Kucinich is a better leader

[LWolf]

A letter to the editor; one way Dennis gets some press. ;-)

http://news.statesmanjournal.com/article.cfm?i=69450

Our country needs new leadership. Two and a half years of Bush have given us an unprecedented deficit, plummeting world respect, jeopardized civil rights and misallocation of resources that have been used to destroy and deplete. We cannot withstand another four years of this leadership.

Democratic candidate Dennis Kucinich would be a better leader. I strongly support his concept for a Department of Peace, which would prioritize nonviolent approaches to both domestic and international affairs. With Kucinich as president, there would be no invasions and occupations of other sovereign nations. He would reduce the military budget in favor of long-term investments at home: education, health care, environmental cleanup, urban infrastructure, Social Security and other needs critical to families and communities. This is true homeland security.

As the son of a truck driver, Kucinich understands the concerns of working Americans. Plus, he has a long history of public service: mayor of Cleveland, state senator, and currently, congressman from Ohio. In each of his races, he defeated a Republican incumbent.

He’s got the right priorities, public service experience and ability to win tough elections. Please give Kucinich your full consideration as we choose a democratic candidate to defeat George Bush in 2004.

I'll second that!

[xJlM]

1. Richard Stallman endorses Kucinich

If you don't know who he is, well, I'm not sure what to tell you. He worked with the earliest version of Unix back in 1970, and later formed the Free Software Foundation (and the GNU Project) which gave the Linux kernel some basic programs to work with.

His statement is pretty short, but definitely factual: I endorse Dennis Kucinich for President of the US. We need an elected president who will support the freedom and interests of all Americans, not just the rich few.

His site is at http://www.stallman.org/ , and it's full of interesting commentary from an old hippie/computer guru.

[LWolf]

2. I've never heard of him, but

I'll check out the link.

Thanks!

:hi:

[xJlM]

3. No problemo

I always enjoy letting folks know about the GNU Project, and I was really pleased to see him endorse DK.

A warning: Richard Stallman is probably the one who gave computer geeks a bad name, as far as long hair and staying at his computer for days in a row. He's an old hippie, but that's ok in my book :)

[diamondsoul]

4. Hey, anyone who sucks off some of Bill Gates'

profit margin is ok in my book! doubly so with this endorsement!:evilgrin:

[LuminousX]

7. This is Huge

This is like Gary Hart endorsing Kerry. Good job, Kucinich!!

[LWolf]

8. He has some great endorsements, IMO.

Arun Gandhi.
Studs Terkel.
Willie Nelson.
Granny D.

To name just a few!

[JohnKleeb]

9. I think also Gene McCarthy

[Mairead]

16. Don't forget Pete Seeger--I think this is the first time in

decades that he has endorsed a candidate.

I bet if Woody and Leadbelly were still alive here, they'd be endorsing Dennis too.

(Mentioning Leadbelly, I just got a flash--I can imagine him writing a satirical version of his 'Goodnight Irene':

(chorus)
Georgie, goodnight
Goodnight, Georgie, goodnight
Good night Georgie, good night Cheney
You'll see us in your dreams

Four years ago we got hustled
Y'all have been draggin us down
But now we're about to be parted
So pack up, you're gonna leave town

(ch)

You're messin with other folks' countries
When you can't even fix up our towns
We're not happy with all your commotion
So we're fixin to send you on down.

(ch)

You've been ramblin, been gamblin
Been makin people's lives a hell
So we're sendin you home to your family
Just be glad it ain't a prison cell!

(ch)

(Jeez, that was scary...I think I just channeled Huddie)

[LWolf]

18. Here's a laugher for ya:

I have been apolitical most of my life. No party, no alliances, always "out there." I didn't consider myself liberal or conservative; I didn't like the 2-dimensional, linear limitations. I became "political" because of GWB and the need to take him out. I registered as a dem because I think they are the party that can do it. And suddenly I discover; I'm a liberal after all, and I never knew it. I've been a Pete Seeger (and Woody, Arlo, etc., etc., etc.) fan all of my life. When 2003 and impending war rolled around, I was drawn to my old 60s/70s favorites, and listened to them for months all over again. I discovered Dennis Kucinich, with the help of my good cyber friend DR, and found a reason to act.

43 years a liberal, and I never knew it!

[Desertrose]

19. glad to have been of service...

:hi: and :hug: LWolf

Hey....I just told ya to check him out and well...Dennis won ya over.....

:evilgrin:

You have turned out to be a great support for me and I really appreciate all your great posts & threads here. You are one brightly shining light for Dennis and I know so many more see it too!!

I haven't had as much time to post...busy working on another new campaign idea here ( will share with you when I get a few minutes)......anyhow...just wanted to say a heartfelt thank you LWolf...to you and to all the other DK supporters here...were growing all the time :)

Peace &:loveya:
DR

[Mairead]

34. How strange that you don't *seem* apolitical at all :-)

[pruner]

10. that's a bit of a stretch

an endorsement by Linus Torvaldis would make for a better analogy.

[xJlM]

15. That's a matter of opinion

Without GNU and the Free Software Foundation, what would Linus Torvalds have done with his kernel? I'm sure he could have written some programs for it, and in fact he did, but GNU had everything laid out for a free operating system. They even had the legal work to try to make sure nobody like Bill Gates could try to steal the hard work of others. Of course, they underestimated the depth of Mr. Gates' greed, but that's another story.

If you'd really like a good laugh, take a look at what Richard Stallman has to say about SCO's suit against IBM. SCO(/Caldera) may actually run itself into some legal problems over their version of Linux, which they released under the Free Software Foundation's "copyleft".

[no name no slogan]

41. Stallman is a GIANT compared to Torvalds

Torvalds just happened to be in the right place at the right time. Yes, I admire him, but all he really did was improve on the Minix kernel. If not for the GNU project, it's doubtful anybody would have given his project a second look.

GNU were the ones who created what we would consider the major components of Linux (as well as other open-source OSs, like the *BSDs). If not for the efforts of Stallman and GNU, Linux would not be anywhere near as popular as it is today.

(Full disclosure: Yes, I'm a FreeBSD snob. I like Linux just fine, but IMHO it's unfair that the people that created the tools for Linus to do his thing don't get the recognition they deserve.)

[Mairead]

17. Stallman has the advantage of being a US citizen and voter

As far as I know, Linus Torvalds isn't

[burr]

11. the BILL GATES obstructing freedom, the right to distribute free software.

Microsoft is seeking every legal means available to drive Linux out of the market. Since Linux is free and the source code is available to anyone who wants it, Windows is no longer an easy sell.

So if you can't beat them, kill them. Microsoft is using lawsuits and new copyright laws to sue Linux for "stealing" software which Microsoft went to the government and had copyrighted. Although most of this software is by no means original or unique, what interest would Linux have in copyrighting software that it distributes for free? So Linux will create new software, and Microsoft will copyright and use this to sue Linux...not to sell the software! This is only being done to prevent Linux from providing a better operating system for free, which users can build on thanks to the open source code.

And the only primary candidate who voted against these corrupt changes in our copyright laws was Dennis Kucinich. If you support a free market in which prices are primarily driven by supply and demand..not by crooked politics, then Dennis Kucinich is your candidate.

[redqueen]

12. Thank you so much for pointing that out!

Always happy to get more positive points to share about Dennis!
:D

[no name no slogan]

20. STALLMAN??????

Wow, that's really cool! I'm a geek and I'm quite familiar with the father of the GPL (even if I don't agree with him 100% on things).

I wonder who Bill Gates is behind? Or Scott McNielly? Or Larry Ellison?

[xJlM]

21. It impressed me

I was just surfing around looking for some input on operating systems when I read that. Of course, I had already decided Dennis Kucinich was the best shot we had at a better life for all of us so it didn't really influence me. But it's good to read other intelligent folks who agree with my opinion.

[SahaleArm]

30. Both

Gates and Ellison are Dems.
McNeally is a Repug.

[diamondsoul]

22. Ok anyone got a suggestion about this-

EVERY time I try to open the Stallman site, my browser crashes...WTF? Did Microsoft write something in so none of us corporate slaves can find out about the GNU project?!

[xJlM]

23. Bill Gates hates Richard Stallman

This hatred is over twenty years old, and well documented. Bill Gates was the reason Richard Stallman began the Free Software Foundation. There's lots of info out there on the web about this old rivalry, and of course everyone and his brother knows how greedy Bill Gates is.

[SahaleArm]

29. Not really.

GNU = Gnu's not Unix back when 'Nix was proprietary; and then BSD came along as a free Unix replacement. The goal of FSF/GNU was to create a free set of tools to replace Unix utilities (Gcc, Gawk, Flex, Bison, Bash). Back then DOS and PC's were toys compared to HP/Appolo, DEC, and IBM workstations. MIT and project athena were not running on PC's.

[Mairead]

33. Have you been able to get in there yet?

if not, try a back door: http://www.stallman.org/sayings.html

[genius]

5. Dennis will be the best leader

We are part of putting the best President of all time in office.

[LWolf]

6. I believe so.

:hi:

[goodhue]

13. Great letter!

Thanks for posting this.

[LWolf]

14. Anytime I can find it!

:kick:

[OhioStateProgressive]

24. Ohio Kucinich Supporter

Dennis is truly an inspirational politician, and he will get ALOT of votes before anyone takes him seriously. Most of us here in Ohio are laughing as Media Pundits write him off. Dennis is the candidate that we all as Democrats and Prgressives WANT to win, his issues stick with the heart of all of us. Some say he can't win, but i would think it is a bad idea to write him off

I am enw, btw, nice to be here:)

[xJlM]

25. Welcome to DU

I'm in west-central Ohio myself, and I'm hoping to get involved with DK's nomination effort here in Ohio. Not much I can do money-wise, since I'm a victim of the Bush Economic Recovery, but I intend to help in whatever way I can.

[OhioStateProgressive]

31. thanks for the welcome:)

Hello, i actually live near Buckeye Lake ohio:)

Dennis will probably win the Ohio primary, and he will probably win the Hawaii primary as well

Dennis does have the TRUE grassroots campaign...Dean has one, but he is still tied up in corporate interests, otherwise he wouldn't have ammassed the war chest of funds he has

I think Dennis is well poised to be a shacker in this race

[no name no slogan]

26. Welcome aboard!

I'm pretty new myself, but it's good to hear somebody from OH speak up!

As I've said before, the main reason I got into party politics was Paul Wellstone. I met him in 1988 when I was in college, and he helped us get rid of a state rep who was no better than John Ashcroft.

I busted my ass for his campaign in 1990 when he was also underestimated. I see in Kucinich a lot of the things I saw in Wellstone. Their platforms are very similar, their beliefs are the same, even their campaign styles are alike!

Dennis was up here in MN in 2002 campaigning for Wellstone, who was in a tough race with a candidate hand-picked by Dick Cheney. I am grateful that he made the trip to help, and respect him greatly as a congressperson and as a man.

Like I've been telling a lot of folk recently, just wait until the day after Iowa. There's going to be A LOT of suprised people.

:toast: :hi:

[OhioStateProgressive]

32. thanks for the welcome

yes, i beleive dennis is well set-up to shock alot of people

Paul Wellstone was a GREAT man...and I believe Dennis carries his torch

[ThirdWheelLegend]

43. "good to hear somebody from OH speak up!"

Damn skippy!

Then you will be glad to hear I am a resident of Cleveland, OH. :)

People from this area know what Dennis is about. They know he is working for them. They know he is the most honest.

They know he doesn't back down.

Almost every single one of my friends back Dennis Kucinich.

I was with a friend the day she and I read the "Prayer for America" speech. We both said to each other..."I wish he would run for President."

Dennis is the best candidate by leaps and bounds.

GO DENNIS!

TWL

[genius]

27. The problem is the newspapers in most places are ignoring him

They are trying to hide his existance. And they are doing a pretty good job of it.

[Padme Amidala]

28. You do realize why the news is hiding Dennis

The news is scared of him because if and when he wins the nomination he'll win against Bush by a lanslide. I believe this because a bunch of other parties support him. The Natural Party even endorsed him.

Kucinich is way more electable than any other of the running Democrats.

[snoochie]

35. That's my take too

NPR's journalists (NPRs!!!!) are even ignoring Dennis...

I called the ombudsman about this this week. First I personally noticed it when Mara Liasson, the morning after one of the last debates, discussed what Dean, Kerry, and the other 'real' candidates said in some detail, then at the end of her report said something like, 'also appearing were al sharpton, john edwards, and carol mosely braun'.

I was beside myself!

:wtf:

NO mention of Dennis. None.

Then I got this from the campaign last week:

"Second, NPR’s Cokie Roberts today reported on the presidential race without mention of Dennis Kucinich, and NPR’s Larry Abramson reported on Congressional opposition to the “PATRIOT Act” without any mention of Dennis Kucinich or the bill he has introduced to repeal major sections of it, or the fact that he is the only candidate who voted against it. This is part of a longstanding pattern with NPR. Write to Jeffrey Dvorkin, Ombudsman at [e-mail] and call 1-800-989-TALK (8255)."

If you go to npr.org you can click and get the ombudsman's telephone number, that toll free number just rang for me so I looked it up.

NPR.... can't even count on them for 'fair and balanced' anymore. :(

[LWolf]

36. I was listening to NPR on the way to work this week.

Another discussion of the democratic candidates; I don't remember who was actually speaking, but the deletion of DK was blatant. If I could have, I would have called them right then. As it was, by the time I got home 14 hours later, I couldn't remember which program I was listening to or who the speaker was.

[snoochie]

37. hehehe, have you seen these?

:)

I've had that same experience with forgetting things like that while driving. I've since developed a habit of either composing a short rhyme with the details while they're still fresh, or pulling over and making notes!

Still can't believe it, NPR, et tu?

Then again, after Gwen Ifill cooked dinner for Rice and allowed her to get away with saying she didn't read the NIE with no follow up, I guess I should expect as much. :(

[Lydia Leftcoast]

38. NPR *did* mention that

Dennis Kucinich and Al Sharpton were the only two presidential candidates to attend yesterday's anti-war rally. I don't know if Dennis spoke, since I had to leave before seeing the whole program of speakers, but I did see a huge "Kucinich" banner and several smaller signs in the crowd.

By the way, over breakfast I was reading Gene Lyons' review of Eric Altermann's What Liberal Media in Harpers, and your story of Gwen Ifill cooking dinner for Condoleezza Rice reminded me of one thing that the review brought out: namely, that journalists now seek and attain celebrity status and hobknob with the same people they are supposed to be covering critically.

[LWolf]

39. Dennis spoke.

I meant to post it, but have been short on time. I'll dig around and find it!

[JohnKleeb]

40. Actually he didnt but he did have a spokesman speak

and there were a good deal of us including me in the crowd.

[dpbrown]

42. It's true

Dennis has always fought for the "little guy." He didn't grow up in private schools and being a playboy in the Hamptons. He didn't get his start in politics because it was something he could do "part time." He fights for what he believes in. He took on big power companies and won. He's got a great vision for where we can go from here.

Dennis is the one. This is the moment.

Join us.

Dan Brown
Saint Paul, Minnesota