It is intoxicating to read the outbursts of indignation about the mismanagement of disaster response from media celebrities, even from a few erstwhile Bush supporters. But one thing should be clear: nothing short of sustained, mass civil disobedience will alter the political equation.
Even as the liberals and Democrats gleefully anticipate kicking a field goal, the call has gone out to Bush supporters, "MOVE THE GOALPOSTS, WINGNUTS!" Given time, public opinion will do what it is told. News reporters will go back to their role as sandwichmen for White House sources. Democrats will call for 'investigations'. Tens of billions of dollars of 'reconstruction' funding will flow to corporate cronies. Thousands will die in Iraq and be displaced in the US. Hundreds of millions will flow back to the campaign chests of the Republicans and, to a lesser degree, the Democrats. Business-as-usual will return with a vengence. Dissatisfaction will drone on barely audibly. 'Moderates' and the 2006 congressional elections will once again be offered as the last great hope of democracy.
Nothing -- short of sustained, mass civil disobedience -- will alter this political equation.
Doug asked
>Disobedience of what laws, by whom, where, when?
That's what a discussion list would be good for.
First, Cindy Sheehan initiated Camp Casey as an act civil disobedience. So there's already an instance in play, which is currently traveling by bus toward DC. Due to arrive September 21 with actions scheduled from September 24 to the 26. That would be a good place to start.
Second, people need to examine their lives -- income, housing, consumption, personal relationships -- with a view to reducing their dependency on business-as-usual and making it possible to take a principled stand. Read Thoreau and listen to Phil Ochs if you have to.
Third, reducing dependency on the business-as-usual economy is itself a form of civil disobedience that involves breaking no law other than the "laws" of supply and demand and the infinite expansion of consumption needs. This isn't hair-shirt stuff -- it's deciding for yourself what's important.
Fourth, disobey the laws of channeled communication by engaging in varieties of 'guerilla' public political performance.
The Sandwichman