Comments on: Glassing The Country http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2007/11/glassing-the-country/ a radical newsletter in the struggle for peace and social justice Sun, 06 Jul 2008 07:52:37 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Marcelle Cendrars http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2007/11/glassing-the-country/#comment-11694 Marcelle Cendrars Thu, 27 Dec 2007 18:24:03 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2007/11/glassing-the-country/#comment-11694 I appreciate all comments lodged here, however I do not think it is at all accurate or fair to state/suggest that on our end...we do not return calls, respond ASAP. If you did not receive the "exact" information requested that is always possible with any group or individual, regardless of how vigilant one is.... There's a world of difference between what is happening generally among leftists re "dropping the ball", however, and what you cite here. AND, more importantly, there's a world of difference between the agenda and possible accomplishments that can be looked forward to with the Grannies platform/vision and what this article only touched upon briefly. Again, anyone interested in finding out what is really desired on our end, what is planned...can contact me to set up personal contact...so as to not give our ideas short shrift...as has apparently happened here. What the Grannies are doing --however admirable-- is fairly traditional..and as with all traditional attempts at protest/change does not have a "sufficient" potential to make serious dent in our present momentum...does not represent a serious challenge to the powers that be. That, btw, is clearly stated in all the lastest information published by Howard Zinn and Noam Chomsky; they both call for something NEW. What we have put together --if given a hearing, a chance to be specific-- DOES attempt something singular, something unprecedented. Blessings in solidarity, Marcelle I appreciate all comments lodged here, however I do not think it is at all accurate or fair to state/suggest that on our end…we do not return calls, respond ASAP. If you did not receive the “exact” information requested that is always possible with any group or individual, regardless of how vigilant one is…. There’s a world of difference between what is happening generally among leftists re “dropping the ball”, however, and what you cite here. AND, more importantly, there’s a world of difference between the agenda and possible accomplishments that can be looked forward to with the Grannies platform/vision and what this article only touched upon briefly. Again, anyone interested in finding out what is really desired on our end, what is planned…can contact me to set up personal contact…so as to not give our ideas short shrift…as has apparently happened here. What the Grannies are doing –however admirable– is fairly traditional..and as with all traditional attempts at protest/change does not have a “sufficient” potential to make serious dent in our present momentum…does not represent a serious challenge to the powers that be. That, btw, is clearly stated in all the lastest information published by Howard Zinn and Noam Chomsky; they both call for something NEW. What we have put together –if given a hearing, a chance to be specific– DOES attempt something singular, something unprecedented. Blessings in solidarity, Marcelle

]]> By: SJ Raging Granny Shirley http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2007/11/glassing-the-country/#comment-11689 SJ Raging Granny Shirley Thu, 27 Dec 2007 16:07:07 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2007/11/glassing-the-country/#comment-11689 Marcelle Your assessment is correct as far a #1 of 10 symptoms re: malaise among activists. Yesterday, you sent me a request to read your znet articles w/o giving me links to them. When I asked for them, you never replied. To reiterate your quote: "As a rule, no one returns calls." Passion for peace & social justice most be part of one's individual psyche and passion. So even if others don't respond, one still continues to work for these goals, preferable w/ like-minded colleagues. I'm proud of what Raging Granny gaggles have been able to accomplish w/o funds, or power, or entrenched traditional allies, to work for peace & social justice. We have been able to gain many allies among leaders in the community using tactics tactics of street theater and song. We're already the "dream" party" you seem to want to create. You're welcome to join us in our actions! God's eternal peace and blessings, Granny Shirley www.sanjoseraginggrannies.org Marcelle

Your assessment is correct as far a #1 of 10 symptoms re: malaise among activists.

Yesterday, you sent me a request to read your znet articles w/o giving me links to them. When I asked for them, you never replied.

To reiterate your quote: “As a rule, no one returns calls.”

Passion for peace & social justice most be part of one’s individual psyche and passion. So even if others don’t respond, one still continues to work for these goals, preferable w/ like-minded colleagues.

I’m proud of what Raging Granny gaggles have been able to accomplish w/o funds, or power, or entrenched traditional allies, to work for peace & social justice. We have been able to gain many allies among leaders in the community using tactics tactics of street theater and song. We’re already the “dream” party” you seem to want to create. You’re welcome to join us in our actions!

God’s eternal peace and blessings,
Granny Shirley
http://www.sanjoseraginggrannies.org

]]> By: Marcelle Cendrars http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2007/11/glassing-the-country/#comment-10053 Marcelle Cendrars Mon, 03 Dec 2007 00:43:52 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2007/11/glassing-the-country/#comment-10053 The satyagrahi comment is particularly important to digest. There is a way around that all-pervasive syndrome, however, and I trust that readers will stay tuned in these quarters to receive my contribution with regard to...a major suggestion for overcoming that huge obstacle to solidarity. In the form of an upcoming article. Thanks -- Marcelle P.S. We cannot create solidarity using the "old language" of dissent. Everyone should deeply question their words, their angles of attack; that too should be addressed in the article. The satyagrahi comment is particularly important to digest. There is a way around that all-pervasive syndrome, however, and I trust that readers will stay tuned in these quarters to receive my contribution with regard to…a major suggestion for overcoming that huge obstacle to solidarity. In the form of an upcoming article. Thanks — Marcelle P.S. We cannot create solidarity using the “old language” of dissent. Everyone should deeply question their words, their angles of attack; that too should be addressed in the article.

]]> By: satyagrahi http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2007/11/glassing-the-country/#comment-10034 satyagrahi Sun, 02 Dec 2007 17:22:55 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2007/11/glassing-the-country/#comment-10034 Anyone working with sustainability and social change organizations is stretched out in both time and money. Try and get 3 folks together for lunch. From a fundraising perspective and a results perspective, everyone is focused on delivering some narrow scope and it does not matter if it is a dead end, they will spend double-time and leave no time to make connections and both offer help and ask for it. Anyone working with sustainability and social change organizations is stretched out in both time and money. Try and get 3 folks together for lunch. From a fundraising perspective and a results perspective, everyone is focused on delivering some narrow scope and it does not matter if it is a dead end, they will spend double-time and leave no time to make connections and both offer help and ask for it.

]]> By: Deadbeat http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2007/11/glassing-the-country/#comment-9908 Deadbeat Thu, 29 Nov 2007 14:33:06 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2007/11/glassing-the-country/#comment-9908 <i>7. Obliviousness to, or little sense of, the urgency attached to many issues.</i> I think that is the problem with many "left of center" group is that they've they've have atomized and decouple "issues" from the main issues of challenging capitalism and racism. When you boil down the issues into these two issues then you've got a lot less explaining to do. Liberals continue to subdivide these issues and the so-called left ignore or divert people from these issues. For example the "left" doesn't even mention capitalism they say "globalization". What's wrong with "globalization? In fact we need more globalization in order to achieve international solidarity. Another problem with the "left" has been the neo-Zionists having split the left on this contentious issue. They have done an excellent job of distorting any discussion on racism in the U.S. Identity politics has causes splits the debate is which group is more victimized. Environmentalists seem unconcern about the poor and downtrodden when they proclaim that the earth is "overpopulated" and speak of a false scarcity. What is needed is an ideology that can encompass and speak to resolving all of these issues. What is needed is a resurgence of socialism as an idea that is integral of working class consciousness. This has been driven out by Liberals and replaced with the very limiting ideas of Liberalism which has been easily attacked and disrupted with racism and reactionaryism. Which has bled into "left of center" consciousness. The real challenge is recouping the socialist traditions and ideology into the working class. Therefore looking outside the U.S. for inspiration may be the most important first step. Let's hope the Venezuelan people can lead the way on 12/2/2007. 7. Obliviousness to, or little sense of, the urgency attached to many issues.

I think that is the problem with many “left of center” group is that they’ve they’ve have atomized and decouple “issues” from the main issues of challenging capitalism and racism.

When you boil down the issues into these two issues then you’ve got a lot less explaining to do. Liberals continue to subdivide these issues and the so-called left ignore or divert people from these issues.

For example the “left” doesn’t even mention capitalism they say “globalization”. What’s wrong with “globalization? In fact we need more globalization in order to achieve international solidarity.

Another problem with the “left” has been the neo-Zionists having split the left on this contentious issue. They have done an excellent job of distorting any discussion on racism in the U.S.

Identity politics has causes splits the debate is which group is more victimized.

Environmentalists seem unconcern about the poor and downtrodden when they proclaim that the earth is “overpopulated” and speak of a false scarcity.

What is needed is an ideology that can encompass and speak to resolving all of these issues. What is needed is a resurgence of socialism as an idea that is integral of working class consciousness.

This has been driven out by Liberals and replaced with the very limiting ideas of Liberalism which has been easily attacked and disrupted with racism and reactionaryism. Which has bled into “left of center” consciousness.

The real challenge is recouping the socialist traditions and ideology into the working class. Therefore looking outside the U.S. for inspiration may be the most important first step. Let’s hope the Venezuelan people can lead the way on 12/2/2007.

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