Endorsers

A growing list of individuals and organizations from across the political spectrum are signing on as endorsers of Let's Talk America.

At a special gathering in June, over 22 thought leaders from left, right and center endorsed a proclamation of support for LTA and building dialogues across the political divide, including: Bill Thomson, Christian Coalition David Keene, American Conservative Union Virginia Sloan, The Constitution Project Bob Barr, Bob Barr Enterprises, Inc. A. Lawrence Chickering, Project on Community Engagement and Education Michael Toms, New Dimensions Foundation Carl A. Fillichio, The Council for Excellence in Government Thomas F. Beech, Fetzer Institute Mark Satin, Radical Middle Newsletter Jeffrey B. Peters, We The People Joseph Goldman, AmericaSpeaks Laura Chasin, Public Conversations Project Mark Gerzon, Mediators Foundation Shirley J. Wilcher, Wilcher Global, LLC Tom Atlee, Co-Intelligence Institute

Here's what two of them had to say:

"Let's Talk America is playing a pivotal role in renewing the greatness of American democracy and the political system in which it is founded through fostering inclusive, non-partisan and respectful conversations . . . This is not some soft political idea. Your concept is radical because of its simplicity . . . anything transformative takes place one person at a time. Congratulations for acting on your convictions and giving so many Americans a new way to participate in this experiment we call democracy." Read More

-- Donna Zajonc, former three-term Oregon State Legislator and Oregon Republican Party nominee for Secretary of State

"Only through talk can we make wise choices; only as we talk can we move from victims to co-creators; only through talk can we break through the barriers that divide and disempower us. If fear is the bludgeon used to keep us silent and deferential, talk can be the fuel for our courage. It can help us become the full-voiced, engaged citizens without which there is no democracy. So let's talk, America." Read More

-- Frances Moore LappÈ, author, Diet for a Small Planet

"The challenge our democracy faces is not that we have widely diverging viewpoints, itís that we donít know how to listen to and learn from one another, or to work collaboratively to find shared solutions. Letís Talk America is a brilliant and necessary antidote to the partisan and divisive atmosphere in the contemporary political arena, and a creative way to engage large numbers of everyday people in meaningful conversation on some of the most pivotal issues of our times. Letís Talk America has the capacity to transform the nature of citizen participation in the democratic process of our nation, helping us to build a country, and a world, that works for everybody. "

-- Ocean Robbins, Founder and Co-President, YES! ó ìHelping Outstanding Young Leaders Build A Better Worldî, co-author, Choices For Our Future

If you or your organization would like to endorse Let's Talk America, please email us.

Organizations

American Civil Liberties Union
Conversation Cafes
Global Renaissance Alliance
Institute for Common Good - Regis University
League of Rural Voters
National Coalition for Dialogue and Deliberation
United Muslims of America
Utne Institute
Utne Magazine
The World CafÈ

Individuals*

Tom Atlee, Co-Intelligence Institute
Jodie Evans
Arianna Huffington, author and syndicated columnist
Frances Moore LappÈ, author, Diet for a Small Planet
Sergio Lub, Favors.org
Joseph McCormick, Democracy in America Project, 1998 Republican candidate for Congress in Georgia
Craig Neal, Heartland Institute
Griff Wigley, RealJoe.com
Donna Zajonc, former Oregon State Legislator and Republican Party nominee for Secretary of State
And dozens of others . . .

* Organizations listed for informational purposes only

Endorsement Statements

March 10, 2004

To: Susan Partnow Co-coordinator, Let's Talk America

Dear Susan,

It is with great pleasure I write this letter of endorsement to you and Vicki Robin and all the other courageous leaders who have created Let's Talk America. As a former three-term Oregon State Legislator and the Oregon Republican Party nominee for Secretary of State I am delighted to witness the groundswell of individuals and organizations that understand the transformative power of conversations.

The two-party system that dominates traditional American politics forces a war-like winner-take-all mentality and encourages us to use mindless and confrontational language toward members of the opposing party. The result is we speak as though our opponents are objects to defeat in battle. No wonder our media sound bites have descended into a jungle of destructive, even violent phrases littered with battle jargon.

Fear sells and the media giants love this down-in-the-gutter language. The problem is more and more Americans are completely dropping out of the American election system because they know and understand that these tactics are toxic to our health. That's where Let's Talk America is playing a pivotal role in renewing the greatness of American democracy and the political system on which it is founded through fostering Inclusive, Non-Partisan and Respectful conversations.

This is not some soft political idea. Your concept is radical because of its simplicity and I am totally excited about your vision, commitment and awareness that anything transformative takes place one person at a time. Congratulations for acting on your convictions and giving so many Americans a new way to participate in this experiment we call democracy.

Sincerely,

Donna Zajonc
Political Leadership Coach
www.donnazajonc.com

March 26, 2004

To: Leif Utne
Co-coordinator, Let's Talk America

Dear Leif,

Congratulations to Let's Talk America. At its root, democracy is all about conversation. Democracy is not something we have but something we do as we engage with others in finding solutions to the enormous challenges of our time. This process is not a burden a free people must bear. It's the exhilarating discovery that we can -- together -- shape our future. We are the first generations to know that our choices have ultimate consequences, that they will determine the future of life itself. Only through talk can we make wise choices; only as we talk can we move from victims to co-creators; only through talk can we break through the barriers that divide and disempower us. If fear is the bludgeon used to keep us silent and deferential, talk can be the fuel for our courage. It can help us become the full-voiced, engaged citizens without which there is no democracy. So let's talk, America.

Best wishes,
Frankie

Frances Moore LappÈ
Author, Diet for a Small Planet
Co-author with Anna LappÈ of Hope's Edge
Co-founder with Anna LappÈ of The Small Planet Fund

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»Home »Sign Up »Find a Conversation »Edit Your Profile »Tell Your Friends »Register to Vote »Get involved »How to start an LTA conversation »Hosting Resources »Convening Resources »Endorsers »About Us		Endorsers A growing list of individuals and organizations from across the political spectrum are signing on as endorsers of Let's Talk America. At a special gathering in June, over 22 thought leaders from left, right and center endorsed a proclamation of support for LTA and building dialogues across the political divide, including: Bill Thomson, Christian Coalition David Keene, American Conservative Union Virginia Sloan, The Constitution Project Bob Barr, Bob Barr Enterprises, Inc. A. Lawrence Chickering, Project on Community Engagement and Education Michael Toms, New Dimensions Foundation Carl A. Fillichio, The Council for Excellence in Government Thomas F. Beech, Fetzer Institute Mark Satin, Radical Middle Newsletter Jeffrey B. Peters, We The People Joseph Goldman, AmericaSpeaks Laura Chasin, Public Conversations Project Mark Gerzon, Mediators Foundation Shirley J. Wilcher, Wilcher Global, LLC Tom Atlee, Co-Intelligence Institute Here's what two of them had to say: "Let's Talk America is playing a pivotal role in renewing the greatness of American democracy and the political system in which it is founded through fostering inclusive, non-partisan and respectful conversations . . . This is not some soft political idea. Your concept is radical because of its simplicity . . . anything transformative takes place one person at a time. Congratulations for acting on your convictions and giving so many Americans a new way to participate in this experiment we call democracy." Read More -- Donna Zajonc, former three-term Oregon State Legislator and Oregon Republican Party nominee for Secretary of State "Only through talk can we make wise choices; only as we talk can we move from victims to co-creators; only through talk can we break through the barriers that divide and disempower us. If fear is the bludgeon used to keep us silent and deferential, talk can be the fuel for our courage. It can help us become the full-voiced, engaged citizens without which there is no democracy. So let's talk, America." Read More -- Frances Moore LappÈ, author, Diet for a Small Planet "The challenge our democracy faces is not that we have widely diverging viewpoints, itís that we donít know how to listen to and learn from one another, or to work collaboratively to find shared solutions. Letís Talk America is a brilliant and necessary antidote to the partisan and divisive atmosphere in the contemporary political arena, and a creative way to engage large numbers of everyday people in meaningful conversation on some of the most pivotal issues of our times. Letís Talk America has the capacity to transform the nature of citizen participation in the democratic process of our nation, helping us to build a country, and a world, that works for everybody. " -- Ocean Robbins, Founder and Co-President, YES! ó ìHelping Outstanding Young Leaders Build A Better Worldî, co-author, Choices For Our Future If you or your organization would like to endorse Let's Talk America, please email us. Organizations American Civil Liberties Union Conversation Cafes Global Renaissance Alliance Institute for Common Good - Regis University League of Rural Voters National Coalition for Dialogue and Deliberation United Muslims of America Utne Institute Utne Magazine The World CafÈ Individuals* Tom Atlee, Co-Intelligence Institute Jodie Evans Arianna Huffington, author and syndicated columnist Frances Moore LappÈ, author, Diet for a Small Planet Sergio Lub, Favors.org Joseph McCormick, Democracy in America Project, 1998 Republican candidate for Congress in Georgia Craig Neal, Heartland Institute Griff Wigley, RealJoe.com Donna Zajonc, former Oregon State Legislator and Republican Party nominee for Secretary of State And dozens of others . . . * Organizations listed for informational purposes only Endorsement Statements March 10, 2004 To: Susan Partnow Co-coordinator, Let's Talk America Dear Susan, It is with great pleasure I write this letter of endorsement to you and Vicki Robin and all the other courageous leaders who have created Let's Talk America. As a former three-term Oregon State Legislator and the Oregon Republican Party nominee for Secretary of State I am delighted to witness the groundswell of individuals and organizations that understand the transformative power of conversations. The two-party system that dominates traditional American politics forces a war-like winner-take-all mentality and encourages us to use mindless and confrontational language toward members of the opposing party. The result is we speak as though our opponents are objects to defeat in battle. No wonder our media sound bites have descended into a jungle of destructive, even violent phrases littered with battle jargon. Fear sells and the media giants love this down-in-the-gutter language. The problem is more and more Americans are completely dropping out of the American election system because they know and understand that these tactics are toxic to our health. That's where Let's Talk America is playing a pivotal role in renewing the greatness of American democracy and the political system on which it is founded through fostering Inclusive, Non-Partisan and Respectful conversations. This is not some soft political idea. Your concept is radical because of its simplicity and I am totally excited about your vision, commitment and awareness that anything transformative takes place one person at a time. Congratulations for acting on your convictions and giving so many Americans a new way to participate in this experiment we call democracy. Sincerely, Donna Zajonc Political Leadership Coach www.donnazajonc.com March 26, 2004 To: Leif Utne Co-coordinator, Let's Talk America Dear Leif, Congratulations to Let's Talk America. At its root, democracy is all about conversation. Democracy is not something we have but something we do as we engage with others in finding solutions to the enormous challenges of our time. This process is not a burden a free people must bear. It's the exhilarating discovery that we can -- together -- shape our future. We are the first generations to know that our choices have ultimate consequences, that they will determine the future of life itself. Only through talk can we make wise choices; only as we talk can we move from victims to co-creators; only through talk can we break through the barriers that divide and disempower us. If fear is the bludgeon used to keep us silent and deferential, talk can be the fuel for our courage. It can help us become the full-voiced, engaged citizens without which there is no democracy. So let's talk, America. Best wishes, Frankie Frances Moore LappÈ Author, Diet for a Small Planet Co-author with Anna LappÈ of Hope's Edge Co-founder with Anna LappÈ of The Small Planet Fund

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