[Peace-discuss] Fwd: [ufpj-activist] Pentagon Spending on ChoppingBlock
Brussel Morton K.
mkbrussel at comcast.net
Thu Jul 22 16:23:55 CDT 2010
Thoughts from the UFPJ discussion list-serve. --mkb
Begin forwarded message:
> From: Steve Burns <steveburnswnpj at gmail.com>
> Date: July 22, 2010 8:33:12 AM CDT
> To: Jean Athey <jeanathey at verizon.net>
> Cc: ufpj-activist <ufpj-activist at lists.mayfirst.org>
> Subject: Re: [ufpj-activist] Pentagon Spending on ChoppingBlock
>
> Hi all:
> I think what Jean proposes is the basis for a good way forward. The days when the peace movement could turn out half a million people on the streets of D.C., motivated solely by the issue of the war, are over. Trying to turn 2010 back into 2006 isn't going to work.
>
> I agree that Obama has been a factor in demobilizing the peace movement, but he's not the only factor. One of the luxuries of being an empire is that you get to fight your wars in other peoples' countries, and it's the distance of the war from most Americans' everyday lives that accounts for much of the lack of public engagement on this issue. After years of dissent from us, the government has settled in on a level of war activity (and settled on policies such as the "volunteer" military) that don't provoke much dissent. As I argued above, the unpopularity of the war and the potential of greater dissent acts as a restraining influence on the government and military, and that's a good thing which saves many lives, but we also need to be realistic about the political environment we're working in.
>
> In short, the U.S. government and the American people seem to have settled into a tacit agreement that says, "You don't escalate the war too much, and we won't protest it too much." Short of a dramatic escalation of the war (such as an invasion of Iran or Pakistan) or the reinstatement of the draft, I don't see this arrangement changing much.
>
> If there's a way forward for the peace movement, it's in recognizing that we are no longer the center of attention and deciding to ally ourselves with others working for social justice - and especially economic justice. Many in the peace movement are already doing this, and we should all follow their lead, as Jean suggests.
>
> I see the potential in this economic crisis for a new mass movement of which the peace movement will be just one part. Can we accept a lesser role in what is potentially a much bigger movement?
>
> Steve Burns
> Wisconsin Network for Peace and Justice
>
>
> On Thu, Jul 22, 2010 at 8:05 AM, Jean Athey <jeanathey at verizon.net> wrote:
> I've greatly appreciated this discussion. Thanks to everyone who has commented.
>
> Our Peace Action chapter in Montgomery County, MD has decided to follow the lead of the MA campaign to fund local communities and cut war spending. We are reaching out to groups that might not agree totally with us on every point--or even most points--but who might help us build a constituency in MD for bringing war money home. We are starting to connect with unions, civil rights groups, community organizations, etc., focused on the needs that people are dealing with every day, i.e. jobs and services. We're not going to address the wars and military spending in moral terms, but in economic ones.
>
> We hope that this is the way forward for the real change that Chris alludes to below.
>
> Jean Athey
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Chris Lugo
> To: people4peacejustice at gmail.com ; Mark Stahl ; ufpj-activist
> Sent: Thursday, July 22, 2010 2:22 AM
> Subject: Re: [ufpj-activist] Pentagon Spending on ChoppingBlock
>
> Friends,
>
> I commend all of the work the peace community is doing. All around the country people are still gathering and working for peace and to end war. I think Tom Hayden's conference this weekend is a step in the right direction and in general the work of UFPJ is also positive work.
>
> Having said that, I agree with the comments below from Marilyn Bagondas and would add to it that unless there is a critical examination of the fallout from the 2008 election the peace movement will remain stalled until at least 2012 or perhaps 2016. The unfortunate truth is, as Marilyn said, that the peace movement went belly up after the 2008 elections and it has not had any substantive energy since.
>
> We are all doing our work, and it is important to continue steps that encourage coalition building, but it is also important to look at where we are at. Without the general public motivated with us, we are essentially marginalized as a movement.
>
> My sense is that we should be pushing the administration to do the right thing, understanding that this is a confrtonational position and is also an unpopular position among democrats, but that is what is needed right now. We have an administration that would be more friendly to our work, with popular pressure, but only by pressure.
>
> Unfortunately the peace movement is still basking in the glow of the current president and not willing to engage in realpolitiks to make actual gains for the movement. Until we are willing to do this we will not take steps towards real power and substantive change, and we should take these steps while we have the opportunity.
>
> Chris Lugo
> 1108 7th St
> Oregon City, OR
> 97045
> 503-756-5801
> christopherlugo at aol.com
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: people4peacejustice at gmail.com
> To: Mark Stahl ; ufpj-activist
> Sent: Monday, July 19, 2010 4:58 AM
> Subject: Re: [ufpj-activist] Fw: [Ufpj-sc] Pentagon Spending on ChoppingBlock
>
> I agree with you. Ask Cindy Sheehan. She recently had to fold up her tent due to lack of interest in the peace community.
> There are a few hard working committed peace activists and I thank them for keep on going....but, look behind you. Where is everyone?
>
> I really believe that Bush motivated people to get out on the streets. When Obama was elected, the movement went belly up.
>
> I have been a peace activist all my life but now realize that the system is rigged beyond responding to activists no matter who they are. There is absolutely no accountability. What happened to those who were responsible for torture? The fake Iraq war? etc. etc. etc!
>
> I'm sorry if this sounds hopeless and negative but, if the wars do end, I think it is only because of political reasons...especially, now that the conservatives are discovering that they can still be patriotic while opposing Obama and war.
>
> peace
> Marilyn Bagdonas
>
>
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> --
> Steve Burns
> Program Director
> Wisconsin Network for Peace and Justice
> 122 State St. #405
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