Blogging is not a spectator sport

In Feb 04 I was so green on e-campaigning that I had to sharpen cut/paste skills. A group of Rapid Response Writers in Austin TX adopted me as the East Wing. We wrote all summer long for Kerry/Edwards in a dedicated yahoogroup. I left them to learn more after the Nov 04 debacle. (Thankfully, we drove some nails into Tom DeLay’s coffin.) When things heated up for 06 election, they asked me if I wanted to join again. I deferred until 08, since I kept things more local because of Ford/Corker.
This all seems so yesterday. Blogs have become sophisticated, especially for those who expect to run for president. Instant communication is easier. It’s still hard to make real connections for action.
Last week Harry Reid, under the DSCC page, bemoaned that they couldn’t pass a non-binding resolution about Iraq, and asked me to give him my thoughts. (They are there in my “Letters to Senators” file.) Basically, I told him we had worked hard to put Democrats in the drivers’ seat, and now we would try to back them up. So I let him know that Murtha rankled Republicans with the power of the purse by fine-tuning how the money could be used. They would just have to figure out how to rattle Republican cages.
Actually I was already in a mood to start my own little cage-rattling campaign. When the thread called “Here’s a shocker. Or maybe not” came to my attention, I knew I had my current issue. Since Alexander is my Senator, I started with him. (We all call him Lamar. I’m not being rude.) It’s at the end of this piece.
On a wider lens, I’ve been looking for a way to act. Acting is so much more rewarding than reacting. And John Edwards’ slogan became mine. TOMORROW IS TODAY.
On the aforementioned thread, I posted the URL for a group who listed the 10 worst Senators in veterans’ affairs, who are up for reelection 08. So I’m on a daily path into March already!

Dear Lamar: As you know, I never wanted the US to invade Iraq. There’s no reason to pussyfoot about it. But now, as things are coming to a head, I look forward to positive thinking. That involves our returning veterans, including those who serve(d) in Iraq.
Although you may not have direct involvement with legislation introduced on their behalf, I’m sure you are very interested in seeing that this large group has better support than the Viet Nam veterans sometimes got.
I intend to e-campaign for veterans’ issues at this time. And I would appreciate it if you would include me in your newsletter by e-mail whenever anything pertinent comes up on the subject. I must admit my mailbox gets a lot of political notices. To save time and effort for both of us, is it possible to just do “veterans” when you write me?
Just as surely as Lent is here, so is the weather we enjoy. I’ll let you know what I find out during days leading up to Easter. I gave up on foregoing chocolate years ago. At least championing the cause of our troops is not fattening.
Best regards, Margaret Bassett Maryville Towers

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