Passing this on - - though I do not understand why Pitt himself

has not already posted it. (Sorry if this has already been posted somewhere and I missed it or if I should not do this for some reason but I thought it was a great read and definitely worth sharing)

> Heroes
> January 8, 2005, TruthOut.com Editorial
> By William Rivers Pitt
>
> http://www.votecobb.org/online_opinion/2005/jan/op2005-01-07b
> .php
>
> Excerpt from the blog diary:
>
> As one of the journalists privileged to be able to report on the
> events which culminated in Thursday's challenge to the Ohio
> Electors, I have had the chance to meet and observe a whole
> crowd of remarkable people. They deserve to be recognized.
>
> David Cobb and Michael Badnarik: The presidential candidates
> for the Green Party and Libertarian Party deserve the lion's share
> of praise and credit for the events of Thursday January 6th.
> Before anyone else came within a mile of pushing the pile
> towards some kind of national reckoning regarding the election
> 'irregularities' in Ohio, Cobb and Badnarik had their shoulders
> down and were throwing weight.
>
> "I think of a hero as someone who understands the degree of
> responsibility that comes with his freedom."
> - Bob Dylan
>
> Their lawsuits in Ohio may develop into a truly significant
> process, particularly if their motions to preserve evidence,
> examine the voting machines and depose the election players
> are allowed to proceed. The outcome and ultimate results of
> Thursday's Electoral challenge may still be in the wind, but one
> thing is certain: Cobb and Badnarik forced the Democrats to do
> the right thing, and that makes Thursday a banner day for third
> parties in America.
>
> Jon Bonifaz and Cliff Arnebeck: These two attorneys are at the
> heart of the Cobb/Badnarik legal effort in Ohio. In both the Ohio
> state court and the Federal court, they are working to bring these
> challenges to a fruitful conclusion. Bonifaz and Arnebeck have
> also been central in elevating public awareness of the problems
> we endure in our election process, and worked diligently to
> educate members of congress about what we face.
>
> Bev Harris and Andy Stephenson: The two pillars of
> BlackBoxVoting.org, Bev and Andy basically killed themselves
> over the two years before the 2004 election to bring public
> attention to the catastrophic problems involved in 'electronic
> voting.' I have clear memories of crossing paths with Andy in
> Seattle, and remember being amazed that he was still on his
> feet. The bags under his eyes could have had 'Samsonite'
> stamped on them, but still he kept on. There has recently been a
> falling-out among the BlackBoxVoting crew, and I take no
> position whatsoever on that sad little soap opera. Whatever you
> may think about that, the fact remains that Bev and Andy were the
> first, and the best, advocates for election reform regarding these
> new machines.
>
> Rep. John Conyers and his Judiciary staff: The ranking minority
> member of the Judiciary Committee played a central role in
> orchestrating the events which culminated in Thursday's
> challenge. He organized hearings in Washington and Ohio to
> highlight the problems with the November election, educated his
> fellow members, and released a watershed report on the issues
> that will serve as a guide for any and all future actions. Conyers
> and his staff got the chariot rolling up on the Hill, and everyone
> you saw stand up and speak Thursday in Congress were
> basically hitching a ride with him.
>
> Reverend Jesse Jackson: The motivation and energy brought to
> this cause by Jackson in recent weeks cannot be overstated.
> Reverend Jackson preached, cajoled, browbeat and pushed to
> make sure the challenge took place on Thursday. His presence
> in this struggle represents a new day, a combination of the
> mostly-white progressive reform movement and the
> African-American civil rights movement. This new coalition is
> going to have a lot to say and do over the coming weeks and
> months, and may come to be the decisive factor in the fight to
> make sure every vote counts, and every vote is counted.
>
> Tim Carpenter and Kevin Spidel: These two men, who make up
> the backbone of Progressive Democrats of America, came out of
> the Kucinich campaign. Carpenter the former deputy campaign
> manager and Spidel the former national field organizer used the
> skills and contacts they developed in that campaign to bring
> enormous popular attention to the problems with the 2004
> election. Both men have gone without sleep for months and have
> spent countless hours on the road to push this issue.
>
> Senator Barbara Boxer: It took a good degree of courage for
> Senator Boxer to stand up on Thursday and vote against the
> certification of the Ohio Electors. In the House, Republican
> Representatives accused her of aiding terrorism and betraying
> our troops in Iraq. Though such accusations are utter
> balderdash, they do carry a sting. In 2000, no Senator would
> stand with the Congressional Black Caucus to challenge what
> happened in Florida. Boxer, on Thursday, removed that stain,
> and is to be commended.
>
> You the People: The greatest heroes in this process have been
> the ordinary Americans - the teachers and lawyers and builders
> and students - who took the time to write and call and fax and
> email members of congress in such volume that ultimately, the
> demand for action could not be ignored. By Thursday morning,
> every avenue of communication on Capitol Hill had become
> totally paralyzed by the amount of incoming messages from
> people who wanted to see something done. The other names
> on this list played their part, but were it not for you the people,
> their efforts would have come to nothing. It was an awe-inspiring
> performance, and was the reason why Thursday's challenge
> happened.
>
> There is a debate taking place now as to what, if anything,
> happened in congress on Thursday. Some feel that the failure of
> any Senator to stand with Boxer obviates the whole process.
> Others believe Thursday was a good step forward, the opening
> of a national dialogue on election reform, and proof that the
> people can force Congress to act.
>
> At the end of the day, however, I believe Thursday was a victory
> because of the people I have listed above, and because of all the
> other heroes I failed to name. All these horses are running
> together at speed, and have proven they can get things done. If
> you believe in the cause of election reform, be warmed by the
> knowledge that these men and women are out there, working for
> you, and their efforts have only just begun.
>
> William Rivers Pitt is a New York Times and internationally
> bestselling author of two books - 'War on Iraq: What Team
> Bush Doesn't Want You to Know' and 'The Greatest Sedition Is
> Silence.'

it is great isn't it :)