I have come to a sad conclusion...

[kentuck]

We cannot fight the right-wing alone. So long as we have a Congress and a Senate that refuse to fight the right-wing agenda with the same zeal as many of the loyal Democrats here at DU and other places on the Web, we are fighting a losing battle. And so long as we have a press that feels no compunction to report what is happening between the Parties, in the struggle for the future of this nation, then our Party is not up to the task of competing with the present bunch of Republicans. Lies and deception must be exposed to truth and openness. If lies and deception are permitted to run their course without challenge, either from our Party or from the national media, then we are fighting a losing struggle.

When we have one Party that lies us into a disastrous war with over 2500 dead troops and our Party is too impotent to point out that fact, for fear of being accused of wanting to "cut and run", and we have a press that refuses to explain to the people what both sides are attempting to do, however deceptively, then we have a recipe for disaster. We cannot do it alone. We are not the substitute for the free press in this country. We still need the press to do its job.

First of all, the lies are meant to deceive and to manipulate the people. It is not a "political" game. It is real news. And it should be reported and explained as such to the people. It is not enough for the media to wait for the "opposition" Party to challenge the liars and deceivers and then report that the Democrats have challenged the Republicans on their assertions. They have a responsibility to report what is happening and they are not doing it. Perhaps they are as impotent as the Democratic Party?

The Democratic Party is hiding in a bunker - just waiting for the next round to be lobbed in. They have their heads covered up, hunkered in the corners in a fetal position. They have no idea how to fight this enemy? And it is an enemy like none they have ever encountered. However, one thing is certain. You cannot defeat them by joining them.

We are under attack by a group of radicals - intent on tearing down everything that our nation has stood for - for the benefit of the very few. With the assistance of their propagandists, they are succeeding. We are losing. Unless something changes with the way the "news" is reported, I do not have a lot of optimism about where we will be this time next year.

[oldtime dfl_er]

1. this is how revolutions begin...

when a people is no longer being represented, but rather is being intimidated, oppressed, and economically deprived, something has to give...

please sign our guestbook: www.ThankYouRFK.com

[NotGivingUp]

2. I agree with you 100%...we're lost with this continual propaganda being

shoved down people's throats every which way we turn.

[KoKo]

3. The "Powers that Be" are already working to take down our Internet

source of news by working against "Net Neutrality." They know that as long as there's a growing "underground" that can get the truth out quickly they don't have the clear playing field they've enjoyed so long with their media control.

Only hopeful sign I see with the "Internet" as we know it being able to survive is that there are some business interests siding with us to keep us free. The ad revenue stream might just be enough to keep us chugging until we can break up this media monopoly. It's sad our Dems have stuck their head in the sand about the media. When Clinton was beseiged by the Repug Machine throughout his two terms and then signs the "Telecommunications Bill" of '96 one wonders what they hell he was thinking.

Donna Brazille and Bob Shrum still being used as Democratic spokespersons is another sign that Dems just don't get the media problem. I wonder if John Kerry and John Edwards even get it. Wouldn't they wonder why Joe Biden is the spokesperson on the Sunday shows more than any other Democrat?

Why don't they get it? Either as you said, they are afraid to speak out against the Media being owned by the BIG THREE or FOUR or they are complicit in some way. I just can't believe it's simple ignorance after what they've seen in their campaigning.

At least I believe Al Gore sees it. But, where are the others?

[dusty64]

8. I know its scary

they will not stop until they have complete control.

[NNN0LHI]

4. Might be easier to all become Republicans and try and change that party?

At least they know how do whatever it take to win elections. Cheat, lie, become militant. They do what they got to do.

Just saying...

Don

[KoKo]

11. That thought has crossed my mind.........sadly...

I used to have Repug friends before the "Selection 2000" and the aftermath.

They seemed to be reasonable and we had good times together. I had to distance myself from them and we moved around that time so the distance became even wider and after 9/11 they became crazed.

[Norquist Nemesis]

5. Very well said. n/t

[agio]

6. Patience, grasshopper, and hope

Here's a little secret: The GOP didn't take over our country overnight. It took them years of patient organizing, developing a grassroots infrastructure, a think-tank echo chamber, a media apparatus.

Now, they had the benefit of not being taken seriously by their opponents. The Democratic party was largely asleep, and overconfident.

The VLWC is just beginning, but already we have developed a strong netroots culture. The fact that we are being villified, not only by the right, but by the centrist, go-along-to-get-along Washington D.C. democrat-consultant circuit, shows that we have more power than we think.

Our biggest enemy at this point is despair. Don't let it happen to you!

[kentuck]

7. But , the bottom line is ....

They did take it over and they have no plans on giving it up. But do what you have to do...

[agio]

9. well we'll just have to disappoint them n/t

[nancyr]

12. Bottom line

I share the sense of despair here. These people are in control of everything and anyone who tries to speak up is reduced to a pathetic buffoon. The media is no more than a propaganda mouthpiece who spouts what they're told. I once had some optimism that things could be changed, but now I'm feeling really depressed about it ever happening. How to effect change when our votes don't count and our represenatives no longer speak for us? I'm not a good Pollyanna.

[agio]

14. No one said it would be easy ...

... or that it would happen overnight.

But look at how much things have changed. 6 years ago, where was DU? Or DKos? Where was Dean and his "50 state strategy"?

"The media" doesn't matter nearly as much as it used to. Who gets their news from a newspaper or from tv anymore? They're in deep shit, losing viewers and respectability, and they know it.

As for our votes, we can still make them count. Diebold can't fix every single election in America. I firmly believe thigns are going to look a lot different after November '06. That's not just optimism, but also a relatively sober view of the electorate. People, from all over the political spectrum, are pissed off. And that is *always* bad news for incumbents.

(... Or we could just despair, and lose all our energy. But I prefer not to.)

[spag68]

13. GOP

Don't forget rupert murdock, a man who the aussies threw out, for messing with their football

[deaniac21]

10. Maybe we aren't being dramatic ehough.............

[Jeffersons Ghost]

15. k&R

[RedStateShame]

16. Hey, if nothing else

That bird flu's gonna hit some time, and old people will probably be in the first wave. That's close to 50% of the GOP base. So when you get flu vaccines, be sure to ask for a double.