[Announce] election discussion
announce-admin at comm-org.utoledo.edu
announce-admin at comm-org.utoledo.edu
Fri Nov 10 08:53:32 CST 2000
From: Larry Yates <lamaryates at igc.apc.org>
If you like this, if it speaks to your situation, you can keep a copy handy.
You can also pass it on to the people you think will appreciate it -- which is
probably not everyone in your address book. There's no list of names for you
to add yours to, and nothing will happen to you if you don't pass it on, or
even if you delete it. You could even re-write it if you wanted to.
It may be important to know, whenever you get this, that this was written and
first sent out on Sunday, Nov. 5, before the election, when the results of the
election were still unknown.
Larry Yates
lamaryates at igc.org
==================================================
Whereas reasonable people with liberal and progressive principles can and do
disagree on the question of choosing between the Democrats and a progressive
third party candidate for various offices, including the Presidency, in the
year 2000, and
Whereas there are no risk-free choices in politics, nor is there any way to
totally avoid making unsavory compromises, and
Whereas there are never enough people in the U.S.A. ready to actively oppose
racism, sexism, corporate abuses, and right-wing intolerance, and to act to
protect the environment, so that we cannot afford to "cast out" anyone who has
shown her or himself genuinely committed to justice and democratic change, and
Whereas the political conditions that created the electoral choices of the
year 2000 did not emerge in the last month of the election, but have been
building for many years, and will only change over a period of many years, so
that the issues that have divided many of us in the year 2000 are likely to be
with us for a while to come;
Therefore
While I will of course freely follow and advocate for my own preferred
electoral choices in the future, I will not treat those who made or make
different choices as unreliable, incorrect, or confused (unless, of course,
they claim to be progressive and supported Pat Buchanan or George W. Bush); and
I will not blame any individual I know, based on their choice of candidates,
for whatever bad things the President does in the next four years, if that
individual does not in fact personally support those bad things; and
No matter what electoral course I choose, I will recognize the limitations of
electoral work, and will also work to build a strong diverse grassroots-based
progressive movement that has the power and resolve to hold whoever is elected
-- any President, any Congress, and all state and local officials, whether
Republican, Democratic, Green, or whatever -- accountable to it.
==================================================
From: Michel Coconis <michel4justice at yahoo.com>
I've been sitting up alone after a long day of campaign work and after
leaving a local Dem party which was low-key and have just learned that Bush
is projected to win Florida and, therefore, the presidency. I wanted to
call people and talk and process and all that good social work stuff to try
to make it "all better".
I waivered on Nader for my opposition of the death penalty among other
issues and had a hard time "getting behind Gore". I decided I'd get out
the vote for Gore but when I was behid the curtain, I voted for Green every
chance I got except for Gore and for Senate-hopeful Debbie Stabenow (a
social worker).
I held a sign at an anti-Bush rally last Friday across from a very
religious and discriminatory college here in Michigan and was called
everything from "baby-killer" to the Devil to "faggot" and beyond. Today I
held a Gore/Lieberman sign and GOTV sign at a busy city intersection and
was told to "abort myself", "go back to the union hall", "go home and
submit", "commit suicide", to just thumbs down or middle fingers up. I was
there with another friend and felt battered by the words and gestures and
uplifted by the periodic car horns for Gore (by nearly 100%
African-American/Black people - I'm white for those who don't know). All
this while questionning if I did the right thing...
Now, I sit here writing through tears and shaking hands and thinking I
shouldn't be saying this on such a list but I need the strength and wisdom
of ideas of survival that you all have to offer. This is where I wish I had
deeper powers of analysis so I could intellectualize my way out of this
unbelieveable dread I feel. I want to "take back our power" and I'm
confident we can help those without a voice (including us?) especially in
collectivity and collaboration.
I apologize for rambling but I ask each of you to share any other ideas
with me off-list if you like and to please forward to me interesting,
inspirational or educational pieces or references to read to help increase
my understanding and decrease my dread.
I want to get prepared now and to strategize. . .for my soul (I know,
dramatic license), for the social work profesion, within our shared
organizations, within the schools of social work, and, of course, our
communities and neighborhoods. I fear the coming or escalating culture war
and feel less prepared to "do battle" than I would like. Do we need a
conference or gathering to include some kind of "boot camp" to fight for
the next 4 years?
Thanks for reading/listening. . .especially as I write as this very late
hour with pundits dancing in my ears. Gore is about to speak and my ears
and heart aren't any more ready to hear that than I am to hear the cheers
of Bush-supporters.
Michel Coconis Grand Rapids, MI (which went with Gore, I might add)
********************8
From: "Erin Trahan" <etrahan at nokomisfoundation.org>
To: "Michel Coconis" <michel4justice at yahoo.com>,
"Terry Cluse Tolar" <tcluset at pop3.utoledo.edu>,
"Barbara Wood" <bjwood12 at hotmail.com>,
"Rick Ruffin" <rruffin at voicenet.com>,
"Robert Schneider" <rschneid at saturn.vcu.edu>,
"Lisa Shwander" <lshwand at calvin.edu>,
"Danna Snedden" <Lrnmore at aol.com>,
"Lori Stanton-Artner" <alartner at juno.com>,
"Lois Owens" <Lois_Owens at gvsu.edu>,
"Doug Paterson" <paterson at unomaha.edu>,
"Cindy Peck" <peckdorr at iserv.net>, "Joy Phillips" <jcfitch26 at aol.com>,
"Ken Murray" <ken_murray at fd.org>, "Jill Myer" <jmy99vpc at hotmail.com>,
"Joanne Nicholson" <jorenee at hotmail.com>,
"Mackenzi Huyser" <mac22dad at hotmail.com>,
"Margaret Vandiver" <vandiver at memphis.edu>,
"Jean McFadden" <Jean_McFadden at gvsu.edu>,
"Liz Meador" <meador at stripe.colorado.edu>, <jsmith at grcmc.org>,
"Sean Kosofsky" <PRIDE69 at aol.com>,
"Ginger Hensley" <gingerhens at juno.com>,
"Ann Hillman" <splendorinthegrass at yahoo.com>,
"Millie Jackson" <Millie_Jackson_at_PO6 at gvsu.edu>,
"Lisa Fleger" <LFattorney at aol.com>,
"gary paquin" <paquingw at email.uc.edu>,
"Deb Genzink" <debgen at macatawa.org>,
"Liz Gilbert" <lgilbert at drizzle.com>,
"Gloria Tate" <Gloria_Tate at gvsu.edu>, <glynns at river.it.gvsu.edu>,
"Bonnie K Clark" <bonniekc at gte.net>,
"Caroline Clark" <Caroclark at aol.com>,
"Dotti Clune" <dclune at earthlink.net>,
"Joan Borst" <Joan_Borst at gvsu.edu>, "BPD" <BPD at osfmail.isc.rit.edu>,
<bwood at capital.edu>, "Carol Greenburg" <carolgreenburg at voyager.net>,
<AESkinner4 at aol.com>,
"Alicia Perez Banuet" <alicia.perez_banuet at sparrow.org>,
"Nancy Beran" <berann at odc.edu>, <kilty.1 at osu.edu>,
<Wilma_Kuhlman at unomaha.edu>, <colist at coserver.sa.utoledo.edu>
References: <20001108081045.6327.qmail at web6102.mail.yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: Bush wins. . .Now what?
Date: Wed, 8 Nov 2000 14:57:16 -0500
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To the friends of Michel Coconis ---
Here's a bit of sappy-ish optimism for ya' . . .
How can we not appreciate Michel's profound concern for the goings on of our
government? (and much more, of course.) I read her email --- expressing
feelings and experiences not many people would be willing to share --- and
thought twice about my ease with the whole stinking rotten election. So for
what it's worth, thanks for raising my (and others') awareness Michel.
The good news is that democrats had a decent showing in Michigan! Things
get so skewed over here that sometimes you think it would be impossible . .
. The HUGELY financed prop 1 went down, Gore won AND Stabenow beat a
Republican incumbent. These are still notable victories as far as I'm
concerned. And last but not least, all the votes aren't tallied in Florida
. . .
Not to say that democrats are the answer . . .
but I'm guessing the people Michel emailed to just could be . . .
Erin Trahan
**********************
From: Douglas_Paterson/CFA/UNO/UNEBR at unomail.unomaha.edu
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To: "Erin Trahan" <etrahan at nokomisfoundation.org>
cc: "Michel Coconis" <michel4justice at yahoo.com>,
"Terry Cluse Tolar" <tcluset at pop3.utoledo.edu>,
"Barbara Wood" <bjwood12 at hotmail.com>,
"Rick Ruffin" <rruffin at voicenet.com>,
"Robert Schneider" <rschneid at saturn.vcu.edu>,
"Lisa Shwander" <lshwand at calvin.edu>,
"Danna Snedden" <Lrnmore at aol.com>,
"Lori Stanton-Artner" <alartner at juno.com>,
"Lois Owens" <Lois_Owens at gvsu.edu>,
"Doug Paterson" <paterson at unomaha.edu>,
"Cindy Peck" <peckdorr at iserv.net>, "Joy Phillips" <jcfitch26 at aol.com>,
"Ken Murray" <ken_murray at fd.org>, "Jill Myer" <jmy99vpc at hotmail.com>,
"Joanne Nicholson" <jorenee at hotmail.com>,
"Mackenzi Huyser" <mac22dad at hotmail.com>,
"Margaret Vandiver" <vandiver at memphis.edu>,
"Jean McFadden" <Jean_McFadden at gvsu.edu>,
"Liz Meador" <meador at stripe.colorado.edu>, jsmith at grcmc.org,
"Sean Kosofsky" <PRIDE69 at aol.com>,
"Ginger Hensley" <gingerhens at juno.com>,
"Ann Hillman" <splendorinthegrass at yahoo.com>,
"Millie Jackson" <Millie_Jackson_at_PO6 at gvsu.edu>,
"Lisa Fleger" <LFattorney at aol.com>,
"gary paquin" <paquingw at email.uc.edu>,
"Deb Genzink" <debgen at macatawa.org>,
"Liz Gilbert" <lgilbert at drizzle.com>,
"Gloria Tate" <Gloria_Tate at gvsu.edu>, glynns at river.it.gvsu.edu,
"Bonnie K Clark" <bonniekc at gte.net>,
"Caroline Clark" <Caroclark at aol.com>,
"Dotti Clune" <dclune at earthlink.net>,
"Joan Borst" <Joan_Borst at gvsu.edu>, "BPD" <BPD at osfmail.isc.rit.edu>,
bwood at capital.edu, "Carol Greenburg" <carolgreenburg at voyager.net>,
AESkinner4 at aol.com,
"Alicia Perez Banuet" <alicia.perez_banuet at sparrow.org>,
"Nancy Beran" <berann at odc.edu>, kilty.1 at osu.edu,
Wilma_Kuhlman at unomaha.edu, colist at coserver.sa.utoledo.edu
Message-ID: <86256992.000C1554.00 at unomail.unomaha.edu>
Date: Wed, 8 Nov 2000 20:13:07 -0600
Subject: Re: Bush wins. . .Now what?
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Michel et al,
I know your feelings, Michel. I literally "chose" thirty years ago never to be
discouraged, just on principle. Just to be ornery in the face of repressive
forces that count on progressive people of good spirit, good mind, and good
heart breaking under the relentless weight of their vicious words and deeds.
And just because I know eventually, in ALL cases, we will win.
As many of you might know, Nebraska was faced with a sinister, crypto-fascist
"Defense of Marriage" amendment (416) to the state Constitution (not, as in
other places, in law). This was organized by right-wing christians OUTSIDE of
Nebraska with many paid petitioners, the whole predictable story. The campaign
for this "marriage only between a man and a woman - - - civil unions, domestic
partnerships not recognized . . ." was financed over 90% out side the state,
primarily by the Catholic Church and the Mormon Church. (Any chance of getting
these entities' tax-exempt status rescinded for blatant political activity?)
The campaign against 416 was spirited, festive, committed, and crossed many
lines not only of sexual identity but of class and culture. We were outspent 5
to 1. Signs were stolen wholesale, one incident of burned signs left on a
family's porch, several of bigot graffiti on signs. In five separate
incidents,
I lost at least six from my yard alone. I caught two groups, and was decidedly
forceful with one. It does cause me to reflect on all my values. And I'm OK
with that.
But for two months gay and lesbian and straight and bi-sexual and transgendered
persons walked the neighborhoods, talked with thousands of people, leafletted
everywhere, formed coalitions, debated the one and only stalking horse the
right
put forward. For that woman, there was always another person from the anti-416
position to debate -- it was a flood. And what wonderful people. Dozens even
leafletted every home game of the Nebraska Cornhusker Football game.
Here -- at the University of Nebraska at Omaha -- a broad coalition of people
organized the first political demonstration and rally in at least fifteen
years.
It was two hours long, between 11 AM and 1 PM. Seventeen extraordinary
speakers
who delivered powerful 3 - 5 minute bombshells. We never had less than 150
students/faculty/staff, sometimes 250, perhaps 1000 who stopped at one time or
another. The energy was both intense and effervescent for two solid hours.
We lost yesterday about 70% - 30%.
Sure, that hurts a little. We thought we'd lose, but we thought too we'd be
closer.
But we really won. We truly won. Sure, the electoral snapshot on that one day
will give legitimate and understandable concern to the glbt family that is
developing here. And all of us, and I believe especially those of us not
directly threatened because we are heteros, must work in solidarity with this
extraordinary new-found community across Nebraska.
Be we really won. The dialogue has started in earnest. The subject is not
only
on the front burner; it is now the main course of any political conversation.
Gays and straights and women and poor and people of color and even labor came
into contact, perhaps for the first time. Many understood commonality of
struggle.
Fifty years ago such a measure wouldn't even have been dreamed of, it was so
obvious how god made the world.
Thiry years ago it would have gone forward with no campaign and near unanimous
vote.
Ten years ago it would have been unthinkable that there would have been any
opposition, and a vote total of beyond 90% was not only thinkable but
blessed by
Robertson, Buchanan, and friends.
And yesterday, thirty percent of the people in this very rural, very
conservative state looked at the language "marriage between a man and a woman
shall be the only recognized union in Nebraska," and voted NO.
We won.
And, we will take this pernicious piece of right-wing venon to court and we
will
whip its ass. This is almost certain. And if the US Supreme Court doesn't
strike it down, then lines have been drawn as clearly as in the civil rights
movement of the 50's.
In the meantime, and I'm afraid occasionally it will be Mean Time, we will
organize, we will build coalitions, we will be continually visable as a growing
progressive movement in Nebraska. Some of the UNO glbt faculty will take our
university system to court for equal treatment under the law. Corporations
across the country will not come here, new hires in all kinds of professions
will not come here, and big conferences will negate their contracts in Omaha's
new big huge gigantic arena and convention center, or not even inquire in the
first place.
Eventually, we will win. As every civil rights struggle of the 20th
century has
taken us forward so as to glimpse justice in the distance and imagine its
evolving character, we will win major territory in the end, and move on to
more
integrated and encompassing struggles. Adapting Joe Hill, "Don't mourn for
anti-416. Organize." And even more, live the life of a person desirous of
cultural democracy and social freedom.
Not only must we not fail. It is impossible to fail. Building on the
sacrifies
and engagements of the past, we are finding the life we live is so much richer!
How could it not be? It is a never ending dance among our many cultures,
traditions, neighborhoods, colors, sexual orientations, genders,
spiritualities,
languages, imaginations, intelligences, foods, costumes, sciences, sports,
schools, arts, music -- with this worlds endless diversity. At the same time,
the world asks us also to find, in Jesse Jackson's words, "common ground." How
could life become any more infinite?
In my co-equal sympathy and contempt for Christian and corporate fascism, I
reflect whenever necessary how thin and hungry must anyone be who wants
everything the same. How much fear this patchwork quilt of a people and planet
must engender in their dull gray lives hour by hour.
But while I sympathize with the internal terror and the dead inner life of
oppressors, I learn -- as in the struggle against 416 -- that there are
everywhere legions of good hearts with boundless energy ready to say NO to
their
fascist acts.
We won. We will keep on winning.
Hey hey, ho ho, 416 has got to go!
Peace, not passivity!
Without justice, there will be no peace!
What do we want? Justice!
When do we want it? Now!
The people -- united -- can never be defeated!
Time to get saucy again. Time to be, as the word was here, a bunch of fancy
pants deciding that the muck stops here.
Time to be the change we expect. Time to be the change we demand.
Doug Paterson
President, UNO Faculty Senate
Prof. of Dramatic Arts
Isaacson Professor of Research and Creative Activity
Weber Fine Arts Building
The University of Nebraska at Omaha
Omaha, NE 68182
(w) 402-554-2422 (fax) 402-554-3436 (h) 402-556-9247
>e.mail: paterson at unomaha.edu [Note: One "t" in "paterson"]
>Web Page: http://www.unomaha.edu/~paterson
Pedagogy and Theatre of the Oppressed Web Page:
http://www.unomaha.edu/~pto
*******
From: "Ken Murray" <Ken_Murray at fd.org>
Sender: "Ken Murray" <Ken_Murray at fd.org>
Reply-To: "Ken Murray" <Ken_Murray at fd.org>
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Subject: Re:Bush wins. . .Now what?
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Michel, I am sorry you are feeling so low. But remember, even with the "bad"
folks in office, our job doesn't change! We still need to be vigilant in
watching those in power and trying to make the world just a little better. We
can never, on our own, correct everything. It is the little steps that have to
add up in the end. You can't stop working toward those little steps.
As for me, I haven't had time to be mad or angry or sad about the elections.
Yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court lifted the stay of execution we managed to
get the night before for Don Jay Miller, a young man who has been traumatized
throughout his life, suffers from countless mental and emotional maladies, yet
has volunteered by refusing to pursue any of his appeals. The prison folks
have
treated him like a King, giving him special favors ever since he volunteered.
For the first time in his life his actions were not responded to by pain and
humiliation. No wonder he made his "choice". The shrinks involved felt he
very
well might have been making the "choice" as a direct result of the oppressive
conditions of Arizona's death row. No competency hearing on the issue was
allowed. His family thought what he was doing was fine.
Don was killed by the state yesterday at approx. 3:37 p.m. I am angry at
Mr.Nader for letting Bush set the course of our future in the Supreme Court!
Not just Death Penalty, but civil rights, discrimination, privacy, life,
liberty
and the pursuit of............! I share your feelings now that I have some
time
to think.
Ken
____________________Reply Separator____________________
Subject: Bush wins. . .Now what?
Author: "Michel Coconis" <michel4justice at yahoo.com>
Date: 11/8/00 3:10 AM
I've been sitting up alone after a long day of campaign work and after
leaving a
local Dem party
which was low-key and have just learned that Bush is projected to win Florida
and, therefore, the
presidency. I wanted to call people and talk and process and all that good
social work stuff to
try to make it "all better".
I waivered on Nader for my opposition of the death penalty among other issues
and had a hard time
"getting behind Gore". I decided I'd get out the vote for Gore but when I was
behid the curtain,
I voted for Green every chance I got except for Gore and for Senate-hopeful
Debbie Stabenow (a
social worker).
I held a sign at an anti-Bush rally last Friday across from a very
religious and
discriminatory
college here in Michigan and was called everything from "baby-killer" to the
Devil to "faggot" and
beyond. Today I held a Gore/Lieberman sign and GOTV sign at a busy city
intersection and was told
to "abort myself", "go back to the union hall", "go home and submit", "commit
suicide", to just
thumbs down or middle fingers up. I was there with another friend and felt
battered by the words
and gestures and uplifted by the periodic car horns for Gore (by nearly 100%
African-American/Black people - I'm white for those who don't know). All this
while questionning
if I did the right thing...
Now, I sit here writing through tears and shaking hands and thinking I
shouldn't
be saying this on
such a list but I need the strength and wisdom of ideas of survival that
you all
have to offer.
This is where I wish I had deeper powers of analysis so I could intellectualize
my way out of this
unbelieveable dread I feel. I want to "take back our power" and I'm confident
we can help those
without a voice (including us?) especially in collectivity and collaboration.
I apologize for rambling but I ask each of you to share any other ideas with me
off-list if you
like and to please forward to me interesting, inspirational or educational
pieces or references to
read to help increase my understanding and decrease my dread.
I want to get prepared now and to strategize. . .for my soul (I know, dramatic
license), for the
social work profesion, within our shared organizations, within the schools of
social work, and, of
course, our communities and neighborhoods. I fear the coming or escalating
culture war and feel
less prepared to "do battle" than I would like. Do we need a conference or
gathering to include
some kind of "boot camp" to fight for the next 4 years?
Thanks for reading/listening. . .especially as I write as this very late hour
with pundits dancing
in my ears. Gore is about to speak and my ears and heart aren't any more ready
to hear that than
I am to hear the cheers of Bush-supporters.
Michel Coconis
Grand Rapids, MI (which went with Gore, I might add)
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