The patriotic cause for freedom is well worth the fight. Especially on this Memorial Day as we pay tribute to the many soldiers who have died, so that we may live free from tyranny. Today, in the struggle to maintain freedom there is missing a common banner and a slogan as a battle cry. Something that would solidify a base under a common solidarity.
When the Polish people obtained freedom from communism they had accomplished a monumental task. They were well organized and united in their plans.
From this link at Radio Free Europe (http://www.rferl.org/....)
"Instead of marching through the streets, where riot police could have attacked them more easily, the workers used the unique tactic of staging sit-in strikes, occupying their own factories. After two weeks, the government gave in, granting them economic concessions. The strikers dispersed.
But a precedent was set. The next month, workers at the Lenin Shipyard in the city of Gdansk staged their own sit-in strike, led by the electrician Lech Walesa.
That was when intellectuals in Warsaw took notice, says Bronislaw Geremek. They saw determined workers and a weak government. But they also saw the potential for danger and a possible Soviet intervention. After discussing the situation with journalists returning from Gdansk, a group of 64 intellectuals wrote a letter to the workers and to the government, offering to mediate."
Here in the United States we are not united in a common cause. We have no common, simple banner to rally around. We have the war, the atrocities and corruption of the Administration, the corporate greed, the undermining of the Constitution, the highest rate of imprisonment per capita in the world. Yet, we have no singular voice.
Freedom is at stake. It is being eroded little by little. It is as if freedom began as Michaelangelo's David, the huge slab of marble that was chipped and carved to perfection. Then little by little that ideal is chipped away until we are left with the chips and shards of David all around us. If one is not careful the leftover pieces pocketed are subject to confiscation and imprisonment.
It seems no matter how freedom is eroded the media fails to take notice. But it is not the job of the media to save the world from freedoms lost. It's the job of freedom fighters to get noticed.
How to get noticed? Today it is a different climate than the revolutions of the Sixties. Americans today are generally not in the revolutionary mode. If the goal is to rescue freedom then it must be re-introduced slowly and gently. It is not helpful to wear a BUCK FUSH bumper sticker. Or to carry a placard that cries IMPEACH THE BASTARD. This does not resonate with most people.
What does freedom look like? For starters, it needs a look look of solidarity. Attendance at a rally is an opportunity to show the color of freedom. It must be given a color to be worn on our person-a solid, unmistakeable color. Just as the Miami Heat fans wear solid white to show support for their team, freedom fighters need a color.
How does freedom march? It is done so in a very deliberate, organized manner. No standing around, milling about giving the finger to the police or National Guard. The troops are no more interested in taking time off of their lives to babysit a rally anymore than the attendees desire to be babysat. There is little respect given to disorganization and reactionary-ism. A march must be deliberate in it's parade. One hour to march up Main Avenue, down to 43rd street, make a speech at the town square, thank you for listening and disband. Very efficient, very businesslike. It conveys solidarity and respect--exactly what the enemies of freedom fear the most--solidarity.
Banners should be united with a common slogan, something simple but direct, a la Madison Avenue'ish. A slogan that when shown on the evening news gets right to the point. Perhaps it could include a website. FreedomNow.com, or something.
A common pamphlet universal in its message. A pamphlet that is distinct in its look, feel, color and size and message. Pamphlets must not be tossed and thrown in the air like flyers advertising 'last chance, 50% off sale'. Freedom deserves more respect.
It is important to begin with a very basic, easy to grasp common message. Something to whet the appetite of the casual observer, the nose of the camel so to speak. It must be a basic, non-threatening, informative and direct message. At first it must be delivered with subtlety. The initial goal is to get noticed. It is hard to believe that the American people will not step up to the plate once they finally get the message.
Until solidarity is at hand what are the options? The American people cannot rely on our representatives to save and restore the Constitution. Restoring freedom is a grass roots movement. It's about getting back to basics. For success freedom fighters must focus on a common goal. So someday there will be a groundswell of support. Then the representatives of the land will be forced to deal with a united front.
Solidarity.
The diaries and commentary here at kos is disparate in many ways. The one common thread seems to be one of frustration more than anything else. Frustration with the media, the politicians, the aloofness of the American people and so much more. There are so many great diaries and ideas yet no solidarity.
Just as "Don't Tread on Me" was used to unite Americans during the French and Indian War, there needs to be a motto in todays fight for freedom