what will it take for anyone to do anything?

[datasuspect]

direct action? protest? being less than nice and civil in response to a regime that seeks to suck every drop of value from a dying superpower?

i know everyone has to go to work, the police are more or less paramilitary shock troops, and getting a criminal record makes things really inconvenient.

or is the situation really not that bad? can we sit back and moan about it and hope things get better?

historical revisionists will tell you that demonstrations are ineffective. they will point to the 60s as a failure of sorts.

but be aware of people who tell you shit like this: they either are ignorant or they are aware and highly authoritarian.

the events of the 1960s scared the living shit out of the "Establishment." hell, even active duty troops were sabotaging the war effort and openly protesting. look back to primary sources and news accounts from the time. this country came close to revolution. parts of cities actually burned in response to governmental and societal repression. but the history scrubbers got people to believe the myth of the "i flew into san francisco and the protesters spit on me and called me a baby killer."

there is an industry whose primary purpose is to disinform and lie to you. it's called the media. it's adjuncts are thinks tanks and other special interest groups. all of the information they disseminate are designed to support the goals of corporations and the oligarchy.

they don't a repeat of the 1960s. they want us to accept whatever they give us. they want you to believe that you are powerless. that if you work hard, everything will be okay.

[Ghost in the Machine]

1. Many people are waiting until the time between Election Day & Inauguration Day

... to see what kind of events unfold... *if* Cheney/Bush get stupid and decide they don't want to give up power, they WILL be removed... by force. Period.

[datasuspect]

2. too many problems transcend partisanship

.

[Ghost in the Machine]

5. Some Americans WILL NOT tolerate a dictator. Period. That crosses Party lines, too... n/t

[pingzing58]

3. protesting doesn't work if you don't belong to a Union. Power belongs to those with money or votes.

Boycots work. Withholding your money from candidates or elected officials works. Finding and supporting someone to run against those who will not listen to your concerns works. It takes time and patience. Protests draw attention to the issue but do not create change. Just look at the thousands of protesters who drew attention to the 12 million illegals here in the U.S. Nothing came of it. Just Lou Dobbs attacks.

[Greyhound]

4. First rec?

Very good, thank you. It is as it has always been, they steal the rewards of our labor and contribute nothing.
:kick: & R