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Takin' it to the streets.
I suffer from the "P" word--PROCRASTINATION. From the time that I first discovered blogging and through out the campaign, I discovered that inertia really is difficult to overcome but once I picked myself up and dragged myself away from the computer, I discovered new opportunities to get involved in grassroots campaigning.
Today, for instance, was one of those days when the bed called my name louder than the DCP. However, I had no choice. The kids needed to be taken to school and chores needed to be done. So, I dragged myself out of bed, out of the house, and into the cold, cold world. And as I drove them to school, a wonderful thing happened.
Along a busy stretch of road, there was a rally going on. I slowed down to look at the twenty people huddled in the cold but proudly carrying their signs. The rally was to protest a new Walmart opening in their area. I hadn't even realized a Walmart was coming to town. How many other people didn't know either, but now thanks to the protesters they do? "Now, that's a cause I could support!" I thought to myself. "Plus, I love rallies, so I'm going to join them." By time I dropped the kids off and joined the fun the rally had doubled in size.
I joined the rally and asked questions. The protesters gave me the information I needed. They gave me petitions and they told me of any upcoming public meetings and they told me of their website. In return, I gave them my information about the Democracy Cell Project too.
Of course the DCP has no particular opinion about Walmart, and furthermore, the people protesting the new store were both Republicans and Democrats. But what we do have in common is Democracy.
At any rate, my message to you is start a group or plan a rally because you can accomplish two things with one stone: getting the word out and enlarging your group and growing stronger each time. Try it; it's fun! And you too can overcome inertia and enjoy being a part of democracy in action.
makes me want to go driving around looking for a protest of my very own. you go girl!!!
~this is the text of a story I saw today on NBC and MSNBC TV, an expose of what is going on in Iraq.
Did anyone else see this?
Ex-US military personnel, turned mercenary contractors in Iraq...this is the story of 4 who quit, because of conscience. They say they refuse to harm innocent Iraqi civilians.
U.S. contractors in Iraq allege abuses
Four men say they witnessed shooting
of unarmed civilians
By Lisa Myers & the NBC investigative unit
Updated: Feb. 15, 2005
There are new allegations that heavily armed private security contractors in Iraq are brutalizing Iraqi civilians. In an exclusive interview, four former security contractors told NBC News that they watched as innocent Iraqi civilians were fired upon, and one crushed by a truck. The contractors worked for an American company paid by U.S. taxpayers.
more~
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6947745/
Now that Bush's poll numbers are starting to slide, are you surprised that we get this kind of propaganda?
Goss warns of terror threat to U.S.
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- U.S. intelligence officials warned Wednesday that the threat of al Qaeda or other terrorist groups attacking the United States was still imminent and likely would be in the form of a car bomb or other low-tech weapon.
http://www.cnn.com/2005/ALLPOLITICS/02/16/intelligence.threats/index.html
This site may not have a formal position regarding Walmart, Suz, but the DNC stands with Mom and Pop Businesses. This is a Values War and we stand with American Values and the small business owner.This is our way to connect with small town and rural America, as Protectors of the American Way.
Posted by: tutterfly at February 16, 2005 04:27 PM
Tutterfly:
It really is FUN! I loved the cars honking; there were sooooo many that it made it worth shivering some.
We're gonna protest more in a couple of weeks. The rally was well organized and the signs effectively written.
So Tutterfly, definately overcome that inertia and go for a drive. OR you'll have to plan your own rally and help people overcome their own inertia.
Yes, Suz, Walmart is particularly bad with they do to neighborhoods, cities, factories, and jobs, everywhere. All in the name of a few cents saved.
They would rather shut down their Candian store and investment than negotiate with workers and labor.
We are trying to organize some Brooklyn DCP momentum behind protesting the one proposed for Queens.
Posted by: Ira at February 16, 2005 05:24 PM
Ira:
If Walmart moves in there will be a lot of mom and pop places in this quaint downtown area going bancrupt. That's why it's important to support the little guy and to make sure we fight tooth and nail for everyone not just the elite.
WalMart has become the world's largest company, and has come under fire from many directions: disrupting and destroying smalltown retail stores; union-busting; poor health care benefits....and on.
Here are some background pieces. Fast Company ran a piece in 2003 entitled "The Wal-Mart You Don't Know."
http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/77/walmart.html
Here's FC's summary of this piece:
"The giant retailer's low prices often come with a high cost. Wal-Mart's relentless pressure can crush the companies it does business with and force them to send jobs overseas. Are we shopping our way straight to the unemployment line?"
The website walmartwatch.com has lots of information on the company, although it's not clear who is funding this website.
WalMart's women employees have brought a large class-action lawsuit against the company. Their website is here:
http://www.walmartclass.com/walmartclass94.pl
PBS's Front Line did a story on Wal-Mart,
"Is Wal-Mart Good for America?"
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/walmart/
The New York Review of Books recently reviewed (December 16, 2004) several books on the power of WalMart in "Inside the Leviathan" by Simon Head.
http://www.nybooks.com/articles/17647
All in all, it's not a pretty picture. Democracy cells will be taking on WalMart's abuses of power for years to come.
Nice work, Suz! It's one thing to protest in September, quite another to do it in February. I hope you got some media coverage.
~in the spirit of peaceful protest to help end Iraq war...does anyone live near St Louis?
Largest U.S. Peace Coalition to Gather in St. Louis; United for Peace and Justice to Set Strategy to End Iraq War
Danny Glover, Tom Hayden Will Headline Conference
NEW YORK, NY -- February 15 -- The country's leading anti-war coalition will hold a key strategy and planning conference over President's Day weekend in St. Louis. Delegates from peace groups and other organizations will converge for the Second National Assembly of United for Peace and Justice (UFPJ), February 19-21. Since its October 2002 founding by several dozen groups, UFPJ has become the largest U.S. peace and justice coalition with over 900 local, regional and national groups under its umbrella.
continue~
http://www.commondreams.org/news2005/0215-10.htm
Great work Suz! I am here in Seattle, waiting for DiAnne to come home so we can have Thai food with DCP-ers and newbies tonight!
In the room I am staying in, there are about 1000 PEZ dispensers and much Kerry-Edwards memorabilia--including some of the loveliest pictures of John and Teresa I have seen. The crowning touch, though, is a photo of Fe with Bianca Jagger, holding up a "WE LOVE TERESA" sign.
It is so nice to travel so far and yet feel so connected. In the past 24 hours, I have heard from lots of old friends about the DCP, all accolades and a yearning to be involved. So to all of you, reading this Blog for the first or second time--Join in, go forth and multiply those actions, as Suz did. You never know when injustice and misaligned values will rear their ugly heads, and you too will have to call, write, march, and let your voice be heard right here.
Karen, welcome to Seattle! I'm sure you and DiAnne are going to have a blast while you're out there -- I wish I were out there with you guys.
1000 Pez dispensers? My 4-year-old niece would think she's in heaven!
Posted by: on.to.victory4Dems at February 16, 2005 05:20 PM
I hadn't read that particular story above, but when a man who lived in this state was killed in Iraq a few months ago, the in-state news said he was working for a "private security firm" named DynCorp, and I checked the TV station's web site for the spelling. Google DynCorp... It's one of at least two named "private security firms" owned by Halliburton.... (I'd love to know how many other "private security firms" are owned by Halliburton or Halliburton subsidiaries who are profiting from US tax dollars....)
By any other name, they're mercenaries, and ought to be labeled as such. They make at least twice the salary of soldiers, most do such things as guard supply trucks going to the oil fields in Iraq, and guard the oil fields, apparently. I've read about people being hired by "private security firms" from Chile, Afghanistan, Australia, the US, and at least one of the stories about the woman interrogator who shamed a Muslim man at Gitmo said she was a "private interrogator." When the Abu Ghraib scandal first broke, one of the mainstream media news blurbs mentioned there were both US military personnel and "private security guards" working at the Abu Ghraib prison and I think they tried to pin all the abuse on the "private interrogators" there - at least at first. They may have been the ones abusing prisoners alongside the US military, but the mainstream media has not mentioned the "private security officers" or "private security interrogators" or "private interrogators" - aka mercenaries - since the news broke after the first one or two news blurbs about them. I watched the story on ABC news many months ago. I suspect the White House propaganda machine has silenced mainstream media about it.
In any case, the mercenaries seem to be an open secret, I'm guessing most are hired by firms with connections to Halliburton, and no one in the media is outraged about it.... IMHO, it's one of the l-o-n-g list of scandals going on right now.
~ a little humor to get us through the darkness:
Bu$h's instructions: re: Soc Sec
(cartoon)
http://www.thehill.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/WeyantsWorld/021605.html