Does anyone remember Granny D?
On January 1, 1999, Doris Haddock began to walk across America to raise awareness for campaign finance reform. She was 88.
By the time she was 90, she had traversed 3,200 miles and ended in Washington, whereupon she began to read the Declaration of Independence. And there, in the rotunda of the Capitol Building, after sacrificing two years of her life, she was arrested.
Part of her statement to the judge was:
"In my 90 years, this is the first time I have been arrested. I risk my good name --for I do indeed care what my neighbors think about me. But, Your Honor, some of us do not have much power, except to put our bodies in the way of an injustice--to picket, to walk, or to just stand in the way. It will not change the world overnight, but it is all we can do."
<snip>
"The times are changing because they must. And they will sweep away the old politician --the self-serving, the self-absorbed, the corrupt. The time of that leader is rapidly fading. We have come through a brief time when we have allowed ourselves to be entertained by corrupt and hapless leaders because they offer so little else, and because, as citizens, we have been priced out of participation and can only try to get some enjoyment out of their follies. But the earth itself can no longer afford them. We owe this change to our children and our grandchildren and our great grandchildren. We need have no fear that a self-governing people can creatively and effectively address their needs as a nation and a world if the corrupt and greedy are out of their way, and ethical leadership is given the helm."
My sweetheart and I were watching her speak in Austin in 2002 in an event sponsored by Jim Hightower when her speech made us cry with hope.
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... I'll never forget Granny D. An unforgettable character. 
Frankly, I'm kind of glad she's no longer on this Earth. I worry that even she might be discouraged.
was my hero.
She did not "go gentle into that good night."
Cher
Last edited Sat Apr 5, 2014, 09:02 PM - Edit history (1)
at a Clearwater Festival (Croton-on-Hudson, NY) all these years ago.
There are words from one of her many speeches that I like to show here on DU for anybody who may not be happy with the Democratic Party's efforts in Congress or their voter outreach:
http://www.grannyd.com/speeches/sub-speeches/dont-stand-in-the-way-4-30-03.htm
(the boldface emphasis is mine - DMH)
(snip)
There are many among us who will not support a candidate unless that candidate is perfect on every issue.
Politics is about winning.
For us, it is about winning to save lives and raise people up from poverty and illness and loneliness and injustice.
Those posturing on the left sometimes forget that. Don't tell me that you can't support a particular candidate because of this or that.
This isn't about you and your precious political standards.
It is about saving nature and our people. We are coming out to win, so please don't stand in our way.
When we have reasonable people in power, let us start our arguments again, for we can not move forward unless we have a decent government underneath us and a Bill of Rights to let us speak freely.
(snip)
Starkraven with GrannyD in St Paul, Minnesota
Both are Amazing Women.
