Washblog

and vigils has changed over time.   The faster the protest culture changes with the times, the more effective it'll be.  Yes, and let's change-out the songs!  

But I feel the public demonstrations are still needed and I participate when I can.  Silence in the face of warmongering and assault on democracy would be worse.  Thank you for posting these pictures, Dina.  It's part of the evolution of protests -- putting them in the Internet public square. It's very moving to see these, to see this visual representation of the hunger people have for peace and justice.

by noemie maxwell on Wed Aug 29, 2007 at 04:01:50 PM PST

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I put the word 'organizing' in quotes cuz

why are these things 'organized' at the last minute?

it is so f$$$ing rude, inconsiderate and disorganized

like everyone is just sitting around waiting for the word to come down from on high and we'll take to the streets cuz, from on high, THE WORD came down!

I love feeling like the little birdy waiting for the big birdies to come and puke sustenance into my straining for nourishment beak!

yawn ... how f$$$ing inept can we get?

p.s. for those of you new to my critiques of our hard working hardly effective majorly clueless political 'leaders', check out

Net 1, Darcy 1, Dave 0, WA. Dems MIA
By rmdSeaBos
Tue Aug 28, 2007 at 05:44:35 PM PST
Section: Diary Topic: Building the base

http://www.washblog.com/story/2007/8/28/204435/960

What amazes me,
What inspires me,
What fills me with hope,

is that despite the degradations from complete nimcompoop opposition

HA HA HA HA HA

'leaders'

despite shitty leadership from people who should be fired yesterday

fellow citizens won't sit down and shut up !

imagine all the leaders,
sucking up big paychecks,
not being worthless shits,
helping organize the world!

what lyrics, eh?

oh yeah, as a reminder - I already got a job, and if I don't do my 40+ hour a week job I'll be living under the ballard bridge in cardboard box,

so for anyone who tells me that I'm supposed to do the job of the Dem political leaders making big paychecks to be leaders!

Stuff it!
rmm

http://www.liemail.com/BambooGrassroots.html

by rmdSeaBos on Wed Aug 29, 2007 at 04:49:23 PM PST

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Dina, I agree with you absolutely. I was a participant at the MoveOn Peace Vigil yesterday evening, and it seemed to me that us "old lefties" and long-time peace activists were preaching to the same choir over and over. And we were the only ones there. These rallies give us a good feeling, but are totally ineffective in changing any governmental policy or even any public perception. To be effective, MoveOn and other like groups MUST find some way to get public and media attention and to engage public participation. It is obvious that the Seattle public is anti-war and wants a change, but we must get them engaged. An event like last night could have been a mass demonstration of thousands of people, but we have to get the word out and give out info that will motivate a public response.

by wmorrow1 on Wed Aug 29, 2007 at 08:22:31 PM PST

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We picked a great location this time, right in front of the Auburn sign off of HWY18. I haven't yet figured out why MoveOn insisted on calling our August event held during rush hour a "Septmber Candlelight Vigil", but heh, they do alright. Refusing to cede our symbols to the right, we chose to demonstrate right beneath Auburn's American Flag, and wore my uniform to the event.

by BryceM on Thu Aug 30, 2007 at 04:00:36 PM PST

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Well, I'm getting onto this thread late, so probably no one will read it.  I too am becoming curmudgeonly, Dina, although I have practice from before.  As I walk around town with my "IMPEACH" t-shirt, I am struck by how little response it gets.  It seems to me that the impeachment movement in wastern Washington has lost its momentum, primarily because it turned its focus on confrontation (demonstrations, rallies) rather than a broad-based approach--confrontation and engagement, for example.  Early this year, the Olympia group had some success in drawing more people into the impeachment discussion with a forum that attracted over 800 people, and video showings at public libraries.  I've always felt to be effective, the impeachment movement needed to make room for everyone, room for those who want to make videos, room for those who want to visit lawmakers, room for those who want to repeatedly write letters to the editor, room for creative street theater, room for public education, and so on.  More and more I feel this concept is falling on deaf ears.

I've been to some of the demonstrations, just to help boost the numbers (by one), but I find the endless speeches boring, and the songs too difficult to follow.  I prefer the old "classics," that are easy to adapt and sing along to ("We Will Not Be Moved," "We Shall Overcome," even the chorus to "Alice's Restaurant").  Those songs have cultural meaning, and I think they will always scare the bejeesus out of the power elite.

Anyway, I feel simply getting out in public with my tshirt does more good than occasional, cloistered demonstrations.  If we truly believe the war is immoral and illegal, if we truly believe impeachment is at least a step in the right direction, we must incorporate our beliefs into our daily lives.  To take action just when we feel safe in our groups is to undermine the movement.

by Arresthpres on Fri Sep 07, 2007 at 11:41:11 AM PST

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