Proud to be part of moveon.org!
September 15th 2007 18:50
Link: www.moveon.org
I have personally been a member of moveon.org for some time, and am very proud of the affiliation. In a slightly funny twist (if it wasn't such a serious topic) I actually wrote an article using the General "betray us" line before I knew moveon.org was using it. Like minds, I suppose. The ad placed by www.moveon.org in the New York Times has drawn the ire of all of the expected right wing mouthpieces, as should be expected. Whenever something questions there take on the world, they are quick to the vitriolic attacks. So be it, we still have freedom of speech, for now anyway. The problem isn't what they spew, it's that so many are so easily misled as to believe them. That's where moveon.org comes in.
Their mission, more than any other, is to engage more people with a progressive mindset to become involved in the process. If we have learned one thing, it is that there are some (that magical 30 percent) who won't listen, who will let the right wing machine drive the country right off the metaphorical cliff. It's the other 70 percent, the people who aren't afraid to think for themselves once in awhile, that moveon.org hopes to influence. Sure, some of them will be put off by the direct and thought-provoking way moveon.org challenges people to look at what is really happening. Still, with each passing day, more Americans accept that challenge, and question the Bush Administration.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with asking Americans to consider if they are being "betrayed." Not when the general, no matter how highly decorated, is repeating talking points Bush used months ago instead of giving a complete and full picture of the situation in Iraq. Not when the general cannot even say whether or not he thinks actions in Iraq are making America more secure. Does anyone remember Colin Powell, the man who we were told should be unassailable, when he went to the United Nations to gin us up for an invasion? Those who dared not agree then were talked about the same way as moveon is now.
Moveon.org doesn't set about to indoctrinate people either. They ask their members what direction they want the group to follow. Emails asking what the next big issue should be are routinely sent out to members. They even ask for position input. When was the last time a Hannity, Parshall or Limbaugh asked for guidance like that? They all get their marching orders from the right wing talking points.
A current issue that mvoeon.org members are struggling with is how strongly to engage Democrats who are not steadfastly against the occupation of Iraq. Contrary to what Billo or Michelle Malkin might tell you, moveon.org is by no means an instrument of the Democratic Party, nor is it tied to the Democratic platform. How many right wing mouth pieces can you name who are not completely with the Bush agenda?
Some in moveon want to throw their support only behind candidates who are completely in favor of an immediate pullout from Iraq. Others want to apply pressure to all those who seek office, regardless of party. I fall somewhere in the middle on that. I want to apply pressure to the Democrats to act to stop Bush, but not to the point where I would help any neo-cons get elected next year. I think it is better to have a president who will at least listen to more progressive ideas and work toward that end over having someone who owes allegiance to the right wing fringe.
In closing, www.moveon.org, and it's sister international site, www.avaaz.org, are great progressive movements that deserve your support.
Their mission, more than any other, is to engage more people with a progressive mindset to become involved in the process. If we have learned one thing, it is that there are some (that magical 30 percent) who won't listen, who will let the right wing machine drive the country right off the metaphorical cliff. It's the other 70 percent, the people who aren't afraid to think for themselves once in awhile, that moveon.org hopes to influence. Sure, some of them will be put off by the direct and thought-provoking way moveon.org challenges people to look at what is really happening. Still, with each passing day, more Americans accept that challenge, and question the Bush Administration.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with asking Americans to consider if they are being "betrayed." Not when the general, no matter how highly decorated, is repeating talking points Bush used months ago instead of giving a complete and full picture of the situation in Iraq. Not when the general cannot even say whether or not he thinks actions in Iraq are making America more secure. Does anyone remember Colin Powell, the man who we were told should be unassailable, when he went to the United Nations to gin us up for an invasion? Those who dared not agree then were talked about the same way as moveon is now.
Moveon.org doesn't set about to indoctrinate people either. They ask their members what direction they want the group to follow. Emails asking what the next big issue should be are routinely sent out to members. They even ask for position input. When was the last time a Hannity, Parshall or Limbaugh asked for guidance like that? They all get their marching orders from the right wing talking points.
A current issue that mvoeon.org members are struggling with is how strongly to engage Democrats who are not steadfastly against the occupation of Iraq. Contrary to what Billo or Michelle Malkin might tell you, moveon.org is by no means an instrument of the Democratic Party, nor is it tied to the Democratic platform. How many right wing mouth pieces can you name who are not completely with the Bush agenda?
Some in moveon want to throw their support only behind candidates who are completely in favor of an immediate pullout from Iraq. Others want to apply pressure to all those who seek office, regardless of party. I fall somewhere in the middle on that. I want to apply pressure to the Democrats to act to stop Bush, but not to the point where I would help any neo-cons get elected next year. I think it is better to have a president who will at least listen to more progressive ideas and work toward that end over having someone who owes allegiance to the right wing fringe.
In closing, www.moveon.org, and it's sister international site, www.avaaz.org, are great progressive movements that deserve your support.
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Comment by Stanley
Comment by Jim Stillman
Political Certainty
The organization is a vital and necessary counter to the usually monolithic Right.