TO THE CHOIR: If they vote for war, occupy 'em!

[babylonsister]

http://www.michaelmoore.com/mustread/index.php?id=793


TO THE CHOIR: If they vote for war, occupy 'em! ... by Mike Ferner

After nearly four years of war I'd wager that a few million Americans have held a candle at a vigil, carried a sign at a rally, passed out a flyer, forwarded an email to friends, or gone to a demonstration in a distant city. If you, Dear Reader, are one of these stout souls, this letter is to you.

But first, may I ask a favor? For the rest of this letter please forget that at least once during these years of protest you, no doubt, mourned that "only the choir" participated. The choir -- people who actually do something for peace -- is precisely who I'm writing to.

No doubt, it's frustrating that, except for a few grand occasions, "only the choir" shows up. But consider this: of the millions of women in the U.S. at the time, relatively few became active suffragists with the staying power to eventually get votes for women. Of the millions of workers suffering from the Great Depression, relatively few answered the call to sit down in the auto factories to win recognition for unions. Of the millions of blacks bearing the weight of segregation, relatively few sat down at lunch counters.

In their day they were "the choir." When they were the only ones who showed up for vigils and rallies, they, no doubt, bemoaned that "only the choir" had come again. They came to action after action, moving things forward imperceptibly each time. But when conditions were right, they acted one more time. And then they made history.

Several indicators confirm that conditions are right again.

* The November elections clearly proved the public wants to end the war. That sentiment will surely grow in the months ahead.

* This spring, likely in March, Congress will vote whether to continue the war with another $160,000,000,000 "supplemental appropriation."

* This February, the peace movement's choir, of which you are one, will up the ante of protest. Voices for Creative Nonviolence, joined by Veterans For Peace, have initiated the "Occupation Project" to occupy the hometown offices of Representatives and Senators who have voted money for the war.

* If we miss this opportunity to greatly hasten peace, the war will still eventually end. "Eventually," however, will be measured in additional thousands of lives lost, even more thousands suffering horrific injuries, and the world becoming more dangerous.

* All this clearly adds up to a historic opportunity.

You have already done something for peace. Now will you consider taking a giant step that will mean so much more?

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