============================================================================ From: "Diana and Jeff Jewell" <•••@••.•••> To: <•••@••.•••> Cc: "Jeff Jewell" <•••@••.•••> Subject: RE: cj#1074, rn> RE: Vision Matters - dialog w/Michael Albert Date: Mon, 27 Mar 2000 15:50:27 -0800 I would like to respond to Michael and Richard on this important issue. I see our challenge as also reaching out beyond activist circles, a crucial step if we are to achieve the "critical mass" of a mass movement needed to break the stranglehold you speak of. Each activist has a network of family, friends, co-workers, etc. who are NOT in the movement. We can supply them with audio tapes, short articles, references to alternative radio stations where available, and speak out at Toastmasters meetings on topics of concern. I started a new kind of Toastmasters club about nine years ago which helps to cross-pollinate good activist/environmental ideas as well as introduce these ideas to newcomers. This club has maintained itself and gained momentum over the years. You as activists can attend existing clubs and speak out, or start another such "activist" club, inviting members of activist and environmental groups to get involved, improve their public speaking skills, and learn more how to create the synergy needed to have a positive effect. I agree that Globalization is a flash point around which to organize, as some momentum has already been achieved, but I also see that Democracy can be another such organizing principle, as it has the emotional appeal instilled by our culture (and here we can capitalize on the disinformation put out by the mass media to our advantage, even though the kind of "democracy" they are trying to export and sell to us is far from what we have in mind). I realize that many Marxist analysts would reject democracy and want a brand-new system, and I agree that a new system is needed, but I also feel we have to take reasonable steps, and just trying to gain and maintain some semblance of true democracy would be a great first step while we and those coming after us figure out how to go the next step with a better system. Let's also think of putting out cj list out to more people outside our circle, and have them read Richard's analysis. Diana Jewell North Vancouver Activist > -----Original Message----- > > rkm had written: > My belief is that if we cannot achieve democracy then other > reforms are ephemeral, and if we do achieve democracy then > our economic and other policies will be worked out through > the democratic process. ============================================================================ Richard K Moore Wexford, Irleand Citizens for a Democratic Renaissance email: •••@••.••• CDR website: http://cyberjournal.org cyberjournal archive: http://members.xoom.com/centrexnews/ book in progress: http://cyberjournal.org/cdr/gri/gri.html A community will evolve only when the people control their means of communication. -- Frantz Fanon Permission for non-commercial republishing hereby granted - BUT include and observe all restrictions, copyrights, credits, and notices - including this one. ============================================================================ .
