I owe an incredible debt of gratitude to everyone in this forum

[WilliamPitt]

I'm sitting here in my hotel room in DC, dog tired and ready to get back home. I sat today through a fascinating hearing on vote fraud, and got the chance to report on it.

I'm only here because of you guys. I'm only able to report semi-coherently on this vote stuff because of you guys. I told everyone I talked to in that room today about you guys, and most of them had already heard of you. You've been my teachers, and I've been this half-bright student trying to gather it all up.

Thank you so much for all of your hard work, your sweat and tears, your research and your analysis, and your healthy damn skepticism. You are part of something profound, something historic, something heroic, and I am just shivering with gratitude that I get to have anything to do with you and what you do.

[alittlelark]

1. I would like to say 'you're welcome'.....

but soooo many here have done soooo much, and I am but a littlelark lookin' in....

[thjay]

2. Thank You!

I couldn't wait to get home from work tonight and read your entire blog. I wish I could have have been there. Your reporting was the next best thing. Your the best. Thanks.

[pbartch]

37. CAN YOU PLEASE POST THE URL FOR PITT'S BLOG?

Thanks alot. My favorite places is a MESS and I can't find it.

[newyawker99]

65. Hi thjay!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[senegal1]

3. Wow not to downgrade your gratitude but it sounds like you

need some sleep! Actually we need to thank you for doing in the flesh what all us wantabees would like to do.

[eleny]

6. Amen!

A cool cloth and a nice fluffy pillow for a good night's sleep. This was a day well done - Thank *you*, Will. Thanks for your great reporting and the good call to Mike, tonight, too.

Nite!

[WilliamPitt]

10. I always sleep like crap in hotel rooms

but you're probably right.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

17. Sweet dreams! You deserve them! If you have problems getting there,

Just start breathing in very slowly and bring the breathe up through your body to the top of your head. Wait a few moments and breathe out, then repeat..continue this, following your breath. This might help you along to Dreamland. :)

[SomthingsGotaGive]

23. I agree 100%

Here's to DU and all it's Heroes.

You are definitely one of them.

[DARE to HOPE]

91. Hey, you know what works?

Sleep on magnets. :-)

No kidding, it really works. If you have a magnet belt or something around from sports medicine, just try putting it under your mattress pad. You'll be sold.

We have a bed-sized mattress pad, and have gotten used to sleeping so deeply and well, that when we travel, we were tossing and turning, too, away from our own bed. Sooooo--we each got a travel pad, which we now pack in our suitcases. It REALLY makes the difference between sleep and less/no sleep. :-)

Just Google, or even check out EBay--like $100-$200, for a lifetime of use. And the pillow pads really make for vivid dreams.

THANKS, Will, for your blog yesterday, and for representing us. It really was a lifeline on an emotional day.

[Karenca]

4. I'd like to say

thank you too, but others have done so much more than I.
But your post is beautiful and touching. Gave me goosebumps :))

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

5. And through your words...

And the access they give you, through their effect, we gain a certain amount of credibility.

It's a two way street, bubbaman. ;-)

[Chili]

7. thank YOU...

...for so well representing what so many feel. I know not everyone believes that this is an important enough cause to stick our necks out for, or think it's hopeless or pointless, but for those who believe, your words are an inspiration.

Worse than not being heard is to stop fighting. We should NEVER stop fighting for free, fair, and transparent elections. That's my mantra...!

[wovenpaint]

8. Thank YOU

for your writings and ..your legwork!
I watched the hearings on C-Span (saw you typing away, btw :-) ) and enjoyed reading your input/insights as the time went on.
So, again, thank you!!

[cry baby]

9. Thanks to you and those who taught you. Sleep well! n/t

[Must_B_Free]

11. You are the one who deserves a round of applause

among others. Your pieces made DU the hot spot...

[shraby]

15. Thank YOU

For being there and having the ability to put it into words. That means a lot to us here in the trenches.

[understandinglife]

12. Thank you for all you are doing (n/t)

[zeemike]

13. I have done almost nothing

compared to some of the incredible people here at DU.
And it is me that thanks you for the good writing you do.
I always enjoy reading whatever you write and have learned a lot form it. .

[jsamuel]

14. Your Welcome!

:silly:

and Thank You!

I have a final and a final paper due tomorrow and all I can do is try to help on this forum... What you said ment a lot to me and I echo it back at you and everyone else here.

[Sydnie]

16. No, thank you!

Thank you for taking the often frenzied research and posts and putting them in such eloquent terms giving all of us a voice through you.

Sweet dreams Will. You've earned them.

[ailsagirl]

18. What a thoughtful post-- thank you

[rumpel]

19. Thanks also for all you do

at Truthout.

[smartvoter]

20. That street runs both ways. Good work and good night. nt

[Alizaryn]

21. Wow

just wow. Thank you.

[Griffy]

22. need help in DC?

Im in DC (Alexandria VA).. been reading DU for awhile, but im ready to fight! I made a login and speaking out! We all thank you.

[googly]

24. Hear Hear

[anamandujano]

25. Did anyone ask for me, huh?

"I told everyone I talked to in that room today about you guys, and most of them had already heard of you."

[Patsy Stone]

26. You Rock!

Thanks for doin' that.

[RevCheesehead]

27. Way to go, Will!

We're all so proud of what you're doing, and I echo all of the thanks above.

But especially I want to say thanks for doing what some of us cannot - showing up in person. Through you, our collective voices are heard.

(We are NOT BORG - we will NOT be assimilated!) :hi:

[ClassWarrior]

30. LOL... Resistance is NOT futile Rev!

NNNGU.

[ClassWarrior]

28. That's what friends are for, Will.

(at the risk of sounding like Dionne Warwick)

NGU.

[eowyn_of_rohan]

29. Wow

YOU thank US? This is truly an amazing, historic development, that all of us "little fish" have created this political movement in cyberspace... But you are anchoring us, and giving us a voice in the real world, and for that we thank you.

[Griffy]

34. little fish... SWIM DOWN...everyone swim down

sorry... little mermaid reference but valid!

[eowyn_of_rohan]

35. :) I have no idea what you are talking about

I am referring to a logo from a long time ago, and whose it was I can't remember, but it was a drawing of many small fish joined together to form the shape of a big fish with it's mouth open, about to devour a giant fish ahead of it. I have an ancient sweatshirt with that logo on it. It's my motivational shirt.

[Griffy]

40. together we can do alot

and in the movie there is a time many fish are in a net... and 1 fish tells them all to swim down and they all work together to pull the net down and free themselves.

[eowyn_of_rohan]

51. Love that metaphor! :) -nt

[Patsy Stone]

39. Finding Nemo...but yes!

When the fish had to get out of the net, they all worked together by swiming down and pulling the boat over.


SWIM DOWN!!!
SWIM DOWN!!!

[Griffy]

46. LOL.. thats the movie! .. i need sleep!

Duh..

[atommom]

86. Actually, it was Finding Nemo, but it's still relevant! :D

[eridani]

31. Some write fast, and others write well--

--not too many write both fast and well. And we need people like you to sum us up and get all the good stuff out while it still matters.

[ValleyGirl]

32. No, thank you!

I really enjoyed reading your blogging today from the Hill and I appreciate the information you are nice enough to always relay here at DU. :thumbsup:

[JohnOneillsMemory]

33. Turning point of Awareness>Outrage>Action>democracy. We're here!

We finally understand the game and the players. This place was hard to get to. Psy-ops, pretenders, and self-delusion had us hoodwinked for a long time but not anymore.

We're gonna win against the occupation of America because we are freedom fighters protecting our loved ones and homes, just like the Vietnamese and Iraqis.

We finally understand what the scam is and how it was pulled off.
And we overwhelmingly outnumber these fascists.
And we are on home territory with organization.

This struggle WILL lead to an amazing step forward in human evolution after all these terrible steps backwards the American fascists have taken into the 1930s on their way towards the 1850s.

Maybe voting machines count backwards but not the evolution of homo sapiens.

Favorite Winston Churchill quote:
"When you are going through hell, keep going."

[goclark]

36. Way to go Will and JohnOneillsMemory

When the going gets tough the tough get going!

Let's Go!!!!

I am inspired by my favorite poet, Langston Hughes....

Mother to Son

by Langston Hughes

Well, son, I'll tell you:
Life for me ain't been no crystal stair.
It's had tacks in it,
And splinters,
And boards all torn up,
And places with no carpet on the floor --

Bare.
But all the time
I'se been a-climin' on,
And reachin' landin's,
And turnin' corners,
And sometimes goin, in the dark
Where there ain't been no light.
So boy, don't you turn back.
Don't you set down on the steps
'Cause you finds it's kinder hard.
Don't you fall now --
For I'se still goin', honey,
I'se still cimbin'
And Life for me ain't been no crystal stair.

[Carolab]

38. We only want our country back

and we're willing to do what it takes. You are one of our bravest and best voices and we want to keep that voice alive. Whatever you need from us, however we can help you, let us know. We are in this together. Thank you for all that you do. And may I just add that I felt a tremendous sense of pride watching everyone in that forum today. "This is what democracy looks like."

[ParanoidPat]

41. Will, you ever get the feeling you're stuck in a bad Tom Clancy novel?....

......I remember so long ago when you taught in a 'brick and mortar' institution to tens of people at a time. Now you speak to virtually millions. :)

Thanks Will. Stay objective and keep speaking the truth. You know how much it's needed. :toast:

[Kurovski]

42. Sweet dreams, Will.

Thanks for all of it.

[evolvenow]

43. Take extra good care of yourself!!

We are so grateful for you!! May all the good and fantastic work you are doing circulate around the world bringing truth and integrity to everyone.
You are the Best!

[katinmn]

44. Thank YOU.

I watched the hearing today but also sent friends who couldn't watch live a link to your play-by-play account on truthout. Excellent job.

It was a great day with everyone working together.

Thanks for everything.

[jwmealy]

45. Here's a formula I want you to hold on to

My studies of the pattern of "red shift" between the latest exit polls on Nov. 2 and the final tabulated results nationally led to the following spectacularly daring prediction:

For every state in which the disrepancy between last-thing Nov. 2 consortium exit polls and tabulated results for red shift or negative blue shift is greater than the margin of error, the following equation will be true:

Red Shift + Final Spread + 1 > Greatest Recorded Red Shift for the 51 States.

This prediction proved true in all 18 cases without exception.

This result could never attain unless there were an engineered result to the election in most or all the states whose red shifts exceed the margin of error. Some piece of software was keeping tabs on the accumulating results for each of these states as they came into the central tabulation database, and incrementally altered percentages so as to keep Bush ahead by 1% until one of two conditions applied: (1) Bush was projected to win by 1% or more, or (2) the amount of intervention required to give Bush the win by 1% exceeded a certain parameter, hypothetically 5.6%, which is the amount of red shift of Vermont, the highest recorded for the 50 states plus WDC.

Please hold on to this information, and if you don't hear more from me, give it to the professional statisticians. Other statisticians will confirm its significance, if I don't. In a word, this is proof. As a quick check, I have run 3000 randomized election outcomes for those 18 states within the general spread and red shift parameters observed for the group, and not one of them has come up with a result of zero exceptions to the prediction.

[yowzayowzayowza]

47. Thank YOU, Will.

jwmealy: ...they came into the central tabulation database, and incrementally altered percentages so as to ...
I doubt a tabulation exploit would risk multiple database accesses or altering totals in the face of a paper trail.

Very interesting observation tho.

[nomatrix]

48. Thanks for bringing it home to us Will.

Isn't Rep. Conyers such a patient patriot? I watched the frustration that the Democrats in the House have experienced in the last 4 years, including the hearings from the last election, and through it Conyers never changes his tone. He's always in the forefront of the investigations, but not a headline grabbing type, just doing his constitional responsibility. Fighting the battles, and not just the ones he thinks he can will. Michigan has a lot to be proud of.

Ever think of joining up with them? Sleep on it.

Psssst, Will. You got that patriot quality too.

[nadinbrzezinski]

49. Sweet dreams Will

but remember this is a team effort... indeed.

We are all fighitng for our democracy, you, us... all of us.

[liberalnurse]

50. And may we say thank you......

You represented us in that Hearing. The tone was a mirror image of the Ohio Rally's on Saturday....I was there but in no way, shape or form would I be as articlate and visual as you were reporting your on the blog. By reading your report, as it happened, I was able to feel like I was there too.

You make this site work .....we all contribute to the greater good.

[Vidar]

52. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

[north houston dem]

53. I, too am a student here.

I sit in awe of many of the people here.

I feel the same way about you, Will. Thank you for all your hard work.

[Catherine Vincent]

57. Hi neighbor!

Kuykendahl/Rankin area here! :hi:

[north houston dem]

61. hey neighbor

Garden Oaks/ 610 north

:hi:

[jsascj]

54. I second that emotion...

Thank you DU and William Pitt. I have contributed nothing to this forum but have found great solace here and in Truthout.

Truthout kept me same during the election and DU has kept me so since. With the media blackout after the election, I thought that I was losing my mind with all of my 'conspiracy theories'. After I discovered DU I discovered I was right all along.

Thanks to BOTH of 'you'! I'm forever in your debt

[SmileMaker]

55. Here's an absolutely crazy idea I sent to Thom & Conyers

Thanks to you Will. What a role model you are for your former students and a treasure to our country.

I know my idea is off the wall crazy, but is it more crazy than trusting our entire democratic process to corporations? I wrote this to send to the Conyers committee. Also sent it to Thom to see if he could come up with a way to frame it. Thought I'd toss it in the mix here as well. Let me know what you think!

Message: Is it legal to allow corporations to own the software code that counts our votes and then own the intellectual property of the exit poll consultants that check the results? I hope not!

This election feels like a shock and awe campaign that has defrauded voters in so many different way that it is impossible to explain it in soundbites. So, even if we win, we will still lose. Sadly, the biggest part of the problem that has lead us to this complicated mess is a privatized media that , distracts from, distorts and omits information that is crucial to a fair election process. Our democracy has been hijacked by business and government collaborators who have demonstrated a total disregard for law and order when it conflicts with their interests.

This collaboration is a grave threat to the safety of the citizens that they are sworn to protect. I hope that you and your colleagues will not let them get away with any of the crimes that I have read about. I think it would be fairest and simplest to revote everywhere that there is a discrepancy.

I helped a lot of young people to the polls and I feel a special responsibility for making sure their votes are counted. They have the most at stake in this since they will be paying for it. For that reason, and because this election is, literally, a matter of survival, I think we should try something really revoltionary that could bring us all together for the sake of the children.

It would be easiest, and cheapest to revote on paper and then have students of math and social studies classes in high schools around the country count them as a special project. Just imagine what a great way this would be to resolve our dilemma that could bring us all together for the sake of respecting our beloved democracy and protecting the future for our children.

The youth of our country have much more of a right to count our votes than the corporations that have privatized the democratic process and threaten our Republic.

In the future, we should plan for a uniform system using open source software wth paper trail. Also, I think it would serve our youngsters well to play an important part in the democratic process especially when they are not old enough to vote as they participate in a practical math and civics experience. Obviously, the adults can't handle the job!

[Catherine Vincent]

56. Thanks Will!

You represent us well!

[henslee]

58. Thanks from this side bigtime. More folks count on you than you probl.

realize. I was cube ratted w/ no net audio yest. and you were my link to the hearings. Thanks for the calm, crisp prose.

[KaryninMiami]

59. Thanks back to you from a fan in Miami...

We are so blessed to have journalists like you who tell the truth. I've been a fan of your writing for many years now and am so honored that through DU, we are able to connect with you directly and support all that you do for all of us.

Thank you-- and thanks to everyone here too. You make a huge difference in my life as well.

[merh]

60. Thanks to you and

:grouphug: to all of DU! I hope you were able to get some sleep.

[babylonsister]

62. No, no, no, Will Pitt...

thank you for all your efforts on behalf of a bunch of people who just want to see the right thing done. We owe you!:toast:

[lakeguy]

63. Thank you!!!

[NVMojo]

64. ...talking about a revolution!!

they always start small and with the right cause, swell to a burning wild land fire!! Thank you for all you do for us. Thanks DU.

[HEAVYHEART]

66. Dammit.

Why'd you have to make me cry like that? You're not only smart and intelligent, determined, and caring, but very humble. Thank you WilliamPitt.

[november3rd]

67. Pitt-iful

The grassroots prairie fire is barely even lighted under Blackwell. Catch a few Zs and get back to work!

We need your help!

[bleever]

68. Thank you, Will. I feel honored to think of you as a teammate. Whatever

we can do for each other, we will keep doing.

:toast:

[Left Brain]

69. (((((WillPitt)))))

Hugs and thanks to YOU!

[proud patriot]

70. Thank You for "the long kiss goodnight" it helped me sleep

about 3 and half years ago I came to DU , shortly
after you arrived and wrote "the long kiss goodnight"
I had trouble sleeping after the coup of 2000 until I
read your words . I knew I had an inspiration in you .

Thank you for that , and giving me a chance to get way
too Drunk and talk over you ..Man I can talk :eyes:

Thanks to Raven , for raising a great individual .

Most of all I thank all those who STAND shoulder to
shoulder in this cause of seeking truth, justice and
hope for a better tomorrow .

I'll keep spreading the word .

[bobbieinok]

79. link to this?????

[WilliamPitt]

81. Link

http://www.democraticunderground.com/articles/01/07/14_longkiss.html

[MelissaB]

84. I just read "The Long Kiss Goodnight"

for the first time. I'm breathless! I hope for all American citizens and people in the rest of the world that there will be a reckoning.

Thank you for for your words and your passion!

[bobbieinok]

92. thank you for the link ....... July 14, 2001,,,2 months before 9-11

[bunny planet]

71. I humbly thank you sir. I haven't been here at DU long enough to inspire

you but you have certainly inspired me, and your words have kept me going. Thanks so much for everything you are doing.

[ElementaryPenguin]

72. It's nice to be a part of this community, isn't it? We're proud of you!

:yourock:

[Kellis]

73. William-I have never felt so determined

as I do at this point in my life to make a difference in the world.

YOU made a difference yesterday.

Remember this DUers and keep it close to your heart;

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has"-Margaret Mead.

Keep up the pressure you guys and KNOW YOU ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE!

[Angry Girl]

74. No, no, it is US who thank YOU!

You are able to bring far more attention and coherence to this voting fraud issue than our forum rants would ever. We are dismissed as the little people: "kooks," "sore losers," "rabble rousers."

You give us a credible voice - and one that is sorely needed, particularly after the recent, unfortunate Bev Harris episode.

But, most imortantly of all, you bring us hope.

So, again, Mr. P, THANK YOU for everything you do!

[Nothing Without Hope]

75. Will, don't ever doubt you are making a vital difference

We all can't be there sitting next to you, but we're with you with our minds and hearts. And if there is anything we can do to help you with our hands or knowledge, we stand ready to do that too. Name a part of the country and you will have volunteers there standing by.

This is bigger than all of us, and only together can we prevail. Keeping the hope, keeping moving forward, takes all of us.

Don't ever feel alone. You're not. And that's something that goes for all of us "anxious watchers," too.

[McCamy Taylor]

76. thank you!

Before the election I read a piece you had written about why Kerry was going to win and it exactly matched my gut instinct about why the polls, the issues and the political and economic climate equalled a for-sure Democratic win.

Unlike you, however, I am a highly suspicious person, and I have lived in Texas long enough to know that Karl Rove will do ANYTHING to get his man elected, so I had a terrible hunch that the election would be stolen.

When the exit polls showed one thing and the count showed another I had two options. I could say "Boy, did I judge the country wrong. Looks like they wanted W. after all". Or, I could trust my instincts and say to myself "That rat Rove did it again." Your article was one piece of evidence that convinced me that my own instincts were correct.

[marions ghost]

77. Glad to have this chance to say...

...greatly appreciate your being there in the Conyers hearing and reporting so clearly on it, Will. "From Selma to Ohio" captured the essence. Really got it. What's more you gave it the historical weight it deserves.
I have sent it out to contacts as far as Australia.
You are one of the strongest voices out there now in this... whatever it is we are creating from scratch...New World.

[lakelly]

78. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, kind sir.

In the face of your commitment, contribution, dedication (I could go on and on) you, Will, are a true patriot. You help to enlighten, to educate, to keep us sane and to give us hope. You are one of a kind. In the words of my 14 year old son, you rock.:headbang:

[pilgrimsoul]

80. Right back atcha, Will!

It is a privilege to pull in the same direction as a true patriot as yourself. Thank you for representing us and the cause of truth so eloquently and bravely in the face of shameless oppositional muck. You give us hope and encourage us to keep on fighting -- it warms my heart to know that the feeling is mutual. May your well-deserved rest be the blissful sleep of the just.

[Twist_U_Up]

82. So are you !!!!! Thanks n/t

[in_cog_ni_to]

83. You? half-bright?

Try BRILLIANT!

:hi:

[paritom]

85. Thank you for all your work!

From one of the smaller cogs in the machine.

[helderheid]

87. You're wonderful

As is everyone here and I am truly honored to be working with you - all of you. :)

Will, thanks for doing what I can't.

Everyone, thanks for working with me on what we can!

[GetTheRightVote]

88. William, I too was at the hearing and my inspiration for attending - DU

I too have been inspired by this group of election detectives.
Each rally I attended, every hearing I sought answers in were
based on reading and learning from the folks here at home in DU.
The DU has become my home for news and information concerning all
things important in our world today. You ground me in knowledge like no other source has or could, I look forward to the end of the day with a great deal of excitement as I reach for my laptop knowing DU will be there already in action protecting our future while I labor and wonder what the night would bring, thank you all for making room for me as well.

[Griffy]

89. Im in DC..can I help?!

Ill be at this weekends march.. but I can help with other things

[Raksha]

90. I just read "The Long Kiss Goodnight" for the first time...

I only joined DU after the November 2nd election, when like so many others I began to smell a rat and wanted to see if my suspicions were validated.

I want to thank you, Mr. Pitt, for your inspiring essays, and for being there for us yesterday at the Conyers hearing. And thank you to everyone at DU for keeping me sane and giving me hope.