Effective activism’s a long-haul process, not “save the Earth in 30 days, ask me how.” But there are some principles that seem to reoccur for people addressing every kind of challenge from the Gulf Oil spill to inadequate funding for urban schools to how to deal with Afghanistan and Iraq. They give us clues on how to reach out to engage our fellow citizens and help us get past our own barriers, not to mention burnout and disappointment. When I was updating my Soul of a Citizen book on citizen activism, an activist rabbi who was teaching the book at a Florida university suggested I gather together a Ten Commandments for effective citizen engagement. Calling them Commandments seemed presumptuous, but I did draw together ten suggestions that can make engagement more fruitful. Some I’ve already explored in various Soul of a Citizen excerpts. I’ll flesh out others in coming weeks. But pulling them together in one place seemed useful.
Tag: activists
Apr 05 2009
Mike Farrell on ‘Taking a stand’ {UpDate w/part3}
Actor Mike Farrell talks about why he ‘sticks his neck’ out as a political activist Pt1
Oct 27 2008
Many Don’t Like Ralph, but……….
Ralph Nader {center}
October 27, 1969
Ralph Nader set up a consumer organization with young lawyers and researchers {often called “Nader’s Raiders”} who produced systematic exposés of industrial hazards, pollution, unsafe products, and governmental neglect of consumer safety laws.
Nader is widely recognized as the founder of the consumer rights movement. He played a key role in the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Freedom of Information Act, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Sep 11 2008
Pony Party: Lobbyists for McCain
Billionaires for Bush is back: Join Lobbyists for McCain.
Some of you know that I am a huge fan of public art. Street theater included. The best street theater troupe that arose during the past 8 years, imho, is Billionaires for Bush.
Aaaaaand…they’re back! They’ve renamed themselves Lobbyists for McCain but it’s the same group, now with even more biting video. This first one is just a teaser:
The next one–it is so true that one could cry–is the best I’ve found:
This is an Open Thread. Please do not wRECk the Pony Party!
Sep 04 2008
GOP Campaign Themes
These people have No Self Worth, I’m talking about those that just hang to this imaginary, once proud, Republican Tag. Even still calling themselves Conservative!
They allow themselves to be led around like the robots they’ve become, and frankly some on the Democratic side are just as willing, but the fall into line and march in lockstep Falls Souly on the GOP!
They’ve been Silent and Accepting of the Lies that led our Troops into Occupations and All that has come about because of that, the torturing, the no-bid contracts, the corruption, the deaths and maiming’ s…………………………………………, and oh so much more!
They’ve been Silent and Accepting as our Freedoms have been slowly stripped away, and Accepting of Rule by Executive Branch Alone ignoring the fact they have hired others to Represent Them!