From: Joe Trippi
Campaign Manager
Dean for America

May 21, 2003

In the past 4 ½ months Dean Meetup members have grown from 432 to over 25,000. Last weekend, 1,200 people rallied for Dean in Seattle. This kind of grassroots activity will keep astonishing the pundits, but to win this election--and we must win--we have to seize the moment and build the largest base of supporters in presidential history. We have 50,000 subscribed supporters now, but we must have 100,000 by the end of June.

What can you do?

If every one of you finds one, five, or ten new people who are interested in Howard Dean, and asks them to sign up for Dean for America updates, we can double our list in five weeks. Go here to download a Dean signup sheet which you can fax or email into the campaign.*

Forward this email to your email circle. Tell your friends why you stand with Howard Dean, and ask them to sign up so they can learn more and get involved in the most powerful grassroots campaign in modern presidential history.

Explain to your friends that if they sign up for his email list, they can keep abreast with developments on foreign policy, health care, and fiscal responsibility. Signing up for our email list provides them a direct connection with the most important news on the campaign, and allows the campaign to communicate directly with our supporters at critical moments.

Howard Dean is leading the charge to take our country back and you have the power to make it happen. Your outreach now is essential to winning the primary and the White House.

Thank you.

*The Dean campaign values people's privacy. Only submit names of people who have expressly asked to receive email updates.

"Truth, crushed to earth, shall rise again, - -
The eternal years of God are hers;
But Error, wounded, writhes in pain,
And dies among his worshippers."

Truth has a way of asserting itself despite all attempts to obscure it. Distortion only serves to derail it for a time. No matter to what lengths we humans may go to obfuscate facts or delude our fellows, truth has a way of squeezing out through the cracks, eventually.

But the danger is that at some point it may no longer matter. The danger is that damage is done before the truth is widely realized. The reality is that, sometimes, it is easier to ignore uncomfortable facts and go along with whatever distortion is currently in vogue. We see a lot of this today in politics. I see a lot of it -- more than I would ever have believed -- right on this Senate Floor.

Regarding the situation in Iraq, it appears to this Senator that the American people may have been lured into accepting the unprovoked invasion of a sovereign nation, in violation of long-standing International law, under false premises. There is ample evidence that the horrific events of September 11 have been carefully manipulated to switch public focus from Osama Bin Laden and Al Queda who masterminded the September 11th attacks, to Saddam Hussein who did not. The run up to our invasion of Iraq featured the President and members of his cabinet invoking every frightening image they could conjure, from mushroom clouds, to buried caches of germ warfare, to drones poised to deliver germ laden death in our major cities. We were treated to a heavy dose of overstatement concerning Saddam Hussein's direct threat to our freedoms. The tactic was guaranteed to provoke a sure reaction from a nation still suffering from a combination of post traumatic stress and justifiable anger after the attacks of 911. It was the exploitation of fear. It was a placebo for the anger.

Since the war's end, every subsequent revelation which has seemed to refute the previous dire claims of the Bush Administration has been brushed aside. Instead of addressing the contradictory evidence, the White House deftly changes the subject. No weapons of mass destruction have yet turned up, but we are told that they will in time. Perhaps they yet will. But, our costly and destructive bunker busting attack on Iraq seems to have proven, in the main, precisely the opposite of what we were told was the urgent reason to go in. It seems also to have, for the present, verified the assertions of Hans Blix and the inspection team he led, which President Bush and company so derided. As Blix always said, a lot of time will be needed to find such weapons, if they do, indeed, exist. Meanwhile Bin Laden is still on the loose and Saddam Hussein has come up missing.

The Administration assured the U.S. public and the world, over and over again, that an attack was necessary to protect our people and the world from terrorism. It assiduously worked to alarm the public and blur the faces of Saddam Hussein and Osama Bin Laden until they virtually became one.

What has become painfully clear in the aftermath of war is that Iraq was no immediate threat to the U.S. Ravaged by years of sanctions, Iraq did not even lift an airplane against us. Iraq's threatening death-dealing fleet of unmanned drones about which we heard so much morphed into one prototype made of plywood and string. Their missiles proved to be outdated and of limited range. Their army was quickly overwhelmed by our technology and our well trained troops.

Presently our loyal military personnel continue their mission of diligently searching for WMD. They have so far turned up only fertilizer, vacuum cleaners, conventional weapons, and the occasional buried swimming pool. They are misused on such a mission and they continue to be at grave risk. But, the Bush team's extensive hype of WMD in Iraq as justification for a preemptive invasion has become more than embarrassing. It has raised serious questions about prevarication and the reckless use of power. Were our troops needlessly put at risk? Were countless Iraqi civilians killed and maimed when war was not really necessary? Was the American public deliberately misled? Was the world?

What makes me cringe even more is the continued claim that we are "liberators." The facts don't seem to support the label we have so euphemistically attached to ourselves. True, we have unseated a brutal, despicable despot, but "liberation" implies the follow up of freedom, self-determination and a better life for the common people. In fact, if the situation in Iraq is the result of "liberation," we may have set the cause of freedom back 200 years.

Despite our high-blown claims of a better life for the Iraqi people, water is scarce, and often foul, electricity is a sometime thing, food is in short supply, hospitals are stacked with the wounded and maimed, historic treasures of the region and of the Iraqi people have been looted, and nuclear material may have been disseminated to heaven knows where, while U.S. troops, on orders, looked on and guarded the oil supply.

Meanwhile, lucrative contracts to rebuild Iraq's infrastructure and refurbish its oil industry are awarded to Administration cronies, without benefit of competitive bidding, and the U.S. steadfastly resists offers of U.N. assistance to participate. Is there any wonder that the real motives of the U.S. government are the subject of worldwide speculation and mistrust?

And in what may be the most damaging development, the U.S. appears to be pushing off Iraq's clamor for self-government. Jay Garner has been summarily replaced, and it is becoming all too clear that the smiling face of the U.S. as liberator is quickly assuming the scowl of an occupier. The image of the boot on the throat has replaced the beckoning hand of freedom. Chaos and rioting only exacerbate that image, as U.S. soldiers try to sustain order in a land ravaged by poverty and disease. "Regime change" in Iraq has so far meant anarchy, curbed only by an occupying military force and a U.S. administrative presence that is evasive about if and when it intends to depart.

Democracy and Freedom cannot be force fed at the point of an occupier's gun. To think otherwise is folly. One has to stop and ponder. How could we have been so impossibly naive? How could we expect to easily plant a clone of U.S. culture, values, and government in a country so riven with religious, territorial, and tribal rivalries, so suspicious of U.S. motives, and so at odds with the galloping materialism which drives the western-style economies?

As so many warned this Administration before it launched its misguided war on Iraq, there is evidence that our crack down in Iraq is likely to convince 1,000 new Bin Ladens to plan other horrors of the type we have seen in the past several days. Instead of damaging the terrorists, we have given them new fuel for their fury. We did not complete our mission in Afghanistan because we were so eager to attack Iraq. Now it appears that Al Queda is back with a vengeance. We have returned to orange alert in the U.S., and we may well have destabilized the Mideast region, a region we have never fully understood. We have alienated friends around the globe with our dissembling and our haughty insistence on punishing former friends who may not see things quite our way.

The path of diplomacy and reason have gone out the window to be replaced by force, unilateralism, and punishment for transgressions. I read most recently with amazement our harsh castigation of Turkey, our longtime friend and strategic ally. It is astonishing that our government is berating the new Turkish government for conducting its affairs in accordance with its own Constitution and its democratic institutions.

Indeed, we may have sparked a new international arms race as countries move ahead to develop WMD as a last ditch attempt to ward off a possible preemptive strike from a newly belligerent U.S. which claims the right to hit where it wants. In fact, there is little to constrain this President. Congress, in what will go down in history as its most unfortunate act, handed away its power to declare war for the foreseeable future and empowered this President to wage war at will.

As if that were not bad enough, members of Congress are reluctant to ask questions which are begging to be asked. How long will we occupy Iraq? We have already heard disputes on the numbers of troops which will be needed to retain order. What is the truth? How costly will the occupation and rebuilding be? No one has given a straight answer. How will we afford this long-term massive commitment, fight terrorism at home, address a serious crisis in domestic healthcare, afford behemoth military spending and give away billions in tax cuts amidst a deficit which has climbed to over $340 billion for this year alone? If the President's tax cut passes it will be $400 billion. We cower in the shadows while false statements proliferate. We accept soft answers and shaky explanations because to demand the truth is hard, or unpopular, or may be politically costly.

But, I contend that, through it all, the people know. The American people unfortunately are used to political shading, spin, and the usual chicanery they hear from public officials. They patiently tolerate it up to a point. But there is a line. It may seem to be drawn in invisible ink for a time, but eventually it will appear in dark colors, tinged with anger. When it comes to shedding American blood - - when it comes to wreaking havoc on civilians, on innocent men, women, and children, callous dissembling is not acceptable. Nothing is worth that kind of lie - - not oil, not revenge, not reelection, not somebody's grand pipedream of a democratic domino theory.

And mark my words, the calculated intimidation which we see so often of late by the "powers that be" will only keep the loyal opposition quiet for just so long. Because eventually, like it always does, the truth will emerge. And when it does, this house of cards, built of deceit, will fall.

Contact Sen. Bird and thank him. He needs to know his effort is appreciated.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Sen. Robert Byrd, the Senate's most outspoken critic of President Bush, on Wednesday accused him of constructing a "house of cards, built on deceit" to justify the war against Iraq.'

Byrd Says Bush Built 'House of Cards' on Iraq War

Thank You Senator Bird for asking the questions that no one is asking.

Contact Sen. Bird and thank him. He needs to know his effort is appreciated.

Now the Senate says that dividends should be tax-free to recipients. Suppose this measure goes through and the directors of Berkshire Hathaway (which does not now pay a dividend) therefore decide to pay $1 billion in dividends next year. Owning 31 percent of Berkshire, I would receive $310 million in additional income, owe not another dime in federal tax, and see my tax rate plunge to 3 percent.

And our receptionist? She'd still be paying about 30 percent, which means she would be contributing about 10 times the proportion of her income that I would to such government pursuits as fighting terrorism, waging wars and supporting the elderly. Let me repeat the point: Her overall federal tax rate would be 10 times what my rate would be.

Dividend Voodoo (washingtonpost.com)

Over 25,000 people have now signed up for Dean Meetups. The next Meetup is Wednesday, June 4th.

Other candidate national Meetup member numbers:

Kerry Meetup Members - 1185
Edwards Meetup Members - 724
Kucinich Meetup Members - 276
Gephardt Meetup Members -160
Lieberman Meetup Members - 83
Sharpton Meetup Members - 36

Why is it that we’ve got quite possibly the worst economy in years, that we’ve lost 2 ½ million jobs in 2½ years despite the fact that the Bush administration seem to only be passing tax cuts that will make things worse, Bush is still getting high approval rating. Why is this?

It’s FEAR.

Clinton ran and won against Bush-One on “It’s the economy stupid.” Even though with one look at the numbers you’d think “It’s the economy, again stupid,” But it wont be.

BushCo and their team of masters of spin have people scared. Scared of osama, scared of saadam scared of a wimpy democrat who will not protect them. Each time The office of homeland security raises the threat level people forget that they have no jobs and start doing ridiculously insane things like buying duct tape and plastic. Formerly rational people were standing in line at the home depot fighting over that last roll of plastic. That madness had to have made BushCo smile. At that point they knew they had a hold of the strings tightly.

It’s a page right out of the book of Hitlers Hermann Goering. “Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the peacemakers for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country."

MASLOWS HIEARCHY

People are highly motivated by fear. In Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, it’s the number two motivator in human existence. Once people satisfy their basic need of food water and sex then they worry about their safety. BushCo is telling us we are not safe and telling us that he is the only one who can make us safe. He is not only telling us this, he showed us this by playing dress up and landing on an aircraft carrier.

The key to getting rid of BushCo is to show that he is NOT protecting us. Show the public that BushCo has only made us more vulnerable to attacks by his preemptive wars, his cutting taxes that will fund police and fire protection, etc…. Then show them that a Democrat can protect us. This quite possibly will be the hardest part of the struggle. Fact is the public perceives democrats as peace loving, Birkenstock wearing, tree hugging wimps. We’ve got to show that the Democrats can be just as tough or tougher.

It’s a not so simple challenge to completely wipe out the last few years of brainwashing of BushCo. But it’s the only way to get rid of the current regime. Hit them where they are perceived to be strong. We know it’s all smoke and mirrors and spin anyway. Deep down I think most Americans really don’t buy it either, but they are so afraid that “the wimpy Democrats” will make it worse that they’d rather bury their heads in the sand and hope for the best with Bush.

WASHINGTON (AFP) - Nearly 40 days after the fall of Baghdad, US efforts to restore order and establish a functioning administration in Iraq are faltering as US forces struggle to cope with lawlessness, a fragile infrastructure and fractious Iraqi political forces, analysts said.

"It's close to a fiasco," said Loren Thompson, an analyst with the Lexington Institute, a Washington research organization.

US post-war effort seen as on the brink of "fiasco"

404 WMD cannot be displayed

“Once again, the DLC has chosen to put their own political agenda ahead of the progress needed to unite the Democratic Party. This election has barely begun, and the DLC has repeatedly dismissed people who attend caucuses, who get out the vote, and now the 1.3 million members of AFSCME as ‘fringe activists’ who do not reflect ‘the mainstream values, national pride and the economic aspirations of middle-class and working people.’

“The DLC staff can say what they want about me, but they owe an apology to the 1.3 million members of AFSCME. Our teachers, our health care workers, and our state and local public servants don't need a lesson from Washington insiders about the needs and concerns of middle- and working-class families. What they need is a Democratic Party that will stand up for them.”

Read what the DLC had to say about AFSCME

Read a sample of what thousands of Democrats and independents have written to the DLC in response to the DLC’s charge last week that grassroots activists were “elitist”:

C-SPAN VIDEO

Former Vermont Governor Howard Dean participates in a presidential forum hosted by Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) at the River Center in Davenport, Iowa Sunday

A new CBS News poll has some interesting figures worth noting for a successful campaign against the "boy king"

VIEWS OF THE PARTIES
Looking ahead to the 2004 election, this poll shows big differences in Americans' views of the parties.

Republican Advantage:
Making sure the military is strong
Reps 66%
Dems 19%

Making the right decisions on terrorism
Reps 58%
Dems 18%

Democratic advantage:
Protecting the environment
Reps 23%
Dems 60%

Making prescriptions drugs affordable
Reps 26%
Dems 57%

Creating new jobs
Reps 32%
Dems 54%

Improving the health care system
Reps 29%
Dems 51%

Making sure the tax system is fair
Reps 36%
Dems 46%

Tie:
Ensuring a strong economy
Reps 42%
Dems 41%

Improving education
Reps 38%
Dems 44%

Dean needs to continue to hit Bush on Homeland Security where the public perceives republicans strong as he did in Iowa and debunk the myth.

"This president talks tough about homeland security but in fact we're a lot less safe," he said, questioning why Bush turned his attention away from al Qaeda in Afghanistan and failed to provide funding for police and emergency units that would deal with an attack at home.

It looks like the public already perceives the Democrats as good for jobs, health care and environment so there is no need to run strictly on those issues. Highlight them and continue to show that Dean is on top of health care, jobs, balanced budget, the environment, etc.

But hit them where it hurts on Military, Homeland Security and Terrorism to show voters that there is a huge misconception and BushCo has done more harm than good.

CBS News Poll: Economy Remains Top Priority

My dispirited friends in the anti-war movement, the hundreds of thousands who marched before the war, ask "What now?" The answer, my friends, is blowing in the wind. Won't you join forces behind the only true Democrat, the only real alternative, out there? Won't you keep clean for Dean? Oh, he won't get the big bucks from Bechtel, Shell, Halliburton, or United Defense Industries. But, if he gets enough $5 and $10 donations from individual Americans, he can make your voice heard, move the Democratic party back to its values, and perhaps take those values to the White House. Want to try?

VICKI'S VIEW: Where Are All The Democrats?"

The Des Moines Register

"This president has used humiliation as a weapon, not only against our enemies but against our friends," Dean said, adding the United Nations should be brought in to help administer Iraq.

Democratic Candidate Dean Blasts Bush in Iowa

Protesters Walk Out on Santorum Speech

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - About one in every eight graduates walked out of Sunday's commencement at Saint Joseph's University before the keynote address by Sen. Rick Santorum, who recently infuriated gay groups and others with derogatory remarks about homosexual behavior.

Protesters Walk Out on Santorum Speech

In my best Nelson from the Simpsons voice all I have to say is Ha-Ha

National Democratic chairman Terry McAuliffe accused Bush of a new McCarthyism last night at the annual Ohio Democratic Party dinner.

George Bush has unleashed a new McCarthyism that, under the cloak of a time of crisis and peril, has vilified and questioned the patriotism of those who have policy and political differences with him and his administration."

We’re living in a time where Faux News doesn’t report the news but inflates and embellishes stories with a fervent wave of a flag and a “no spin zone yell shut up and flip off of the microphone" of anyone who speaks the truth and challenges Bill O’Reilly.

We’re in a time where AOL-Time-Warner-Turner-Fox-Clear Channel-MSNBC-CNN–CBS-Vaicom-Disney-ABC-…(or whatever one or two merged companies turn out to call themselves) are in such a fight to kiss up to FCC Chairman Michael Powell (Colon Powell’s son) in order to merge, merge, merge to be bigger an better than the other, that they’ll not question the BushCo dictatorship. "Liberal Media" my ass!

Why is it that Bush still garners a 67% Favorability rating when he passes a tax cut that is sure to tank the economy, al-Qaida is quite possibly stronger than they were before September 11th., the Mideast is more of a U.S.-hating powder keg than ever, thanks the BushCo war. That Halliburton (Dick Cheney) and Bechtel (George Shultz), and other BushCo insiders, reap huge contracts and line their pockets for rebuilding the devastated county we liberated from the still missing Saddam Hussein?

Is is that the American public is so stupid that they are buying the lies, hook, line, and sinker? Or are they just too lazy too look beyond the surface of what BushCo is doing? Or have we as a nation obtained through “sound bite television” such a short attention span that we can’t focus long enough to really look beyond the trees?

Someone please explain this too me!

Hopefully we’ll wake up before the 2004 election and get rid of the “boy king” before he completely revamps our constitution and laws and turns us entirely into an evil dictatorship.

DeanForAmerica.com Technical Difficulties With Dean Web-Cast

"We experienced technical difficulties with our live webcast of the "Hear it from the Heartland" town hall meeting in Iowa, featuring Howard Dean and hosted by Senator Tom Harkin. We apologize, and thanks to those of you who tried to watch. The Governor's address to supporters will be rescheduled on another day. We'll keep you posted."

Hear It From the Heartland Live Web-Cast

Today, Sunday, May 18th at 3:00PM EDT, Governor Dean will be the guest of Senator Tom Harkin for the second of Harkin's "Hear it from the Heartland" forums featuring Democratic Presidential candidates. Following the forum, Governor Dean will address supporters directly through a live Web-cast, starting at approximately 4:30PM EDT.

The Governor wants to personally thank the hundreds of activists who have voiced support for his campaign. This Sunday he will speak directly to activists and supporters, carrying the message of "taking our country back" to thousands more on the Web.

Please join us at 3:00 pm for the for the web-cast of the forum and for the special address from the Governor.

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