If we had massive amounts of food, then we chould have a massive protest that lasts far beyond a day or two. Something that would choke full the streets of DC with so many people, cars couldnt move. So many people, there wouldnt be enough police to arrest all the people.


Something grand....or am I just dreaming again? Can we make a stockpile of food so big, and then just give it away free in DC, just think of the people that would flock to it and listen to the messages we would say.....


*sighs heavly*

This is an awesome post, and made me think about the nature of gov't response to a rally.

If it's a small rally, usually just the local cops show up, and arrest some people.

When the rallies are huge, the nature of the police response is different.

They sent out the big boys, dressed in black armour, armed with clubs and tear gas. Using tear gas and violence, they can usually disperse a crowd.

The KEY lies in the reaction of the people. If the people are willing to go all the way for their cause, 300 or 400 armed police couldn't stand up against 2000 or 3000 people.

THe key lies in the fact that people need to be ready to do whatever it takes to bring about change, even be willing to sacrifice themselves.

Like brother Malcolm said, "BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY."

However, this lead me down another thoughtpath. I think that Americans have been programmed by their gov't to believe that massive revolution is bad, in fact, evil.

THis leads to what I call the "submission mentality" where, even in the face of a fucked up, broken democracy, you just keep voting as you tihnk it will actually matter.

Real change comes from action, not simply putting an "X" beside somebody's name.

Hell yes Scorp! But, there is something America loves far more then blind service to the government and that is FREE FOOD!

Think it would work? Just give them all the food they want, as long as they dont act violent or be willing to "move" out the way. We must obstruct our government for them to take notice and the best way I can think of is just a massive amount of people choking up the streets of DC. At the very least it would tell the world there are some her on a large scale who do not believe the crap that America spills out. So when they totall fuck American, the UN peacekeepers can come find us.

Free BBQ draws Americans to anywhere you wanna take them> free rock concerts, political rallies, campaign trails, car sales lots.... is that what you mean? Or do you mean groceries?

Free donations of food is what kept supporters of Cindy in Crawford so long last August> IT WORKS!

I mean both short term and long term food efforts. Lets Feed America For Democracy!

I think it's more than food, it's teh will of the people.

If people have free food, but the riot cops show up and start knocking heads, people need to grab rocks and take back the power.

Resolution is the key.

We do that now > "Food Stamps" And people who get Food Stamps don't always want to bite the hand that feeds them ( I should know). So don't know if you mean general anti-government protesting, or against the War only?

Infrastructure something very few actually consider, but it is the one thing that underlines, or undermines nearly every social activity.

Even in ancient times, an army could only travel as far as it could be fed!



In something like a giant protest, not only do you have to figure food for a half million people,
but toilets, places to sleep, emergency services, trash. It's a formidable list!
And what about cars? Assume a fair number Bus in, but of a half million people a hundred thousand might drive. Where do you park that many cars?



Getting a million people into one place is relatively easy.
The infrastructure to support a million people, now that's a huge project!

So Sky, since it is hard, we shouldnt do it? What are you saying? Or did you just want to say something negative and not post any ideas yourself? Damn now who blames others for doing that all the time? It escapes me Sky, remind me who?

I understand the problem with longistics and supply Sky. Did you maybe forget there are a millions minds to think of something? The fact that all that would need to be done and if it was done, think of the message that would send, such a momumental feat of protest.

My reply was neither pro or con.
I was simply talking about logistical problems of a large crowd!


Hell no, I'd like to see 5 million people march on DC and occupy every single public building for a week!
Then quietly hand them back (unharmed) to the police who have been standing around powerless!

Though I would suggest every single one of that 5 million pack supplies and expect to be on their own!

Oh come off it Sky, you know your post had a negative tone.

But yeah. Do you think its a good idea?

There was zero emotion intended.
Yes I think it's a good idea.



MLK's million man march had a for real impact on the country!

So, how do we do it?

We're smart, creative people. Let's figure it out. How to we motivate people?

make signs that say,

FREE BEER

with arrows that point to DC


Wait, wrong crowd!





Make a big pool filled with Pudding,
and challenge Michelle Malkin to a wrestling match with Hillary?



OK, so what are your ideas?

You need a cause.

Look at the global protests that occured over the Iraq war.

Mobilize moveon.org, NAACP, and all the other progressive groups and get the word out.

Tell the bloggers to spread the word.

Pick a date and advertise.

People will come.

what about the piles of free food?

Impeaching Bush is not cause enough?

It would be.

Get moving on it.

The problem is, a million people did march on washington once; when they realized they COULD take it; they just froze (back in the early 70's, my husband went) They didnt know what to do with it once they had it in their reach....grrrrr....how would history had changed if they hadn't chickened out?

People, even smart people do act like sheep en masse; and without a strong leader, dont know what to do next.

So which of you 2 are gonna lead this thing? Not me, I didn't even stay at a holiday inn express last night!

I'm on the wrong side of the planet, and American's wouldn't follow some crazy Canadian on a march on the capital.

MM, it's up to you.

Cindy in Crawford did it.... spontaneously! How do we get that spark back... with organization or spontaneity, or combination of both? September 24th was so great because it was preambled by Cindy in August. ... I wonder if it would have been that big and wonderful if she had not camped on the side of the road in Crawford the month before?

How do we get that spark back? Is it time for Woodstock style attraction > beg, borrow and plead all the rock stars to come together this Summer and have a major jam session for impeachment on some huge rented PRIVATE PROPERTY somewhere in America? with TONS of donated food?

And who would donate the food? How did they feed the folks at Woodstock ? :

http://www.geocities.com/sunsetstrip/3869/woodstock.htm

I'm directly related to the corrupt Irish democrat political machine of 1930's Kansas city. That's how they gained supporters. During the depression, the Pendergast goons delivered turkeys and hams to the poor with a note attached saying "vote for the democratic party". It was wildly effective.

Pendergast concrete was the Halliburton of depression era Kansas City. And the construction contracts turned the depression into a Kansas City's golden era. Of course one major difference: Corrupt democrats usually abuse their power to fight for the poor and under represented. Pendergast handed the contracts to his company to employ more workers and thus reduce unemployment and gain more support for the party. Republicans abuse thier power to exploit the poor and under represented.


anyway, I'm off topic. back to your original programming...

And this my friends, basically
is why I will vote D on every item come November.

Not because the corrupt Democrats are basically good people.
But because generally, comparing the Democrats to the Republicans,
The Republicans are the far greater evil.

hmmm, there's a thought , we could write Crawford Peace House and ask them who donated all that food (and drinks) to the throngs for those several weeks last August

Check out this group: Food Not Bombs

They use food as an organizing tool in their work for peace and justice.

We're also an aging and more complacent society than we were in the sixties, food is not the only issue. Will I be able to take naps? Where'm I gonna pee? What if I have a heart attack? Lord, if I get whipped with a flashlight I'll be sore for weeks!

That's the crux of the matter for all aging activists, isn't it?

I can lead it. More to come when I get my head out my ass.

Interesting part of their bio is it says they were under investigation as terrorists and have been arrested even though they are non-violent (never got a conviction though). Good grief, why does the guv'ment waste so much time, energy, and money cooking up a case against vegetarians?

BTW , would it be "selling out" if donations of food came from certain corporations , say Wal-mart , for instance?

I would say, "Yes" to the final question.

Corporations have no place in uprising.

ouch, that nail you just hit on the head is now in pain...DEAD ON!

They sent out the big boys, dressed in black armour, armed with clubs and tear gas. Using tear gas and violence, they can usually disperse a crowd.[quote]

that would be a great headline Bush's goon squad attacks hungry people in line waiting for food!

Not only would the repub's further distacne themselves from Bush, that might be enough to make them change sides!

I have the delivery vehicle

sweeeeeeeeeeeeetttt