In defense of Dennis!

[pnorman]

The below was a sort of throwaway paragraph, in a DU Lounge posting. The initial thread was a query about using half & half when making espresso (cappucino). The discussion ran on for a few days, and for about 35 messages. Finally, one person commented on all that bandwidth being wasted on "one of the most simplest questions I've ever seen!" My response to that included the below. I'm repeating it here, in anticipation of it getting LOCKED, for violating Rules.

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You want Heat (and hopefully, some Light?) Try this:
I'm still supporting Dennis Kucinich. No, NOT because he's odds on to win the General Election, or even the Democratic nomination. (But things may suddenly turn so sour, that Dennis may be perceived as a hard-headed "moderate"). But the nature of the problem is so deep-seated and fundamental, that "pruning that nauseating punk" off the tree, may not solve the problem. For that, this nation (and the rest of the world) needs a popular MOVEMENT. We saw the beginnings of that in Seattle during WTO Week, and it's been repeated throughout the rest of the world. It's still ALIVE. If we're afraid to lose in the short run, we'll NEVER win in the long run.
"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they attack you, then you win." --- Gandhi

pnorman
STAND UP, KEEP FIGHTING http://shows.implex.tv/wellstone /

[mgc1961]

1. I have Dennis' vision too.

He has my endless support both through my address book, talking to my family, and my check book. I've donated $250 thus far and still counting.

It's a big vision of a world we all dream of living in. All we have to do is have the courage to reach out and embrace it.

[redqueen]

2. That's exactly how many of his supporters see it

The problems we face won't be solved or even sufficiently addressed by anyone who defends the status quo. Just MHO, of course.

[Dhalgren]

3. And your opinion, Redqueen, is simply lovely!

.

[redqueen]

9. *blush*

Why, thank you! :)

:kick:

[no name no slogan]

4. From Wellstone country....HELL YES!!!!

It truly IS a movement this time-- and it will be around LOOOOOOOONG after this election.

Still fighting...

[goodhue]

5. yes

too a long term movement that is alive and kicking despite polls

[spindoctor]

6. Dennis all the way

I haven't been able to persuade a single person (including my wife) to vote for Kucinich this year.
Oddly enough, this is never because of the issues. Everyone agrees (or can be made to agree) that he is right on all of them. The final response always seems to be "America is not ready for him", "We need somebody who can defeat Bush" or my favorit one "He doesn't look presidential".

Maybe the time is not now. Maybe America is too focused on fighting the Administration. Maybe we need to assess our situation, learn from our mistakes and move on to 2008. But surely this movement will not die. America wants what we want, they just don't think its possible.
We need to stay in this race as long as we can, because if Dennis drops out we loose more than just another candidate.
I have no illusion of winning this election, never had. But there is a message that we need to get across. Much of what Dennis has said was picked up by other candidates. It definitely was picked up by people all across the nation. Most of them are laughing at us now, but Ghandhi was right about that being just another phase in the struggle.

My fellow supporters, you are all good people and visionairs. Backing the winner is easy, backing a guy with a chance in hell takes guts. This campaign is not coming to an end, it has only just begun.

[Desertrose]

12. you are absolutely right about the Movement...

our group has been shifting that way for awhile now....and let me tell you , the movement is STRONG and GROWING! We just had the peace walkers in town....and yes, this campaign has just gotten started!!
Peace
DR


http://www.redrocknews.com/peace_walk_2_6.htm

Walking in Gandhi’s shoes
Steps for Peace trek across America stops in Sedona

The spirit of India’s Mahatma Gandhi has inspired millions to embrace peace and passive ...

Meier and Kaplan said they will continue to lead walking teams to Prescott, Kingman and Las Vegas to spread a message of peace and to support a national agenda where peace is a primary objective.

“America can turn its despair into hope and empowerment,” said Meier. Like Kaplan, he supports Democratic presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich’s proposal in Congress to establish a cabinet-level U.S. Department of Peace.

snip

For Kaplan and Meier, arriving in Sedona the day when polling booths are often at their busiest was no coincidence.

“We have a unique opportunity this primary election to make our voices heard and send a clear message that we are ready for a leader to take us toward peace,” said Kaplan.

“We already use nonviolence in our communities,” said Meier. “I think people are really ready to take it to the next step and make it an ongoing principle in politics.”

[burrowowl]

13. I've persuaded a few

It is strange almost everybody I talked too think he has the best ideas and best grasp on the issues. But always offer the same 3 excuses you have been given.
As for looks, could Abe Lincoln be elected today?

[spindoctor]

14. Abraham Lincoln looks French

Jaques Chirac on the other hand....

Oh well, politics is serious business.

[goodhue]

16. Courage.

The message will get across thanks to Dennis.

[Mairead]

7. Right on! We can have what we need --all we have to do is take it

Just a small act of faith and will, and we win.

[MuseRider]

8. YES!

It is a growing movement. If we lose we are not going away. We need to keep growing and pound these issues out to all who will listen. People will come around when they realize it is their best interests this movement is addressing. Proudly supporting Dennis J. Kucinich all the way to the White House.

[rucky]

10. I Dig that Ghandi Quote

Is it too late to make a New Years resolution?

I'm going to become more persistent.

[redqueen]

11. Of course it's not too late

:)

:kick:

[Lydia Leftcoast]

15. I support Dennis because his vision for America's future is

closest to the one I have held for years. He is an honest-to-goodness Democrat with spine, the kind we were all supposedly longing for in 2001.

Why should I settle for less in the primaries?

[Kanary]

17. Count me in!

Dennis doesn't need me to defend him.... he's doing fine standing on his own two feet.

However, he *does* need to know that there are lots of us who see his vision along with him, and will give him the support he deserves to carry that vision to fruition.

It's been said before, but I'll say it yet again.... a man of the stature of Dennis Kucinich only comes along rarely. My generation saw the Kennedys and Martin Luther King. It is a wonder and a miracle that we have yet another in that same league. It is a priviledge to be able to speak of him and carry the Kucinich banner.

Kanary

[DemBones DemBones]

18. Spindoctor's post says something

that I said in another thread (great minds think alike, why else are we supporting Dennis?!!)


Anyway, spindoctor summed it up well in one sentence:

"America wants what we want, they just don't think its possible."

I would add the words THIS YEAR to the end of that sentence.

I think a lot of people agree with DK more than the other Dems but vote for another Dem (usually Kerry, apparently) because they sense that the USA has to be returned to what passed for normalcy during Clinton's last term before it can make progress again. There's so much of the Bush doctrine, Bush programs, to undo.

But in 2008, or 2012. . .

How do you all think Dennis would have done in 2000? I suspect people might have felt more comfortable voting for him, but I also suspect we weren't as ready for him because there was less need.

Lao Tzu said something like "When the people need him, the leader arises."

[LWolf]

19. I see your point, but

it gives me pause.

If it has to get worse than this for America to be ready for change...

just how far down the path of destruction do we have to go?

[genius]

20. I'm voting for Dennis. He may still win at the convention

Edwards apparetnly agrees with him on NAFTA and so, if he doesn't win, an Edwards-Kucinich administration might work well.