A Most Amazing Banner From the DC Demo!-"Eliminate the Warfare $tate"

[buzzsaw_23]

My brother and I marched with this banner in the rally. The banner was imagined and created by myself and a local craftsperson/artist. While the concept is self-explanatory a few words about what brought this to mind.

Much of the political discussion is about the false dichotomy of left-right;Repub-Dem, when in my mind it is more about Slavery-Freedom. This is exemplified by the US-UPC symbol on the left.The UPC symbolizing the reality of our commodified existence as opposed to the uber-patriotic false symbol of Old Glory.

The flag on the right is the symbol of who really runs this country as exemplified by the jet fighters which replace the stars in Old Glory.


And "The Warfare State" is the Beast which the rest of the world has known all too well for many a year and that which completely controls the purse strings of the National Treasury and controls the Halls of Congress. In my view all discussions in the political arena that do not begin with how to get the $800 Billion Pound Gorilla off the backs of the world are destined to distract us from the deepest dilemma in our lives.

We either stop IT or IT eats us alive.

I am on the left, my brother on the right.






Thanks Alamom

[proud patriot]

1. great banner

:thumbsup:

[OhioChick]

2. Very nice banner

I like it! :)

[not systems]

3. nice! n/t

[liberal43110]

4. Excellent!

:toast:

[Fovea]

5. Simple, truthful, Brilliant!

That banner rocks.

[hwmnbn]

6. Excellent....

and a lot of thought and effort went into making that sign. Congratulations on the sign and the attitude.

[GreenPartyVoter]

7. Excellent!

[Ladyhawk]

8. That kicks ass. n/t

[Alamom]

9. Great message in text and banner..n/t

[wellstone dem]

10. That is great

God, I wish I were creative.

[ultraist]

11. Very cool!

:applause: :patriot:

[HEAVYHEART]

12. I love it!!

:hi: :loveya:

[qanda]

13. Great banner!

Thanks for sharing this.

[Tinoire]

14. I love it buzzsaw_23!!!

Very to the point!

[Martin Eden]

15. It would be interesting to see ...

... a Democratic presidential campaign with a platform to significantly REDUCE the military budget. Candidate Kerry was raked over the coals for every vote he ever took in opposition to bloated and redundant military expenditures. The public has been trained to equate military spending with national security, and diabusing them of that perception will be a very difficult -- and necessary -- campaign.

EXCELLEMT banner, by the way! The term "warfare state" really frames the issue, and combined with Eisenhower's warnings about the military/industrial complex -- and the counter-productive military solution in Iraq -- there just might be a chance to break the grip that militarism has over the American people.

[buzzsaw_23]

17. One way to frame the discussion

is to just lay out the simple truth to people. Just tell them "The US spends more than the rest of the world combined on military. We are under no threat from any external enemy. The greates threat to your well-being is no Health Care-No Jobs-Rising energy costs-No Mass Transit etc."

Tell them a reduction in the Pentagon Budget would provide for more than enough to fulfill all of these other needs. Tell them the US Military uses more fuel than any other industry/entity on Earth BY FAR!!! 7.5 billion gallons of fuel for Iraq 2005 alone.

Tell them money needed for public infrastructure has all been funneled to the military contractors like Halliburton etc. They'll get it. Keep it simple.

But above all else TELL THEM!
And then listen.

It's up to us!

[zippy890]

16. I saw that!! Excellant banner!

One of the best - and there were a LOT of incredibly good posters and banners.

That flag made from the UPC symbol -- what a great idea!

[slipslidingaway]

18. Wonderful banner, thanks and nominated for great idea. n/t

[ladylibertee]

19. Sweet !!

[H2O Man]

20. Great!

Very well done.

[seemslikeadream]

21. "Eliminate the Warfare $tate"

The people live in misery
Govemment a work
But govemment them is a monckery
Respect to the youths
Whether in front and all dem a back a me
Why don't you treat them the way you should
And I know all the things you hide
Even though it's a good disguise
And we see all the things you do
And what you do will comeback on you
You think we can't fight what the eyes can't see
Because we are blinded by poverty

The people live in misery
Govemment a work
But govemment them is a monckery
Respect to the youths
Whether in front and all dem a back a me
Why don't you treat them the way you should

The people live in misery
Govemment a work
But govemment them is a monckery
Respect to the youths
Whether in front and all dem a back a me
Why don't you treat them the way you should

It's like the people you want them to rebel
And fire gunshots and burn buildings to hell
And after that you a go want treat me well
It's like you have the people under a spell
Talking to the people in a congress
A we vote you in, so you must put out your best
After all we no in a contest
It's the state of the union address

The people live in misery
Govemment a work
But govemment them is a monckery
Respect to the youths
Whether in front and all dem a back a me
Why don't you treat them the way you should

The people live in misery
Govemment a work
But govemment them is a monckery
Respect to the youths
Whether in front and all dem a back a me
Why don't you treat them the way you should

Broadcasting lies on the television sreen
Trying to get us hooked on your american dream
We up on your games if you know wha me mean
When you cheated on your wife with your money and your schemes
People rule and a that you fi follow
We and nuh no call me no nigga
Do a good term and you deserve another
Signed musically yours, the general sleepywonder

The people live in misery
Govemment a work
But govemment them is a monckery
Respect to the youths
Whether in front and all dem a back a me
Why don't you treat them the way you should

The people live in misery
Govemment a work
But govemment them is a monckery
Respect to the youths
Whether in front and all dem a back a me
Why don't you treat them the way you should

Thievery Corporation


:hug:

[IndyOp]

22. Fantastic way to get beyond Dem-Rep battle!

I want the entire militaristic, imperialist house of cards to fall -- NOT a kindler, gentler version in the hands of the Dems.

:woohoo:

[bleedingheart]

23. That would make a great bumpersticker or t-shirt

[Beam Me Up]

24. I like the concept A LOT! Great work!

[DistressedAmerican]

25. That Kicks Ass!!!

I'm pretty sure I saw ya! I remember the barcode flag! Brilliant!

[Rainscents]

26. Excellent Banner!

Only liberals has great mind!

[Peace Patriot]

27. Wonderful banner! You are so right! This was how we '60s antiwar

protesters failed. We helped get that horrible, genocidal war stopped, but we didn't persist in addressing the existence of the humongous war machine that is always stirring up and seeking conflict, to keep itself fat with the hard-earned dollars of poor and middle class American taxpayers.

When was the last time this "Defense" Department DEFENDED us? WW II! They couldn't even defend the Pentagon on 9/11! They stood down. So what are we feeding this awful war machine for, except to oppress other people on behalf of global corporate predators.

I'm so glad you created and carried this sign. That says it all! Thanks!