To DU peeps

[politicasista]

First of all, it has been nice to be welcomed over here, however, I am disappointed (and depressed) over what people are posting.

I remember back in July when the DNC was going on. I was an ABB new voter because I didn't know much about Kerry, but when I heard the speeches of Barack Obama, Clinton, Rev Al (his was funny and the truth!), Edwards/Kerry, they represented optimism in America, that "help/hope is on the way."

After the DNC I was able to learn more about what Kerry stood for. (I don't agree with his stance on Iraq, but he was ok by me). Like many blacks, I was concerned about jobs, economy, health care, education, and yes The Supreme Court.

I caught most of the campaign rallies and the crowds were huge, as well as the debates, meaning that Bush definitely will be voted out in November. Although there was criticism that the Kerry did not connect with us, at least he showed up on BET, NAACP, and met with the Congressional Black Caucus when Bush refused.

Like many of you all, I went out and cast my vote for the first time for Kerry. I remember getting home that evening and hearing that Bush lead Kerry 36-3 in EV. I didn't even watched TV, I stayed on the K/E campaign blog in disbelief. The next day, I found out Kerry was conceding to Bush. Like many of ya'll, I was sad because all the votes had not been counted. I cried for days, and didn't (and some days still don't) feel like doing anything. It feels like a nightmare and that someone took our fun away.

Some of us will have opinions on why Kerry lost, (he was the "lesser of two evils," he was a dud, etc). but I believe it was because of inconsistent strategies (fraud?) and the media. The media is Bush's security blanket and he always gets what he wants.

Okay, I know I posted in the I believe thread, but since the day Kerry broke his silence, it seems like more and more negative hate is posted here on Kerry personally and the campaign money. Is there really stong evidence of fraud? The media doesn't care, most of my peeps have moved on. I was hoping to see the election overturned and Kerry/Edwards sworn in on January 20, but as the days go by, it's wishful thinking. I am trying to keep hope alive, but part of me feels like Kerry wants to move on, creating a backlash from his supporters, the other half says he hasn't given up on counting every vote. Even the DNC is in disarray. I try not to be swayed by others' opinions, but it gets hard sometimes.

I will be back here in the future, but everything right now is so screwed up. I keep saying that something good will come out of this and that Bush and his crew will be exposed for the fraud and zero he is, but time will tell.

Again, I know this is long, but thanks for having me here.

I want to stay here because it feels like home, but I don't know anymore.
:(

Mods, if this isn't the right forum, you can move it.

[HEAVYHEART]

1. Please stay.

[BlueDog2u]

3. Yes, Please stay....

[Helga Scow Stern]

2. Hang in there.

The truth is coming out more and more all the time. We can't afford to give up. Try not to get discouraged. We need you!

[pbartch]

5. I feel the same.......don't give up. We need you - you need us

We're a family..........some little "creature" sings that song and now it will probably be in my head for hours.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

4. I don't get it. What are you saying?

We aren't hopeful enough?

[politicasista]

8. no, it's just too much hating..

that's just a turn off. A lot of us AA played right into Bush's hands saying that we didn't like Kerry. There had been a post about Tavis Smiley saying that the Black vote "didn't" turn out. Here in Tennessee, we DID turn out. Tavis constantly griped about Kerry and his campaign that it turned a lot of more socially conservative Blacks against him in favor of Bush.

[Eloriel]

6. Kerry lost because of massive, overwhelming

vote fraud and vote suppression. Period.

And I was /am NO Kerry fan. Anyone here wringing their hands and soul-searching about what we have to do to win elections is wasting their time and yours, OR they're happily playing along to get the Dem party to move even further to the right, providing even LESS opposition to the far right extremists' agenda.

If you have ANY doubt about what I'm saying re this election, may I introduce you to a few links:

VOTE FRAUD Links - a DU Compendium
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=201&topic_id=1984#

VOTE FRAUD Links Compendium - Thread #2
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=201x3223

ALSO SEE: VOTE FRAUD? What can we do? http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=2701028#

********SEND THESE TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW AND MEDIA TOO *********
Best Fraud Summary I've seen!
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x57214
Link: http://www.bopnews.com

NEW Berkeley Study: http://ucdata.berkeley.edu (scroll down)
and: http://ucdata.berkeley.edu/new_web/VOTE2004/index.html


Welcome to DU!

[hippiegranny]

19. Hot damn, Eloriel!

I love your certainty... it really gives me the impetus to keep believing and spreading the word!

Everybody! Repeat after Eloriel:

Kerry lost because of massive, overwhelming vote fraud and vote suppression. Period.

[Hobbes199]

7. Yeah, don't abandon us.

No one feels at place right now. That's why we're here. We all have different opinions, some of us are probably even republicans, but it's no different than our founding fathers. The fact that this country came to be at all is a testament of the unimaginable power of compromise and common goals. Everyone's voice is necessary, just like every vote must count.

[kikiek]

9. I really don't think Kerry could have won. The election was set up to

make sure of that. But if I were to say why I think many things played a part. The media for sure. First off the reporters of the past are gone forever. They are under the rule of corporations who have taken over this country. Not to mention networks want the ownership rules relaxed. Most importantly the general public isn't paying attention. I have read only 10 pct of us are "into" politics. That is a sad statistic in my opinion. Also I think a largely unreported reason the churches backed Bush is the money he hands them in his "Faith Initiative". I saw articles where catholic leaders were worried about the money train not coming around anymore if the leadership changed. They used abortion and gay marriage to sell Bush to their "flock" assuring them the money would keep coming. They were bought just like the major corporations. Rove was able to define Kerry, and outright lie about him and his policies. The press did nothing to correct the lies. In fact it was obvious they were using White House press releases for most of their reports. The US press so pathetic. I don't trust anything I hear from the MSM anymore. I think Kerry would be a wonderful president, and I fully support him to this day.I still have some hope that the election could be overturned. I agree about the anger issue. Just coming back a little now myself. I guess we are our own worst enemies. This is the first election we really stood by each other. United we will be stronger and wiser, and as the saying goes divided we will fall. We will see what we choose in the future.

[txindy]

10. Wait until the Electoral College meets, at least

That's not until mid-December. There's no reason to give up until B*sh is inaugurated on Jan. 20th, really. By then, maybe your batteries will be re-charged -- especially if it's John Kerry taking the oath! :toast:

Lately, we've been over-run by negative people who only come here to start arguments. Ignore them. They want your time and your emotional involvement with their ideas. Don't give them either one.

Relax. We're going to have a great January. In fact, a very Merry Christmas, too! ;)

[New Earth]

11. that's odd

one of the things that KEEPS me around here is how many people still have hope and support Kerry.

[txindy]

13. There's that, too

But we've had a lot of trollish posts, lately, and many of those posters have been tombstoned. All of our good news about FL, OH, and NH is bringing them out in droves.

[ebayfool]

26. Me too, Faye.

I don't think it's misery loves company either, just a need to be where others can understand the turmoil. This wasn't just an election for/of ideas or power. It's real life in the balance for alot of us, quality of life. That makes it really hard to give up on the message of help - hope - something to make a difference.

I will stay - till Xmas, till January, till I can help to shove that boulder out of the path. And the bugger right now is lodged in the white house door. Stay politicasista, it takes lots of shoulders to move this boulder.

[99Pancakes]

12. If we DID lose without Fraud

it was by a few nut cases only. Think of the HUGE loses garnered by Mondale and Dukakis. Mondale was my 1st voting experience. I was a newbie in college. I hung a Mondale sign up in the theatre where I was in nightly rehearsals for a play.

You want depressing? Reagan won by LANDSLIDES! Then Dukakis went down.........Gee! Makes Kerry's loss look good(if it turns out to be that).

[BlackVelvet04]

14. I don't think people so much hate Kerry as

they are frightened, angry and feel betrayed. I've had those feelings as well.

I think I'm probably older than most of the posters and I must say that I've been through quite a few elections and I admit that this one has been the most brutal of them all. It was in fact the most important election of my life.

BUT, each of us need to remember that life is a gift and while we fight this fight we need to remember to do the things that give us joy in the midst of the battle. Remember to spend time with loved ones and look for something good and beautiful each day. I spend time each day just having fun with my husband and I spend time each day sitting on my front porch listening to the birds sing and watching the squirrels play. And regardless of how I feel about this election, the sun continues to rise and set and life goes one. Fight on but don't let it steal your joy.

[ailsagirl]

16. And may I add...

the following quote by Margaret Mead:

Never believe that a few caring people can't change the world. For, indeed, that's all who ever have.

Stay!!

[HEAVYHEART]

17. I love your post. Thank you. I really needed that.

[troubleinwinter]

15. Give it up "sista"

I have seen the tone and nature of your posts for some time.

Sorry you feel that "someone took our fun away". This aint about "fun" or your instant gratification.

How about buck up and start supporting the fine courageous, energetic people who are working their butts off trying to get the votes accurately counted?!

Sorry you are "disappointed" with peoples' posts. It is a board with tens of thousands of members, with many varying opinions. Welcome to the grownup world.

Get in there and help FIGHT for clean elections or go pout, if you prefer.

[politicasista]

18. Why you hating. I am not talking about anyone giving up here.

:mad:

[Cadence]

21. There is always one in every thread

just ignore it. I feel you. But remember as tough and even hopeless as it seems, you have to believe in the power of truth. Even if that is the only thing you ever believe in, in your life, at least you'll be right.
Hang in there your not alone. :)

[Doohickie]

20. politicasista, as the creator of the I BELIEVE thread,

I can offer you nothing concrete. The disappointment November 3rd left many disillusioned and hurting and some struck out against Kerry.

Dean was the first candidate to catch my eye, but something was not right about him. John Kerry has been my man since I first heard him speak.

While I have no idea if there is provable fraud or recounts that might turn a major state, I still have a firm faith in John Kerry. He's still my candidate. The reasons I admire him include his class, his integrity and his ability to ferret out injustice, as in the case with BCCI.

If anyone can bring this home, it is Kerry and Edwards. I don't know that they can, but I feel they will.

Keep the faith.... keep the faith. The faith in John Kerry.

[bunny planet]

22. Check the 'I believe' thread many times a day. It has kept my spirits up.

I was active against the Vietnam War when I was a young person, and I have admired John Kerry immensely since then. Nothing I have seen has changed my admiration of him one bit, in fact, it's only been increased. He might have had a problem getting that very human side of him across in the public arena during this campaign, but I have never stopped believing in his sincerity and his determination to fight for the American people. I believe he won this election and that it will be proven that he won it. Please don't leave DU, I know it is hard to see so much negativity in some threads. People are angry and disillusioned, and hurting over this and they have all kinds of ways of expressing it. At least people here, no matter their opinion about Kerry, are willing to talk about the vote being stolen, and are organizing to do something about it. That, in the words of Martha Stewart, 'is a good thing,' and worth sticking around for.:)

[SoCalDemGrrl]

23. Watergate took a while - I know I was a Vietnam protester whose heart was

broken when the National Guard shot the kids at Kent State. We were despondent in the weeks and months following Kent State and then the truth won out finally in 1973 when Nixon was forced to resign. Believe me, I never though I'd live to see someone hated more than we hated Nixon, but BUSH is 100 times more EVIL than Nixon -- and we have the TRUTH on our side. SO -- KEEP THE FAITH!!

[seito]

24. Keeping Faith

If our Democracy is to be saved it will be, in large part, because of the great works of average people across this country.

We must stand together and demand that the media be held accountable. We must demand reform of the elections process. We must investigate every case of voter fraud and disenfranchisement.

I personally believe that our political advocates have not abandoned these issues. The silence is deafening. Something is happening behind the scenes.

I refuse to believe that the entire Democratic Party rolled on this one. Just think about it, minority voters denied the proper number of voting machines, 10 hour lines to vote etc. and no outrage... Where are the leading civil rights advocates? Where are the protests?

[shakerbaker]

28. YES! Where are the PROTESTS???

In every major city. On every college campus!!!
Have we become so complacent,so apathetic about our country.
We need to FIGHT! Not in Iraq. We Need to Fight Here and now or
we lose the most wonderful gift we were given-the USA!!

SCREAM!!! KICK!!!! FIGHT!!!! And DO IT AGAIN!!

[Cookie wookie]

25. The feelings you express are shared by many

I admit that I've been discouraged by Kerry's concession so soon and by the great vast silence from Kerry and the Dems when we need them to fight for our votes. I've alternately felt sad, bewildered, frustrated, and dazed by it all. But I have retained my respect for Kerry and think he would make a great president even if I don't understand why he conceded when he did. I'm hoping that we can continue to fight to turn the election around and he'll end up being president.

The way I channel my frustration is to work every day for change, even those days when I don't have much time I try to so something, no matter how small. It's the only way I can cope with it all.

As far as the African American vote, I live in a predominately (probably 90%) Black area. I volunteered as a poll watcher on Nov 2 and saw my Black neighbors come in to vote. At the end of the day, 74% of our precinct turned out. They voted 72% for Kerry, although with Diebold touchscreen voting, the vote may have been higher for Kerry if the machines were rigged.

When I heard the results, I ran over to a neighbor's house and we shed some tears together. I felt so much respect for my Black neighbors, their courage, their forgiveness (over Florida in 2000) that they would come out in such large numbers and vote for Kerry. All week, many of my neighbors let me know in many ways, sometimes silently with just a friendly smile or a sad nod that we were in this together -- they'd seen first my Dean signs, then the ones for Kerry and Cynthia McKinney in my yard.

Don't let some of us who have our little temper tantrums (which after all are human under the circumstances) get to ya.

Keep the faith.

[shakerbaker]

27. Wonderful post

There is alot of hurt and disappointment here. This was a wonderful place to come to with post election depression. But as time is passing it seems like the tension and anger is surfacing more. I think this is hard to avoid. Seeing our wonderful country being trashed by extremists/thieves is not something we want to swallow. So I kling to the hope that fraud will be revealed. The best case senario would be that Kerry would be sworn in in Janurary. But at the least it will reveal large voting problems that need to be fixed or there will be no more vote...no more democracy.

Hang in there. There are good caring people here.