I just want to apologize to all

[tpub]

the very hard-working DUers who have been activists for many, many years because I wasn't out there with you.

I am 32 years old and this is the first time I've ever been involved in a political campaign, aside from sending in money to the DNC.

But I could not be more pissed off at what's been happening. And I finally found some hope recently and I'm running with it.

I want you all to know that if you're too demoralized or just too tired to do the work, then I'm sorry to hear about that. But there are a lot of people out here like me who are getting actively involved for the very first time because they just can't take it anymore.

I took 2000 for granted and I'm sorry. But it will not happen again.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

1. Too soon old, too late smart...

The Amish say. But you aren't too late. Yer' just in time for the fun! ;-)

[XanaDUer]

2. I'm invigorated

and optimistic!

Let's all fight BushCo right out of the WH!

I'm am also trying to start a local progressive group, in the middle of Republican Hell.

Hope no one vandalizes my car.

[Stephanie]

3. Please give some advice about how to get involved

I'm sure many of us are ready to drop everything and sign up.

[tpub]

5. advice?

I don't mean to be paranoid, but are you being sarcastic? You've been around here much much longer than I have...

[Stephanie]

7. I'm really not being sarcastic at all

It's difficult to know how to really get involved, especially if you are tied to a full-time job, etc. I've volunteered before, but this time I really think I would drop everything to work full-time. If you have advice I would apppreciate it.

[Pocho]

ACTIVISM IS JUST A LITTLE THING, AND YOU CAN DO IT. HERE'S HOW

Activism is characterized most by what it leaves aside as it effectively strives for power. That is analysis and rhetorical positioning. It is not about what someone thinks, but rather what one does. Activism is usually misconstrued by liberals, who tend to think in grand constructs. They oppose a war, object to world wide globalism, promote conserving the environment, and desire this or that form of government.

Saul Alinski, the master political agitator, tactical planner and social organizer didn't mince words when he wrote "Liberals in their meetings utter bold works; they strut, grimace belligerently, and then issue a weasel-worded statement 'which has tremendous implications, if read between the lines.' They sit calmly, dispassionately, studying the issue; judging both sides; they sit and still sit. ...".

From their debating benches, liberals tend to view activism, of which they are little experienced first hand, in terms of their thinking in large designs. They make the same mistake as do their conservative enemies, whose uninformed grand design tendency causes them to see great sinister 'isms or 'ists secretly guiding the activists.

To the contrary, activists, at least those who instigate organizing for meaningful change, know that the battles are about small goals that immediately affect those involved. They strive for such as neighborhood control of a local head start program in order that their children are educated rather than one run by social workers seeking increased salaries through federal funding. They protest to shut down a particular bank engaged in racially red lining its lending practices. They sit in an office in order to impede education on a campus because a teacher was unjustly fired. They picket to decrease the bottom line of a store with biased hiring practices. They jam and disrupt a city council meeting to prevent passage of a discriminatory ordinance. They purposely anger commuters by snarling rush hour traffic in order that increased pressure be brought on local leaders.

People did not suffer blows marching over the Edmund Petis bridge in order to cause passage of a national right to vote law. They did it to bring normal operation of the small town of Selma, Alabama to a stand still and so force it to locallt register black people to vote. To exactly the same ends but geographically removed, 1000 participants in SNCC and the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party filled the jails of Jackson, Mississippi. They succeeded because local garbage collection was stopped and the city budget drained. That was becuae the trucks had to be used instead for hauling demonstrators who then had to be fed with funds otherwise available for normal operation.

The great social changes that liberals seek take place when enough activists bring a halt to enough sectors of society which are then no longer able to continue operation in their previous modes. Those occur because of the establishment's attempt to maintain power by mollifying and coopting the impetus for continued collective activism. In trying to halt the activism, the establishment is itself changed. And, the liberals, who analyzed, postulated, and talked but did little, gather credit for the emergence of their ideas. That they do is of little concern to the activists, who go on to organize further.

Anyone can be an activist. It is easy. No great social or political insight or analysis is required. To the contrary, such focus it is discouraged, for it only gets in the way. The following simple steps will allow anyone to start a local movement. I have personally used them to initiate formation of effective civil rights, anti-war, and antipoverty groups.
The technique worked every time.

1. Identify about six persons who do not particularly know each other but share somewhat similar views to your own. Note letters to the editor. Start water cooler and/or after church discussions. Make statements in a class, club, or bar, and note responses. Don't discuss tactics, strategies, or solutions. Don't preach. Listen. Focus on individuals with intense feelings but avoid know-it-alls. Try to pick persons of divergent community status in so far as possible. Note how to contact them.

2. Meet separately, privately, and one time only with each of those you've identified. Invite them to your home or visit theirs. Go out to lunch or for drinks together. This time discuss your concerns in depth. Most importantly, listen to their views. Don't bring up organizing for action.

3. Arrange a meeting with the entire group together. Shut up. Let them talk. You will hear your own views presented to you as theirs. Agree with and reinforce those ideas, but don't expand them. Let them enjoy the shared feelings among new found like minded friends. Keep things going until someone besides yourself suggests and the group agrees to meet again. Someone will, and they will. Have a place and time ready.

4. At the next meeting encourage the group to initiate some kind of visible public action that will attract more participants. It should be fun and not risky. Don't try to lead, but just be one of the new movement. Enjoy!

As the group enlarges and engages in actions, it will take directions depending on the inclinations and experience of the members. Be one of them. If they don't go your way, or even if they do, go start another. Then bring them together. Repeat. That's what radical organizing and therefore democracy is all about.

Finally, one more quote from Aliniski, my favorite:

"Agitate + Antagonize + Educate + Organize".


Pocho

[Stephanie]

12. Great post! Must Read!

Thanks.

[diamond14]

14. Some (links) info on how to get involved and 'sign-up'.....

The first two sites are the Democrats (National) and the Democrats (local campaigns)...the other sites listed are "specialty sites" for political activists, look for links to the people in your area...my suggestion is that you sign up to the two Democratic sites, then look at the specialty sites to determine what kind of activism suites you, and get on the emailing lists for political activism....you can find local political activism in your area, and then sign up to help, call them, everybody needs volunteers and some sites are now paid hiring for the campaigns...things will really heat up after the Democratic selection for THE candidate...

some sites grew out of the war protest movement, but are becoming important political movements for a better America...some sites are old time favorites...

_________________________________________

The Democratic National Committee plans the Party's quadrennial presidential nominating convention; promotes the election of Party candidates with both technical and financial support; and works with national, state, and local party organizations, elected officials, candidates, and constituencies to respond to the needs and views of the Democratic electorate and the nation.

Members of the Committee
While anyone who is registered to vote as a Democrat is a member of the Party, there are 440 members of the Democratic National Committee.
http://www.democrats.org/


The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) is committed to recruiting, training, and helping fund Democratic congressional candidates throughout the country.
http://www.dccc.org/

_________________________________

As Democrats, our first challenge is to improve our communication with one another. To succeed as a Party in the new century will mean more than coming together to exchange ideas every four years. We will host ongoing conversations on the challenges we face as a nation, with faith that the best ideas of Democrats will prevail. These discussions will be limited to Democrats who share our commitment to building a robust and dynamic online community.
http://www.democrats.com



MoveOn is working to bring ordinary people back into politics. With a system that today revolves around big money and big media, most citizens are left out. When it becomes clear that our "representatives" don't represent the public, the foundations of democracy are in peril. MoveOn is a catalyst for a new kind of grassroots involvement, supporting busy but concerned citizens in finding their political voice. Our international network of more than 2,000,000 online activists is one of the most effective and responsive outlets for democratic participation available today.
http://www.moveon.org/


In June 2003, representatives of more than 325 local and national peace and justice groups from across the U.S. gathered again in Chicago for UFPJ's first Strategy and Planning Conference. The conference was aimed to help coordinate actions to stop the Bush administration's program of permanent war, as well as solidify UFPJ's organizational structure. A full report will come shortly. In the meantime, here is some of what emerged from the conference:
http://www.unitedforpeace.org/


Our Mission:
Veterans for Common Sense seeks to inject the element of Common Sense into debates over war and national security. In an age when the majority of public servants have never served in uniform, the perspective of war veterans must play a key role in the public debate over national security issues in order to preserve the liberty veterans have fought and died preserving.
http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/



The Bush Administration lied to the people, to the Congress, and to the United Nations as it raced to wage war against Iraq. The Bush administration is now carrying out a cover up of its lies and deceptions.

Every day, people are dying as a consequence of this illegal occupation. Every day human misery expands in the drive for world Empire and corporate globalization. Every day, vital social programs that serve and protect working people in the U.S. are being destroyed as the Bush administration cynically manipulates the slogan of the "war on terrorism" to carry out the social transfer of wealth from the bottom to the top. It has served as a public relations ploy for their Robin-Hood-in-reverse politics. Stopping Bush's war abroad and his war at home is a matter of life and death. None of us has the luxury of waiting. The time to act is now.
http://www.internationalanswer.org/


Social Development and World Peace (the Catholic Church)
http://usccb.org/sdwp/

The Wellstone Institute
Educate. Advocate. Organize
http://www.wellstone.org/

[Pepperbelly]

4. about damned time!

:shrug:

[tpub]

6. hey, for some reason my PS did not get printed

must've been the brackets...

PS-Yes, I posted this somewhere else, but I wanted more people to see it.

[Friar]

8. We don't forgive nobody for nothin' 'round here!

Oh, wait, that's conservatives. Sorry about that. :silly:

[MoonAndSun]

9. Welcome aboard!!

:hi:

[Clete]

10. Thank you.

You younger people are going to have to take up the torch. I myself can't leave the house except for an hour or two in the afternoon as I must look after my ailing husband. I know many of us who used to get involved can't anymore because of reasons beyond our control.

So for those of you who can, thanks again. :loveya:

[tpub]

22. Clete, thanks for your post!

I'm sorry to hear about your husband. Take care!

[juajen]

26. Clete, sorry about your husband

I know how you feel. I also have a husband with health problems and, I, too, have a disease that restricts my mobility, so can only "activate" from my computer. Sometimes life sucks, but it has made me very familiar with my computer, so, I type a lot. I'm also an artist, so stay pretty busy. As the ones who can go out and organize do their thing, we can continue phone calls and writing letters to newspapers, senators, congressmen, etc. Sure makes me feel that I am helping even if I can't do the door to door stuff.:)

[ElsewheresDaughter]

11. kudos to you....

fight the good fight....thanks

[salmonhorse]

13. Ah, but I was so much older then; I'm younger than that now ~

My Back Pages

Crimson flames tied through my ears
Rollin' high and mighty traps
Pounced with fire on flaming roads
Using ideas as my maps
"We'll meet on edges, soon," said I
Proud 'neath heated brow.
Ah, but I was so much older then,
I'm younger than that now.

Half-wracked prejudice leaped forth
"Rip down all hate," I screamed
Lies that life is black and white
Spoke from my skull. I dreamed
Romantic facts of musketeers
Foundationed deep, somehow.
Ah, but I was so much older then,
I'm younger than that now.

Girls' faces formed the forward path
From phony jealousy
To memorizing politics
Of ancient history
Flung down by corpse evangelists
Unthought of, though, somehow.
Ah, but I was so much older then,
I'm younger than that now.

A self-ordained professor's tongue
Too serious to fool
Spouted out that liberty
Is just equality in school
"Equality," I spoke the word
As if a wedding vow.
Ah, but I was so much older then,
I'm younger than that now.

In a soldier's stance, I aimed my hand
At the mongrel dogs who teach
Fearing not that I'd become my enemy
In the instant that I preach
My pathway led by confusion boats
Mutiny from stern to bow.
Ah, but I was so much older then,
I'm younger than that now.

Yes, my guard stood hard when abstract threats
Too noble to neglect
Deceived me into thinking
I had something to protect
Good and bad, I define these terms
Quite clear, no doubt, somehow.
Ah, but I was so much older then,
I'm younger than that now.

Words and Music by Bob Dylan
1964 Warner Bros. Inc
Renewed 1992 Special Rider Music

[tpub]

21. nice

I have to say I'm one of those people who can't understand a word he says (sings).

[salmonhorse]

29. Sure, I got'cha...

I feel the same way about Flush Limbaugh ~

:hi:

[bleedingheart]

15. No need to apologize...better now than never

Just roll up your sleeves and get ready for a fight in 2004

[tpub]

18. it wasn't really that I felt the need to apologize

I just want those activists who are feeling depressed to know that if they really can't deal with this shit anymore, it's OK, there are new people out there who will pick up the pieces and carry on.

I'm ready for a big fight. My gloves are on.

[juajen]

27. Thanks from the bottom of my heart. Bon Voyage!!!

N/T

[tpub]

16. much has happened here since I've been dallying

in the Lounge, but to those who wish to become activists: check the Activism forum. There are frequent posts there about email activism which is as easy as pie. Then there are letters to the editor, also pretty easy.

Beyond that, find your local Dem. office and tell them you're dying to help out. Or, research and pick a candidate and start telling everyone you know how great they are and how much better than Bush. Or just talk to people about how terrible Bush is and how bad things are now, or how great they could be, if someone else were in charge.

I just started reading a great book: Letters to a Young Activist. It's motivating! Also short, which is good these days...

[JanMichael]

17. You and me both!

I SO regret not doing something, anything, more in 2000 to stop or disrupt the coup...

[David Zephyr]

19. Wow!

As a life long, and nearly worn-out and jaded activist, I have to say that it is people like you, as rare as they are, who come along at some point in their life and say, "I can help here. I've got something to say and give."

You made my day, my week, and maybe my month. :hi: You make all the losses, the betrayals and frustration all seem worth it. :toast:

[tpub]

20. David Zephyr, people like you are why I posted this thread

It's not just me, there are many of us. So don't be discouraged. And thank you for all your hard work. You are part of the group that has finally inspired me to action.

[w4rma]

23. 69,000 on (Dean's) Meetup!

69,000 on Meetup!

Exactly 69,000 people signed up to Meetup. Call ALL your friends this weekend -- wherever they are in the country -- to invite them to come this next Wednesday to Meetup (and tell them about Dean going up in Texas!).

Posted by Zephyr Teachout at 07:14 PM
http://blog.deanforamerica.com/archives/000905.html

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

24. Hear Hear!

Twenty years later that is good to hear! We need more foot soldiers.
:D

[proud patriot]

25. Better late then never

:hi:

[Forkboy]

28. No need for apologies in my mind

No such thing as arriving too late for the party...c'mon,join the fun...and let's kick some booty :)