I can't bother with a Revolution right now because...

[Philosoraptor]

I have kids. I can't get away from work. I'm sure it'll all work itself out eventually. I live too far away from D.C. I'm too old. It's too hot right now. What good would it do? I don't want to look like a nut.

Let's not get drastic. Surely there's an easier way. I'll just wait till November and vote the crooks out. Hell, things aren't THAT bad are they? Now how would that look? This ain't the sixties, and I ain't no hippy.

Why waste the time, what good did all the recent protests do? They have all the guns, it won't work. They're too entrenched, they can't be removed. We are powerless to stop them, isn't it obvious?

Etc., etc., etc.,

Well look at you Phil, what the hell are you doing to stop them? Mr. Keyboard Jockey. Get out there and git busy then hotshot.

[lildreamer316]

1. And, you know,

it doesn't matter what I think anyway. My voice dosen't count. The corporations are all that matter. The 60's are dead; that kind of activisim dosen't matter anymore.

I'm too far in credit card debit to try to fathom what's really going on. I'm sure they know better than me; after all; the TV keeps telling me I'm stupid. Why else would they try to distract me with this juvinile crap? It's obviously too complicated for me to understand; that's why those liberals are always talking above my head--just like O'Rielly says.

[liberal N proud]

2. A revolution requires a revolutionary leader

Unfortunately, I don't see such a leader in this country today. It requires someone who can generate enthusiasm among those who are not yet willing but know it is necessary to do something.
It may not take one person to do this, in fact it would be better if there were a group of revolutionary leaders.

When we have revolutionary leadership, we will see some action.

[The2ndWheel]

5. I know the perfect group

PNAC.

"Unfortunately, I don't see such a leader in this country today."

Neither did they.

"It requires someone who can generate enthusiasm among those who are not yet willing but know it is necessary to do something."

Wolfowitz? Kristol?

"It may not take one person to do this, in fact it would be better if there were a group of revolutionary leaders."

Cheney, Rumsfeld, Bolton, Perle, Feith, Cambone...

"When we have revolutionary leadership, we will see some action."

Like 9/11 and the Iraq war.

I'm mostly just trying to make a funny point, but if you think about it, be it the "Founding Fathers", or PNAC, al-Qeada, or whoever else, it all works the same. The masses of people never get things done. It takes a small group to write a Constitution, or a Defense Planning Guidance, bomb a couple buildings, or who knows what else.

[pretzel4gore]

3. can't win for losing anyway.....

lookit the 60's/70's. All the progressivism that survived 2 world wars and all the rest of fascism's main chance until then gave the people a truly amazing world, man on the moon, a nasty imperialist war in vietnam stopped, high wages in good jobs for vast numbers of workers, ideas on improving schools and health care and fixing the evils that were left over from olden days etc - and what happened? why reganism happened! yep. might=right and greed is god and lookin out for number one! is it possible jesus dying for humanity was a waste of life?
(i know this cynicism takes the idea of the OP and subtly abuses it but.....who THE HELL voted for ronald regan? Who allowed the lies of reganism to just grow and grow and grow until dubia...? ok I was quite busy so never did nothing, but ??...things might improve, who knows?)

[leveymg]

4. A revolution isn't just a slogan or a wish for change.

This is what they look like in the real world:
http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2006/05/12/egyptclashes_narrowweb__300x504,0.jpg

Revolution comes at a high cost -- be very sure it'll be worth it before you start.

[treestar]

16. In the 21st century it might not take that

Or require that.

Just everybody don't pay taxes. Even if only 30% of us refused to pay taxes, there would have to be a serious turnaround. The feds are so powerful because of all the money they have.

Save the money and give it right to the poor in your state so they don't have to go to the feds for welfare.

Pay state taxes, just don't pay federal ones.

Many employers could go along with it, too.

They can't prosecute everybody when there are too many cases to prosecute.

[greekspeak]

6. Excellent...you have unmasked all the excuses...now tell us what you want

us to do. Yeah, we all bitch a lot. Lots of talk, little action. But now let's pretend that the exuses are put aside. Give us some plans of actions. Do you want to form armed militias and march on Washington? Since you have so much fire in your belly, I would like you to take over as leader. Tell us what to do. Give us a plan.

[Philosoraptor]

9. Me? I'm doing the same thing you're doing.

Nothing at all.

[greekspeak]

15. Then why are you griping?

If you don't have something constructive to say, stop screaming at people for not acting. And that goes double if you are doing nothing. By the way...how do you know what I do in my life?

[MrBenchley]

7. I wouldn't bother with a Revolution right now

because I wouldn't trust the people howling for one to be able to run a three-legged race without fucking it up royally.

[Clark2008]

8. OH - it's never anything as important as kids or work.

The answer usually is, "I'm watching American 'Idle' tonight."

:grr:

[jerry611]

10. War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things

"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."
-Thomas Jefferson

"War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself."
-John Stewart Mill

"Pacifism is objectively pro-fascist. This is elementary common sense. If you hamper the war effort of one side, you automatically help out that of the other. Nor is there any way to remain outside such a war. In practice, 'he who is not with me, is against me.'"
-George Orwell

Basically Orwell is saying that if you don't fight the fascism, you are in turn supporting it. And Thomas Jefferson and John Stewart Mill say that war is necessary evil in order to enjoy freedom. Pacifism is an unrealistic belief. It doesn't work in this world. Under a fascist government, the pacifists will be the first people wiped out or driven into fear. You may fear war or rebellion because it would put your children or family in danger. But there will become a point when pacifism also puts your family in danger.
We haven't reached a point in this country yet where revolution is necessary. But on the current path of corruption, greed, and destruction of civil liberties, one may be necessary in a few decades. Federal power is growing too great. And fascism is seeping into the system. The Declaration of Independence states clearly that the people have a right to alter or abolish any form of government that does not provide the people with life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

War is a very ugly thing, but fascism and dictatorship is a much uglier thing. We unfortunately live in a world of war. It has plagued this planet for thousands of years like an ancient disease. And civilization is far away from finding a cure.

[donsu]

11. revolution will come when men can't watch sports on TV no more

americans are still being charmed by the gaze of the TV, movies, games

held in thrall

[donsu]

12. do other countries watch as much TV as americans?

or is most of the world held in TV's thrall (meaning: whoever owns the media's thrall)

what is it? the revolution will not be televised.

the revolution will be blogged and forumed, etc. everywhere but the TV?

[jerry611]

13. Most countries don't have junk food for the brain like we do

Reality TV is absolutely nothing enlightning. At least most movies have some kind of message or moral to the story to bat around in your head. But reality TV and stuff like American Idol does absolutely nothing to stimulate any kind of thinking at all.

[donsu]

14. I disagree. think reality shows prompt a lot thought and are valuable

and there are many pointless movies.

trying to understand why people are against reality shows - cause they see truths; have buttons pushed?

(not debating the merits of various reality shows over another - just debating the value of reality shows)

[jerry611]

18. Most are scripted

What's the point of watching a scripted reality show?

[donsu]

22. they are all edited but only a few are scripted - it seems to me

nt

[otherlander]

17. other countries don't have as much food.

they have a sense of urgency.

[SammyWinstonJack]

19. If the Kool aid brigade would stop voting against their own financial

best interests and the repugs would stop stealing elections, then there wouldn't be a need for a revolution. Just saying. But continue on with your broad brush of Liberals, who you think can't be bothered! Whatever floats your boat.

[solinvictus]

20. How many own guns?

Revolutions aren't fought with golf clubs, tennis rackets, or handbags.

[oasis]

21. Not while the Mets are in 1st place. It'll be a doozy of a pennant race

for the National League.

Fuck a revolution, just get out and work harder on what you CAN change. Keep in mind Steven Covey's "Circle of Concern".