posted on April 24, 2003 07:53:02 AM new
From the Austin American Statesman (Austin, TX)
Six suggestions for post-war protesters
Editorial Board
AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN
Thursday, April 24, 2003
Peace activists plan a five-day Showdown in Texas, capped with a rally at the state Capitol on May 3. This effort will show whether there is any momentum left for the movement from the various anti-war rallies held before the U.S.-led war in Iraq.
We have some suggestions for the long-term success of the gathering. After all, no sane person will oppose efforts to bring more peace to the world.
Here are a few:
1. Don't meet in Austin. This is a congenial city for you politically, but the organizers' notion that this is striking at the heart of President Bush's home state is wholly wrong. He never cared all that much for Austin, probably because of its liberal politics. Instead, go to his real hometown: Midland. Or the city nearest his ranch: Crawford. In either place, however, don't expect a welcome. And be warned: Midland and Crawford don't have much of a reputation for funky restaurants or live music. Besides, Bush moved a couple of years ago and lives in a big house in the East now.
2. Professors, the plan to stage acts of civil disobedience at Texas military bases and corporate offices that get big defense contracts omits another player -- your employer. You don't have to go to Abilene (Dyess Air Force Base), Killeen (Fort Hood) or El Paso (Fort Bliss; But if you go to Fort Bliss, be careful -- folks there are still emotional over the loss of nine soldiers from the Army's 507th Ordnance Maintenance Company). Instead, just head down to the University of Texas, one of the bigger defense contractors in town.
3. Try to get the Austin City Council to pass a stronger resolution protesting the war in Iraq. The first one didn't work. A new one would be a small gesture of solidarity with the people of Iraq, who some council members seem to think preferred the peace provided by Saddam Hussein. Try for a unanimous vote this time.
4. Even if only for appearances' sakes, consider marching in protest just once against someone or something besides the United States -- North Korea, maybe? Or Cuban President Fidel Castro, who has renewed the practice of imprisoning critics of his regime. With your credentials, you probably could visit Havana and stage a surprise protest right under his nose -- now that would be an act of civil disobedience requiring real courage and commitment.
5. Enjoy the marches and acts of civil disobedience, but remember that after the streets are reopened and the bail and fines are paid, no one else much cares. If you want real change, you must have an impact on candidates and elections.
6. And you must deal with this fact: The majority in this country think that they are fortunate to be Americans living in the 21st century. Criticize Bush freely; we do. But you will get nowhere by telling Americans that they're wrong to be patriots or that they are citizens of an evil empire. They won't believe it, and it's not true.
posted on April 24, 2003 11:28:58 AM new
First off, I wouldn't go to Texas, if you paid me.
Second, most Anti-War Americans are very patriotic and don't think that they are living in an evil empire.
