United Progressives for Victory(Flip Flop:"We stand with Nader.."But we will not vote for him")

TheNation ^ | 09/28/2004 | KatrinavandenHeuvel

[fight_truth_decay]

Yesterday, more than fifty national antiwar leaders released a letter to potential Nader voters. Many of the signers are longtime activists who have been central in organizing efforts against the war in Iraq, the proliferation of nuclear weapons and the Bush Administration's policy of pre-emptive war.

"We stand with Nader in demanding that the cause of security and peace be at the top of the national agenda," the letter stated, "But we will not vote for him this election...the only practical way to safeguard the nation and the world is to vote for John Kerry for President of the United States."

Individuals signing the letter--which was organized by United Progressives for Victory--include former Congressman Tom Andrews, Executive Director of Win Without War; Dr. Robert K. Musil, Executive Director and CEO of Physicians for Social Responsibility; Amy Isaacs, National Director, Americans for Democratic Action (ADA); Daniel Ellsberg; David Cortright of the Fourth Freedom Forum; and John Isaacs, President of the Council for a Livable World.

UP for Victory includes progressives who have worked with Nader in the past and leaders with years of experience with progressive causes including peace and foreign policy, the environment, consumer rights, women's issues, civil rights, healthcare and workers' rights, and social and economic justice. In other words they have street cred. The full text of the letter and a list of the signers are below:

An Open Letter to Those Considering Voting for Ralph Nader

The November 2 election must end the reign of President George W. Bush whose policies have dismantled what we--and Ralph Nader-- have worked for years to achieve. At stake is the survival of progressive values that we and Ralph Nader hold so dear and the hope for a safer, stronger and better world.

Four more years of President Bush would result in the further undermining of international security: a new generation of nuclear weapons, a resumption of nuclear bomb testing, expansion of National Missile Defense, advancement of the doctrine of pre-emptive war, and the unilateral use of military force independent of the United Nations.

Bush supporters understand power and want to keep it. They have collected ballot signatures for Nader; they have sent him tens of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions. They are using Ralph Nader to divide the progressive vote.

We cannot let them win.

We share Ralph Nader's concern for the condition of America's workers, consumers and citizens. We stand with Nader in demanding that the cause of security and peace be at the top of the national agenda.

But we will not vote for him this election. We will not give George W. Bush four more years to destroy the causes for which we have worked.

Your vote is your voice in this election. Make both of them heard loud and clear. Tell your friends and associates that the only practical way to safeguard the nation and the world is to vote for John Kerry for President of the United States.

Sincerely,

1. Edie Allen, President, Colombe Foundation Mass;* 2. Dorothy Anderson, MD, Physicians for Social Responsibility;* 3. Tom Andrews, ex- member of Congress (D-ME), Executive Director, Win Without War;* 4. Ed Arnold, Executive Director, Physicians for Social Responsibility/Atlanta; 5. Diane Aronson, former executive director, Women's Action for Nuclear Disarmament;* 6. Former Congressman Les AuCoin, Oregon; 7. Catherine Barrett, State Representative, Ohio; 8. Robert L. Borosage, Campaign for America's Future;* 9. Anne H. Cahn, American University; 10. Mary R Cathcart, State Senator, Maine; 11. Rev. Dagmar Braun Celeste; 12. Susan Clark actor/activist; 13. David Cohen, Co-Chair, Advocacy Institute;* 14. David Cortright, President, Fourth Freedom Forum;* 15. Susan Cundiff, Chapter President, Lane County WAND; 16. Mary Byrd Davis, Director, Yggdrasil Institute, a project of Earth Island Institute;* 17. Elizabeth Dunn, Souhegan Wood Products, Inc.;* 18. Daniel Ellsberg, Author of Secrets: A Memoir of Vietnam and the Pentagon Papers; 19. Meg Gage, Proteus Fund;* 20. Peter W. Galbraith, Former US Ambassador, Senior Diplomatic Fellow, Center For Arms Control and Non-Proliferation; 21. Sanford Gottlieb, 20/20 Vision;* 22. Raymond F. Graap, M.D.; 23. Roy D. Hankins MD, Physicians for Social Responsibility;* 24. Bettieanne Hart, Georgia; 25. Dudley Herschbach, Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Harvard University;* 26. Barbara Hildt, President, Youth Empowerment Services Inc., Massachusetts; 27. Amy Isaacs, national director, Americans for Democratic Action; 28. John Isaacs, President, Council for a Livable World;* 29. Karen Jacob, Chapter President of WAND of Northern Indiana and President of the Board of Promoting Enduring Peace;* 30. Peggy Maze Johnson, Citizen Alert of Nevada;* 31. Carla Brooks Johnston, President, New Centuries Policies; 32. Fern Katz, Treasurer, Michigan WAND;* 33. Alan Kay, entrepreneur and social innovator; 34. Jean Kilbourne; 35. Bob Kinsey, Green Party for Congress, CO-4;* 36. Barbara Laing, executive director, Colorado Physicians for Social Responsibility;* 37. Catherine Lincoln, California; 38. Priscilla McMillan, Harvard University;* 39. Robert K. Musil, Ph.D, M.P.H., Executive Director and CEO, Physicians for Social Responsibility;* 40. John O. Pastore. M.D.,President-elect, Physicians for Social Responsibility;* 41. Christopher Paine, Senior Analyst, Natural Resources Defense Council;* 42. Mike Pertschuk, Co-Chair, Advocacy Institute;* 43. Gene Pokorny, Council for a Livable World; 44. Margo Okazawa Rey, Mills College, Women's Leadership Institute; 45. Dorothy Rupert, former State Senator, Colorado; 46. Claudine Schneider, former Member of Congress; 47. Susan Shaer, executive director, Women's Action for New Directions;* 48. Sayre Sheldon, President Emerita Women's Action for New Directions; 49. John Shepherd, MD, President of Colorado Physicians for Social Responsibility; 50. Norman Solomon, Author and syndicated columnist; 51. Ivo Spalatin, Treasurer, Council for a Livable World; 52. Jeremy J. Stone, President, Catalytic Diplomacy; 53. Benn Tannenbaum, Ph.D., Federation of American Scientists; 54. Carlotta Tyler, Massachusetts; 55. Suleyken Walker, Boston; 56. Peter Wilk, M.D.; 57. Edith B. Wilkie, President, Peace Through Law Education Fund;* 58. Esther B. Wolf, Magnolia Neighborhood Peace Project;* 59. Herbert York, Member, Pugwash Movement

*Affiliation for identification purposes only.

[fight_truth_decay]

Recently, an estimated 75 of Nader's 2000 National Citizens Committee issued a statement in support of John Kerry and John Edwards in all swing states. Click here to read the statement or read the summary below.

A portion of the "75 signers" are the usual: Phil Donahue, Norm Chomsky, Barbara Ehrenreich (who used one of her New York Times column to come out against Nader), Jim Hightower, Howard Zinn, Tim Robbins, Eddie Vedder, Susan Sarandon, Ben Cohen and Cornel West.

"This urgent call", as they term it, comes at a time when they see the Nader campaign has qualified to be on the ballot in 23 states, perhaps 10 considered swing states; and may also qualify for several other swing state ballots by the time of the election. In a race which remains close and considered highly polarized, any one of these states could end up as what they term the "new Florida," and tip the electoral college vote to Bush's favor. Kerry supporters and Nader's Bush hating supporters are running scared.

While these signers have a variety of views, all center on a single cause: "Ending", what they consider, "is the national nightmare of Bush". Noam Chomsky writes: "Help elect Bush (by standing with Nader), or do something to try to prevent it."

"We are not just voting for ourselves," says political strategist (and who speaks for the world), Steve Cobble. "The entire world wishes (did I say Cobble speaks for the world?) They could vote in our presidential election--so they could vote against George W. Bush, pre-emption, bullying and unilateralism."

With friends like these, Mr. Nader, who needs enemies? You need only look within your own party. One should respect Nader for sticking to his principles, his platform and facing the hypocrites within head on. For against all odds, Nader displays more courage standing more steadfast in his beliefs then Senator Kerry. Unlike Kerry, Nader never flips. Nader never flops.

Nader continues to fight the Kerry-Kennedy Democrats in court to secure his name on the ballot even after "the people" have given the signatures needed. Those signatures, some liberals and Nader campaigners proclaim, would never come from Bush haters; for why would they ever be so stupid and vote their conscience for Nader and not their overpowering hatred of Bush? (Makes sense, I guess, if you are a hate monger.)

These same liberals, therefore, claim Nader's support must come from the Right- and a whopping tens of thousands of dollars at that- only "pocket change" for Kerry who has spent hundreds of thousands, most likely millions, to keep Mr. Nader OFF the ballot.

So, you "hate filled" liberals, give up your principles, your causes, your hero and mentor - Ralph Nader and cast your "Hate Bush Vote" in November...for Kerry. You still lose either way.

[The G Man]

LOL! The "I was for Nader before I was against him" crowd!

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

John F. Kerry
Timeline of a traitor.
Click Here

READ THIS INTERVIEW THAT KERRY GAVE in 1970
KERRY GAVE AID AND COMFORT TO THE VIET CONG

Harvard Crimson : Kerry refused order to destroy Viet Cong village

http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=352185

Published on Wednesday, February 18, 1970
John Kerry: A Navy Dove Runs for Congress

By SAMUEL Z. GOLDHABER

Crimson Staff Writer

"...One time Kerry was ordered to destroy a Viet Cong village
but disobeyed orders and suggested that the Navy Command
simply send in a Psychological Warfare team to be
friend the villagers with food, hospital supplies,
and better educational facilities."

Free online version of
Kerry's "The New Soldier"
You can read it online right now.

[blackie]

God ~ these lunatic lefties are priceless ~ they are going berserk ~ I love it!! :):)

[orangelobster]

This list of 75 millionaire elitists have nothing in common with rank and file democrats. The average democrat may vote Nader just to spite the party elite headed by Old Pumpkin Head. Keep up the advertising in elite political journals.

[CzarNicky]

They better be careful the way things are going states like New York are going to be battlegrounds.

[TheBigB]

Phil Donahue, Norm Chomsky, Barbara Ehrenreich (who used one of her New York Times column to come out against Nader), Jim Hightower, Howard Zinn, Tim Robbins, Eddie Vedder, Susan Sarandon, Ben Cohen and Cornel West.

Nary a functioning brain cell among them.

[orangelobster]

My favorite democratic party elitist is number 59. Herbert York, Member, Pugwash Movement.

It's good to know that someone is keeping the Democratic party elite's pets well groomed.

[nw_arizona_granny]

A fine long list of Communists who support Kerry.

ping

[Malleus Dei]

Let's see...these guys want Nader voters to vote for a candidate whom they don't want and don't like just because he isn't the other candidate that they don't like and don't want either? Chutzpah, that is.

I'm still trying to figure out how anti-corporate voters could ever bring themselves to vote for a guy who is married to Teresa HEINZ Kerry. God forbid that Kerry gets elected, but wouldn't he be the most corporate-tied president in American history if he was?

How could progressives of any variety ever be expected to vote for a man with corporate ties like that?

[Malleus Dei]

Nader has held the same positions on the issues for the last thirty years, while Kerry changes his on a regular basis. If I were a Leftist, I'd hope to the God I would no longer believe in that I would be smart enough to vote for a man who has had the courage of his convictions all his life over one who checks the polls before taking any position.

[fight_truth_decay]

...add Catholics to that voter list and wonder why.

[SunkenCiv]

Heh... people who are against the war in Iraq AND against nuclear proliferation...

---

---