Memo to DU: Get a fucking grip.

[WilliamPitt]

When a party is having a convention, their talking points and their talking heads and their speeches ALWAYS dominate the news cycles. Always. Some of you are acting like you've never seen a goddam convention before.

Clue: The protest on Sunday was the largest EVER at any convention. CNN did a series of really nice reports on it, as did many of the other outlets.

Clue: The Purple Heart Band-aid thing is backfiring on them big-time.

Clue: The flip-flop on the 'winning the terror war' thing is getting huge play.

More than I have ever seen, stories from outside the convention are interfering with the convention message.

[molly]

1. AMEN!!!

:yourock:

[wicket]

2. Well said!

Thanks Will! :kick:

[w13rd0]

3. I agree for the most part, but I take issue with the following:

"When a party is having a convention, their talking points and their talking heads and their speeches ALWAYS dominate the news cycles. Always."

During the DNC you could have fooled me, because while the Democratic party was having its convention in Boston, it was the GOP talking heads and talking points that dominated the news cycles.

[HootieMcBoob]

54. That's the way I saw it too

to the point where I was unable to watch any of the cable news shows anymore. To begin with they showed little of the actual speeches and what they did show was always followed up with republicans ripping it apart.

[krkaufman]

131. EXACTLY.

During the DNC, the networks seemed to be poised with throngs of Rethuglicans to negatively spin every speech and moment.

Are the networks having Democratic politicians on to critique the Republican message?

[Cha]

110. That's what I though of, too, W13rd0

The fascist news didn't want to get the word out that the Dems were having the BEst Convention, EVER!

[wtmusic]

4. And dammit, the protests were peaceful

RNC was hoping for a major skirmish. Sorry to disappoint the bitter assholes.

[wndycty]

5. Thanks will, I hope DUers will pause. . .the sky is not falling!

And those who are letting it get to them are helping the GOP.

[salinen]

6. Will says

"Do you want a time out"? Yes, I need one please.

[City Lights]

7. Thanks, Will!

I can't stomach watching the shit on television, but do stop by truthout several times a day to find out what is really happening. Thanks for all your reports!

[Triana]

8. YEA!!

What Will said. I expected all this bu$hit. And, I expected that the media would pander to the Rightwingnuts as it always does, in comparison with their coverage of the DNC and they have.

No surprises there...it is interesting to see what crap they come up with though. I'd expect such behaviour from a bunch of spoilt First Graders...and such are the Republicans' collective mentality. Let it shine, I say...

[Shopaholic]

9. Will-I love you!

I think that we all need to write your words of advice on our foreheads this week! And possibly, pop some valium.

[GingerSnaps]

10. Thank you Will

I turned my TV off and I refuse to watch it for two weeks. If we keep watching the talking Bushites we will go nuts.

[madmax]

24. Listening to 60's songs while cleaning my house.

Crosby, Stills, and Nash
"Chicago"

"So your brother's bound and gagged
And they've chained him to a chair
Won't you please come to chicago just to sing
In a land that's known as freedom how can such a thing be fair
won't you please come to chicago for the help that we can bring

We can change the world rearrange the world
It's dying - to get better

Politicians sit yourselves down, there's nothing for you here
won't you please come to chicago for a ride
don't ask jack to help you `cause he'll turn the other ear
won't you please come to chicago or else join the other side

We can change the world rearrange the world
it's dying - if you believe in justice
dying - and if you believe in freedom
dying - let a man live his own life
dying - rules and regulations, who needs them open up the door

Somehow people must be free I hope the day comes soon
won't you please come to chicago show your face
From the bottom of the ocean to the mountains of the moon
won't you please come to chicago no one else can take your place

We can change the world rearrange the world
It's dying - if you believe in justice
dying - and if you believe in freedom
dying - let a man live his own life
dying - rules and regulations, who needs them open up the door"

[JLuckey]

33. Amazing , I was CSN&Y too.......

49 BYE-BYES/AMERICAS CHILDREN

[leftynyc]

58. 4-way Street is one of my favorites!!!

And that song is very appropriate for these trying times.

[madmax]

64. Mine too... love those guys.

I miss the music of the 60's. Not the upheaval or the war - the music.

[trogdor]

157. Picked up a copy of Bruce the other day.

Born In The USA - on vinyl. Mint condition. For a buck. Probably the best album of the 80's.

[madmax]

11. Thanks, the doomsday posts are starting to get to me.

Knock it off! And go to your room.

[jonnyblitz]

12. yup, too soon to panic .

:thumbsup:

[QuidditchFan]

13. THANK YOU, Will, and also, nice work on the interview at the march...

I hope that makes it into a 527 ad. Do you have any connections with them?

[trof]

I'm pretty sure that was a piece of sky that hit me.

No, wait...just an acorn.
nevermind

[polmaven]

32. Well, aren't you lucky!

What hit me was a little messier than an acorn!

[trof]

47. Same stuff that hit the fan?

I'm just guessing.
;-)

[ronnykmarshall]

14. Thank you Will.

I was getting low on Henny Penny awards .....






:yourock:

[hlthe2b]

15. Yup... much needed kick in the ________ delivered!

This is a marathon, not a sprint.

[kentuck]

16. Good Will Hunting

:)

[Guaranteed]

17. You're absolutely right.

It is really tough, though. Most of us are trying to keep what you're saying in mind, but it's tough.

[Nederland]

Nice Try Will

But I'm still remembering how you told us we'd pick up 5 Senate seats in the mid term elections.

[tedoll78]

69. Hmm..

There seem to be two major camps here at DU. Maybe three.

The Doom-N-Gloomers,
The PollyAnnas,
& Those In-Between.

[quaoar]

18. Plus

Bush has already gotten his "bounce." So any further bounce he might get from his convention will be so small as to be seen as a failure.

[spanone]

19. This will be a good week for Kerry. Bush is a one-trick pony.

All the 'war-talk' will only serve to prove it.

[Walt Starr]

20. Chicken Littles vs. Pollyannas

always put the nail biters in the crossfire.

:evilgrin:

[saracat]

29. Congratulations on Ribbongate and the Chicago Tribune

coverage.You are awesome! Go! Walt!

[abrock]

21. Agreed.

Despair is something only the completely clueless are doing at this point.

[2bfree]

22. Thanks.......

This place is getting depressing with all the negative threads.

[ET Awful]

23. Amen Will

I just refrain from even reading the chicken little threads.

[grytpype]

25. Really.

A little good news for Duhbya doesn't mean he's overcome all his problems. Iraq is still a disaster, the economy is still a disaster, and everyone knows it.

[napi21]

26. Very true! Remember shrub took time off the trail too.

I'm not praising shrub. I'm only pointing out that it's customary for one party to let the other have it's days in the sun, so to speak.

Let All, Randi & Mike do thier job. They're good at it!

[NeoConsSuck]

68. Shrub took off..

but his snipers sure as hell didn't.

[AuntPatsy]

27. I for one am not only looking at the short term picture..

as some have said, whether we like to admit it or not, we Americans tend to have short attention spans and if it is not heraled in a more consistant manner, then the initial message becomes lost in the soundbite of new newswires...

I believe that the majority of would be voters right here and right now at this time would definately go to Kerry, the trouble is, the media in my opinion keeps playing with the numbers in order to ensue mass confusion and if this anger today is any indication, it's working fairly well...

And I know that some believe that I am some kind of conspiracy thereorist but I do believe that this adminstration plans to somehow steal this election like they did last time..

Except that they got away with Bush winning once even though he did not get the popular vote but I am sure they are not stupid enough to believe they can play that card twice...

What better way that to have it look on all the news stations that Bush is leading so when they steal it, it cannot be so forceably disputed...

We need the media on our side and bad..not just stories on the internet, not everyone has computers you know,nor does everyone read up on current events, my goodness, our own commander in chief admits to such....

And we need to quit fighting amongst ourselves, it really doesnt help our cause any..not on such a diverse forum as this one is and with such a large and widely spread membership...

We cant be enemies at this time, we need each other way too much.

[tandot]

28. Thank you, Will

...let them have their little 9/11 love fest.

They are just making our point that besides 9/11, they have absolutely nothing going for them.

If Bush would have been so great on all the other issues, they would mention them...

[Fovea]

30. Bing bing bing!

Give the man a big ass seegar!

Don't just drink the koolaid.
Watch the subtext...

Bush doing verbal gymnastics on the war on terrah.

Cheney off the Fundi reservation and noticably absent.

Rove strangly impotent. Nothing he has done so far looks like it has traction.

Big ugly law rolling like a massive rock, down on the BFEE.



Look at what Rove is reduced to, and how it is being recieved.

Don't just stop whining, actually smile, knowing that this abortion of a convention is the most expensive failure ever for the Republican Party. The pix from the protests have far more traction than the whole of the convention.

[K8-EEE]

31. RIGHT ON!!

Kerry is a closer. I think the best thing is to knock out the lies in the debates, and throw in some new stuff there before they give GWB a script for it. This RNC thing is not going so well, there's a LOT that could backfire.

[MrBenchley]

34. You're exactly right...

Consider: At a convention devoted to attacking gay Americans, one of the leading architects of that strategy, Rep. Ed Schrock of Virginia, turns out to have been actively cruising for gay sex for many years....that's also going to bite them in the ass.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

35. Hear Hear! . . . . . nt

[Name removed]

36. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[WilliamPitt]

37. ?

[MissB]

38. That is a really odd response. (nt)

[otohara]

39. Ugh

you people, some of you, get a fucking grip, clue, clue, clue.

[Name removed]

40. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[molly]

42. When you have done what Will has done

then you get to give him advice - until then .....

[madmax]

45. I've met Will outside of DU

He's not trying to be the den mother. He's just trying to lend some emotional support at a time when many of us are feeling a slump.

He's a good guy, works hard, knows his shit and means well.

Here ya go Will :hug:

[iwantmycountryback]

46. Please

This place is unfortunately filled with gloom and doomers telling us how horribly the Kerry campaign is when he goes down by .000001 in the polls. Some of these people are just immature and as will said, need to get a grip.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

49. Memo to Caliphoto:

Respect is a funny thing. A certain level of it comes with breathing and all the other exigencies of living. At least, it is supposed to, although to look at our adversaries, you wouldn't know that. On the other hand, there is another level of respect that goes quite beyond that: It is the respect that is EARNED. Through hard work, sacrifice and generally doing the do that makes you you.

Will has earned our respect. If you don't like that fact...well, it sounds like a personal problem to me, and quite outside the scope of this missive.

[mbali]

72. Will is one of the DUers who knows whereof he speaks . . .

[CatWoman]

77. Well, SOMBODY had to fucking say it.

And I applaud Will for his proactiveness.

[Name removed]

82. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Amaya]

87. He's saying what a lot of others are thinking

... me included. This place has become "I wanna whine and piss my pants about Kerry site" Blah blah... fucking blah!

[markses]

41. Hear hear: This place is like the Zone of the Whining Panic-Mongers lately

We all knew - as early as May - that Kerry would be at a severe disadvantage throughout August due to the timing of the conventions. We all knew - or those of us who are adults and not whiney fucking panic-mongers - that the RNC would be something to be endured.

And yet the rumors of Kerry's demise here are rampant. All the little fucking panic-babies are posting their little fucking panic threads seemingly every two minutes. It is a disgraceful picture in cowardice. Yes: Cowardice. I've never seen anything like it. I would not want to have to stand with many of these DUers in any situation of danger. They are a pack of panic-mongers, and more dangerous than any danger from the outside. Yes. You heard me good and right.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

43. Memo to Willbur:

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Nail on the head, bubbaman. I wish people would channel this energy into some work. If they don't, then they are allowing themselves to be chumped by the repukes. Again.

Memo to Skinner: Send me the bill for the extra bandwidth. ;-)

[DemWitch]

44. Very well put Will...

:toast:

[Merlin]

48. Get your head out of your ass, Will.

The fact is that we ARE losing this thing at the moment, and it's got not a fucking thing to do with the RNC. It's got to do with the fact that Shrubby has gone back up on us in the category of GWOT leader.

Now, if you would kindly take a moment to actually address that FACT and then tell me exactly how we are going to reverse it, I would consider that to be an act of actual legitimate commentary.

Otherwise, you're just blowing smoke. I've seen that kind of smoke blown many, many times before. Gore smoke. Dukakis smoke. Mondale smoke. Carter smoke. McGovern smoke.

You're doing exactly what most Dems did during those campaigns: ignoring the fucking facts!

[name not needed]

121. Ignore the fucking facts?

Have you done what Will has? Have you reported from both Democratic and Republican conventions? How many books have you written? I admit I don't know that much, and that I haven't done shit compared to him. Have you?

[Merlin]

130. Oh, Sweet Jesus, let me get down on one knee and kiss Sir Wills shoes.

What was I thinking? That my 6 decades of life, combat awards, business experience, graduate degree, fatherhood of several children, lifelong active service as a an active Democrat, contributor, supporter writer and critical observer entitle me to anything like a godam opinion?

Excuuuuuuse Me!

[WilliamPitt]

139. Wah

:cry:

I get an opinion, too.

Cope.

[Merlin]

143. I am so put down.

And you are so off base. What the hell ever happened to your judgement?

[barb162]

136. you are so right

and as more attacks come out against Kerry, I am worried bigtime. I also don't appreciate being called a baby and being told to get a grip since I am in my mid 50s, have an MBA, have been a Democrat for many years and I think I do indeed have a grip and yes, I also really can distinguish reality from fantasy. What I see happening is a sickening replay of Bush/Gore where Gore seemingly appeared fearful of saying the wrong thing, hesitant, etc. Close calls like the 2000 race aren't good enough. I think the situation is worse today because the country has shifted even farther right than in 2000 and the stakes are so much higher. This rightward shift is truly dangerous along with the media featuring GOP slime lies over and over and a whole host of other factors too numerous to mention. Kerry's response and offensive has been inadequate to date, although I know he has it in him to beat the GOP. When he won one of the primaries, (Iowa, as I recall) I saw him so fired up and he was so damned good, it was a thing to behold. If he could turn that on again, he will beat Bush solidly.

[Merlin]

145. Right. Why play the same "Trust Me" game we played in 2000 ?

The haughty and arrogant Democratic "insiders" -- meaning, I guess, anybody who ever got an article published or schlepped coffee for a campaign -- love nothing more than talking down to us peons. Will Pitt's attitude is typical.

We aren't supposed to question them. We are supposed to pretend they have all the answers and our opinions are flecks of ant waste unworthy of serious consideration. Further, we aren't even entitled to an explanation or justification of their inexplicable performance. We are supposed to be good little Democrats and never rock the boat and just rah, rah, rah all day long because our "pros" are so damn smart. And because, Oh, My God! if we express any doubts, why, the whole campaign might come crashing down all around us. (Reminds me of the right wing claims that it was the protesters who caused us to "lose" Vietnam by weakening our morale.)

Then, of course, along comes election day, and "Oh, geeze!" and we have a million excuses and our whole freaking world is warped for many years to come.

Well I agree with you. I'm not taking it any longer. I, too, have had plenty of experience in politics, in life, and in business. I will no longer tolerate a bunch of arrogant down-talkers playing the "trust me" game. I'm gonna raise all the hell I can until I feel somebody up there is getting a clue.

[mbali]

154. No - let's just insist Kerry follow the advice of whoever has an opinion

about what he should be doing with his campaign. Let's dog out Kerry if he doesn't do a daily survey of Democrats to determine how he should conduct his campaign, rather than following the strategy that he and his closest advisers have mapped out. After all, what does HE know? He couldn't possibly have a handle on the big picture, or what's going on in each state he needs to win, or what approach will work best for him in a political race. We clearly know better and dammit! He should do what we tell him to do!

[barb162]

156. what you write appears perfectly acceptable

until you take a look at all of the polls showing Kerry has lost ground and because of that, there should be a strong inclination to think about change in strategy, tactics, etc. Of course no candidate wants to listen to a million voices with a million different ideas and physically can't do it anyway. No one is suggesting that. But when something isn't working, it is time for a change and a strategy that will work to get Kerry elected.

Common sense: if it aint broke, don't fix it. When it is broke, fix it.

[barb162]

158. Somebody somewhere on one of the discussions

a few days ago mentioned he or she called the Kerry/Edwards campaign and offered a suggestion for handling one of the swiftieliar charges being repeated over and over on TV and that the person on the phone was very nice and said something to the effect: oh that's a good idea and said she'd make sure one of the campaign managers got the message. Well, maybe they say that to everyone, who knows. But it was a nice reply in any case. Then another person suggested emailing the campaign as a better option, on and on the discussion went. Maybe that is the way to go, I am thinking of doing it.

After watching Nixon talk about his secret plan to end the Vietnam war (remember that one? geez), and then actually getting elected, the Gore/Bush 2000 deal, etc., and many other campaigns we have a right to our opinions.

[MikeG]

50. My two posts were about the two gaffes yesterday.

1. We can't win the war on terror, and
2. The Purple Heart bandaid.

Again, Bush is toast. I'm just deciding the jam that goes on him.

[marlakay]

51. Late last night on msnbc 11pm-2am est protestors still there

Out here in CA still early enough to watch show, so I figure a heck of a lot of people saw it. Good show with dem points being made and all the while in the back ground you could see signs pro kerry and against Bush or hearing them chant for kerry.

[eleny]

52. I'm hiding any threads that are doom and gloom

I agree with you, Will.

Anything with "I'm afraid" and such are going. Besides, the Repub convention is backfiring - at least in my eyes. The bandaid thing showed me just how desperate and disorganized they've become. There's every indication that their Party is out of control.

So, I refuse to look on the dark side now that we're in the home stretch. There's plenty to do besides sitting here and hand wringing.

[Proud2BAmurkin]

53. KICK because DU bedwetters are too busy wringing their hands to kick

.

[returnable]

56. Kick

Cuz that cracked me up :hi:

:toast:

[KoKo]

101. WOO HOO! DU "Bed Wetters" are you reliving another life from some

site...we won't mention...shhhhhh...???

ROFL!

[Gregorian]

55. It's too damn close.

I know Bush will gain points during the convention. I know the media is unreceptive to Democrats. But the American people, at least those polled, should be ashamed of their ignorance. This should be a 90/10 crushing landslide, at this point. If we are seeing half the voters in favor of Bush, this country is in much much bigger trouble than losing an election. THAT is what has me worried.

Bush will probably not win. I've read the statistics. An incumbant in his position should be doing better.

Phew. There. Ok, now I feel better. And you know, Will, you're right. I DO need to get a grip. It's genetic. We just cannot stand this group who are in the White House. Fingernails on a chalkboard.

[Armstead]

57. Memo to Will Pitt:: Get a Grip -- And read your own posts

Du is a discussion board. People express what's on their minds.
And as I recall, a week or two ago, you yourself said you are worried that Kerry is likely to lose.

DU is also a microcosm. If people are feeling like the Kerry campaign is making mistakes, and if people are legitimastely worried about other factors, then it's totally legitimate to say that.

Instead of trying to be a drill sergent, you'd be a lot more useful by laying off the insults and browbeating. That's losing sight of the forest for the trees. If Kerry is failing to energize people and create an optimistic mood, that's Kerry's fault.

[terrya]

59. I keep focusing on the fact that Bush has a approval rating less than 50%

And correct me if I'm wrong, but that has held for some time now. That's SHITTY for an incumbent President. And $100 million down the drain in attack ads against Kerry...and yet, Kerry is still very, very much in the race.

John Forbes Kerry has a SUPERB chance of being the 44th President of the United States. And no doom or gloom posts will change that. In fact, it's time for me to find out when the next Kerry for President meetup will take place in Chicago. Time for me to volunteer!

[michigandem2]

60. It is true...

this stuff is clouding their week...thanks for the remind what bothers me is...the DNC sure got a lot of news...BUT their were plenty of repukes talking about it..and there aren't many of ours...these side stories are helping though...

[dave29]

61. Agreed 1000%

We're going to win this thing.

[incapsulated]

62. How many of these have their been now?

I've lost count.

Memo to all forum nannies: This is a moderated board, and if a thread or post is not acceptable, we have mods to delete them accordingly.

As for the rest, I'd like to think that we can discuss our opinons without being told to "get a fucking grip" by self-appointed troop leaders. If you don't like what someone has to say, no one is making you click that thread.

Just give a pass to topics you don't like, ok?

[John_H]

63. Looks to me like more grips are being gotten every day

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=701440&mesg_id=701440

[Eurobabe]

65. kick

I think the primary taught me some valuable lessons. I've said for weeks, the dominant paradigm ain't so anymore.

No need to panic. Thanks for the reminder to those who are flushing their heads down the porcelain honda!

[fob]

66. Can you feel the tension? I hope it lasts.

With the rnc sucking up this week and 9/11 anniversary sucking up NEXT week, Kerry won't/shouldn't release the BIG GUNS until September 13, 14 or 15. By that time the tension will be thick enough to choke most of us DUers, but the pending big hit by Kerry will take us to November 2 and beyond!

You're right about the band-aid thing Will, I can't click on anymore of Bandit's threads because he has that pat peale bitch's picture and if I see it anymore I'm gonna puke and then break my monitor, and that would be bad!

[umtalal]

70. I WANT TO SEE THE BIG GUNS. KERRY GO FOR IT.

DON'T PLAY NICE. GO FOR UNDER THE BELT AND EVERYTHING ELSE.

[fob]

74. We ALL wanna see/hear the big guns, but if you fire them during

these 2 events, who is gonna see/hear 'em? I recognize a case can be made for firing away and the ACT of taking a huse shot will become part of the story and get coverage, but why spend the effort to have some of the shot deflected? And the mediawhores WILL take any chance to ignore them.

Let's say Larry Flynt releases the paperwork showing bush*s underaged girlfriends illegal abortion, I mean I don't know that bush* got an underaged girl pregnant and paid for an illegal abortion in a Houston hospital, but denny hastert has showed me that's no reason NOT to put forth this very SERIOUS ALLEGATION. If that comes out on during the week preceding 9/11 it will be easily backburnered and no amount of ad buys will get it the airplay it deserves.

See what I mean, just wait, they should quickly respond to things but save the big guns for when the "smoke" clears.

[umtalal]

76. I see your point. I am saying Kerry should not hold back once the time is

right

[fob]

83. Agreed! Tally Ho!!!

[LiberalPersona]

67. I don't know you or what you've done, but

I agree with what you say.

I am being a big optimist.
Normally I'm a pessimist all the time, but this is one time that I absolutely refuse to be pessimistic.

The puzzle pieces are finally beginning to fall into place, and they have Kerry's presidency painted on them.

[Name removed]

97. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[democratreformed]

71. Will, how do you keep up with mainstream news?

I always feel like I can't be objective and REALLY know what's getting out there. How do you keep up with what the average citizen is being exposed to?

[tom_paine]

73. Except, of course, for the 2004 DNC which was dominated by Bushevik

hosts AND Talking Heads.

I imagine it's what the Capitalists Convention Coverage in 1978 would have looked like if the Soviets had to pretend there was a Free Opposition Party.

[Clinton Crusader]

75. when are the Dem BIG GUNS coming out?

I live in NY and feel like I have to take 10 showers a day while these slugs are casting a slime over my city, using and abusing my dead friends at WTC (and I mean friends - 2 of them), and lying to the world, but Im hoping like holy HELL I see the Dem big guns campaigning and telling it the way it REALLY is the nanosecond this disgusting, revolting fantasy is over at MSG.

I wanna see Dean, Gore, Clinton and ANYONE in the Dems who carries ANY kind of weight (Obama?) slamming these lying bastards into the ground so hard, they'll think they were assaulted by the Titanic.

It's well known that Kerry is a masterful finisher. Think back, on the primaries. He was nowhere, jack. He suddenly roars out of nowhere and blow everyone out of water. ANYONE who's known Kerry for any amount of time over his political carrer all say the SAME thing to a person. Dont EVER think you've won, dont turn your back on him and he's a masterful finisher.

Im holding onto this and just wait for this massive assault to begin and see the numbers change and zoom ahead. Hell, Im planning the victory party for election night.

And if all else fails, I may be onboard Air Canada to Newfoundland. :evilfrown:

:kick:

[kwolf68]

78. Damnit Will Pitt with your positive message

We need more doomsaying and hand-wringing...I swear it keeps some of us warm at night.

[merh]

79. Amen & thank you Will Pitt for your post ...

Enjoy your adventures in NYC! :hi:

[bigtree]

80. '

[ibegurpard]

81. Instead of repeatedly slamming your head against this brick wall

why not redirect your efforts here?:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=702361&mesg_id=702361

[WilliamPitt]

85. Because I am redirecting my efforts here

http://www.truthout.org/rnc-pre.shtml

and here:

http://www.truthout.org/rnc-monday.shtml

and here:

http://www.truthout.org/rnc-tuesday.shtml

and here:

http://win20ca.audiovideoweb.com/ca20win15004/5.083004willinter2300k.wmv

and here:

http://win20ca.audiovideoweb.com/ca20win15004/5.083004willinter3300k.wmv

and here:

http://win20ca.audiovideoweb.com/ca20win15004/5.083004willconvwbug300k.wmv

and here:

http://win20ca.audiovideoweb.com/ca20win15004/5.082904_laugherty.300k.wmv

and will have an essay about all this crap up on truthout by tonight. A portion of it is here:

Never mind Rudy’s assertion that Bush “can see through time” in the same speech. Between Bush’s temporal abilities and his armchair-to-armchair relationship with the Almighty, one might have assumed that he’d have stumbled to this wisdom many moons ago. Of course a war against terror cannot be won. Terrorism is a weapon. How do you wage war against a weapon? Shall we next have a war against bazookas and slingshots?

One defeats terrorism by undermining the conditions which breed terrorists. Economic inequality, crushing poverty, shattered educational infrastructures, rampant violence and a total lack of hope are the soil in which suicide bombers germinate. Until you get rid of those, you will always have terrorism. Period.

Bush got part of the way to that conclusion with his statement, alluding to a process that will make terrorism “less acceptable in parts of the world.” His statement was bereft of details on how exactly to go about this, of course, and likewise begs the question: If we’re going to make terrorism less acceptable in “parts” of the world, what other “parts” will terrorism still be acceptable in?

It is too bad that we had to grind through three years, a catastrophic invasion of Iraq, 976 dead American soldiers, almost 7,000 grievously wounded American soldiers, more than 10,000 dead Iraqi civilians and God only knows exactly how many billions of dollars before Mr. Bush arrived at this conclusion.

It is too bad that Bush’s Iraq adventure has created economic inequality, crushing poverty, shattered educational infrastructures, rampant violence and a total lack of hope among the people of that nation. If he has suddenly come around to a new mindset on how to deal with terrorism, he will have to start by cleaning up the terrorist mass-production line he has activated there.

But, of course, he won’t. Soon after Bush’s comment to Lauer, his campaign spokespeople came boiling out of the woodwork to clarify that the President didn’t really mean to say what he said, and that despite his new vision on the matter of dealing with terrorism, there will be absolutely no policy changes in the way the Terror War is being waged. In other words, folks, ignore the Republican candidate. He’s just flapping his lips.

...coming soon...

[AP]

84. I'm seriously wondering if the bandaid thing was done by Democrats

It's just too stupid.

If you get shot at defending your country and you only get nicked or you lose an entire limb, or your life, you deserve a medal and the eternal admiration of your country. Hell, you deserve that if the bullet missed you by a 50 yards.

To wear those bandaids is an insult to every American who has served in the armed services, and to everyone with a family member or friend who has served.

[chefgirl]

86. Aw jeez ......there you go again

You know, I actually agree with what you said in your original post. You do make a very valid point.

But, is this really the best way you can think of to make your point to the very people who are in the trenches with you? "Get a fucking grip" ??

C'mon, I might not agree with your positions all the time, but you are a talented writer. I know you can do better than that.

You do so much work, and garner WELL deserved respect for the work you do, and then you go and fuck it away, for a lot of us here, everytime you start a thread with a title like this one.


-chef-

[molly]

89. These posters ARE NOT in the trenches with any of us

they have their own agenda.

[chefgirl]

90. Hmmm...

You may be right, but the title of the thread was:

"Memo to DU. Get a fucking grip"

The title was NOT:

Memo to a few naysayers here who aren't in the trenches with any of us and only have your own agendas. Get a fucking grip.

As a member of DU, I naturally assumed that the title was directed at me (as part of the whole), and I most certainly AM in the same trench as WmPitt. That was the the point I was making.

There are ways to say things, and there are ways to say things, ya know?

-chef-

[ScreamingMeemie]

159. I mean this with all respect. I have been here quite a while. I have no

agenda other than raising my children within a free country. What saddens me is that one cannot post one's worries (and there are well founded worries)without getting jumped upon. We all want to see Kerry win. That's the main point. Bringing up concerns is one way of ensuring that. But being told I have an "agenda" is rather upsetting to me. I have never been one to blindly follow, as I feel we are being asked to do...and I hope I never am.

Thanks,from the trenches right along side you whether you like it or not,
Laura

[Sparkly]

88. I'm not sure I agree.

If "get a fucking grip" means don't feel outraged by the purple heart band-aids, and don't write LTTEs, send emails, make phone calls, or otherwise spread the word to help it backfire, then I don't agree. Outrage seems appropriate. (Same with the expoitation of 9/11, imho, and the unsurprising but still blatantly absurd difference between the commentatary during the DNC and RNC conventions.)

But if "get a fucking grip" means don't throw in the towel and cry in frustration that all's lost, then I agree. The protests have been great, the RNC is showing its true hypocritical colors, and when this week is over it's a new game.

Outrage should spur action, rather than surrender. But the outrage itself isn't the problem.

[Generator]

91. Your posts are always filled with common sense and a clear perspective

Which I appreciate!

DU is depressing the hell out of me this week, which with the RNC, it is a little like Reaganpolluza death week.

I kept my vow and kept all coverage of that off. Only thing I saw was here at DU. I'm doing the same with RNC, except for Jon Stewart's coverage. I get angry enough just reading here without seeing the ugly media mugs and the fact that I live in this polluted world where Bunnypants is considered acceptable to president.

And I agree it gets tiresome reading all the posts that have nothing good to say about Kerry, his campagin or the future.

[WilliamPitt]

92. .

[Warren DeMontague]

93. Thanks Will. My Band Aid Graphic Again.

[renegade000]

94. kick

n/t

[bigwillq]

95. Thank goodness someone had the balls to say this

Right on, William Pitt!:toast: :yourock:

[Name removed]

96. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[mourningdove92]

98. brentspeak, just whose side are you on?

Will is a respected member of DU. We don't need this kind of slamming.

[brentspeak]

102. OK, I'm still ticked off from what he did last week

He never did explain why he did that. And if I'm slamming him, his topic header certainly is slamming us.

End of rant. I'll just let it go. Let it out of my system, chill out...whew!

[WilliamPitt]

105. It was explained in triplicate

Don't piss on me because you missed the links.

[GalleryGod]

99. Hey Will! How's TRICIA from the GOP Jamboree?

I'd have asked her out for a Latte' Grande' myself!:smoke: :bounce:

[David Zephyr]

100. In The Amen Chorus.

It is backfiring on them.

Chill out folks.

The Purple Heart shit just underscores what Americans know about Republicans---they are hatemongers.

[Name removed]

103. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[David Zephyr]

155. "Ditto Head"?

Actually, dear, I had a thread several days ago stating the very thing that William is correctly saying in this thread...that I felt that Kerry was handling the Swiftboat attacks perfectly and that early polling (at that time) indicated that the ads by the jealous vets were backfiring with the American public.

The fact that we see this the same way has apparently given you an excuse to attack me personally with calling me a "ditto head".

I've watched you evolve on this board from a rather socially and politically reactionary to a more progressive poster in the time you have been here. I applaud you for that growth, KoKo.

But calling me names in a public forum, especially a name for mindless followers of a rightwing homophobe like Rush Limbaugh, when you know full well that I am a homosexual socialist and have posted so from the first moment I entered here over 3 1/2 years ago, is well...to use your word, "unbelievable."

I am only responding in this thread because you attacked me here publicly. If you wish to further respond to this, you shouldn't hijack William's thread to do so. Start your own thread or e-mail me.

[DancingBear]

104. Oh, great- just great

I'm gone for 5 days and I have to come back to rational thought?

Geez, next thing you know someone will say Kerry actually knows what he's doing.

<sigh>


:)

[Chichiri]

106. OT, but I love your truthout coverage! (n/t)

[NightOwwl]

107. I do have a grip.

A grip on reality. I'm not panicking. I'm not yelling the sky is falling. I'm just saying the time to "wait it out" and "be patient" is over. Kerry needs to come out fighting now.

[KoKo]

108. And, BTW, isn't "cursing out" DU'ers getting a little stale? (n/t) Spit it

out in your eloquent style when you post your articles here for us to comment on. You ask for our help then you come back and curse us out.

The Newbies might not understand...but it get's tiresome...when you have talent and you waste it like this..cursing your fellow travelers on this road to hell in the Bush times. Where is the compassion for fellow folks travelling down the same road politically as you? Only when an article is out to your "editor" do you come here and ask for final revision. Next time we see you there are "hurled epithets."

Get a Grip Yourself...

[WilliamPitt]

109. I never get tired of cursing you out, Koko

:)

It's one of the few true joys in my life.

:)

[KoKo]

111. ROFL.... a "conscience" is a dog to the grave, isn't it.....(n/t)

[progressivebydesign]

112. Be careful.. if you insult William, you have your posts deleted.

Odd times on DU, indeed. I took Mr. Pitt to task for being the parent of DU lately, with his admonishments to his fellow adults.. almost daily. Though my post was not inflammatory, and just pointed out that the hero worship on DU seemed to override the fact that Mr. Pitt continually chides us for our naughty behavior.. my post was pulled.

I think the post that simply told him to "fuck off", was rightly pulled. But I see that any type of veering from Pitt adulation here is cause for censorship. Odd inded. I actually stated that Mr. Pitt is probably a lovely person, and has a fine way with words...

[WilliamPitt]

113. If it means anything to you

I didn't hit alert on your post, and was surprised that it got pulled. You might want to ask Skinner downstairs why it happened.

[KoKo]

114. But, I didn't say anything offensive in my post. Why would anyone hit

Alert? :shrug: Will and I go at this all the time...batting my innocent "baby blues."

[KoKo]

115. He has a "very fine way with words." Indeed....just depends on where

one is at the time the "words" are delivered.

[Fridays Child]

116. If ever a thread needed kicking, it's this one!

I had to go three pages deep but, by gods, I found it.

From the top of our party to the bottom rank and filers like you and me, the puke's are getting exactly what they want. We need to stop acting like a wounded animal. The media whores smell blood and they tear at our jugular.

C the F O!

[DougieZero]

117. Kerry is taking a beating though...

Only a few more days and then we can move on... every cable channel is full of shit. I just watched Tommy Franks sitting on the convention floor being egged on by Hannity to call Kerry a traitor. Tweety is more than happy to give Rick Santorum a nice forum to call Kerry "anti-american" and Brokaw is still gushing over Rudy.

Thanks media for being real critical...

[union_maid]

118. Much appreciated

I believe. I have faith in Kerry. I can use a pep talk now and then, though, so Will, you can tell me to get a grip any time. I take it as encouragement when things start to get out of perspective.

[bushwakker]

119. Memo to Will Pitt - Bush will be +10 by Monday

and the Kerry campaign is in the process of a shakeup. Those who say all is well are wrong.

[IronLionZion]

120. you think Bush is well?

He just got a bump from the motherfucking smear campaign. What makes yo you think he will get more of a bump? Kerry's new people are gonna go on the offense like Clinton's did and kick some ass.

[bushwakker]

123. Clinton's team would have never taken this crap in the first place

Clinton avoided sevice and ran against war heros and they never touched him. He hit back twice as hard and twice as fast. Both of his campaigns were quick on their feet and loved the heat of the fray. I've seen nothing of the sort from JK's crew. We now have a war hero running against a deserter and they're clobbering him for being a war hero. Point is there have been those on this board saying all is a - ok. Well the fact is that the JK camp is gonna make s/ changes is a sign that they are wrong. Do happy campaigns make changes?

[IronLionZion]

124. His little coup in Iowa was no accident

I agree that he needs to get his act together and hit hard and be faster on his feet. But he has a reputation as an excellent closer who can cinch it in the end. He lives for this shit. Now that it is a national campaign against really evil people it's harder and looks bad.

[bushwakker]

125. that reputation was made in the 1996 senate race v Bill Weld

Weld was a very popular GOP governor. A brilliant, charming man who was a nightmare because he was socially liberal and fiscally conservative. I hate to disappoint you but Clinton dragged JK through in that election. He was at the top of the tricket and came in on the last weekend to campaign.

[DougieZero]

122. "Johnny Swingvoter" loves this stuff

Even my non-political father his pumping his fist in the air... He's convinced that he hates John Kerry too, yet he knows nothing really about him. 2 more days... 2 more days... Sheeshhh....

[MirrorAshes]

126. LOL! Not freaking likely.

But keep believing that the sky is falling, it really helps the situation.

[autorank]

129. nice flaming lips pic!

[MirrorAshes]

142. gracias!

:toast:

[Ladyhawk]

127. Thanks Again, Will

As usual, you are a calm voice in the storm.

You just have to remember that we plebeians are sometimes scared shitless and positively bi-polar.

In through nose...out through mouth...in through nose...out through mouth. :) Hey, that works. :)

[autorank]

128. Agree! n/t

[HarveyBriggs]

132. Mmmmmmm, a fucking grip.

Been a little to long, but I remember it well.

Harvey Briggs

[JSJ]

133. hey pitt- jello biafra said; 'be the media', not a clone/lackey of cnn n/t

[WilliamPitt]

137. I drank with Jello tonight

and I have been 'being the media' as best I can for three years, so...

:)

[andino]

134. WilliamPitt, YOU ARE CORRECT SIR!!!!

I believe that if they POUND the 'winning the war on terror' gaffe and the economy then we are bound to beat the crap outta BushCo.

[enigmatic]

135. Word up, Will

you are correct.

I'm sick of this garbage, too.

[VOX]

138. You got it Will. It's just tough to have so many Republicans in one place

at one time.

Kryptonite.

[MountainMamma]

140. Thanks Will, you are such a good read

You are like a lighthouse through this political storm for those of us who try to read everything that you write. You help me put clarity to what is happening and keep me on course which is so important in this election. Thank you for reeling us back to what we need to be about and how we need to control our thinking during this week of propaganda especially.

[nomatrix]

141. Take that energy and get out there for Kerry!!

I watched that march and Will's interview that Dixie doodle girl, and I was inspired. I think the purple heart band aid is a wonderful way to open doors to all, but 1st I needed Kerry props. I took my rage to the Kerry Kamp.

Well the long and the short of it is THEY NEED HELP!
Don't come in late if you don't want to be treasurer. (It the same for any group boy scouts, etc.
I am determined, with my DU knowledge, to help people get their votes counted for Kerry.

There were a handful of volunteers, going to have a rally, Moms for Kerry. Ya, everyone's busy, ya everyone has a life, but, no excuses or you may not have a life later, working two jobs to make ends meet. Just do it.

Quit griping here about what Will's doing and go do something so Will can critique you.
Who knows you might meet someone from DU (I didn't, but told everyone to come here) and you might feel good doing something to stop the machine.

Listen folks, we got one change or 4 more years. Unless this bankrupt nation can be ripped from the greedy claws of the GOP we won't be able to put it back together again. We won't be able, we'll be so fu**ing miserable. Do it, it's September. 2 months to get a rally going, to volunteer at headquarters, to be a poll worker, to get voter registrations out, etc.

Or you can continue to gripe as Bush takes it again.

[Zero Division]

144. Bring out the big guns when it counts, closer to the end...

For now the Repubs are shooting themselves in the foot.
People need to think about what could happen if Kerry went off guns blazing right now. The Kerry campaign would eventually lose the momentum from its attack, and who knows if a second or third major attack would be effective. Think about what would occur if Bin Laden suddenly popped up after the Kerry campaign's best efforts.

I understand that some may be worried about the effectiveness of support from campaign spokespeople and other Democrats in the media. I wish we had our own equal "Mighty Wurlitzer", too, but it's still a work in progress. I really don't see why some are so convinced that it's Dukakis/Gore redux. Bush is the incumbent, and historically speaking he's doing terribly for an incumbent candidate.

[allalone]

146. kindly don't pat me on the head

and tell me it'll be ok. condescend much?

[Piperay]

147. THANKS Will...

I needed that! :yourock:

[Lefty Pragmatist]

148. An incumbent

is holding a double-edged sword: his record. Obviously, during a partisan show like the convention he and his party will pimp the most positive spin possible on it: the incumbent's renomination is the intellectual low-water mark of any campaign.

After this week, and for the remainder of the campaign, it will be counter-punches by both candidates on a more or less level playing field.

And if you think there's a vast corporate media conspiracy against Kerry, go back on your Ridilin. The media wants money; money equals ratings; ratings equals controversy, and *nothing* is as boring as an incumbent coasting to re-election.

[slojim240]

149. Will, how do we know you are telling us the truth and not what we want to

hear? We need more proof!

[Jack Rabbit]

150. Thanks, Will. I needed this.

Of course Bush is going up in the polls this week. It's convention week.

It won't last. While Kerry could do some things better, we can always depend on the Frat Boy to act like a fool.

[AngryOldDem]

151. Thanks for Posting This

I feel like setting it in 60-point type, printing it out, and pasting it on my wall. It's good to be reminded.

[Bridget Burke]

152. "Damn, we're in a tight spot!"

I'm amazed by the folks who've apparently just realized that things are bad. They've been bad a long time (since Election Day 200 for me). So what else is new?

It does look like there's some hope. That's much less boring.

[gasperc]

153. DU never covered conventions before

If I'm not mistaken, DU was formed after(or during) the 2000 re-count. So, to me all this moaning and groaning on this forum is all the moaning and groaning that always exists during the GOP convention. We just have a place to vent, so vent people but don't freak out if there is a gaffe or YOU weren't happy with the response. Post your thoughts here, send the Kerry campaign e-mails, send your congressperson or challenger an e-mail to tell them what you think. It works. They want us to be active, they want us to talk to people who don't usually vote, to vote, it matters!!!!

The GOP is doing what the GOP does best, suppress progressive voters, make Kerry radioactive so that his supporters won't go to the polls. Bush, on the other hand is focusing strictly on his base to get as many as possible to the polls.
Never, never give up, let's take the fight to Bush's hometown and across America.