BS: A Day of Absence for Democracy

Subject: RE: A DAY OF ABSENCE FOR DEMOCRACY
From: Kim C
Date: 10 Nov 00 - 10:40 AM

Personally I have never understood why we elect everyone BUT the President by popular vote. It's also my understanding that the Electors can even change their minds at the last minute! I do agree that while this is a Royal Pain in the Ass, it will get people to thinking and let's face it, there's a lot of people out there who haven't done any in quite a while. Because something like this has never happened before, it's easy to cry Foul because there's no precedent to indicate how we should react.

Until it can be proven that there was any wrongdoing, I am just going to consider it a Comedy of Errors. I don't know how elections are manned in other places, but here in Nashville it's all volunteers - and if any of you have ever worked with a crew of volunteers, you know that easily half of them probably don't know what they're doing at any given moment.

If we can be cool about this whole thing for a little bit instead of pointing fingers and making assumptions, it could help things progress more smoothly. My philosophy today is, I'm going to refrain from judgment, and whoever is declared the winner is the winner, and I'm going to move on, and that's that.

But I still think it would just be easier to settle it with a good old-fashioned fistfight, with the prize going to whoever's left standing after 15 rounds. ;)

Subject: RE: A DAY OF ABSENCE FOR DEMOCRACY
From: katlaughing
Date: 10 Nov 00 - 10:30 AM

That's true, Frank, but I see the kind of protest Larry is advocating as an intergral part of the democracy at work which you mention. It is wonderful to see so many people aware and actually engaged. It will be important for that grassroots groundswell to be sustained through whatever means seem right and effective.

kat

Subject: RE: A DAY OF ABSENCE FOR DEMOCRACY
From: InOBU
Date: 10 Nov 00 - 10:28 AM

Hi Frank!
Funny, here you are! My answer to this is in the previous post about American Politics being a joke.
All the best,
Larry

Subject: RE: A DAY OF ABSENCE FOR DEMOCRACY
From: Frankham
Date: 10 Nov 00 - 10:26 AM

Larry,

I can't agree with you. This election snafu is one of the best things that's happened to the country in some time. It's gotten people interested in politics again and is exactly the process of democracy at work.

Some people are going to have heartburn over this but I think it's a wonderful thing. Let's examine the electoral college and voting fraud. I'm glad people are so engaged. Begins to sound like democracy to me.

Frank

Subject: RE: A DAY OF ABSENCE FOR DEMOCRACY
From: InOBU
Date: 10 Nov 00 - 10:23 AM

Hi KimC - Sorry if I jumped on ya, we are living in nerve straining times. Let me direct your attention to the line in quesiton... "Today, a political party has stolen the control of one of the branches of government" Note the word one, from context I expected folks would understand that to mean the exective branch.
All the best, Larry

Subject: RE: A DAY OF ABSENCE FOR DEMOCRACY
From: Kim C
Date: 10 Nov 00 - 10:19 AM

Will do.

Subject: RE: A DAY OF ABSENCE FOR DEMOCRACY
From: InOBU
Date: 10 Nov 00 - 10:16 AM

that should read to win BY 327 - don't throw out the post...

Subject: RE: A DAY OF ABSENCE FOR DEMOCRACY
From: InOBU
Date: 10 Nov 00 - 10:15 AM

Dear Kim:
Please read my post with greater care, they are attempting to steal the executive branch of government by discarding 19,000 votes to win my 327. I did not, nor do I say the stole the legislative branch. Mr. Block gave them that free. For more information on theft, look up SNL in the history books.
Larry

Subject: RE: A DAY OF ABSENCE FOR DEMOCRACY
From: InOBU
Date: 10 Nov 00 - 10:12 AM

Hi KL!
Funny I just recieved a similer reply to an e-mail, and my responce is, in the words of Joe Hill, ORGANIZE! Maybe we can be - even - the BOSS to stand up and be counted for liberty!
Cheers
Larry

Subject: RE: A DAY OF ABSENCE FOR DEMOCRACY
From: Kim C
Date: 10 Nov 00 - 10:11 AM

That political party "stole" control of Congress only because people voted for them, and they ARE chosen by popular vote.

Subject: RE: A DAY OF ABSENCE FOR DEMOCRACY
From: katlaughing
Date: 10 Nov 00 - 10:06 AM

Larry, I agree with you and while I know many fmaily members and friends who would like to do ths, they would literally lose their jobs, not something they can risk, esp. in the wintertime and before the holidays.

I think there must be some alternatives to offer for protest, too, and specifically I am wondering about use of the Internet, such as www.moveon.org has done in the past. I am sure the People for the American Way has something on their website, too.

I know there needs to be a concerted and visible presence/protest, I just don't see every Tuesday away from work as viable for lots of folks. Personally, I think we need to have one huge protest day demanding the popular vote count be taken for what it really is and name Gore President-Elect.

Thanks,

kat

Subject: A DAY OF ABSENCE FOR DEMOCRACY
From: InOBU
Date: 10 Nov 00 - 07:50 AM

A DAY OF ABSENCE FOR DEMOCRACY
Please copy and pass along
The people of the United States have a sacred right as well as an obligation to protect the freedom which has been paid for by generations with their life's blood. In this nation, today, we teach in the schools that we should honor the life of Mr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. King taught that nonviolent passive resistance is the strongest tool the people can use in the cause of freedom. Today, a political party has stolen the control of one of the branches of government, and in doing so, potentially controlling all three branches of government, and does so in clear violation of the will of the people of the United States. When, in the present case, where 19,000 votes are discarded, when it is clear that they reflect an intention to name Gore the next president, then it is our obligation to protect our heritage of democracy. I therefore urge every citizen of the United States to make every Tuesday a day of absence. If our government is stolen from us, by our absence from work, we must take back our government.
If any of my fellow citizens are afraid of this action, are worried about the potential personal danger, I urge you to take an evening to read the words of Thomas Jefferson and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., then, as they did, pledge to lay your fortunes upon the altar of freedom.
Your fellow citizen.
Lawrence Otway