Thread by @RachelAzzara

1. I am a #Democrat, a #Liberal, a #Progressive. I BELIEVE we can be a more perfect union through justice and equality. I work to raise the voices of the oppressed and provide equal opportunities for the disenfranchised. This ethic is the core of the party.

2. When others ridicule us for being too 'politically correct', calling us 'libtards', 'snowflakes', deriding us over 'safe spaces', it matters little to me because I'm secure in the pragmatic foundation that informs our positions and policies.

3. But, like anyone else, if we allow ourselves to be manipulated, we will stray from this pragmatism and lose our way in reactionary responses unfettered by context or logic, weakening our stance by becoming a caricature designed by our opposition.

4. I see things happening that are concerning at a time when we simply can't afford to be weakened and can't allow the GOP and this horrendous administration to become empowered at our expense. We have to stay level-headed and refuse to be goaded into counter-productive actions.

5. Attacks on .@JoyAnnReid for a past blog post defy common-sense about the important advocate and ally she is. @MSNBC firing .@SamSeder over a sarcastic tweet is absurd. The Right points to some semi-controversial act from one's past and sits back to watch us destroy our own.

6. The #MeToo movement is powerful and long-overdue, but I pointed out concerns of how it could be weaponized in politics in the included thread. I was right to be concerned as @SenateDems have demanded the resignation of Al Franken.

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7. Taking extreme action that is not in alignment with the context of the situation is not politically expedient. Quite the opposite. Throwing your own on the pyre for minor offenses will not inspire your opponent to do the same. It only empowers them.

8. We will lose one of our best Senators, we will appear weak and hysterical, we will set the precedent and encourage the alt-Right to continue to smear us at every turn, and wait for our own people to deliver the killing blow. And they will still support actual sexual predators.

9. I am imploring all of you remain vigilant and strong. Do not be manipulated. These are highly emotional times, but critical thinking can't be lost in the chaos - or we won't win. And. We. Must.