TWO MINDS…SIMILAR THOUGHTS

By Olivia Taylor-Young

We have always been a two career couple…which translates into being a two-plus computer and a two-office-In-our-home couple as well. But this summer, at our individual keyboards, we’ve spent more time fighting more facets of the same battle than we ever could have imagined.

For example, on today’s editorial page was Dionne’s syndicated column from the Washington Post. In it, the writer wondered when the Democratic party’s leadership will finally be wrested from the Clintons and why "Obama is having difficulty ... seizing control of a party whose nomination he won fair and square." So I emailed him that he was operating under the fallacy of false premise. “Obama's campaign was anything but fair and square.” I wrote. “In fact, it successfully pulled off a bloodless coup.

“There is widespread evidence of caucus fraud.” I continued. “From across the nation, people have signed affidavits and provided video documentation detailing their experiences of intimidation, threats, slashed tires, unidentified 'voters' being bussing in to caucus events, moderators ( who -- by law -- must be impartial) wearing Obama buttons and throwing out Hillary ballots, no checking of identification…” etc. etc. etc.

I also noted that, as a lifelong Democrat, I initially did not want to believe how thoroughly my party’s primary process had been corrupted; but that kind of thinking now seems like it was in another life. Regarding caucus fraud, I continued, “The more I delved into research, the more data I gathered and the more people I corresponded and spoke with nationwide, I couldn't help but realize how profoundly their stories echoed one another’s. Sure, there were variations. But these had more to do with location and individual aspects, The over- all caucus experiences were far too similar to be the result of a few unscrupulous, overzealous Obama campaign workers. The caucus take-overs were a well planned, well orchestrated example of voter fraud. The video documentation, in case you question such authenticity, was provided by people who felt they were taking part in an exciting moment in history and wanted to record the event for posterity. They were at an historical juncture...but not the kind of history they expected.”

“If you want to categorize me as an typical disgruntled Hillary supporter,” I continued, “you are certainly entitled to your opinion. In response, I suggest you look up www.lynettelong.com. She has some startling documentation which verifies what I am writing you...and I don't believe after reading her credentials that you can pass her off as a sure loser or far out nutcase. Also in response, I'd like to add that, since the Rules Committee debacle, I've been in contact with many wonderful people across the country and can categorically state first hand that dismissing Hillary's supporters into a single focus category (usually angry, slightly delusional old time feminists with nothing else to do) is, in itself, delusional. I've been emailed by both men and woman, people as young as early twenties and all the way up to their nineties. Veterans from WWII, Iraq and everything in between. Young parents and their own parents and even their grandparents. College students and professors. The Democratic party has, so far, been unwise to the point of stupidity to dismiss the anger, passion and sheer voting power of people who feel the party has lost its moral compass as well as its moral authority to lecture anyone about election fraud.

“The ‘No Obama’ movement is a truly large coalition...mostly formed by those who feel their party has disenfranchised them and jettisoned its core beliefs. These voters differ in many aspects, including what they will do in November, but one thing is certain: they are united in their conviction that the candidate with questionable judgment (never mind the least experience) was illegally foisted upon them by a party that chose to look the other way. Without a fair election process we have no democracy. And that's precisely why Obama is having trouble seizing control...it has nothing to do with the Clintons.”

Meanwhile, while I was busy writing to Dionne, my husband was busy responding to an email from John Kerry. The 2004 Presidential candidate’s email urged its readers to “Pick up the New York Times this morning and read the headline: ‘Book on Obama Hopes to Repeat Anti-Kerry Feat.’ Yes, Jerome Corsi, the right wing fringe author who made his bones smearing the Catholic Church and lying about my military record, is back atop the best seller list with an anti-Obama book chock full of lies. “If your blood isn't boiling yet,” Kerry continued, “read this: ‘This is a fact: Today Barack Obama is subject to what is probably the greatest concentrated attacks of smears, lies and innuendo in the lifetime of anyone who reads these words’. ”

I guess Senator Kerry has already forgotten what Hillary was subjected to by the Obama campaign and the DNC. Instead, his email continued, “We've seen this movie before. The Republicans, without ideas, start running a negative campaign filled with personal attacks and misleading ads. “ Ad nauseum.

Adding insult to injury, Kerry then invited recipients to sign up for the about to be launched TruthFightsBack.com website , where “…you can report smears when you see them to keep us on track on what the smear machine is up to at every moment. You will be our eyes and ears. We know the game, we've learned some things, and we have a fired up movement of activists like no party has had in decades. “ Oh please!!!

Below is my husband’s reply:

“Senator: The bigger problem in this campaign of lies is that it is not only the Right Wing doing the lying... and cheating... and disenfranchising of the American voters. The DNC itself, under the leadership of Howard Dean and with the help of such people as Nancy Pelosi, Donna Brazile and yourself is perpetuating a fraud on the American people. The Democratic Party has radically departed from its own Charter. It has "decided" who our candidate should be - arbitrarily and ignoring the will of We the People -- and then called for Party Unity. Look at the televised Rules Committee meeting. Look at the grass-roots reports about the Caucuses. Look at the Obama waffling that started as soon as he became the 'heir apparent'. Look at the racism and misogyny expressed by the Obama campaign. And you, John Kerry... I proudly displayed a picture of you and me taken at the Medford, OR, airport in 2004. I was a member of the Veterans for Kerry delegation who met you there, I fought as hard as anyone to defuse the lies of the Swifties. I, with the other VFKs, was frustrated and angry over the "high road" tactics of the DNC -- a path that led directly to your defeat. That picture has been removed from my wall. You have joined "them" with your support of an ill-vetted empty suit of a Presidential nominee, done at a time when it would hurt Hillary the most. To say that I am disappointed in you as a former candidate and as a human being is an understatement. We now know why Senator Edwards endorsed Obama. Why did you?

Sincerely,

Kirk Taylor, Former Coordinator, Veterans for Kerry, Josephine County, OR “

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Note in passing: We’ll celebrate our 30th anniversary in December. They say long time couples begin to look alike and think alike. As far as looks go, I’d say we’re more like “opposites attract.” But when it comes to thinking alike, the emails speak for themselves.

Comments

[grouse]

Benita,
What is absurd is that you think democracy, real democracy is not worth fighting for. We disagree! Our party has been hijacked and we believe it's worth fighting for. It is no longer about Hillary, though it is our loss that she will not be our standardbearer. This is about the DNC, and you can take it to the bank...we will not go quietly into that good night. We will not be patted on the head and told to follow orders like good little soldiers. We will be heard.
So thank you for the prayers. We can use the prayers and you can use the practice, and just maybe your eyes will be opened.

[Benita]

It is absolutely absurd that Hillary Clinton supporters are spending this much energy on the results of the primary which has been over for two months. Also, it is incredible that her supporters are continuing to blame Obama, Dean, Pelosi and anyone else for her loss. Her campaign started with the most superdelegates in her corner (now it is the superdelegates fault). Her campaign started with the most donor dollars (now Obama has to help pay off her debt). Her campaign started with the most media attention because of her name recognition (now it is the media's fault because there was sexism, but no one from her campaign or supporter stands up and talks about the racism). Her campaign started off talking about there 27 state strategy to win and wasn't concerned about the other states and territories (now every state, especially those she won, is important). Her campaign started the conversation about the rules of the DNC and superdelegates can vote however (and now they are trying to prove that his superdelegates were paid off, what about those that supported her when Obama had won their congressional district). But, when all is said in done, what I know for sure is that if you took away every superdelegate and only counted pledged delegates, than Obama would still have the most delegates. He also won the most states. And, yes she has cracked the ceiling with her 18 million votes, but the ceiling has also been cracked with his 17.9 million votes. Which ever candidate won, the ceiling was cracked and instead of us spending time and effort on being divided, we should celebrate the distance America has come. God, continues to bless each of us with so much to give back to America and his word says that "Too whom much is given, much is required." So, let us give of our time and energy to continue to make America a better place for all of its citizens. Continually in prayer for Hillary and her supporters. Benita