Howard Zinn has it right:

[marmar]

Historically, the most terrible things--war, genocide and slavery--have resulted from obedience, not disobedience.

It's clear that the only thing that's going to end this war is We the People, as Thom Hartmann likes to say. But it's also clear that will only happen with massive civil disobedience - all the emails and phone calls to Capitol Hill don't seem to be working. It seems like strikes, not going to work, not going to school, perhaps refusing to fight - essentially starving the war beast - are the only way we're going to do it.

But I guess what's not clear is whether Americans, who by the numbers want this war over, will rise up. Perhaps it will take a depression to get us off our collective asses?

[Tom Joad]

1. Damn Straight!

[proud2BlibKansan]

2. I'm in

[Solly Mack]

3. Now that's THE gospel

[EFerrari]

4. Nancy Pelosi needs a serious challenge. Start there. n/t

[BrklynLiberal]

5. I wonder if the poeple of this country have the stomach to hit the streets in the numbers it would

take to accomplish anything..
It was embarrassing to see the people of other, supposedly less "Freedom Loving" countries go out and hit the streets and protest so loudly that the government HAD to listen...when we could not muster up numbers to do that.

How many people did not even know there were protests at Shit-for-Brains' first inauguration until they saw it in Fahreheit 911...or about the futile attempt by some of the Representatives to get one measly vote from the Senate to question the voting in Florida?

I hope I am wrong. I hope the streets are filled with people who are yearning for a better government, and are willing to put their feet and their butts out there to prove it.

[marmar]

6. "futile attempt by some of the Representatives to get one measly vote"

Every time I watch that scene in F9/11, when the Congressional Black Caucus members are abandoned by the Dem Senators, my blood boils.

[EFerrari]

9. I can't even watch that. n/t

[tblue]

10. I bawled when I saw that. And I don't cry easily.

Yes, this is reminiscent.

[MikeNearMcChord]

13. Problem is, that the sheep are now tuning to

American Idol, waiting for the next Brittany/Pairs/Lindsay story, waiting to see Roger Clemens still has the right stuff, in other words until they get hit across the face with a 2x4, they are comfortably numb. The elite realized that bread and circuses are the key to keep the peons from revolting. But keep the faith, there has to be a tipping point.

[BrklynLiberal]

17. I hope you are right. I am not as optimistic as you.

x(

[illinoisprogressive]

7. Zinn is brilliant and right.

[David Zephyr]

8. He's the man!

Zinn is simply heroic in my eyes.

[tinfoilinfor2005]

11. I also like that other old saying...

No guts, no glory.

[WillyT]

12. The Only Reason It Happened Last Time (Vietnam) Was Because There Was A Draft

Apparently, a draft is very motivational.

And the "funny" thing is, that if we all got out in the streets now, they wouldn't dare even consider a draft.

One worry I have is that the longer this war goes on, the more our military gets squeezed to the breaking point, the more inevitable a draft becomes.

That's another great reason to put a stop to this war NOW! But then, you'd have to get out in the streets NOW!!!

:shrug:

[TahitiNut]

15. DU Quote: "If they start a draft we will be in the streets again!"

I hear a lot of DUers saying things like this ... talking about what they'd do if the draft was activated. Some say they'd leave the country.

What puzzles me is the simultaneous claim that we're doing the most we can do to get out of Iraq. Well, it seems obvious that we can't be doing "the most" if there's something more we'd do if the draft were activated.

It puzzles me that folks claim that people wouldn't become MORE involved and active ... forcing our (s)elected representatives (the best that money can buy) to respect the democratic will of the people ... if the draft were activated. Yet, I hear the contradictory claim about what more people would do if the draft were activated.

Something's amiss, I think.

When I add into that mix the statements of some that they think the people already in the military and bearing the greatest burden of this occupation should do more! They should do more?? Mutiny? Refuse? Desert? Go to prison? I guess I just don't understand how we can expect the people already risking the most to risk more. Whose country is this, anyway??

Cowardice comes in many forms.

[aikoaiko]

14. What about civil wars? nt

[ThomCat]

16. Howard Zinn is a very wise man.

I wish we could get more political traction with his ideas.