Yeah, I Know, a song title. But think about it, where are all the protestors?
Okay, I know that during the VietNam War we had a draft and extensive media coverage. Flower Power, Hippies,Hoffman, Black Panthers, Drugs, Sex, Woodstock.
For God's sake, 2 men actually set themselves ON FIRE in November ''65 in protest.
A bit before my time, barely, I'm 49. My children are in the right age zone, though. So what I'm saying is: Where are they? All of em. Are they lazy, just don't care? Sittin on their well fed lazy azzes? They should be out there protesting, right?
Curiousity and downright attitude and disbelief led me to start asking a lot of questions.
The protest music is there, I've heard it. Conversations and debates as well. On Facebook and MySpace, Blogs and Text messages. Young people are in Chat Rooms, mad as hell.
I also spoke to folks old enough to be my Mom or Dad. They are angry as well. Angry at a Party that has become so far out there as to be unrecognizeable to them. I was amazed to see how many of them are considering voting for Obama or Clinton.
Our 'Flowers' are there, here and everywhere. Just a bit different than we were then.
I have it on good authority that they will 'Bloom' in the voting booths all across this Country come the Presidential election.
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6 comments:
Thanks, Sturange. It is a good point, where has all of America's passion gone? When will it be enough? there just seems to be no fire in anyone's belly anymore to change anything. Forget it if anyone has to go out of their way to affect a change. How short can our collective attention spans get? Time to start lighting some fires under people's asses.
Like I always say, we have become a microwave society.
Everything has to be done now, fast.
Nothing seems to be worth any effort anymore.
From talking to quite a few Young people I was encouraged to see that they do care.
I subscribe to a few 'younger' blogs and rock the vote.
They are motivated and excited.
They are also angry and in disbelief over the past 7 years.
The elders I spoke to feel betrayed. Most of them voted for Bush the 1st time and about 1/2 the second time around. They admit to feeling like sheep betrayed.
Wedge our generation in the middle of these 2 and I truely believe that barring any chicanery, there will be a chang this time around.
Jeez, where is my brain at this morning?
Thanks, my Friend for the invite.
Now I know this isn't a great excuse for the lack of protests.
Although they are out there. The media just doesn't give them coverage like the did in the 60's and 70's...
But the majority of the American public is working these days. Working to afford school. Working to help support families. And both parents usually are working.
A different economy. Not so much free time.
I do see every weekend people protesting in the small town I live. Port Angeles, WA. Every Sat. they are out there in small numbers with their No War signs. And impeach Bush and Cheney signs.
When I have a Sat. off and I am not trying to catch up on things that need to be done on my new farm. I join them.....
You also must include those of us here on the WWW....no we are not in the public eye as much. And perhaps the message isn't put out as effectivly as if we were to march on the capital.
But it fits easier into the life we all must now live to make ends meet...
Am I off my rocker...? Am I having a flashback from the things I did in the 70's....?
Or is this America in the 21st century....?
I agree, Chis. Thing is, people used to talk about things and argue their point. That is exactly where they have gone....to work....to have families. We are sold items and lifestyles that eat up any free time we once shared with friends and family. Devide and conquer. Not some organized group of world billionares trying to rule our lives...just people wanting a little money from each of us so that in the end, they make billions, in retail, ....in advertising, ....in huge monolithic corporations with no face, no liability (or limitted liability) and one single goal...to make money for the stockholders (hey, wait...that's you and me, right?) It is the American dream as seen and sold through the prism of ethics-free profit. No one seems to take any responsibility anymore for the world around them. Problem is...it only takes one idea to change the world. We have the power to change the culture around us, for better or worse. In my mind, the passive expectations of society is no excuse for apathy in the face of abuse and/or injustice. It only takes one Idea to change the world; it only takes one blind eye to enable and empower the abusers of the world.
I believe it's important to recognize there are literally hundreds of thousands of "protests" blogged on the internet almost hourly. Has it been effective? The Democratic Candidates have a clear advantage in the General Election in 2008. There's little room for denial that the internet had an impact on the 2006 elections. Remember that all of the pundits were certain the Repubs would retain their Senate majority until the last few weeks prior to voting. While the internet is an effective tool for "change", it has also increased the value of public demonstration which has essentially become "civil disobedience" under the neoconservative "rule" from 2001 to 2007. In the 60's, public demonstration was the first option and for the most part, the only option. Sure, there were "underground" newspapers and counter-culture books, but the only efficient way to get the message out was through "protest". We are fortunate that, in our busy daily lives, there is still enough time to share ideas and dreams and the hope that America can survive the Petroleum Era and make common sense choices, as a nation, to build the renewable energy industry from the ground up (made possible by the internet). In all honesty, I'm disappointed in all of the candidates for their lack of enthusiasm regarding the use of renewable energy sources. It is often treated as an "after thought" and the references are vague and ambiguous. But with regard to our youth carrying the torch of "protest", it's quite possible they are more savvy than we give them credit for. They still have the "ace in the hole" in public demonstration, but have so far been pretty effective in generating grass roots organizations for certain priorities and as I've noted we have seen a tremendous turning of the tide when it comes to Iraq and a surprising majority for the Dems in the Senate. While it may not be a "bonfire", it does appear the fire of freedom and liberty still burns under the asses of our youth.
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