Howard Dean spoke at Georgia for Democracy

[Cookie wookie]

yesterday to a standing-room only crowd of (a rough guess) about 100-150, where no press was allowed. There are more ways for doctors to heal people than pills and hospitals, at least that was true for Dr. Dean last night. His talk was relaxed, positive, inspiring and full of the promise of what can be done, if "we the people" work from the ground up. I went feeling so discouraged about the previous day's events in DC, with Gonzales and the results of the Joint Session of Congress certifying electoral college vote count and left feeling some healing of my spirit and energy to continue with activism.

His introductory remarks were brief and followed by opening the floor to questions, of which there were enough to keep him there all night, from the looks of the hands raised, that is if he had had the time. It seemed to the writer that he would have stayed until everyone had a chance to ask their questions if the organizers hadn't skillfully disengaged him, as he was scheduled to speak at a Society of Friends meeting later among other activities planned for his visit to Atlanta, GA.

Topics included the need for election reform (high priority for him), instant runoff voting (he supports), and the need for progressives to set the agenda and frame the issues and to not let that be done by the republicans.

He recommended that people read, "Don't Think of an Elephant: Know Your Values and Frame the Debate -- The Essential Guide for Progressives," by George Lakoff (with foreword by Dean). He said it "...opened up my mind about what the possibilities are. . . .We have to set the agenda and frame the issues."

"We're building a community, a family, an American community," he said. And that has to be done from the ground up. Recognizing the success of some in the audience in running for office in this election, he said we need to run for local offices, for school boards, county and state offices.

On voting, he said that we need uniform federal regulations, and must have the position of Secretary's of State, in particular, to be nonpartisan.

I've posted photographs of the event at the following links (with permission to link from this DU post from Atlanta.indymedia.org).

http://atlanta.indymedia.org/media/all/display/7730/index.php
http://atlanta.indymedia.org/media/all/display/7729/index.php?limit_start=
http://atlanta.indymedia.org/media/all/display/7728/index.php?limit_start=
http://atlanta.indymedia.org/media/all/display/7726/index.php?limit_start=
http://atlanta.indymedia.org/media/all/display/7725/index.php?limit_start=
http://atlanta.indymedia.org/media/all/display/7724/index.php?limit_start=

[Cha]

1. What a sweetheart of a report, cookie!

I looked at all the pictures and they were great..thanks so much for this.

I heard it about it first..last night from Eloriel's great report..it's really inspiring to hear about what Dean has to say..

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=1476798

[Cookie wookie]

2. Thanks. I didn't realize that Eloriel had already posted about this.

I should have done a search first -- humble apologies to the board!

[Cha]

3. Don't be silly! We need reports from

as many who attended as possible. I was just giving you the link so you could read what others said about your great night:D :D

[Cookie wookie]

4. Was great to read Eloriel's post and the replies! n/t

[Cha]

5. And, sorry..I just realized I spelled your

name wrong. :silly:

[Eloriel]

6. Hi, Cookie! Great report.

Mine was just very personal (as you could see), so there's absolutely no reason to apologize for YOUR fine report.

LOVE your photos. I'm still kicking myself for not even THINKING of taking my little digital with me. Damn.

BTW, everyone, that bright red t-shirt he's got on in one of the photos is the t-shirt DFA presented him with. It says on the front in BIG ole white block letters: YOU HAVE THE POWER. He looked great in it.

[Cookie wookie]

7. I'll get some pix to you. n/t

[NYCGirl]

8. Fantastic pictures! Thank you so much. NT

[PROGRESSIVE1]

11. ..

[mandyky]

9. Thanks so much!

And thanks to Eloriel's last night - by the time I got to Eloriel's a Dean hate fest was in full swing, and I'm not sure if I posted there or not.
We can't get enough reports of when Howard Dean speaks!

[Cookie wookie]

10. Sorry to hear about the Dean hate fest

I didn't get a chance to check in so missed it. Whew. I guess I'll stay ignorant about what it is about him to hate now that he's not running for pres. . . .

When Dean threw his hat into the ring to run, I did as much research as I could, considering the deplorable state of the MSM, to track down any and all stories I could find on him. A physician I know, who I trust implicitly and who is a person of rock solid integrity, actually grew up with him and still sees him and his wife at vacation time. That endorsement meant a lot. If we had a trustworthy press, maybe we could be well informed by just using the media, who owe their licenses to the American people, after all, since it's our media not theirs. That's getting off the track, though.

He's one of the good guys and this country needs him.

[Eloriel]

12. Well said

:kick:

[alfredo]

13. Dean will be in Lexington Ky at the end of this month.

He is coming to speak with people from Change for Kentucky.

I have picked up the Lakoff book and to tell the truth, after two chapters I am enthused, and want to hit the streets tomorrow.

We need to have a framing the discussion thread, or a thread just on Lakoff's ideas.

He seems to have the antidote to the Straussians that infest this administration.