tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post3493574373388614658..comments2023-10-17T04:51:08.765-10:00Comments on KauaiEclectic: Musings: Conscious PoliticsJoan Conrowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00172330100788007499noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-9766104079238492432008-03-30T18:36:00.000-10:002008-03-30T18:36:00.000-10:00You make a really good point Jimmy because I was s...You make a really good point Jimmy because I was speaking of the extremes. There is that soft middle where most ineffective- and an awful lot of effective- activism takes place.. I suppose there are a few exceptions that prove the rule. But they are those of a public relation bent- if you’ve got whole world watching your candle-light vigil on TV it could be the most meaningful political action of the day, week or month..<BR/><BR/>But a vigil is outside a jail where your people are incarcerated already I thought (heh heh). <BR/><BR/>I guess you’re right- you have to look at it case by case. There’s an awful lot of people out there doing something because it makes them feel better. It compensates for us all being forced to drive a car, use electricity and pay taxes for the war.<BR/><BR/> But hey- it’s a start- it’s more effective on changing that than oooommmmingAndy Parxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15398587036690312685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-87659341485398577012008-03-30T07:46:00.000-10:002008-03-30T07:46:00.000-10:00Good points, Jimmy. Here's my take on symbolic ac...Good points, Jimmy. Here's my take on symbolic acts like the anti-war demonstration on the 19th:<BR/>Holding signs will never stop the war, so the goal of the event must be different. As I saw it and participated in it, I felt that the goal was popular education and encouragement to those involved and passerbys to take the next step of deeper involvement in the movement.<BR/>On Kaua'i, despite the superferry protests, we are quite a ways from blockading ports or occupying recruiting stations, but organizing symbolic protests with an eye to building up our courage and committment to take direct action down the line is an important step in movement building. But it is critical that as we organize we keep that in mind, and never view these symbolic actions as ends in themselves which let us off the hook from engaging in real effective struggle. <BR/>-KatyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-46429687670756273802008-03-29T18:54:00.000-10:002008-03-29T18:54:00.000-10:00andy,why can't you do both? gazing at one's navel(...andy,<BR/>why can't you do both? gazing at one's navel(or someone else's for that matter)may lead you somewhere. contemplation has may virtues and the path to action may become apparent. <BR/>joining with others in solidarity has huge implications. large global events like this evening's earth hour is one of many way to participate in bringing attention to issues that are in need of attention (and action). <BR/>creating a just and peaceful world requires action and thought on multiple levels. individual and collective consciousness reflected in individual and collective thoughts and actions have profound impacts in in our day to day experience near and abroad. to think global and act local is the best example of this. kauai's very own M19 demonstration may be perceived by some as just a global group hug for all the peaceniks on our island but small events like that when added to larger events set into motion actions that have yet to be fulfilled. individually and collectively we all benefit when we share:time,space action or thought. namaste <BR/>peace,..........jimmy tAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-7152522847907964032008-03-29T15:15:00.000-10:002008-03-29T15:15:00.000-10:00Again, Anonymous, you were not there when all th...Again, Anonymous, you were not there when all that I wrote about was going down, so you can't possibly speak to it with any first hand knowledge. <BR/><BR/>I have no doubt you visited the property after I left, and that you made your own assessments and heard Anne's version of events. If you wish to accept that as your truth, that's fine. Obviously you and Anne see things differently than I.Joan Conrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00172330100788007499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-44363596172783705152008-03-29T13:33:00.000-10:002008-03-29T13:33:00.000-10:00Also know that circumstances surrounding your depa...Also know that circumstances surrounding your departure were not as you have portrayed them...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-31639531231301655972008-03-29T13:27:00.000-10:002008-03-29T13:27:00.000-10:00Was there, know it is BS...even the part about the...Was there, know it is BS...even the part about the wood.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-27858738243107904422008-03-29T11:18:00.000-10:002008-03-29T11:18:00.000-10:00I think your first paragraph is closest to my own ...I think your first paragraph is closest to my own sentiment, Andy. I believe it's important for people to engage in the world. Get enuf slackers already and pointless activities already.Joan Conrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00172330100788007499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-65474679765240175312008-03-29T11:02:00.000-10:002008-03-29T11:02:00.000-10:00I’m not sure whether we see things very differentl...I’m not sure whether we see things very differently Joan and I have no problem with people who have a personal spiritual center in them and use it to guide their actions in an altruistic, humanitarian manner. <BR/><BR/>What I do have a problem with is people who think that by just maintaining and then sharing that spiritual center they can through some kind of mass-think alone make the world into being a better place <BR/><BR/>Instead of real political action and involvement in their community, many retreat into an apparent apathetic powerlessness that they cover and rationalize by thinking candle-light vigils will stop tree-murders or that they will stop global warming by turning off their lights for an evening. <BR/><BR/>And for some, even those actions are too much of an intrusion into their self-centered “we’re spiritually superior to you political people” world. They prefer to sit around a naval contemplation circle than speak out at a Council meeting- and criticize those who do try to change things for not being religious enough.<BR/><BR/>Someone sent this to me today from the Urban Dictionary www.urbandictionary.com<BR/>Word of the Day March 28, 2008: <BR/>slacktivism<BR/>http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=slacktivism&defid=304835<BR/>The act of participating in obviously pointless activities as an expedient alternative to actually expending effort to fix a problem. Signing an email petition to stop rampant crime is slacktivism. Want to really make your community safer? Get off your ass and start a neighborhood watch!Andy Parxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15398587036690312685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-69119424604686407272008-03-28T22:38:00.000-10:002008-03-28T22:38:00.000-10:00You gotta admit, getting that bike path up along t...You gotta admit, getting that bike path up along the coastline at Na Pali would ROCK!! What could be "greener"?Kauai Sanctuaryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18270108277516034826noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-24319556543150083312008-03-28T16:49:00.000-10:002008-03-28T16:49:00.000-10:00Well, Anonymous, if you'd been there, you would ha...Well, Anonymous, if you'd been there, you would have known that what I wrote is the truth. And since you don't think it is, you obviously weren't there.Joan Conrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00172330100788007499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-76505081817602436642008-03-28T16:11:00.000-10:002008-03-28T16:11:00.000-10:00RE: Spirit of Aloha"...The muddy runoff from the g...RE: Spirit of Aloha<BR/>"...The muddy runoff from the grading fouled the stream, the cove and then the ocean. I wept over her carelessness,..."<BR/><BR/>Nothing like a blatant fabrication...pure, utterly self-serving BS and you know it. Toss the shame of fibbing into the backseat and assume the mantle of the self-righteous--right on!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com