Regarding War

[nfotxn]

If you object to the war make your voice heard.

You have freedom of speech.
You have a vote.

Use them. It's really as simple as that. Find out for yourself if these things are effective or not. Bitching and moaning about how powerless you are is really so self-fulfilling. Think of your dissidence as patriotism.

Courses of action:

• Join a peaceful protest
• Educate yourself. Find the FACTS not people's opinions.
• Engage people in useful discussion
• Write your public official
• Organize and stage a protest
• Encourage others to express themselves
• Turn off the TV
• Be creative and make yourself heard

Resources:

http://www.indymedia.org/
http://www.alternet.org/
http://www.adbusters.org/
http://www.commondreams.org/
http://www.freesocietycollective.org/
http://www.kuro5hin.org/section/fnp

"War always necessitates & creates perceptions of blacks & whites, where various shades of grey exist. Eventually, even the greys become polarized to become black & white. Perception turns into reality."

stingray1975

Comments

[infobear.livejournal.com]

Here's a question...in no way meant to disagree with you...simply to evoke thoughtful response.

What happens when people do all of the things you suggest, but to no avail. What does one do when the actions of those in power seem impervious to avenues of recourse? I cannot stand behind change through revolution, because I believe that our system should work. Given this constraint, when all venues have been exhausted, how does one respond, aside from walking away and expressing "I did what I reasonably could as an individual. I contributed as much as I could to a group. The system doesn't work."?

I think some people, right now, are so shocked by the outrageousness of a single, spoiled man who was let into power, that they are paralyzed by their embarassment in granting him that right in the first place. Government in America has possibly evolved to a point where individuals really do not have any power, though the illusion is maintained. We are now seeing the failures of our own decisions in the transparency of our government.

So, if we have no real power to change, and no way of reversing actions based on the trust we placed, what is the new strategy?

[nfotxn.livejournal.com]

I guess the only choice at that point would be to become a revolutionary or live under an American dictator. BUT my intention here is to urge people to get to that point before falling into dispair over the situation. Infact, it's my belief that most people have (consciously or not) already fallen into full complacency.

Do we require dead bodies to be motivated? Will that even work?

[dirtyglamour.livejournal.com]

My take on things is that democracy WOULD work if we had citizens that were more involved and willing to take responsibility as a citizen in a democratic society. Most people I fear, just don't care that much. Right now, we really can't make a change....usablebear is totally correct. The point is that you try for yourself, and encourage others follow suit. If a big enough portion of the population is mobilized, I would like to think governments and leaders WILL tremble. Nihilism never solved anything.