Monday, March 01, 2004

Questions and Answers: What Happened to 2/15?

By Mickey Z.

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Posted 03/01 | Add a Comment

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  1. Mickey addresses an extremely important question here, and I hope that readers will contribute their feelings about the subject to this forum. In fact, there are several questions touched upon which could be commented on, and the so-called Movement --for its health-- demands discussion now.  It’s a blessing to have your style of writing serve as the catalyst in this regard, Mick.  Best, Richard Oxman

    Posted by Richard Oxman from  on  03/02  at  04:03 AM

  2. The United States has undergone a right-wing coup.  People are waking up to this fact right and left.  The indignance of this atrocity will be channeling into a vast array of action, exponentially increasing as time goes on.
    I was encouraged to learn this past week that there has been talk of the possibility of the need for this regime to institute a draft beginning in 2006.  I was encouraged by this information because I know (as a mother two sons ages 16 and 21) that the protective instinct of the mother could propel a new and very dramatic boost in resistance in the form of the enraged and protective parent.

    Posted by Debra Hubert from  on  03/02  at  10:12 AM

  3. Richard,

    I wanted to go to the “movement” up in Santa Cruz. But I couldn’t afford the pricey per-plate set up.

    Us lesser-known folks would also like to know the secrets beheld in this “movement.”

    Let us learn from the mistake Che made in Bolivia. The people must want a “movement” before a revolution can take place.

    As of now, the people of America don’t seem to be in the mood for a revolution. It’s not on the written on the wall yet. We need to exploit the Orange Alerts. Make them tighten everything so much, that people start getting angry. We see it. But others do not.

    My idea is Prankism—Janet Jackson, Howard Stern, & what’s next? The people WILL revolt when their pop culture is altered. That is for sure. Thus, the artists—with the help of a few of us—can expose the cracks in the system.

    Exploit the Orange Alerts, I say. Use them to the Movement’s advantage.

    Posted by Kap from  on  03/02  at  04:25 PM

  4. I’m glad people are responding to Mickey’s work here.  RESPONSE TO KAP BELOW.  Regarding Debra’s comments, I’d only add that we all have to underscore for everyone the importance of resisting --as I’m sure Debra would agree-- prior to any (traditionally) direct/personal/immediate effect taking place in our lives.  Anyone who joins hands to do some angry resistance primarily because one of their loved ones is at risk in “an obvious way” (as with the draft) needs help with expanding their concerns...or we will fail, regardless of our numbers.  REGARDING KAP’S COMMENTS:  PLEASE note that everyone who wanted to attend OneDance: The People’s Summit for free did so.  Money --as indicated in all the ads, etc.-- was never an issue. On your advice (invoking Che, etc.), I’d like to point out that we had better not be too enamored of theory an /or “the necessary numbers” as we attempt to bring down the Powers at present.  Che, for one (for all of his glorious pluses), never faced the extinction of the planet as a primary concern.  One of the major problems with the so-called movement --still no capitalizing!-- is that too many people are operating on the same basis that they did in the 60s or earlier...or later; there are new paradigms for action required, new thinking and an urgency that has not yet taken hold. Before commenting any further on what you’ve provided, Kap, I’d like to know where you get your information respecting the notion that the people in America aren’t “in the mood” for a revolution.  When you respond, please keep in mind that estimates for the American Revolution --cited by Howard Zinn-- ring in at a third for Britain, a third for revolting...and a third clearly not taking sides...approximately.  Where does that put your attitude vis-a-vis your poll?  Again, regardless, this whole business THESE DAYS should not be tied to numbers; the hard work has to be done “yesterday” addressing concepts of revolution, forms it might take in the here and now.  One thing I CAN stress, in closing, is that what you call “Prankism” is not going to cut it; anything that your visualize that draws out a Howard Stern or Jackson analogy from your brain must be relegated to the realm of entertainment/a fun time in a politically correct mode. We are on much more dangerous ground than you seem to realize, and the risks that must be taken are much more grave than anything modeled by the Merry Pranksters of America.  Loving regards in solidarity, Richard Oxman

    Posted by Richard Oxman from  on  03/02  at  06:24 PM

  5. Richard,

    Your comments are well heard and currently being digested. Many of us younger people look at the “serious” people doing the oppressing and simply want to disengage. For example, if bin laden wants to take on Rummy in a boxing match; I will surely watch. However, we are in a different paradigm now, in that, the main resistance is coming from Fundamentalist kooks. “Down with capitalism...and females!” And this is where the situation becomes touchy.

    And so now, we have all these power hungry Fundamentalists (Christianity & Islam alike) that are fighting for power. I have no desire to join this quarrel.

    Do I overestimate the power of pop culture? Possibly. Although, cable news IS pop culture. And I definitely do not doubt the power of that institution. I’ll always remember the time in college when a professor asked a non-newspaper reading student: “But where do you get your news?” I thought about this. Why does anyone need to know the news? Is it not simply gossip and blatant propaganda? Even the best news sources are still little more than entertainment for the curious progressive mind.

    We are at a point when experience does not matter. Only the TV, the paper, or internet holds the truth. I will always remember the recent fires here in southern california. I returned to tell my neigbors that flames were approaching. So they went in to check the news. THEN, people listened when the cop finally came by with his bullhorn. Another cop reached for his gun when a homeowner started to step over a police barrier. Authority needs to be pranked. I don’t feel like taking up arms.

    So there are cracks in this “system of seriousness.” You say the world is in danger. Current humanity quite possibly, but the world will go on. 

    What was Einstein’s quote? Something to the effect: “The problems that exist in the world today cannot be solved by the level of thinking that created them.”

    Rumsfeld’s serious facial expressions are enough for me create a equilibrium to the other side.

    All this comes from my current perspective. If the National Guard moved in on my neighborhood tomorrow, I may have a change of heart.

    Posted by Kap from  on  03/03  at  06:17 AM

  6. Dear Kap:  Your comments are welcome, but t ey really are all over the place; not focused enough for me to be able to address everything.  My apologies for that.  However, it might be instructive to take one or two points you made...to move on constructively.  One, w/o knowing where you live...I can say with complete assurance that the National Guard HAS moved into your neighborhood, albeit not necessarily in a form that you would recognize.  More importantly, the business of “where one gets one’s news from” must be addressed.  None of us think in a vaccuum; there are ideas that we act on which are derived from contemporary sources. Why does anyone need to be familiar with the mainstream sources of news?  For the most part, they don’t. Why are alternative sources any better?  For the most part, they aren’t. But to be dismissive of ALL sources of news is an intellectual mistake, and suicide respecting activism. There ARE worthy sources, information put together by people who have risked their lives for many years to inform you and me; these are people who are not motivated to work for the same reasons as those who provide the fluff you’re talking about when you cite “entertainment for...the mind.” People have been taking up arms against one another based on, to a great degree, information that comes from sources which are not to be respected. That’s just one reason why it’s important to ask oneself where one’s info is coming from.  I am not touting progressive labeled sources over mainstream ones here.  For people who are on the “other end” of the arms cited above...it is very important to ask yourself what your sources are...as your inaction...or settling for what you call prankism...is partly arrived at by buying into what the media, for one, have fed you...forever...whether or not you’ve consciously sought out their “help” of late. On another level, on a very personal note...you must not let your compassion get thrown into a black hole of contemporary anti-intellectualism. If nothing else, your power to affect change is much greater than you seem to think, and I pray that you won’t let your misunderstanding of Einstein’s thoughts help you rationalize distancing yourself from those who need you.  The “world” will NOT go on as you suggest...if we adopt your attitude. Rather, the awful earthly sources of the ills we perceive will be be allowed to proceed unimpeded, as all that’s precious and sacred is destroyed...and the Kingdom of the Insects, at best, will begin its reign.  Kap, all news is NOT “blatant gossip and propaganda.” I don’t want to go back and forth here on this subject any longer for pragmatic reasons, but you’re invited...as are others...to communicate with me via my email address below, if you like.
    Blessings in solidarity,
    Richard Oxman

    Posted by Richard Oxman from  on  03/03  at  10:36 AM
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