Scenario laid out for progressives and peace activists, (as I see it)

[G_j]

I've included below a small rant I posted yesterday which did not generate much discussion probably because it was not very good flame bait.

But first let me simply lay out what I see as the only scenario at this point that I can imagine for real progressives and peace workers. Sure I most certainly feel trapped, betrayed, etc,
but after a great deal of soul searching, I see no other way right now.

1) Advocate discussions of our issues at the convention

2) Get Kerry into office, Bush OUT

3) Instead of endlessly arguing about Kerry (or Nader for that matter) start planning now on using our networks to influence Kerry when he is in office so that we don't lose a step in our quest for an end to empire building militarism. This includes also all elected Democrats. Plan ahead, get ready, the fight is only just beginning for those who truly believe in real alternatives to the status quo which is destroying the planet.
---------------
my post from yesterday:

Kerry aside for a moment , Bush & Co MUST be taught a lesson!


Some of you know I am not happy with Kerry. As a peace worker since the days of Vietnam my core values are not at all adequately represented by Kerry or Edwards. As a resident of NC I wrote, called visited and stood in Vigil outside of Edwards local office. He gave us the cold shoulder. The fact is, I am quite angry at these guys.

BUT this a seperate issue right now, because Bush & Co MUST be punished and the first step of this accounting must be to be rejected/ejected from office!

we can look forward and begin planning on using the existing networks which came together around resisting Bush and his War(s)to pressure Kerry on foriegn policy, the PATRIOT act, trade, Kyoto etc.

Since I believe the people who want an end to empire and militarism have lost, as a golden opportunity, an opportunity that could have changed the tide was squandered by Democrats. A world in crisis is waiting for America to promote a better way. A way that promotes non-violence.
MLK was one of the greatest America has had to offer and he was cut down.
That is where we still stand.


I will be happy to vote for Kerry because I want to send a clear message to the Criminal Cowboy, Perle, Rumsfeld, The Iran Contra Reagan players, Ashcroft, Rush and all the rest of the RW.

Plan and commit war crimes? Send our sons and daughters to die for lies?
Lie, cheat, torture, kill
dismantle and undermine hundreds of environmental protections?
Rob the treasury?
hurt children?

No More, OUT!
War criminals can not be allowed to remain in office

that is the message

& rest assured many of us will hold Kerry to the same standards.

[bryant69]

1. How do you deal with dissappointment?

Or incremental improvement. If Kerry wins election he will be a vast improvement over President Bush. But how will you keep the pressure on him to move to express your ideas?

Just to pick one issue, right now there is very little chance that President Bush will be punished in any meaningful way for his crimes. Given the American Status Quo, we might think he is pretty stupid and even decietful, but that's not the same as criminal. Unless you can convince enough of the American people to agree with your take on President Bush, than there is very little motivation for President Kerry to buck the trend.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[G_j]

2. I agree

and I am not dealing all that well with the disappointment and the oppressive feeling that we (and all humanity for that matter) have lost a crucial opportunity.

I can imagine that we will raise hell if Bush & Co are not held accountable or God forbid pardoned. I know many will pursue these people on their war crimes. One thing is for sure, I fully expect to be out in the streets.
It IS a very discouraging situation. :-(

[G_j]

3. Once again

except for one very thoughtful post, I don't seem to be able to generate much constructive discussion around this. Am I just wasting my time?

[G_j]

4. kick ??

[htuttle]

5. I have considered this for some time

I feel much the same as you do, and agree with what you've written.

Over the course of the last year, however, I'm starting to feel that the United States will not be where the struggle for justice is won and lost. Not anymore.

I think the best courses of action for US progressives are delaying or binding actions -- try to keep our government from causing any further damage to the rest of the world as much as possible.

The impetus for change will end up having to come from elsewhere, and the United States will only change when it has no more choice but to do so. It is the rest of the world's task to take us to that point. It is our task to try to keep The Beast busy so it can't thrash out at the rest of the planet in the meantime.

I've been deeply involved in the cooperative business movement for many years, so I appreciate the value of 'postive actions' and 'building'. Unfortunately, no matter what good gets built in the US, the status quo will find a way to isolate, minimize and corrupt it to render it harmless.

In short, US progressives need to play defense, while the rest of the world's progressives play offense. But that's just part of the story.

The other part is that over the next 10 years, things we used to take for granted in this country are likely to become far less reliable, due to pressures from dwindling or overstressed resources. Things like reliable electricity, available gasoline, regular food deliveries, fresh water -- any one of those could fail on occasion as we move into the future we've thoughtlessly built for ourselves. Progressives in the US DO have a task to perform here. We should try to reach out when these things happen to our local communities to help.

Think Food Not Bombs, or just regular folks helping out after a tornado. People in the US would be wise to get to know their communities, and perhaps stop looking to Washington DC for change and assistance. What DO we really need Washington for nowdays? So postive action, building actions, might best be done locally, not nationally.

For example, years ago when a tornado destroyed Barneveldt, WI, the local pagan network (Circle) turned out in force to help feed people, hand out blankets, etc... This made a huge difference in their relationship to the community. Imagine if they had tried that on a national scale. The booming flatulence from the right would have decried it, demonized it, and made them defend their beliefs instead of handing out blankets and soup. In the end, even if they had been able to help people in a situation like that, they wouldn't have had the community building experience they did.

This is just a bunch of train of thought stuff, and could be better expressed, but I wanted you to know that I've been thinking about this too.

So, there it is.

[G_j]

6. good thoughts

and I very much agree with you on the importance of working in the community. I feel very lucky to live in a community where people are active locally. It helps me stay grounded to an extent. National politics by nature are a relatively soulless enterprise.

I think you are absolutely right about possible shortages and crisis. In those times political affiliations are not so important and lasting bridges are built when people help each other and work together for the common good of the community.
Also in terms of the much touted division in this country, I think it is time to start changing that on a one to one basis.
We have all been played in the this divide and conquer scenario.

I guess you probably are correct about playing defense and attempting to at least slow down destructive US policies.
If Kerry is really serious about working with our 'friends' abroad then perhaps he will have to listen to them. I don't think he will have a free ride with them after all the damage that has been done. I imagine they will expect more than just words.

[ClassWarrior]

7. As Michael Moore said...

(paraphrasing) I'm going after John Kerry first thing November 3rd.

[G_j]

8. perfectly put..