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December 24, 2004 Democracy Week pauses in this issue to look back on the human stories of this important year in American history and to listen to the powerfully loving voices of our friends. Watch the video (Windows Media) Excerpt of email from the Democracy Week Inbox: Two unregistered pals on the street From Joan Long in Campbell , California: “While at a county health clinic I began a conversation with a homeless man and his dog, Ruby, a beautiful unregistered boxer that Roger loves more than himself. Taking care of Ruby probably keeps Roger going, since he has a disabling excema that keeps him from working and makes him unable to rent an apartment for himself and Ruby. “Roger, a former Harley motorcycle mechanic, got his ideopathic excema from the solvent that he used for 14 years; he considers himself ‘lucky’ because other of his coworkers, living and dead, got cancer from the solvent. “He had not voted since living on the street, so I registered him with my address and signed him up for an absentee ballot. When his ballot and state voting information arrived, I invited Roger (and Ruby) over for dinner, and he was then able to vote in the 2004 election.” Joan encourages all of us to adopt a homeless person next time around so that they can vote to change the injustices in their communities and our nation. Carole Setser of Kansas State University volunteered for get-out-the-vote canvassing in rural Iowa when she knocked on this door: “I was greeted by an elderly, rather tattered, frail, toothless gentleman. When I asked if he planned to go vote he said he would if he could get out of bed. After chatting a few minutes about the need for a change in administrations, I suggested to him that, if he would get out of bed, my husband and I would take him to the voting booth. He seemed surprised, ‘You really would?’ Even though he was about 30 miles from where we were based, I assured him that we would. The next day I wondered if he would actually go...or even be out of bed. “He was sitting in front of his lone window, watching for us, dressed in his finest, and just waiting to go! He said he had been waiting about an hour. We were never thanked more than by this sweet, elderly gentleman who told us that he had never missed a previous vote--but almost did this year. No vote ever mattered more. We had such great hopes that we might make a difference Vicki Ryder of Rochester took a road trip to Palm Beach County, Florida as a volunteer for the Election Protection program. She took along her mutt, Harry. She worked in the County Field Office, where she helped organize 200 volunteer election monitors and another 50 volunteer attorneys from all over America. They worked from Monday, October 25, until the last precinct closed on election night. “Major voting problems arose right from the start. The first was the long wait that folks had to endure (up to eight hours) to cast their votes during the early voting period. For the early voting period, unlike for Election Day, there were only eight sites open in the entire county and not one in a minority area. Many had to leave before they could cast their votes, but others were determined to stick it out, and they did; never have I seen folks more determined to be sure their votes would be cast! “In part, the long lines were caused by the Republican poll watchers, who challenged every single Democratic voter. Even though they are allowed to ask only three specific questions, they raised objections to everything—‘That signature doesn't look the same’ or ‘He doesn't look like the person in the photo ID.’ The intention was clear and the result was catastrophic. “The handicapped were not permitted to move to the front of the line and many polling places were not accessible to the handicapped. Several polling places had been closed because of hurricane damage, but no one bothered to notify the voters, who showed up at their usual voting places only to find them closed, and with no idea of where to go. At some precincts I was told that the White voters seemed to have received notice, but not the Blacks. Other voters in minority neighborhoods found door-hangers on their homes misdirecting them to the wrong polling places. “The Sequoia touch-screen voting machines ask voters to confirm their choices. In hundreds of cases that I have personal knowledge of, people who voted for Kerry found that their machines showed confirmation for Bush. While it was then possible to go back and change the vote (sometimes it was necessary to do this up to six times before the machine got it right), I shudder to think of how many people did not confirm their votes before pushing the final button. “It was so inspiring, when we finally had everything in place, to be standing under that big white tent at 5 a.m. on Election Day and see the volunteers just pouring in for their precinct assignments. And as we stood there, reading our maps by flashlight, we had such great hopes that we might make a difference, and that things would begin to get better for America and for the world. “The bottom line: I do not believe that Bush won the State of Florida. I believe that he stole it again. I believe that the exit polls got it right and the machines got it wrong. I came home discouraged, exhausted, and despairing. You should have been there to see the determination of the Black voters, the elderly who struggled with oxygen tanks and walkers, the students voting for the first time -- all of them standing in line to vote for change. Ohio up close and personal Vicki Ryder was one of several thousand Americans volunteering at the polls around the country. Read the remarkable journal of Valerie Ackerman, a young grandmother from Oklahoma volunteering in Ohio (who believes Kerry won the state). by David Swanson God No With over 40 percent of the country still not interested in voting despite massive Get-Out-the-Vote efforts, record turnouts, and endless lines at the polls, it's worth considering who those 40 percent are before diving headlong into yet more Republican imitation. There are some clear segments of the population that decidedly favored Kerry. There may be a strategy that would move more of those populations to turn out and even higher percentages of them to vote for the Democrat. [Continued] From DeAnne Dingwall of Colorado Springs, Colorado: “In October, a friend called to ask if I would like to accompany her and her husband to Burlington. We all were Deaniacs and had been following the DFA website, donating to the various bats. Sure I'll come along. For how long? Who knows? Maybe we'll progress to DC? OK, if I can bring my Pomeranian and my Siamese. “I packed up the car with warm clothes, pet food and pets. From Colorado Springs to Burlington took a few days of driving across the fruited plain. After lots of gasoline, one new battery, and many nights of rushing down motel hallways trying to hush a squalling Siamese, I arrived on the banks of Lake Champlain. I was in time for Halloween, so I got a big orange badge that says 'Bush frightens me' on my first visit to headquarters. “Headquarters: a wonderful mix of enthusiasm, interesting volunteers from all over the nation, food, programmers sleeping all night on the floor, glimpses of 'The Gov', and more focused cooperation than I've ever seen. “I was able to stay for 4 months--a memory that will last forever. I draw on it as one of my best life experiences. When I returned to Colorado in February, I joined the local Kerry campaign. “I loved working for the Dean Campaign. I loved being in Vermont. I long to return. I still work for DFA. The Bush administration has set such a poor example for the world; it seems we are regressing at a fast pace. I only know that I can try to be as peaceful as possible. At age 65, becoming “the advocate I have longed to be:” The experiences of Ginny Terrell of Oakhurst, California, reflect the simple dedication of tens of thousands of progressive Americans: “Last January, I was one of Dean's "stormers" in Iowa. I was in Council Bluffs, knocking on doors, talking with people, doing "visibility" on the street corner in 9 degree weather, and having a blast doing it. “The past couple of years have turned me into the advocate I have longed to be for many years. At 65, I decided it was my turn to do what was important, besides raising a family, holding down a job, etc. In June, I went to DC for the "Take Back America" conference, and attended a workshop held by the Wellstone group, on getting out the vote. I was so impressed I came home and gave three workshops on it, and became the coordinator for the two Dem's clubs I belong to. It's never too late to get involved, and to follow your passion!” A nation wrestles with better angels--a planet holds its breath Phyllis Meshulam of Sebastopol, California is a poet and educator who became involved in the 2004 campaign. Here is Phyllis' report in verse and prose. Verandah Porche of Guilford,Vermont, who canvassed near Keene, New Hampshire, also processed the feelings of this current time in her verse. Maybe we're getting connected Norma Harrison traveled to Arizona, a swing state, from Berkeley, California for the election. Last spring she participated with Reclaim the Commons to oppose the biotech industry’s national conference in June. “Then my friend called me. I had no intention of going to New York for the Republican National Convention. I sighed and we went. While there we stayed with someone who said she was doing election protection, etc. That sounded right up my alley. When she got home, she got on her computer and signed up with the Election Protection program. She was assigned to Phoenix. She networked with her biotech activists and was soon offered lodging and a car in Arizona for her six day stint. “How perfect. Maybe we're getting connected, building the power of real resistance, real consensus building for change, real friendliness and mutuality, to overcome the continued disorientation capitalism constantly wreaks upon us; pulling our jobs out from under us; raising rents so we have to move; putting our damaged people out onto the streets; killing soldiers from the U.S. and people around the world; making us hugely crazy with misery... Maybe we can come together to give us the glorious lives we need and deserve here on Earth in gentle care of Earth, security and enjoyment unto our children's children…” Reaching out to people who don’t necessarily share my views -- like my brother! Activist-journalist Melinda Tuhus of Connecticut traveled to Pennsylvania with a friend as part of Election Protection. Her report provides a thoughtful remembrance of the experience of thousands of like travelers. 2004 independent Congressional candidate Brad Blanton explains why Peace on Earth is still Possible. JANUARY 2, 3, & 4: Inaugural Protests Planned “Public” space along Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington D.C. will, for the occasion of the Bush-Cheney inaugural parade on January 20, become tightly-controlled private space, with police turning away protesters in favor of corporate sponsors. Protesters are nevertheless planning to attend, officialdom’s lapse of etiquette and constitutionality notwithstanding. The D.C. Antiwar Network (DAWN) is planning a 9am counter-inauguration rally in D.C. at Malcolm X Park, 16 th St. NW & Euclid. Details http://www.dawndc.net/ For rides to Washington, housing, and information about other counter-inaugural events in D.C. and around the nation, click HERE. http://www.counter-inaugural.org/ The ANSWER Coalition, an antiwar, pro-justice group that was heavily involved in organizing protests against the US attack on Iraq, is hoping to occupy space along the parade route. They are encouraging protesters to arrive before 9am at a location yet unannounced. The group’s lawyers are working to secure permits but have been unsuccessful for nearly a year. Details http://www.ANSWERcoalition.org Other groups are planning to seed the crowd with people who will not carry signs, but who will turn their backs on Mr. Bush when his motorcade approaches. Some will likely reveal banners or shirts as they do so. Details http://www.turnyourbackonbush.org Every week Democracy Week will report on events for the coming week. If you know of an event we should mention, please let us know at events@democracyweek.org. NEXT WEEK'S FEATURES: Democracy Week is a common calendar and toolbox for the progressive community, launched by Doris "Granny D" Haddock and volunteers associated with her efforts. Watch it grow each week into a resource to make the next four years imaginable and even a bit joyful. You can be a part of our team! We need experienced activists in every part of the US to serve as volunteer calendar coordinators. Please send us a note if you are willing to participate: Yes@DemocracyWeek.org Subscriptions to Democracy Week are free, but we welcome financial contributions to help us with the costs of publishing Democracy Week. Click here to donate. Home - Past Issues - eCards - Classifieds - Blog Spot - Free Subscription - About Us |
