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The Old Man At The Peace Rally |
Current rating: 0 |
by J Sumbulken
(No verified email address) |
27 Jan 2003
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Realize that we'll never convince everyone. We don't have to, all we have to do is convince enough. |
You've seen me, I'm sure. I'm the older gentleman with the gray beard and floppy hat. I may be wearing tie-dye, walking with a cane, you never know. You'll know me if you see me, I stand out in the crowd. Come talk to me during the Rally. We're in this together, united for a common cause. To end this war NOW! We need to get to know each other and work together.
I've been around a long time and have been active in a number of things. I may have been at the 1968 DNC in Chicago and gotten a taste of tear gas, maybe a few hard hits with a police baton. Maybe I was knocked down by a Police Horse during a protest. I may be a Combat Veteran who has seen what war is really like and opposes it. I have experience in protesting and lobbying. I'm semi, or completely retired with time on my hands and will help where I can. You never know until you get to know me. I also have a lot to say, and advise to give.
Realize that we'll never convince everyone. We don't have to, all we have to do is convince enough. How much is "enough"? It's hard to say, we'll know it when we do and we'll share a victory hug. Talk to people. Let them know how you feel and why you feel that way. Talk to people you're comfortable around. The best people to talk with are those who don't have a set opinion or may be wavering. They're the people you can convince. There's an old saying, "never try to teach a pig to sing, it's a waste of time and it annoys the pig." There aren't enough people that are that gung-ho for the war anyway, don't waste your time. It's better to use your time constructively. Do what you can. Write letters to your representatives, post on Bulletin Boards on the net, call your representatives, fax them, sign petitions, whatever you can do. The more noise we make, the less the powers that be can ignore us.
Above all, we need to keep our act together. We need to make a good impression. Be respectful when you contact your representatives. You see, if we act like fools, we'll be judged as fools. We need to act in such a way that people don't say "I'm not supporting ANYTHING they support." So far things have gone pretty well with a few rare exceptions. Let's keep it that way. I'm from the Martin Luther King School, peaceful resistance. We will come out way ahead by using Dr. King's methods.
People, we have to stick together and help each other, young and old. We're all Brothers and Sisters and we need to act like it. We need to show our solidarity as we oppose this war. Stand tall and know you are a part of something so big, they can't ignore us. Alone, we are but a voice in the wilderness, together, we can change things.
Let's be heard!
PEACE NOW!
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See also:
http://www.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=231554&group=webcast
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