"I AM SPARTACUS!"

Meet Some of The Diva's Many

Split Personalities/E-Mail Aliases

March 24, 2001

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"I AM SPARTACUS!"

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From: "Spartacus" spartacus@home.com

To: thediva@coup2k.com

Sent: Tuesday, March 20, 2001 6:01 PM

Subject: Re: Official Position of the Democratic Party?

 

Are these the same morons who said the Dems lost because they were too liberal -- when Gore won the election?

 

Thanks for sending this. I'm a lifelong liberal Democrat, but my party needs to be Roto-Rootered, for real: turn the rascals out and replace them with leaders who care about the people.

 

BTW, I put your "Thphphphphph!" on top of the CLG Website, and the White House still hasn't autoresponded to the latest raspberry I sent them, now well over an hour ago -- something must be amiss with their servers, ya think? <g>

 

Kris Spartacus

 

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"I AM SPARTACUS!"

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From: Spartacus" spartacus@aol.com

To: thediva@coup2k.com

Sent: Tuesday, March 20, 2001 6:19 PM

Subject: Re: Thphphphphphphphph!

 

Tammy,

 

Keep up the great work, I love it - fantastic website.  I have never been angrier in my life and you help save my sanity.  I can't believe this guy called you an asshole, I personally reserve that moniker for the illegitimate White House occupants.

 

And that reminds me of an anecdote from a guy pal of mine, a Vietnam Vet tough guy and a Democrat.  He told me he was ranting to his dad about the Bush regime.  His dad said, "Well, son...I figure that there are a lot of assholes in the world...and they've got to have some representation." 

 

HAHAHAHA!!

 

So, high five to you on keeping up morale!  I got a great kick out of raspberrying Resident Bush, and in return I got this lovely response (HAHAHAHA!!!!): 

 

"Thank you for emailing President Bush.  Your ideas and comments are very important to him. 

 

(bull!)

 

Unfortunately, because of the large volume of email received, the President cannot personally respond to each message.  However, the White House Staff reviews every email message and reports citizen ideas and concerns to President Bush. 

 

(that's funny, I seem to notice he's immune to public opinion or he would have done the manly thing and conceded to the rightful President Al Gore, among other things)

 

Again, thank you for your email.  Your interest in the work of President Bush and the new administration is appreciated.

 

(interest? I am fighting for my freedom and rights, thanks to the current threat from my own government, I would rather be doing a hundred other things, never had to do this when President Clinton was around)

 

Sincerely,

The White House Office of E-Correspondence

 

Please Note:

 

If the subject of your email was a request for a Presidential greeting,

please access the following link:

   

    http://www.whitehouse.gov/greeting/

 

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"I AM SPARTACUS!"

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From: " Spartacus" spartacus@perkel.com

To: "The Diva (Tammy)" thediva@coup2k.com

Sent: Wednesday, March 21, 2001 7:16 AM

Subject: Re: DEM PARTY OFFICIAL'S STATEMENT: DIVA IS "ASSHOLE", WEBSITE IS "MESS", THPH CAMPAIGN TO E-MAIL BUSH IS NOT COVERED BY FIRST AMENDMENT

 

Well, you're getting noticed.

 

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"I AM SPARTACUS!"

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From: " Spartacus" spartacus@home.com

To: webmistress@gorewon2000.net

Sent: Wednesday, March 21, 2001 6:04 PM

 

Dear Tammy,

 

Please don't take that idiot Hauptman personally.  Imagine how awful it must be being him.  I'm sure his personal relationships are a shambles, given how quickly he was dismissive and disrespectful to you.  Clearly that is how he treats everyone; people are nothing if not consistent.

 

I love your web site.  Your creativity is an ever-flowering plant that inspires others.  Unfortunately, through the medium of  cyber-space, our usual intuitive filters are not operating, and strange characters get through (even in the guise of official positions).  It is too bad he has a significant post in the Democratic Party where he interfaces with many.  It is likely he does much damage in that regard.

 

It is your sensitivity that enables you to write the beautiful and inspired way that you do, but it does have its price.

 

Take care,

 

Nancy Spartacus

 

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"I AM SPARTACUS!"

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From: "Spartacus" spartacus@netnitco.net

To: thediva@coup2k.com

Sent: Wednesday, March 21, 2001 9:17 PM

Subject: two things

 

1. The guy who called you an asshole is jealous. You're funny; he's not.

 

You can spell; he can't. Stuff like that. Ignore it.

 

2. My daughter did a good deed. She is a high school senior, and has a government teacher who gave his students extra credit if they attended a Republican dinner, for which he bought the tickets. (Of course, he didn't offer a Democratic dinner opportunity.) The Republicans were all dressed up, and my daughter and her friends attended in their blue jeans.

 

The state senator and representative gave their little speeches, and then one of them said he was so happy that the students had joined them that evening, and that hopefully they will all vote Republican in the next election.

 

And at that, my daughter, who will be valedictorian of her class this spring, let loose with a great big "BOOOO!"

 

She got some dirty looks, but said the food was great.

 

I am so proud!

 

Nancy Spartacus

 

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Dear Nancy:

 

First off, I am bouncing back from "The Hauptman Situation" (as I now call it), and have even satirized it on my site.  It seems my serious appeals to his reason failed.

 

Where logical fails, try for belly laughs, I say!

 

Now, on to your daughter's situation:

 

THIS SOUNDS ILLEGAL TO ME!  OR AT LEAST AGAINST SCHOOL OR DISTRICT POLICY!

 

Right?  I mean, offering extra credit to students for attending a partisan political event at which they will be recruited as potential voters for a particular party?

 

By the way, I read your e-mail to my boyfriend, and he laughed out loud when I read, "BOOOO!"

 

:)

 

(PS:  I was a valedictorian, too, and if I had known then what I know now, I would have used my chance at the podium to raise a little hell. Unfortunately, I didn't know then what I know now -- I don't think any of us did...)

 

Send your daughter my love and admiration!

 

-Tammy

"The Diva"

coup2k.com

 

***************************************************

 

Dear Tammy,

 

Yes, it's illegal, and the teachers here do many illegal things. We know better than to raise too much of a stink  in Indiana...we are under very heavy Republican siege in rep.Steve Buyer's (next to Dan Burton's) district.

 

She has fought a few fights, including recently filing a complaint against a teacher who was gay bashing.

 

I've been asked by several people to run for school board, but these voters here, well hell Tammy, they probably ain't gonna let a girl do that!

 

I know so well what kind of world the right-wing wants to create. Here, as I've heard it described in Texas, a lot of Democrats are so conservative they seem like Republicans. I should move away, because it makes me nuts. The place is crawling with christianity. And, WE HAVE THE KLAN!

 

Thanks for the nice words about my daughter. She plans to use her podium time wisely, but has not revealed the plan.

 

I look at your site every day - thanks, it's a lifeline.

 

Nancy

 

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Dear Nancy:

 

I know what you mean about living in the political equivalent of Dante's Inferno.

 

When Chuck and I first moved to California, we lived in Irvine, in Orange County (read:  Bob Dornan Country).  I was never more unhappy in my life. It was the most racist, classist, obnoxious, pretentious, snotty, trying place I have ever lived.

 

Luckily, we have since moved to Long Beach, which is an integrated city, and even has a strong democratic base.

 

Still, there are those moments when I am still confronted with rightwing rottenness, so just remember:

 

No matter where you go, there you are...

 

(But if you DO decide to bail out of Indiana, and make a run for Southern California, COME SEE ME!)

 

:)

 

-Tammy

"The Diva"

coup2k.com

 

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"I AM SPARTACUS!"

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From: "Spartacus" spartacus@aol.com

To: thediva@coup2k.com

Sent: Thursday, March 22, 2001 2:18 AM

Subject: rphauptman@aol.com

 

Hey Diva,

After sending Rick Hauptman a few e-mails, letting him know that he was the major a_ _hole; plus a few Thphphphphph! ...

 

He locked me out.... good, he he.

 

Don Spartacus

 

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Dear Don:

 

You are living proof that laughter is not only the best weapon, but a wickedly effective tool...

 

Your e-mail made me smile, BIG time (which I really needed). 

 

May I ask, was your decision to write Mr. Hauptman inspired by the BBBR site satire, the posted e-mail exchange (http://coup2k.com/hauptman.html), or did you read about the situation on one of the eGroups?

 

Whichever, I am immeasurably grateful, not only for your willingness to champion me, but for your wit, and for making me smile.

 

-Tammy

"The Diva"

coup2k.com

 

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"I AM SPARTACUS!"

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From: "Spartacus" spartacus@email.msn.com

To: thediva@coup2k.com

Sent: Thursday, March 22, 2001 2:21 AM

Subject: My Letter to RB Haupman

 

Dear Diva,

 

I was personally insulted, when I read RB Hauptman's cruel and uncalled for comments regarding you and your website. 

 

As I told Mr. Hauptman, websites like yours have offered me some degree of solace since the Coup, which is more than I can say for many of the actions of the Democratic party,  which have included abandonment and capitulation.  I have, in fact,  experienced a good deal of pain due to their appeasement of Bush and total abandonment of President Clinton.  

 

How dare Mr. Hauptman insult you in that way, when you have taken it upon yourself, unrewarded, to take some action to address the hideous situation in which we find ourselves.  I suggested that he apologize to you, and that his remarks apply more appropriately to himself.  As a centrist Democrat, I  realize that this has been a hard time for the Democratic party...so I have tried not to jump on our officials;  but for someone like Mr. Hauptman to insult people who are trying to help, is beyond the pale.  I hope his apology will be forthcoming, and that the Democratic party will wake up and smell the coffee...NOW! 

 

You are supported,

Linda Spartacus

 

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"I AM SPARTACUS!"

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From: "Spartacus" spartacus@cs.com

To: thediva@coup2k.com

Sent: Thursday, March 22, 2001 7:17 AM

Subject: Re: The Rick Hauptman Statements

 

From what ***** wrote, and from what I've witnessed of his tactics, the guy just isn't worth it.  He's a LO-SER!  He's a Freeper in liberal's clothing. 

 

He really should be exposed for what he is.   He's a wussy.  I think it's rather funny how he let's his snide comments fly, and then blocks any response to them.  I believe I will send Mr. Hauptmann another letter from my work e-mail and let him know what an embarrassment he is.

 

Sincerely,

Mindy Spartacus

 

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"I AM SPARTACUS!"

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From: "Spartacus" spartacus@home.com

To: "The Diva (Tammy)" thediva@coup2k.com

Sent: Thursday, March 22, 2001 7:24 AM

Subject: Re: Your wonderful letter

 

Dear Tammy,

 

There are a lot of sites out there that gather news and give opinion critical of the Criminal in Chief.  But yours is the only one that gives it such a personal touch, one so many of us identify with.  Your piece where you described how your life had virtually been on hold since the election with you in your robe on the computer with an unswept house, and friends with names such as... well, I don't remember the details, but I was crying I was laughing so hard.  I was reading about myself.  I  posted that one on my Salon thread, and everyone recognized him/herself.  We all loved it.  (Just one example.  There are many.)

 

The point here is there are millions who still feel tremendous pain over what has happened, and each day the Corporation Whore in Chief manages to rub salt in the wound.  You have a wonderful way of speaking for many of us, and at the same time making us laugh. Please know you are much appreciated by your readers.

 

Perhaps the most painful thing in the Hauptman incident is the feeling of betrayal.  The sense of community  that has grown since the coup is enormous.  It seems like an incredible betrayal when one of us turns on another.  If a wingnut had called you a nasty name, I doubt it would have been so upsetting.  (They are all jerks anyway.)  But when one of our own attacks, and all we have is each other in these sordid times, it is a total disconnect.  It rips us from the only really healing thing in all this morass:  that there are millions of us who agree and share the same pain and anger and hopes for the future.  I would think that the Hauptman incident would have challenged that sense of connectedness, even for a moment, and that is what sent you into a tailspin.

 

I don't mean to ramble here.  Mostly I want to offer you support and the hope that you can extrapolate from this event some kernel of  strength and wisdom that will ultimately invigorate you.

 

Warm wishes,

 

Nancy Spartacus

 

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Dear Nancy:

 

You don't know how much your support means to me.  Yesterday was a bad, sad, awful day.  Maybe the stress is starting to get to me, but I was actually considering deleting my site from the web, after "The Hauptman Incident" (as I now refer to it), and calling it a day as far as resisting the coup goes.

 

Then I received a call today from my almost-sister-in-law (she was worried about me), and she told me to use my humor to vent a little, so I did.

 

So, Mr. Hauptman has now been immortalized on my site forever, in the form of one of my satires.  (Not my finest hour, stooping to revenge, but it was either that, or go nuts stewing in my own juices...)

 

Just sign me,

 

-Tammy

The "Not Above Getting Down in the Gutter (Occasionally)" Diva

coup2k.com

 

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"I AM SPARTACUS!"

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From: "Spartacus" spartacus@gvtc.com

To: thediva@coup2k.com

Sent: Thursday, March 22, 2001 8:42 AM

Subject: Hauptman

 

Diva-  Went to your website, and it looks great to me.  Also sent a chastisement to Mr/? Hauptman, suggesting that when he had done half so much for the cause, then he might consider looking up and he might be able to kiss your feet.  People like that 'really' piss me off.  Have a great day.

 

In Solidarity,

Victor Spartacus

 

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"I AM SPARTACUS!"

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From: "Spartacus" spartacus@home.com

To: thediva@coup2k.com

Sent: Thursday, March 22, 2001 9:11 AM

Subject: THE DIVA JOINS ADAM CLYMER HONOR ROLL...

 

Your Rick Hauptman "Saga" was absolutely hilarious Tammy, reminiscent of my own go around with the vapid rectum in the past, when he was a member of FOB.  Your control was admirable, and your style elegant.

 

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"I AM SPARTACUS!"

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From: "Spartacus" spartacus@bellsouth.net

To: thediva@coup2k.com

Sent: Thursday, March 22, 2001 9:57 AM

Subject: about the a**hole remarks....

 

What an honor to be in the same catagory with Adam Clymer. And what a major league know nothing, no account, mindless, rat faced idiot that Hauptman is.

 

Just my humble opinion.      

 

Pat Spartacus

 

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"I AM SPARTACUS!"

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From: "Spartacus" spartacus@optonline.net

To: "Spartacus" spartacus@twrol.com

Cc: "Spartacus" spartacus@aol.com; "The Diva (Tammy)" thediva@coup2k.com

Sent: Thursday, March 22, 2001 10:20 AM

Subject: Re: THE DIVA JOINS ADAM CLYMER HONOR ROLL Is Declared an Ahole By Democratic Chair

 

The Diva, this Goddess, this new found friend of mine,

she is much more than just divine.

She cherishes the farthest satrapies of her Royal Land.

Her love of man can only be compared to Eve, the wife of Adam.

She gave God specific, detailed instructions for her man,

"Dear Lord, just take a rib and make him stand

and I will make him master of all my land.

Her cities sit on Golden Hills.

Her army is all real men in uniforms, not frocks and frills.

They are protected and not exposed to all those awful ills.

Her beds are soft and warm. Her soldiers meet no bloody harm,

nor shout out false alarms while she holds them in her loving arms.

 

From the Artic to the Antarctic, the joy of the Globe around its middle,

We hear both fife and fiddle.

They make their loving shout of VIVA LA DIVA.

Her fame and love of man is without a glitch.

She is a real beloved bitch,

 

Carl Spartacus

 

Just an "Old Man," so stupid that he cannot stand.

Now I dream of my Anglo/Cajun joy,

my Madam Kat, my little toy, that pretty brat.

 

***************************************************

 

Dear Spartacus:

 

I've received all of your messages, and I appreciate them more than you know.  You have made me smile (something I consider a very good deed).  I especially liked your "Eve" poem.

 

I am bouncing back from The Hauptman Situation, as I wrote about on my site.

 

I do not consider him representative of the Democratic Party, and I hope you will not consider him representative of gay people, either.  I know many (I am an honorary gay man, a title awarded to me by the gay community in Austin, TX), and I can assure you that Mr. Hauptman is nothing like the gay people I know and love.

 

Thanks again for everything, and for caring about me enough to keep writing.

 

-Tammy

"The Diva"

coup2k.com

 

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"I AM SPARTACUS!"

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From: "Spartacus" spartacus@big-rock.org

To: RBHauptman@aol.com

Cc: thediva@coup2k.com

Sent: Thursday, March 22, 2001 12:29 PM

Subject: www.coup2k.com

 

Dear Mr. Hauptman,

 

I have a question: Did you learn your people skills from Karl Rove?

 

Tammy, the "Diva" of www.coup2k.com, has worked for hours per day since the appointment of George W. Bush on an outstanding website. Tammy has helped others like me to embrace activism as a daily way of life, not as an occasional twinge of conscience. I feel she and her website are invaluable to the Democratic fight to pick up seats in the House and Senate during 2002's elections. Do you offer anywhere near the activist opportunities that www.coup2k.com offers daily? If the Democratic outrage and anger over the botched election remains untapped and ignored, how do you think that those elections are going to go? Are you aware that George W. Bush turned down funding yesterday for election reform? In other words, we're looking at more of the same problems in a year.

 

Mr. Hauptman, did you think you were being clever by pretending to misunderstand Tammy's meaning of the latest "Bronx cheer for Bush" e-mails to whitehouse.gov, (implying instead that they were spamming e-lists,) and by calling her an "asshole"? It is difficult for me to imagine anyone thinking that style of non-communication was acceptable being in any position of leadership, let alone the leadership of my political party.

 

George W. Bush seems to believe that everyone thinks his ridiculous policies are great. Don't you think it's time to disabue that notion? What would you suggest to be more effective at getting our point across that the 100 million in this country that didn't vote Republican aren't happy? Democratic protests at Bush's events are being virtually ignored by the mainstream press.

 

You owe Tammy an apology. Publicly. Sooner than later.

 

Julie Spartacus

 

----- HIS REPLY -----

From: RBHauptman@aol.com

To: "Spartacus" spartacus@big-rock.org

Sent: Thursday, March 22, 2001 12:50 PM

Subject: Re: www.coup2k.com

 

you didn't see her obnoxious messages to me, so how dare you ask me for an apology.  she owes me one for posting a private conversation publicly.  shame on you.

 

----- SPARTACUS GIVES IT ANOTHER GO -----

From: "Spartacus" spartacus@big-rock.org

To: RBHauptman@aol.com

Cc: thediva@coup2k.com

Sent: Thursday, March 22, 2001 1:04 PM

Subject: Re: www.coup2k.com

 

Again, Mr. Hauptman, I want to know: What are you doing to rally the Democratic base, instead of flinging insults and feigning outrage? Do you often respond with this much firepower when told that you are, perhaps, wrong? "Shame on you?"  For God's sake.

 

When you are in a leadership position of a political party and call someone an "asshole" on an e-list, or even through private e-mail, you might want to rethink your approach.

 

Tammy attempted to work the problem out with you via e-mail. Your response to this was to block any response she might make to your e-mail. She had no other choice, in my opinion, than to answer you publicly. Frankly, I think you'd better mend fences.

 

Julie Spartacus

 

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"I AM SPARTACUS!"

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From: "Spartacus" spartacus@optonline.net

To: "The Diva (Tammy)" thediva@respectperfection.com

Sent: Thursday, March 22, 2001 2:57 PM

Subject: Marriage Proposal

 

My New Goddess Friend:

 

Should you here that I want to marry you, just deny it, because I won't. I'm only 76.

 

Thank you for slamming into Rick Hauptman. You are my kind of Gal.

 

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"I AM SPARTACUS!"

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From: "Spartacus" spartacus@planetout.com

To: thediva@coup2k.com

Sent: Thursday, March 22, 2001 4:18 PM

Subject: The Hauptman Situation

 

Hi Diva!

 

Thanks for not throwing in the towel. We need you. I, personally, admire and respect you more than I can explain for rising to the challenges given us at this moment in history with the grace and courage you display daily. I admire your articulate messages and your good humor, and I stand in awe of your strength.

 

If you ever wonder if what you are doing is worth it, the answer is YES. For me, at least, and for hundreds or thousands like me I'm sure, the answer is YES.

 

You stand on the front line, and I am deeply grateful, because I do not think I could do what you are doing and survive; and someone has to do it. Many of us recognize your great sacrifices. I know that I do not thank you enough.

 

But I read your page whenever I am at home, and I use the information you provide to write to my Congressmen and Congresswomen, and to keep up my spirits and my will to keep fighting.

 

You are a touchstone for courage.

 

Thank you.

 

I have written to Rick Hauptman, and am sending you a copy of that letter.

 

I have also made a couple of animated GIFs of a rotating orange ribbon. I was going to post them on my site this evening. If you would like, I would be happy to send them on to you to post for anyone who wants a graphic to use on their site.

 

 

Once again, thanks for the work you do. Don't let the idiots get you down!  There are more of us than there are of them.

 

Robin Spartacus

http://www.robinspartacus.com/

http://robinspartacus.com/Democracy.html

 

 

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Dear Mr. Hauptman,

 

I am sorely disappointed in your treatment of The Diva, who has become one of my personal heroes, as well as a hero for many others.

 

You may not wish to send a single e-mail to the White House. You may think that 48 is overkill. That is your choice. Many of us would rather fight the injustice that has been visited on us in any legal way possible; including poking fun at those  who would harm us. The message of those e-mails may have been brief, but it was emphatic, as well. The readers hired by the administration could not have missed the point.

 

I find your repeated messages to her after you had blocked her responses childish and unworthy of anyone who holds any position of authority in any party or organization.

 

No wonder the coup was successful, with people like you at the helm of the Democratic Party. No wonder it cannot pull itself together, with people like you trying to divide the workers against themselves.

 

I would hope that the opposition to the current administration was lead by dedicated adults. In this exchange, I saw one deeply dedicated adult, unpaid and often unthanked, who has worked tirelessly since the early days in November to keep thousands of us informed, keep our spirits up, and keep our hope and our activism alive.

 

You are not that adult.

 

If, by your actions, you had silenced her voice you would have done a grave injury to your party, and to the dream of regaining an America that once again shines with freedom and justice for all. An America in which every voice, and every vote, is heard and counted, and in which all people are equal. If that is what you were trying to accomplish, then I have nothing but contempt for you.

 

I would hope that my assessment of you is incorrect, and that you would prove that you are, in fact, a grown-up by apologizing publicly to the woman who is listed first on most resistance sites (including mine.) If you do issue such an apology, then I will conclude that you were having a bad day. That can happen to anyone.

 

If you do not, then I cannot help but conclude that you consider yourself  somehow superior to those of us who work in grassroots organizations. That  you have separated yourself from the people you profess to represent, and that, in fact, you speak for no one but yourself.

 

Hoping to read a resolution on the BBBR site (which I follow daily,)

 

I remain,

 

Robin Spartacus

http://www.robinspartacus.com/

 

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"I AM SPARTACUS!"

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From: "Spartacus"