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Everyone loves the Fourth of July parade, especially everyone running for office as an incumbent. Flags are flying, bands are playing, and you get a free ride in the parade. You get to ride on the back of a shiny convertible, the back of a rustic hay wagon, or the back of whatever the local custom (and the clout of your political office) dictates. The crowds cheer and wave at you, and you get to cheer and wave back.
Newspaper editors and television news producers love the Fourth of July parades, too. "Go get me some 'Americana' that we can run," they tell their reporters, photographers, and video crews, and out they go for pictures of the crowds and interviews with "ordinary Americans."
Ah, the Fourth of July.
I can already hear the bands, smell the food on the grill, taste the beverages being poured . . . and see the politicians being greeted.
Chris Dodd and Russ Feingold succeeded in giving us a gift: no FISA votes in the Senate until July 8th -- after the Fourth of July recess. That means that when all the Senators go home for the holidays, to ride in those parades, you have a chance to be seen and heard. Not by the intern who downloads and counts the emails, not by the staffer who answers the phones and logs the calls, but by the Honorable Senator.
In person, face to face.
In public, where they can't turn away.
In front of the cameras, everywhere they look.
Let me ask you this: are you ready for those reporters and photo journalists? Are you ready to see your Senator, should your parade be one in which the Senator will appear?
If you have a place reserved for a float in your town's parade, maybe you need an idea for your decorations. If you have a place reserved for your lawn chair or the curb, maybe you need an idea for the sign you'll hold up when the Senator or Representative comes by.
"Hey Senator, can I have some immunity, too? -- Vote NO on FISA!"
"I like the WHOLE Bill of Rights -- Vote NO on FISA!"
You've come to the right place.
Floats have to be visual, signs have to be succinct, and chats with reporters have to be direct and to the point. I know from the comments around here that a lot of people hang out at the Lake who are good with images and with catchy phrases -- now's your chance.
"No warrant = no search -- Vote NO on FISA!"
"Accountability NOW -- No telecom immunity!"
"Dodd and Feingold are right -- Vote NO on FISA!"
The floor is open for additional sign suggestions, conversation-starters with the folks sitting next to you, and float ideas as well. What will you tell your Senator, if you should see them next week? (You can, of course, continue to let your views be heard in their offices . . . )
After all, what could be a more patriotic way to celebrate the Fourth of July than to stand up for the Constitution?
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Hey, Peterr!
hey Ann -
EPU’d
wouldn’t hurt for you to notify the DNC of your affiliation change.
they know they’ve got us and frankly The Nominee does not need our money
and is using our “disappointment” as a centrist talking point - ‘de libruls hate me !’
a massive one day affiliation change action might get their attention mebbe not.
Well….
One of my Senators will be out campaigning.
The other one is not going to be close by as far as I know, and he, at least, has already stated his opposition to telecom immunity.
My Congressman voted against it, too. If we can get Obama in line that would give me the trifecta!
Andy
Alton IL
Perhaps another call to Durbin might be in order: “I’ve tried to communicate this to the other Senator from IL, but have not succeeded in getting his attention. Perhaps you could have a word with him or his staff . . .”
OT: The word “float” may have an entirely different meaning for the parades in your neighborhood! Hope all is dry where you’re at.
F orbid I mnmunity S ave A merica
ATT, Verizon, Sprint, Bush
Partners in Crime.
No to Telcom Immunity
Is that Lieberman/Bush “kiss” float still around? Could the Bush half be modified into McCain?
Andy
Senators and Reps are most likely at their “summer” homes for 4th of July…places like Cape Cod or Martha’s Vineyard or ranches in small towns or beach towns like the Hamptons or Upstate NY or the Gulf Coast or islands in Maine….If you know where your Congresscritters have vacation homes…that would be the place to most likely find them. Just sayin’.
Swweeeet!
((((Senators Dodd and Feingold)))) Huzzah!
Somehow the neocons have managed to take the shine off the 4th of July. There’s a really good talk show host in SF with a marvelous baritone who reads the Declaration of Independence every 4th and I am just a puddle of tears by the time he finishes. Can’t seem to celebrate any more.
very similar here. the tears come. and if i encounter an amputee - an increasingly likely occurrence all across the country - … there just are no words adequate.
There wasn’t a whole lot to celebrate in 1776, either — except for the fact that the Declaration was issued and folks were fighting for it.
P. E. A. C. E.
Unfortunately for me, I’m from Illinois! Obama won’t be in any parades here. And Durbin voted nay. Maybe my Rep Lupinski will turn up in the area. He’s worse than useless, (against stem cell, for Iraq, anti choice and sadly I live in a Democratic stronghold) yet the “party” supports him.
And they also manage to get in more than one parade, if possible.
Some towns hold them on the fourth, while others shift it to another date on the holiday weekend.
Some parades are in the early morning, some around noon, and others in the afternoon.
Some parades have even been known to adjust their schedules so as to snag an appearance by a Distinguished Senator.
It’d be a pity for the Senators to go to all that work and not be able to hear from their constituents.
That’s what I always think about then I get sorta down. We have come so far and need to keep fighting and moving on. It’s still our country.
Look for Schumer in Southhampton Long Island.
I think it is just as important for folks who voted properly to see they have support as it is for folks who voted incorrectly to see they have constituents who disagree. A “Thank You For Standing Up For the Constitution” or something sign might be nice for Durbin to see, eh?
Where is Obama today? Does anyone know?
if I might, from the knights of the templar or some form of the illuminati, (or even possibly unpublished text from first testament consideration;
Wine is strong, the king is stronger, women are stronger but above all truth conquers.
A “Thanks for voting NAY on FISA” might be appropriate in certain areas of Illinois, Wisconsin, and Connecticut, as well as a few other places.
But not here in Missouri. Kit Bond was Steny’s GOP partner-in-crime on this, and Claire McCaskill (despite her prosecutorial background) voted in favor of immunity.
I’m still trying to figure out an appropriate sign for her, should she appear in my town’s parade.
He has a rally this afternoon with Hillary Clinton in Unity, NH. That I do know…
I have Sprint. I think it’s time to switch to Credo (formerly Working Assets). And thinking seriously about switching from Comcast to Qwest. Whether well-intentioned or not, Qwest refused to play ball with BushCo.
Also a “Get Well Soon — Your Country Needs You on FISA” might be appropriate for Byrd and Kennedy.
Any news, Christy, on their health issues?
I said this in a earlier thread. The FISA surrender is a direct outcome of taking impeachment off the table.If they can’t admit that Bush broke the law, they have to legalize his behaviour. All of the angst is just show.
My sign:
FISA: How can you offer them amnesty when you don’t even know what they did???
Boxturtle (Brown is on our side, Voinovich not so much)
that is an excellant summary and explanation and I agree
Look for Susan Collins possibly in parades in Lewiston, Maine or Portland.
my sign;
“how can you allow amnesty if they sold our secrets to terrorists?”
Comments are acting really weird. Text size keeps changing and I’m still getting the “a script is causing mozzilla to run slowy message.
Some of these people have no right to even be in a parade. How dare they celebrate something they are trying to take away from us !
If anyone can pull off a good float, please put up a photo on flickr!
Float idea:
Picture a bunch of folks at computers and telephones scattered around the float, with wires from each all connecting to a pole in the middle. Standing next to the pole is a masked figure, perhaps with a dark cape that says “NSA” on it, wearing headphones, who is trying to plug into the pole where the wires meet.
Standing behind the masked figure is a judge, with a sign that says “No warrants? No wiretaps!” Or maybe that second figure is a police officer, ready to slap the handcuffs on “NSA.”
Around the float, of course, are the signs that read “No wiretaps without warrants! No immunity for lawbreakers! No shredding the Fourth Amendment!”
I sent a letter to Durbin that day. I also sent a letter to Obama and asked him why I should vote for any politician who ignores their oath of office to uphold the Constitution. (I’m not holding my breath for an answer on that one).
That’s why good signs in their faces at the parades would take the “edge” off of their inflated egos and simultaneously inform others in the crowd about what their “employees” are really doing.
well now you’ve done it Reverend ! unleashed my inner Martha -
look what you can do with just a bedsheet and some tinfoil for your torch and crown. Your tablet can read Remember Me, Say No to FISA!
hometown parades are pretty inclusive - especially if you’re covered in red white and blue bunting and streamers -
you and friends on bikes, motorcycles, hell ride along mowers
and don’t forget everyone loves the critters
love this liberty bell and the pup !
you are a teh smart cookie…………if ya bring your dog….make a sign for him/her
crikey !
I meant this Liberty Bell and pup
Make sure to have flyers printed up to hand out when someone asks you what FISA is, explaining FISA in simple terms with links to information, because the average person won’t have a clue as to what FISA is or what it means to them.
FISA FLOAT RULE #1: Tin foil is required for *any* anti-wiretapping float, costume, or sign.
(How could I have left that out of the post? Must have more coffee . . .)
The way I see it, there is some time between now and the convention. If thousands or tens of thousands of party affiliations all over the country were to change from now until the convention, the party would have to sit up and take notice, especially since they’re already struggling for money to put the convention on. Maybe they should ask Obama for some money for that! I do think it should be in some way tied to the FISA vote and the fact that our country and our Constitution means more than party affiliation and if a politician betrays those things, s/he cannot depend on us for money, for effort (in terms of working for their campaigns), or for a vote. Those are the only three things that we’ve got that they need, so they need to be used for leverage when pols step out of line. Everything else is just showmanship and window dressing! Yes, I’m aware that no politician can be expected to do everything every individual wants, and they should not be expected to. But there are certain minimum standard requirements, and I think FISA is one of them due to the implication of the law and the fact that it also reflects on the checks and balance and balance of power within our own government. To basically cut the courts participation in the process short at the behest of the President does not show strength; it shows weakness in our Congress. With Obama on his way to the WH, that may suit him just fine, but if we want to take back our government, it’s time to burst his bubble.
I’ve seen information that indicates that liberals account for the largest voting block within the Dem party, and although I realize he’s trying to win over Indies and some Rethugs, the rethugs he could have won through a program of fiscal responsibility, the war in Iraq and careful adherence to the principles in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, as demonstrated by Jane’s interview with Bob Barr last night, are going now to Bob Barr or even McSame instead of Obama.
I like the idea of a Wizard of Oz theme float, with a tornado shedding the constitution and Dorothy talking to the thirty some odd spineless Dem Senators portrayed as scarecrows.
What would you do with a brain if you had one?
Or perhaps the more appropriate for GOP world:
Suppose we meet an elephant?
I’d wrap him up in cellophant!
I just sent this to Howard Dean in response to a DNC fundraising e-mail:
Dear Howard Dean,
Perhaps you have not yet received my letter notifying you of my resignation from the Democratic Party. Let me reiterate:
In 1976 I turned 18 and almost immediately registered to vote as a Democrat. I have been voting 99% Democratic since then. On 20 June, 2008 my party failed me. The Democratic leadership in the House forced through an unconstitutional capitulation on the FISA amendment. Prior to the 20th I had been calling my representative, Congressman Kanjorski, asking him to reject the bill. I called the Speaker, I called the Majority Leader. My pleas fell on deaf ears. I made multiple calls to Senator Obama’s campaign HQ, begging him to make a bold statement against the amendment. Again, no response. Until after the House vote, when he made a statement supportive of the legislation. That’s when I made a decision that still brings tears to my eyes, I downloaded a voter registration form and I am now registered with no affiliation. I canceled my monthly contribution to the DNC. I unsubscribed to the e-mails from Senator Obama’s campaign and let them know not to expect any further contributions from me. He does NOT represent change, and he certainly does not represent my concerns.
And where were you on this issue, Mr Dean? Where was the DNC? I will be unsubscribing from your e-mail list as well, until you can give me a reason to consider myself a Democrat again.
No offense intended toward the real Scarecrow, I’m sure.
Perhaps a bunch of cowardly lions/donkeys might be in order.
“The Glorious 4th
Amendment”
No, I’m referring to Spineless ones.
how about a Cheney Drill Team
instead of choreographing briefcase moves, picking up the phone and listening by cadence -
one giant banner - Sssh Cheney Is Listening ! Say No to FISA !
I would like to suggest a Soviet theme– something about the KGB wiretapping, or a Kremlin float. Democrats are petrified of being portrayed as communists. In fact I’ve noticed they’re already trying that with Obama and the other Dems this election. They’re trying to say Obama is a Marxist.
I think we can use the commie theme to good effect against wayward Dems.
Couldn’t have said it better myself babybrie. Those who we once trusted are now selling out our basic rights.
Very thought-provoking letter in my opinion!
It isn’t just political bloggers who are upset about FISA
http://news.slashdot.org/artic.....27/1410247
fabulous idea
You have any tar and feathers!
On my “Let Them Go to Berlin” post the other day, Ian noted that the no-fly, no-boat lists are kind of like exit visas, and you’d almost think that the GOP wants to build a wall to keep people IN these days.
There could be a fine FISA float there, too.
I got a fundraising email from Durbin. Perhaps a message to those Senators facing re-election this fall (anybody know who?) saying, I’ll pay you for your No vote on FISA…or somesuch. Just a thought.
Tee Hee. The winning float will be made of tin foil.
The US Secret Service and other law enforcement folks tend to frown on such things, although a float using faux tar and feathers could be an interesting idea.
A Cheney-esque character tarring and feathering a figure labeled “The Fourth Amendment” in the stocks could help get the point across nicely.
Pelosi likes to vacation at her vineyard in the ”middle of the Napa Valley”…so she might show up in a parade locally there…
Perhaps a “Grapes of Wrath” theme, then . . .
Jane upstairs with a Republican dog-whistle
Great letter! I’ll be sending similar sentiments forthwith!
Ah, Peterr;
Great ideas, I’d been thinking of black arm-bands which say simply, “The Fourth”.
Rather somber, if not grim.
Perhaps too much so?
Maybe something bright and hopeful would be more attractive to the ‘uncertain’?
Of course, there is the “Doo-Wop Version of, “You’re the One”, with altered lyrics suitable for serenading deserving Senators” option, but, I confess, it is still yet rather nascent and the singers in the band are already giggling uncontrollably. Actually, they are all rolling on the floor, upsetting the cats …
However, I DO have lots of tin foil, in fact, I have recently stocked up, you might even say that I’m, uh, ‘rolling’ in the stuff.
Once, I had a wooden whistle.
But it wouldn’t whistle.
Then, I bought a steel whistle.
But it steel wooden whistle.
Finally, I bought a tin whistle …
And now I tin whistle.
Seriously, Peterr, this may well be one of the most innerestin’ Fourth of July celebrations since the Bicentennial Bash.
Here’s Hoping. (’Course we’re all going to be doing much more than hoping, heh,heh)
Kremlin in red, white and blue stripes?
White House with onion-domed towers coming out of the roof?
Flags:
Skull and crossbones. If we aren’t going to be obeying our own laws, how about making it absolutely clear to everyone what we are?
‘Don’t Tread On Me’ - that’s the yellow one with the coiled rattlesnake - or Feingold’s ‘Don’t Spy On Me’ which has a cable with a connector in place of the snake.
When I opened my mailbox today, I found several e-mails from the DCCC, DNC et al. pleading for $$$ before the June 30 reporting deadline. I politely replied to all [not easy to do, since they set it up as “no reply”] that neither Obama nor they would be getting any more of my money due to his [and other Dems’] failure to fight FISA.
Noted that I would be giving to “good” Democrats via ActBlue/Blue America, and to ads criticizing Steney Hoyer.
ich bin PISSED - FISA: NEIN!!!!
I have no idea where Senator Feinstein will be over July 4th.
How’s about “Your world delivered”…to the NSA. Vote NO on FISA!
Peterr: Is McCaskill going to be in K.C. over the 4th? I haven’t heard anything yet. If you get a float together (It may be too late) I would love to be a part of it. I’ll bet the local Drinking Liberally chapter would would be interested too.
Good ideas!
The Backbone Campaign helps construct 40 foot long backbone floats that we will be parading around.
thank you Brett. on the unsubscribe form i noted that i’d be sending my $$ to Dodd and Feingold.
I am going to continue to make my calls and to encourage my network to make calls FWIW… before July 8th.
The Dem “unity” focus is like the FISA deal, the death penalty revelation, the gun control response… all troubling from Obama… are being shoved under the Democratic we must win carpet. Listening to an upbeat good for BO and HRC Air America show… I felt like some propaganda coming at me. Little relevance of course from MSM as to what is really going down.
Glad to do a reality check here.