Community support for Port Militarization Resistance

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Community support for Port Militarization Resistance

Submitted by listening on Tue, 11/06/2007 - 1:38pm.

Little did I know that I would be endorsing something that sounded as crazy as blocking equipment coming back from Iraq. We are supposed to be happy, right? Having equipment returning is a good thing to some people who look at it as meaning the war is slowing down. To be clear we have more soldiers in Iraq then ever before and just as many contractors (i.e. mercenaries). The war rages on. 3,845 service members are dead and over 1,000 US contractors. 1 million Iraqis are dead, 4 million are refugees, the amount of wounded are enormous. Just because some troops are home safe - although many traumatized and severally injured - nothing changed.

To be blunt, we are doing little to stop it because we don't see the direct affects on our lives. I may not agree with all the tactics taken this coming week, but do realize that the reason people are acting is because of the fact that we have lost power.

We have lost the power of elections, lobbying and changing the minds of our elected officials. "Representative" Brian Baird is a shining example of our loss of power.

We have lost power over our media. A media which doesn't report the truth of the anti-war sentiment or the realities of soldiers lives in Iraq and the absolute devastation we have caused in that county. A media which has failed to report on the effects of depleted uranium has on our community as the contaminated material travels through our streets.

We have lost power over are ports. In a community that overwhelming disagrees with the occupation of Iraq, our Olympia port commission continues to ostensibly support the war by using our ports as extensions of the occupation. Shipments in or out makes our community a military depot.

I will support people who are willing to make change happen in one of the only areas where we still have power - our own communities. These people protesting are students, religious folks, veterans, mothers and workers. They are willing to make the sacrifices many of us cannot and are willing to take the next step in the antiwar movement.

With that said, stay safe and smart and take care of each others.

listening's blog
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Beautifully stated!

Submitted by Sandy M on Tue, 11/06/2007 - 2:25pm.

This post beautifully reflects my own feelings about the current OlyPMR campaign.

I would also like to add that a critical aspect of any Olympia Port Militarization Resistance campaign is an explicit commitment to non-violence. OlyPMR remains committed to a policy statement which affirms nonviolent social change as a means for people to discover their own power, create democratic structures, and realize justice. The statement includes a pledge to refrain from physical assaults, verbal harassment and malicious sabotage. It also includes a commitment that all of its events and meetings are transparent, inclusive and democratic.

I think that the anti-protest crowd...

Submitted by Rick on Tue, 11/06/2007 - 2:34pm.

...gets so agitated because it causes them to focus on their own ambivalence and inaction. Hence, they lash out at those who make them feel uncomfortable. It may not be the perfect way to protest, but is there such a thing? While I'm glad to hear less of the "Tear it Down" language this time around, the port is here, it is being used as a tool of the military. Why not make it the center-piece of Olympia's call for peace?

When you think of the long and gloomy history of man, you will find more hideous crimes have been committed in the name of obedience than have ever been committed in the name of rebellion. -C.P. Snow

Rick Said...

Submitted by Tschida on Wed, 11/07/2007 - 11:25am.

".gets so agitated because it causes them to focus on their own ambivalence and inaction. Hence, they lash out at those who make them feel uncomfortable" I don't think so. Making bad behavior socially unacceptable is not 'focusing on my in action or ambivalence'. Gimme a break! C.

One of the great non sequiturs of the left is that, if the free market doesn't work perfectly, then it doesn't work at all-- and the government should step in.

Thomas Sowell

I don't think Rick is talking about folks on your side

Submitted by Guglielmo on Wed, 11/07/2007 - 11:52am.

I think he is talking about liberals who are unhappy with PMR organized events. And while his observation may not be true for everyone, I think it is spot on for a lot of folks who are frustrated with this war and with thier own complacency or innaction. It's a reasonable hypothesis.

Inaction? Really!

Submitted by DJW on Tue, 11/06/2007 - 10:39pm.

So if someone for whatever reason agrees with what W is doing is (augh!) why should they be doing anything? I don't agree with this administration but I support anyone to have an opinion and voice. As for your other comments..... Inaction? I actually let my vote and letters do my talking. When I feel like doing something more I actually 'visit' with our elected officials and ask for answers. I'm not sure that this protest will make anyone in authority take notice anymore than protests all around the country. I think it would be nice if Olympia could be a model for everyone else to see. Sadly that isn't going to happen in my life.

What can we do?

Submitted by listening on Tue, 11/06/2007 - 10:44pm.

I don't think your actions are inactions and it seems that you are very dedicated. But I don't see any of our elected officials listening to us. Please let me know what you think we can do. I want to hear your ideas.

Vote for better people...

Submitted by Norm on Wed, 11/07/2007 - 9:00am.

if they don't exist, then run someone for office. If that doesn't work then I suppose that you are in the minority and you probably have to convince other people to think the way that you do.....or put up with it.

Money

Submitted by listening on Wed, 11/07/2007 - 11:11am.

Are you saying that I can get someone elected because a majority of people want to end the occupation in Iraq? What about the fact that people who don't have enough funding sources don't get on televised debates? Or that the candidate with the biggest pockets gets elected? Do people who do not have huge funding sources ever get elected? Do you have examples?

I think it all came out in high school CWP

Submitted by Norm on Wed, 11/07/2007 - 11:23am.

Do you think a person can be elected on the single issue of the Iraq war? I don't, but if that is your number one goal, go for it. Campaign, make some money. If you can't find an independently wealthy candidate then you might have a few bake sales to do. Do you really think this is any worse of an idea than standing down at the port with a sign? You wanted an answer to making your elected officials work for you. If they don't work, then vote them out. If none of the candidates work, find a new candidate. Sitting at the port holding a sign isn't going to get you crap.

Norm

Submitted by listening on Wed, 11/07/2007 - 11:39am.

Start your own blog.

You asked a question...

Submitted by Norm on Wed, 11/07/2007 - 11:49am.

and I addressed it. If you don't like that, don't post questions in your own thread.

Norm's Blog

Submitted by listening on Thu, 11/08/2007 - 12:22pm.

I should have addressed the comment to DJW who I was actually interested in hearing from.

It did look open-ended.

Submitted by Norm on Thu, 11/08/2007 - 1:16pm.

It did look open-ended.

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