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I'm ready to keep Fighting, Harder than Ever

by Gabriele Droz
Mon Jan 30th, 2006 at 08:45:14 PM EST

...and my fight begins with thanking the fighters. Here's my letter to Senator Kerry:

Dear Senator Kerry,
I applaud your courage to take your heart to the floor of the Senate. My god, I did not expect it, honestly, from either you, Senator Clinton, and especially not from Senator Feinstein, although I was not surprised by Senator Kennedy. He's a real war horse, wounded, scarred, but fighting ever so hard no matter what.
How I wish others could get their courage together and stop being afraid of the bullies that use any means except truth and integrity to meet their goals. You know who they are. Their actions reek of cowardice and fear. It's time to capitalize on their shakey cover. The country IS behind you. You must continue on this road. If you do, I'm convinced that you will continue to get the support that rose up suddenly over the weekend.
Yes, we lost on Alito. BUT, a more important thing emerged: the majority of Democratic Senators voted AGAINST Alito AND cloture. Given that Alito was virtually anointed way ahead of time, and that only three days were available - this was a GREAT effort and WIN, as far as I'm concerned.
Thank you so much. It was the right thing to do, and you saw what happened as a result of your search for input on the blogs. We rallied for you, and I'm about to write other thank-you's to Senators Kennedy, Clinton, and Feinstein, and those others with courage that voted against cloture, putting aside their own political concerns in favor of the whole-being of our country.
Growing a spine takes time, but we got a burst of calcium today.
Much love and the best to you,
Gabriele Droz

I hope you agree that thanking those who DID stand up, is a decent strategy to get more of the same. Over this weekend, with hundreds of thousands of emails, faxes and phonecalls, we had a powerful impact on a short-lived debate.

Broken hearts and blaming are the first reaction - but do nothing to help strengthen the Democratic spine. But by showing our appreciation to those who DO fight, putting their necks out on the line, we strengthen the spine we want to see. They are our leaders, for better or worse, but it's also up to us to help them grow that spine.

I'm sorry, but I could not find direct email addresses for them in a timely fashion. If you have their direct contact emails, could you please add links for all of us?

I'm ready to keep Fighting, Harder than Ever | 2 comments (2 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

Saying thank you - definitely (none / 1)

I will definitely be saying thank you to Senators Boxer and Feinstein and to Kerry and Kennedy.

It will be important for them to know that I will continue to support progressive candidates.

It is just important that they know that 50% isn't good enough. The letter will be thoughtful and professional and gracias...and thorough. It will include my determination to register as an independent and only support progressive candidates...such as Boxer and Pelosi.

I will also be sending a cc: to the DSCC and the DNC and to my local represenative Lynn Woolsey and neighboring rep - Nancy Pelosi. I think they need to know where the lay of the land is as the campaign year begins.

by SallyCat on Mon Jan 30th, 2006 at 09:02:17 PM EST

Re: Saying thank you - definitely (none / 1)

Agree. I'm doing the same things right now.

And I think it's our loss when we DON'T give acknowledgement when it's due. We just seem to vent our anger against our own when we're frustrated. It's understandable, but the anger really is NOT against them, but BushCO, and we need to remind ourselves of that, and nurture those who take some risks (against accusations of political agendas or future presidential runs).

So many of us buy into those projected motives. But if we just keep our eye on the ball, notice and praise steps our reps take, no matter how small - I just think it would do us a whole much more good than overwhelming them with our anger at their shortcomings.

by Gabriele Droz on Mon Jan 30th, 2006 at 09:14:26 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I'm ready to keep Fighting, Harder than Ever | 2 comments (2 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

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