Sec. Gates–who does have his future to think about, after all–wants to make sure his successors (or at least his future employers) understand. No more defense contractors need get tossed into the terrible winepress of budget austerity–there are plenty of fighting folks, ready for trampling.

All right, as you may have noticed we are in the midst of a membership drive. By clicking on this link (or calling 202-506-3907), you can become a member of this organization and have the benefits of membership. Lots of people have joined but we need lots more.

FDL has an amazing community, a giving community! Not only are readers signing up as members to participate more fully in webinars, online planning and events, but they are also giving Friend memberships.

Here’s a little extra incentive for joining today: Click the link, join at any level, post in comments that you’ve joined, and you’ll get a little bonus.

Aside from knowing that you’re supporting independent media and hard-hitting, effective journalism, I’ll mail you a DVD of one of the films FDL has featured on Movie Night.

So come on, jump into the ‘lake, the water’s pure and unadulterated by corporate BS and lickspittle politics.

Have you joined FDL? It’s easy and costs less than–depending on the membership level you choose–a pint of ice cream a month. I joined. And I love ice cream. My now-leaner thighs thank Firedoglake.com.

I’m asking you to become a member of FDL, so we can keep the lights on. So this place can keep doing what it does best, push back against the lies and organize activism. What we do here matters, won’t you become a member?

What’s it going to take? Paper megaphones? A presidential run? A phone call? No phone call?

My singing?

Tell me what it will take, and I’ll see what I can do.

What can you do?
Join the FDL Membership Program today.