It's been a long and crazy day of work. Boy, am I ever looking forward to the personal day I'm going to take on December 7, Pearl Harbor Day, the day of the General Strike Against the War and For the Truth. Pardon me if this diary is not as comprehensive as it deserves to be. I'm tired, but I made a commitment to diary on the subject of the GSAWFT (Warning: Moniker subject to change) for seven days straight, and I honor my commitments.
The GSAWFT project addresses the issue of the Iraq War and its ancillary issues such as profligate spending and lies. It is a very simple idea: call in sick or stage a walkout on December 7. This date fits because it marks America's entry into a just war; let it also mark the beginning of our exit from an unjust war.
Here's a primer which points you to the fruits of my Googling on this subject, with little comment from me.
A general strike is different from a normal strike in which the workers of one company or in one sector or trade strike for a specific goal such as higher pay or better benefits. A general strike involves everyone, including workers who may not be organized into unions and even including bosses. The goal of a general strike is to make a powerful statement against a grievous wrong.
Here's what wikipedia has on general strikes.
Someday, when I have more energy, I will add to the Wikipedia entry because in my opinion they left out one of the most important and most effective general strikes in the history of the world, the 1961 Stay-at-home strike in South Africa that really got the ball rolling on anti-Apartheid. Here's what the young Nelson Mandela had to say about that action. We all know what happened to him: 27 years in the can, but his side eventually won. If there is a heaven, there is a special place in it for that man.
Sorry about the lameness of this diary. I just don't have the time or energy to devote to it this evening. Just trying to keep the meme going. Will be posting another diary tomorrow night. It will elucidate the how and why of the GSAWFT.
Stay home from work on December 7 and encourage ten people in the real world, not just here in cyberspace, to do the same. If ten people do it and they each get ten people to do it and they each get ten people to do it and so on, this will be the most powerful action yet against this evil war. You can engage in potent civil disobedience without even breaking the law!
Check out Anglico's take on the subject.
And feel free to visit my first rant on the general strike idea.