Wherefore, OPERATION DEMOCRACY?

Let the record show that the MINUTE TAKER sent emails, and the MINUTE TAKER left messages. M did not respond to repeated queries; the MINUTE TAKER fears that M has been lost to the cause. Weeks went by without word from Operation Democracy of further efforts.

The MINUTE TAKER has no means to communicate with other XXX Democracy Operatives. The record must show that the Operation Democracy Action Center web site has been denying the MINUTE TAKER access to the XXX team page. Instead, upon logging in to the Action Center, the following message is displayed:

We couldn't figure out what team you were trying to work with. It's possible the team you were trying to work with no longer exists.

The team no longer exists? Let the record show surprise and alarm!

Finally, XXX Regional Organizer J was successfully contacted. J confirmed that the XXX team has been disbanded; there were no reasons provided for the record to show.

J's tone was strained--guarded, even:
"There are no events in your area in the immediate future."

J indicated that Operation Democracy will soon entering into its next phase of phone banking for the 2006 election; there was no information as to exactly when this next phase will begin -- "you will receive an email," indicated J. Whenever the phase shall begin, let the record reflect upon the remarkably early date to commence phone banking -- despite the fact that research indicates that contacting people by phone more than once, and farther than a week before an election, is a 'waste of resources.' Perhaps Operation Democracy intends to contact voters more than three or even four times!

It must be reported that J will soon be relocated out of YYY, leaving the entire state unstaffed. Good luck to J. But let the record show that, electorally-speaking, this is a rather large gap in the nationwide structure of Operation Democracy.

The MINUTE MAKER is baffled. Flustered. Disappointed. Fellow XXX chapter volunteers probably feel the same way -- however, Operation Democracy has provided the MINUTE TAKER no means to be in touch with any of them.

And yet, despair has not yet overtaken. The record will show that where there is a will for democracy, there is a way. The MINUTE TAKER has just today joined a new team in a new neighborhood, and has even left a message on the team's new, heretofore un-messaged bulletin board. Further updates to the record are pending!