Feminist blogger featured in MoveOn email campaign
This is cool! MoveOn is featuring our own Ginmar of A View From A Broad in the latest Get Out The Vote campaign. Here’s the email I received today:
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From: Ginmar, Iraq Vet, MoveOn.org Political Action
Date: Nov 5, 2006 11:59 AM
Subject: Never again
This week, we asked our volunteers why they signed up to turn out voters through Call for Change. We were especially struck by Ginmar’s story and asked her to share it with you. Ginmar (who asked us not to use her real name) is a reservist in the Army, but she’s writing now only as a private citizen. If her message moves you, too, please sign up to call voters at:
MoveOn Phone Volunteer Program
Dear fellow MoveOn member,
I believed the lie. As an Army reservist, I went to Iraq to protect America from weapons of mass destruction. But when I got there, I soon discovered there were no WMDs and no plan for us to succeed.
We can’t change the past. But in two days, we can change the future. This Republican Congress must be fired because they are still putting their own egos above the truth—and above human lives.
This election is our last chance to show what happens when politicians use fear and lies to start a war. If they get away with it this time, they’ll do it again. But if it costs them their power, we can send a message to future politicians in the only language they understand—and stop the next unnecessary war before it begins. The choice is ours.
I’m calling voters today from home. Will you join me?
MoveOn Phone Volunteer Program
On the morning of September 11th, 2001, I watched the attack on the World Trade Center with a special horror because the people killed were all civilians without training, arms, or defense. I called my unit that afternoon and begged, “Wherever this came from, send me there.”
But that’s not where they sent me. They sent me to Iraq.
Around a month into my tour, my small unit was ambushed by hundreds of insurgent fighters at a Coalition Provisional Authority base. The local security force (hired by corporate mercenaries) deserted immediately, taking guns and radios with them.
We were besieged for 22 straight hours under a steady stream of small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades. Forces from multiple nations attempted rescues throughout the night. At dawn, when morning prayers created a pause in the attack, we managed to escape with our lives.
I spent the next 11 months doing convoys, writing reports, and getting to know the real Iraq. I talked to hundreds of Iraqis; many became true friends. I saw the rage after Abu Ghraib. And I saw way too many innocent civilians die as the country slipped further and further over the edge.
The troops I served with suffered from limited ammunition, armor, resources, and staff. While we brushed our teeth in dirty water recycled from the showers, Halliburton reps got rich off contracts handed to them by their Republican friends back in Washington.
Reservists like me risk our lives when Congress says we must—and we need citizens like you to hold them accountable when they betray that trust.
This Tuesday is our very last chance to do that. It’s the last chance for Americans to stand up and say we will not forget, we will not excuse, and we will not let this betrayal happen again.
For my fellow troops still in the field, for the thousands who have yet to put on the uniform, and for the hopes we all have for a peaceful world—it’s time to Call for Change.
Respectfully,
–Ginmar, concerned citizen
Sunday, November 5th, 2006
P.S. You can sign up to make turnout calls from home by clicking here:
MoveOn Phone Volunteer Program
And if you want to send a personal note of support to Ginmar to let her know she inspired you to Call for Change, we’ll be happy to pass it on. Just write to C4Cletters@moveon.org
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Isn’t that a terrific letter? Ginmar, you done good. I’m proud of you.
Polls show the Democratic lead is narrowing; this could be a very close-fought thing. We can’t afford to sit back and wait for the landslide, folks. If you know anybody who’s still on the fence, anybody who thinks “supporting the troops” means voting Republican — send them Ginmar’s letter. And if you can spare any time at all, please follow the links to do some get-out-the-vote calling. MoveOn says:
Over 30 races are in a dead heat – margins of a few thousand or few hundred votes. We’ve tested these calls, and we know they work – the people we talk to are much more likely to turn out. Your calls could tip the balance – but we’re in a daily struggle to make sure we’re reaching more voters than the Republicans’ infamous turnout program. Can you help?
Well, can you?
15 Responses to “Feminist blogger featured in MoveOn email campaign”
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love2all says:
It makes no sense that the majority of this country was sick of this president, the lies, the war, etc… yet, somehow Republicans won the 2004 election. I didn’t think it was possible.
Today, we’re even sicker of the corruption in D.C. but Repugs could very well win again. I don’t know how, but it’s entirely possible and I am really nagging my democrat friends to vote because some, actually, were not going to bother(?!?!), thinking that the election was in the bag!
There is a theory that the Republicans are actually trying to hype reports of a big landslide Republican loss so that most democrats will feel secure and some might not even bother to vote.
So bug the shit out of your Democrat friends and make sure they get to polls tomorrow or else you’ll disown them! Call them. Email them. Drive them to their polling place. I know I sound like an MTV commercial but I don’t care!
Also, anyone can find their polling place by going here: https://electionimpact.votenet.com/pfawf/pollboothlocator/index.cfm
November 6th, 2006 at 9:13 am EST -
ginmar says:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/11/5/212753/967
The Republicans are blatantly violating the law now: they’re pretending to be dems and harassing people. Spread it around.
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richard cherry says:
What with Beelzebub turning on Satan and saying his Iraq policy is rubbish I have now totally lost what little of the plot I ever had.
Do we suspect the neocons of a hidden agenda (maybe the Dems are now more to their liking)? Do we say, ‘ffs, if even the neocons have worked out it’s not going well it must be time to rethink’? Or do we wth John Smith acknowledge these are the last days and the neocons have been working all along to usher in the 777 year reign of their mistress the whore of err little rock, she who rides a pale husband, she whose name is hilary…
I’m off to Landover Baptist for enlightenment. -
love2all says:
Something interesting I saw on Crooks & Liars and I know this comment is more appropriate for a Torture President entry but… this is closer to the top soo..
ANYWAY.. someone suggested that the Military Commissions Act passed the Senate using fuzzy math. They claimed that 65 votes out of 99 Senate votes was not enough to make a two thirds majority. Seems they missed by one vote yet it still passed. Ya think there’s truth to this?
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Violet says:
A two-thirds majority isn’t required to pass a bill like that. A simple majority will do. Two-thirds is only required for certain things, like overturning a veto, amending the Constitution, etc.
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love2all says:
Yup, see.. I need to do my homework, thanks Violet!
But again.. sad that such a serious, horrid bill like that only requires a 50% majority.
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Paul Tergeist says:
Here’s some interesting information. Saddam was sentenced to hang for killing less than half as many innocent Iraqis as Bush has killed. And the gas Saddam used to kill the Kurds he was just sentenced to death for gassing was given to him by the US. Not only that, but at the time the US said the Iranians had done it, not Saddam.
The US was a co-conspirator. Just remember friends, that American courts are no less kangaroo courts than Iraqi courts. Don’t fall afoul of the law until we get rid of the corruption which, I predict, will be about the same time we run out of oil, food and oxygen: 2020.
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will says:
Excellent letter! Good for her!
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Alex says:
Beloved in Christ,
It is a priviledge to write to you and to relate my testimony.
I was a Moslem and a retired military top officer in (Liberia) Army that served under the past military regime. I was the financial secretary to the Armed Force Ruling Council (AFRC). With my position as a financial secretary,I was able to divert up to $41,000,000.00(Forty one million U.S Dollars, into my personal Bank Account, hoping to invest the money when I’m retired.
Immediately I got retired, I was converted from Moslem to Christian when I was preached the words of God through my cousin Pastor Raffael Iweka. I then gave my life to Christ and became a born again Christian.Since I gave my life to Christ, I had no rest of mind.Some times I think of the souls I killed when I was a soldier and the dubious ways I diverted my country’s money into my Personal Bank Account. I then decided to seek the face of God for forgiveness and after fasting and prayer through Divine Revelation, the Almighty God revealed to me that the only way I could have rest of mind is when I used all my money to do the work of God. I immediately disclosed my revelation to my Pastor and he was happy with me.
I have been thinking of the particular thing to do for my God before the former civilian president of my country set up a panel (Honourable Charles-Tailor) to probe the Bank Account of the past Military officers like me. Instead of loosing this money to my government, I quickly withdrew my money out of my Account and deposited the money in a finance and security company in IVORY COAST for safety.
My Pastor has adviced me to sneak out of the country with the money to sow it into a ministry abroad. I have decided to sow this money into your ministry. I am making arrangement to come over to your country but you need to receive this money from the finance and security company in cash before I come over.
The cash has been packaged by the security company in consignments and ready for shipment but the security company requires the address of the receiver.
Please send to me your names, address and your telefax number where I can fax the Airway Bill to you for claim of the consignment over there.I look forward to your response.
God bless you.
Deacon Alexandra -
Violet says:
Alex, I’m eager to help. Is there anything you need in addition to my address? Can I send you my bank account number? Possibly my credit card number? Do you need any money for the shipment? I imagine 41 million dollars is going to be tricky to ship!
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desperate says:
Dear Deacon,
We need the money desperately as we sort-of goofed up a preemptive outreach-program (you may have heard about Iraq?) and accidentally savaged our ministry’s previously sound fiscal policy. While most of the Elders are now in the know, few of our flock are aware we’re now hemorrhaging a heart-breaking $2 billion a day and our notes will soon be worth sawdust.
Deacon, your $41 million would support our church’s global outreach program for only a few minutes. Could you get more and send it through any of our unprotected ports to:
Dick Cheney
Ministry of Torture
Washington, DC, USABy the way, you’ll be amazed at how much you and Dick have in common.
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henderson says:
Alexandra my advice is to loosen your lapi. It’s cutting off the oxygen to your head. Give the money back to your people and rest easily. 2% stole the soul and treasure from 98%. And you know what happened after that- (the graves are everywhere and the tide washes them open again). Too much has been stolen already.
Parties at the Dukor and Mamba Point not withstanding, the rest of your capitol is in too much darkness. Buy 41 million dollars in generators and turn Bernards house into an orphange. Start a couple of little buisnsses and pay the workers properly and you yourself sleep in the back room on a cot in an empty room for the next four years keeping only your own council, reading Proverbs and Ecclesiates. Ride only a bibycle and no shoes and watchout for hook worm. Your soul will be restored.
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henderson says:
And I’m not kidding. Ol’ Man Beggar gonna git you. Listen to pastor henderson. If you’re kidding Alex- it’s really not as funny. Y
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henderson says:
Pardon- i meant to say- it’s really not funny. Find something else to joke about. so you’re not an asshole.
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henderson says:
Liberia has hundreds of thousands of ghosts. Be nice to them. No humour to be found- maybe some hope- but not humour. Look elsewhere.
