Wanted to share a couple of thoughts with my friends on the pond. I’ll try to keep it short. And as most of you know by now, from me that is a solemn commitment to keep my word count below 5,000.
Couple of very cool things from the peace train depot in Lansing.
First, the easy one. You remember Petals for Peace (the June installment). Of course you remember it. You helped make it happen. You delivered flowers. I got some of them handed to me as I sat in Mike Rogers’ (R-Michigan) lobby writing him a note. You were great. And, your efforts paid off. To some extent. The Lansing State Journal, our major daily newspaper, published my 500 word guest op-ed in the Sunday edition. They are technically LTEs, but they’re longer and show cased and published with approval of the editorial staff. And here is mine based on our Petals for Peace efforts.
Second, I thought I’d tell you about a speaking engagement from this weekend. It was an author event at a local bookstore. Peace authors and artists. I read from my Anti-War Diaries, first posted here at the Booman Tribune. And response was tremendous. I can’t help but choke up reading some of it. And I got a pretty good charge out of a small audience gathered on the streets. Preaching the fire and brimstone of the peace movement. I thought of you all. I wrote those words for you. And now they are out in the wide world. Hopefully encouraging a few more people to oppose this war.
As the op-ed indicates, we are gearing up for another round of Petals for Peace on July 7. Since I’ve floated this idea to the entire Lansing community, I think it is imperative that we lay a boatload of flowers on our good friend. And I’ve got some ideas for expanding Petals for Peace. You know that feeling when you are riding a motorcycle, and it is time to shift gears. I’ve got that feeling. It is time for Petals for Peace to take it up a gear. So I hope you might consider joining me.
I’ll be in touch. Peace.
You know that feeling??? nonviolent movement to go???
Are you saying you’re gearing up for something other than peaceful?? I was in DC, I know the thoughts, man.
I’m into another gear as well my friend. I truly think it’s going to take breaking bones, bloodied noses and behind bars… for peace activists.
Now, I’m not saying I’ll be violent. No way. But I’m saying I’m wading into the shark infested waters. I’ve dipped my big toe into it for far too long. Time to dash into the waves. (diary is on the front if you haven’t a clue what I’m alluding, too)
I did not see diary you alluded to. I’m confused. But it is not the first time.
I don’t see violence as the answer either, DJ. From my reading and experience, my view is that our power comes from our nonviolent dissent. Our withdrawing our consent to their illegal war. It may take time, but I’m convinced it is the right way. To commit violence in order to object to their violence would be self-defeating. And it would legitimize their use of force against voices of dissent. A tough road, but I truly believe it is the right one for peace people.
But nonviolent civil disobedience, like you have been involved in. A very noble act in furtherance of the cause.
At least that’s one person’s opinion. We’ve all got ’em.
Best to you peace person.
Just re-reading my own words. I was imprecise. I did not mean “time for this non-violent movement to go (like to exchange it).” I meant “time for this particular non-violent movement (petals for peace) to kick it up a gear.”
Sorry. I’ll change to clarify.
That is one PROVCATIVE diary, BJ! Having just seen the tiniest little girl wearing a codepink t-shirt, it doesn’t take a lot for impatient types to be inspired, and you have let loose much more than enough! (The little girl’s caretaker – me her older brother? was not comfortable with my obvious delight in her outfit. As I was in Republican City, CA, that might have had a bit to do with it.)
Wow! I thought I was just kind of phoning that one in. Good to hear.
Onward.
People like you and Janet leave me in awe. I’m not an organizer. I don’t get out to the marches. About all I can do is write stuff, and you guys make me feel like a bush-league Tom Paine.
I wish there was a thousand thousand thousand more like you.
Writing is resistance my friend. Don’t diminish your efforts. You have powerful words. It is going to take a nation of people to change things. Without a mass-media apparatus at our disposal. So you are a key part of the resistance. Onward Thomas Paine.
Glad you were able to get your letter published, BostonJoe. It’s clear we have to work on building Peace person-by-person; my hope/prayer is that your words help to empower new Accidental Activists. Paz, amigo.
Thank you Manny. Paz.
and I thought it was so typical of this bunch. If they cannot bluff their way through stuff they just hide away and put other people out in front to deal with it. I can’t think a congresscritter that closes his doors is much use to his constituency but maybe he just flat is more interested in his perks and perogatives as an elected official than his duties (like the rest of his ilk!)
as I hit “post”. I think what you are doing is driving these guys out. Their very fearfulness is showing them up. They are giving themselves away even though you are just offering them flowers! Neat BJ!
I honestly get that sense as well. It is as if the flowers are just a crushing weight. 850 little flowers. Maybe a 1000. Who knows. But come one. Let’s just open up the doors and talk about a representative government — because the majority of the people don’t want any more soldiers captured and tortured. And a majority don’t want our bombs and bullets and chemical weapons wiping out innocent civilian life. And a majority know that the reason for the war was a lie. It gets easier and easier. Okay. We made a mistake (to be charitable — because I’m just tired of this being a game). Time to set things right.