Author Topic: It's Time to Stop Being Hit  (Read 967 times)

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Offline Dali Llama

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It's Time to Stop Being Hit
« on: December 15, 2004, 12:53:47 PM »
It's Time to Stop Being Hit

A letter from Michael Moore  
 
12/13/04

Dear Friends,

It is no surprise that the Republicans are sore winners. They have spent the better part of the past month beating their chests, threatening to send to Siberia any Republican who doesn’t toe the line (poor Arlen Specter), and promising everything short of martial law if the Democrats don’t do what they are told.

What’s worse is to watch the pathetic sight of the DLC (the conservative, pro-corporate group of Democrats) apologizing for being Democrats and promising to “purge” the party of the likes of, well, all of US! Their comments are so hilarious and really not even worth recognizing but the media is paying so much attention to them, I thought it might be worth doing a little reality check.

The most people the DLC is able to get out to an event of theirs is about 200 at their annual dinner (where you have to pay thousands of dollars to get in).

Contrast this with the following:

 

Total Members of Move On: More than 2,000,000

Total Attendance at Vote for Change Concerts: An estimated 280,000

Total Union Members in U.S.: Around 16,000,000

Total Number of People Who Have Seen “Fahrenheit 9/11”: Over 50 million

Total Number of You Reading This: Perhaps 10 million or more
The days of trying to move the Democratic Party to the right are over. We lost a very close election (a one-state difference) by running the #1 liberal in the Senate. Not bad. The country is shifting in our direction, not to the right. But the country was attacked and people were scared. They were manipulated with fear. And America has never thrown a sitting president out during wartime. That’s the facts. Oh, and our candidate could have run a better campaign (but we’ll have that discussion another day).

In the meantime, while we reflect on what went wrong, I would like to pass on to you an essay that a friend who works with abuse victims sent to me. It was written by a woman who has spent years working as an advocate for victims of domestic abuse and she sees many parallels between her work and the reaction of many Democrats to last month’s election. Her name is Mel Giles and here is what she had to say:

 

Watch Dan Rather apologize for not getting his facts straight, humiliated before the eyes of America, voluntarily undermining his credibility and career of over thirty years. Observe Donna Brazille squirm as she is ridiculed by Bay Buchanan, and pronounced irrelevant and nearly non-existent. Listen as Donna and Nancy Pelosi and Senator Charles Schumer take to the airwaves saying that they have to go back to the drawing board and learn from their mistakes and try to be better, more likable, more appealing, have a stronger message, speak to morality. Watch them awkwardly quote the bible, trying to speak the ‘new’ language of America. Surf the blogs, and read the comments of dismayed, discombobulated, confused individuals trying to figure out what they did wrong. Hear the cacophony of voices, crying out, "Why did they beat me?"

And then ask anyone who has ever worked in a domestic violence shelter if they have heard this before.

They will tell you: Every single day.

The answer is quite simple. They beat us because they are abusers. We can call it hate. We can call it fear. We can say it is unfair. But we are looped into the cycle of violence, and we need to start calling the dominating side what they are: abusive. And we need to recognize that we are the victims of verbal, mental, and even, in the case of Iraq, physical violence.

As victims we can't stop asking ourselves what we did wrong. We can't seem to grasp that they will keep hitting us and beating us as long as we keep sticking around and asking ourselves what we are doing to deserve the beating.

Listen to George Bush say that the will of God excuses his behavior. Listen, as he refuses to take responsibility, or express remorse, or even once, admit a mistake. Watch him strut, and tell us that he will only work with those who agree with him, and that each of us is only allowed one question (soon, it will be none at all; abusers hit hard when questioned; the press corps can tell you that). See him surround himself with only those who pledge oaths of allegiance. Hear him tell us that if we will only listen and do as he says and agree with his every utterance, all will go well for us (it won't; we will never be worthy).

And watch the Democratic Party leadership walk on eggshells, try to meet him, please him, wash the windows better, get out that spot, distance themselves from gays and civil rights. See the Democrats cry for the attention and affection and approval of the President and his followers. Watch us squirm. Watch us descend into a world of crazy-making, where logic does not work and the other side tells us we are nuts when we rely on facts. A world where, worst of all, we begin to believe we are crazy.

How to break free? Again, the answer is quite simple.

First, you must admit you are a victim. Then, you must declare the state of affairs unacceptable. Next, you must promise to protect yourself and everyone around you that is being victimized. You don't do this by responding to their demands, or becoming more like them, or engaging in logical conversation, or trying to persuade them that you are right. You also don't do this by going catatonic and resigned, by closing up your ears and eyes and covering your head and submitting to the blows, figuring its over faster and hurts less if you don't resist and fight back.

Instead, you walk away. You find other folks like yourself, 57 million of them, who are hurting, broken, and beating themselves up. You tell them what you've learned, and that you aren't going to take it anymore. You stand tall, with 57 million people at your side and behind you, and you look right into the eyes of the abuser and you tell him to go to hell. Then you walk out the door, taking the kids and gays and minorities with you, and you start a new life. The new life is hard. But it's better than the abuse.

We have a mandate to be as radical and liberal and steadfast as we need to be. The progressive beliefs and social justice we stand for, our core, must not be altered. We are 57 million strong. We are building from the bottom up. We are meeting, on the net, in church basements, at work, in small groups, and right now, we are crying, because we are trying to break free and we don't know how.

Any battered woman in America, any oppressed person around the globe who has defied her oppressor will tell you this: There is nothing wrong with you. You are in good company. You are safe. You are not alone. You are strong. You must change only one thing: Stop responding to the abuser.

Don't let him dictate the terms or frame the debate (he'll win, not because he's right, but because force works). Sure, we can build a better grassroots campaign, cultivate and raise up better leaders, reform the election system to make it fail-proof, stick to our message, learn from the strategy of the other side. But we absolutely must dispense with the notion that we are weak, godless, cowardly, disorganized, crazy, too liberal, naive, amoral, "loose,” irrelevant, outmoded, stupid and soon to be extinct. We have the mandate of the world to back us, and the legacy of oppressed people throughout history.

Even if you do everything right, they'll hit you anyway. Look at the poor souls who voted for this nonsense. They are working for six dollars an hour if they are working at all, their children are dying overseas and suffering from lack of health care and a depleted environment and a shoddy education.

And they don't even know they are being hit.

How true. And that is our challenge over the next couple of years; to hold out our hand to those being hit the hardest and help them leave behind a party that only seeks to keep beating them, their children, and the kid next door who’s on his way to Iraq.

Yours,

Michael Moore

www.michaelmoore.com

MMFlint@aol.com
AKA "Blademan52" from Marlin Talk

Offline Nightrain52

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It's Time to Stop Being Hit
« Reply #1 on: December 15, 2004, 02:51:46 PM »
When is this pos going to quit trying to play politition and crawl back under the rock he slithered out from under.
FREEDOM IS WORTH FIGHTING FOR-ARE YOU WILLING TO DIE FOR IT--------IT'S HARD TO SOAR LIKE AN EAGLE WHEN YOU ARE SURROUNDED BY TURKEYS

Offline jh45gun

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It's Time to Stop Being Hit
« Reply #2 on: December 15, 2004, 03:09:13 PM »
POS is a discredit to POS every where when using that description about moore :roll:  :)
Said I never had much use for one, never said I didn't know how to use it.

Offline ironglow

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It's Time to Stop Being Hit
« Reply #3 on: December 15, 2004, 03:10:34 PM »
Moore's last paragraph was the real kicker...

   He's whining for the poor far left wingers (Deaniacs), ...commiserating with his own ilk...

   Our military is composeds of courageous VOLUNTEERS....just hopw many leftwingers "Kids are on their way  to Iraq? ...Haw..Haw

  Not unless that kid is a lot better (more conservative) person than their parent!...
If you don't want the truth, don't ask me.  If you want something sugar coated...go eat a donut !  (anon)

Offline Cowpox

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It's time to stop being hit
« Reply #4 on: December 15, 2004, 04:54:02 PM »
As I read that, in my minds eye, I could see a poor old butt shot bear rolling around trying to bite his own haunches. They are even attacking their own !!!  That's good. As long as the lunatic fringe on the left keeps aiming their campaigns at those who were going to vote for them anyway, they aren't going to get enough votes from the people who actually decides who wins. The middle grounders who are moderates and stand in awe of one god or another, and don't really like being called religious kooks. As long as that concept keeps getting by the Libs, I think they will continue losing seats every two years.  ALRIGHT !!!! Looks like I may live out my years without having to use my guns to keep them.  Cowpox
I rode with him,---------I got no complaints. ---------Cowpox

Offline williamlayton

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It's Time to Stop Being Hit
« Reply #5 on: December 16, 2004, 12:59:32 AM »
Now I do not agree with Moore, however, he is raising an army of his own ilk and unless we want to keep our voices heard we cannot sit on our laurels. he is correct when he says it was a close election. He is correct when he says there are millions who gree with him. He may even be correct when he says the majority agree with him.
Read what he says, and remember that ONLY 60% of the people eligible to vote did so. This next election, not just Presidential, can be swayed if 1% more vote who agree with him. Folks it is imperative that 100% vote, this is not supposed to be a sample pole, it is supposed to be an election by all the people.
It is good to read those opposing views, I think, to keep in touch with what is happening, what folks views are. Do not stick your head in the sand or you will get your butt kicked.
Now, as much as I disagree with him, and with as many holes as I can see with his program, he does have the right to stand on the soapbox and pronounce them for all too hear.
Blessings
TEXAS, by GOD

Offline Dali Llama

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It's Time to Stop Being Hit
« Reply #6 on: December 16, 2004, 02:22:39 AM »
Quote from: Nightrain52
When is this pos going to quit trying to play politition and crawl back under the rock he slithered out from under.
Dali Llama say he certainly hope it sooner rather than later. :twisted:  :twisted:  :x  :evil:
AKA "Blademan52" from Marlin Talk

Offline ironglow

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It's Time to Stop Being Hit
« Reply #7 on: December 16, 2004, 02:30:13 AM »
William is correct...you've got to KNOW your enemy!!
If you don't want the truth, don't ask me.  If you want something sugar coated...go eat a donut !  (anon)

Offline Dali Llama

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It's Time to Stop Being Hit
« Reply #8 on: December 16, 2004, 02:32:34 AM »
Quote from: ironglow
William is correct...you've got to KNOW your enemy!!
That be for certain, concur Dali Llama.
AKA "Blademan52" from Marlin Talk

Offline bgjohn

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« Reply #9 on: December 16, 2004, 02:49:54 AM »
:eek: 100% voter turnout? I hope NOT. I want to win not be fair to the dummies who don't vote or don't know how to use the chad punch.
JM
I know nothing. I am only a messenger.

Offline Wlscott

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It's Time to Stop Being Hit
« Reply #10 on: December 16, 2004, 04:33:16 AM »
Quote
Next, you must promise to protect yourself and everyone around you that is being victimized.


Stand up for yourself?  Fight for what you believe in?  Sounds like something a conservative would say.

Quote
You don't do this by responding to their demands, or becoming more like them, or [b[engaging in logical conversation[/b], or trying to persuade them that you are right.


DON'T use logical conversation?  Sounds like a liberal.

Quote
Don't let him dictate the terms or frame the debate (he'll win, not because he's right, but because force works).


Did we win the last election(s) by use of force?  I don't remember that military action...

Quote
We have the mandate of the world to back us, and the legacy of oppressed people throughout history


Can you say "UN" control?

Quote
Even if you do everything right, they'll hit you anyway. Look at the poor souls who voted for this nonsense. They are working for six dollars an hour if they are working at all, their children are dying overseas and suffering from lack of health care and a depleted environment and a shoddy education.

And they don't even know they are being hit.


I don't know about you guys, but I make a hell of a lot more than six bucks an hour, my kids are healthy and are getting a much better education than I got.

Quote
How true. And that is our challenge over the next couple of years; to hold out our hand to those being hit the hardest and help them leave behind a party that only seeks to keep beating them, their children, and the kid next door who’s on his way to Iraq.


He's not going to go away.  I'd love to see him slither back under the rock from which he came, but that's not going to happen.  The thing that really scares me is that there probably are around 50 million just like him.  We have to stay on our toes and not let people like him win.  He will keep preaching his garbage and trying to rally his "troops".

Here's a thought.....Maybe we could give 'em Kalifornia and they can do whatever they want :roll:
You haven't hunted......Until you've hunted the hunters

Offline magooch

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It's Time to Stop Being Hit
« Reply #11 on: December 16, 2004, 05:32:41 AM »
Rave on, Michael Moore; you're the best example of why we should allow postnatal abortions.  And no, William, we do not want everyone to vote; only those who can make an intelligent, reasoned vote.
Swingem

Offline williamlayton

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It's Time to Stop Being Hit
« Reply #12 on: December 16, 2004, 10:59:42 PM »
Magooch
I'm thinkin that is what Moore is thinkin bout us, on tha votin.
Blessings
TEXAS, by GOD

Offline Dali Llama

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It's Time to Stop Being Hit
« Reply #13 on: December 17, 2004, 02:20:36 AM »
Quote from: Wlscott
Maybe we could give 'em Kalifornia and they can do whatever they want
That sound like an extremely good idea, say Dali Llama!! :grin:  :grin:  :grin:
AKA "Blademan52" from Marlin Talk

Offline williamlayton

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It's Time to Stop Being Hit
« Reply #14 on: December 18, 2004, 01:21:22 AM »
You cannot bargain very well with a man that already has one of what your offering in exchange.
Blessings
TEXAS, by GOD

Offline Dali Llama

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It's Time to Stop Being Hit
« Reply #15 on: December 18, 2004, 04:48:29 AM »
Quote from: williamlayton
You cannot bargain very well with a man that already has one of what your offering in exchange.
Blessings
:? Dali Llama say he unaware that Michael Moore possess PRK? :?
AKA "Blademan52" from Marlin Talk

Offline williamlayton

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It's Time to Stop Being Hit
« Reply #16 on: December 20, 2004, 12:47:52 AM »
Purty much, if'n what I read from California residence is true.
Blessings
TEXAS, by GOD

Offline Dali Llama

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It's Time to Stop Being Hit
« Reply #17 on: December 20, 2004, 09:01:38 AM »
Quote from: williamlayton
Purty much, if'n what I read from California residence is true.
Blessings
Dali Llama suggest that some PRK residents who frequent this forum may disagree with assessment that Michael Moore own them. :-)
AKA "Blademan52" from Marlin Talk

Offline williamlayton

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« Reply #18 on: December 20, 2004, 11:00:21 PM »
Blessings
TEXAS, by GOD

Offline Dali Llama

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It's Time to Stop Being Hit
« Reply #19 on: December 21, 2004, 01:10:56 AM »
Quote from: williamlayton
Blessings
:?  :?  :?
AKA "Blademan52" from Marlin Talk