Blowin' in the Wind 2006
Rusty
Every progressive has been fighting a long, hard battle. Many of us have been making it through each day on willpower alone, supplemented by steady infusions of coffee to stave off exhaustion. Even as we've given everything we have to win this battle, some of us have also had deal with personal tragedies, unemployment, financial crises, family conflicts, workplace turmoil, children in harm's way overseas, and serious health problems.
But every one of us is still fighting. We're fighting for the sake of those who are no longer with us today, for loved ones and for people we've never known who have died in Iraq, and in New Orleans, and in nameless places where poverty and disease and despair have taken them from this world because their own government didn't give a damn about them.
We're fighting to sanctify those we have lost, to defend those in danger today, and to prevent even greater horrors. This is not a political battle, it is much more than that, for it may well be the final confrontation between truth and deceit. If we lose, the truth loses, and it may never be heard again, for Bush will get his war with Iran and voices of dissent will be systematically silenced as that war escalates into regional and then global war.
Through long, dark years of escalating madness, a few hundred thousand progressive activists, led by a handful of elected leaders and journalists, have stood alone against the combined might and overwhelming power of the corporate, media, and government establishments.
For years, they have abused us, mocked us, demonized us, and slandered us. But they have been unable to silence us, and now our message is ringing out across this country, and is echoing in the hearts of tens of millions of Americans. Redemption is within our reach, but it has been within our reach before, only to be lost.
Many years ago, in a time of hope mixed with foreboding of dark times ahead, a young idealist wrote a song that has even more relevance today than it did on the eve of the Vietnam War:
How many roads must a man walk down
Before you call him a man?
Yes, 'n' how many seas must a white dove sail
Before she sleeps in the sand?
Yes, 'n' how many times must the cannon balls fly
Before they're forever banned?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind,
The answer is blowin' in the wind.
How many times must a man look up
Before he can see the sky?
Yes, 'n' how many ears must one man have
Before he can hear people cry?
Yes, 'n' how many deaths will it take till he knows
That too many people have died?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind,
The answer is blowin' in the wind.
How many years can a mountain exist
Before it is washed to the sea?
Yes, 'n' how many years can some people exist
Before they're allowed to be free?
Yes, 'n' how many times can a man turn his head,
And pretend that he just doesn't see?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind,
The answer is blowin' in the wind.
The answer is no longer blowin’ in the wind, never to be found. It has been in America’s soul all along. The answer we’ve been seeking is the simple acknowledgement that we must face the truth, speak the truth, and honor the truth by acting upon it. We’ve paid a heavy price for ignoring this fundamental moral obligation. We’ve walked down too many long, hard roads only to find a dead end because the blind have been leading the blind. Too many people have cried. Too many people have died. Too many people have turned their heads and pretended they just couldn’t see.
Progressives have found the answer, and between now and November 7, we must proclaim the truth, reclaim this wayward nation from Bush and his Republicans, set a new course for America and the world, and establish a government of the truth, by the truth, and for the truth. That is the journey we must take if there is to be any hope of saving this troubled world from the consequences of the endless, pervasive lies of our leaders.
Comment # 1 ~ keenekarl ~ 09/30/2006 15:36 GMT The sheep's clothing... the false garments... are being lifted from this band of thieves and liars- these ravenous wolves - who have been allowed to sneak into this nation's most sacred halls to prey upon its unexpecting and easily deceived people!
I thank God for those with the heart of a shepherd - a heart that cares enough and is attentive enough to sound the alarms to drive these predators out into the open - to drive these predators out from among us!
We must remain ever vigilant! We must not hesitate to take action! We must defend each other!
Comment # 2 ~ Patriot ~ 09/30/2006 16:40 GMT Politics is more important than the young kids who work for Congress for free. That should be the place they are the most safe. I'm sickened by these people. This scandal is going to get bigger, unfortunately. The kids said they were warned to avoid Foley.
Great post, Rusty.
Comment # 3 ~ keenekarl ~ 09/30/2006 17:41 GMT Here is the text of a letter I just composed to send to the Center for Missing and Exploited Children. I think they need to get the message that their statement was way out of line and does much to lend question as to the health of their leadership. Please feel free to cut and paste it and mail a copy to them! I don't see an e-mail address on their site, so I'm sending my copy by US Postal service.
Here's that letter:
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
Charles B. Wang International Children's Building
699 Prince Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22314-3175
September 30, 2006
I am utterly astonished and completely baffled by your most recent action. Undaunted by Congressman Mark Foley’s sordid stalking of children to satiate his perversions, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has rushed to salute Foley and issued one of the most sickening statements I’ve ever seen:
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC)
On the Resignation of Congressman Mark Foley
September 29, 2006
“Congressman Mark Foley’s resignation is a loss to Florida and the nation. He has been a hard-working, dedicated and effective Congressman."
_____
This coming on behalf of a so-called family values Republican who also happens to have written 35 pages of lurid e-mails and nauseating instant messages soliciting sex from minors.
This comment coming on behalf of the very type of exploitive and predatory creature you claim to be working to stop under the banner of protecting our children! My God, you even provide an entire area committed to stopping his very crimes! And yet you laud him? Now we all must wonder just who it is you are really trying to protect!
The sheep's clothing... the false garments... are being lifted from this band of thieves and liars- these ravenous wolves - like Mark Foley, who have been allowed to sneak into this nation's most sacred halls to prey upon its unexpecting and easily deceived people!
By offering to honor Foley, you have gone against everything you stand for.
I thank God for those with the heart of a true shepherd - a heart that cares enough and is attentive enough to sound the alarms to drive these predators out into the open - to drive these predators out from among us!
We must remain ever vigilant! We must not hesitate to take action! We must defend each other - not the very criminals we must defend ourselves against.
Your statement has served to be very revealing indeed! It indicates that all is not well in your house! It has alerted the vigilant that there are wolves in sheep’s clothing among you! It indicates that there are supporters for the perpetrators among you! It reveals that whoever is responsible for issuing such a statement must now be investigated, watched and questioned - for this person may be a perpetrator themself! Nothing else can explain one of the most sickening statements ever seen shown in support of such a sick and predatory creature!
We are watching YOU! None of you are exempt! If you are guilty, your cover will be blown! You will not be able to hide! If, while pretending to be devoted to protecting our children, you are actually using these resources to be a predator - you will be caught and prosecuted with the most intense vengeance that can be mustered!
We are watching!
Karl Steven Keene
1020 18th ST S #3
Moorhead, MN 56560
keenekarl@hotmail.com
Comment # 4 ~ Sylv ~ 09/30/2006 22:39 GMT Rusty, you need to fix your diary at Kos. In it you put that it was Tom Foley.
Comment # 5 ~ Rusty ~ 09/30/2006 23:11 GMT Tom Foley is going to be pissed . . .
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