(Also posted on My Left Wing.)
On Saturday, September 24, tens of thousands from around this country are planning to converge on Washington, DC to collectively demand a stop to the war in Iraq.
Have you made your travel plans yet? Can they be changed??
I am probably naive to think that I can change anything this late in the game, but the purpose of this diary is to make the following proposal:
divert the upcoming anti-war rally into a Gulf-state Disaster relief rally
(in Mississippi, Louisiana, or Alabama, instead of DC).
Update [2005-9-1 13:6:32 by shock]: it's simple IF you ignore the complexity has proposed how this could work and be effective. We do both: hold the rallies as planned - in DC and other major cities - and use them as a point to gather supplies and donations (and volunteers) who are then bussed in caravans to the gulf region (coordinating with the Red Cross and/or FEMA, of course, to make sure the help went were it could be the most effective).
Please hear me out below the fold.
As it stands now, the anti-war rally looks like it could actually sway some public opinion to this cause. And, the hope is, this might eventually "trickle up" and have political ramifications.
Consider: the same anti-war statement can be made via a "relief effort" like the one I'm proposing. I can confidently assert that the effects of such a statement, made in such a manner, would be much more powerful in the media, public opinion, and ultimately politically.
There are many reasons people are against the war. But I'd be willing to bet that core liberal values underlie most.
Here's what the message is:
- We stand with the people (even in "red states").
- We want this country to be safe and strong. (This is a national security issue!)
- We do not shirk service to our country.
- Our political leaders have failed us, time and time again, but we are not helpless and we will not give up.
- We care about this country!
Tens of thousands of us have already planned to leave home to make a statement and do something for the sake of our country.
That statement can be made, loud and clear. And it needs to be made.
Have you made your travel plans yet? Can they be changed??
(Hint: the answer to the second question is yes, even if it requires some sacrifice.)
(If you like this idea, please spread it
around. It's not too late.)
Update [2005-9-1 13:14:43 by shock]: (From a comment at MLW.) My original idea was to volunteer (to the Red Cross or FEMA) a host of people ready/willing/able to travel to places where they could most assist the relief efforts despite their lack of training. (This would most likely be in manual labor like clean-up -- tree/debris removal, etc. -- I'm guessing.) Meanwhile, announce to the media that this huge PEACE group -- one that was originally planning to rally thousands in Washington -- has decided to demonstrate their values in a productive way while maintaining their stance against the war. (In fact, it would be reallly cool if the thousands who went to the Gulf Coast could all wear the same anti-war T-shirt or something!)