READ THIS. I'm going to say this very calmly and quietly.

[Raven]

we have reached the tipping point. It is here and it is now. No more talk among ourselves...we all know we agree with eachother. This war is wrong, it is a lie based upon a lie and this administration shows absolutely no signs of making anything right.

Thousands of our kids are about to be called up ...again. They say it's "support" and not combat...everything in Iraq is combat, don't kid yourself.

Our Congress has done a good thing with the budget resolutions but there are no signs that the pressure is making any difference at all. They now have to do more and we have to tell them to do more.

I will not be a spectator at the demise of the goodness of my country. I will not watch MSNBC to find out how the political winds in this country are going. I will be the wind.

I will no longer sit here and go "oh my goodness, how awful they are". I will do something, from the grassroots to put an end to this.

We are all kidding ourselves if we post one more post on this website and do nothing else.

We are kidding ourselves if we think that our elected officials, as good as they may be, are going to do anything more, anything effective, unless we tell them to do it.

We are really kidding ourselves if we think that we can do it alone.

GET ON THE GODDAMN TELEPHONE AND CALL 10 PEOPLE AND ASK THEM TO CALL 10 PEOPLE AND THE MESSAGE SHOULD BE "NO MORE, NO LONGER, NOT ONE DAY, NOT ONE DEATH LOMGER FOR A LIE". AND POINT TO THE PRESS COVERAGE TONIGHT WHICH AFFIRMS THAT THIS ALL WAS A LIE AND THAT THE GENERALS SAY WE CAN'T WIN"

AND WHEN YOU CALL, ARM YOURSELF WITH THE TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF YOUR SENATORS AND CONGRESSPEOPLE...GIVE THEM THE SIMPLE TOOLS TO MAKE THE CALL AND THE CRITICAL STATEMENT...

Ok, I'm done and I may be done with this website if I don't hear some returns here that you guys have done what really needs to be done...10 of your best friends, and ten of their best friends and ten and ten and ten...it's an army and we need that now...NO MORE TALK, please no more talk!

This should now become the war room...regular people need to know how bad this is and we all need to gently tell them...and then report back.

I hope and I pray that I won't be disappointed!

[robinlynne]

1. We have been going to the streets and congress offices, and the street again,

and calling. Does anyone just talk online? I doubt it. look up progressive democratss of america in your city or state. there are several actions every week you can participate in!
not knocking what you're suggesting.
but the movement is out here, and has been.

[Raven]

2. That is for folks who are connected...aware...I'm talking about

getting outside the progressive mainstream...calling regular folks who have not been paying attention...otherwise we are preaching to the choir and we have those folks...we need the others!

[AndyA]

3. I just did that very thing today.

I didn't get anywhere, my Senator is Jim Inhofe. :(

But, nevertheless I called and told him I didn't understand why we even bothered to have Senators any more, since Bush doesn't need them. He does whatever the hell he wants to do, and they let him do it.

I said that Congress has allowed Bush to take their jobs away from them, since he changes bills with signing statements. I told the staffer to tell Inhofe that Mr. Bush was in the process of making Inhofe's job OBSOLETE.

Then I suggested he might outsource the Senate to another country to save money.

I also said that the war was wrong from day one, and to support it for one more day was to condemn our troops to more death and destruction.

As I said, it won't do any good, but I did it.

It didn't make me feel better.

[Raven]

6. Start with your friends...

maybe your family. I'm going to bet that they respect your judgment on these things... plant the seed, make the case, point out how bad you think the situation is...take it is small bites but take those bites. This is going to be a long and difficult road.

[Robson]

17. Smart move - make them feel irrelevant

That could be a smart way to approach it. Rather than defer to them and ask them for help.....make your Senators and Congressperson feel like they are neutered has-beens that have been made irrelevant by the Bush executive branch.

Their ego might finally get some backbone and they will stand up to the chimperor.

Like most of us, we aren't shy and many staffers know our name.

[karlrschneider]

4. Some of us do that every day.

And some don't.
:D

[Maddy McCall]

5. Do you think that we haven't already been proactive?

Do you think that DUers are here just to chew the fat, that we aren't as involved as you are in activism?

You have a point, but threatening to leave DU just because people don't jump through the hoops you prescribe is really kinda dumb. Do whatever you like, but don't throw it back at DUers that it's because people here disappoint you that you're threatening to leave. You really have no idea what people here do on a daily basis to protest this war and to support the people who protest the war.

[Raven]

7. I meant no offense and

I respect whatever you do to end the war. I did not mean to threaten to leave DU (not that anyone would care) but I do think that we need to get more active and active with folks who might not be quite on the same wavelength that we are on. I am sure that amny people here do a lot...my suggestion was somewhat targeted to focused calling. Sorry if I offended you, didn;t mean to.

[calimary]

29. Of course you didn't. But frankly, I think we need to read more manifestos

like this one. Hell, I make it a point to call at least a few congresspeople (either in the Senate or the House, OR BOTH), and several times a week to Pelosi's office, and every day to my guy (Henry "The Righteous" Waxman). But reading this doesn't annoy me. It makes me happy. We need a hundred THOUSAND posts like this one, from other people here - AND outside DU. We ALL need to be working like this, and bucking each other up, and reinforcing each other during the shaky times.

I believe SO fiercely, like you mentioned in the OP, that the tide HAS INDEED turned. Critical mass HAS INDEED been reached. So has the proverbial tipping point.

I can remember being here (and elsewhere, too, of course) when all we could do was lament how powerless we and our reps were, how the juggernaut was running over us at every turn, how the mainstream media was brain-dead and everybody else was sound asleep with their phones and alarm clocks turned off, or in a coma. I remember when it really did look rather bleak.

LOOK HOW FAR WE'VE COME.

LOOK HOW FAR WE'VE COME!

LOOK HOW FAR!!!

Look where we were. Remember when all we could do was lament how we had no power and how everything we'd fought for was threatened or being dismantled. Remember how nobody seemed to listen to us? The ears in Congress were all shut. And we all took it on the chin for a long time.

Well, don't forget - we lamented and cried on each other's shoulders and ranted and complained here and elsewhere - but we did more than that. That wasn't where it ended. We ALL worked. Either actively or passively. Those who weren't out on the front lines were behind the scenes researching stuff and bucking up everybody else who was going out to the front lines, or providing the tools and the lessons on how to use those tools. It was ALL productive and useful, AND LOOK WHERE WE ARE.

Now, we have Capitol Hill back IN OUR HANDS, and our people have the leadership positions and the agenda-setting positions and the subpoena power and the boldness to ask the hard questions and order the first round of shitheads to show up and sing - and UNDER OATH, no less! Think of how far we've come just since early January. How much has been uncovered. How much news has been made - AND covered rather widely - about the shit that the enemy had perpetrated and had been able to sweep under the rug. The rug's gone now and what was swept under it can now be seen for what it is.

We still have a lot to do, but I'm not a bit intimidated by those who say "IMPEACHMENT will never happen" or "IMPEACHMENT is off the table." At one point, it WAS an impossible dream. But it isn't that impossible or outlandish anymore. It isn't even a taboo subject anymore - and that's exactly what it used to be. We've managed to change a LOT. The dialogue, the awareness, even the MSM is actually covering some of this stuff. People are waking up. And there are gonna be many more of THEM than there are people still asleep or in denial. THEY are the fringies now. THEY are the minority now, a steadily shrinking minority. The wind is NOT at their backs - it's at OURS. So is the momentum.

We just can't get discouraged NOW, of ALL TIMES, because we've built some VERY wonderful things. Only the beginning. The bad guys are backed into corners and on the run. And we're only gaining ground.

But you're correct - we MUST-MUST-MUST keep working. Now is NOT the time to stop. OR to get complacent. OR discouraged, either, for that matter.

[Bobbieo]

10. I get at least 3-4 e-mails from various groups every day

to either make phone calls or sign a petition. I opt for the petitions as I am hearing impaired. Please, give the lady a break - she is just frustrated (like who isn't) and trying to do something to further the cause.

BTW Maddy - what the hell is your frog eating? I used to be a frog person 'til I saw your blood thirsty little friend.

[stevedeshazer]

8. I hope someone from every state posts the phone numbers right here on this thread.

I'm going to call every congressional rep in my state and both my senators.

If, like me, you are in Oregon, here are the numbers.

Rep. David Wu, District 1: 202-225-0855

Rep. Greg Walden, District 2: 202-225-6730

Rep. Earl Blumenauer, District 3: 202-225-4811

Rep. Peter DeFazio, District 4: 202-225-6416

Rep. Darlene Hooley, District 5: 202-225-5711

Sen. Gordon Smith: 202-224-3753

Sen. Ron Wyden: 202-224-5244

I pledge I will call every office this weekend.

Raven, you could not be more right. Let's let 'em have it and let them know that this war MUST END NOW.

DUers, here is a link for the phone numbers (and fax numbers) for every member of Congress. Just click on your state on the map.

http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/

[stevedeshazer]

9. And, very important, I will ask my friends to do the same. n/t

[magellan]

11. I think the problem isn't Americans

It's BushCo. Every American could stand outside the gates to the WH and I bet they'd still ignore us. They do NOT answer to the American people and never have; they simply rode the wave of sentiment generated after 9/11. Now we're stuck all with them...unless Congress acts. And I don't know how it could be made any plainer to them that they need to impeach these bastards.

Cheney first, then Bush**.

It's not us. We The People have spoken, many times. It's up to Congress to get off the stick.

[MADem]

12. You will be. Not to be mean, but you will be. It's always the same young radicals and old peacenik

types at the rallies. It's always those far-left outfits that organize them too, making the center lefties and the moderates feel unwelcome. You can't go to a major rally against the war without having a bunch of unrelated bullshit tossed at the crowd, like bombs. And plenty of people who are against the war see that shit, and decide not to attend.

Occasionally you see the odd forward thinking Moms with kids getting of age to register for the draft who show up, but they're not the majority. You see people who have been PERSONALLY touched by the war who don't fit the demographic (my kid got killed, my husband is a vegetable, my daughter has no leg) but again, they aren't the critical mass.

This is some sad truth. And don't shoot the fucking messenger for delivering this unfortunate word: For the most part, to WAY too many people, this war DOES NOT MATTER, because most people don't have to sacrifice. It's "someone else's kid" and "someone else's husband" and "none of OUR crowd" who are doing the fighting and the dying.

They don't send their kids, they don't have to pay a 'war tax' and they don't have to sacrifice by giving up meat, butter or gasoline. It's business as usual, war stocks are soaring, and plenty of people think the war is a great way of employing all those "poor kids." They should be "grateful" see? They get all that "good training" and if they live, why, there's the GI Bill!!!!

The only thing that will get people to put down the bowl of cheetohs and get off their asses, away from the tube and the fucking XBOX, and into the streets is something no one wants to hear here, something Charlie Rangel has been talking about for some years--Universal Service.

Until that happens, you aren't going to see people in the streets. You aren't going to see once-rabid, mouth-foaming far right wingnuts shaking their fists in anger at their little cowboy hero Porgie.

That said, Congress isn't stupid. They KNOW how people feel and they WANT to be reelected. They aren't going to RACE to get us gone, but it's going to happen--just not immediately. They'll be sure to go on the record well before anyone has to vote for them, though, you can be sure of that. Only 20 percent of the country pays attention to politics when there's not an election looming (then it doubles) so it's only that bunch that are locked on.

All that said, I wish you luck with your effort. My Congressman and two senators know precisely how I feel, and all of my friends have made their ire known as well. Of course, in my neck of the woods, a "People's Republic" of a Commonwealth, that's par for the course.

[Raven]

15. Well, I'd love to give you a hug! It is very hard and it's very

frustrating and you have it right on...what war? I', not feeling it. Still...another 10 people, as much as you and I hate this...another 10 if you haven't already got there! Much love to you!

[Skidmore]

13. Raven, I'm there with you and with dry eyes.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x590429

[stevedeshazer]

14. Raven is 100% right. Why are so many of you making up excuses?

:shrug:

[Raven]

16. Here's my point here (and I'm sorry if I didn't express it correctly)

Carlie Rangle is putting it to the WH, now we have to...and not us alone but every person we know who we can recruit!

[rasputin1952]

18. I've been working like this for 4 + years, and even here in NE it

is having an impact....finally.

I talk to people everyday about this stuff and many, many have come to realize the idiocy of having this insane war upon our brothers and sisters.

If, here in Nebraska of all places, the GOP can take a beating, it can rise up and rid us of this plague once and for all!!!!

:patriot:

[cascagraphic]

19. kick

[kdpeters]

20. Have you considered doing a journal? or a blog?

The reason I say this is because I'm getting to that same tipping point. I'm moving from San Francisco back to the farm, back home, Middle Georgia, and I'm thinking that it won't be like San Francisco where everyone pretty much has similar views on the issues. As the only liberal queer in the country, I owe my brothers and sisters my visibility and involvement and make my little splash in this world. But I sure could use some encouragement and if you need some sort accountability, your journal or blog might help. I'm just saying. :)

[recovering democrat]

21. And the change is coming

Speaking to your reference of a "tipping point", I work with several seriously Conservative Republicans. In the past week, four of five of them have announced loudly and proudly that they are opposed to our continued involvement in Iraq and while they are opposed to the establishment of a firm deadline for withdrawal as contained in the current funding bill, they have no objection to that bill and would object to a Bush veto because, and I quote "we have to do SOMETHING" and we may not agree on what that something is, but we are willing to listen. And the fifth one? He got on the phone and called every elected official he knew with the message that we should leave NOW.

Again, we may not agree on what that something is, but we must do it. If they are willing to argue a different reason from me, I am still willing to encourage them to do something.

I do not disagree with your focus on spreading the word and taking action. I would add that I believe it is no longer enough to call or talk to your "best friends". I talk to strangers and am usually pleasantly surprised to learn that they agree with me on this subject. That kind of open and honest expression in the community without threatening or condemning others is an amazing way to open the dialogue among the silent majority. Obviously, the polls clearly show this is a majority. Now it is time to stop the silence.

I live in the middle of the Republican majority, conservative South. The people I talk to every day are still Republicans, still Conservatives and still Southerners. They are mostly mad as hell about Iraq.

[dogday]

22. It has been personal for me for a while now.

My Son served in Iraq for a year and left in November.... There are 12,000 NG scheduled to be called up... I do believe my Son will be one of those.... This has to stop now....

Impeach Today to Save Tomorrow... For my Son and every other Soldier in this lie of a war....

[grannylib]

23. I agree, there is so much we all can do...and many are already, as noted...

Even ONE A DAY EVERY DAY...better than nothing...one phone call, one e-mail, one fax, to a Senator or Congressperson or media outlet or SOMETHING.
But yes, you are right, we cannot be complicit or complacent or apathetic or lazy...this is OUR coutry; this is supposed to be a government OF, BY and FOR the PEOPLE, and that's us...

[Fovea]

24. It's ALL about support

supporting the energy oligarchs.

If it were about combat, we'd have won.
But since our goal is not to win, but to steal
we are going to be there until we start fighting them here, so we don't have to make the Iraqis fight them over there.

[janetle]

25. So, we are bombing again--airstrikes.

U.S. sends warplanes.....

http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/04/07/iraq.main/index.html

The madness of all of this is so tragic!!!!

[mmonk]

26. This is my sounding board. We should all value it for what it is

and to get ideas and information here. I'm currently working on rendention flights out of my state, have been writing members of congress concerning investigations and whistle blower issues, attend meetings of UNA (United Nations Association of the USA Chapter 132, member 100723), working on releases of immigrants wrongly held, and I work on elections of candidates on a volunteer basis. But I love to come here to sound off, listen to others and I enjoy it.

[sazemisery]

27. I give people these postcards all the time...

[calimary]

28. KICK!!!

:thumbsup: