Damn, I really need to get back to work, but...

[emmagrant01]

Just Say NO to the Bush Agenda!

Planned Parenthood is starting a letter-writing campaign to remind Bush that he does NOT have a mandate, and that we will be watching his every move with regard to our reproductive rights. Go write the shrub a letter here.

Anybody know of other such campaigns? Man, I'm fired up!

And I WILL hit the next Republican who tells me Bush has a mandate to pursue his conservative agenda. Not with the other 49% of us watching and ready to fight back, he doesn't. *growls*

ETA: Other news
• sabrinagb asks us to write Senators Kerry and Edwards and thank them for fighting for us (she has their addresses).
• From demonicsatirist, Bush thinks he has a mandate on his conservative agenda.
• syiana points to an article about exit poll results showing that 23% of gay, lesbian, or bisexual voters voted for Bush.

Comments

[paranoidgrl.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the heads up! I'm going to do this now.

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

Yay!

[helens78]

I have a tendency to harass my representative (who won his bid for reeelection; it wasn't even close). The one time he and I were in agreement with an issue, he wrote me a personal letter (not a form letter!) presumably because he was so excited about not having to come up with a polite way to say "Fuck you, you nutjob!" when he responded. *g*

Normally I'm not too keen on having two Democrat senators and a Democrat representative for my district, but right now I am thrilled. I'm drafting up letters asking them to stand in the way of everything Bush does, just on principle.

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

I know we don't always agree, but I love you so much right now! :-D

And I'm impressed that your rep knows you so well! How cool is that?

[phoenix-starr.livejournal.com]

Then did Clinton not have a mandate his two terms? The Shrub. That was funny though.

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

Everyone calls him "shrub", so I can't take credit for that!

I'm referring to his social conservative agenda when I talk about a supposed "mandate". There are many people who voted for him because of concerns for terrorism and national security, but who disagree with him on issues like reproductive rights, stem cell research, separation of church and state, and gay marriage. He's made it clear where he stands, and I'm making it my personal responsibility not to let him think the majority of the country is behind him on those issues. Clearly, I'm not alone. :-)

[jedirita.livejournal.com]

I think it was Molly Ivins who started calling him "Shrub" wasn't it?

[phoenix-starr.livejournal.com]

Ah, I see. More power to you on the watching. I totally disagree with you on Pro Choice, but am all for you on the "watching." I think that is part of our job as citizens. But on the other hand I thought Bush was one of the few Presidents that did fund stem cell research. And speaking of, I read somewhere that they were having the best luck with.. what was it... adult spinal cells I think.

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

Bush actually placed limits on federal funding for stem cell research, and limited available lines to a previously-existing set, most of which are contaminated, outdated, and useless. the lines were created in the 90s, and stem cell lines don't last that long. Moreover, the technology used to create them is now completely out of date.

Ask any scientist who does research in that area -- they'll tell you Bush's policy has crippled them. They're ten years behind other countries that are funding such research, which puts us that much further behind in finding cures for diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, as well as spinal cord injuries.

As far as I know, there aren't any stem cells in one's spinal cord. The spinal cord is made up of nerve cells. Stem cells are created in the very early stages of embryonic development.

[phoenix-starr.livejournal.com]

Ah. Forgive my ignorance. No wonder you are pro choice then.

[ashkitty.livejournal.com]

Of course I'll write. :)

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

Cool. :-D

[liesbyomission.livejournal.com]

:-/ Somehow I think there's something wrong with the system when the elected president goes against 49% of the population.

As the president of the Gay/Straight Alliance at my school, I'm in charge of running Day of Silence at my school, and last year we managed to get 94 participants in a school of 2300. I'm going to redouble my efforts this year. FWAH! Take that, Bush. :D

Now I'm all fired up too! Yay!

[helens78]

Somehow I think there's something wrong with the system when the elected president goes against 49% of the population.

I have to admit that I have the same thoughts no matter what the ratio is, even if it's 90% - 10%. Gay marriage iniatives failed, and in some places they failed overwhelmingly, but I wouldn't care what the numbers were, I'd still think those people were wrong, wrong, wrong.

Tyranny of the majority bothers me, whether the minority's big or small. I think that's one reason why I support a smaller government: because I would much rather have a government who can oppress me as little as possible, even if my neighbors all think oppression is OK.

[phoenix-starr.livejournal.com]

Actually reduction in the size of government is something Republicans are for. Every Liberal and/or Democrat leader (officer holder) I've ever heard was out to increase the size of government by regulating everything.

[helens78]

Alas, both major parties, once they're in office, seem to do all they can to increase the role of government in people's lives. I wish I'd been around for the days when Republicans actually worked to create smaller government like they say they will. As it is, I'm stuck with the third-party choice of being a Libertarian. I know we're pretty hopeless... but it's better than voting for the lesser of two evils.

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

Yeah -- I think you just have to take a look at the budget deficit, No Child Left Behind, the attempts to define marriage, the attempt to limit women's control over their own bodies, etc., to see that the current president actually favors large goverment interfering in our lives.

*snorts* The irony is stunning.

[liesbyomission.livejournal.com]

I couldn't agree more. :)

[princesskirsty.livejournal.com]

don't really know what your talking about but hi! i got an lj hope ure happy!

so what are you talking about? i want to get annoyed at bush too...just gimme a reason, any will do!

k
x

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

Yay! You finally have an LJ! Welcome!

And you actually need a reason?

[princesskirsty.livejournal.com]

not really but its nice to have an argument to back yourself up with, that doesn't include the words 'i hate him just because i do' but i'm happy just hating him because of the three british soldiers that died yesterday. I'm gonna post a rant on my LJ about it, i have no friends yet but i'm doing it anyway!

k

[helens78]

to the ETA: the article actually says Four percent of respondents said they were gay, lesbian or bisexual, and 77 percent of them voted for Mr. Kerry. Not the same thing as 23 percent voting for Bush! That doesn't list the number of people who might've voted Green or Libertarian, or even just chosen not to answer. I voted Libertarian...

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

Yes, you're right about that. :-P See how two-party-oriented I am?

Ignore my first comment, which I deleted. I am an idiot.

[helens78]

*sporfle* *hug* You are not (re: the idiot bit).

As for the two-party orientation, everyone thinks like that (which is why the OP wrote 23 percent after seeing 77 percent in the first place, I assume). But we're out here! We really are!

Actually, that's the best part of being a Libertarian: it means I never have to be a Republican...

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

Actually, that's the best part of being a Libertarian: it means I never have to be a Republican...

I'll drink to that! ;-)