I JUST REMEMBERED. DID YOU FORGET?

[IAMREALITY]

This has been a rough day on DU, but hey, we all have those days. No matter what though, we are all brothers and sisters, fighting the same battle, and we will fight to win, together. I have been distracted today, but the good Lord always has a way to put things back into perspective. A few hours ago My wife and I just discovered that she is pregnant with our second child. We are surprised, not sure how financially we will deal with it, but we know we will handle it great anyway. It also made me think about today, on DU. It made me very quickly remember why I'm here. Why I love America, Why I love democracy, Why I will fight for it. For my family, for my children, for other's children. For all of us. There is no room for pettiness in this fight. I do not want my children, or even your children, growing up in the world the way it is headed right now. It is up to us to change it. So below, I have provided the reason for my fight. I ask for NO animosity in this thread. What I do want, is to hear from your hearts why you are fighting for justice this election. Let's touch each others hearts, let's inspire one another. Please share openly at your discretion, but please, let's reinvigorate this DU community for the tough battles ahead.

My Reason For Fighting:

[Spiffarino]

1. OMG! That is one beautiful baby!

My youngest is nine now, my oldest twenty-one. They are my biggest and most important reasons for caring about the state of our country.

And may I just say...

AAAAAWWWWWWWW!!!!

[merh]

2. How beautiful - I understand your need to fight

and what a worthy cause. :hug:

[proudbluestater]

3. What a gorgeous baby!

I'm not aware of what you've been through here today on DU, but congrats on the new little one! When you least expect it, that's usually when it happens.

I have three. Two young gentlemen ages 22 and 18. My biggest fear is that they will be expected to fight a war in Iran for GWB. I will personally assist them if they decide to move to Canada. I would not blame them in the least.

My daughter is 11 so she's not yet cannon fodder for this regime. But that's why I come here, too. Don't know that I help out much, but it's a great place to organize, share thoughts, and make plans and even pray that Bushco is soon just a bad memory.

[mamalone]

4. Congratulations!

Warmest wishes on your wonderful news. I agree with your motivation- nothing changed my thinking more profoundly than becoming a parent. Even now, after having been at this parenting thing for almost 20yrs, everything else pales in comparison. The little ones are the most important thing..and handing them a more decent world is the least we can do. Your babes are indeed blessed to have such a wonderful Daddy.

[RevolutionStartsNow]

5. Now THAT's worth fighting for!

And I know what you mean. One of my first thoughts after the election was that even as badly as I wanted to run and hide and retreat into apathy, I know I have an obligation to make this world better for my children, and to teach them that even when we lose, we never ever stop fighting.

Gorgeous picture! I love Tigger!

[bleever]

And remember the thing about Tiggers:

Tiggers bounce!

:toast:

[nutsnberries]

6. for some reason, i thought this thread was going to be about....

POLAND !!! ;)

but reasons? you summed them well.

[LiberalAndProud]

7. Why I love America.

I value the freedoms that are ours which have been gifted to us by our founding fathers.
I love that we have the freedom to criticize heads of state without fear of imprisonment or reprisal.
I love our Constitution.
I love our Bill of Rights.

These are the things that I fight to protect so that my children and my grandchildren and even their children will enjoy the freedoms that we enjoy.

[jsascj]

8. YES!!!

Their future and their freedom!

I've got three of those precious angels that I'm fighting for!

[ClintCooper2003]

9. I am fighting because...

the Republicans have tried to hijack Christianity in this country.

[Blue in the face]

10. Yep

That is why I'm here. I don't want my kids growing up in a world where their opinions don't matter. Where free speech is something that people in other countries enjoy. Where going to the poll is a forgone conclusion. And with two girls, it's especially scary to know what the Bush cabal thinks of women's rights.

By the way, congratulations on your second child. As someone once said to me, now you'll be real parents (j/k of course).

[Lugnut]

11. One heck of a good reason I'd say

Congratulations on your good news! :)

I have two grown children, ages 36 and 33. We need to fight for your children, their children and everyone's children as well as for ourselves. None of us deserve to live in a world that is headed where it's headed.

[NJ_Lib]

12. The best kind of news...

A big hug to you and the Mrs... Congrats!!! ::):

[Verve]

13. Congratulations!!!

Children are definitely the reminder I need to keep fighting. My 8 year old and his friends, my 3 year old, and my 18 month old love listening to two particular songs on a Radio Disney C.D. One is the 80's remake of "We're the kids in America" and the other is a country song about America and being proud. (Sorry, I don't know the name but I try to tune this particular song out). I see them dancing and singing to these songs over and over again and I am reminded of how proud they are to be Americans (at least my 8 year old and his friends comprehend this). I'm tinged with jealousy at their confidence in our country. I've lost that feeling and I want that feeling back. I also never want my children to lose this pride they have in our country. This is why we have to continue to fight.

[Eloriel]

14. What an adorable little pumpkin

You can't help but smile seeing that bright little Light.

Edited: Oh! I almost forgot. Congrats on #2 on the way.

[Kellis]

15. Congratulations!

:toast:

I'm fighting because I am afraid of where my country is headed.I see the gutting of our social infrastructure and the massive lies and destruction coming from Washington and can't sit idly by while the rich get richer and the rest of America goes to hell and while people are dying everyday in an an unjust/illegal war.
I am ashamed of my country.I am ashamed of what it stands for and I don't believe it *is* what WE stand for.
I fight because the evangelicals just like the Taliban are dangerous to mankind and most definitely are a threat to a secular democracy-of which we definitely ARE.
I fight because our Founding Fathers are probably rolling over in their graves over what has become of the America they founded.

I fight because;

"It is the duty of the patriot to protect his country from its government." -- Thomas Paine

[jamboi]

16. Congrats! n/t

[seito]

17. Congrats Reality

This is precisely why we can not yield to the storm. We must fight on, for their future depends upon it.

[texpatriot2004]

18. What an incredible baby. How beautiful. That's a terrific reason

to do everything you can but you know that. I can't get over how cute that little tiger is. BTW CONGRATULATIONS on number 2. That's wonderful for you guys. Yeah, the money, it will come. There is an abundant supply.

Why am I fighting for justice in this election? Wow, that's deep. I don't know if I can answer it this late at night. I think I will try tomorrow.

What is the beautiful baby's name? How old?

How adorable!

[IAMREALITY]

23. His Name is Justin Timothy, just turned 1 Nov 17th

:)

[ailsagirl]

19. Congratulations, TruthIsAll!!

And, yes, what a pretty baby!!

[juslikagrzly]

20. Beautiful beautiful child

and congrats on the 2nd.

I am fighting....because we still can! I want my kids (8 and 10) to have the freedom to speak up, fight for their beliefs, make a difference.

Edit to add: We should ALL be inspired by the people in the Ukraine. What a beautiful sight--democracy in action.

[Straight Shooter]

21. Everybody, all together now ...

Awwwwwwwww

Congrats to Mr. and Ms. IAMREALITY.

That reminds me, a friend of mine has a dog named Reality. When he first moved here, if he needed for his dog to come back inside, he would step out onto his porch and yell, "Reality, Come here, Reality!!"

It took a while for people to figure it out :)

[Dem2theMax]

22. First off, that child is precious. And congrats on the second one who is

now on his or her way. :bounce:

I'm single. No children. And at my age, it's pretty much going to stay that way.

I can remember, growing up as a child, that I was proud of my country. I knew I was lucky to live in America. America was far from perfect. But I still felt blessed to live here.

On 9-11, I was in an airport, 10 minutes from boarding my flight home, after having gone to my Aunt's funeral. I literally got to see the airport come to a stand still and see thousands of people in a controlled chaos. I was one of them. Somehow we all kept our wits about us, we were polite and helpful to each other, we went out of our way to help each other as a matter of fact. And we really didn't know what was going on until we were able to get in front of a TV and see for ourselves what had happened.

When I was finally able to do that, in my cousin's living room, I had three thoughts.

One, the world I lived in had changed forever. Two, I wanted to be home, with my parents, in case anything else happened. I wanted to be with my FAMILY, not my cousins. And I couldn't get home for five days. That drove me nuts. Three, I mourned for the children. All I could keep thinking about was that the children born from that day forward, and all the little ones too young to have memories yet, would never know what it was like to grow up in a world without this horror hanging over us. That 'third' one broke my heart. I want the children of this country AND this world to be able to live in a world that provides security and peace and some normal everyday happiness. I want them to be able to go out and play in the beautiful, fall leaves and not have a care in the world. I want them to have the same chances in life that I have had. Life isn't fair, I know that. But it's SO unfair that these precious children have to pay for what the adults of this world have done.

And so, I'm not giving up. I'm going to keep fighting, I'm going to keep hoping, I'm going to keep praying. I didn't read all the way through your post before I started responding, IAMREALITY. I just went back up and read what you wrote. Sounds like we are thinking and feeling the same things. So for your children and all the rest of the children in this world, I'm not giving up. Sure, I want to be safe and secure and happy too. But I want to make sure that the future generations have something to look forward to -- a world of peace and prosperity.

[bunny planet]

24. Beautiful baby. And yes I agree, I've got three beautiful reasons of my

own to fight for. One of them 3 years away from draft age!:scared:

[Stand and Fight]

25. What a gorgeous baby!

Wow! And you say you've another one on the way? I'm most envious -- my wife and I don't have any children, save our pets, but I can definitely appreciate the joy they bring to our lives. It certainly gives added strength to someone when they are fighting for those they love. I'm right there with you when it comes to cherishing the people we have in life enough to fight for them. I'm sure that you shall find a way to prepare for your little one on the way. You're resourceful and intelligent, and I'm sure the members of the DU community will help you in any way we can.

Your words are an inspiration to us all, and your upbeat optimism is surely a boon for the whole DU community. It is bright beacons in the night like yourself who will help to guide us all through these dark times. There's lighting on the horizon, but we're got our bearings aimed straight for the sea of tranquility and freedom - democracy. So, when the waves seem as if they shall capsize our vessel, I know that we can unite, anchor in a safe harbor of fellowship, and come out stronger and better equipped to reach our own "new world."

God bless America and God bless each and everyone of you.

[IndyOp]

26. Thanks IAMREALITY for the reminder...

Thanks for the reminder that no matter how frustrated we might be with our fellow citizens who are adults, the children are innocent and "They Expect the World of Us."

Justin is gorgeous (and I bet he can bounce just like Tigger!). Heartfelt congratulations for the one on the way.

Today I talked for about two hours with a 21-year-old student of mine who has been feeling completely lost since the election. He said that I was the first person to acknowledge the seriousness of his concerns and to give him hope. He gave me some hope -- and motivation to keep working - too.

On November 3, 4, 5 when I felt like the only person in the world who realized what had happened I was determined to do *something* and at the same time I also took time to research immigrating to Canada.

Escape is feeling like less and less of an option now - what with my college-aged children and your Tigger (and Roo on the way) to think of too.

:grouphug:

[BlackVelvet04]

27. What a cutie.

My husband and I weren't able to have children, but I still fight the fight. I fight so the elderly can have the social security and medicare they have worked all of their lives for, I fight for my husband and myself and my nieces and nephews. I fight because it's the right thing to do. What's at stake is freedom and freedom is second only to love for me.

[floridadem30]

28. Congrats! Thank you for reminding all of us why we are here.

It is not to fight amongst ourselves. We should be working together!

[HeyManThatsCool]

29. Awesome

Great pic! Beautiful baby

thanks for posting. Your right. We all need to remember why we're fighting

[yodermon]

30. Here's my reason.

1 year on Dec. 19.

Thank you for this thread.

:hug:

[Niche]

31. Congratulations! This is such a beautiful thread...

I fight because every child, every man and woman deserves the freedom to grow proud, with genius thoughts
and tolorant hearts

I fight because my mother fought for me
when she couldn't rent an apartment as a divorcee
and protected me from a husband who was damaged
beyond repair from Nam, from the guns he waved at sounds from
nowhere only he could hear
I fight for her as works as a union waitress
but is crippled with pain
I'll fight for my niece to live in a world
that will have beautiful, glorious things that all
children should see
And I fight for my dad who remains a UK citizen
for hopes to retire in a country that has medical care
for all people...

I fight for the rights of children who may live
without wars that fill pocket books of theives.
It's worth whatever it takes - a democracy based on eternal dreams of peace...