SIGN ON TO WILL PITT'S LATEST: "Get Up and Walk Out." Read it here:

[ClassWarrior]

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/012206A.shtml

Never Give Up.

[k j]

1. "Just do it"

[Bluesplayer]

79. Democratic response to SOTU

A walkout sure would make the Democratic response to the speech more interesting than usual! Remember, the Dems will have 30-45 minutes to explain what happened before anyone in the media has a chance to spin what just happened.

If the minority party is not allowed to speak in Congress, let our silent protest speak for us. When they leave the chamber, they should all go down to the basement where they've been driven to have the committee meetings that the majority refuses to hold.

Someone tell Bush's speechwriters to have Sen Byrd's question ready - "Why is this chamber empty?"


Sign me up, Will!

[The Doctor.]

119. Where's the petition?

"Sign me up" is a good idea, but we need a petition.

[bleever]

2. I am bleever, and I approve Will's message.

:thumbsup:

[babylonsister]

3. Please represent us already! I agree with Will Pitt.

You have to take a stand on our behalf. Stand up and leave. Show our collective disdain for this admin and its crooked policies!

[Pam-Moby]

4. OK you have SIGN ON TO WILL PITT'S LATEST

Where do you sign on? :shrug: Or do you mean support Wills article?

[ClassWarrior]

5. You just did.

He's been known to deliver his articles, along with DU's comments of support, to our elected Reps.

NGU.

[Pam-Moby]

9. Ok great-thanks Will!!!

[Imagevision]

126. kick

[calimary]

144. I sure hope he does with this one. It would be a great way to show some

BACKBONE.

Better yet, it would completely hijack the story that would ordinarily be focused on bush and whatever snake oil he's selling that hour. THAT would be the lead - the big mass walkout. NOT the contents of the speech.

NOTE TO DEMOCRATS: You want the attention focused on YOU and how YOU feel and what YOU have to say and how YOU view the issues and how YOUR SIDE wants to spin it? YOU wanna be the lead? YOU wanna run things and set the agenda? Then SEIZE THE STORY. As they say in the Nike commercials - Just. Do. It.

I'm tellin' ya - THAT would be the lead on State of the Union night. THAT would be the lead story. THAT would lead all the newscasts and be the photo on the cover of every newspaper in the country, if not the world, above the fold. The contents of the speech and the crunching of the numbers and the talking-head analysis and spin and such would be completely hijacked as the would-be emperor and his courtiers sputter about the mob becoming unreasonably unruly and uncontrollable.

I think Democrats would also suddenly find money pouring into their campaign coffers from donors like a bunch of us out here who told DNC phone bankers awhile ago - NOT ANOTHER NICKEL until you put Howard Dean in the chairmanship. I stood next to angry women in the local DNC headquarters in the late summer of 2004 who murmured through gritted teeth - "NOT ANOTHER DIME until they start fighting back!!!"

It would lead the press for days and completely take over the agenda all over Washington and its greater media machine as pundits burned up face time trying to read the political entrails. There'd be LTTEs all over the place, editorials all over the place, some of them opposing and outraged - but I suspect strongly that the majority of them would be gleeful and grateful. There'd be a whole lot of "IT'S ABOUT TIME!!!!" being bandied about out there.

America loves fighters. America loves underdogs, too. But the underdog tends to get the vote if he or she puts up at least some sort of a fight, more often than not.

What do they have to lose but their self-respect? Oh, excuse me, most of 'em lost that a long time ago. But it'd be nice to see at least a few of them cast off their presidential kneepads. Political theater on a grand scale is absolutely it. Would hijack that story straight off the SOTU podium and yank the rug out from under his lordship's "hallowed" feet.

And what better way to signal to the rest of America (the same America that the GOP is now planning, yet again, to scare stupid by election time) that we are NOT afraid? They want strong leadership, don't they? So far, the only people who seem willing to show strength are republi-CONS. Is that really how it oughta be? Do we roll over, AGAIN, and pull a nice, meek little lieberman maneuver, or do we STAND UP AND SHOW SPINE? After all, if our guys can't stand up to bush, how can they be expected to stand up to bin Laden? This would certainly telegraph that they can and will do both.

You said it, CW - NGU.

DAMN I wish they'd do this.

Preach this, Will. Take it around to your reps. Take our comments, too. PLEASE!!!

[lyonn]

150. Your post is great! You hit every nail precisely

Patriotic as hell. We dems are so totally frustrated by the hype that the repubs spew constantly that I agree with you, the dems must make a hugh stand. Our message needs to get out there. your angle on the media going crazy over the walk-out, "hijack the story," will be the only way to call bush's bs bluff.

What have we got to lose, exactly!

We are more AFRAID of bush than the terrorist.

If the Dems get a copy of his speech before hand, who knows?, pick a special spot to walk out for the best effect. Otherwise, don't even show up. That could work.

[pstans]

69. That would be great

Rush and O'Reilly's head would pop off because they'd be so pissed off.

[radfringe]

86. time to make a stand

if not now - when?

[brainshrub]

6. I also have this fantasy:

It involves the Bucci twins and melted chocolate.

That isn't going to happen either.

[ClassWarrior]

7. I'm guessing Will's is a heckuva lot more likely.

:rofl:

NGU.

[brainshrub]

10. Only slightly.

If a significant number of Dems do walk out, I'm going to Ft. Lauderdale with a bottle of Hershey's syrup and a big grin.

:evilgrin:

[onenote]

15. I'd keep the receipt on that bottle of Hershey's and buy refundable tix

'cause you're right of course. There is zip/nada/zilch/zero chance this will happen. I'm actually a bit surprised that Will would even imagine it could happen. The Democrats can't even make up their mind to filibuster Alito -- despite loud objections from their base. Under what conceivable reality do they suddenly decide to walk out of the SOTU? Its really kind of comical that anyone would think this could/would happen.

Ah well, if people want to fantasize, its their privilege. Personally, I think organizing and working at the grass root level to elect Democrats less than ten months from now would be a more effective use of time and energy.

onenote

[ClassWarrior]

34. Just curious. How is asking our leaders...

...to take a powerful symbolic stand an ineffective use of time and energy?

???

NGU.

[thebigidea]

36. because no way the likes of Bayh, Feinstein, etc. would do that.

could you imagine Joe Lieberman doing that?

[onenote]

41. and because the swing voters and those who don't pay much attention

won't understand it as a "powerful symbolic stand". They'll understand it the way the repubs spin it and the press covers it, which will be a childlike tantrum. Perception is everything.

onenote

[Iowa]

70. Not necessarily...

We're in the majority and this is a very unpopular president. I think most people would either stand up and cheer, or at least want to hear what our guys have to say. We'd come out ahead when it all shakes out, IMHO.

[onenote]

96. how would folks hear our guys

Its not like the networks are going to cut away from chimpy to cover the Democrats standing outside in the dark. While it will make those who already have figured out what a thug chimpy is feel good, how will it play with those who are still on the fence. I know you think "we're in the majority" but it hardly that cut and dried. We need swing voters, and a walk out isn't going to play well with those who think both parties engage in too much poltical theater and not enough governance.

onenote

[Virginian]

110. Ahh, but it won't be in the dark. A protest group will be outside.

There is a protest group planning to make noise outside the Capitol during the SOTU to symbolically drown out the speech. I am sure they would more than welcome the Dems talking to them and I am sure they would shut up and listen to them and cheer them on.

[onenote]

114. but that's the choir that's being preached to

If the networks don't cover the actual remarks by the Democrats, the public won't hear the message. All they'll see is some pictures of Dems standing outside with a crowd holding signs saying Fuck Bush and maybe get a couple of soundbites, while all the while the walkout is being spun by the repubs against us.

onenote

[Virginian]

127. Don't you think it will be so startling that someone will carry it?

I can see the DC local WTTG station carrying it as local news. (Unless their FOX parent company forbids them to do it.)

Virginia's new governor, Tim Kaine is supposed to give the response speech. What if it were given from sayyyy...... Constitution Hall -- with all the walk-out Democrats there to get their photo-ops / comments after the SOTU?

Charter some city busses (Transportation of the common man) to take them the 20 blocks from Capitol to Constitution Hall. They could go to the Ronald Reagan building since it is closer, but Constitution Hall sounds so much more... uh... Constitutional.

Invite the non-senators like Max Cleland, John Edwards, Mark Warner, Howard Dean, Al Gore. Make it a Dem support fest. If Lieberman doesn't want to join in, let him be seen as the DINO that he is.


I don't know if it would really work either. Just trying to get excited about something.

[PegDAC]

135. Is there another station in DC that might carry it?

I know there are more stations than that there!

[Virginian]

143. The networks and cable networks will carry SOTU

The networks and cable networks will carry SOTU Channel 5 may not. They have their own news at 10pm. The other broadcast networks have news at 11pm. I don't know if the networks will break away from Chimpy to show it. The best scenerio from the networks might be a split screen showing the Dems assembling elsewhere.

[lyonn]

154. The media knows what bush will say, so they line up all the

talking heads, mostly repubs to go over how wonderful bush presented himself. Once again, the dems will look weak, especially since they get such little camera time.

What we need is a Cindy Sheehan moment. The media jumped right on her story in Crawford since it was something new. They go for the cheepies. They wouldn't have to spend money on the story, it would be ready made.

Conyers, Boxer, Feingold, Kennedy, Leahey, Dean, there are many well spoken Dems out there to explain the "why" for the walk-out, or not even going in.

[brainshrub]

141. This thread inspired as quick blog entry:

This thread inspired a blog post.

The sexy Bucci Twins and the State of the Union Speech

Since William Rivers Pitt got to tell us his fantasy, let me share with you my State of the Union best-case scenario:

I'm sitting at my favorite pub watching the President's speech, drowning my sorrows in a pint of Guinness, when I notice the Bucci twins eying me from across the bar.

They walk over and Shawna would say: "Excuse me, but Jennifer and I were just wondering - are you that hunky blogger Paul -V- of Brainshrub.com?"

"Why yes. Yes I am," I would reply as nonchalantly as possible.

"Like, wow!" Jennifer would exclaim, her blue eyes wide with sheer awe, "We are huge fans!" <snip>

The post goes into a bit more detail, but don't expect a Penthouse letter.

I hope you enjoy it.

www.brainshrub.com/bucci-twins

[Imagevision]

107. I HOPE RANDY PICKS UP THIS EXCELLANT IDEA - KUDDO'S MR. PITT...!

[MuseRider]

8. If this is where you sign up

then you have my signature. We have nothing left to lose except the last remaining fragments of our Constitution and that is gone if we don't do something now.

As an unrepresented citizen of this country (I couldn't get a hello from my reps if I walked up and jumped in their faces) I say walk out and give no quarter. We are ready to back you or go down fighting with you but I, for one, am not going to go quietly even if our Democratic representatives do.

[gcole]

91. Yeah baby!!

[NV Whino]

11. There is nothing to lose

and a lot to gain. Come on guys (and ladies in CA's case), get some backbone, stand up and walk out!

[Imagevision]

108. NOTHING TO LOSE -- MUCH TO GAIN - US. NEEDS WAKEUP CALL

[calimary]

148. Kick! And here are some TOLL FREE NUMBERS to use, thanks to

DUer mom cat:

TOLL FREE NUMBERS TO THE CAPITOL SWITCHBOARD...and more info:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2387636

[radio4progressives]

12. brilliant article Will - Has it been Sent to the Dems?

and the vichy DLC ?

How do we sign on?

[0007]

13. Yes, They've got to get the message out that the Democratic

party, have a right to voice questions that concern the American people. "You're either with us or against" is still the theme!

snip

The television nitwits have flooded the airwaves with the meme that this is a "two-party scandal," despite the fact that Abramoff would have sooner lit himself on fire than give money to a Democrat. As you have been collectively incapable of setting the record straight in public, with the exception of a two-minute crunch between Howard Dean and Wolf Blitzer on CNN that left Blitzer spluttering impotently, understand that "this scandal affects both parties" is now commonly accepted fact all across the land.

[onenote]

16. and those same nitwits that have misreported Abramoff

are going to get that message out? Don't think so.

onenote

[Trevelyan]

99. Remember the Dems "SHAME, SHAME, SHAME" chants? It was great!

I think all our commentary encouaged them to stand up and I think they just might be willing to take it a step further...Bush's base is crumbling...many red staters and former conservatives are catching on that something is not right...they have loved ones in the military and/or neighbors and friends or churchmembers who do and I think they know how badly our soldiers are being treated with no armor, blankets, boots, camelhumps other necessities that should be automatic Government Issue and cutting off soldiers and their families benefits including throwing families out of military housing when a soldier dies in combat and according to veterans sites having the nerve to pressure soldiers who have lost limbs or badly damaged by shrapnel to give back their "bonuses" for enlisting or re-enlisting because they weren't able to complete their tour of duty because THEY LOST LIMBS in bush's bloodbath war. You are underestimating the disgust with bush.

Sen. Lautenburg has a great video on his site defending the filibuster and calling the Republicans on their lie that there has never been a filibuster of a Supreme Court nomination with Forbes and other FACTS on the Senate government site and countering the ridiculous repug spin item by item.

[Ladyhawk]

14. I agree. Democrats, now is the time to stand up (and walk out)

on principle. Remember, you are the only thing standing between your constituents and tyranny.

[Democrats_win]

17. Sorry, just another symbol--real action: boycott the economy.

50 million Americans spending nearly nothing will get their attention.

It's not going to take some easy theatric from our powerless Dem Congress people. This will do nothing more than further discredit them. Democrats, are you done talking or doing symbolic nothingness? If you are spending beyond essentials, you are supporting the economy and thus bush and his facade war.

Still, Dems and DUers don't get it! Thugs only understand POWER. Until Democratic leaders nationally call for some sort of real action, this will continue. You can't use the media, they either can't help you or they're against you.

It will take a real effort to stop this madness. Remember how Americans stopped Vietnam. Nixon was ready to warn the Russians that he'd use Nukes!
He didn't because he feared the American people. Our world was lucky then and if we don't get moving soon, we may not be so lucky this time. Bush has nothing to fear unless we DO something to make him fear and understand that the past five years of failure must end now.

Your choice, boycott now or be forced to go without later because they're destroying it anyway.

[juajen]

30. That will be easy to do, since

most of us only have the bare necessities now, what with this marvy economy and inflation eating our lunch.

This would be a thrilling protest, to see the dems walk out. I support it 100%.

[ClassWarrior]

33. In an information economy, symbolism IS power.

NGU.

[Zynx]

51. I don't think the Democrats want to be associated with throwing the

U.S. economy into a recession.

[Progressive4Life]

54. For most of us,

the economy has been in a recession for the past five years.

[Zynx]

57. A boycott of the type you speak would make things far worse.

[ClayZ]

18. WALK OUT, Dems... SHINE!

By their fruits you will know them.

The Project for the New American Century makes the HANDBASKET we are in (The REAL STATE OF the UNION )and the HELL that is holding it afloat.

Now is the time for all good men and women to come to the aid of the CONSTITUTION.

The Carlyle Group is holding our constitution HOSTAGE!





:kick: edit to kick

[USA_1]

19. And if the Dem pols refuse to leave ...

... their inaction will invalidate every single effort, every sacrifice, everything that rank-and-file Democrats have been working for all these years.

On other web sites, I have complained about the evils and stupidities of the Bush regime. I have repeatedly and convincingly shown that Bush's regime is hell bent on destroying America. Sure enough, a typical reply from Republicans is Bush would NEVER have done any of this if it hadn't been for cooperation from the Democrats. And how right they are!

Just think of all that work that so many of you did in the 2004 election. Look at how much time you spent away from work, school, recreation, or family just to try to get Kerry elected. And what did the Democrats do? They applauded Bush in every SOTU speech and rubber stamped every law that he demanded. Thus, all your sacrifice was for nothing.

And if the Democrats fail to leave the SOTU or if they applaud Bush in any way, then it will "validate" Bush's destruction of America. Then, there simply will be no further justification for sacrificing as you have done. It will all have been for NOTHING.

[Nomen Tuum]

20. Congressional Democrats, WHICH SIDE ARE YOU ON?

Congressional Democrats, are YOU Patriots or appeasers?

Patriots will walk out.

Appeasers won't.

If you choose to appease, I am finished with you!

[AbbyR]

21. Is this where I sign?

If so, consider me signed, and my husband, also.

And I also agree with post #17 below. We need to do something - anything - to get some visibility so that our representatives and everyone else will know that this silent majority is no longer silent. It needs to be big, organized, with a HUGE following and participation. Even the mainstream media can't ignore thousands and thousands of us united in our call for some (legal) action against the Bushies.

[illflem]

22. Don't you think it would be cruel

to leave Joe Lieberman sitting there all by himself?

[Nomen Tuum]

23. No

Please somebody post Ned Lamot's webpage so we can get rid of Strom Liberman!

[ClayZ]

28. He will be holding hands with ZEL Miller. n/t

[babylonsister]

40. ...and probably (NE) Nelson! nt

[NoFederales]

24. DO IT JUST AS THE* SON OF AN ASSHOLE GETS STARTED

(sorry for the caps, my BP is way up today)

NoFederales

[AtomicKitten]

25. " .... we're not going to let you bad mouth America."

Animal House, probation hearing.

[hangloose]

26. A walkout will upstage bush and any effort to upstage bush has

my stamp of approval.

[PegDAC]

136. It would certainly fluster the crap out of him!

I, for one, would love to see him stand there with his mouth agape!
:evilgrin: :bounce: :rofl: :rofl:

[lyonn]

155. His jaw would be severely snapping!

bush gets upset and snarly with only the slightest dissension among the troops.

I have been waiting for something like this to happen during his SOTU since he became pres. The only sign from the dems so far has been the lack of clapping. Pitiful.

[bcoylepa]

27. these boots are made for

walking.... great idea Will!

[Tuesday_Morning]

29. Get Up and Walk Out!

Pundits may shriek but citizens will applaud you.

Sitting there politely applauding a man who is blatantly breaking the law is wrong and disheartening. Stand up for your country. Do the right thing.

[donheld]

31. Hear hear Mr Pitt

This is SO important. We must get this done.

[ewagner]

32. I'm in

although it would be far more dramatic if the Dems walked out after the "Dim-one" made another of his insulting "responsible dissent" comments.

[tavalon]

35. If this is supposed to be a petition

We need to create a petition. I'm on board for this.

[Catchawave]

37. Me too !

Thought it would be a CapWiz link, but still on board in support of the Spine Challenge, SOTU, 2006 :)

[tnlefty]

52. LOL- The Spine Challenge. And there are 5 in my household who would

wholeheartedly agree with this move, Mr. Pitt.

[Virginian]

111. Here's a bottle of calcium for strong back bones. n/t

[Carni]

38. Please add my sig (if this is where we are doing it) eom

[babydollhead]

39. I sign.

[democrank]

42. Great idea.

Our leaders should forget the Joementum and just walk the hell out.

[in_cog_ni_to]

43. JUST DO IT! Stand up. Walk out

I'm signed. Add my husband too!

[mohinoaklawnillinois]

44. Add my name to the list.

The Dems have to do something. They have to make a stand.

I for one don't care if Lieberman, Feinstein, Nelson, etc stay and listen to Chimpy's BS. It will only reinforce my belief that they are truly DINO's.

[understandinglife]

45. K&R. Thank you, again, Will!!

"Signed" on to your letter as B Robert Franza MD, not "understandinglife."


Peace.

[Catchawave]

46. Never forget : "The City Of Lousiana"

From Keith Olbermann's blog, with thanks to DUer BerryBush for providing the link:

For many of this country's citizens, the mantra has been — as we were taught in Social Studies it should always be — whether or not I voted for this President — he is still my President. I suspect anybody who had to give him that benefit of the doubt stopped doing so last week. I suspect a lot of his supporters, looking ahead to '08, are wondering how they can distance themselves from the two words which will define his government — our government — "New Orleans."

For him, it is a shame — in all senses of the word. A few changes of pronouns in there, and he might not have looked so much like a 21st Century Marie Antoinette. All that was needed was just a quick "I'm not satisfied with my government's response." Instead of hiding behind phrases like "no one could have foreseen," had he only remembered Winston Churchill's quote from the 1930's. "The responsibility," of government, Churchill told the British Parliament "for the public safety is absolute and requires no mandate. It is in fact, the prime object for which governments come into existence."

In forgetting that, the current administration did not merely damage itself — it damaged our confidence in our ability to rely on whoever is in the White House.

The complete text of "The 'City' of Louisiana" can be found (with some scrolling down) at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8514671/

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=315&topic_id=34453&mesg_id=34456

[PegDAC]

138. Gawd (metaphorically),

I love Keith Olbermann!!
:loveya:

[Catchawave]

152. I may start a new thread with this quote,

We must never forget !

[calimary]

145. Good you brought that up. One of the most magnificent things he's

ever done on the air, and there've been lots of them.

Like my mom always said (but oh does it ever apply to little king george) "...got a heart like a BB."

[Catchawave]

151. Thanks!

These precious words made me feel better because I was feeling so darn guilty "I couldn't respect Bush and his administration". Keith was a turning point in making me feel "patriotic" again :)

I'm trying to pass this quote around to the DUers who may mistake bashing Bush is bashing the Presidency.

[justabob]

47. Walk out!!!

There is no reason to listen to the bullshit BushCo will undoubtedly be spewing that night.

[proud patriot]

48. Proud Patriot signs on to this

[ProudDad]

75. Proud Dad Too

I'd love to see it. Doubt that they have the spine but I'd love to see it.

[understandinglife]

49. Please, DU admins, post to the DU Homepage and start a DU Activist ...

... endeavor to gather millions of signatures to Will's letter.

Thank you for considering these suggestions.


Peace.

[Catchawave]

50. Great idea !

[WolverineDG]

53. It's time to fish or cut bait.

You either believe in the principles of our Constitution & will pledge your lives, your fortunes, and your sacred honors to protect and defend them, or you'll sit tight, look nice for the cameras & applaud at the right times while our country moves from a democracy to a dictatorship.

dg

[RagAss]

55. Get up and walk out .....It may change America forever !!!!!!

...and let that creep "Jomentum" sit there in his own piss.....

[Warren DeMontague]

56. Kicked, Recommended, and

signed on to.

[FtWayneBlue]

58. I'm with Will - Grow a Spine, Dems. n/t

[feelthebreeze]

59. Mr Pitt, you have done it again. I support your idea. I hope some have

the dignity left to do so. If the leaders stand, will they all have the courage to follow? Well according to my founders, we are the leaders. So get packin' my defenders of Democracy. Save our Democracy, and voice for us as you swore to do.

[nickyt]

60. Time to bust a move. I'm in. So v e r y in.

[raysr]

61. I wrote to Cantwell

Murray and McDermott. Urged a walk-out on the SOTU address by all Dems, due to a congresstional crisis.

[bleever]

62. Kick, like I'd kick the government to get it working again.

:kick:

[Triana]

63. SIGNED, Sealed....

...and waiting for Will Pitt to deliver it.

[IChing]

64. Great idea, I'm aboard on this

thanks will

[Humor_In_Cuneiform]

65. Do it! Will Pitt is right, the GOP radicals are out to destroy. We

can't defeat that with niceties and trying avoid their stupid talking points.

We don't gotta become them, we just have to see them for what they are and go from there.

They are amoral bullies.

Send a message that will BE HEARD AROUND THE WORLD!!

If you're worried they will say nasty things, and/or feign outrage or hurt, COUNT ON IT!

They will, that is who they are.

Talking macho while dodging military service. Talking tough and putting Dems and liberals down at every turn.

Then when we fight back, ie Harry Reid taking the Senate into closed session????

Then they whine and whimper and carry on with tears in their pathetic little eyes.

They are vile.

Stand for us, stand and do what is right. Count on their whining, but don't listen to it.

[KatyaR]

66. DEMS--find a spine!!

This is your chance to take a stance against the Bush regime--FIGHT BACK!!

We are watching you . . . .

[Iowa]

67. Tom Harkin, know this: Will Pitt speaks for me...

This Iowan will be watching with the mute button pressed (because my gag reflex is so easily triggered). Don't make me waste my time watching a soundless picture, just waiting to see your backside on the way out the door.

Please don't fail us on this. It's one of the best ideas I have heard in a long time.

[pacalo]

68. I enthusiastically agree with Will!

This would be a great opportunity to bring attention to the pathetic state of Congress & to show the country that the Democrats aren't going to take it anymore. Then they can put an exclamation mark on it by filibustering the hell out of the Alito confirmation.

I've been told by people who have voted for Bush that there are significant areas on which they disagree with him but that the Democrats aren't fighting back, giving us no choice. Seriously.

[snot]

71. Fabulous, as always--"smelling like Alpo" = brilliance. nt

[bleever]

72. Kicking, because the government is broken. And: on purpose.

They want a broken government? Why sit there like willing shards?

Walk away from the process, because it isn't really the process, and we want the real one back.

[snot]

73. Fabulous, as always--"smelling like Alpo" = brilliance. nt

[understandinglife]

74. Yet another reason they should walk out:

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/23/politics/23spy.html?ei=5065&en=b8a73e937d46e97f&ex=1138597200&partner=MYWAY&pagewanted=print


Peace.

[Laurab]

76. I'll sign on, too - It IS

a Constitutional Crisis. SOMETHING'S gotta give, and it should start with OUR representatives.

To be honest, I've been debating with myself since I first saw this, then I realized...... we're SCREWED - if we DON'T do something like this, we may as well just crown the asshole king and get it over with.

[guidod]

77. DON'T SIT IN

WALK THE HELL OUT!!

[Senator]

78. Perhaps if we gave out Printed Invitations >>

(substitute InvitesSOTU.jpg for "two-up" version should you want to print/cut/passout)

---
www.january6th.org

[Stockholm]

80. Kick and nominated!

[Mutley]

81. I'm in!

mutley_r_us

[bklyncowgirl]

82. When you got nothing you got nothing to lose--do it.

It will be great political theater and will have the Republicans and their talking heads sputtering and spuming.

I'd also suggest taking a little time before your gathering so the media won't have to decide whether to cover your walk out or cover Bush's speech. Walk down Pennsylvania Avenue, maybe to the Lincoln memorial. Imagine the split screen image as Bush is giving his State of the Union Address of Democrats walking solemnly through the streets of the Capital like a funeral procession mourning our lost Democracy.

Just make sure that whoever gives your speech is clear, concise and forceful in his or her presentation.

It would be beautiful.

[Libby2]

83. Very good Mr. Pitt.

They won't do it.

[crowcalling]

84. I would like to see this

It's important that our leaders do something very soon. I suggested a walk-out to my congressmen after I heard of the illegal spying. If nothing gets done on the spying, on Alito, and our leaders remain bobble-heads, we've got some serious thinking to do regarding replacing these folks.

[cyberia]

85. I'll sign, but will our leaders follow?

[Paradise]

87. Dig Deep, Really Deep! There's got to be a Statesman in there, somewhere!

Get up and walk out!

Drastic times call for drastic measures!

[WyLoochka]

88. The President has been breaking the law

and arrogantly shoving his law breaking in all of our faces.

He will smugly smirk throughout the SOTU, satisfied in his mean little mind that there is nothing you Dems can do about it.

Well there is something you can do about it. You Democrats know you cannot sit there and in good conscience applaud this criminal. So follow your conscience and don't sit there.

And don't give us any weasling excuses like - "we have to show respect for the office of the Presidency." Bush certainly hasn't with his attempts to turn it into a dictatorship, and he has shown no respect whatsoever for the peoples' representatives - meaning you guys.

DON'T BE A PARTY TO THIS TRAVESTY ANY LONGER - TURN YOUR BACKS ON THE CRIMINAL AND WALK OUT.

[Tuesday_Morning]

89. Get Up and Walk Out!

You can do this.

[BadgerKid]

90. They want your SOUL (abuser/abusee)

* is already ignoring the law. What I haven't been able to figure out is, why doesn't he just outright take over everything NOW?

My working answer is that the r's want us to yield ourselves willingly. It's the ultimate in power and control. It's the classical abuser/abusee relationship.

DON'T LET THE R'S ABUSE US!

[Trevelyan]

105. I think you are right BadgerKid - It reminds me of the end of 1984 after

Winston Smith has been tortured using his greatest fears and after being let go knowing he will be assassinated - has tears in his eyes when he admits to himself he loves Big Brother. So much like MK-ULTRA Monarch and http://www.Raven1.net it is sickening. People have written that Orwell was with the Propaganda Ministry during WWII so he knew exactly what he was talking about in his grim warning. Some of the victims of MK-ULTRA have fought back and one Canadian on the above site won a 1 Million dollar lawsuit against the CIA for her torture at one of the early Gantanamo Bays in Allen Memorial hospital in Canada. It sounds unbelievable but there is a link to a story in a well-known newspaper about her win.

Our whole country needs counseling for PTSD from 911 and the black psychological operations of the Bush branch of the CIA. http://www.taroscopes.com/ has articles on symbol literacy and the misuse of symbols by the Illuminati in Hollywood, video games and corporations aimed at children and the horrific baseball bat murders by teenagers are only the tip of the iceberg, more than 156 homeless men have been murdered by teenage boys in the past few years and many of the homeless advocates talk about suffering from broken teeth and other injuries being common from the latest teanage sport of hunting the homeless to beat them not even with fists but baseball bats, iron pipes and golf clubs. I think that the Illuminati brainwashing using the media and violent films is responsible.

Did anyone see Bowling for Columbine?

"Homeless beatings? ‘We see it all the time’ Activists say cases like recent one in Florida are almost a sport now" http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10927536/

"DeBoer said begging has become so commonplace that you find people at almost every freeway off-ramp.

If you think back in time, before Reaganomics, you almost NEVER saw beggars, homeless people, street people, whatever the term, except perhaps in very large cities and some countries overseas, where they were quite common. But not here in the good old US of A. I know when they closed a lot of the state mental hospitals the presence of homeless people became more noticeable, but it seems to me that nowadays the numbers are through the roof. People who are just one paycheck back from losing everything are losing everything, and sleeping in their cars.

Land of the free, home of the brave? It's anything but brave the way the government turns its back on people who need help."

[ima_sinnic]

92. please, Senators, do this for the sake of the USA we love

... if we "go along to get along" yet again we deserve the criminally cunning and unfathomably greedy regime that took over the country by fraud and treachery. These are not Americans we ask you to oppose, they are traitors who answer only unto themselves while they rob We The People and the entire planet blind.

JUST SAY NO TO THE REGIME OF MURDER AND MAYHEM!
IMPEACH, INDICT, IMPRISON THE ENTIRE BUSH ADMINISTRATION!!

[helderheid]

93. consider me signed up if this is where I sign

[OnyxCollie]

94. Sounds good.

Sign me up.

[sinkingfeeling]

95. Has anyone sent Will's article to all of the Dems in Congress?

[oc2002]

97. Too bad the Democrat Congressmen are SPINELESS LEACHES!

yah. you read it right.

[PegDAC]

139. I believe that John Conyers and Barbara Boxer would do this! n/t

[Trevelyan]

98. I Sign - Great Idea -- Have been signing the new petitions and emailing

Thank you DU for supporting this campaign with front page articles, ideas for letters, petitions and the Activist Corp!:*

O8) :thumbsup:

[Greyskye]

100. If you're going to TALK the TALK, then WALK the WALK!

Lifelong multi-generational Dem here - DO IT!

:kick:

[iconoclastNYC]

101. I'd be great if they walked out and joined

A group of protestors....great visuals.

[AngryOldDem]

102. I support this with every fiber of my being n/t

[mopinko]

103. SEND THIS TO YOUR LOCAL DEMS AS WELL!!!!!!

ask them to support our national leaders when they stand up for us. i am mailing this, in the mail, on my nicest paper, to my senators and rep. today. but i am also sending it to my local dems. my alderman, joe moore, has been active in the peace movement, and has brought national issues to the floor of the chicago city council. but he also has a large part of the state party. your mayor may not have as much clout in the party as mine, but they may have the ear of your congressman. this affects our entire party. contact them all.

[Old Smokey]

104. I like it

I hope they do it. Bush's speech which will be full of bullshit and lies anyway. Walk out of it!!!!

[PATRICK]

106. A larger question

Can the Washington Democrats recognize that the hour may have come when- as in other countries- the only recourse is walkouts, non-participation, general strikes, jail, the streets- the REAL civil nuclear option? Or in the face of missing ALL opportunities to fight unjust media, lawlessness, stolen elections, etc. the inertia of denial is far too strong and the American myth among career politicians way too blinding and inappropriate to what is occurring?

IF they really want to reverse the long slow surrender, some dramatic point must be reached. Two stolen elections couldn't even penetrate their sense of self-survival. A slap down for illegal war, executive lawlessness, financial rape? We've had that and more covered in blood of our soldiers and Gulf Coast civilians- to name a few victims. The evil man blames others for everything bad he does. The good man blames himself even for no good reason. Even Jesus in exasperation wishes the good people knew how to employ cunning and savvy and perception the way the other side does for mere profit and self advancement.

I do not expect a walkout. I hope they would if the provocation was clear enough. I would prefer they get their act together ASAP, years, decades late in the face of disastrous habits of thought and action, horrible miscalculations and straying into issue quagmires and political impotency and sheep in wolves clothing(the fashion of the RW in these times).

I don't think it is a simple thing, Witness the few times they come out and criticize the media clumsily, unprepared, barely cognizant, then retreat into the silence and spin the media prefers for their role as labeled villains and bumbling, divided losers.

Sometimes very active ,multitudes boil out into the streets before their more cautious leaders do. Sometimes the leaders lead, a novel thought. Things have come and passed with none of that and America slip slides and sleeps away. And our reps in sort of a puzzle think the time is not yet surely to act differently. They look to lulled and blinded crowds not mobilized or motivated beyond an election day muzzled and mocked. They want US to make the first move, but not us "the lefty fringe" as their RW betters describe us and their paid shills publicize and propagandize. Such a mood, scarcely penetrated by headline horrors and a few piercing crimes, will budge them but not swiftly, not dramatically, not critically perceptive, not in a leadership, protest or reform movement that will suffice.

They have to have a summit not on an issue or an appointment to cautiously game on this evil rigged checkerboard. They need to throw the board over. Ally to the law and the people- and revolt. because it is the American revolution that is being overturned, the right side turning up again, the blood reinvested in foreign banks and plutocrats personal coffers.

No the people are not ready. No the opposition is not going to roll over and slink off to prison or the poorhouse. No our leaders are not going to read "Profiles in Courage " and say "My time has come, whether I think I have what it takes or not." We must, but we are not. America, democracy is not a side dish, a part time second job. But it is now. Is there enough denial, enough comfort to keep shame at bay? To quiet the inner voice the cry of millions, mortally postpone the claims of the future?

How long?

[Imagevision]

109. AMAZING HOW DEMS JUST DON'T STICK TOGETHER??

[Just Me]

112. At this precarious moment in US History, take an historically relevant,...

,...stand for the integrity of our Republic and the preservation of our Constitution.

Stand UP!! Turn your backs!!! WALK OUT!!!

Find the courage to demonstrate you can NOT lend support to an administration abusing its power and behaving antithetical to the principles of our democratic nation.

[m_welby]

113. count me in.

It's time !!. There's enough stench in the air around the administration (and the Repubs in congress) so that this would at least be meaningful and defensable.

The media and the spin machine would go into overdrive to denounce it, attack everyone involved, but it would send a powerful message. I support it all the way!!


The time for bi-partisanship and decorum is over!!

Stand up !!!

[DirtyDawg]

115. In my mind, all that would do is...

...give the MSM, the 'rightwind' scream machine and the repig party the opportunity to ridicule once again. I can see it now, fauxnews playing the scene from Animal House where the Delts marched out of the room in protest. To me, they should just simply not show up at all...a few hundred empty seats - of course that would open up the opportunity for the repigs to invite a slew of college repigs to sit in for the demos - sorta like the 'seat-fillers' they hire for the Academy Awards shows to sit in whenever a 'star' needs to take a leak, or 'do a number'.

Guess you can't win.

[DirtyDawg]

133. Actually I've had another thought...

...if the demos do march out...just prior to doing so they all need to turn around and drop trow (or hike skirt) and moon the SOB. If they're going to be ridiculed, then let it be for something worthwhile.

[Nederland]

116. Sad

Crazy, I know. Crazy, and possibly the best idea ever put before a body of Democrats since the New Deal.

The best idea since the New Deal? If true (which is isn't), it's extremely sad that the best idea the Democrats have has had in the last 70 years is to walk out of a speech. I mean, please, we already have the Republicans saying that we are a party without any ideas--no need to prove the point.

[ClintonTyree]

117. Wonderfully put, Will.

I'd love to see this happen. I'd love to see some spirit and guts displayed by our Democratic leaders. I'd love for them to turn their backs on "business as usual" in Washington. I'd love to see them say NO to the bush agenda. I'd love to be wrong about our Democratic Congressmen and women. But I don't think I am.

I put the chances of this happening near zero. Instead we'll have hang-dog "Joementum" plastered across our TV screens explaining how important it is to "work with" the White House to solve these problems.

I hope I'm wrong. I really, really, really hope I'm wrong.

[Surya Gayatri]

118. Yes, this is definitely called for. I'm afraid the time for

political niceties is over. The moment for an overt gesture of rebuke has arrived. SG

PLEASE SHOW YOUR COURAGE AND DO THIS DEM SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES!!

[mirrera]

120. Walkout! And de-certify ES&S and Diebold Software.

Walking out of the SOTU is exactly what they should do. It says it all with...NO QUOTES!

The Dems are missing a lot of opportunities here.

For gods sake! Everyone please read this article on Diebold's interpreted software and hackable memory card.

http://votetrustusa.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=645&Itemid=26

It made the Washington Post today! This is a legitimate issue and they are not touching it,

(http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/21/AR2006012101051.html)

I had to listen to Begala and Carville on Meet the Press talking about Bush's brilliant campaign and how the Dems need to show their morals more!!!

Will is right, the only thing needed is SPINE and the awareness that the polite days are over. Every time the Dems speak out rightous, the media onslaught begins..."Do you approve of the tone? Do you think it is approproiate language?" The media whores never say that when Murtha is being called a coward or the GOP wear purple heart bandaids.
Harry Reid APOLOGIZED for comparing them to the Mafia when they ARE just like the Mafia... and Carville is proud that Reid appologized. Called him a "better man" for it...sniff...sniff...I am so touched.

NOT!

Breath in...
Breath out...

1. Hand counted paper ballots
2. Instant Runoff Voting
3. Clean Election funds


THEN lets see who wins.


Yeah I sign on...


http://NoBullshiRt.com

[mikelewis]

121. I'll support a walk out if they filibuster Alito otherwise...

I don't see much point in it. With Conservative hegemony over our Constitution, there's nothing short of a revolution that will reverse the course. Alito's nomination will secure the right-wings power over the Constitution and no amount of protests by elected leaders or citizens can change it.

[Generator]

122. Will Pitt: Gone gonzo and totally correct and true

But will never happen.

I'm glad to see that Pitt has finally realized that voting or supporting the Dems we have that do nothing is essentially pointless. Sitting and clapping and smiling and compromising and voting for the boy king's supreme court picks that doom this country to dictatorship lite. And oh yeah-letting the president break the law, trample the constitutiion and lie us into another endless war.

We have nothing but our honor. The truth is on our side. Dustbin of history indeed as we watch America being turned into some goddamn science fiction novel where black is white and war is peace.

I guess the moderate Pitt gets it now. It's end time for America..it's now or never. I have zero faith in our Dems. God, I wish it was different. Should I pray for a miracle? That's what it would take for all of them to get it. They should have walked out in disgust long ago.

[yorkiemommie1]

123. Stand up for our country !

Walk out while we are still allowed to walk.

[bush_is_wacko]

124. Go on I dare you...in fact I double dare you Dem's to do it!

Fantasy? Well maybe but it doesn't hurt to suggest that the Dem's actually get up and do something about their and OUR political extinction does it?

It really isn't just a Democratic party issue. The extinction here is our form of government, our Constitution, and our way of life. The Bush administration and his Republican cronies threaten it all!

Consider your letter signed Will. How do you suppose our CIC and his cronies would react to my screen name? Oh well, I'm sure to already be on the list of suspected "domestic terrorists" anyway.

[Helga Scow Stern]

125. Yes!

[ClickClack]

128. I want to sign on if it's not too late.

If I need to click another link to add my name, just post it. I think that it's a great idea, very dramatic, but not likely to happen. Still, one can hope....

[catmother]

129. do it please do it. nt

[Canuckistanian]

130. Let them know this isn't politics as usual

Desperate times call for dramatic measures.

[concerned citizen23]

131. Sign me up too!

Will Pitt for Pres!!!

[lavendermist]

132. Count me in

In fact, if I lived close to Washington, I would be on the steps applauding the Democrats who walked out. :applause:

[Bluesplayer]

134. kick

[PegDAC]

137. Even better

if Republicans with a conscience participate.

[TankLV]

140. Here here, Will. Count me in favor - strongly.

But count me as doubting it will actually happen.

I'd settle for an opposition party - ANY recognizable opposition.

They can start by using the term "LIAR" liberally and proudly when talking about repukes in general, and bunkerboy in particular. No more euphemisms.

[DrZeeLit]

142. I love this. Bravo. Hammer on nail. Now will somebody DO THIS!

Please.
I can't help but think they are deaf. We are all crying out, writing, calling, emailing -- and they just do nothing.
At least I hope they listen to this plea.
Stir the pot.
Or it's gonna boil over and we are done.

[Missy Vixen]

146. I'm signing on, too

If there ever was a time to use the filibuster, it is now. If there ever was a time to walk out en masse from the State of the Union address, IT IS NOW.

Do it. It is the right thing to do. If our elected representatives don't think so, they have ceased to represent us in any meaningful fashion.

Julie

[calimary]

147. Just Kick It.

NGU - and I might humbly add - NGI - "Never Give In."

[myrna minx]

149. Hear hear. n/t

[Voltaire99]

153. Understand this, Pitt.

You're dealing with a party that would crawl across broken glass for a corporate contribution. And then kiss the corporation's feet.

That's hardly the party of walk-outs. Hell, it's not even the party of voting NO against the Patriot Act or the Iraq War.

Time to leave fantasy land, my friend.

[imperial jedi]

156. If they actually walk out they will gain my respect.

the time is now to show they do have a backbone.

[Lars39]

157. Sign me up.

It's the only time it would be effective, imo. Any other time and they would run the risk of being locked out of the government for good. Remember the emergency government provision?