Gee, Confucius, how do you think the GOP has won so much? By taking it, I suppose you will answer.

But, how? Not by taking to the streets (unless you count the Brooks Brothers riot). Dems take to the streets by hundreds of thousands...and still lose elections.

The GOP win, in part, by anticipating opposition moves and positioning (and messaging) to counter those moves. I agree that whining is not helpful, but part of the necessary positioning involves mobilizing the appropriate frames in the media, and in Dem equivalent of the GOP echo chamber (e.g., Blogs). Pointing out that the GOP will commit voter fraud is not the same as whining about it; pointing it out is like pointing out the 2-2-1 press your opponent will play in a basketball game. Once you identify your opponent's plans, you can counter them more effectively, by breaking the press, so to speak.

So, no self-fulfilling phrophesy. Alerting people to election fraud is a necessary, though obviously not sufficient, condition for countering that fraud. The vast majority of posters here recognize that fact, as is evidenced by the theme of "I will work harder than ever until victory is ours" that some people have voiced. I doubt people are just sitting on their hands.

But, if you have some concrete steps for "taking it" that have not already be voiced here....

When did hundreds of thousands take to the streets? Really? How about the 2004 GOP convention in NYC (estimates as high as 800 000), or the larger protests against the Iraq war? Hell, even throw the WTO protests in Seattle.

When they march in France it has a different effect because, in part, it is framed differently by the media. 800,000 people march in NYC and the media frames it as a bunch of radicals. The GOP wins when mass protests happen. Unless you are advocating violence, then pointing to French protests seems like a silly comparison.

OK. Take to the streets. Turn off your TV. Good luck with that unless you have softened the ground a little; otherwise you're going to be fighting the bad guys on their own ground.

Yes, you can combine 8 Salon comments into one "pretend" comment and then rail against the straw man you have created, but that seems unfair.

In the end, you and I agree, I think. Action, direct, confrontational action, will be called for if the GOP steal the election.

You asked for examples. Fine.

1. See if there is time to volunteer to take part in official election activities as a worker, monitor, or whatever.

2. Bring chairs and water for people in long lines on election day.

3. Organize specific groups of people ready to mobilize on Nov. 5 if needed

4. Write letters to the editor alerting people. Encourage them to take back their democracy.

5. Anticipate the GOP tactics and prepare counter-tactics. (Sorry, I know you interpret this as "defeatist" but it strikes me as an obvious part of preparation.)

6. If you belong to a union, press the union leadership to prepare for mass action, strikes, etc..

7. Remember that there is still a separation of powers, and prepare, in coordination with others, a peaceful, but relentless campaign directed at your local members of Congress.

OK?

Confucius, thanks for the call to arms. Good luck on the streets.

Confucius, did I say anything disparaging against the French? Nope. Their socialist, union-drive, protest-at-the-drop-of-a-chapeau ethic is admirable. Really. (Note: "socialist" is not used in a disparaging way either.) Let's leave GOP attacks from 2004 and over-the-top reactions to 4 year old tactics out of the conversation, please. Confucius, it was a joke!

But, seriously, do you really think that the French protests are "pure" while protests in NYC or Seattle are somehow nothing more than a fun Saturday? Seriously? That seems like an obviously false dichotmoy. I'd bet you that some of those French protesters had a little fun.

And, to suggest that the painting of American protesters as radicals is somehow equal to the French media's painting of French protesters as radicals is misleading for at least two reasons: 1. The depiction of radicalness in France is balanced by legitimate and thoughtful airing of the concerns of the "radicals"; and 2. Being a French radical is not all that...radical. That is, it is not automatically a mark against one's immortal soul, as is the case in the USA (where political deviance denotes moral degeneracy).

So, you seem to be suggesting marches in the street, but not in cities, and not on weekends, or with other people. Interesting.

Yes, yes, yes. The list of things one can do contains some pedestrian items. They are also the types of things that contribute to a healthy democracy. And, I think you underestimate the cumulative effect of these pedestrian actions. The GOP has benefitted from smallish tactics to support a grand strategy. Hmmm, has it worked for them? Yep. They haven't needed to take to the streets yet they still run the country, and have for a generation.

But, you obviously have something else in mind. Care to share?

Seriously, you have me curious...