| "Stir me from placidness..." - from the hymn Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness by James K Manley | Activism 101 |
Revelation 3: 15-16: "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. - NKJV
I generally used to find activism promoted opposition to things I was in favour of.
More recently, either my eyes have been opened, or the system is getting worse, or being run by some very strange people.
The Internet is proving an effective tool for modern activism.
It seems to me that information is being far better promulgated at grass roots (eg via the Internet) than ever before, encouraging people to take a stand on things they believe in. Time was when more people trusted in and relied on governments to monitor international events and make the right decisions re war or peace. Goverments have set up agencies to collect and analyse huge amounts of data to help them in their decisions. This is what drove US President Bush and UK Prime Minister Blair in the second Gulf war despite opposition from their populations. Individuals have only the data from the media and other individuals. Organizations such as the Canadian Civil Liberties Association work strenuously on behalf of citizens to curb the excesses of over-enthusiastic law and order departments. Goverments have better information and set little store by the hysterics of activists, since they believe activists never know enough to make valid decisions. Here's the big question: just because we think we know something about it, should we the people take goverments to task (with activism) to attempt to thwart their intentions?
John Lennon was an effective activist, managing to reach quite high levels of government in Canada at least. His testimony to the 1969 Le Dain Commission encompased rather more than the younger generation's attitude to drugs; it looks at inter-generational conflict and the duty we have to influence thought. Some of Lennon's ideas are bearing fruit in the new millennium, perhaps as his generation reaches positions of power. Since then a number of world class rock singers have used their influence in politics and human affairs - I think of Bob Geldof, Bono.
Daniel Ellsberg, the man to whom the Pentagon Papers were leaked at the time of Watergate, is today a leading anti Iraq war activist. He has e-published "Secrets: a memoir of Vietnam and the Pentagon Papers". On December 10, 2002, he was arrested with 100 others in front of the US mission to the United Nations. "Secrets..." is accessible on Ellsberg.net, which details his current campaign. This includes an audio interview live from jail with Mary Lou Finlay of the CBC's "As it Happens". on the day of his arrest.
Visit www.nowar-paix.ca, a Canadian site for Iraq anti-war activity. Here's the great dilemma. Remember, in your genuine desire for peace, that whatever the rights and wrongs, Saddam is comforted by your activities, and his media take heart from, and report all such anti-USA activism. Furthermore, our US and UK friends in uniform are ready to put their lives at risk to keep you safer; consider praying for them and give them the moral support they desperately need. It's a hard thing to go to war even with the fervent support of your country. Think what it's like when that support is not forthcoming. Read what Chuck Colson feels.
Anyone who reads the UN's www.un.org/Depts/unmovic (173 page UNMOVIC working paper) can have no doubt about Iraq's continuing and wilful defiance of its disarmament obligations.
Anyone who speaks out is likely to get shot down. That's why polititians need thick skins. Frank Magazine specializes in shooting things down. Not having, themselves, a perfect grasp if international affairs, they are prone to shoot at anything that moves, sometimes the innocent, the only yardstick being an attempt to avoid lawsuits. But there are some crazy people out there, and some of them have risen to their level of incompetence, so Frank Magazine is, in general, beneficial in our flawed democracy.
Sabeel is a Palestinian Christian organization working for reconciliation between Israel and Palestine. www.sabeel.org.
Canadian Friends of Sabeel (CFOS) is a national support network for Sabeel Ecumenical Center for Liberation Theology in Jerusalem. On March 15, 2003, Rachel Corrie
was killed in Gaza attempting to stop the bulldozing of Palestinian homes by the Israeli army: Guardian report, May 18.
In March 2003 a party of Ottawa priests from CFOS visited Jerusalem in a mission of support for Christian Palestinians.
Arabs for Israel was launched in May 2004 as a forum for Arabs and Muslims who support the State of Israel.
Parking fees is an area that gets me going, though compared with the above examples it is trivial. I object to Carleton University's practice of charging the volunteers of Radio Carleton (CKCU 93.1 FM) for parking while they operate the radio station - one of the best stations in Canada. (They also charge the station a huge rent.) I object that Canadian hospitals charge inflated parking charges for visitors. I also object that funding of hospitals relies on public donations to a significant degree. Such important facilities should be 100% funded by government. I also object to many things that activists have fought for, such as removing overt Christianity from schools and public life. What an insult to God! Many young people today do not know that their Creator landed on Earth 2000 years ago, and showed us the only way to eternal life, through salvation. Our self-inflicted punishment is beginning to be obvious, as children commit murder, and pornography and hatred increase. The devil is having a great time.
Make Turks & Caicos part of Canada - petition
1 Million Canadians - supporting family values in the June 28 federal election
Ottawa Anglican? Sign
Petition against same-sex marriage and see Focus on the Family - Canada
Bill C-250 Rally on The Hill 17 April 2004. Read the speeches.
Canadian Catholic Organization fpr Development and Peace
Canadians for Bush
Canadian Taxpayers Federation - fighting tax hikes
Democracy Watch - advocacy group for government accountability and reform
Get your war on by David Rees
International Commission of Jurists - "official" activism in the guise of auditing of governments.
Make Trade Fair - Oxfam campaign
The Moderator - site that brought Laurie-Ann into my life
National Capital Coalition for People and Dogs
Old Soldier
OneWorld.net - for social justice movements worldwide
Move on.org - USA on-line advocacy
Rabble.ca - on line news you won't see in the regular press
Traditional Values Coalition