This Time [View all]

[H2O Man]

"There is a time when the operation of the machine becomes so odious, makes you so sick at heart, that you can’t take part; you can’t even passively take part, and you’ve got to put your bodies upon the gears and upon the wheels, upon the levers, upon all the apparatus, and you’ve got to make it stop. And you’ve got to indicate to the people who run it, to the people who own it, that unless you’re free, the machine will be prevented from working at all!” –Mario Savio


Some older community members will recall the 1964 speech “Bodies Upon the Gears” at Sproul Hall at Berkeley's “Free Speech Movement.” Some of the younger community members here may be familiar with it, as well. Still others may not be familiar with it, and so I thought it might be high time to focus on the above part of Savio's powerful speech.

Now, I am not 100% pleased with what I consider a lack of meaningful action on the part of some of our elected representatives in the House and Senate. I am not a cheerleader. But at the same time, I am happy with the leadership of a number of them, even if they are not the “official” party leadership, according to the DNC. Rather, these are the leaders that a significant segment of the grass roots.

It is those groups and individuals that, by no coincidence, tend to be the Democratic Party's activists. They include the social-political activists that I have worked with for over half a century. They volunteer at local party headquarters, make phone calls, and go door-to-door. They are active in local, state, and presidential elections. Thus, they tend to have a greater grasp of the pulse of those who actually vote – or not – than those inhabiting offices in state capitals and DC.

When we consider the first of the Amendments to the Constitution's Bill of Rights, we find their job description:
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

I again note that our party has elected representatives in DC who are fighting the Good Fight. More, we have elected representatives at state levels who are actively engaged in the struggle. We should be actively supporting them – something beyond saying, “That's good” when watching the news or on the internet. These times require activity, rather than passiveness, or worse, just complaining.

At this point in time, it is the responsibility of the grass roots to be active on a much higher level than at any time in the last fifty years. If, for example, our passive friends would be contacting their elected officials, attending rallies, and adding their strength to the fight, it would be a heck of a first step. If you tend to complain, you will find it more refreshing when on the phone with the elected representative's staff.

If you are thinking, “Oh, sure – that sounds good, but I'm represented by a maga shit head!,” I strongly recommend re-reading Amendment 1. The Founding Fathers were aware of the potential for this very dynamic, and provided you will the tools you need to place that maga on the hot seat.

Finally, for those in the community who are activists, keep it up. And, for those with ears, we are at the point where it is essential that we step it up to a higher level. I favor the tactics of Gandhi and King. I am curious what others are thinking, doing, and willing to do.

As always,
H2O Man