Wesley Clark jr. posted an action diary today titled Had Enough?. You can read for yourself but he is essentially asking people to begin a persistent protest where we hold signs and/or wear shirts that simply say "Enough!" and send a message each and every sunday from noon to 1pm in our city's protest area. Each sunday after that the idea is to bring two new people to join. The next sunday those two people must bring two more. The purpose is simply to make ourselves heard and show that we are not going away. The purpose is to let the country know that we have had enough of the lawlessness and the abuses by this administration and we demand action.
Despite my disgust and hatred for this corrupt administration I have not yet participated in a single protest. Many times I considered joining the 'next big DC protest' from months back yet it never happened. I made any number of excuses from logistics like plane ticket cost, transportation in DC, lodging, to how it may impact work, to things like 'but I don't know anyone in DC!'. Regardless of what the actual contributions of each of those obstacles had in reality to my failure to join it boils down mostly to fear. Instead of participating I eagerly awaited the diaries and pictures and attempted to live vicariously through the people who were brave enough to actually 'walk the walk'.
When I read Mr. Clark's diary I got the same feeling of excitement I always get when I hear about a movement starting. And immeadietly that excitement gave way to fear as I told myself 'you know you're not gonna be a part of this because you're too scared'.
I like his idea. This is no longer gonna be a huge, planned massive event that will disappear until the next big one can be organized. This won't be a protest which relies on the symbolism of some anniversary of the Iraq war to assist in delivering the message. This is the start of real resistance. If it grows as Mr. Clark envisions then what we have is the public standing up to the administration with a single message, "Enough" only this time we're not going away. We will be here every week at the same time with the same message until the criminals are thrown out. There won't be any opportunity for the crooks in Washington to ride out the protest and sigh in relief when everyone packs up and goes home; because this time we're not leaving. Spending one hour in your local protest area is something we can do every week. Perhaps the democratic congress will find it's backbone. Perhaps impeachment will be 'back on the table'. Perhaps the republicans will start jumping ship in greater numbers. Perhaps the war will get one step closer to ending; or another war will get one step further from starting.
I want to be involved this time. But I can't do it alone. I'm just not strong enough. I need support. Will any NOLA Kossacks stand with me this sunday from noon to 1pm and help me overcome my fear? Although I'd prefer a group I think that if just one other person will stand next to me I can do it. Thank you.
-PBTC
P.S. If any NOLA kossacks respond I'd like to hear what your ideas are on the best place to do this. Jackson square comes to mind but I'm sure people have better ideas. I guess I like Jackson square because that is where chimpy did his post-Katrina photo-op for the world to see before he proceeded to ignore the city completely.