Ass kissing is a tough act to follow but I’ll try.

Either way the money for the troops doesn’t get authorized, and this is the Dem’s ace in the hole. They’re counting on everyone being too interested in Gonzales-gate to notice what they’re up to, and they’ll keep on with their “the President won’t sign the spending bill authorizing money for the troops,” talking point, which people only paying half attention won’t see through. Veto or on veto, they can keep this bill bouncing around in committee limbo for heaven knows how long. And with this new offensive (see the Stakalog) on the line, a delay of even weeks is a very bad thing.

It’s time for Joementum to stand up and make his voice heard on this subject–and everyone should be glomming onto Koppel’s great formulation from last week–you’ve got it backwards; if they can’t meet the benchmarks, we leave just when they need our help; if they do meet the benchmarks we stay? Huh? That’s the kind of common sense the American people can relate too.

And I’d still like to see the momentum from the Gathering of Eagles be capitalized on. As much as Vietnam vets didn’t want to see the memorials defaced; as much as they wanted to make the kind of statement of support for the troops that they never got, I can’t believe they want to live the nightmare of watching the Democrats snatch defeat out of the jaws of victory all over again. I know this crowd isn’t the type to march around carrying signs–too much association with the anti-war 60’s demonstrations, perhaps–but now the ice has been broken. The poll numbers must be swung around to the side of support for the war, and this requires the silent majority standing up and being counted. It’s the only way out of this. If the numbers swing in favor of the war, the opportunistic Dems will run from their current positions pell mell, like cockroaches scattering when you turn on the light (in NYC). There are a lot of the pieces in place, because of the GOE–and blogs which can spread the word like wildfire. It’s got to come from the people; the politicians WILL NOT get it done.

/Soapbox>

smellthecoffee on March 27, 2007 at 12:49 AM

I’m especially interested in the second half of your post. In particular, how do we the people bring such things about?

People with connections, whether personal or through the blogosphere, and especially those who were involved in the planning of GOE need to contact the people they worked with on that. I just went back into the Vault for 3/17 and found these names for starters; Gathering of Eagles, Free Republic, Move America Forward. If you go to http://www.gatheringofeagles.org/ and read the frst post, you’ll notice how much infrastructure is in place. Here is an excerpt:

America can be divided into five regions. Thus, we need ten volunteers (five coordinators with five back-up/assistant coordinators) that can devote the time and energy when required, has the expertise to carry out a coordinators function, and assume the responsibility.

Basic responsibility for Regional Coordinators will be to enlist/identify State coordinators for every State in his/her region; keep abreast of events, activities within the region ; identify regional action as necessary; recommend initiatives within a region for national support; be prepared to support other region initiatives; raise funds for regional events; and be prepared to assist national coordinator as requested.

State/back-up/assistant Coordinators, Regional Coordinators a coordinator net within each individual State.

THIS is what needs to be taken advantage of. So, if people in the HA readership know some of these coordinators, they need to to conact them, and float the idea of organizing a really big demonstration ensuring that our soldiers don’t get cut off at the knees (again). If there is a very energized, motivated response, then there is what to build on.

How indeed? Forget the MSM. Without a Rupert Murdock we are left with the new media. That’ll take generations.

It’s amazing what can be accomplished in the internet age. A few years ago, in a terrible spring in which there were bombings nearly everday in Israel, and culminating in the Passover massacre in Netanya, a demonstration at the Capitol of 200,000 was pulled together in two weeks. And this is from the comparatively tiny Jewish community (and Christian friends, of course). But the motivation was there. People were horrified and looking for an outlet to express their anger and frustration. So here, too, if people are really cranked about what’s going on with the Dems, the reaction will be strong, and things could happen very fast, esp given what already been accomplished w/ respect to infrastructure. If everyone kind of shot their wad on the GOE, and responses are tepid, then it probably isn’t to be. So floating the idea is #1, and if response is hot, then the thing needs a great name that will grab everybody. I thought of the Million Sleeping Giants March, but while the idea is nice, it sounds lame, and makes it sound like a zombie movie or something. Others can do better.

smellthecoffee on March 27, 2007 at 9:28 AM

I’m sure it is in violation of some kind of blog etiquette to post three times in a row, but here goes.

I was also thinking that a campaign to take out full pages ads in newspapers all across the country on the same day, would be a good way to cut through the MSM iron curtain. A page on a web-site just listing the contact info for all the reps/senators by district with sample letters to send would also be a step forward. Also, there could be an informational flyer available for people to print and distribute–another way to get through the iron curtain. Something like Americansunitedfor victoryinIraq.com?
The web-site should link to the appropriate related organizations and blogs.

smellthecoffee on March 27, 2007 at 11:44 AM