Tuesday, November 07, 2006

Today and Tomorrow

It's Election Day in Durham. All over the blogosphere, Nifong supporters... frazzled by pole dancing videos and an awakening national media... seem to cling to one last comforting thought. If at day's end, Nifong is elected, we who support the boys will be devastated, humiliated, vanquished for all time. I have two words to say to them.

Not really.

We'd love to see Nifong rightfully removed today from the position he abused. We'd love to see all segments of the community rally against this man who exploited the legal system for his personal gain. We'd love to see a Hollywood happy ending where good triumphs over evil and healing begins in Durham, and this debacle of a Hoax begins to end. We'd love to see it. We believe we WILL see it. But we are wise enough to know we may not.

As voters go to the polls today, we believe they will vote Conscience, not Agenda. We believe they will vote Truth, not tortured mind-traps. We believe and hope all this. But if not, what will tomorrow bring? Well, I've been thinking about just that.

So to all the Nifongistas out there, here's a heads up about your heady predictions of our possible despair. Don't generalize about folks you don't know. That's what got you into this muddle in the first place. Watching Devon Sherwood the other day proclaim to a national audience... that he once had one brother and now has 46... made me think, "Devon knows them." He knows Collin, Reade and Dave. He knows them in all the settings and scenarios we can only imagine. Devon knows them when irritated, disappointed or distracted. He's seen them in the moments when their guard is down, and the gloves are off. In the days before March 13, when NONE of these three boys needed any good word from him, Devon saw them as they truly are. And he calls Collin, Reade, and Dave... brothers. And he endures hate, derision and criticism to claim those brothers on national TV.

Devon knows them. This is one endorsement that is stronger than steel. You Nifongistas can't tarnish it, or twist it or make it go away. Your generalizations about these boys look specious and spotty when standing next to what Devon has to say. So think about that now. If you Agenda-types imagine by tonight that LieStoppers will be crying in their collective towels, bemoaning electoral defeat, abandoning the boys... let me tell you this. You don't know these boys and you don't know us. In the unfortunate event, that scenario should happen… let me tell you about people I KNOW.

LieStoppers consists of different individuals, but one collective spirit. Victory today will inspire us, delight us, and drive us forward, toward vindication for these families, for Collin, Reade and Dave. Vanquishing Nifong will show us Durham, a world coming into symmetry which all good folks profess to believe in. We would be gratified and get on to step two.

But if Nifong is elected. What then?

I know these LieStoppers.

I'll tell you.

LieStoppers will still be here tomorrow morning, breathing fire. Forget despair… think dogged determination. We don't do angst, we redouble our efforts. Every Ashley propaganda piece has fueled a stunning rebuttal from someone on the blog. A twisted missive popping up from the professor-ly-pitiful Gang of 88 is manna for our creative heaven. Every Nifong outrage inspires us, rejuvenates us, rededicates us. I know these LieStoppers. A Nifong victory tonight will not bring ANY of us to despair. It will burnish ALL of us to whatever brilliance we might hope to possess. We will dig deeper, we will delve further… we will leave no stone unturned. We will write and rhyme and reason... parse the law and produce wickedly funny cartoons. We will not be eviscerated by a Nifong win today… by heaven, this crew will be invigorated.

And that's just us.

I'm sure the other Mighty Warriors in the field, will also be fueled and return rededicated to the fracas. The inimitable, remarkable NDLax; the brilliant and commandingly comprehensive Bill Anderson; the stalwart and steady Agenda slayer, John in Carolina; the prolific, ever-pounding Mike Gaynor; the never-failing Johnsville News; FODU's Jason Trumpbour, the constant voice of justice and reason; and before us all, the undisputed Hero of the Hoax…Professor K C Johnson, who has daily dissected and decimated the Hypocrisy before us with a clarity and power of conscience that has left us all in awe.

Nifongistas, we'll all still be here. You ain't seen nothin' yet.

I think Cheek will win today. I think Republicans... will not want a legacy of being Nifong enablers to be their burden to bear for all time in Durham. I think Durhamites do not appreciate being duped by those who are called to serve them, not deceive them. Because this Hoax WILL be unraveled. The ugliness at its core WILL be revealed. All eyes are turning increasingly to Durham. Even the bit of brightness we've seen to date has caused the roaches to begin to run for cover.

So tomorrow, I expect to be jubilant at a Cheek victory... but if the numbers are with Nifong, I'll be comforted by two very different philosophers.

I'll remember the words of Chaucer, "I'll but lie down and bleed awhile, then rise, and fight again."

I'll remember the words of country music star Garth Brooks, "Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers."

Defeating Nifong in an election might be too easy, too neat and clean for him or us. We may need to work more, uncover more. He may need to pay a larger price, walk a longer crooked mile.I can't say who will claim victory tonight. But if it's you, Nifongistas... be careful on those victory laps. We won't be home, crying in our teacups. We'll be re-loading in the bushes, lurking in your woods, laying traps in your legal swamps.

To the families, either way, tonight is a night for rejoicing. Either we celebrate the defeat of Nifong and the new day in Durham… or we celebrate the indomitable spirit of people like Beth Brewer and her crew... and Devon Sherwood and his courage. . Either we hail an end to the Chief Hoaxer and his hypocrisy, or we hail the beginning of new firestorm of righteous rejuvenation.
Oh, yes! We can handle quite well either one. Here's to Today... and Tomorrow, whatever it may bring.
Joan Foster

38 comments:

Anonymous said...

"Nifong supporters...seem to cling to one last comforting thought. If at day's end, Nifong is elected, we who support the boys will be devastated, humiliated, vanquished for all time. I have two words to say to them.

"Not really."

NOT REALLY!

Now THAT'S class, Joan!

Michael J. Gaynor

Anonymous said...

The Duke Men and Women's lacrosse teams will be at a get together tonight to clebrate their unity and their faith in and love for Collin, Reade and Dave. They have all been activie in the voting process. For some, this will be their first vote they have ever cast and I'm sure they will remember this vote for the Durham DA as one of the most important votes in their lives. These young people have grown up too quickly and are all too aware of the dangers lurking around the corner. But adversity has united and inspired them. They have continuued to be conscientious students; they have continuued to be active in Durham;they have continuued to support each other-especially Dave, Collin and Reade.

We all pray that Nifong loses-but if he doesn't, the teams also realize that there will be no head hanging. They will continue to move forward knowing that ultimately, justice and truth will prevail over evil and lies.
Duke Parent

Anonymous said...

I can only echo Michael Gaynor and say "Bravo," Joan; "Bravo," Duke Lacrosse, and count me in.

Texas Mom
"I'll but lie down and bleed awhile, then rise, and fight again."

Anonymous said...

Go, Fight, Win!! and if we don't win this bqttle, we live to fight another day--and win then!!!!!

Hooray for Joan, Beth, the lacrosse teams, and all the others at the front lines today!! Great writing again, Joan--Thank you!!!!

Anonymous said...

Dear Joan, Thank you for your inspiring essay today and particularly for the great quote from Chaucer. Absolutely: LAX families and supporters will need your support and that of the good people you mentioned and the good people of Freepers and Talkleft more than ever, should the profongers Fong Durham and themselves today. We are with you. Free the Duke Three; Disbar Nifong; Fire Richard the Rat Broadhead. sic semper tyrannis

Anonymous said...

"I'll remember the words of Chaucer, "I'll but lie down and bleed awhile, then rise, and fight again."

I thought that was Shakespeare; but anyway, I like Jesse Ventura better :
"I ain't got time to bleed."

Anonymous said...

Beautifully said, Joan.

Anonymous said...

Bravo Joan!!!

Anonymous said...

AMEN!

Anonymous said...

When this travesty is but a distant memory, we will all reflect on the pieces you have written Joan. You have taken a thousand voices and made them one. This piece today is an absolute treasure.

Anonymous said...

Brilliant!

Anonymous said...

And another AMEN!!

Anonymous said...

Did my part and voted for Cheek. Here is to hoping that it counted.

Anonymous said...

win or lose the election, Duke lax players and their supporters should consider a boycott of Durham businesses.

August West said...

In.

JinC once joked that KC should just have check off boxes for commentators to fill in response to his posts. You know, to paraphrase,

a) Your best ever, KC!

b) Another fantastic work, KC!

...and the like.

I feel that way every time I read you, Joan. You inspire me. You inspire thousands and thousands and thousands...

God bless you.

Anonymous said...

You really have a great way of inspiring people. What a gift! We won't stop until we win the war.

Anonymous said...

If Nifong wins today it isn't over for me either. I am not going to forget what he has done. As for a boycott of Durham businesses I am torn. I doubt many Durham businesses owners supported or voted for this ass clown. Of course I don't live in North Carolina so I wouldn't normally do business with anyone from Durham anyway.

Anonymous said...

Joan,

It appears on this election day many of us are reduced to cliches. I'll leave you with a couple of my favorites.

"Freedom isn't free"

"If it was easy anyone could do it"

"Let's roll"

I and others have been blessed and inspired by your tireless efforts to right this terrible wrong.

Godspeed LieStoppers, Duke 3 et.al.

darby

Anonymous said...

Great work Joan!

Btw, my son was dismayed when he checked the online database for the Board of Elections. His name wasn't there. I sent him down there and he was registered after all!

Never give up!

Anonymous said...

When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won. There have been tyrants and murderers and for a time they seem invincible but in the end, they always fall -- think of it, always. – Mahatma Gandhi

Anonymous said...

Joan,

Once again, a wonderful piece of work! If someone's greatness is measured by the evilness of one's enemies, then you have achieved greatness for sure!!

William L. Anderson

Anonymous said...

Joan,

Of course you have it precisely correct. How we succeed is simple:
Get up every morning. Suit up. Put one foot in front of the other. Repeat as required.

Walter Abbott

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the reminder Joan

Anonymous said...

Thanks Joan! Love the article.

By the way, Alex Rosenberg commented on the "Group of 88" article over at the Chronicle. You guys might want to check out his remarks about KC in the comment section. Several people have already responded to Rosenberg.

Anonymous said...

I am a steel magnolia but your words gave me a much needed stream of tears.

my heartfelt thanks

Anonymous said...

Gosh what happened to your counter--time till Nifong is defeated? Seems as if it turned off. Take the hint.
You lost. There are reasons. Not the least of them is the justice system is still a system when it comes to privileged white boys as long as there is someone like Nifong who is determined to follow the case where it leads. Looks as if you will have to swallow some of your purple prose and figure out some other way to try to subvert justice.
Hear cheers and applause--all the way from Durham, for Durham, for Nifong, for justice.

Anonymous said...

What a strange person.

Anonymous said...

Hope your taxes quadruple...

Anonymous said...

Joan - as always, right on the mark. If the numbers I am seeing are correct, it is a sad day for not just Durham - but for the criminal justice system.

Thank you to Beth and to all the Duke students and supporters who spread the word, kept the faith and got out the vote.

Since we're quoting today -

"I have crossed the Rubicon - let the bridge be burned behind me - come what may - COMMITMENT" attributed to John Adams

See you all tomorrow to continue the fight.

SouthernGirl2 said...

I Want You To Know:

The Mike Nifong supporters has been telling you people for months that the election was his to take. Deal with it. Your bad mouthing about Mike Nifong and the victim only added fuel to the fire. You must learn...never kick a victim when they're down. All your hateful talk has blown back in your face.

The people have spoken and it was loud and clear. Freda Black is just angry that the people said NO to her.

Congrats Mike Nifong! The people of Durham love you and respect you.

Anonymous said...

More than 50% of Durham wasn't fooled by Nifong. Not a ringing endorsement for a DA.

The Political solution is off the table. Now you will get a trial. Well congrats the humilation of Durham will be on your hands. The trial will be a parade of pimps, drug dealers, and hookers. "You asked for it!"

Anonymous said...

The winner is Court TV 'cause (unfortunately) this case will undoubtedly and needlessly have to go to trial for the LAX players to be exonerately. What a waste of resouces (oh . . . i forgot, the DA's office really isn't expending any resources on this case, they haven't interviewed the AV yet). I used to get riled when Chapel Hill residents/students referred to the city as "Derm", now I understand. Mark Foley should relocate there and run for office.

Anonymous said...

10:59
You are obviously the dreaded "truthseeker" poster from the WTVD board. I just read the exact post over there. Hate to tell you this, but obviously over half the Durham population doesn't love Nifong. I certainly wouldn't be bragging about voting for the man owning the title as the most corrupt DA in America.
What is pathetic is Nifong's desperate attempt for a photo op with a Duke supporter. Shameless.
Also, how many candidates have given up 51% of the vote to one person who won't accept the position and a the other candidate is a write in?
The only "victims" I have seen being kicked while being down are the three young men. They are the ONLY victims in this case.

Anonymous said...

New slogan:
Durham---Dumb as Dirt

Anonymous said...

Scott Peterson's trial cost Ca millions. How much will Durham spend on trying the Duke thre? Congratulations, Durham. You will pay, and then pay some more.

Anonymous said...

11:52, I'm not "Dumb as Dirt", I didn't want Nifong elected so I voted for Monks. He said he could and would win. Huh? What? Ummm . . . yeah, ok, I'm dumb as dirt. But at least we found those WMD's in Iraq.

Anonymous said...

11:52, I'm not "Dumb as Dirt", I didn't want Nifong elected so I voted for Monks. He said he could and would win. Huh? What? Ummm . . . yeah, ok, I'm dumb as dirt. But at least we found those WMD's in Iraq.

Anonymous said...

10:59,
How does it feel to be used? Nifong is your slavemaster, you're just too dumb to realize it.