Pre-emptive strategy suggestion for the anti-war movement

[mmonk]

by Scott Ritter.

snip

Lately I have noticed a growing despondency among many of those who call themselves the anti-war movement. With the United States now entering its fourth year of illegal war in and illegitimate occupation of Iraq, and the pro-war movement moving inexorably towards yet another disastrous conflict with Iran, there is an increasing awareness that the cause of the anti-war movement, no matter how noble and worthy, is in fact a losing cause as currently executed. Despite all of the well-meaning and patriotic work of the millions of activists and citizens who comprise the anti-war movement, America still remains very much a nation not only engaged in waging and planning wars of aggression, but has also become a nation which increasingly identifies itself through its military and the wars it fights. This is a sad manifestation of the fact that the American people seem to be addicted to war and violence, rather than the ideals of human rights, individual liberty, and freedom and justice for all that should define our nation.

snip

It is high time for the anti-war movement to take a collective look in the mirror, and be honest about what they see. A poorly organized, chaotic, and indeed often anarchic conglomeration of egos, pet projects and idealism that barely constitutes a "movement," let alone a winning cause. I have yet to observe an anti-war demonstration that has a focus on anti-war. It often seemed that every left-wing cause took advantage of the event to promote its own particular agenda, so that "No War in Iraq" shared the stage with the environment, ecology, animal rights, pro-choice, and numerous other causes which not only diluted the anti-war message which was supposed to be sent, but also guaranteed that the demonstration itself would be seen as something hijacked by the left, inclusive of only progressive ideologues, and exclusive of the vast majority of moderate (and even conservative) Americans who might have wanted to share the stage with their fellow Americans from the left when it comes to opposing war with Iraq (or even Iran), but do not want to be associated with any other theme.

snip

There is an old adage in the military that “intelligence drives operations.” The anti-war movement needs to develop a centralized intelligence operation, not a spy organization, but rather a think-tank that produces sound analysis based upon fact that can be used to empower those who are waging the struggle against war. Far too often the anti-war movement dilutes its effectiveness by either being unable to produce facts during a debate, or when it does, producing facts that are inaccurate, incomplete, or both. The mainstream media treats the anti-war movement as a joke because many times that is exactly what the anti-war movement, through its lack of preparation and grasp of the facts, allows itself to become.

snip


What do you think of the idea of starting such a think-tank strategy?

http://alternet.org/blogs/themix/34332/

[KurtNYC]

1. Best practices

Think tank or not, we should develop a list of best practices -- what works, what does not work. Ideally the practices would be arrayed so that if a person has say more time than money then there are methods ranked that will show that person how they can have the most impact on the political process. Then a list for 'more money than time.' etc.

One could score methods like the following in terms of their effectiveness and efficiency, based on the results typically acheived by their use:
- LTTEs
- rally
- sit-in
- TV ads
- freeway blogging
- legit billboards
etc.

[tocqueville]

3. it's not enough

all what you quote is very good of course, but NOT ENOUGH

what Ritter means is ORGANIZATION

How do you think the French left can mobilize 3 million people within 2 weeks on a job law ? because they have a long record of organization. It's like gathering 15 million people to Washington in the same amount of time in a single event.

Ritter is right, even if he presents the more "warlike" aspect of the operation. The Left in America IS NOT ORGANIZED. They don't have a PARTY (or parties) in European sense. Not even the Democrats are a real party. They are ELECTION MACHINES.

As long the progressives don't have a real party (parties) with regular suborganisations, unions etc... they won't win.

For example in Europe, after local discussions the equivalent of the Dem party would have already had one if not several CONGRESSES where a strategy had been discussed and voted by the base (which means that everybody doesn't have to agree on everything, but is respecting the majority decision).

The discussion here is limited to whom is best as the next ticket. It's not a strategy.

That's why the Republicans win and can win again despite their colossal mistakes.

Ritter is absolutely right. The peace movement is anarchistic, the progressive movement is anarchistic (in the literal sense). They are waiting for "the hero" (the popularity of the idiotic movie V for Vendetta shows it).

It doesn't work that way. History shows that anarchists were swipped away by the fascists (Spain, Italy , Germany). Progressive, Socialists and communists had heavy losses but survived. When the allies landed they become the liberation army within 3 weeks. They had structures, they could run a state.

[Sparkman]

2. US corporatism and the inherent propaganda goals of the media will fight

ANY and ALL such organizational attempts, like the assaination of MLK, JFK, RFK, Malcom and so many unnamed others. If they don't directly plan domestic assinations mentioned, they escalate the lies about communist, anarchist or terrorist sympathies. Foreign assination and anti-democratic movement organizing by this nation fills volumes in the "left" catagory of histories. Iraq and Haiti and Nicaragua and Palistine are only four in the news recently.
Your proposal is probably on all of the minds of the advocates of moral and peaceful folks around the world, while it's implementation conjurz up the fearz of disappearance by storm trooper actions' abroad, here at home job security, political professionals' carrears or in the military "fragging" in hot action spots abroad. Travel restriction for the more famous "left" pundits has now become common place, if we can believe their testimony.
It's a vocation and a "religion" at the same time, for those who are dedicated to our education.
The corporate types, and their materialism addicted supporters have life style sacrifices upper most in their aggendas, and greed is a strong motivator. imo

[tocqueville]

5. you are absolutely right

you have to go through that. Others did before you both in the US and other countries. The alternative is enslavement and death.

Good luck !

[omega minimo]

4. "The mainstream media treats the anti-war movement as a joke because...."

....because it is owned and operated by those who profit from war. :thumbsdown:



"The mainstream media treats the anti-war movement as a joke because many times that is exactly what the anti-war movement, through its lack of preparation and grasp of the facts, allows itself to become."


Wonder where this "debate" took place: "...dilutes its effectiveness by either being unable to produce facts during a debate, or when it does, producing facts that are inaccurate, incomplete, or both."

Certainly not on mainstream media.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

6. "Increasingly identifies itself thru its military and the wars it fights"

Suggestion: stop reserving the phrase "serve the country" for military people. In fact, stop calling them "servicemen".

If you ask me, a teacher, an M.D., or a fireman serve their country WAY more than, say, a Marine.

[mmonk]

10. That's a thought.

Many people in reality "serve" everyday for better in this country but aren't considered in such terms.

[nadinbrzezinski]

12. And you will proceed to alienate the military

good move, NOT

Remember, this was done in the sixties and you NEED TO REACH to service members and retired personnel. They are in many ways the BEST pro peace people you will ever find if you don't piss them off. You know why? You might be against war on an ideological reason, Warriors have been there, done that and truly realize the horrors of it.

There is more, about half of the Warriors in the field right now are National Guardsman who DID NOT sign up to go to foreign lands but to help at home in case of natural disasters. So good going NOT

[mmonk]

15. IMO

the military already knows bush and saying other people serve their country is not saying the military doesn't. A shift to a lexicon beyond serving meaning only in a military way shouldn't be a problem.

[Guaranteed]

16. I understand what you're saying, but I'm not sure that, in the long run,

putting the military on a pedestal, like is currently being done (and the pedestal is getting higher), is really the best thing for the country.

[nadinbrzezinski]

18. The place for the military where it is

did not start under bush, hell did not start under Nixon, it started under Washington. You DO know the origin of the Purple Heart don't you?

Now the bush boys have subverted how this is understood... for nobody in the armed services, or dependents will see police, and fire as less than... in fact many who come out of the services go straight into public service. Hell, in fact people who are CLOSE to all public services understand that nobody is less than. Been there done that, at multiple levels.

But if you do this... the way you intend to... again where do you want those troops to go? It happened once, be careful of doing it again.

[Guaranteed]

20. I'm referring to the corporatist tendency to put the military

above reproach. I'm not sure that that is a good idea.

Respecting our military is important, but there is a line- a very dangerous one, actually- that shouldn't be crossed.

[nadinbrzezinski]

23. Bush has crossed it, but he does not live in a

normal world. The people IN THE Miltiary hate the corporatist approach and the mercenary aproach, but I am sure you knew this.

[Sparkman]

17. Reminding the U.S. calvalry attrocities, the airmen's cluster bombing kids

is only telling the truth. FACING the U.S. war machine's bloodshed against CHILDREN and NON COMBATANTS, which those in war profiteering jobs in and out of career military families, REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE, is the 1st step. the motives of the war industry cannot be allowed to avoid questioning and illumination by truth tellers.

[nadinbrzezinski]

19. Good, then you will alienate the military

right now they are allies, and I am talking about the grunts. Keep thinking this way and you will do such.

By the way... going after the grunts when war crimes have been committed will not earn you any friends. After all under the Nuremberg Standard Specialist Lind le England )E-3) should have NEVER faced the music... now Sec Def Rumsfeld should... the orders came from there. So should Lt Gen Sanchez, Under Secretary for Policy Douglas Feith, and a slew of General level, and Field Level OFfficers... so try this with somebody who has not enforced the Geneva Convention. (By the way Sergeant Harris was prosecuted as he should... as an E-6 he SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER and refused to obey orders)

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

26. I very much doubt a Marine will be pissed by being called a Marine. -nt

[Joe Fields]

7. In theory, I believe it is a good idea.

We desperately need organization. But I can see problems with it, some of which you have already mentioned. To be as organized as you propose would require vast sums of money. Where do we get it? From small contributions? How do we get it? From volunteers? How do we keep egos and alternate causes out? Do we have a face to the organized effort? How do we market the movement to get maximum exposure?

I am all for it, and would like to work toward that goal. I value the lives of our soldiers too much, as well as the lives of innocent Iraqis to allow failed and corrupt government policies to continue.

[tocqueville]

9. if everybody who voted for Kerry sends $10

you'll get $570,288,974

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

22. What 2/5ths of a person voted for Kerry? -nt

[tocqueville]

27. Diebold glitch nt

[Greeby]

8. Here's an idea

Next time a big anti-war demonstration gets some C-SPAN coverage, tell ANSWER to bugger off until they get their collective heads and asses wired together and get with the program

[nadinbrzezinski]

11. When I said it after a local demo

I was called nuts, now that Ritter is saying the same it might work... we need to CONCENTRATE THE MESSAGE and have ab EFFECTIVE organization

[Guaranteed]

14. This would be like the brain, not the executive, though.

The anti-war movement would actually need to listen to these folks.

[nadinbrzezinski]

21. Look at the posts here and you will see why

it ain't gonna happen

[mmonk]

24. I believe it should be made up of

historians, constitutional and international law scholars, former diplomats, and retired military that know how much is at risk with trying to force violently an American dominated system through garrisoning the world would require.

[Guaranteed]

25. Sounds about right.

They should have minimal corporate ties, though. Their credibility needs to be impeccable.

[Guaranteed]

13. Totally agreed.

No politicians within it, though. These need to be the most *insightful* of liberals, not the most popular.