So, what are you actually willing to DO?

[Atticus]

If politics is an "interesting game" to you; if posting here is your primary "contribution" to progressive politics; if you've "got yours" and really don't want to put any of it on the line, please stop reading. We just flat don't need any more keyboard liberals.

If given sufficient notice(4 weeks?)would you make the trip to DC to support universal health care? Gay marriage? Ending the wars? Other liberal causes?

Would you commit minor non-violent offenses (trespass. littering) to engage in "freeway blogging" and other creative liberal "signage"?

Would you travel up to 500 miles on a weekend to attend a "local" rally or march or counter-protest?

Will you literally make a pest of yourself by contacting your legislators and the White House again and again and again about supporting the liberal view of pending legislation?

Are you willing to self-identify, out loud, as a "proud liberal" when political views are being discussed in any public setting?

Are you willing to, in any way you feel comfortable with, identify teabaggers as unpatriotic, dangerous, ignorant and, for the most part, racist?

Will you contribute $10 to a national liberal candidate in any state where help is needed?

What are you willing to DO?

[Brickbat]

1. Having done much of that already,

some of us have kind of gotten to the end of our ropes.

[mule_train]

2. bullying those you disagree with isnt always the answer

but it's pretty much the tone of your post

put down, shout down, 'get in the face' of, and namecall anyone who thinks differently than you

[DJ13]

3. They count on liberal pacifism

I think that needs to change if were to get their attention.

[anonymous171]

4. That's how politics works. Dialogue and rational discussion are worthless now

We need more boots on the ground. This is war.

[JuniperLea]

6. No one is thinking differently...

Just acting differently. The goals are mutual.

[mule_train]

7. calling tea party peple the vulgar term of 'teabagger' and racist just alienates many people who

might actually agree with you on many issues, such as giving away a fortune to bankers with no accountability, globalism, free trade, crushing wages with 'guest workers' and yes, even unnecessary wars

but call them a vulgar name and falsely accuse them of 'racism', and they will tune out anything they agree with you on, and just react to being personally attacked

many tea party people are ex Perot voters/supporters/reform party members - very pro-worker, much more so that the Democratic party for the last 15 years

[JuniperLea]

10. And where do you see anyone advocating the calling of names?

You can argue without name calling, you know. You can talk people out of their stupidity without being stupid yourself.

I'm not seeing anything in the OP or this thread that advocates anything like you mention here.

The OP is speaking in terms we use here... I hardly think the person actually thinks saying those things out loud is a good idea... especially when the rest of the OP was so incredibly brilliant and ultra sensible.

[mule_train]

12. in the OP "identify teabaggers as unpatriotic, dangerous, ignorant and, for the most part, racist"

'Are you willing to, in any way you feel comfortable with, identify teabaggers as unpatriotic, dangerous, ignorant and, for the most part, racist?"

"I'm not seeing anything in the OP or this thread that advocates anything like you mention here."

are yopu blind?


names called in one sentence


teabagger

unpatriotic

dangerous

ignorant

racist

5 names

and accusing people of being 'unpatiotic' is acting just like BUSH and Cheney

"The OP is speaking in terms we use here"

tranlation 'It's different, when WE do it!"

[JuniperLea]

14. "in any way you feel comfortable with"

I guess you're not comfortable with any of that... so? What's your point? The OP was very clear...

[mule_train]

16. "so? What's your point?" -> my point is that you dont win anyone over with beligerance nt

[nadinbrzezinski]

18. You are aware that they call themselves tea baggers... don't you?

And a few are down right racists...

I'd say 10-15%...

[mule_train]

20. some tech workers call themselves 'geeks', some african americans call each other N

but most people find it offensive as hell

[nadinbrzezinski]

22. They find it as a badge of honor

to the leaders, well lets just say they have said it is offensive only AFTER they found the sexual innuendo implied in it.

But teabaggers call themselves tea baggers. Hell, some even wear TEA BAGS on their hats... and nuthing funnier than to hear a 70 something woman say, I am going to teabag Obama!

If you don't get why it is funny, well then.

By the way, I am a geek... and if you use the term to refer to me, how exactly should I feel insulted?

[knixphan]

30. yep. It was only after the genital reference was revealed to them...

...that they tried to step back from the term.

[mule_train]

23. Lyrics from the Beatles song 'Revolution' from 41 years ago

I've always cringed when people use baby boomer rocknroll lyrics as 'wisdom', but this song really makes the point I'm trying to make here

i read this song as a warning to protesters of 1968 whom, they agreed with for the most part

To me, the song says 'you wont win anyone over, if you become what you are protesting'

you wont 'open minds' with your own bigotry, hate and prejudices

that's my last word in thsi thread - think whatever you like - you will anyway


You say you want a revolution
Well, you know
We all want to change the world
You tell me that it's evolution
Well, you know
We all want to change the world
But when you talk about destruction
Don't you know that you can count me out
Don't you know it's gonna be all right
all right, all right

You say you got a real solution
Well, you know
We'd all love to see the plan
You ask me for a contribution
Well, you know
We're doing what we can
But when you want money
for people with minds that hate
All I can tell is brother you have to wait
Don't you know it's gonna be all right
all right, all right
Ah

ah, ah, ah, ah, ah...

You say you'll change the constitution
Well, you know
We all want to change your head
You tell me it's the institution
Well, you know
You better free you mind instead
But if you go carrying pictures of chairman Mao
You ain't going to make it with anyone anyhow
Don't you know it's gonna be all right
all right, all right
all right, all right, all right
all right, all right, all right

[JuniperLea]

28. My son is a proud geek... electrical engineer...

He revels in his geekdom, and even has a license plate frame touting his geekiness.

You can determine how far to push such things... and you can easily tip someone off to their own racism, etc., by a few carefully placed questions.

[Atticus]

19. Where were you on 9/12/09?

I was in Washington, DC, with about 60,000 "teabaggers". I call them that because that's who they are and THEY chose the name.

What would you call someone who, without provocation, pointed to your Obama cap and asked why you supported that "damn mongrel"?
How about people who carried signs featuring the "N-word" and cartoon watermelons surrounding Obama? Would it be unfair or unreasonable of me to call these walking pus-bags "racists"?

And, where does this "very pro-worker" come from? I don't personally know of any teabaggers who aren't anti-union as an article of faith. Maybe that's peculiar to my area, but I don't think so.

The "philosophy" of those on the Mall last September 12th was appropriately simple: "If that uppity Obama and the socialist American-hating Democrats are FOR something---anything---we're AGAINST it!"

Respect that if you care to, but they can kiss my ass.

[NoSheep]

25. I'm in 100% agreement with you. Call an asshole an asshole.

I've seen it work.

[JuniperLea]

32. They should reap what they sow...

And clearly many are sowing seeds of hate. Holding a mirror up to that should be considered an honorable and progressive thing to do. We don't have to stoop to their level... or we can if deemed waranted... you aren't going to win over the toughest of the loud mouthed knuckle draggers, but at least they should be shown that there are a lot of people out here who do NOT agree with their stupidity. They all seem to suffer under the misguided assumption that EVERYONE agrees with them, or at least a vast majority. I think this comes from only listening to the Glens and Rushs... only to those with whom they agree.

[JuniperLea]

5. I've done most of those things...

And as a realist, I know the job never ends.

There are many Democrats who have worked toward the same goals all of their lives... think Teddy Kennedy.

Did he give up? No.

Did he ever reach the end of his rope? No.

Did he ever whine and complain because his goals were never met? Of course not! He kept on going! Because he was a realist! And he knew that whiners never win, never prosper, and are counter productive to the cause.

K&R to the OP... and get out there, ya whiners! If you spent half the energy fighting as you do fucking whining, we'd be closer to the goal!

Teddy Kennedy worked on this for 40 years... time to buck up, put a sock in it, and carry on.

[NoSheep]

8. I've done all those things. Still doing them. It is a way of life. What about you?

[Atticus]

21. I only asked about things I have done/ am doing. nt

[cynatnite]

9. Dumbest post ever...

well, maybe not ever, but it's in the top ten.

You do know this forum serves more than the purpose than just to come here and discuss, don't you? It's been used to educate, have meetups, fund campaigns, organize, help each other and more.

People do what they can when they can and you are in no position to pass judgment.

[JuniperLea]

11. What? We aren't supposed to pass judgement on DU?

Well, I better get going!! At least half of the OPs here need alerted on if that's the rule!

[cynatnite]

13. Nope, you bad banana...

:spank:

[Atticus]

24. Really?

And, your stated opinion that "People do what they can when they can" isn't "passing judgment?"

In my "judgment", a lot of us aren't doing much and some of us aren't doing jack-shit.

The purpose of my post was make some people uncomfortable. So far, I'm satisfied.

[nadinbrzezinski]

15. I know you're not talking to me

but here is what I have done so far.

participate in a couple national strikes, not that they went anywhere (SHHH would be more effective than a march on DC by the way, if we did them right)

Pest... I am on a first name basis with the staffers.

Get on Tea Baggers faces? Oh yes, we had lots of fun last Sunday.

Do other creative things... yep.

But I am still waiting for the rest of the country... no, not the few who are there already, to join me

To paraphrase Michael Moore... I cannot do this alone.

[tabbycat31]

17. Let's see

First of all we're in a dead heat for governor right now. I spent the last month working almost nonstop on his campaign. I help the cause of marriage equality in New Jersey, I attend rallies, I write hand-written letters to Congress, I call them, I write a political blog.

I'm willing to donate $$ to progressive candidates throughout the country, however right now I am not in a financial position to do so.

[dysfunctional press]

26. i'll continue to choose my battles.

nobody can be everywhere for every cause. i limit my energies to those causes that mean the most to me, and that affect me most directly.
i'd be able and willing to go to dc at the drop of a hat for a REAL march on washington for healthcare, and i'd be able to take up to 6 people from the chicago area in my van.
in 2001, i made my banner, and drove to dc in january weather to protest at the coronation of the pretend president- i honestly thought that more people would have done the same, and was disappointed by the showing.

here we are- 6:36 into fahrenheit 9/11:

[Atticus]

27. I am grateful for people like you.

Thank you for caring enough to take it to the street.

"May your tribe increase."

[endeavourniche]

29. No

1. no
2. no
3. no
4. no
5. no
6. no
7. no

[knixphan]

31. Ready, Willing and Able.