We will be taking the bus from Long Island to Washington DC on Saturday, October 26th to tell the powers that be that we oppose war with Iraq. I went during the Gulf War, and it was one of the most incredible experiences of my life - I was in high school and there was no visible opposition to the war. I was the only student on the bus, in fact, most of the others were older than my parents. We had no idea if there would be a large turnout. As our bus crested a hill we got a view of a stadium parking lot below us absolutely packed with not cars but busses. We all gasped and cheered. It was incredible. So for me, protesting is not just about communicating my beliefs (because it usually feels like noone is listening), but also about communing with others who feel the same way I do. It is inspiring and makes me feel like maybe the WHOLE world isn't insane.
And now Tyson, my dear brother, is going to the protest on the same day in San Fran! All that time we were beating the crap out of each other as kids, I always knew that deep down we were allies ;)
I'd like to make some signs or maybe even puppets on sticks! Any ideas? I'm thinking something that Aidan can get into too.
Comments
I still think the puppets are a bad idea, they are fuel for people to mock, but that's just me.They keep saying that that damn legislation shows that we're unified in our war cry, but we're not. That fool speaks of one voice, but it's not my voice coming out of his lips.Do one that says," Read my lips (you fucking asshole) no new wars!!!"Or, "It's time for our own regime change!"even signs dealing with corporate criminals and all the things being overlooked by the media now I think would work.I'm going to just be a body, I might make a shirt, but I'll definitely be filming. I'm looking forward to it. Make a sign about how the children of the world should be an american interest.Everyone thinks change is so impossible, but the one thing that everyone can do, that costs nothing, is harbor and nourish the belief that change is possible. That alone would do so much. I'm bringin' my soap box to san fran!
Just remember what Gandi and Martin Luther King did with passive protest. Getting mad and physical does not accomplish anything. Displaying calm and restraint shows your true beliefs. Also, call me when you both get back home so I know you are OK -Love, Mom
Just a note: MLK and Gandhi were pacifists not passive. Pacifism is courage to take action and directly face the force of oppression, not with violence, but with non-compliance. I think it's wonderful that you are going to DC! I would hop on a bus to go to SF if I had the money. Instead I'll be supporting you all via the internet, spreading the news of what's going on in DC and SF and the world.
Here's an idea. Thinking of Iraq and now we also know that North Korea has admitted to having nuclear weapons, why don't we go protest in the countries that harbor & support terrorists who seem intent upon killing Americans, Phillipinos, Indonesians and people from other countries. Does it matter to them that we are people just like them, flesh & blood with families, dreams and a desire to live free?. That to me would seem to be more effective than talking to our "leaders" who are pledged to defend our borders. I believe change is possible. History unfortunately tells us that radical behavior doesn't respond too well to dialogue to solve differences. By and large the amalgam of diversity that we enjoy in the US doesn't exist in a lot of other places. We should engage the Korean & Iraqui communities in American to join in these protests for they came here to enjoy our better quality of life and to live free from oppression of countries ruled by dictators. I know what you all would say to the President, The Senate and The House. Tell me, please, what would you say to Saadam Hussain or to North Korean President Kim Jong II?. Let me know you are home safely too. Love K
2 related and unrelated things:Number 1-Saddam Hussein is not the leader of my country. He was not (supposedly) democratically elected by the people of this country. By virtue of the fact that we live in a (supposed) democracy, we citizens are culpable for our leader's actions. It is absolutely unconscionable that we would attack Iraq now when they have done NOTHING to provoke such an attack. Attacking Iraq will do nothing to quell international terrorism, it will only fan the fire. Iraq has not masterminded any terrorist attacks to our knowlege, in fact our decade of sanctions against Iraq, and the misery that it has caused for the innocents of that country is a huge part of the reason that we are hated by extremists. Number 2-It is not known that Iraq has nuclear weapons. The fact that everyone is assuming that they do is evidence of the powerful propaganda we are being presented with.
I wouldn't say anything to them. I'd listen to them. And then I'd comment accordingly. But I don't for a second believe there is a sincere bone in Jr's body. Iraq doesn't even have an air force. How much of a threat can they be immediately posing? And there is a reason people hate us and it's not because of anything that I or millions other Americans have done. It's the result of what a small group of wealthy white land owners have done consistantly for over 5000 years. Columbus is the perfect symbol of US foreign policy to this day. We have brought this on ourselves. And this whole "terrorism" thing is starting to sound a lot like the cries of "communism". I promise to let everyone know of my safe return to lovely los angeles.
As far as protesting in a foriegn country, about their beliefs, actually I would do that. But if I'm not rich and famous then no one would probably ever see me again. I would go to Saudi Arabia and have a field day with those assholes. I do nothing but buy burkas off the woman and then burn them. Why aren't we bombing Saudi Arabia for women's rights? Are women's rights not an American Interest? WE PUT THE TALIBAN IN POWER. That's so disappointing.
Comments
I still think the puppets are a bad idea, they are fuel for people to mock, but that's just me.They keep saying that that damn legislation shows that we're unified in our war cry, but we're not. That fool speaks of one voice, but it's not my voice coming out of his lips.Do one that says," Read my lips (you fucking asshole) no new wars!!!"Or, "It's time for our own regime change!"even signs dealing with corporate criminals and all the things being overlooked by the media now I think would work.I'm going to just be a body, I might make a shirt, but I'll definitely be filming. I'm looking forward to it. Make a sign about how the children of the world should be an american interest.Everyone thinks change is so impossible, but the one thing that everyone can do, that costs nothing, is harbor and nourish the belief that change is possible. That alone would do so much. I'm bringin' my soap box to san fran!
Just remember what Gandi and Martin Luther King did with passive protest. Getting mad and physical does not accomplish anything. Displaying calm and restraint shows your true beliefs. Also, call me when you both get back home so I know you are OK -Love, Mom
Just a note: MLK and Gandhi were pacifists not passive. Pacifism is courage to take action and directly face the force of oppression, not with violence, but with non-compliance. I think it's wonderful that you are going to DC! I would hop on a bus to go to SF if I had the money. Instead I'll be supporting you all via the internet, spreading the news of what's going on in DC and SF and the world.
Here's an idea. Thinking of Iraq and now we also know that North Korea has admitted to having nuclear weapons, why don't we go protest in the countries that harbor & support terrorists who seem intent upon killing Americans, Phillipinos, Indonesians and people from other countries. Does it matter to them that we are people just like them, flesh & blood with families, dreams and a desire to live free?. That to me would seem to be more effective than talking to our "leaders" who are pledged to defend our borders. I believe change is possible. History unfortunately tells us that radical behavior doesn't respond too well to dialogue to solve differences. By and large the amalgam of diversity that we enjoy in the US doesn't exist in a lot of other places. We should engage the Korean & Iraqui communities in American to join in these protests for they came here to enjoy our better quality of life and to live free from oppression of countries ruled by dictators. I know what you all would say to the President, The Senate and The House. Tell me, please, what would you say to Saadam Hussain or to North Korean President Kim Jong II?. Let me know you are home safely too. Love K
2 related and unrelated things:Number 1-Saddam Hussein is not the leader of my country. He was not (supposedly) democratically elected by the people of this country. By virtue of the fact that we live in a (supposed) democracy, we citizens are culpable for our leader's actions. It is absolutely unconscionable that we would attack Iraq now when they have done NOTHING to provoke such an attack. Attacking Iraq will do nothing to quell international terrorism, it will only fan the fire. Iraq has not masterminded any terrorist attacks to our knowlege, in fact our decade of sanctions against Iraq, and the misery that it has caused for the innocents of that country is a huge part of the reason that we are hated by extremists. Number 2-It is not known that Iraq has nuclear weapons. The fact that everyone is assuming that they do is evidence of the powerful propaganda we are being presented with.
I wouldn't say anything to them. I'd listen to them. And then I'd comment accordingly. But I don't for a second believe there is a sincere bone in Jr's body. Iraq doesn't even have an air force. How much of a threat can they be immediately posing? And there is a reason people hate us and it's not because of anything that I or millions other Americans have done. It's the result of what a small group of wealthy white land owners have done consistantly for over 5000 years. Columbus is the perfect symbol of US foreign policy to this day. We have brought this on ourselves. And this whole "terrorism" thing is starting to sound a lot like the cries of "communism". I promise to let everyone know of my safe return to lovely los angeles.
As far as protesting in a foriegn country, about their beliefs, actually I would do that. But if I'm not rich and famous then no one would probably ever see me again. I would go to Saudi Arabia and have a field day with those assholes. I do nothing but buy burkas off the woman and then burn them. Why aren't we bombing Saudi Arabia for women's rights? Are women's rights not an American Interest? WE PUT THE TALIBAN IN POWER. That's so disappointing.