I'm noticing we lack the organization and grass root skills

[AnIndependentTexan]

You are saying youths won't protest, but I think they will. Reason why is because they have a lot more to loose then all of you. We are the ones who will inherit this earth when you are gone. We are the ones who will suffer for the mistakes being made right now.

If you want the youths to act then you must set up a network of grass roots. We need to have a place to meet and common ground to work on. Organization is a prime factor that we lack. The question is how do we gain it? I also want to know as a youth who is 23 what you will do to Inspire my generation to ACT NOW. We have a lot more at stake then you did as children.

[murielm99]

1. We do indeed have grass roots.

Look at what Dean did, and continues to do.

The youth came out to vote, in spite of the lies the whore media told about them.

We just need to maintain our grassroots organizations.

[atreides1]

2. Then start working on those skills, we're not going to be here forever

Why don't the youth set up their own networks, and start their own groups. There are organizations already out there, but the youth have to go to them, in this way you will show that you are concerned.

If you wait around for someone else to form a group, it won't really be your group, will it. It will based on the ideals of someone else who may not share the same vision as the young.

As you stated, it is the youth who will inherit this earth when we're gone, so it must be the youth who organize.

If you're not inspired to act with all that has happened, then no one can INSPIRE YOU TO ACT. It's up to you to become motivated and to be concerned with the future, especially if you want it to reflect what the next generation believes in, not what our generation believes in.

[bowens43]

3. We have done that. 'youth' has consistently not shown up.

Can't you inspire yourselves? If this is so important to you then why don't YOU do something? What makes you think that you have more at stake? You don't.

[KurtNYC]

4. The stakes ARE high

We have a lot more at stake then you did as children.

When I was a kid, we had a scoutmaster who was straight back from Nam and reminded us we would be going at every opportunity. The draft was still full tilt and my friends' fathers were sent home from southeast asia in body bags. One friend had his first father killed in combat, his mother remarried and his adoptive father died at Khe San (sp?). The Vietnam war seemed endless in spite of the protests and promises by Nixon to end it. But it did end. Then Reagan took over and we all figured we would be glowing with radiation soon. Things are never quite as bad (or as good) as they seem. Just some perspective.

Protests are appropriate for local politics but there are many methods for affecting national politics -- boycotts, letter campaigns, strikes, running for office, etc.

[MuseRider]

5. Well, this is not a birthday party.

Let me see if I understand this. You stand to lose more than we do. Hmmm, I plan on being here a good 20 or 30 more years and after that my children and their children so I would say that I do have a lot at stake here. We were being drafted, you are not yet so I guess you can't say that you have a lot more at stake than we did. SO, now you want us old folks who really have no reason to care too much about this to do all the organizing and set this all up and then send out the invitations so that those of you motivated enough just might come and show signs and stuff? You are 23 years old? I'm sorry, I was 16. I don't remember anyone setting anything up for us. You learn by doing it so get on with it, K?

I do not mean for this to sound snarky but come on now. You are the future so go and get it, it is about time you did.

[Us vs Them]

6. We have to enable ourselves

I, too, am 23. I refuse to wait for a 'call to action,' if you will. An organised and solid union would be ideal, but I don't think looking for leadership from our 'Party Elders' will do the trick. Some would argue it is that thinking what got us in this mess in the first place.

WE need to do something. WE need to organise meetings. WE need to stand for a cause worth getting behind.

Regardless of your personal views on Howard Dean, www.democracyforamerica.com is a good place to start. This is his group, but they are making progress in Democracy on a local and national scale the likes of which I have yet to see matched. You can achieve much when you use the tools available to you. Schedule or attend meetings. Speak your mind in forums such as this. Never stop attempting to draw attention to the injustices you witness. That is how you spark inspiration.

[AnIndependentTexan]

7. I actually like Howard Dean. My question

What can we learn from Howard Dean and the way he set up the grassroots? Forgive me if I seem rude in the post. I'm only trying to get the topic going because I want to learn more on how we can get things going. What are the things that Parents can do as well to get their kids more active and informed about these places?