Concerns and Tactics

[Jim Metcalf]

Kenoli:

I agree whole-heartedly with your comments, and feel that my heart is in
your pen. If Rumsfeld and Ashcroft get their way, then America will indeed
have lost our reason for being, and the world will be poorer.

I believe, as always, that the answer is talk, courageous talk.

Jim Metcalf

-----Original Message-----
From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU]On Behalf Of kenoli
Oleari
Sent: Tuesday, December 18, 2001 12:37 PM
To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Subject: Concerns and Tactics

Dear Friends -- I am listening to Rumsfeld on NPR and realizing that
the clear logic of the strategy the government has embarked on is to
repeat the Afghanistan tactic in numerous other parts of the world
while supporting the suppression of political "enemies" in the
countries of "allies" (as is happening in Indonesia and other places
already using unsupported charges of association with Al Qaeda or
"terrorism").  A repeat of the "cold war".

I just heard a taped speech by William Kunstler (given before 1995)
describing the amazing extent to which the bill of rights had already
(even by then) been eroded by the Supreme Court.  Ashcroft is asking
for the re-instatement of the cointelpro program, with the intention
of infiltrating and interrogating domestic political religious and
social groups (among other equally draconian measures).  This is all
stuff we lived through, fought, and thought we had seen the Congress
acknowledge as unconstitutional, passing prohibitions which are all
now being reversed.  Congress and the population in general seem
oblivious to any concerns these actions may raise (even if there does
seem to be an increase in interest in being more aware about larger
global issues).

I am increasingly feeling that we are reaching the point of needing
to take extraordinary action regarding all of this, and truly not
sure how to respond.  In the 60s I would have assumed without
hesitation that these events would call for mass demonstrations and
civil disobedience.  I am not driven in this direction immediately
and don't see the energy for it in society at large.

I am interested in hearing from others about how they are feeling and
thinking regarding the need for action and what is appropriate
action.  I am aware of the wonderful efforts that many are doing
holding "world cafe" type conversations in the wake of 911.  On
various listservs people have suggested Future Search, Open Space and
other similar interventions.  Is it important to respond specifically
to the war tactics and erosion of civil liberties?  If so, what is
the the best form with which to do this?  Is it too early to respond
specifically?  Is broad conversation the best tactic for now?  Is the
best approach to take this opportunity to provide people with "new"
experiences in the form of these other process approaches?

It seems like we are in an era when a shift in tactics (from those we
used in the 60s and 70s) may be critical and possible.  I am still
not fully clear about the most appropriate way to approach these
developing realities.

I would love to hear from you regarding these questions.

In (a new version of) "solidarity" (can we avoid polarization this time?),

Kenoli
--
Kenoli Oleari, Horizons of Change, http://www.horizonsofchange.com
1801 Fairview Street, Berkeley, CA  94703   Voice Phone: 510-601-8217,
Fax: 510-595-8369, Email: kenoli at igc.org (or click on:
mailto://kenoli@igc.org)

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