Historically, government, whether in the hands of Republicans or Democrats, conservatives or liberals, has failed its responsibilities, until forced to by direct action: sit-ins and Freedom Rides for the rights of black people, strikes and boycotts for the rights of workers, mutinies and desertions of soldiers in order to stop a war. Voting is easy and marginally useful, but it is a poor substitute for democracy, which requires direct action by concerned citizens.
Recent news surrounding torture, the war, private contractors, impeachment, and the Bush administration suggests that the peace movement has the strategic opportunity to gain momentum and use public opinion to propel the movement. The challenge will not be that events are taking shape that are not conducive to the peace movement, but rather the challenge will be how to take advantage of these events and current public opinion so that a peace movement can take off.
The peace movement consists of the finest citizens in America, ones who have the deepest and utmost respect for America’s democracy. The challenge should be and will be met with great optimism because the movement has the resources, participants, and zeal to end the war and impeach Bush and Cheney for high crimes and misdemeanors.
The peace movement can and must win. Our future and the future of the next generations of Americans depend on it.
