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March 13, 2008 at 13:14:28
What Can Students Do to End the War and Impeach Bush/Cheney? by Kevin Gosztola Page 1 of 3 page(s) |
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Being right does not benefit the movement to stop the war and impeach Bush/Cheney. Nothing is accomplished by groups who have members that are trying to advance their point of view in whatever coalition/group they are affiliated with at the expense of achieving goals/objectives. Fighting for an end to the imperialism in the Middle East and impeachment of Bush and Cheney can only be achieved by those that allow all people to join, come to an agreement on a resounding message, and put together an action that will break the sound barrier in Washington, D.C. and be heard by members of Congress who have the power to bring our troops home now and impeach Bush/Cheney. This does not mean that people have to pursue an end to war and impeachment through a weak message and a weak set of actions. It does mean that unity and appreciation for a plurality of voices be upheld. This is tough for those that already have reached the extreme level of rejecting the entire framework that exists in America---democracy. For those who know their history, know how the system is broken and rigged, and have lost faith in repairing it, just plain doing something out on the streets is all they can see as effective because pressure on elected leaders is not worth it. Essentially, these extremists forfeit their voice. By not applying pressure, they effectively say that those elected leaders do not represent them and give those in Congress a right to ignore their urgent calls for action. Ignoring Congress only makes Congress members’ jobs easier because now they do not have to oppose the status quo. If the people aren’t demanding that they act out against it, they can play it safe, easily keep their job, and not have to take tough positions on issues for the benefit of the people. Congress does not have to be the check on Executive Power that it was set up to be.
All of the above is a long preface to the question of, “What can students do to end the war and impeach Bush/Cheney?”
Students recently showed the power they have by blocking an intersection on the premises of Capitol Hill and calling for Congress to be “stop-lossed.”

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This was a systematic and finely orchestrated action that had press and legal observers present. It was the culmination of a “Stop-Loss Congress” campaign that went from March 10th through to March 12th.
On the final day, the students, with the help of a few Veterans for Peace activists, marched into the middle of an intersection and sat down. Arms linked, they sat in front of banners and nearby flag-draped coffins while others spoke on loudspeakers the reasons for blocking the intersection today.
The event was impressive, but impressive is not even the word for it. This is a strategically impressive thing to do. Calling for Congress to be treated the way the students’ peers in the military are being treated is a genius idea that the people of America could and should truly support.
(VIDEOS of the Stop-Loss Congress actions are up but may be removed by YouTube so watch now before Viacom violates these students' First Amendment rights.)
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| 6 comments |
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What can students do?
This is just the start. Change never happens overnight, it takes lots of effort, organization and determination by those who want it and understand its importance. Remember, the Vietnam war lasted 10 years because of the time it took for public opposition to really grow. Civil Rights took years as well. However, those efforts stand as important examples of Americans standing up to protest for meaningful change in leaderships direction. Go for it and good luck. There are many of us who support your efforts and in fact are doing what we can to convince those in leadership positions to change direction and respond to these calls for accountability. Generally it takes demands on multiple fronts to be heard. No one voice, no one action is enough when the change you want is to move the behavior of an entire country. I hope all who read will recognize that a continual, constant refrain demanding change is needed to make it actually happen. If the change is worth it, it is worth fighting to make it happen! I'm rooting for you! Don't ever give up hope in those things you really believe in! by Peter Wedlund (3 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 211 comments [7 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Thursday, Mar 13, 2008 at 3:36:48 PM
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I have no illusions
Long term plans that are systematic and organized are necessary for success. Short term goals are good to get the ball rolling. Waging peace on as many fronts as possible led by many different groups of people is key to the success. Believing that we can win the war of ideologies (pro-war vs peace) is essential if we hope to prevail. There's more to it. I do not believe March 19th/20th actions will bring our troops home. They could (I can dream...we all should) but if we are not all speaking out and showing our voice for democracy and peace on those days, our leaders won't know how we truly feel. Let's make some noise for an end to war and impeachment. Make it so loud they cannot ignore the cacophony we create. by Kevin Gosztola (302 articles, 146 quicklinks, 81 diaries, 1082 comments [77 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Thursday, Mar 13, 2008 at 3:46:37 PM
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Stop Demanding, Start Solving
It’ not as if there are any politicians who are unaware of the desire of the vast majority of Americans that they want us out of Iraq. While there are some (like McCain) who deeply believe we should “stay the course,” it seems safe to say that most of those who will either return or take office in 2009, share your desire to bring the troops home. Both Hillary and Obama tell us it is their goal to “end the war,” and bring the troops home. This assertion is politically essential, and appears, in the case of both Democratic candidates to be genuinely desired. It seems reasonable to assume that current and future members of Congress largely share this view. To date, no candidate has publicly addressed the specifics of just how any plan will be implemented. My guess is it is because none of them have formulated a plan, sufficiently detailed, that it can withstand a tidal wave of criticism. If true, you don’t need street demonstrations, videos, blogs, or emails to inform anyone of your passionate desire that we bring the troops home. They already know it. Instead, you need to focus your collective brain power to provide a detailed plan for ending the war, addressing all the likely, or even possible, negative consequences. In short, instead of demanding that the problem be fixed, tell them how to do it. by Sherwin Steffin (16 articles, 26 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 119 comments [11 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Thursday, Mar 13, 2008 at 5:55:13 PM
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Reply: Finding Solutions Can Be Done Through Making Demands
1) To date, a candidate has proposed a solution to the problem. The people have not gotten behind it or just plain do not know this plan exists. H.R. 1234 2) You ignore the fact that any criticism might be weak. 3) The people have a right to peacefully assemble. There also is a historical precedent for nonviolent resistance or civil disobedience being an effective tool for change. (civil rights movement, antiwar movement, worker's rights movement, women's rights movement, etc.) And through going out onto the streets and speaking with community while also applying pressure to politicians for change, we can create an ethos or atmosphere that will lead to peace and sustainability being the way we govern. I highly disagree with you. The people should not stop marching to Capitol Hill or making videos. That idea does not make any sense at all. by Kevin Gosztola (302 articles, 146 quicklinks, 81 diaries, 1082 comments [77 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Thursday, Mar 13, 2008 at 7:13:23 PM
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Some Thoughts
As I see it, the question is: Is there any way, in the near term, to stop the Bush/Cheney terror team from carrying out the next phase of the plan? If I'm correct in my view that the terror team's next goal is simply to smash Iran and Syria (and soon), in a manner similar to what they've done to Iraq (apparently as per the PNAC agenda), then I'm sad to say that I don't see much of a realistic chance to stop them. (BTW, ironically, Bush/Cheney seem to be working toward the same result we are: to end U.S. imperialism. If left to their own devices, Bush/Cheney will very likely put an end to U.S. imperialism once and for all by destroying the Empire...economically, politically, militarily and perhaps even physically). by Harold Smith (0 articles, 3 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 556 comments [1 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Thursday, Mar 13, 2008 at 8:55:37 PM
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Informing Students That Fewer in the Military = Less Harm
Informing young people who are still students of the harm being done by US military in current (and most) past foreign armed conflicts is a worthy goal. A vast number (?majority?) of new recruits to the military come from new graduates of high schools, trade schools and colleges. Some branches of the military (maybe all) are actually having to lower previous standards in order to make their goals. This is a result of fewer numbers being willing to enlist even with large enlistment bonuses and promises of particular types of training or preferred areas of work. by Kitty Antonik Wakfer (26 articles, 27 quicklinks, 9 diaries, 163 comments [15 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Friday, Mar 14, 2008 at 5:17:15 PM
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