U.S.-British boycotts are taking root worldwide

[Carolab]

Published on Thursday, November 18, 2004 by CommonDreams.org
The Role of Boycotts in the Fight for Peace
Notes on Post-Election Strategy

by Paul Rockwell

After the election of George Bush, it took less than a week for peace activists to reach a consensus: "Stand and fight."

The U.S. election is simply unacceptable. No president, no matter how large the vote, has any authority to commit war crimes, to destroy cities from the air, to create inhuman prison systems beyond the rule of law, to violate the sovereignty of states. No franchise anywhere entitles any leader to subjugate foreign peoples, or to violate international law. Far from being a democratic "mandate" for Bush, the election is a mandate for world-wide resistance. As James Madison wrote: "Elective despotism is not the government we fought for."

Notwithstanding the consensus of defiance, questions of strategy remain to be addressed. How and where and by what means do we carry on the fight for peace? Do we continue to work within deformed, money-drenched elections? Or do we move into a new phase of direct, economic actions?

<snip>

All over the world, peace and anti-globalization movements are preparing to put Roy's concepts into practice. They are calling for a new kind of strategy to end the occupation of Iraq: a well-organized, sustained boycott of U.S. and British goods. In its range and scope, the coming boycott (including divestment from U.S. corporations) could resemble the historic boycott of South African apartheid.

The theme of the boycott, unencumbered by riders or secondary demands, is clear and simple: end the heinous occupation of Iraq. The boycott will not subside until all U.S. and British troops are withdrawn from the sovereign soil of Iraq; until all U.S. military bases are dismantled; until all U.S. corporations on Iraqi soil are closed down.

<snip>

http://www.commondreams.org/views04/1118-24.htm

[blue sky at night]

1. wow, this stuff is powerful

the fight is just beginning, and i want in. thanks for posting this and to everyone: the common dreams website is full of good articles on how to deal with the current madness.

[movonne]

2. This is a great article and I am sure ready for a boycott...

[Spazito]

3. Excellent!

The repubs only understand profit and loss so let's give them a loss!

[DuaneBidoux]

13. Their language is profit and loss-so let's speak their language.

[TlalocW]

4. I'm all for it...

Fortunately, my lifestyle is pretty adaptable. Birthday and Christmas gifts are bought on Ebay from individuals, and while I was hoping, now that I'm employed again, to buy a hybrid car, SUV, or minivan next year, I can hold off and keep driving my 1994 Nissan Sentra, which I'll probably drive until it drops.

TlalocW

[Doctor_J]

5. THIS is what's going to take down the BFEE

the recounts are nice, make you feel good, but this is the kind of thing that will make them cry mommy.

[Joaquin_W]

6. Pace yourselves

Not brace yourselves, pace yourselves.

Many people around the world have waited decades for justice to be brought upon people who committed crimes. The justice brought down on people who committed crimes is no less just, simply because it took a very long time to bring about.

After he leaves office, he will no longer have the protection of his office to hide behind. And then the world will have their day in court just like they have against every other person that has committed such acts.

To me, this would restore honor, and I intend to work toward it.

[newyawker99]

12. Hi Joaquin_W

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[gordianot]

7. The misery will be worldwide not just USA.

Watch the money markets, the deficit, shrinking dollar, inflating Euro, oil prices, etc. etc.. We are all being flushed at the same time. This is going to be bitter medicine for all. Who knows what will replace Bushco?

Life is terrible now and will become much worse.

[Doctor_J]

9. cancer treatment is unpleasant

ridding the country and the world of the BFEE is not going to be easy.

[DuaneBidoux]

14. EXACTLY

We don't kill cancer-we kill the person and just hope the cancer is gone before the person is completely dead. It's tough medecine, but so far really the only way we know how to deal with cancer.

[Lone_Wolf]

8. Watch the dollar slide against the euro and the yen...

It's a good indication that the dollar is losing its appeal.

[oceania]

10. Great article

I had already decided to boycott USA products as my own protest against the stolen election and Bush's policies.

It would be wonderful if the left of the world would unite and organize a long running and targeted boycott against the USA and UK.

We need a website dedicated to this project so people know what not to buy and where not to shop.

[DuaneBidoux]

15. But the problem goes far beyond just Iraq

Bush is only very partially hated because of Iraq. He's hated because of his attitude toward other countries when they have concerns. He broke or withdrew from at least 7 treaties in his first year alone, including Kyoto-a treaty the world really cares about.

The heart of the problem can be expressed thus: "You are with us or against us, oh and by the way when you want something or care about something and want our help go fuck yourself."

[zmdem]

11. James Madison

****
As James Madison wrote: "Elective despotism is not the government we fought for."
****

The article seems to advocate for a larger, worldwide democratic response to the American election. Madison's comment is anti-democratic, he is arguing against the very thing Rockwell seems to think he is arguing for.