Would you folks read something for me?

WilliamPitt

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Thu Dec-23-04 10:15 PM
Original message

Would you folks read something for me?

I got a really nice email from a reader, and she asked me to help her put this where people can read it. She is one of us. Her email reads:

I worked on the Kerry campaign and shortly after his concession I
started an email, letter writing campaign with about 30 of our
volunteers from the campaign and the local vets for peace group also
signed on. We have been emailing people like crazy about each issue as
it has unfolded. The past few days I spent a couple hours emailing every
senator asking them to object to the certification of the election when
they meet in joint session. I also sent a letter to John Conyers in
hopes that it will help to have more "letters" from voters to make his
case. A copy appears below. I wanted to have it circulated and encourage
others to send a similar letter or just copy mine, say they agree with
the thoughts expressed and send it on to Conyers or their Reps or Senators.

If you can help me out in posting this in a place that will get more
coverage that would be great. I am so thankful to you for providing me
with a lift in my spirits, thanks again, have a Merry Christmas!

----

December 23, 2004

Representative John Conyers Jr.
The House Judiciary Committee Democratic Staff
DCC Building, Suite 257
15100 Northline Road
Southgate, MI 48195

Dear Rep. Conyers and House Judiciary Committee Democratic Staff Members -

I have emailed all Senators whose web forms are functioning urging them
to object to the certification of the electoral vote when the House and
Senate meet in joint session come January.

I do not concede my vote. The 2004 election is not over. Nationwide
abusive tactics of voter suppression, voter intimidation and vote
manipulation have stained our democracy by victimizing poor, elderly,
disabled and minority voters on November 2, 2004.

To declare George W. Bush the victor in the November 2nd election
without contesting the election would be a crime. Technically it may not
be against the law but it would be immoral. A majority of the Senate
saying the election outcome is legitimate will not make it so. There has
been a visceral reaction to the abusive tactics and the vulnerability of
our tabulation system with its code and software shrouded in secrecy.
Abuse and secrecy are not noble goals for a democracy.

I am just an ordinary citizen who has never before been an activist and
I am not alone. There are millions of other citizens just like me who
refuse to walk away from this issue. We will not stand for a stolen
election. We will not sit down and shut up. We are an intelligent and
technologically literate citizenry who will continue to speak truth to
power even if the Senate decides to certify the election.

This issue will not go away, because we will not go away.

We do not have a choice.

If we do not stand up now for what is right, decent and in the best
interest of all of our citizens then we have failed as a democracy.

So I ask the Congress and the President, where is the righteous anger
for the victims of these despicable tactics? Those of us who have had
the courage to speak out have been labeled liars, conspiracy theorists
and sore losers. Meanwhile, those facing similar circumstances in the
Ukraine have been lauded as heroes, and defenders of democracy!

Immediate action is required to ensure that THE 2004 ELECTION has a
legitimate outcome. We can not be placated with the same promise as the
last post election fiasco - this will never happen again, next time
every vote will be counted, every vote will count, and yet here we are
again. Only this time it is even worse because we have worked very hard
to ensure a great turnout, which we did promising all that their vote
would count and it, did matter. With that in mind, to let this election
stand and certify the results in the joint session would be unacceptable
and morally reprehensible. This aggressive assault on our most sacred
right, won for every citizen by the blood and sweat of those who have
gone before us must be stopped!

This is not a partisan issue. We are talking about the most basic right
of every citizen in our country, the right to vote. Why is it imperative
to this administration to ensure the right to vote for every Iraqi
citizen, at the expense of American lives, while at the same time, the
right to vote for every American citizen means so little that there has
not been even the most basic discourse regarding this vital issue?

If ensuring the right to vote, in this election, for every citizen means
a nationwide revote, just like the Ukraine, then so be it. If it means
using all paper ballots and takes three weeks to count, so be it. If we
are willing to sacrifice human life for Iraqi citizens to have that
right, then shouldn't we be willing to sacrifice inconvenience and
however much time it takes to count the vote for our own citizens?

The bottom line is that if the Senate certifies the vote in their
upcoming joint session, then they deny the citizens of our country the
right to free and fair elections. Without free and fair elections, we
mock the very precepts upon which our nation was founded.

By accepting corrupt results, we accept corrupt government.

By accepting corrupt government, we abdicate our role as Leader of the
Free World and denounce our own democracy.

So, I urge Congress,
Do the right thing.

Stand up for the victims!
Stand up for the vote!
Stand up for our democracy!

Answer the call.

With hope for the future,

********** **********