Huffington Post / By Bill Scher
comments_imageCOMMENTS: 103

Aren't You Glad You Didn't Move to Canada?

There's room in this country for optimism, after all: Here are six good things that the elections have brought us.
November 8, 2006  |  
 
 
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Yes, we can win when we stay and fight for our country. There is much, much work to do before we truly win back America, but this feeling should remind us that it can be done.

Some observations on this major triumph:

1. I wrote earlier that the dynamic of the midterms was two years of complete failure by conservative Republican government versus the stereotype of Democrats as soft on national security.

The stench of failure was stronger than the false stereotype.

That doesn't mean the stereotype of Democrats is gone. (It hasn't, and we still have to work to do to get rid of it.)

But it does mean that Americans have begun to seriously question how strong on national security Republicans really are.

And that made it too hard for them to effectively play the fear card this time.

2. Any notion that Democrats won because they ran a field of candidates who lean right on social issues is bunk (as both the NY Times and the Washington Post suggest, apparently following the lead of Rep. Rahm Emanuel.)

Yes, there are candidates like Sen.-elect Bob Casey (PA), Rep.-elect Brad Ellsworth (IN) and Rep.-elect Heath Shuler (NC) who are anti-abortion.

But Sen.-elect Sherrod Brown and Sen.-elect Claire McCaskill support reproductive freedom and won in Ohio and Missouri. Rep.-elect Harry Mitchell is pro-choice and beat prominent conservative Rep. J.D. Hayworth in Arizona.

And South Dakota voters rejected a statewide ban on abortion.

(Montana's Jon Tester, who is leading as of this writing, is pro-choice too.)

It's not a problem if the Democratic Party embraces candidates with differing views on moral questions. (It has never been a problem that anti-abortion Harry Reid leads us in the Senate.)

It is a problem if the party wrongly believes it must do so, and must marginalize liberal moral values, in order to win -- because that attitude will fracture the party and compromise core principles.

And it's a really big problem if these guys don't help the Democratic team stop Bush from shoving our judiciary even farther to the right-wing.

3. The GOP's race-baiting anti-immigrant ads did not save the day for the Republicans in the short-term, but will harm their efforts to build support with Latinos in the long-term.

4. Voter turnout was strong enough to overwhelm a flawed election system and Republican gerrymandering.

5. The election system is still flawed. Now we are in position to begin reforming it for real.

6. Dubya has a press conference after election day at 1 PM ET. As I wrote earlier this week, there is no time for a breather. The next round starts now

Bill Scher is the author of the new book, Wait! Don't Move To Canada!: A Stay-and-Fight Strategy To Win Back America. He will be continuing his book tour in Oregon, Seattle and NYC this month.
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Time to get busy, brothers and sisters.......
[Report this comment]
Posted by: LeftWright on Nov 8, 2006 9:11 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Some non-violent things we can do, starting today:

VIGILS

Start vigils tonight outside politician’s offices, especially key House and Senate leaders. Demand that your state return to a paper verifiable election process. Optical scan has worked great in my precinct for years.

PROTESTS

Combine larger scale protests with the vigils. We should start with large monthly protests on the 11th of each month (and/or the second Sunday of each month). These protests can graduate to a continuous state by creating a pool of protesters who protest in shifts with a support system bringing food, etc. The eastern Europeans have shown the way here.

Use postcards to flood your elected officials with clear, concise statements of your dissatisfaction with their performance on the critical issues.

BOYCOTTS

Start with targeted boycotts of key institutions/industries, beginning with the MSM who ignore the key issues facing us. Demand that they cover these issues, give them two weeks to show that they are covering the stories we need to have covered, then if they don't cancel your subscriptions. Flood them with postcards, too. Then just shut them down by not buying what they're selling.

STRIKES

The last phase is to begin with targeted strikes, beginning with "Stay Home Sundays" in support of the Sunday protests. Then add rolling strikes in specific regions and against specific industries. Increase the frequency, size and duration of these strikes until we peacefully force the changes we have to have. Once again, flood the strike targets with postcards.

It's especially important that progressives reach out to all segments of our society, especially recent immigrants (particularly native Spanish speakers) and disaffected conservatives who are horrified by the neocons.

Let's keep it non-violent, brothers and sisters. Let others be violent and show their true colors and desperation.

Stay in the light and fight for what's right.

The truth shall set us free. Love is the only way forward.

Be well.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

1st Post Card Snow Storm: BAN depleted Uranium Weapons NOW
[Report this comment]
Posted by: LeftWright on Nov 8, 2006 9:12 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Call on the Senate and House to ban depleted Uranium weapons immediately

Coalition forces have used more than 120,000 kg of dU weapons in Iraq since 2003.

This is in addition to the 2700 tonnes of dU used in the 1990-1991 Gulf War.

Depleted Uranium has a half-life of 4.5 billion years.

U.S. forces continue to use these WMD's in Iraq.

We must end this insanity ASAP.

Please contact your local House and Senate members, Speaker Pelosi and Rep. Murtha today and once a week on this issue until they ban dU weapons.

Speaker Pelosi
2371 Rayburn HOB
Washington, DC 20515

Rep. Murtha
2423 Rayburn HOB
Washington, DC 20515

Only mail POST CARDS, as letters get screened for bio-weapons.

The truth shall set us free. Love is the only way forward.

Be well.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» I have to ask Posted by: pball

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Glad, but cautious
[Report this comment]
Posted by: gillianr on Nov 8, 2006 9:15 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Ok, I'm glad the Republicans no longer control the House, but what have the Democrats got to offer?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Glad, but cautious Posted by: albrechtkrausse
» RE: Glad, but cautious Posted by: Conservasaurus
» Sour grapes Posted by: russianblue1
» Do I smell TWO trolls? Posted by: mirimac
» RE: Sour grapes Posted by: Conservasaurus
» Is it at the same level Posted by: russianblue1
» RE: Is it at the same level Posted by: Conservasaurus
» No, RIGHT on both counts Posted by: russianblue1
» Go away. Posted by: mirimac
» Mind boggling? Posted by: mirimac
» I'm rubber, you're glue. Posted by: mirimac

Comments are closed-

The Ball is in Dubya's Court
[Report this comment]
Posted by: NoPCZone on Nov 8, 2006 9:28 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Both Sen Reid and Representative Pelosi have made very gracious and measured statements. They have put it on the line, saying they want to work with the President & Republicans in Congress to get things done.

The election is over and the people have said enough of the same old same old from BushCo. Soon to be Speaker Pelosi has also stated that she wants to see Rummy go. I second that motion.

Dubya, you said you wanted to be a uniter and not a divider. You have not governed that way for almost 6 years. The public is tired of your sh*t and wants this country to move forward. Here is your chance to salvage what little is left of your place in history.

Get with the program or be prepared to be run over.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» Runny gone Posted by: Conservasaurus
» Sour grapes Posted by: russianblue1
» RE: Sour grapes Posted by: Conservasaurus
» RE: Sour grapes Posted by: goatini
» What part of Posted by: russianblue1
» it's difficult to ignore Posted by: goatini
» RE: What part of Posted by: Conservasaurus
» You DO remember INCORRECTLY Posted by: russianblue1
» RE: You DO remember INCORRECTLY Posted by: Conservasaurus
» So THAT'S why you're so mad Posted by: russianblue1
» Elaborate? Posted by: mirimac
» Democracy, What A Concept Posted by: NoPCZone
» RE: Democracy, What A Concept Posted by: Conservasaurus
» RE: Democracy, What A Concept Posted by: Conservasaurus
» RE: Democracy, What A Concept Posted by: Conservasaurus
» Go away, troll. Posted by: mirimac
» RE: Go away, troll. Posted by: Conservasaurus
» Definitions Posted by: mirimac
» RE: Democracy, What A Concept Posted by: Conservasaurus
» Way to go Posted by: russianblue1
» RE: Way to go Posted by: Conservasaurus
» Dems have alot to prove. Posted by: mirimac

Comments are closed-

Canada anyone...?
[Report this comment]
Posted by: grokked on Nov 8, 2006 10:15 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Am I glad I didn't move to Canada?

Well, no, not really.

When I can walk down the streets of this country smoking a joint and no one hassles me, that's when it will be my country.

When our so-called "leaders" start making policy decisions based on sound scientific principals without ever giving even one second's thought to "what would Jesus do", then it will be my country.

When the defense budget in this country shinks from the current yearly half trillion dollars down to the $60-80 billion that has been estimated would actually be required to simply defend our shores rather than maintaining the empire - then it will be my country.

When the arrogance of corporate behavior is so ruthlessly punished that they don't even dream of pulling the horseshit that they pull now, then it will be my country.

When income distribution in this country is flattened back down to where it was in 1950- THEN it will be my country.

Anyone think our new flock of Dems is going to get those things for us?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Canada anyone...? Posted by: Coll
» RE: Canada anyone...? Posted by: rwa
» I'm with you grokked. Posted by: WhatNow?
» RE: Canada anyone...? Posted by: dermott
» RE: Canada anyone...?Hi troll!! Posted by: carcinoid112

Comments are closed-

Harry Reid
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Xynyx on Nov 8, 2006 10:58 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
"It has never been a problem that anti-abortion Harry Reid leads us in the Senate."

To whom? I've always had a problem with this.

Answer this: When should it be OK to tell a woman she must have a baby? Under what circumstances should it ever be OK to force a person to reproduce?

It is NOT OK for the Democratic leader in the Senate to think this way.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» Wrong questions Posted by: Michael Robin
» RE: Harry Reid Posted by: BJT
» oh give me a break!! Posted by: fluffmuffinmom
» RE: oh give me a break!! Posted by: aonghus36
» RE: oh give me a break!! Posted by: laoma
» RE: oh give me a break!! Posted by: laoma
» RE: Harry Reid Posted by: morticia

Comments are closed-

Herebutgone
[Report this comment]
Posted by: namaste on Nov 8, 2006 11:22 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Sadly enough I broke down early this year and left the country - not to Canada but to England. The grass is not greener my friends.....

But I do harbor hope for the US and Americans and came back home to vote the mid-term elections. This is the first time I have not been utterly depressed after an election in over 12 years. There is light at the end of the tunnel and I hope that the Dems - given this great chance by the American public - do not screw up and drop the ball. Keep the people engaged and feeling like they do have a voice in our government. Keep the collective conscious flowing.

I am moving to Italy next because England is not a conscious enough place for me. Perhaps I will feel safe to return home one day soon.

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» RE: Herebutgone Posted by: rwa

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Being Canadian
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Ghoulman on Nov 8, 2006 11:30 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
... it has been a little Deja Vu seeing young Americans up here in Canada, hiding from thier parents and yet another illegal US war effort. Must suck to be young and poor in the US when army recruiters are on the prowel in every mall and corner bodega.

But aside from that, come on, move to Canada! Mexicans too! We'd love to have yea.

Not Donald Rumsfeld though. ;p

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Being Canadian Posted by: AlienSlave
» RE: Being Canadian Posted by: babs
» RE: Being Canadian Posted by: drone
» Alright babs! Posted by: WhatNow?
» RE: Being Canadian Posted by: aonghus36
» RE: Being Canadian Posted by: JimTheAnarchist
» RE: Being Canadian Posted by: tclaverdure
» RE: Moving to Canada - advice Posted by: Ghoulman

Comments are closed-

Arizona and Michigan in statewide fight to be the most racist/sexist state
[Report this comment]
Posted by: rellots on Nov 8, 2006 1:34 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
One of the things that I'm noticing about the elections and my fellow liberals is a general lack of commentary regarding the ballot measures in Arizona (English as the official state language which was undoubtedly targeted, in a negative manner, towards undocumented residents.) and Michigan (Affirmative action was banned to make way for even more rights for the already supremely privileged white men in
Michigan.)

The exact ballot measures are unbelievably racist and sexist.


I'm happy about the House of Reps, but the ballot measures need attention too..

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» Not so for Arizona Posted by: AppleMommie AZ

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I hate to be cynical, but a LOT of work lies ahead.
[Report this comment]
Posted by: khiatt on Nov 8, 2006 5:33 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The Bush/Cheney robber-baron administration and the industries who funded their elections have already looted the US treasury to the tune of trillions of dollars. Enron, Halliburton, KBR and Bechtel and their ilk have made billions from Bush administration policy changes and the "War on Terror". Extractive industries and corporate polluters will enjoy Bush's environmental policy rollbacks for years to come. Oil companies will continue to be heavily subsidized while raking in billions in profits, at least for the short term. It will take years to rebuild the American Constitution to it's former glory, and restore America's reputation with the rest of the world.

Even after 2008, senior Bush administration officials will move into cozy consulting jobs with the industries mentioned above; lobbying groups, think-tanks, the Carlyle Group, etc. There they will continue to fight for corporate dominance over the US economy and it's domestic and foreign policies.

Make no mistake, I am thrilled with the Democratic victory, and have high hopes for what they can accomplish; but it will be a long, hard slog to undo the damage that Bush & Co. have done, and begin making progress again.

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» NO DOUBT ABOUT IT....IT IS Posted by: mdruss42

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Yes
[Report this comment]
Posted by: xbj on Nov 8, 2006 7:35 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Yes, but let's give credit where credit is due.

This was the second military coup in five years, which corrected the horrific mistake of the first military coup on 9-11. That coup installed a bunch of fascist cretins who saw the military as nothing more than raw meat to make trillions off of. The proof of which was Rumsfeld's roaring success at utter incompetence. The military thankfully sees it somewhat differently, and they do give a damn about their raw meat. Let's face simple facts, the military had the only computers smart enough and powerful enough to hack the already GOP hacked vote. Bush, Cheney, Rove, and Rumsfeld were dumbfounded.... simply dumbfounded.

Now it will be up to the Democrats and the military to extricate us from the meatgrinder of Iraq delicately. Murtha has an excellent plan. Let's hope all the graft and corruption from the war contractors and Israel doesn't send the new Democratic Congress reeling the way it did the GOPNazi Congress.

We've been given back America, and it feels good. But there's much left to be done, and it isn't going to be easy. Not with Nazi windbags like Limbaugh and Coulter... not by a long shot.

Upside is former GOP capitalists that always realize which side of the bread is buttered like Murdoch will be shifting alliances in droves. We can expect a small change in our MSM as a result, but whether it will be enough to counter Nazi talk radio will remain to be seen.

There's a lot of work left to be done, but the upside is we won't have to face yet another Viet Nam for another twenty years until another generation of clueless fascists gets some more bright ideas.

That is, IF Israel doesn't nuke Iran out of desperation and start the war that's been pulled out from underneath BushCo's feet by our own military. They learned, once again, that fascism is not quite the solution it seems at first, and democracy is preferable. We owe them a debt of gratitude. Yes, they sure blindsided all of us on 9-11, but they've made up for that now, the very best way they could.

The rest, and the result, is up to us.

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The WAR Machine Grinds On!
[Report this comment]
Posted by: williameon on Nov 9, 2006 3:28 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
As the Tanks and Drones
Break more Skin and Bones
The War grinds on!

Check out the Cor-Parasite News
Trying to steal the Thunder of the People!

Rum-Dumb and The Shrub
All over the Faux Media.

Doing damage control.
While Pumping Trillions out of Iraq!

Singing that same old Rovian tune!
Promising one thing while doing another.

This time we must get dirty!
Crawl down into their Spider Holes
and
Drag these:
Sleazy Dirty Crooked Bass-Turds
to
JUSTICE!

Shine the light of day
On
Their crimes!
So all can see and we
Stop them now!.

They must pay for their crimes!
Aganist Humanity!

Crooked Elections!
Dirty Selections!
Lies!
Spies!
Torture!
&
Corruption!

The Corporate Clones Dance,
As
The Faux Media Drones On:

Churning out more BU__! SH__!

Now is the time for real change!
Justice!
Justice!
For All!

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Government reform
[Report this comment]
Posted by: edfs on Nov 9, 2006 6:36 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I believe the Republicans lost their power because they failed
to listen to "we the people" that brought them to power in 1994. Many Republicans either didn't vote or switched party out of disgust.If a vote against incumbents brings in a better government,then maybe cleaning house of ALL career politicians can be the new birth of our nation and our Constitution. Both parties has done very little to address the main issues-Illegal immigration,border control,Iraq war,Social Security reform,National Debt, etc.
It is now the Democrats chance to initiate these changes or suffer the same consequences in 2008.

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Just slowed things down
[Report this comment]
Posted by: flaghfine on Nov 9, 2006 2:37 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
All this election has done is slow things down a bit. We will never go back to our pre Patriot Act civil rights. The erosion of our civil rights will continue but at a slower rate. The degradation of our envionment will continue to be one step towards sanity two steps back. Things that we now aacept on a daily basis such as invasive searches at airports and even subways, sneak and peek searches, and our soon to be implemented National ID would not have been tolerated twenty years ago.
Canada still looks pretty good to me.

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Move to Canada?!?
[Report this comment]
Posted by: opeluboy on Nov 9, 2006 3:47 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Yes, I'm glad I didn't. Too cold for a Hawaiian.

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HALF FULL OR HALF EMPTY - THE CONTENT'S FILTHY NONETHELESS...
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Ullern on Nov 9, 2006 6:14 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
.
Optimism now? - I don't really care if the glass is half full or half empty, 'cause the contents are filthy anyway...

Had there been a good condition to preserve, the addendum would have been: "... as long as it slakes the thirst..."

There's so much to be corrected in the USA today, there's hardly time to ponder optimism. Get on with it!

The biggest correction needed is to exchange exploitation and exploitative structures or arrangements, with a penetrating credo of EQUITABLE SHARING – of all resources, lifting that principle back on top to be the dominating form of arrangement. In human interaction, near-equal sharing is after all the natural way to distribute goods. – Think on it. If no pre-existing conditions determine otherwise: How do friends share? Yes, roughly equally.

First off, the range of income and salaries (now some 500 times more to the best paid, than the lowest) should be limited to a span compatible with avoiding building envy and despair on the poor end, and avoiding arrogance and lack of understanding on the rich end. Such a limitation would reduce crime and encourage solidarity plus identification with society.

Many ills would then correct themselves without further fight.

Interest in other qualities in life, society and personal pursuit, than a narrow focus on economic gain - i.e. greed - would be freed develop. High skills that remain unprofitable – like caring, kindness and generosity – would blossom.

Go for it. Freedom, Equality, Solidarity – Life, Liberty and Happiness.

Ole Ullern

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Fuck
[Report this comment]
Posted by: famouspipeliner on Nov 9, 2006 11:36 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
And here I've spent all that time lobbying politicians to let the American objectors in ( if need be ). Let 'er roll baby roll.

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A lesson for Mexicans in this
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Bobsays on Nov 10, 2006 12:20 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I agree: it may appeal to leave and avoid the long hard fight for political change, but is it the right thing to do? As we can see from the countless countries around the world that people flee, emigrating does not bring about political change at home.

If we look at Mexico, the right thing to do is to fight for political change in the country, not to flee to the US. Just as a sobering reminder, a Canadian Olympian has applied for political refugee status in the US because she was chased out of the country by its overbearing bureaucrats. Canada is no paradise on earth, and like Cuba, its progressive benefits are bought at restrictions of freedom and free expression.

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I'm Canadian, Gay, and Allowed to Marry Someone of the Same Sex
[Report this comment]
Posted by: gaypersonofcolor on Nov 10, 2006 7:35 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
If I were a gay American wanting to get married to my same-sex partner and have the same rights as heterosexual couples, I think I would be glad if I moved to Canada and was able to feel the freedom of being able to say, "I'm married, and this is my husband."

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Environeers
[Report this comment]
Posted by: historybuff on Nov 13, 2006 2:49 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Has there ever been a poll taken about those who shop at Wal-Mart? Do more democrats or republicans shop there? Companies like that are directly killing our country? So, who is more responsible for destroying our great nation...I wonder?

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» RE: nvironeers Posted by: Mr. Heathen
Alternet Comments:

Comments are closed-

Time to get busy, brothers and sisters.......
[Report this comment]
Posted by: LeftWright on Nov 8, 2006 9:11 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Some non-violent things we can do, starting today:

VIGILS

Start vigils tonight outside politician’s offices, especially key House and Senate leaders. Demand that your state return to a paper verifiable election process. Optical scan has worked great in my precinct for years.

PROTESTS

Combine larger scale protests with the vigils. We should start with large monthly protests on the 11th of each month (and/or the second Sunday of each month). These protests can graduate to a continuous state by creating a pool of protesters who protest in shifts with a support system bringing food, etc. The eastern Europeans have shown the way here.

Use postcards to flood your elected officials with clear, concise statements of your dissatisfaction with their performance on the critical issues.

BOYCOTTS

Start with targeted boycotts of key institutions/industries, beginning with the MSM who ignore the key issues facing us. Demand that they cover these issues, give them two weeks to show that they are covering the stories we need to have covered, then if they don't cancel your subscriptions. Flood them with postcards, too. Then just shut them down by not buying what they're selling.

STRIKES

The last phase is to begin with targeted strikes, beginning with "Stay Home Sundays" in support of the Sunday protests. Then add rolling strikes in specific regions and against specific industries. Increase the frequency, size and duration of these strikes until we peacefully force the changes we have to have. Once again, flood the strike targets with postcards.

It's especially important that progressives reach out to all segments of our society, especially recent immigrants (particularly native Spanish speakers) and disaffected conservatives who are horrified by the neocons.

Let's keep it non-violent, brothers and sisters. Let others be violent and show their true colors and desperation.

Stay in the light and fight for what's right.

The truth shall set us free. Love is the only way forward.

Be well.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

1st Post Card Snow Storm: BAN depleted Uranium Weapons NOW
[Report this comment]
Posted by: LeftWright on Nov 8, 2006 9:12 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Call on the Senate and House to ban depleted Uranium weapons immediately

Coalition forces have used more than 120,000 kg of dU weapons in Iraq since 2003.

This is in addition to the 2700 tonnes of dU used in the 1990-1991 Gulf War.

Depleted Uranium has a half-life of 4.5 billion years.

U.S. forces continue to use these WMD's in Iraq.

We must end this insanity ASAP.

Please contact your local House and Senate members, Speaker Pelosi and Rep. Murtha today and once a week on this issue until they ban dU weapons.

Speaker Pelosi
2371 Rayburn HOB
Washington, DC 20515

Rep. Murtha
2423 Rayburn HOB
Washington, DC 20515

Only mail POST CARDS, as letters get screened for bio-weapons.

The truth shall set us free. Love is the only way forward.

Be well.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» I have to ask Posted by: pball

Comments are closed-

Glad, but cautious
[Report this comment]
Posted by: gillianr on Nov 8, 2006 9:15 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Ok, I'm glad the Republicans no longer control the House, but what have the Democrats got to offer?

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» RE: Glad, but cautious Posted by: albrechtkrausse
» RE: Glad, but cautious Posted by: Conservasaurus
» Sour grapes Posted by: russianblue1
» Do I smell TWO trolls? Posted by: mirimac
» RE: Sour grapes Posted by: Conservasaurus
» Is it at the same level Posted by: russianblue1
» RE: Is it at the same level Posted by: Conservasaurus
» No, RIGHT on both counts Posted by: russianblue1
» Go away. Posted by: mirimac
» Mind boggling? Posted by: mirimac
» I'm rubber, you're glue. Posted by: mirimac

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The Ball is in Dubya's Court
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Posted by: NoPCZone on Nov 8, 2006 9:28 AM   
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Both Sen Reid and Representative Pelosi have made very gracious and measured statements. They have put it on the line, saying they want to work with the President & Republicans in Congress to get things done.

The election is over and the people have said enough of the same old same old from BushCo. Soon to be Speaker Pelosi has also stated that she wants to see Rummy go. I second that motion.

Dubya, you said you wanted to be a uniter and not a divider. You have not governed that way for almost 6 years. The public is tired of your sh*t and wants this country to move forward. Here is your chance to salvage what little is left of your place in history.

Get with the program or be prepared to be run over.

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» Runny gone Posted by: Conservasaurus
» Sour grapes Posted by: russianblue1
» RE: Sour grapes Posted by: Conservasaurus
» RE: Sour grapes Posted by: goatini
» What part of Posted by: russianblue1
» it's difficult to ignore Posted by: goatini
» RE: What part of Posted by: Conservasaurus
» You DO remember INCORRECTLY Posted by: russianblue1
» RE: You DO remember INCORRECTLY Posted by: Conservasaurus
» So THAT'S why you're so mad Posted by: russianblue1
» Elaborate? Posted by: mirimac
» Democracy, What A Concept Posted by: NoPCZone
» RE: Democracy, What A Concept Posted by: Conservasaurus
» RE: Democracy, What A Concept Posted by: Conservasaurus
» RE: Democracy, What A Concept Posted by: Conservasaurus
» Go away, troll. Posted by: mirimac
» RE: Go away, troll. Posted by: Conservasaurus
» Definitions Posted by: mirimac
» RE: Democracy, What A Concept Posted by: Conservasaurus
» Way to go Posted by: russianblue1
» RE: Way to go Posted by: Conservasaurus
» Dems have alot to prove. Posted by: mirimac

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Canada anyone...?
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Posted by: grokked on Nov 8, 2006 10:15 AM   
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Am I glad I didn't move to Canada?

Well, no, not really.

When I can walk down the streets of this country smoking a joint and no one hassles me, that's when it will be my country.

When our so-called "leaders" start making policy decisions based on sound scientific principals without ever giving even one second's thought to "what would Jesus do", then it will be my country.

When the defense budget in this country shinks from the current yearly half trillion dollars down to the $60-80 billion that has been estimated would actually be required to simply defend our shores rather than maintaining the empire - then it will be my country.

When the arrogance of corporate behavior is so ruthlessly punished that they don't even dream of pulling the horseshit that they pull now, then it will be my country.

When income distribution in this country is flattened back down to where it was in 1950- THEN it will be my country.

Anyone think our new flock of Dems is going to get those things for us?

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» RE: Canada anyone...? Posted by: Coll
» RE: Canada anyone...? Posted by: rwa
» I'm with you grokked. Posted by: WhatNow?
» RE: Canada anyone...? Posted by: dermott
» RE: Canada anyone...?Hi troll!! Posted by: carcinoid112

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Harry Reid
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Posted by: Xynyx on Nov 8, 2006 10:58 AM   
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"It has never been a problem that anti-abortion Harry Reid leads us in the Senate."

To whom? I've always had a problem with this.

Answer this: When should it be OK to tell a woman she must have a baby? Under what circumstances should it ever be OK to force a person to reproduce?

It is NOT OK for the Democratic leader in the Senate to think this way.

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» Wrong questions Posted by: Michael Robin
» RE: Harry Reid Posted by: BJT
» oh give me a break!! Posted by: fluffmuffinmom
» RE: oh give me a break!! Posted by: aonghus36
» RE: oh give me a break!! Posted by: laoma
» RE: oh give me a break!! Posted by: laoma
» RE: Harry Reid Posted by: morticia

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Herebutgone
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Posted by: namaste on Nov 8, 2006 11:22 AM   
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Sadly enough I broke down early this year and left the country - not to Canada but to England. The grass is not greener my friends.....

But I do harbor hope for the US and Americans and came back home to vote the mid-term elections. This is the first time I have not been utterly depressed after an election in over 12 years. There is light at the end of the tunnel and I hope that the Dems - given this great chance by the American public - do not screw up and drop the ball. Keep the people engaged and feeling like they do have a voice in our government. Keep the collective conscious flowing.

I am moving to Italy next because England is not a conscious enough place for me. Perhaps I will feel safe to return home one day soon.

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» RE: Herebutgone Posted by: rwa

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Being Canadian
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Posted by: Ghoulman on Nov 8, 2006 11:30 AM   
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... it has been a little Deja Vu seeing young Americans up here in Canada, hiding from thier parents and yet another illegal US war effort. Must suck to be young and poor in the US when army recruiters are on the prowel in every mall and corner bodega.

But aside from that, come on, move to Canada! Mexicans too! We'd love to have yea.

Not Donald Rumsfeld though. ;p

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» RE: Being Canadian Posted by: AlienSlave
» RE: Being Canadian Posted by: babs
» RE: Being Canadian Posted by: drone
» Alright babs! Posted by: WhatNow?
» RE: Being Canadian Posted by: aonghus36
» RE: Being Canadian Posted by: JimTheAnarchist
» RE: Being Canadian Posted by: tclaverdure
» RE: Moving to Canada - advice Posted by: Ghoulman

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Arizona and Michigan in statewide fight to be the most racist/sexist state
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Posted by: rellots on Nov 8, 2006 1:34 PM   
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One of the things that I'm noticing about the elections and my fellow liberals is a general lack of commentary regarding the ballot measures in Arizona (English as the official state language which was undoubtedly targeted, in a negative manner, towards undocumented residents.) and Michigan (Affirmative action was banned to make way for even more rights for the already supremely privileged white men in
Michigan.)

The exact ballot measures are unbelievably racist and sexist.


I'm happy about the House of Reps, but the ballot measures need attention too..

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» Not so for Arizona Posted by: AppleMommie AZ

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I hate to be cynical, but a LOT of work lies ahead.
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Posted by: khiatt on Nov 8, 2006 5:33 PM   
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The Bush/Cheney robber-baron administration and the industries who funded their elections have already looted the US treasury to the tune of trillions of dollars. Enron, Halliburton, KBR and Bechtel and their ilk have made billions from Bush administration policy changes and the "War on Terror". Extractive industries and corporate polluters will enjoy Bush's environmental policy rollbacks for years to come. Oil companies will continue to be heavily subsidized while raking in billions in profits, at least for the short term. It will take years to rebuild the American Constitution to it's former glory, and restore America's reputation with the rest of the world.

Even after 2008, senior Bush administration officials will move into cozy consulting jobs with the industries mentioned above; lobbying groups, think-tanks, the Carlyle Group, etc. There they will continue to fight for corporate dominance over the US economy and it's domestic and foreign policies.

Make no mistake, I am thrilled with the Democratic victory, and have high hopes for what they can accomplish; but it will be a long, hard slog to undo the damage that Bush & Co. have done, and begin making progress again.

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» NO DOUBT ABOUT IT....IT IS Posted by: mdruss42

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Yes
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Posted by: xbj on Nov 8, 2006 7:35 PM   
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Yes, but let's give credit where credit is due.

This was the second military coup in five years, which corrected the horrific mistake of the first military coup on 9-11. That coup installed a bunch of fascist cretins who saw the military as nothing more than raw meat to make trillions off of. The proof of which was Rumsfeld's roaring success at utter incompetence. The military thankfully sees it somewhat differently, and they do give a damn about their raw meat. Let's face simple facts, the military had the only computers smart enough and powerful enough to hack the already GOP hacked vote. Bush, Cheney, Rove, and Rumsfeld were dumbfounded.... simply dumbfounded.

Now it will be up to the Democrats and the military to extricate us from the meatgrinder of Iraq delicately. Murtha has an excellent plan. Let's hope all the graft and corruption from the war contractors and Israel doesn't send the new Democratic Congress reeling the way it did the GOPNazi Congress.

We've been given back America, and it feels good. But there's much left to be done, and it isn't going to be easy. Not with Nazi windbags like Limbaugh and Coulter... not by a long shot.

Upside is former GOP capitalists that always realize which side of the bread is buttered like Murdoch will be shifting alliances in droves. We can expect a small change in our MSM as a result, but whether it will be enough to counter Nazi talk radio will remain to be seen.

There's a lot of work left to be done, but the upside is we won't have to face yet another Viet Nam for another twenty years until another generation of clueless fascists gets some more bright ideas.

That is, IF Israel doesn't nuke Iran out of desperation and start the war that's been pulled out from underneath BushCo's feet by our own military. They learned, once again, that fascism is not quite the solution it seems at first, and democracy is preferable. We owe them a debt of gratitude. Yes, they sure blindsided all of us on 9-11, but they've made up for that now, the very best way they could.

The rest, and the result, is up to us.

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The WAR Machine Grinds On!
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Posted by: williameon on Nov 9, 2006 3:28 AM   
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As the Tanks and Drones
Break more Skin and Bones
The War grinds on!

Check out the Cor-Parasite News
Trying to steal the Thunder of the People!

Rum-Dumb and The Shrub
All over the Faux Media.

Doing damage control.
While Pumping Trillions out of Iraq!

Singing that same old Rovian tune!
Promising one thing while doing another.

This time we must get dirty!
Crawl down into their Spider Holes
and
Drag these:
Sleazy Dirty Crooked Bass-Turds
to
JUSTICE!

Shine the light of day
On
Their crimes!
So all can see and we
Stop them now!.

They must pay for their crimes!
Aganist Humanity!

Crooked Elections!
Dirty Selections!
Lies!
Spies!
Torture!
&
Corruption!

The Corporate Clones Dance,
As
The Faux Media Drones On:

Churning out more BU__! SH__!

Now is the time for real change!
Justice!
Justice!
For All!

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Government reform
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Posted by: edfs on Nov 9, 2006 6:36 AM   
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I believe the Republicans lost their power because they failed
to listen to "we the people" that brought them to power in 1994. Many Republicans either didn't vote or switched party out of disgust.If a vote against incumbents brings in a better government,then maybe cleaning house of ALL career politicians can be the new birth of our nation and our Constitution. Both parties has done very little to address the main issues-Illegal immigration,border control,Iraq war,Social Security reform,National Debt, etc.
It is now the Democrats chance to initiate these changes or suffer the same consequences in 2008.

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Just slowed things down
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Posted by: flaghfine on Nov 9, 2006 2:37 PM   
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All this election has done is slow things down a bit. We will never go back to our pre Patriot Act civil rights. The erosion of our civil rights will continue but at a slower rate. The degradation of our envionment will continue to be one step towards sanity two steps back. Things that we now aacept on a daily basis such as invasive searches at airports and even subways, sneak and peek searches, and our soon to be implemented National ID would not have been tolerated twenty years ago.
Canada still looks pretty good to me.

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Move to Canada?!?
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Posted by: opeluboy on Nov 9, 2006 3:47 PM   
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Yes, I'm glad I didn't. Too cold for a Hawaiian.

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HALF FULL OR HALF EMPTY - THE CONTENT'S FILTHY NONETHELESS...
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Posted by: Ullern on Nov 9, 2006 6:14 PM   
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.
Optimism now? - I don't really care if the glass is half full or half empty, 'cause the contents are filthy anyway...

Had there been a good condition to preserve, the addendum would have been: "... as long as it slakes the thirst..."

There's so much to be corrected in the USA today, there's hardly time to ponder optimism. Get on with it!

The biggest correction needed is to exchange exploitation and exploitative structures or arrangements, with a penetrating credo of EQUITABLE SHARING – of all resources, lifting that principle back on top to be the dominating form of arrangement. In human interaction, near-equal sharing is after all the natural way to distribute goods. – Think on it. If no pre-existing conditions determine otherwise: How do friends share? Yes, roughly equally.

First off, the range of income and salaries (now some 500 times more to the best paid, than the lowest) should be limited to a span compatible with avoiding building envy and despair on the poor end, and avoiding arrogance and lack of understanding on the rich end. Such a limitation would reduce crime and encourage solidarity plus identification with society.

Many ills would then correct themselves without further fight.

Interest in other qualities in life, society and personal pursuit, than a narrow focus on economic gain - i.e. greed - would be freed develop. High skills that remain unprofitable – like caring, kindness and generosity – would blossom.

Go for it. Freedom, Equality, Solidarity – Life, Liberty and Happiness.

Ole Ullern

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Fuck
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Posted by: famouspipeliner on Nov 9, 2006 11:36 PM   
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And here I've spent all that time lobbying politicians to let the American objectors in ( if need be ). Let 'er roll baby roll.

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A lesson for Mexicans in this
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Posted by: Bobsays on Nov 10, 2006 12:20 AM   
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I agree: it may appeal to leave and avoid the long hard fight for political change, but is it the right thing to do? As we can see from the countless countries around the world that people flee, emigrating does not bring about political change at home.

If we look at Mexico, the right thing to do is to fight for political change in the country, not to flee to the US. Just as a sobering reminder, a Canadian Olympian has applied for political refugee status in the US because she was chased out of the country by its overbearing bureaucrats. Canada is no paradise on earth, and like Cuba, its progressive benefits are bought at restrictions of freedom and free expression.

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I'm Canadian, Gay, and Allowed to Marry Someone of the Same Sex
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Posted by: gaypersonofcolor on Nov 10, 2006 7:35 PM   
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If I were a gay American wanting to get married to my same-sex partner and have the same rights as heterosexual couples, I think I would be glad if I moved to Canada and was able to feel the freedom of being able to say, "I'm married, and this is my husband."

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Environeers
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Posted by: historybuff on Nov 13, 2006 2:49 PM   
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Has there ever been a poll taken about those who shop at Wal-Mart? Do more democrats or republicans shop there? Companies like that are directly killing our country? So, who is more responsible for destroying our great nation...I wonder?

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» RE: nvironeers Posted by: Mr. Heathen
 
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