BuzzFlash Reader Contribution

November 3, 2004

CONTRIBUTOR ARCHIVES  

An Open Letter for our Neoconservative Friends, 11/3/04 – Don’t Tread On Us

A BUZZFLASH READER CONTRIBUTION

Well, in spite of hoping for better, here we are again – 2000 redux. Karl Rove knows the hand he’ll play, and he’s wasted no time getting started. Bush is already the "winner" and Kerry the "challenger" - that part of the sequel has already been framed courtesy of the farcical "liberal media". It’s our worst nightmare come true all over again. But this time, American voters (both Democrats & Republicans who voted Kerry) have the benefit of indelible hindsight, and many of us realize what we have to do. We won’t yield an inch to thugs or punks. We will demand respect for the democratic process. Don’t think we can be bullied to "move on" and "get over it". No matter the extent of the smear campaign, no matter the threats, and regardless of any mob actions, fascist chants and stacked court decisions, the people of this country will prevail. They had better. This is our litmus test, people. Are we going to fold under the crush of vile spin and bullying thugs, or will we be big enough to understand that our very democracy is at stake and that it’s worth the fight of our lives? Either the votes count or they don’t. Democracy wins or it loses. It's pass or fail, people, and the whole world is watching. What side will you find yourselves on?

I just don’t understand the fearful cries of a "constitutional crisis" that made its way through the media in 2000. Impatience and instant gratification don't justify premature declarations of victory. The real constitutional crisis is that millions of us are now facing yet another disenfranchisement exactly like that in 2000, and I don’t believe that the administration really cares as long as they maintain power. To them, the democratic process is a hassle, a nuisance. They proved this point in 2000, and they’re going to try again now – all that counts is winning. Millions of us are not willing to let that happen unless we are absolutely sure that’s what "We the People" voted for.

If nothing else, consider this fact: declaring a winner now denies thousands (perhaps closer to tens of thousands) of US troops the right to vote, since they have days before their absentee ballot deadline passes. Who here wants to tell me they're comfortable with this? Is anyone so bent on winning at all costs that they'd disenfranchise our own soldiers? Will you support the troops or will you not?

The reason we find ourselves here again is because of a tight race, broken promises from the media, and lots of wishful thinking. Most despicably (and I’d argue, treasonously), NBC & Fox crossed a line that they have no right to cross and have every obligation to avoid. The networks and media outlets have no right, and no entitlement to call elections for any candidate, no matter what the votes say. Their job is to report, and they have failed again. . Is anyone who voted for Kerry going to accept this? We have no obligation as Americans to accept the premature extrapolations and analyses of a tiny handful of rich, powerful, and often extremely partisan elites. Anyone who suggests otherwise needs to help me find the legal basis for their meddling, because I came up empty. Their voice is millions times louder than any of ours, unfortunately. We can’t compete with NBC, ABC, CBS, Fox, etc. But we must remember that these organizations don’t exist in a vacuum. It’s like the Wizard Of Oz – look for the man behind the curtain. There is no mystery, these are manipulative people who wrap themselves in the empty veneer of authority. They have all of our human faults and failings, but with a ton of money, power and their electronic megaphone. They hide behind iconic infotainment brands, trying desperately to make sure we all dance when they cue up the music. I’m not dancing. Are you comfortable dancing to their tune even when you end up selling out your own country, the one you claim to love?

The media has already wasted no time spinning all kinds of winner/challenger-to-the-winner nonsense as I write this. I’m sure we’ll hear polls any day (after tons of negative spin about the "sore losers") saying some Kerry voters want to throw up their hands and cry uncle. Then we’ll hear the cries that Kerry can’t face reality, his supporters are now abandoning him, and he should just quit because the GOP Congress threatened to not pass a single thing of his if he’s elected. Sound familiar? Millions of us had enough of the thug mentality – it ends now. No holds barred, take no prisoners. Count the votes, already, and shut up until the process is complete. Why is democracy itself such an unreasonable hassle to you? It seems NBC & Fox might agree, but who the hell are they? Righteous, elite, partisan thugs from what I can tell. They don’t represent America. They squander that opportunity in favor or dividing and destroying us.

I'd say all of this no matter which party was celebrating in the streets right now. Until all votes are counted, I'm going to fight this "we won, so shut up" attitude with everything I’ve got, no matter the outcome. For millions of us, the gloves are off. Nobody wins until the count is final & verified, and it’s determined the machines used to gather votes were not rigged, which so many computer scientists warned was a serious risk. And we will investigate voter registration & ballot tampering until there are no unanswered questions. That’s it – count the votes, make sure it’s fair, and call it finished. And if anyone wants to stonewall that process, God help us all, because America only works if the American people don't dismantle the very democratic foundation on which this country was built.

No matter what any politician or any media says, the enemy of America and democracy isn’t to be found thousands of miles away in some foreign land. Our greatest danger is much closer to home than that. You can choose democracy, or you can choose expedience. You can choose democracy, or you can choose to be a fascist, shouting thug who spouts vile and disrespects all they oppose. You can respect your fellow citizen’s right to vote and speak freely, or you can threaten them with harm or loss of freedom. And you can choose absolute power over a just representation.

You defile the very country you claim to love so much if you disavow the very system that has made us the envy of the modern world, so rest assured we won’t put up with another 2000 debacle. You’re either with or against us, and it’s time to choose sides. Do you embrace democracy and freedom or do you despise it?

A BuzzFlash Reader

A BUZZFLASH READER CONTRIBUTION