Forum were doing all we could, online and in person, to make sure that the election was challenged, examined, and that John Kerry would in fact be inaugurated. It was crazy; yet it was necessary for everyone who knew it to be the truth.
Which brings us to the first “I Believe” thread, authored by Doohickie, ten days after the election:
After 800 responses, he started a second thread:
By the beginning of January 2005, we understood that the reported election results, despite widespread and growing evidence of serious problems with the election, especially in Ohio where it mattered the very most, were going to become official. Our next hope was to have the results challenged in the House of Representatives, as they had been in 2000, but with a Senator to speak up in favor of the challenge, unlike 2000.
Many emails, faxes, and phone calls later, we were rewarded by Senator Barbara Boxer, who stood in support of the objections raised in the House by members of the Congressional Black Caucus and others, and triggered an historic recess of Congress before certifying the final electoral decision.
I felt that the power of the “I Believe” threads transcended the single goal of keeping the election from being certified, and started a new thread on January 8, 2005:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x270782 265 responses
bleever Sat Jan-08-05 06:21 PM
Original message
I Believe
I believe that the power of the original "I Believe" thread(s) was something unique that had widespread implications.
Even while we are willing to let go of a set date and time, we're now finding ourselves in the glow of the Congressional challenge to the Ohio electors, an historic interruption of the ceremonial process for two hours to talk about broken elections. And recognizing the vast distance that has been covered in just the eight weeks since the election, I know this:
We still believe.
We believe that history will show that John Kerry received more votes in the election of 2004.
We believe that the forces of anti-democratic greed that made this travesty possible, along with the ones preceding it, have peaked in their power. Their crimes are coming to light. True democracy, America's greatest gift to itself and the world, will triumph.
We believe that Dr. Seuss was right: the last, smallest voice down in Whoville can make all the difference when it joins with the rest.
We believe, because we're lucky to know a few other people who also believe, and know that the right thing must be done.
This is dedicated to the difference that DU has made, to its incredible assortment of talented brains, and to Doohickie who started the first thread and really got us all wondering whether hope should be abandoned along with hard work. And we all thought about it, and some of us had to show up to say:
I Believe.
Here are a few of the hundreds of responses to this thread. It’s enjoyable to revisit the determination, the faith in our democracy, the mutual support in dark times, and to see predictions made two years before they came true:
TruthIsAll Sat Jan-08-05 06:59 PM
Response to Original message
20. I believe that logically-based search for truth and justice will prevail
That's why I keep posting.
I believe that sooner rather than later, a tsunami of powerful circumstantial, statistical evidence will achieve the criical mass necessary to enlighten those who are now ignorant or in denial of the truth.
marions ghost Sat Jan-08-05 09:03 PM
Response to Original message
32. I believe ....
"those who believe the election was stolen will always believe it."
(Rep Bob Ney R-Ohio Jan 6, 2005)
...and those who don't believe now will come to believe.
Where’s Bob now? :)
seito Sun Jan-09-05 11:47 AM
Response to Reply #42
43. Sometimes you have to believe until you no longer doubt :)
I Believe that ** is now sitting on his highest approval rating
I Believe that a civil war is brewing within the Republican Party
I Believe that John Kerry is in Iraq doing the job that ** can not do
I Believe that the truth about Ohio will be brought to light and that Kathy Blackwell will be left holding the bag
I Believe that the silent revolution has already begun. This new civil rights movement will grow exponentially as we become organized at the local level.
I Believe that in the end, good always defeats evil
We are the good guys Tex, make no mistake about it, we are going to win
I BELIEVE
texpatriot2004 Sun Jan-09-05 02:57 PM
Response to Reply #43
58. Seito, I believe you are wonderful and I believe you get a big
:hug:
seito Sun Jan-09-05 03:02 PM
Response to Reply #58
60. Tex, you have inspired me for weeks
It is the least I can do my friend :hug:
Keep the Faith my friend
The Believers are going to rock this world. Watch and see.
Failure is the path of least persistence - I BELIEVE
merh Sun Jan-09-05 12:30 PM
Response to Original message
45. I believe, damnit!
I do believe and I thank you for this thread. :yourock:
DU BELIEVE? I DU BELIEVE!!!! :headbang:
txindy Sun Jan-09-05 11:11 PM
Response to Original message
87. Another "I Believe" thread?
I believe we grow stronger every day.
I believe this administration will self-destruct and very soon.
I believe it's only a matter of time until Junior no longer matters, at all. (Crawford better get crackin' on those 'Welcome Home/Retirement' party arrangements. )
I believe our true President-Elect is doing an excellent job representing us in person in the Middle East.
Never give up. Never surrender.
I BELIEVE.
PATRICK Mon Jan-10-05 11:25 AM
Response to Original message
94. Another response
Defy the lie. What may come true is not known though some things ARE predictable.
Between those who defy the lie and believe every small victory will lead to triumph is the implacable dominance of truth. I always said that the other side, in their grand schemes and false ideas cannot win. They MAY make us all lose. We certainly are losing now, lives resources, rights, chunks of the future. Certainly Bush believes Armageddon is win/win for him too ultimately and no suffering or failure is too much for others to bear.
Waiting until THAT lie is proven on a silent planet demands more than belief. It demands instinctual resistance and intellectual responsibility for the gifts and duties we possess together.
Remember the Alamo. That may have been dumb optimism too until it was too late, but someone somewhere is going to keep fighting until victory is achieved for humanity. This is life against death and lies.
MadisonProgressive Wed Jan-12-05 12:06 PM
Response to Original message
152. What, ya think I'm crazy? Of Course I believe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The day before the inauguration we were ready for an update:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x293810 226 responses
bleever Wed Jan-19-05 07:52 PM
Original message
I Believe.
Tonight, I believe.
I believe that we've reached a tipping point.
A United States Senator dared to stand up and say, No. We're not going to formalize this election without talking about everything that seems wrong, and unsettling, and un-American about it. Thank you, Barbara Boxer.
Two United States Senators looked in their hearts, and knew they had to say, No. We aren't going to confirm the president's friend and advisor for a cabinet post without discussing the lies, the misinformation, and the venal narrow-mindedness that took this nation into a war with an awful, bloody toll. Thank you, Senator Boxer, and thank you, John Kerry. And thank you also to the Democrats who pointedly voiced their heartfelt concern that the leadership be of a higher, more honest caliber.
And now, on the eve of another fraudulent inauguration, I believe: that the forces of anti-democratic greed that made this election travesty happen, and the ones preceding it, have peaked in their power; that their crimes are coming to light; and that true democracy, America's greatest gift to itself and the world, will triumph.
We believe that Dr. Seuss was right: the last, smallest voice down in Whoville can make all the difference when it joins with the rest.
We believe, because we're lucky here to know other people who believe, and who know that the right thing must be done.
This is dedicated to the difference that DU has made, to its incredible assortment of talented brains, and to all those wondering whether hope should be abandoned along with hard work, and who decide to show up to say:
I Believe.
And the responses kept coming, strong, hopeful, and eloquent:
Patsy Stone Tue Jan-25-05 11:56 AM
Response to Original message
64. I Believe
I believe that everyone will come to understand what we know.
I believe that when the truth comes out, good will triumph over evil.
I believe that Kathy B will get what's coming to her and we will finally have an answer to our question: What are they hiding?
NGU.
sparky_in_ma Tue Jan-25-05 09:04 PM
Response to Original message
70. I believe
that the arrogance of this administration will bring them down.
I believe that as they run out of ways to cover up their crimes,they will try to divert public attention with elevated terror alerts and "positive" reports in Iraq. On reflection, "I believe" they're doing that now.
How long can they hide it? Only until the small voices expose them. Only until those voices who refuse to give up, refuse to "get over it", are heard over the cacophony of the MSM and the rovian spin machine.
I believe DU, and other discussion boards like it, serve to unite those voices, allowing them to share and focus knowledge. United, those voices are able to reach out through the internet(s) in a way not possible in earlier years. Just as DNA changed the face of the criminal justice system, the collective sharing of information now available will bring these criminals to justice.
I believe in working together with those who may disagree with me on candidates, policy, and procedure, toward the common goal of seeing a John Kerry, Howard Dean, Wes Clark, or any number of other good people leading this country.
I believe that the words" I believe" show hope of a better future for our children, our country, and the world community.
bleever Wed Feb-02-05 06:32 PM
Response to Original message
142. I Believe that * is having his last good night for a long time.
With the lowest approval ratings of a “re-elected” president, and the lowest credibility to go with it, and the Democratic side of the joint session sitting rock still while the Repubs jump to their feet at every applause line in this SOTU, he is the lamest of lame ducks.
I believe that few people have any idea of the tremendous subterranean forces building that make the uncovering of the crimes of this fraudulent election as inevitable as continental drift.
I’m bleever, and I approve of plate tectonics.
txindy Thu Feb-03-05 09:04 PM
Response to Original message
163. I believe we're ramping up to something very big.
This whole criminal admin. is built on wobbly stilts. Every new thing they add, every layer (i.e., SS privatization, removing Ethics Chair to protect DeLay, etc.), only makes the entire structure more unstable and vulnerable to collapse. They will come crashing down and it will be catastrophic and complete.
Let's watch.
LeahD Wed Feb-09-05 12:44 PM
Response to Reply #201
203. I Believe
Ohio is unraveling, :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:
and the arrogant, evil-doer Blackwell can't hide forever :evilgrin:
Our demand for the truth is a noble cause, and we will NGU!!
After 265 responses, we needed a new thread.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x325629 251 responses
bleever Sat Feb-12-05 09:33 PM
Original message
I Believe.
This thread has served different purposes for many people since it was first started by Doohickie, back when we were all looking around at each other and asking, "What are we going to do about this stolen election?", which began in the dark hours when the sun was farthest from each of the time zones, in eerie succession.
Many have come to say that they really wanted to believe that the truth would come out, and that democracy would triumph.
Many have also gathered to say that they knew, for a fact, that this crime could not withstand the tests of time, of the people of America, and the Constitutional government built, rebuilt, and invested in by the honest effort and toil of so many good people, over more than two hundred years.
And everyone crazy enough to step up and say in the darkest hours that they believed that the spirit of this nation, so miraculously encoded in the Constitution of the United States of America, would triumph over those who would game the system they had become part of, has with each week found it easier and easier to be a believer.
A believer in justice, turning slowly and surely. In the essential goodness of the people of this country, which is now shamefully doubted throughout the world.
And in the eventual triumph of the American spirit: Opportunity for anyone. Justice for everyone. The small, and just; and also the great, and guilty.
I believe, because I know America is better than this.
understandinglife Sat Feb-12-05 11:22 PM
Response to Original message
4. I not only believe; I know. I know I trust you bleever. I know that many here are committed to reclaiming our America.
I know we will prevail against those who have lied, murdered, tortured and plundered using names like "God" and "Jesus" and "Freedom" as their scam -- as so often has happened in the past.
Now, they've tried to add "America" to their propaganda; their cover.
They will fail.
We are the reason why they will fail.
"We The People ...." are going to stop them, NOW.
Not by violence, but by law.
Not by arrogance, but by dignity.
Not by hatred, but by being smarter and TRUTHFUL.
Peace.
DU GrovelBot Feb-16-05 04:25 PM
Response to Original message
32. ## PLEASE DONATE TO DEMOCRATIC UNDERGROUND! ##
==================
GROVELBOT.EXE v3.0
(You KNOW Grovelbot believed!)
skids Wed Feb-23-05 08:06 PM
Response to Original message
78. I believe.
I believe that enough of my fellow Americans take this country seriously to save it.
I believe we are witnessing the start of a new community, one which values and rewards honesty -- one where integrity trumps creed, philosophy, status, and culture.
I believe you don't have to be naive to be just, and that we will outsmart, expose, and expunge the criminals who pretend to be like us, no matter how devious their performance.
I believe we understand that true trust in one another takes time and never-ending effort to build and sustain, but pays us back many times over, as it is the bedrock from which we cannot be toppled.
I believe the power of the whole is derived from the power of the members, and as such we will not over-exert. I believe we will each take good care of ourselves as well as, when needed, each other. I believe we will strike the correct balance between kindness to strangers and the kindness which sustains those who we already know are with us, never shortchanging one for the other.
I believe that we are all fallible, but that we need only work in plain view to ensure that our friends will help to prevent our lapses and to pick up after our shortfallings.
I believe that many of the things we consider routine now, at one point looked to us like hopeless impossibilities. I believe that the challenge before us now is merely one more such thing.
Most importantly, having been ignored, having been laughed at, and having been fought, I BELIEVE WE WILL WIN.
seito Sun Feb-27-05 11:25 AM
Response to Reply #100
101. I believe you are right
We have always outnumbered them. I can sense the fear, as the walls of corruption are crumbling, revealing the perpetrators in all their "glory".
We will find and expose the truth. The corporate media is quickly becoming obsolete and the American public is growing tired of the fear tactics spewed **'s administration of darkness.
We know what they are hiding, and they know that we know. It is just a matter of time now. There will be no way to spin out of this one.
RevCheesehead Sat Mar-19-05 07:20 PM
Response to Original message
139. I believe it's about time I chimed in.
I believe that this madness cannot continue. While some of our leaders would divert our attention while stealing from the poor, I believe that there are others who are working hard to stop the insanity.
I know it won't be easy, but I believe that ultimately, good does triumph over evil. There are too many good people to allow evil to win. I also believe that we are just beginning to be heard.
I also believe in God, Duke Basketball, and the KOEB.
Doohickie Sun Apr-17-05 06:35 PM
Response to Reply #195
196. I believe
just cuz. I really do.
rosebud57 Sat Apr-23-05 03:52 PM
Response to Original message
205. someone came saying I'm insane to complain about a looted treasury...
and a stain on my country.
It would be insane not to. I truly believe chimpy will go down as the only president with single digit approval ratings.
bitchkitty Sun Apr-24-05 08:24 AM
Response to Original message
207. Hope
I'm not a fluffy bunny type of person, not given to optimism at all, especially after the last 5 years. But I can't stop hoping. I'll swear to myself that I'll never give politics another thought, that it's not worth the despair and misery that I feel whenever I see the chimp's face on T.V. or read about his latest atrocity.
But then I'm drawn to this forum like I don't even have a choice in the matter, and I see people who are facing down that despair and misery, and even though I thought hope was dead, I start feeling it again.
Thanks to all of you who do what I can't!
bleever Fri May-06-05 07:18 PM
Response to Original message
216. How long can they not believe?
Not only is the election reform and fraud detection movement showing increasing vigor and visibility, many other of the high crimes and misdemeanors that have gone into putting this administration together are starting to rise out of the earth like zombies.
It's a thriller!
autorank Wed May-11-05 10:18 PM
Response to Original message
223. The DU Elections Creed: I believe in DU the Web Site almighty,
I believe in DU the Web Site almighty,
maker of forums and threads:
and in TIA, Amaryllis, Melissa G & garybeck, etc., its native Sons & Daughters,
who were conceived by the stolen election,
born of the Cyber Network,
suffered under Blackwell & Harris,
were flamed, stalked, and ignored.
They descended into hell on election day;
the third day they rose again from the shock;
they ascended into battle,
and sitteth on the right hand of Truth, Justice & The American Way;
from thence they shall come to judge the thick and the febble.
I believe in the Exit Polls;
the Conyers case for fraud;
the communion of USCountVotes.Org;
the forgiveness of nothing;
the resurrection of the electorate,
and honest elections everlasting.
Amen.
bleever: Tue May-17-05 07:52 PM
Response to Original message
These parasitic neocon bastards have shown their disdain for the lessons of history.
They've even disparaged those of us who are members of "the reality-based community", saying that while we judiciously study reality, they create new ones through action, leaving us to forever play catch up as they forge ahead as powerful actors on the stage of history.
Those who disparage "reality" should remember: they're soaking in it.
dchill Wed May-18-05 02:20 PM
Response to Original message
236. I believe ...
we are closer than ever to seeing this Circus of Criminal Clowns run out of town.
Doohickie Thu May-26-05 07:28 AM
Response to Reply #243
245. Still here. Still believing.
Although * and his cohorts have shown an amazing talent for keeping the charade going, I think it is getting increasingly unmanageable. It may not happen right away, but I believe that sooner or later those who have been walking in lock-step with the administration will begin to realize they've been duped and the emperor has no clothes after all.
When the next thread began, on May 31, 2005, we had yet to see much progress on halting the Bush administration’s unrelenting power grab, or much attention in the corporate media to the deep and systematic flaws in the election. But we were not deterred or discouraged:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x374070 285 responses
bleever Tue May-31-05 08:17 PM
Original message
I Believe.
I believe a few things are true at this moment in history.
First, that the theft of the election of 2004 continues to grow more evident and obvious, and that the grand forces of history are joined with the energy of a great many passionate Americans who won’t rest under the rotten mantle that has settled upon us.
Second, that the anti-democratic forces that have managed to gain a grip on the three branches of our federal government, intimidate the press out of being the watchdogs they have historically been, and who brought us to war on the basis of lies and their ability to game all the national and international systems, have made a fatal error.
They have underestimated the decency of Americans.
You can’t really blame them; they themselves don’t possess that decency.
The decency to say that any system that allows innocent people to be tortured to death, because of our suffering and fear, is not what we stand for.
The decency to see the wisdom of the way the U.S. Constitution apportions the power to send American men and women onto the battlefield of war.
The decency to actually believe that it should be the decision of the people, through their votes, to choose their government.
And as surely as I know that they would effectively destroy the two-party system, I know and believe that they are failing. Because they don’t understand the decency of America and what it really stands for, and really thrives on.
Americans don’t roll over. Not for terrorists. And not for those who think that they can wrest the miracle of representative democracy from the people of this nation. Go ahead: read Machiavelli. Study all the greatest bosses, kaisers, caesers, emperors, and consolidators of power. Do your best. One problem: power resides in the people. If you try to gather it all unto yourself, it’s going to spill back out.
The months since the election have been abundant with fruit for everyone who, seeing the election stolen, breathed deep, got mad, and knew that justice would eventually prevail.
I Believe.
Even at this low point, just months after Bush's second inauguration, the faith and strength were not broken:
Pacifist Patriot Wed Jun-01-05 12:52 PM
Response to Reply #10
15. I live in Florida.
In a county with early voting.
In a county with optical scan ballots.
In a county that is weighted towards Republicans.
Kerry smacked down Bush hard in the early voting.
The pre-election polls in Florida as of the weekend before election day had Kerry by a fraction of a percentage point over Bush. i.e. too close to call.
Can you imagine the Red Sox winning, but no one was allowed in the stadium, the game wasn't televised and George Steinbrenner controlled the scoreboard?
KaryninMiami Sun Mar-26-06 02:22 PM
Response to Reply #15
236. I too live in Florida - it was rigged. Period. But we have a chance here-
Getting whistle-blower Clint Curtis on the ballot in District 24 is it- our chance to propel election rigging into the mainstream media- something many of us have been trying to do for years. Clint will be running against Tom Feeney- one of the most corrupt politicians in America and the elected official who hired him to design a program that could flip the votes without detection. How could the media resist this story? But we need to get him on the ballot first and then continue to support his campaign.
That's why we need your help- and everyone's support!
Help Get Clint Curtis on the Ballot!!! Please donate today!
(Clint Curtis not only got on the ballot, he’s still locked in a challenge over the election results for his seat.)
meganmonkey Wed Jun-01-05 11:37 AM
Response to Original message
9. I believe
I believe that if there is anything worth fighting for in this time in which we live, it is GETTING OUR DEMOCRACY BACK. There are a hundred ways to do it, or more, and Election Reform is one of the most important.
I am so grateful for the people who are working their asses off on it. I am doing a little bit, here and there, but the heroes are the ones who are really devoted to it full time.
So THANK YOU to those heroes (you know who you are) and to everyone who is doing a little bit here and there, like me, because TOGETHER WE WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
Der Blaue Engel Wed Jun-01-05 03:40 PM
Response to Original message
22. I believe flying monkeys really hate it when they see us believin'
So, guess what, monkeys? I BELIEVE!
Why does it scare them so much, I wonder, that we believe? Why are the sore winners so afraid?
Here's to all the little monkeys who flap their wings! :toast: Thanks for showing us all we're on the right track! :hi:
Amaryllis Wed Jun-01-05 06:39 PM
Response to Reply #24
26. We have decided what we will do with the time that is given us:
“Always after a defeat and a respite, the Shadow takes another shape and grows again.”
“I wish it need not have happened in my time,” said Frodo.
“So do I,” said Gandalf, “and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”
denese Thu Jun-02-05 05:28 AM
Response to Original message
31. I believe too
You are right bleever, they underestimated us.
A dangerous error on their part.
I believe the time of reckoning is at hand.
The truth will always find it's way out of the darkness and into the light.
Never Giving Up.
Denese
Almost two years later, that “I Believe” thread is still active and getting responses. There have been a total of 2270 responses to the "I Believe" threads to date.
So here’s to DU, and the power of community.
When like-minded people with strong faith support each other, the impossible has a way of becoming inevitable.
:toast:
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