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Posted by pamsterdam on 2005-01-10 13:52:24 +0000

For those of you in the US of Arrrgh!

[url=http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/hoax/forum/forum_comments/2142/]January 20[/url] - check it out. Some food for thought, anyway. IMHO, the most interesting comment is posted by someone named "code". I've pasted it below, in case you have problems pulling it up: I feel quite strongly that there is a significant problem with this form of "protest". I believe it is tremendously misguided. I see no logical correlation between the cessation of consumer spending and an opinion against the war. While it may grab some brief media attention, I cannot see how it would directly affect our religious and political leaders opinions one way or the other. A reduction of consumer spending is exactly the opposite of what our fragile economy needs. Local governments, small businesses and churches are all largely facing a reduction in positive cash flow and are cutting back their spending and services. I fail to see how further reducing the income of our local business owners could equate with protesting the war in Iraq. I suggest that anyone who wants to make a difference should do what they can to voice their opinion directly to the politicians responsible. Our president, our congressmen, our state senators and representatives-- these are the people who have the ability to stop the war. If they are overwhelmed by letters, phone calls and emails expressing our anti-war sentiments, they just might get motivated to work for the public opinion and stop it. This is a lazy persons approach to political activism. Expressing oneself and being heard in a public forum requires energy, forethought and commitment. "There's no rally to attend. No marching to do."-- why not? Worldwide it has been proven again and again that coming out in large numbers in favor of a cause contrary to current government policy can shift that policy. Providing politicians with visible evidence that there is a majority of their constituents in favor of social change can be the motivation for social change. It would be wonderful if something as easy and anonymous as not spending anything for a day would have a similar effect. Do you really think it would? Who is going to let our leaders know that this is actually a protest if all involved do nothing, as we are being asked to do?

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