Happy New Year!

Happy new year, Shooogarp. :)

Give’m both barrels Christy! (figurativly of course)

Happy New Year FDL!

Christy-

Your writing sometimes seems to echo what I was thinking of at the moment, maybe the night before in a conversation with my wife.

Last night at a New Year’s party with some friends I said the words that everyone in America should be saying. I’m not afraid. Last night while I was talking with friends I decided that in 2007 I am gonna just plain get in people’s faces. Call them on their lack of critical thinking and their abdication of the duty as citizens to be heard.

Dr. King was right Silence is betrayal.

For those who remember this post at FDL, a local corporatist now chooses to bastardize the success for a big ol’ corporate welfare program.

Vivisection here.

Whatta twit.

Christy — “We hand over our rights to a false protector at our own peril. I refuse to do so — silently or otherwise.”

a bit of amen to the chorus of courage and brilliance we find here, and may it strengthen until we can enjoy the fruits of rebuilding the founders’ dream.

shooogarp at 4 — that’s my favorite quote from all of Dr. King’s speeches. And it is the question that I ask myself when I hestitate to speak up about something — what is the reason for the hesitation, and is the resulting silence a betrayal.

Impeachment now!
Out of Iraq now!
Restore Integrity now!

The fight just never ends, does it.

Oilfieldguy @ 8

The fight just never ends, does it.

Not for this American.

Oh, and OFG.

Happy New Year. I always enjoy your insightful comments. Keep it up.

Thanks for the great year of posts Christy. This is also a powerful one.

I have a generational question, however, related to this issue. Having come to political age in the 60s I wonder why in this case (and the Iraq war situation) you and other leaders of the younger generation think it is better not to push for public demonstration. I’m not questioning the decision, and I know we now have other means available (as well as fewer ones – such as radio outlets playing various protest songs key musicians). Yes we won the election, and maybe we are now in a situation of wait and see, but, no doubt, there also will be pushback, and too many perhaps will feel (as now) that doing nothing is better than rocking the boat. So, in short, in taking back the constitution what strategy will work best. Interestingly, like net neutrality, maybe this is somethign that thoughtful leaders of both the left and the right and come together on to make happen without broad popular response. I don’t know.

They are my rights, they are my liberties, and they are my responsibility to protect — every day of my lifetime.

For freedom.

Thank you, Christy.

Good to be fighting along with you and all at the Lake in the New Year.

Just a quick visit. I need to drive to Ft. Smith, AR to pick-up a compressor in the a.m.

christy,

in these first two posts you’ve set the tone at a really high level. no surprise there, but judging by the start of ‘07 FDL is going to have an even better year than in ‘06.
my deepest thanks to you and jane for your leadership. i think we foot soldiers will follow you just about anywhere.

OFG at 9 — No, it doesn’t. It’s pretty much a constant struggle between what is and what ought to be.

When I was at the symposium in DC in December, someone asked me how and why I started blogging, given my background as a lawyer and all the things I could have been doing to…um…earn real money and make incremental changes on a case-by-case basis. The response that I gave them seems appropriate for here: I got tired of sitting back and waiting for someone to step up and say the things that I felt needed to be said.

There comes a time where you have to step up and be the leader that you think is needed in a particular situation. And if there is any influence that I can have through my writing, then I have done what I set out to do at the start. We have to all BE and DO the change that we want to see, not wait for someone else to do it for us. That is the lesson that I took from 9/11, and all the days that have followed in its wake.

Right on!

Be a soldier or be a General. Hmmm. This is the crossroads I find myself at.

This is why I am so disturbed by the facility with which Bush views the ending of human life at his command.

The power to kill is the ultimate jewel of all fascists.

G.W. sure digs his killing.

No life, no liberty.

-GSD

Oilfieldguy @ 18

Be a soldier or be a General. Hmmm. This is the crossroads I find myself at.

what would jesus do? heh heh heh ……..

Oh, and GO SOONERS!

Oilfieldguy @ 5

For those who remember this post at FDL, a local corporatist now chooses to bastardize the success for a big ol’ corporate welfare program.

Vivisection here.

Whatta twit.

Never stop selling.

To me “progressive” just means the opposite of “conservative”, IOW, progressive people try to change things to make them better, conservatives think they’re good enough the way they are. Of course, neither definition truly describes the progressive or conservative political movements, but that’s a distinction people need to keep in mind when they’re reading this stuff.

Anyway, glad to know this guy is educating young minds. Talent like that shouldn’t die.

Richmond at 12 — Well, at 38 and counting, I don’t exactly think of myself as a young ‘un. *g* But purely from my perspective here in WV, the sentiment is not here publicly to do any sort of meaningful push in terms of protests. I just do not feel it as yet. In the 1960s and 70s, the draft really pushed that sentiment forward — propelled it really — due to the urgency that was there for everyone on every college campus and in every high school across America. That same sense of urgency does not exist today, for whatever reason, although I tend to think that the lack of a draft is a big part of that.

But I do live in a very rural environment. Maybe someone that lives in the midst of more of an urban center can speak to what the viewpoint is from there. A lot of the movement building in during the Vietnam era was centered around college campuses — and I am, unfortunately, too far removed from that framing to know what is going on with that these days. Anyone have any thoughts on this?

Oilfieldguy @ 18

Be a soldier or be a General. Hmmm. This is the crossroads I find myself at.

Generals have nicer offices.

Just a thought.

For all of our rejoicing over the Democratic sweep of the Congress we need to remember that we are in the midst of a process and that history won’t begin with the new year, it continues in an unbroken line from before our kind learned to write in its annals.

Let’s be grateful for our victories, but never let down our guard, for our enemies will not rest, they will not stop, they cannot be reasoned with.

If we can’t be bipartisan when dealing with these ugly destroyers we must use our majority to crush our foes, by whatever means comes to hand. I spit in the face of the cowards who call for comity only when they lie upon their backs with their bellies exposed.

Richmond @ 12

Thanks for the great year of posts Christy. This is also a powerful one.

I have a generational question, however, related to this issue. Having come to political age in the 60s I wonder why in this case (and the Iraq war situation) you and other leaders of the younger generation think it is better not to push for public demonstration. I’m not questioning the decision, and I know we now have other means available (as well as fewer ones – such as radio outlets playing various protest songs key musicians). Yes we won the election, and maybe we are now in a situation of wait and see, but, no doubt, there also will be pushback, and too many perhaps will feel (as now) that doing nothing is better than rocking the boat. So, in short, in taking back the constitution what strategy will work best. Interestingly, like net neutrality, maybe this is somethign that thoughtful leaders of both the left and the right and come together on to make happen without broad popular response. I don’t know.

I come from that generation also, though from the consciousness expansion side rather than the street protest side. Still, i have felt the fear of gordon liddy’s helicopters surveilling over our farm. And i still wonder about the wisdom of hitting the streets.

Now more than ever, money rules society. If our congress won’t pull the funds for this idiocy (Not only the Iraq war is idiocy, but the faith-based assault on science that is killing the chances for amurka’s kids to participate in the world. Not that i’m not thrilled to learn that the Grand Canyon was formed from Noah’s Flood.), then i will!

When one third of the nation refuses to pay its taxes, then without going to the streets, we have changed history.

Richmond – I’m of the same generation and wonder about the same. There was great value in the mass gatherings you and I participated in at that time and I have been involved in years since with organizing demos and mass civil disobedience, etc but I wonder about the actual impact particularly with a dismissive administration and media. That said, I attend everything here in Chicago but … the teams who have taken on that organizing are not my faves. The events themselves are pretty deadly dull and seem closer to the old dogmatist socialist camps than to the vibrant resistance I find energizing and powerful. I do like the planned events at the end of this month that include lobbying of Congress – that sounds like something worth supporting.

Ah sweet Iraq democracy.

First a third rate, ham handed killing by masked militia thugs.

Now it is time to start banning tv stations.

Also time for the US to step up attacks on Sunni legislators too.

Sounds like the 80% solution is about to go into effect.

This time the US will be participating in the genocide.

-GSD

Another classic by Tom Joad:

Well, maybe it’s like Casy says. A fella ain’t got a soul of his own, just a little piece of a big soul – the one big soul that belongs to ever’body. Then…then, it don’t matter. I’ll be all around in the dark. I’ll be ever’-where – wherever you can look. Wherever there’s a fight so hungry people can eat, I’ll be there. Wherever there’s a cop beatin’ up a guy, I’ll be there. I’ll be in the way guys yell when they’re mad – I’ll be in the way kids laugh when they’re hungry an’ they know supper’s ready. An’ when the people are eatin’ the stuff they raise, and livin’ in the houses they build – I’ll be there, too.

In letting congress know we want our constitution back how about doing something along the lines of Crashing the Gate but handing out Greenwald’s “How would a Patriot Act?”.

Somehow it would be fun to see the look on Lord McCain’s face but he never permits the voters access. He is a BushCo all the way, handpicked crowds now too.

George Wallace changed his segregation tune when he had to experience a crippling to his freedom. Nancy Regan changed her stem cell tune when she had to witness the devastation of disease. Maybe Shrub and Dead Eye Dick need a dose of their own medicine.

Happy New Year, everyone. Thank you to Jane, Christy and all the posters here at FDL. Finding this place of thought and discussion and finely honed snark has been so very important to my renewed belief in my country.

The powers-that-be did a good job of drowning out our voices for quite a while. Those days are over.

I printed out something Trex wrote in a Late Nite post some time ago:

Republicans hate us for our freedom. They pose a direct and immediate threat to our way of life. Fight back against the fear-mongering. Be brave like a real American.

It hangs next to my computer and no matter how depressing the news is each day, that statement helps keep me focused and motivated.

2007 is going to be a wild ride. I’m up for it.

Moon — I would not wish the fear and heartache of having to worry about a family member or dear friend in uniform these days on anyone. Not even George Bush. But I would hope that he could have the wherewithall and the empathy to move beyond his “I’m always right, dammit” mindset to at least the closer approximation of sanity of “what if I am wrong” or “what could I be doing better.” Not that I’m holding my breath or anything…

Now I read Glenn’s book, “How Would A Patriot Act”, and didn’t do a book review, prolly cause I have never done one before.

But it seems to me, after chronicling earlier transgression all the way back to the founding of our country, and the efforts made by those who came before us to build the nation and beat back constitutional assaults, it was resoundingly clear to me the title of the book was directed to those who hold the book while reading it.

My late and much abreviated review.

Now, whatcha gonna do about it?

Domestic agenda: the Constitution

Foreign agenda: Geneva Conventions

which I’m pretty sure forbid aggressive war except for “imminent threat.” That’s why they forged the phony WMD documents. I’m sure the jury at the Hague will be understanding.

Thank you all for responding to my query earlier. Lots of insight and further query, which is what I love about this site. I think the draft was key, coupled with alot of life death (now or never) issues – civil rights, birth control, gender rights. Then as now there were good and bad leadership. However, I don’t think that then we felt we had much of a chance to change the political leadership structure, nor did we know how to begin. November was a great success – and an eye opener. That is what makes me so sad about the apparent demise of Air America (at least in Boston). Radio, I think was becoming critical in reaching a critical mass. But so too has been the WEB. Also, the opposition (the evangelical nuts and Neocons) are so out of touch and corrupt that they are an easy mark. I think another difference however is that there was far more well being (and dispersed wealth) in the U.S. back then, something which gave people a bit more of a sense of emotional freedom to challenge the status quo. Sadly now with the middle class dwindling, with more and more people holding 2 and 3 jobs, and with fewer able to afford a 4 year college education, there is a greater sense of anomie (nerves) which can be somewhat debilitating. But still, large numbers of people saw through alot of the crap in voting which is great. And, mega leaders like Carter and Oberman felt compelled to speak out and shout truth to power.

We have to prevent this from happening!
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/…..sp?id=1520

GSD @ 28

Ah sweet Iraq democracy.

First a third rate, ham handed killing by masked militia thugs.

Now it is time to start banning tv stations.

Also time for the US to step up attacks on Sunni legislators too.

Sounds like the 80% solution is about to go into effect.

This time the US will be participating in the genocide.

GSD, are you familiar with the writing’s of War Nerd? He’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but has a unique viewpoint.

Christy: A generation (in real terms) is about 20 years, so we are separated/joined by that difference. My 15 year old & the peanut (another interesting generation in the making) will likely be part of the next major shift.

Happy New Year to all Firedogs !!!

hey look what some other dirty stinkin hippies wrote 231 years ago . . .

“But, when a long train of abuses and usurpations,
pursuing invariably the same object,
evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism,
it is their right, it is their duty,
to throw off such government, and
to provide new guards for their future security.”

half way through 2nd paragraph, dig it !
http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/document/

The New York Times has a good article on the hours leading up to and following Saddam’s execution:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01…..r=homepage

You really have to wonder how we can expect anything from an Iraqi government that can’t manage a single, simple execution, a government that can’t organize itself or accomplish anything, that dithers endlessly but finally bestirs itself now for this and can’t even get that right. Yet this is the entity that Bush thinks is a responsible partner, that will take over from us. Maliki shows himself for the thuggish, bumbling clown he is (if there were any doubts). When you take our own bungler in chief into account, we are so screwed.

Hugh – but look at the counter story up on Raw now. We were in control of the whole thing. The NYTImes is just spin.

egregious @ 35

Domestic agenda: the Constitution

Foreign agenda: Geneva Conventions

which I’m pretty sure forbid aggressive war except for “imminent threat.” That’s why they forged the phony WMD documents. I’m sure the jury at the Hague will be understanding.

This is another of my wishes for the new year, that some one will get to the bottom of the Niger forgery, and that we will learn whodunit.

I believe, of course will no evidence at all, that the forgers knew what Bush wanted and provided the goods for money or favor.

The real crime is that they used the counterfeits knowing they were bogus. There is a tale to be told there, and I hope it comes soon enough.

The events themselves are pretty deadly dull and seem closer to the old dogmatist socialist camps than to the vibrant resistance I find energizing and powerful.

This nails it for me too. This, plus the absence of a draft. My lotttery number was 333 and as the father of two boys (22 & 17) it’s absence/existence is constantly on my mind.

Crazy Horse @
26

Richmond @ 12

Thanks for the great year of posts Christy. This is also a powerful one.

I have a generational question, however, related to this issue. Having come to political age in the 60s I wonder why in this case (and the Iraq war situation) you and other leaders of the younger generation think it is better not to push for public demonstration. I’m not questioning the decision, and I know we now have other means available (as well as fewer ones – such as radio outlets playing various protest songs key musicians). Yes we won the election, and maybe we are now in a situation of wait and see, but, no doubt, there also will be pushback, and too many perhaps will feel (as now) that doing nothing is better than rocking the boat. So, in short, in taking back the constitution what strategy will work best. Interestingly, like net neutrality, maybe this is somethign that thoughtful leaders of both the left and the right and come together on to make happen without broad popular response. I don’t know.

I come from that generation also, though from the consciousness expansion side rather than the street protest side. Still, i have felt the fear of gordon liddy’s helicopters surveilling over our farm. And i still wonder about the wisdom of hitting the streets.

Now more than ever, money rules society. If our congress won’t pull the funds for this idiocy (Not only the Iraq war is idiocy, but the faith-based assault on science that is killing the chances for amurka’s kids to participate in the world. Not that i’m not thrilled to learn that the Grand Canyon was formed from Noah’s Flood.), then i will!

When one third of the nation refuses to pay its taxes, then without going to the streets, we have changed history.

i did both the consciousness expanding and the street protesting (Wash DC) and went to Cindy Sheehan’s demonstration in DC (Sept 24?). One, the demonstration was vastly downplayed in the media and no follow up editorials. Two, many protestors were coming in on Amtrak and damned if the train didn’t get stuck, arriving 12 (?) hours late. Three, i heard of some surveillance program in place and maybe there was a hint of some biologic agent detected in the DC mall. Four, the Halliburton camps just had their dress rehersal with the hispanic workers. Five, with no habeas corpus, etc, my enthusiasm to taking to the streets is somewhat diminished. But, still, protest we must.

Richmond – the other big difference I see between now and the days of the 60’s demos is that we used to believe we would be heard – we still had that JFK gleem, real democracy and all that … I know I thought (and I began going to demos at age 13 in ‘64) that if we could only get enough people into the streets to show the war should stop, our government, our democracy would listen. For me, the lesson of the 60s was that they do not listen – the war ended only when we were roundly defeated by the Vietnamese – and I fear the same is true today. We have clearly lost in Iraq but we do not have an administration willing to see the reality … when they do, they too will find a way to leave (though I suspect it will be much longer before they are forced to leave those permanent bases guarding those lovely oil wells)

The lessons of the 60s for me taught that action, often symbolic action, still has value standing up and saying no is am important act on its own, bearing witness to truth and justice has value in itself. But government change is a long, very long road and I simply hope my contribution to that road helps to move us forward …

Tim @ 44

The events themselves are pretty deadly dull and seem closer to the old dogmatist socialist camps than to the vibrant resistance I find energizing and powerful.

This nails it for me too. This, plus the absence of a draft. My lotttery number was 333 and as the father of two boys (22 & 17) it’s absence/existence is constantly on my mind.

I think this is the one important of this war that is truly different from Vietnam – most people’s children aren’t in danger of fighting it. The people who are in the military are the ones bearing the burden of this war, which to my way of thinking is not a good thing for the stability of the country. If the military and its country are too far apart, they’ll start to think of the rest of the country as a different group of people. Since they have the weapons and the training, that should be a sobering thought.

Christy –

I think of the Federalist Papers as the most important commentary on American political institutions and culture. They were written at time when the stakes for the Republic were very high, and they represent an articulate and important set of questions, concerns, and comments on the direction of the young United States.

You, Jane, and the rest of the community here, Glenn Greenwald, Digby, Steve Gilliard, Dave Neiwart, and the rest of (for want of a better term) Progressive Blogistan are our time’s Federalist Papers. Bits and pieces have reached print such as “How Would a Patriot Act.” We’re all concerned, and we all want our freedom — and the ability to participate in and be proud of — our country back.

Happy New Year to you, your family, and to all at FDL!

GW Clusterfuck has now butchered 3002 american troops in Iraq- of course this is just the tip of the iceberg with regard to his butchery in that country.

In Afghanistan- the butchery is growing- and fairly rapidly:

2004–butchered 58
2005–butchered 130
2006–butchered 191
2007–?

This is the military genius who is now figuring out his new STATERGY in Iraq

Fuckin cretin- if he doesn’t have the balls to resign- he oughta shoot himself as a blessing to humanity.

CBL – back in the 60s there was an amazing recording by Dick Gregory in which he encourged his listeners to turn off the sound of the news accounts of the riots in Watts and instead listen as he read those words … one of the most powerful things I ever heard.

scory at 48 — Right back at you. We could not do what we do here day in and day out without all of our wonderful readers and commenters. This is truly a vibrant, participatory community — and one for which I am very grateful indeed.

rwcole @ 48

Fuckin cretin- if he doesn’t have the balls to resign- he oughta shoot himself as a blessing to humanity.

No one with a working instinct for self-preservation would let him anywhere near a firearm.

Tim @ 44 – I was immoderate somehow. Hit Reload (A.K.A. F5) to see my reply at #47.

Cujo359 @ 52

rwcole @ 48

Fuckin cretin- if he doesn’t have the balls to resign- he oughta shoot himself as a blessing to humanity.

No one with a working instinct for self-preservation would let him anywhere near a firearm.

Au contaire. They let him keep Saddam’s confiscated pistol nearby.

1,381 DAYZ AND THE KILLIN GOEZ ON AND ON AND..

Citizen Hardin Smith:

The only way that the constitution can be restored is through impeachment and decisive rulings of the Supreme Court. Impeachment is inevitable if investigations into all of the lawlessness, including the illegal surveillance, the lawless tribunals and the erasing of habeas, actually go forward. I am, however, not optimistic that the Congress will be able to go forward with it’s investigations because the White House will stonewall and threaten Congresspersons with treason if they disclose classified information. And, of course, the Supreme Court will seal the evidence behind whatever executive privilege claim the executive makes. The lawlessness of the tribunals, the torture , the renderings and the removal of habeas need decisive censure from the Supreme Court and that is not forthcoming from the 5 kangaroos currently makin’ up the majority.

The system of law and justice and the constitutional protections of individual rights that we all believe in and that you have given a good portion of your life to upholding and instituting are gone. I have no faith in the remnants of our political system being able to re-institute constitutional government absent the Supreme Court.

Whatever solution we find to this terrible moment in history will be extra-constitutional and won’t be forthcoming as long as the military remains loyal to the oligarchy.

KEEP THE FAITH AND PASS THE AMMUNITION…WE’RE GUNNA HAFTA FIGHT FOR OUR FUTURE!!

It was symbolic that 2006 ended with a colonial hanging – most of it shown on state television in occupied Iraq. It has been that sort of year in the Arab world. The trial was so blatantly rigged that even Human Rights Watch had to condemn it as a travesty. Judges were changed on Washington’s orders, defence lawyers were killed and the whole procedure resembled a well orchestrated lynch mob. Where Nuremberg was a relatively dignified application of victor’s justice, Saddam Hussein’s trial was the crudest and most grotesque to date.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/comm…..75,00.html

Go Eliot!

I have some questions and would like to get some serious answers here – who sits around and thinks up ways to get around the Constitution? Is it Rove, Addington, a team of lawyers, the corporations, who is behind all of this? Bush isn’t that smart, but that is not my point. At what point is this going to stop? The Dems can hand out subpoenas all they want, but if the Bush Adm won’t participate, then what? What’s next? Martial law? or are we going to see a modern day mutiny take place in this country? What is going to stop the Bush Adm et al? What purpose does the gutting of the Constitution serve? Its not for the voters interest or in the name of the war on terror, but something else. That is the $64,000 question.

I’d like to see anyone in our government responsible for committing capital offenses, here or abroad, tried, and if convicted, hanged.

As 2006 comes to a close I would think that it would be a good thing to look behind us and assess our current place in this great nations history. At the same time, we should try to contemplate what were the events along our path that got us to this place.

Rarely is so very much that is so very historically significant been witnessed in so very short of a time span. Within 6 short years I have seen my America go from a land of hope and opportunity to a defacto Banana Republic complete with torture, crippling debt, arguably the poorest leadership in our nations history, coupled to unrivaled corruption of every stripe.

I will not rehash yet another long list of jaw dropping debacles. But I will say that the list covers the spectrum between New Orleans being drowned and forgotten to “Do I make you a little horny?” IM’s from our corridors of power. The only word that comes to mind is ’shameful’.

Things have gotten so bad in my humble opinion, that I no longer think of these shenanigans in terms of the short term political gains that might be gleaned for Dems in their wake. Instead, I find myself wincing with each new development. I shake my head with every sad rock that gets turned over. I grew up in the USA and I know that the USA is better than this.

But as they say, hope springs eternal. Counselors say that in order to get a junkie or a drunk to change their life, they will have to hit rock bottom. If this isn’t rock bottom then surely we must be pretty damn close. Perhaps our decision makers have collectively binged on power, hubris, corruption, avarice, fear and immaturity to the point that they are passed out in the alley, sad little reminders of their maniacal selves dripping spittle and wallowing in their own filth. Maybe I am wrong, they might have farther to fall. I do know that they have to “go through it in order to renew it”. My point is that maybe these horrible times may end up being a good thing in the long term if all the collective bullshit initiates a strong national awakening.

Things are never as bad as they seem. Americans are supernaturally resilient. We will endure, we will triumph over our collective weaknesses and the incompetent failures. We will emerge stronger and more optimistic than we ever thought possible. When Thomas Edison was successful on his 1000th attempt to invent something, he would say that he had found 999 ways not to do something! I am optimistic and I truly believe that our long and winding road to ruin will lead this country to a progressive rennaisance. Best of everything and Happy New Year!

tryggth @ 54

Cujo359 @ 52

No one with a working instinct for self-preservation would let him anywhere near a firearm.

Au contaire. They let him keep Saddam’s confiscated pistol nearby.

That’s a frightening thought on so many levels.

Richmond @ 12

Thanks for the great year of posts Christy. This is also a powerful one.

I have a generational question, however, related to this issue. Having come to political age in the 60s I wonder why in this case (and the Iraq war situation) you and other leaders of the younger generation think it is better not to push for public demonstration. I’m not questioning the decision, and I know we now have other means available (as well as fewer ones – such as radio outlets playing various protest songs key musicians). Yes we won the election, and maybe we are now in a situation of wait and see, but, no doubt, there also will be pushback, and too many perhaps will feel (as now) that doing nothing is better than rocking the boat. So, in short, in taking back the constitution what strategy will work best. Interestingly, like net neutrality, maybe this is somethign that thoughtful leaders of both the left and the right and come together on to make happen without broad popular response. I don’t know.

Hi Richmond -

The Ruckus Society provides environmental, human rights, and social justice organizers with the tools, training, and support needed to achieve their goals.

That’s our mission statement text: in practical terms, Ruckus provides the tools for non-violent direct action (including mass assembly) to social change groups across North America and the world.

Ruckus resumed large Action Camp trainings in 2006, and I was again able to join them as one of the camp medics.

I’m delighted to report that the young community leaders I served at Ruckus are quite open to large mass actions in the service of non-violent ends to the Endless War on Freedom (GWOT).

Even Political Insider expects major mass protests in the spring of 2007:

Let me be the first Political Insider contributor to offer a prediction for what will be the most important political event of 2007: the return of the Vietnam-era street protest.

Having seen that non-existent public support and a Democratic Party takeover of Congress is not enough to keep President Bush from escalating the Iraq War, war opponents will take to the streets in the largest anti-war protests since the early 70s. By spring, expect a massive, million participant march in Washington to coincide with the fourth anniversary of “Mission Accomplished.” Every Democratic candidate for President … and at least one Republican … will speak at the rally.
– Dan Conley

If the writers at Political Wire think the next big voting lever on Iraq will be pulled in the streets, they are just now learning what I heard last summer in Indiana at Ruckus camp – from our “students”.

When the ‘06 elections don’t end the war, the ‘07 marches will.

Spring is coming – good time for teaching and sharing mass action skills.

And for the first small patriotic marches to wend their way through small towns to the local cemeteries…and perhaps on to vigils for the Constitution and our Republic.

The (ex-?) Stalinists in the neo-con think tanks chose to start this war – we’ve seen what their War on Freedom brings: chaos and ruin.

Bush and his neo-con owners have nothing to offer.

They never did.

The marches that end this war won’t have the tired (ex-?)Stalinists from ANSWER spouting the same angry cadences and hatred.

Nope, the 2007 marches that end Bush and the neo-cons’ War on Freedom will have the mothers, fathers, wives and husbands of the vets and of the survivors of our War on Brown People.

ICE chose the Feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe to escalate the War on Brown People.

And trad media thought the pro-immigration marches of 2006 were big?

That was before the Freedom Marches of 2007.

We – people who cherish family and community and peace over slogans and greed and ideology – we truly are everywhere.

The marches of 2007 will see us grow and strengthen our bonds and our work for freedom and peace and the living world – three treasures we shall protect and reclaim from the megacorps and the governments they purchased and corrupted.

I think this is the one important of this war that is truly different from Vietnam – most people’s children aren’t in danger of fighting it. The people who are in the military are the ones bearing the burden of this war, which to my way of thinking is not a good thing for the stability of the country. If the military and its country are too far apart, they’ll start to think of the rest of the country as a different group of people. Since they have the weapons and the training, that should be a sobering thought.

When I came of age there was a draft, but for reasons other than patriotic I joined the army. It was not a pleasant interlude, as I found myself incompatible with military life. I managed an honorable separation after my three year obligation, nonetheless.

The soldiers I found myself among were not the cream of the crop. We weren’t baby killers or lunatics, by and large, and most were pretty solid. Many, if not most, were draftees. My RA service number prefix stood out like a sore thumb among the crowd of USes.

I think the move to higher standards and volunteers is a good thing for the most part, but the prospect of a separate “warrior class”, a class that owes allegiance to the commander or the regiment before country is a genuine danger, and one that must be guarded against.

Richmond @ 42

Hugh – but look at the counter story up on Raw now. We were in control of the whole thing. The NYTImes is just spin.

I disagree. It is hubris and a mistake to think that we hold a monopoly on stupidity. A lot of the world is run by thugs and they are not our thugs.

The Iraqi government is usually both ineffective and ineffectual but in the execution of Saddam at least it was calling the shots. That it couldn’t handle a simple execution without bungling it says a lot about Bush’s vision of it as a responsible partner. That leaders like Maliki couldn’t distinguish between justice and vengeance says a lot too about the absence of a civil society in Iraq and the little likelihood that one will develop there any time soon.

Another good (more general) take on the Saddam trial and execution by Fareed Zakaria can be found here:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16…../newsweek/

I often disagree with Zakaria but I agree that our original mistake was in handing Saddam over in a legal (although not physical) sense to the Shia dominated government instead of trying him in an international court or in a Nuremberg setting. My criticism of the Zakaria article is not one of content but of timing. It could have and should have been written sometime between when Saddam’s trial began in October 2005 and when it essentially finished in June 2006. At that time it would have been insightful. Now it is a good summary of the obvious.

Christy Hardin Smith @ 33

Moon — I would not wish the fear and heartache of having to worry about a family member or dear friend in uniform these days on anyone. Not even George Bush. But I would hope that he could have the wherewithall and the empathy to move beyond his “I’m always right, dammit” mindset to at least the closer approximation of sanity of “what if I am wrong” or “what could I be doing better.” Not that I’m holding my breath or anything…

I was only thinking that maybe they should have the experience to actually see the results of their own orders. Or maybe even visit Gitmo and witness life in a cage, with no way out. I would never wish for any ill to come to anyone, even them. Of course seeing either one of them spend the night in a drunk tank might be interesting.

I think that the notion of “taking to the streets” like we did in the 60’s-70’s. While the war in Vietnam was certainly what galvazined the “movement” there were many elements that simply don’t exist today. When you combined the impact of the civil rights and women’s movement, music, and drugs it was a volatile cocktail that is very difficult to replicate. While there were millions of well meaning people who took to the streets there were also some really crazy people and a good measure of “agent provocateurs” who fomented violence and really hurt the cause. Many people turned away from that kind of activity by the ealry 70’s tried to work on local issues. We see the same kind of things at some of the big demonstations where small groups are able to provoke the cops and get people hurt.

Christy, Thank You.

I want my constitution back. I want my America back. We were able to retrieve our America after Viet Nam. This time I am not so sure.

We have been a world leader and steered our own course for so long, it seems like a natural law. It is not. If we force the rest of the world to curb our excesses because we will not, it will not end there. If things progress to the point of World Court intervention, a process will begin that we cannot avoid, short of building a wall around the country.

Here’s to changing from within. Fight the good fight.

See ya in Gitmo!

Christi and crew,
As your post observes, not everyone has the same appreciation of what ‘freedom’ is. Our current president has an understanding of ‘freedom’ that stands in stark contrast to the actual definition of ‘freedom’. Dubya believes that ‘freedom’ is a gift of God as he appreciates God. One does well to remember that Dubya believes in a god that accords one the ‘freedom to comply’. He manages his office accordingly with indifference to the impact upon those who disagree with him, much like his limiting vision of God. Many share the president’s belief. We would do well to remember and remind others that the ‘freedom to comply’ is an oxymoron.

A large part of what you are talking about was due to Project 100,00Project 100,000. I went in on my 17th birthday in 66 and the mere fact that I could read at a fairly high level made me almost a oddball.
jeffreyw @ 63

I think this is the one important of this war that is truly different from Vietnam – most people’s children aren’t in danger of fighting it. The people who are in the military are the ones bearing the burden of this war, which to my way of thinking is not a good thing for the stability of the country. If the military and its country are too far apart, they’ll start to think of the rest of the country as a different group of people. Since they have the weapons and the training, that should be a sobering thought.

When I came of age there was a draft, but for reasons other than patriotic I joined the army. It was not a pleasant interlude, as I found myself incompatible with military life. I managed an honorable separation after my three year obligation, nonetheless.

The soldiers I found myself among were not the cream of the crop. We weren’t baby killers or lunatics, by and large, and most were pretty solid. Many, if not most, were draftees. My RA service number prefix stood out like a sore thumb among the crowd of USes.

I think the move to higher standards and volunteers is a good thing for the most part, but the prospect of a separate “warrior class”, a class that owes allegiance to the commander or the regiment before country is a genuine danger, and one that must be guarded against.

Christy Hardin Smith @
23

Richmond at 12 — Well, at 38 and counting, I don’t exactly think of myself as a young ‘un. *g* But purely from my perspective here in WV, the sentiment is not here publicly to do any sort of meaningful push in terms of protests. I just do not feel it as yet. In the 1960s and 70s, the draft really pushed that sentiment forward — propelled it really — due to the urgency that was there for everyone on every college campus and in every high school across America. That same sense of urgency does not exist today, for whatever reason, although I tend to think that the lack of a draft is a big part of that.

But I do live in a very rural environment. Maybe someone that lives in the midst of more of an urban center can speak to what the viewpoint is from there. A lot of the movement building in during the Vietnam era was centered around college campuses — and I am, unfortunately, too far removed from that framing to know what is going on with that these days. Anyone have any thoughts on this?

I left the US in 1969 for Canada, where I now live. I found not long after 9/11 that I was still a US citizen, so I too was responsible.

So, the 60’s were the 60’s, and this ain’t then. Not demonstrations, not yet. The planned, peaceful ones are too easily neutralized by Them — no media coverage, permits cancelled or for places blocks away from the focus point, yada — or suborned by those ever-present folks who love to have us demonstrate for their particular flavour of cause. Not to mention infiltrators.

CarolynUrban said this, and I keep quoting it, “These Internets are our streets, and we are taking to them.” When the time comes we will be so fed up that we will rise up and we will not be stopped. Olberman or John Stewart or you or Jane or somebody will say something and it will be as a spark to tinder. We can prepare for that time by nurturing our sense of community, strengthening our bonds and keeping our information coming. Protect net neutrality. And refuse to be terrified.

Richmond @ 42, when I read the Times article I saw an attempt by the poop scoopers to clean up the Administration’s guilt in the hanging farce. History won’t let that sorry event be cleaned up. I hope.

Christy Hardin Smith @
23

Richmond at 12 — Well, at 38 and counting, I don’t exactly think of myself as a young ‘un. *g* But purely from my perspective here in WV, the sentiment is not here publicly to do any sort of meaningful push in terms of protests. I just do not feel it as yet. In the 1960s and 70s, the draft really pushed that sentiment forward — propelled it really — due to the urgency that was there for everyone on every college campus and in every high school across America. That same sense of urgency does not exist today, for whatever reason, although I tend to think that the lack of a draft is a big part of that.

But I do live in a very rural environment. Maybe someone that lives in the midst of more of an urban center can speak to what the viewpoint is from there. A lot of the movement building in during the Vietnam era was centered around college campuses — and I am, unfortunately, too far removed from that framing to know what is going on with that these days. Anyone have any thoughts on this?

I think that the biggest reason is that folks like us are more ahead of the curve than those around us. The outrage that we feel isn’t the level of outrage in the public, yet.

I agree with you Christy that here in WV, the rural areas have a bigger challenge for large spontaneous gatherings. I could see the organized protests catching on in the next few years but it will take more outrageous actions by this admin first. A sustained escalation in Iraq that results in more bad consequences could tip the balance.

kirk murphy @ 62

Richmond @ 12

Thanks for the great year of posts Christy. This is also a powerful one.

I have a generational question, however, related to this issue. Having come to political age in the 60s I wonder why in this case (and the Iraq war situation) you and other leaders of the younger generation think it is better not to push for public demonstration. I’m not questioning the decision, and I know we now have other means available (as well as fewer ones – such as radio outlets playing various protest songs key musicians). Yes we won the election, and maybe we are now in a situation of wait and see, but, no doubt, there also will be pushback, and too many perhaps will feel (as now) that doing nothing is better than rocking the boat. So, in short, in taking back the constitution what strategy will work best. Interestingly, like net neutrality, maybe this is somethign that thoughtful leaders of both the left and the right and come together on to make happen without broad popular response. I don’t know.

Hi Richmond -

The Ruckus Society provides environmental, human rights, and social justice organizers with the tools, training, and support needed to achieve their goals.

That’s our mission statement text: in practical terms, Ruckus provides the tools for non-violent direct action (including mass assembly) to social change groups across North America and the world.

Ruckus resumed large Action Camp trainings in 2006, and I was again able to join them as one of the camp medics.

I’m delighted to report that the young community leaders I served at Ruckus are quite open to large mass actions in the service of non-violent ends to the Endless War on Freedom (GWOT).

Even Political Insider expects major mass protests in the spring of 2007:

Let me be the first Political Insider contributor to offer a prediction for what will be the most important political event of 2007: the return of the Vietnam-era street protest.

Having seen that non-existent public support and a Democratic Party takeover of Congress is not enough to keep President Bush from escalating the Iraq War, war opponents will take to the streets in the largest anti-war protests since the early 70s. By spring, expect a massive, million participant march in Washington to coincide with the fourth anniversary of “Mission Accomplished.” Every Democratic candidate for President … and at least one Republican … will speak at the rally.
– Dan Conley

If the writers at Political Wire think the next big voting lever on Iraq will be pulled in the streets, they are just now learning what I heard last summer in Indiana at Ruckus camp – from our “students”.

When the ‘06 elections don’t end the war, the ‘07 marches will.

Spring is coming – good time for teaching and sharing mass action skills.

And for the first small patriotic marches to wend their way through small towns to the local cemeteries…and perhaps on to vigils for the Constitution and our Republic.

The (ex-?) Stalinists in the neo-con think tanks chose to start this war – we’ve seen what their War on Freedom brings: chaos and ruin.

Bush and his neo-con owners have nothing to offer.

They never did.

The marches that end this war won’t have the tired (ex-?)Stalinists from ANSWER spouting the same angry cadences and hatred.

Nope, the 2007 marches that end Bush and the neo-cons’ War on Freedom will have the mothers, fathers, wives and husbands of the vets and of the survivors of our War on Brown People.

ICE chose the Feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe to escalate the War on Brown People.

And trad media thought the pro-immigration marches of 2006 were big?

That was before the Freedom Marches of 2007.

We – people who cherish family and community and peace over slogans and greed and ideology – we truly are everywhere.

The marches of 2007 will see us grow and strengthen our bonds and our work for freedom and peace and the living world – three treasures we shall protect and reclaim from the megacorps and the governments they purchased and corrupted.

i’m in.

One thing the Administration and the media pundits don’t want is the citizenry to take to the streets. They will ignore anything like that unless it’s just too big and too loud to ignore. But, I’m for it.

raven @ 65

While there were millions of well meaning people who took to the streets there were also some really crazy people and a good measure of “agent provocateurs” who fomented violence and really hurt the cause. Many people turned away from that kind of activity by the ealry 70’s tried to work on local issues. We see the same kind of things at some of the big demonstations where small groups are able to provoke the cops and get people hurt.

Witney @ 57

I have some questions and would like to get some serious answers here – who sits around and thinks up ways to get around the Constitution? Is it Rove, Addington, a team of lawyers, the corporations, who is behind all of this? Bush isn’t that smart, but that is not my point. At what point is this going to stop? The Dems can hand out subpoenas all they want, but if the Bush Adm won’t participate, then what? What’s next? Martial law? or are we going to see a modern day mutiny take place in this country? What is going to stop the Bush Adm et al? What purpose does the gutting of the Constitution serve? Its not for the voters interest or in the name of the war on terror, but something else. That is the $64,000 question.

I’d argue that the civil change of the 1960s and 1970s, including the civil rights marches, the antiwar demonstrations, and the student rebellions in the United States and Europe created in some people a type of reaction formation against increases in freedom. Both Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld come to mind, as does Antonin Scalia. Witney wanted to know who was responsible for thinking of the ways to subvert the Constitution, and I’d argue that all three of those men, rather than subverting the Constitution, have a rather special — and incorrect — understanding of what the Constitution allows. Events have transpired to let their interpretation be actualized. It’s now our responsibility to apply the right corrective actions.

Wanted to share my hands-down favorite which seems so apropos to the “thread mood” at the moment.

http://www.djpauledge.com/wewillnotbesilenced/

1,381 DAYZ AND THE KILLIN’ GOEZ ON AND ON AND..

Citizens Moon and Hardin Smith:

“But I would hope that he (Bush) would have the wherewith all and the empathy to move beyond his ‘I am always right, dammit’ mindset…”

I’m sorry, but there is no “empathy” from sociopaths whose whole social psychology is absent any acknowledgement of the right to life of others outside their class. Further, we have seen a profound absence of “empathy” from the great unwashed public for families experiencing the grief of loss…look at the collective back turning on Cindy Sheehan.

No good people, collectively the majority of our corporate culture are morally dead and psychologically incapable of sharing the pain of others experience until they are hit with it themselves.

Do not wait for the “empathy” of those in power to arise from the wreckage of their dead souls…action, putting ourselves on the line in order to shake our neighbors awake and keep faith with those under fire is what we must do. We gotta lead our kids out into the streets this Spring, see Citizen Kirk Murphy’s post @62. Don’t let another generation of our children get cut down in the street while their parents cower behind the locked doors of their 3 bedroom bungalows.

KEEP THE FAITH, GOD IS WATCHIN’!!

I have several close family members serving in the military. Most have been to Iraq, and some are still there. I still cannot understand why anyone would voluntarily join the Army or the Marines knowing that in all likelihood they will end up in Iraq fighting this dirty Bush war. And please, I am weary of the arguments about educational ‘bennies’ etc.

One thing the Administration and the media pundits don’t want is the citizenry to take to the streets. They will ignore anything like that unless it’s just too big and too loud to ignore. But, I’m for it.

Moi aussi, but these thugs are very clever. There were enormous demonstrations opposing the invasion of Iraq before it started — but they were given next to no play in the “mainstream.” Moreover its equipped with its designated stooges whose whole purpose is to speak instead of us : Joe Klein, Howie Kurtz, Tweety, Leon Wizenheimer, Patient Less Than Zero, et. al.

We must do everything in our power to destroy these characters.

By any means necessary.

Happy new year to everyone

The Top 10 GOP Sound Bites, Final 2006 Edition:
1. “New Way Forward”
2. “Surge”
3. “San Francisco Values”
4. “Fresh Eyes”
5. “(Democrats) Pamper the Terrorists”
6. “Terrorist Surveillance Program”
7. “Cut and Run”
8. “Culture of Life”
9. “No Civil Liberties When You’re Dead”
10. “Criminalization of Politics”

Here’s the complete “Bushboard Top 10 Chart.”

raven says
January 1st, 2007 at 12:44 pm*

A large part of what you are talking about was due to Project 100,00Project 100,000. I went in on my 17th birthday in 66 and the mere fact that I could read at a fairly high level made me almost a oddball.

I know what you mean, I was above average articulate, scored well on the tests, was offered OCS and later a slot at West Point because they were having trouble filling classes. I passed on all that. Hell, I had some grunts referring to me as “perfessor”.

I had a high school diploma at the time.

punaise @ 80

Happy new year to everyone

Happy New Year to you too and to all here in the commune.

:-)

…I can’t help but be waiting for a punchline on even a simple greeting when it’s said by you. I always appreciate your humor.

Hugh @ 64

Richmond @ 42

Hugh – but look at the counter story up on Raw now. We were in control of the whole thing. The NYTImes is just spin.

I disagree. It is hubris and a mistake to think that we hold a monopoly on stupidity. A lot of the world is run by thugs and they are not our thugs.

The Iraqi government is usually both ineffective and ineffectual but in the execution of Saddam at least it was calling the shots. That it couldn’t handle a simple execution without bungling it says a lot about Bush’s vision of it as a responsible partner. That leaders like Maliki couldn’t distinguish between justice and vengeance says a lot too about the absence of a civil society in Iraq and the little likelihood that one will develop there any time soon.

Another good (more general) take on the Saddam trial and execution by Fareed Zakaria can be found here:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16…../newsweek/

I often disagree with Zakaria but I agree that our original mistake was in handing Saddam over in a legal (although not physical) sense to the Shia dominated government instead of trying him in an international court or in a Nuremberg setting. My criticism of the Zakaria article is not one of content but of timing. It could have and should have been written sometime between when Saddam’s trial began in October 2005 and when it essentially finished in June 2006. At that time it would have been insightful. Now it is a good summary of the obvious.

Agreed, much too late. But I always find articles like this coming from such mainstream journalists as Zakaria and anything remotely critical of the administration coming out of timid little Newsweek, a telling sign.

rumi @ 83

punaise @ 80

Happy new year to everyone

Happy New Year to you too and to all here in the commune.

:-)

…I can’t help but be waiting for a punchline on even a simple greeting when it’s said by you. I always appreciate your humor.

thanks! you can take it at “face value” for now…

I don’t know how to link directly to it but there is a great little picture of The Bushes at Swopa’s place you might enjoy.

http://www.needlenose.com/index.php

jeffreyw @ 82

raven says
January 1st, 2007 at 12:44 pm*

A large part of what you are talking about was due to Project 100,00Project 100,000. I went in on my 17th birthday in 66 and the mere fact that I could read at a fairly high level made me almost a oddball.

I know what you mean, I was above average articulate, scored well on the tests, was offered OCS and later a slot at West Point because they were having trouble filling classes. I passed on all that. Hell, I had some grunts referring to me as “perfessor”.

I had a high school diploma at the time.

That version of you would probably have been more at home in today’s army. Nearly all are high school graduates (at one time, you couldn’t get in without a diploma). Quite a few enlisted soldiers now have college degrees, including post-grad degrees. Nowadays they’re smarter than average, and from my own observations they’re more interested in participating in their society than average, too.

Of course, if you have problems with rigid authority structures (as I do) it’s still not a good place for a career.

Oklahoma kiddo @ 78

I have several close family members serving in the military. Most have been to Iraq, and some are still there. I still cannot understand why anyone would voluntarily join the Army or the Marines knowing that in all likelihood they will end up in Iraq fighting this dirty Bush war. And please, I am weary of the arguments about educational ‘bennies’ etc.

Kiddo, this from my brother-in-law in MI. His son’s friend, a young man I know slightly, enlisted recently. What I recall of young J_____ is that he has had some serious family dysfunction and also has evinced a love of things violent and/or warlike from early childhood. Demographic data: male, white, part (most? all?) of high school, rural. This lad was home for Christmas after basic training, says he will be going to Germany for more training, not Iraq, at least not right away.

So. Young J while home acquired himself an AK47 (pro’ly at the Gun & Knife Show at Gentleman Jim’s) and, whilst wearing his uniform and in the company of several of his local buddies, was engaged in firing off a few dozen rounds, presumably to celebrate the New Year — it is a local custom, although usually not with automatic weapons. Even in this neighborhood, some neighbors complained and the police showed up. The officers remonstrated with young J, saying if he wanted to do stuff like that he should join a gun club. Young J grinned hugely and replied, “I have.”

I pass this along by way of data, make of it what you can.

Hugh @ 86

I don’t know how to link directly to it but there is a great little picture of The Bushes at Swopa’s place you might enjoy.

http://www.needlenose.com/index.php

For posterity’s sake, here’s the direct link:
http://www.needlenose.com/node/view/3695

BTW, if you just click on the “Link” or “Permalink” at most blogs, that takes you to the “permanent” link for that article. After that, it’s just cut-n-paste.

Oklahoma kiddo @ 78

I have several close family members serving in the military. Most have been to Iraq, and some are still there. I still cannot understand why anyone would voluntarily join the Army or the Marines knowing that in all likelihood they will end up in Iraq fighting this dirty Bush war. And please, I am weary of the arguments about educational ‘bennies’ etc.

I can speak to this. I did it to get away from home, as a test of manhood, to see if I could cut it. I was not at all politically aware, and didn’t have a view as to whether the war was just. It was a proving ground. That it proved to me that it was a bad thing came after I joined. Too late.

I was a child at a family gathering once, and was warned not to touch the electric range top element because it was still hot from its last service. I touched it and burned the piss out of my hand.

Some folks are hard to teach, they have to learn from experience.

This is why we still fight wars. Not an original observance.

Thank you Cujo359, I see what you mean. Live and learn.

jeffreyw @ 82

raven says
January 1st, 2007 at 12:44 pm*

A large part of what you are talking about was due to Project 100,00Project 100,000. I went in on my 17th birthday in 66 and the mere fact that I could read at a fairly high level made me almost a oddball.

Yep, I got my GED in Korea. When I was in a unit at Lewis training to go the Nam a guy got sent to us who had actually been to college, we were stunned!

I know what you mean, I was above average articulate, scored well on the tests, was offered OCS and later a slot at West Point because they were having trouble filling classes. I passed on all that. Hell, I had some grunts referring to me as “perfessor”.

I had a high school diploma at the time.

Mulling over my 88 and what else has gone on in this thread, I wonder. When I was a teenager I had a burning desire to Do Something Big. Say what you will, a war, or a nationwide movement against it, is Big.

Someday we may understand the ways we humans are hard-wired. Until then we will stumble around, trying to explain our lives using words like Love, War, God, Honor and — the hardest-hard-wired of all, Settle Down.

Brava Christy – this is beautifully written. I’m going to save it in my favorites folder.
And thank you for all the wonderful work that you do here, too.

OK

I’ve already mentioned it on FDL but I have a buddy who is the chair of a Education Department at a University here in Geogria. He and I were “in the streets” together back in the day. His son graduated from colleg and joined the Army and is going Airborne and staying enlisted (as oppossed to becoming and officer). My pal asked him if he wanted to talk to me or any other Nam vets before he joined and he said, “nah, different Armt, different war”. So what to we have here, patriotism, rebellion or a little of both? Beats me. Tim O’Brian in “The Things They Carried” say “we were too embarrassed not to kill”. He was try to figure out whether to go to Canada or Vietnam and he didn’t want to bring shame to his family. This shot is complex and there are no easy answers.

jeffreyw @ 90

Oklahoma kiddo @ 78

I have several close family members serving in the military. Most have been to Iraq, and some are still there. I still cannot understand why anyone would voluntarily join the Army or the Marines knowing that in all likelihood they will end up in Iraq fighting this dirty Bush war. And please, I am weary of the arguments about educational ‘bennies’ etc.

I can speak to this. I did it to get away from home, as a test of manhood, to see if I could cut it. I was not at all politically aware, and didn’t have a view as to whether the war was just. It was a proving ground. That it proved to me that it was a bad thing came after I joined. Too late.

Prozac Nation will never take to the streets, and neither will WalMart Nation. There’s a very thin not-overmedicated, not-overconsumptioned sliver of the American public who won’t stand pat while Democrats roll over for escalating the war, making education either worthless or outta reach, drowning more American cities, and comforting the oligarchs.

Look in the mirror, ‘pups. You are that sliver. It is we.

Be it.
Own it.
Act it.
Make it happen.

… oh, and:
Troops
Home
NOW

HotFlash @ 93

Mulling over my 88 and what else has gone on in this thread, I wonder. When I was a teenager I had a burning desire to Do Something Big. Say what you will, a war, or a nationwide movement against it, is Big.

Someday we may understand the ways we humans are hard-wired. Until then we will stumble around, trying to explain our lives using words like Love, War, God, Honor and — the hardest-hard-wired of all, Settle Down.

Two things I found startling about Jared Diamond’s descriptions of hunter-gatherers in his books were:

- They are, on average, more intelligent than their “civilized” brethren.

- The leading cause of death among them is murder.

When you consider that they are far more vulnerable to accidents, predators, and disease than we are, the first fact isn’t all that surprising, I suppose, but the second is. The second observation also serves to explain why we haven’t gotten beyond the need for wars and other forms of mayhem.

TeddySanFran @ 96

Prozac Nation will never take to the streets, and neither will WalMart Nation. There’s a very thin not-overmedicated, not-overconsumptioned sliver of the American public who won’t stand pat while Democrats roll over for escalating the war, making education either worthless or outta reach, drowning more American cities, and comforting the oligarchs.

Look in the mirror, ‘pups. You are that sliver. It is we.

Be it.
Own it.
Act it.
Make it happen.

… oh, and:
Troops
Home
NOW

Sorry, misfire.

raven @ 99

Sorry, misfire.

S’alright, looks like it wasn’t loaded.

C’mon Pups. No matter how important it is to give our dollars to progressive candidates, there is no real change to the corruption that is amurka unless we pull the financial plug.

Many of you here show real pain for every death by this non-sanctioned insanity. We don’t have to go into the streets now, not with our digital contact (unless it’s pulled), so why don’t we just pull the financial plug.

Of course there are issues about how it’s done. But can anyone here tell me of a more effective way of stopping the madness?

All I know is that it gets different when somebody starts shooting back. Often the bravado turns to a deeper emotion.

HotFlash @ 88

Oklahoma kiddo @ 78

I have several close family members serving in the military. Most have been to Iraq, and some are still there. I still cannot understand why anyone would voluntarily join the Army or the Marines knowing that in all likelihood they will end up in Iraq fighting this dirty Bush war. And please, I am weary of the arguments about educational ‘bennies’ etc.

Kiddo, this from my brother-in-law in MI. His son’s friend, a young man I know slightly, enlisted recently. What I recall of young J_____ is that he has had some serious family dysfunction and also has evinced a love of things violent and/or warlike from early childhood. Demographic data: male, white, part (most? all?) of high school, rural. This lad was home for Christmas after basic training, says he will be going to Germany for more training, not Iraq, at least not right away.

So. Young J while home acquired himself an AK47 (pro’ly at the Gun & Knife Show at Gentleman Jim’s) and, whilst wearing his uniform and in the company of several of his local buddies, was engaged in firing off a few dozen rounds, presumably to celebrate the New Year — it is a local custom, although usually not with automatic weapons. Even in this neighborhood, some neighbors complained and the police showed up. The officers remonstrated with young J, saying if he wanted to do stuff like that he should join a gun club. Young J grinned hugely and replied, “I have.”

I pass this along by way of data, make of it what you can.

Teddy,

Re troops home now. I’m just thinking (so much thinking all in one day!) that it doesn’t matter whether the troops want to come home or not, does it? The Iraqi’s want us out, that’s enough right there. The job of the army is to fight wars. The job of the citizens is to tell them what wars to fight. It is the job of the representatives to convey the will of the people to the army, via the commander-in-chief. Hmm, what am I leaving out? Pundits?

Congrations on the Mountaineers win, Redd!

HotFlash (88) – OMG. You could have described the son of a one of my husband’s friends. Now I have to check the newspapers that I have been avoiding to see if you were talking about the same kid…

raven (66) – taking to the streets worked, when we had a real Fourth Estate that treated citizens’ protests as legitimate news. The marching in the streets by immigrants in protest of impending immigration laws was the first real coverage I’ve seen of public dissent in 6 years, but it was treated as if it was a subtextual threat (”look at all those brown people gathering en masse…”).

What we need to do is create protests that are perceived as news by the existing Fourth Estate; what will they make a point to cover without treating like a threat? Flash mobs might be one approach; Code Pink and los Madres de la Plaza del Mayo also offer constructive, non-violent approaches to resistence and dissent. We can do it, but we need to be more effective at doing it.

Raven,

Agreed. My husband and I are in favour of martial arts training, the fuller the contact the better. Young J and his friends are mostly experts at StreetFighter and such, video games where there is no pain and dying just means you have to reset. Also, there is no question as to right or wrong or whether or not to kill.

But the question was why they’d enlist, not what they’d find out when they got shot back at. I learned a lot about Viet Nam from friends in the military. One friend worked at one of the three body-bagging centers, he said that his unit alone would ship home more bodies than the newspapers reported in a given week. When I checked back into US politics after nearly 30 years I couldn’t believe how the history of Viet Nam had been rewritten. Actually, it took me a long time to figure out that it had been. It was you guys, Cujo and ET and all, talking that clued me in. I wondered, WTF. It was as if the murder of JFK had been rewritten as a great blow for freedom.

Richmond @
12

Thanks for the great year of posts Christy. This is also a powerful one.

I have a generational question, however, related to this issue. Having come to political age in the 60s I wonder why in this case (and the Iraq war situation) you and other leaders of the younger generation think it is better not to push for public demonstration. I’m not questioning the decision, and I know we now have other means available (as well as fewer ones – such as radio outlets playing various protest songs key musicians). Yes we won the election, and maybe we are now in a situation of wait and see, but, no doubt, there also will be pushback, and too many perhaps will feel (as now) that doing nothing is better than rocking the boat. So, in short, in taking back the constitution what strategy will work best. Interestingly, like net neutrality, maybe this is somethign that thoughtful leaders of both the left and the right and come together on to make happen without broad popular response. I don’t know.

I worry about the lack of demonstration/assembly too. I hope that Christy/Kos/Amato/et al can help coordinate voters to do something BIG during the summer of ‘08. Something that will make the ‘06 immigration rallies look miniscule. I have made this suggestion over at MoveOn, but I don’t know if anyone reads it. The reason I think it’s so important is not only for the democratic party (or an independent if the democrats do not restore the constitution in it’s entirety), but so that the rest of the world can see that we here in the USA are, in fact, a proud democracy. Thanks, Christy, for them fighting words!

Most of my puzzling has been on how to counter that MSM most of all. The whole point of the protests is that they can ignore them, and most of america goes on without even knowing they exist for the most part.

The ‘net is a big part of the new way of things, i just can’t think of how to utilize it to get more poeple to see. We’ve got a good chunk right now with the netroots, of which i’m grateful for in so many ways.

I’m in no way scared of the MSM, but i would like to flabbergast them again and again and again. Maybe shame them into actually doing their jobs. It’s why i chose music over a possible journalism career in these last 6 years. I noticed the bullshit very early on, and walked away.

to scoryTeddySanFran @ 96

Prozac Nation will never take to the streets, and neither will WalMart Nation. There’s a very thin not-overmedicated, not-overconsumptioned sliver of the American public who won’t stand pat while Democrats roll over for escalating the war, making education either worthless or outta reach, drowning more American cities, and comforting the oligarchs.

Look in the mirror, ‘pups. You are that sliver. It is we.

Be it.
Own it.
Act it.
Make it happen.

… oh, and:
Troops
Home
NOW

to scory@75 – thanks for your answer, which makes my point – who is going to stop this gutting of the Constitution? I have written letter to members of Congress until I am blue in the face and nobody will do shi_ about it.

To Teddy San Fran @96: this is an actual conversation that transpired with a co-worker, I kid you not and it proves your point about the Prozac and Walmart nation: I will be brief. The company I work for, we had just moved into a new office building here in Houston. Coming back from lunch with some co-workers, we were commenting on the various offices located on our floor and in particular about one office that was obviously done by professional interior decorators because it was beautiful. The comment was made by one co-worker that all of the employees of that office were “foreigners.” As that statement was made, some of those “foreigners” were getting into the other elevator. (They were all Indian for the record.) As soon as the door closed, my 30-year-old, NASCAR, BUSH Lover, Redneck co-worker boss calls them all “Al Queda Operatives.” My response was “they are Indian, not Middle Eastern.” His response, “they are all brown and al-quaeda in my book.” So yes, Teddy San Fran, your point is well made. With people like that, who are that close minded, you are so right. God deliver us from ignorant people…..

ok, folks – here’s a bit of a laugh – http://www.huffingtonpost.com/…..37513.html

Well, I think it is just a highly individual decision and there is no one answer to why. Economics can explain some, but certainly not all. I didn’t have to go to Vietnam becuase Korea was considered a “hardship tour” at that time. Two things drove me to get into a unit going to Vietnam, I was starting to question what was going on and I wanted to have a basis for my position that would be grounded in experience and, duty in the states was so chickenshit that I would have never made 16 months at Ft Lewis without going to Canada or the stockade.

HotFlash @ 106

Raven,

Agreed. My husband and I are in favour of martial arts training, the fuller the contact the better. Young J and his friends are mostly experts at StreetFighter and such, video games where there is no pain and dying just means you have to reset. Also, there is no question as to right or wrong or whether or not to kill.

But the question was why they’d enlist, not what they’d find out when they got shot back at. I learned a lot about Viet Nam from friends in the military. One friend worked at one of the three body-bagging centers, he said that his unit alone would ship home more bodies than the newspapers reported in a given week. When I checked back into US politics after nearly 30 years I couldn’t believe how the history of Viet Nam had been rewritten. Actually, it took me a long time to figure out that it had been. It was you guys, Cujo and ET and all, talking that clued me in. I wondered, WTF. It was as if the murder of JFK had been rewritten as a great blow for freedom.

Hi Everyone. I went out for a 5 mile run (new year’s resolution) and missed out on lots of interesting discussion. Grrr and Sorry! But… – CHS asked us to do resolutions yesterday, so it is her fault. This is probably near the end of this thread.

But the other main difference between now and then, I think, is Israel (I’m heading for cover). The move to war, and its opposition by many of us, in my dept was countered with accusations of anti-Semitism. This type of fracturing was not in place in the 60s social protests, and I think this also has had an impact.

Great post Christy,

It’s clear you are starting the New Year off the right way.

Oilfieldguy @ 5

For those who remember this post at FDL, a local corporatist now chooses to bastardize the success for a big ol’
id=1066&zoneid=6″>corporate welfare program.

Vivisection here.

Whatta twit.

How is it that casinos are supposed to be a “sign of progress?”

Kathryn in MA @ 110

ok, folks – here’s a bit of a laugh – http://www.huffingtonpost.com/…..37513.html

Dead on hilarious!

Yes, ma’am!

That did me a world of good. Well said, CHS.

I would like to see us, all of America, take it to the streets. This and other blogs are a good beginning for educating the public as to why that might be what we need to do. Trouble is, like someone posted earlier, the Corparate media stifles informaion. Olberman is one of the few lonley voices. And even he is not being heard by enough millions to push things along as rapidly as is needed.

Overwhelming the Coporate media with grass roots, such as Amy Goodman has been trying to do now for several years is what is needed. Grass roots becoming a significant part of the MSM is what is needed to move us to the streets and then to be able to, on the MSM ’see what happened in the streets on TV and why it happened’. Because we, those of us who were in the streets, had become the MSM…finally.

Although I an not a big fan of taxes, I do believe they have a just purpose.

If We, as a Nation believe there is a war to be Won, (total bullshit as far I am concerned),
then me must all make a effort to win it. The less then 1% of the US who are making a effort
need more then a yellow ribbon.

So Nation I propose the following ideas;

1. 10% on anything that has an e-chip. Reason:
The Military needs them.

2. 10% on all sporting ammo: Duh

3. 10% on all Oil, (yes it will suck, hell I
work for a car company). We need to get off
this dime. It is time for us to leave the
Sand land.

This is the first “Freedom” video and the best one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gr5tx0lcyQc

Well put. I suggest the Project for the New American Year: waking up to treason. I’m tired of our not calling it by its real name…

Christy, you and Jane have really been at the top of your game in the last few posts IMHO. And I have to tell ya, since I started reading FDL regularly, there are comments by others that I don’t “let slide” now that I would probably “let slide” in the past. I’m not the type who looks for arguments but I’ve come to appreciate the idea that at times silence for the sake of avoiding conflict is a form of betrayal. I try to disagree good naturedly but I make it clear that I disagree.