Calling or writing isn't enough. They know what we think.

[MADem]

74. I haven't seen an effective protest since the Vietnam War.

The closest thing was the Million Man March--but that was a One and Done.

During the Vietnam War, protesting was a sustained, organized, grassroots, weekly activity. The only question was where is "it" going to be held this week...and that was before computers. You found out through phone trees and bulletin boards--the real ones, made of cork with tacks in them, that one found in laundromats and dormitories. Oh, and flyers--they'd be stapled to telephone poles.

They were usually held on weekends, when most (not all) could get away from their minimum wage jobs (more often than not) to hitch a ride, take the bus, bum a lift to the protest location.

It wasn't retired quakers with their signs--and yes, they are adorable. It was seas of people, old and young, who knew how to keep a crowd motivated. Hell No, We Won't Go! Simple, rhythmic, effective. Week after week after week. In cities across the country. I'm not talking about people camping out for weeks or months at a crack, either. I'm talking about people taking the time to leave their homes, travel to a location by bus or car, demonstrate, and then haul ass back home to go to work. Week in, week out.

The only "big" protests I have seen lately (and by lately, I mean the last decade or so) are those hodgepodge umbrella things. All of the signs are pre-printed, and assholes who don't share MY perspective take up way too much of the stage time. There's no motivation to go to those.

Save the Rainforest is great. But don't try saving the rainforest, freeing Mumia, and protesting vivisection along with trying to save Social Security. It's too much stuff thrown into the bowl, and too many competing priorities. Save the rainforest on Friday, and save Social Security on Saturday. Separation is of issues is good.

I think you're entirely wrong about large numbers not scaring politicians. And I don't think dignified protests are laughed at--I think they are effective.

Shenanigans and high drama just can't be sustained--determined resolve, if accompanied by critical mass, can be, though. I just don't think that young people have the patience for it, and it's their future (not mine--I'm at the end of the ride, they're just getting going) that's at stake.

Things might have to get much worse before the young people decide they need to raise their voices in organized, specific fashion. Tens of thousands had to die before the Vietnam protests really got rolling--no one cared until the draft started expanding to include...well, if not everyone, many young men. People started getting upset when they realized they knew someone over there, and they got really upset when they realized they knew someone who had DIED over there.

So maybe things need to get worse, still, before they get better. I dunno. I think there's enough motivation to do a little demo-ing, especially since the weather is getting nicer....that's just my view, though. The people who are "next up to bat" need to lead on this issue, get up and out and make a plan.

It's their turn.