Show Me/Us The Way

[MostlyLurks]

I started a thread yesterday entitled "An Odd Sense Of Acceptance" in which I did my best to describe how I'm going to deal with this. In a nutshell: withdraw.

As I expected, there's a vocal few on that thread who have called me (and those who've posted their agreement) a quitter, spineless, a nazi cocksucker, etc. And that's all well and good - I enjoy a good debate and I knew it would generate some acrimony. Hence its placement in this forum.

I want to start a new thread here today to build on that.

I am not a leader. It is simply not a quality I possess. I am a great educator, an effective spokesperson and can be a significant enforcer. My debating skills, in terms of dealing with "real people", are well-formed and dangerous. But if you want me to lead a movement, I simply lack those skills. I'm not a motivator, not a "go getter", not a great planner. Perhaps, in time, I could learn those skills, but right now they are beyond my grasp.

I long ago accepted the fact that in the "Lead, Follow, or Get Out Of The Way" equation, I was the in the pack following. I'm OK with that. The world needs its foot soldiers and we can't all be generals.

But those of you who assail me (and those in the thread who agree with me) and tell me to get a spine, you need to lead people like me. You need to do more than chant a shop-worn mantra. I'm not talking about "Rah Rah, it's only two points, we're still the real majority, pip pip chin up old boy" bullshit.

I'm talking about real, substantive leadership initiative. Marshalling of the troops. Strategic vision. If you're a leader, then tell me what you want me to do. Tell me how we, generals and foot soldiers together, are going to do turn this tide. Engage me not in some pep talk without substance, but in your strategic vision.

I carry a big stick when I'm motivated and you'll find few people as able as I am to use it. I think most of the people in my corner on this site probably are the same, or we wouldn't be on this board in the first place. DU is not a place you actively engage in if you don't know where you stand or what you want to say.

It's all well and good to say "We've got to fight. We're going to go to Ohio. We're not gonna take it." But I see nothing in that that tells me what the battle plan is, where the front lines are drawn, where I need to dig in.

In short, I'm smart but I don't understand "grass roots" politics and battle planning.

I've stated my position. Now I'm looking for guidance. It's time for the leaders on this board to do more than impugn my/our commitment and machismo. It's time for them lead. And I, as a foot soldier, am aching for it. So please, tell me what the idea is, not just for the immediate future but in the next two, four or eight years.

[antigone382]

1. It's okay to withdraw for a bit, to regroup

WE got screwed. Again. It seems you won't get over it but you will. And you will stand up and be counted again.

Even * is surprised at how easy this has been. Just remember, the bigger they stand the harder they fall.

I'll be back later.

[ScreamingMeemie]

2. I am just a mom...or I was just a mom three years ago. I would sit at

the table with my good friend and we would rail about our government, drink more coffee, sob worry and fret. And then Dean came...and whatever people may think or not think of him, he got this mom off her feet. Meeting with other people, we organized plans for action. We went door to door. Who says canvassing has to be restricted to election time. There are millions of people who voted for Kerry...there are millions of people we can reach out to with just our voice. I cannot remember how many times the people I talk to told me they were glad to see me. That they were happy to know they were not alone in detesting this administration, but they had been afraid to say anything. There's strength in numbers. We need to go back out to the moms, dads, grandmas, grandpas, unions, churchgoers...and get them to join us in our canvassing until we have one HUGE voice to shut down the takers of the term values.

:hi:

[hippiechick]

3. Hi Mostly,

I couldn't have said it better myself.
Your post echoes my thoughts/self-observations almost to a tee.


Thank you !


:hippie: