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Edited on Thu Oct-20-11 06:37 PM by The Doctor.
The Ember Strategy
Most people don't know the difference between 'tactics' and 'strategy'. 'Tactics' are actions that are taken, usually in response to another action, to prevent an adversary from gaining an advantage, or to take an advantage away. 'Strategy' involves the anticipation, usually through intelligence, of an adversary's likely next action as well as subsequent actions based on projected interactions for the purpose of developing the appropriate 'tactics'. At least that's how I've always been trained. Luckily, winter is still fairly easy to predict, and a strategic move can be made with a few good tactics.
Right now, the top .1% are looking forward to the OWS protests being snuffed out by a nice, cold winter. If you're tempted to draw analogies or parallels in literature, it's because there is a very prescient reality about these circumstances that spans history and nature itself. This could very well be the test of this generation. It will be those that still believe in democracy, equality, and freedom versus those that would eviscerate the nation and rob us forever of rights. If the weather that we've seen so far this year is any indication, the climate havoc we've all stirred up will manifest this winter as well. Anyone who can be part of OWS and wants to make sure OWS survives the winter should employ a few good tactics. We cannot afford to let this movement die, our nation is in one of its most, if not its most, fateful hour since the Civil War. The failure of this generation WILL open the door to very real fascism, and this is the time, while we have someone in the White House who will not declare martial law over the protests, to make it count.
The strategy here revolves around the understanding that if the protestors disappear then the movement will likely follow and not be resuscitated easily. It therefore follows that for the movement to survive into spring when it can 'blossom' again, it must survive the winter.
I'd like to submit a few basic tactics off the top of my head. I know we have some salty dogs around here with a few tazings or arrests under their belts, so obviously, if you're one of them, or even if you're not, please be kind enough to share.
Strategic aim: To encourage others to rejoin or join anew after the worst weather by keeping physical presence as high as possible throughout the winter .
Tactics;
- Keep spreading the word, look for volunteers who can spare a few hours a week holding signs and occupying.
- Create 'shifts' so that no one has to be in the cold for prolonged periods.
- Find friendly establishments to create 'warming centers' for those without nearby facilities. Don't ask much, offer what you can. Make friends. Remember you're on their side too.
- Clothing (obviously). The 'layers' thing works WELL. Clothe each-other. Find donations, make sure that anyone who cares enough to be there is outfitted properly.
- Hydration. It's as important in the dead of Winter as in the Summer. Dry cold air becomes warm in the lungs and extracts moisture. If you're dressed too warmly, you'll lose water pretty fast as well. Keep your supply from freezing.
- Above all Keep the presence alive, real, and unavoidable to the media.
I believe that the movement is strong enough that no one needs to worry about whether our presence will wain. But in terms of strategy, we must know and be prepared for everything that is coming. This won't be easy, and I promise to be out there in the cold even though I live near no major financial center, but this cannot die.
I am the 99%
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