This Band of Brothers Deserves Our Support.

[Clarkie1]

Last time I checked, there were 86,000 or so people on DU. If each one of those people donated $10 to this organization, that would be almost a million dollars. So what do you say, DU?

They're our best chance of taking back the Congress.

http://www.bandofbrothers2006.org/

Edit: There are also some "sisters." :-)

[AtomicKitten]

1. done .......... K&R

[IndianaGreen]

2. Not so fast! (Cegelis v. Duckworth)

Published on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 by the Huffington Post

Stand Up to the Beltway Democrats

by Jonathan Tasini

Two years ago, Christine Cegelis took 44 percent from Henry Hyde, the arch conservative congressman and Congressional father of the anti-choice movement, in the suburban Chicago-area 6th District in Illinois. Her race pushed Hyde to announce he would retire. Cegelis, supported by a broad grass-roots network, decided immediately to run for the seat in 2006.

Rather than line up behind a candidate who was poised to capture the district, the Beltway Democrats recruited a primary opponent to take on Cegelis. Why? Because Cegelis is precisely the kind of progressive candidate the Beltway Democrats are afraid of: she is a progressive, anti-war, pro-choice, pro-renewable energy, pro-universal health care and opposes NAFTA-like trade deals. She's called for a quick and safe withdrawal of troops.

The Beltway Democrats tapped Tammy Duckworth, a person who has never lived in the district. Her central asset: she is a member of the Army Reserves who lost both her legs in Iraq. She isn't even running against the war--she is simply a symbol of patriotism. While her personal story is moving, she is also precisely the kind of candidate that the Beltway Democrats love--centrist and pro-business.

Indeed, the Beltway Democrats have pulled out all the stops to raise money for Duckworth: two emails from John Kerry, an e-mail and fundraiser courtesy of Hillary Clinton, an appeal from Nancy Pelosi. And Rahm Emanuel, the head of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (and an advocate of so-called "free trade"), has crossed the line, mobilizing the official party machine into the primary fight on behalf of Duckworth.

Duckworth's recruitment is a sign of a party driven by spin, political calculation and fear, not strength or vision. The Beltway Democrats, who relieve themselves in their pants every time Republicans question their patriotism, have decided that a winning political strategy rests on rolling out a large pool of candidates who are military veterans. Veterans or any new face in politics is great--but not if their candidacies are created to prove that Democrats care about the country and its security, even if we have no idea where the candidates stand on other issues or have no connection to the communities they seek to represent.

http://www.commondreams.org/views06/0315-29.htm

[FrenchieCat]

3. There's a lot of candidates in this group....

not just Duckworth, Indiana Green!

Don't let your bad apple spoil the bunch! and a possible win of the house!

[IndianaGreen]

4. Donate to individual campaigns!

and specially, donate to those candidates that represent our views, not to some front organization. GOP has veterans too! Voting for someone on the basis of the number of combat ribbons, while ignoring their prowar and pro-globalization political positions, is voting against our own interests.

[Clarkie1]

5. I think that is a great way to donate.

However, I think for some it is also beneficial to donate to organizations such as this one.

It sends a powerful message the voters when they know that so many veterans are running this year as Democrats. It's a way for the party to take back the flag from the Republicans. Whether you like it or not, it's something we need to do.

I live in a highly Democratic area. By donating to this organization, I know I am helping Democratic Veterans get elected all across America in some very contentious districts, and that is what is most important to me this year. If that is not what is most important to you, then by all means donate to the individual Democrats of your choice!

[FrenchieCat]

6. Well I donated! Cause in the end, the ones that do the fighting are the

ones that will most likely keep the peace!

and in fact....Peace to you!

[IndianaGreen]

7. That's not true, as the swiftboat liars illustrated so well in 2004

I am a veteran and unlike some in here, I am not mesmerized by military uniforms or combat ribbons. You can find combat veterans even among the Freepers, and they are among the biggest warmongers of all.

The only thing that counts is what is the candidate's core values and what is the candidate going to do once elected. To vote for someone on the basis of their military service is as silly as voting for someone on the basis of their race, sex, gender, sexual orientation, or national origin. We have women that oppose women's rights, African-Americans that oppose affirmative action, gays that vote Republican, etc.

[FrenchieCat]

8. So what are you saying?

You favor Celegis obviously.....and feel that she's been mistreated....

But does that really mean that Duckworth is a freeper and a warmonger? I like her core value..

and in Fact the Band of Brothers who are all Democrats all seem fine and upstanding....but of course not perfect.

I think that you are taking things to an extreme to make a point on the party bosses' games....and punishing a whole lot of good folks in the process.

Hate to see this happen....These are NOT Republicans.....they are Democrats who happen to be Veterans! My goodness!

[IndianaGreen]

9. I suggest you read Tasini's article in post #2

What part of support of the war don't you understand?

[FrenchieCat]

13. The part of it that's not there.....

she does not support this war....as you actually know.

She left both of her legs on the battlefield, and I just don't even know how politics could even make you say that, Indiana Green.

She's just not for the black and white "stay and win or go today" false choice provided by those who should know better.....

So yes, Duckworth is not for the (never gonna happen anyway till those in power say so) "Out right this minute, and fuck everything else, and when the civil war starts up and Iran and Syria enter into it, and WWIV starts, we'll just wring our hands and hope we can stay out of it" mantra ..that ain't gonna happen anyways till Bush says so and uses it as a political opportunity. :eyes:

But no, Duckworth doesn't support this war.

[Clarkie1]

12. Military service is a factor.

Think of it as affirmative action for Democratic veterans which will change the image of the Democratic Party and help get more Democrats elected to all branches of government.

We have an image problem, and we need to address it. I understand you feel more comfortable donating to individuals, but please understand the importance of organizations such as the Band of Brothers to the Democratic Party. They are vital in order for us to regain the majority and improve the image of the Party.

Yes, military service matters to me. That doesn't mean I would select a candidate based solely on that criteria any more than I would select a candidate based on any other criteria. But right now we need leaders who have been to war, because they are the least likely (in most cases, not all) to go to war.

[BrotherBuzz]

10. I'm already helping one of the brothers....

Charlie Brown is running against Doolittle in California's fourth district. I live in a secure district, but the 4th is near me and he has won my support. Everybody, find a brother/sister that lives near you and help them! People say a dollar donated now is worth more than four dollars closer to November.

[Clarkie1]

11. Excellent. Thank you!

As I said, individual donations are great!

I live in a heavily "blue" area, so I feel that the best way I can affect things nationally in 06' $$$ wise is to donate to organizations such as the Band of Brothers (and Sisters). I am sure I don't agree with every candidate on every issue, but that is not what is most important. What is important to me is taking back the congress in 06' with good, strong Democrats and in doing so changing the image of the Democratic Party.