“Those of us who opposed the American war in Indochina should be extremely humble in the face of the appalling aftermath: a form of genocide in Cambodia and horrific tyranny in both Vietnam and Laos. Looking back on my own coverage for The Sunday Times…, I think I concentrated too easily on the corruption and incompetence of the South Vietnamese and their American allies, was too ignorant of the inhuman Hanoi regime, and far too willing to believe that a victory by the Communists would provide a better future. But after the Communist victory came the refugees to Thailand and the floods of boat people desperately seeking to escape the Cambodian killing fields and the Vietnamese gulags. Their eloquent testimony should have put paid to all illusions”

and liz!!!

howzit dahlins…

i never see you anymore…

(dabs small, but insistent tear from corner of eye)

Bloggers are endeavoring to repeat the success of the likes of Tom Paine, and the entire ouvre of pamphleteers and other Revolutionalry self-publishers of another era…

it demonstrates why it is so important to the fascists that the ownership of the “Press” remain ’selective’, that the barriers to entry remain high and exclusive, and it explains the fascination upon ‘credentials’ of the ‘professional’ SCUM (SoCalledUnbiased Media)…

Name checking Guthrie and Savonarola in the same post: pretty damn good!

sigh.

First, I want to thank Matt for helping us so much on the roots project site, and for being here today.

I first became “aware” of how political activism could change the country the summer of 1973. Between my stint at Jewish summer camp and the beginning of my 9th grade year, I found myself locked into position in front of the television, as the Watergate hearings unfolded. It was the best theater I’d ever seen. And I knew those hearings – and the outcome – would have a huge impact on the future.

Then, in my first year of college, I met Leon Panetta when he ran for Congress in my district (Santa Cruz). He met with about 15 students, stood there in rolled-up sleeves and answered every question put to him – honestly. I was so impressed. I started writing to him (he always wrote back) about the looming disaster that Prop 13 would have on California’s education system. He and his wife even sent me Chrsitmas cards each year. Yes, it was a vert different time.

As an adult, I’ve found that being active in community organizations is where it’s at. I serve on the board of my community council because: it’s where I live . I also serve on the board of directors of my city’s League of Women Voters. And considering that I run my own business, I’m busier than I ever imagined possible. But being in the LWV has taught me a million things about political participation of ordinary citizens, among which: it matters to the powers-that-be that we show up, and it really gets results. It’s also really hard work and can, literally, take years for substantive change to occur, and become the status quo. Most of all, it’s imperative that we get the facts straight. We need to be smarter than everybody else. The radical right lies, the corporate interests lie. But facts don’t. And we need to be creative. I think that’s where our roots project comes in.

I believe we need to be the change we seek. Call it what you will – “practice what you preach; putting your money where your mouth is” – we need to be living examples of the future we desire. And form what I know about FDLers, we are. I’m really impressed with the way people here are so active in so many ways. To be liberal means to be open-minded, accepting, and looking out for the other guy, not just ourselves. That’s the kind of world I want to see in our future. I’m a part of the roots project for that very reason.