The last four years have been a nightmare for me. Things I never dreamed I'd see in this country are now so common, they've become the new normal. Our government has tortured and "disappeared" people. It has betrayed intelligence agents. American citizens have been held incommunicado for years without being charged or allowed to talk to attorneys. Dissenters have been beaten, arrested, fired, spied upon, and denied access to air travel. People have been arrested for criticizing the President. The party in power is actively trying to disenfranchise people of color.
That's just the short list--the tip of the iceberg. David Neiwert writes in Orcinus that he believes a new form of fascism, an American form of fascism, is taking hold in this country. Some of you might call that hyperbole. I challenge you to read his works, Rush, Newspeak and Fascism: An Exegesis and The Rise of Pseudo Fascism before you pass judgment.
It's clear to me that conservatives like Grover Norquist are actively trying destroy any and all opposition in this country. We must do everything in our power to stop them.
Tomorrow's election will be one of the most important elections in this nation's history. It's going to be very close, but we'll win if we all do everything we can to overcome the Republican voter suppression operation. Please join me in taking a day off from work to help get out the vote. Call your local Democratic organization or just show up at their offices at 7 AM on election day and they'll put you to work. If you live in a rural area or a place so conservative the party isn't operative, personally visit every Kerry supporter you know and drag them off to vote.
A friend of mine has gone through hell in the last few months. Yet, she's still doing what she can to end this nightmare. Yesterday, she sent me the following email:
...on 9/16/04 at 3 am life as we knew it ended. We lost our
home, our possessions and worst of all, most of our cats and both our
birds to a housefire. Monroe, my SO, suffered a 3rd degree burn as
he kicked in doors in an effort to give our cats an escape route and
to try and grab the birds' cages to pull them to safety. I doubt
either of us will ever be the same and we are having a terrible time
emotionally dealing with the situation.
But we did vote early , and I am still planning to work as a mobile
field attorney on 11/2 to make sure no monkey business occurs
around here.
Please, follow my friend's lead and do your part too. There is nothing that is more important than this on Tuesday. It's your duty as someone who cares about the true traditional values of this country--the values embodied in our Bill of Rights--to do everything you can to prevent more of what has occurred in the last four years.
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Amendment II
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
Amendment III
No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
Amendment IV
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Amendment V
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
Amendment VI
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.
Amendment VII
In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
Amendment VIII
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
Amendment IX
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
Amendment X
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
Your country needs you.
patriotboy
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We'll try dumping haloscan and see how it works.