Most recently, in response to my post about the need to stand up against the suppression of the Occupy movement, he posted this message: "I think Boston decided to cap the expense to taxpayers at $3 Mil.." And as I thought about it, it occurred to me, "Well, if we're putting a price tag on things . . . what's the value of having people stand up to change what's wrong?"
Dissent is Patriotic |
And I thought about those commercials -- you know the ones -- where some string of ordinary purchases are capped with the word "priceless," such as:
Flowers: $35
Lunch: $47.50
Carriage ride around Central Park: $25
Finding out the magic is still there like the day you first met: Priceless
(I know, gag me . . . . )Lunch: $47.50
Carriage ride around Central Park: $25
Finding out the magic is still there like the day you first met: Priceless
So let's talk about something really important. How about:
Posterboard and markers: $21.79
Leaflets: $7:50
Bullhorn: $99.99
Standing up for peace and justice when everyone around you is saying "Get a job!" and "GO F**K YOURSELF!": Priceless
"Priceless." Leaflets: $7:50
Bullhorn: $99.99
Standing up for peace and justice when everyone around you is saying "Get a job!" and "GO F**K YOURSELF!": Priceless
I sure hope "Priceless" hasn't already been copyrighted to the point where it's off limits to the movement.
On second thought, who cares?
OCCUPY "PRICELESS" !
Image: Jeff Ball art
Related posts
When someone asks you, "Does it really matter whether you sign up for those Facebook events?" or "Why go out and participate in those rallies and marches?" this is what you can tell them . . .
(See Stand Up and Be Counted )
Steven Salaita has forced us to speak quite openly about three rather distinct things that get treated (incorrectly) as if they were the same thing: the state of Israel (and whether you criticize it or support it); the ideology of Zionism (and whether you criticize it or support it); and the religion of Judaism (and whether or not you share in its values and beliefs).
(See "What good is a tweet?" (The Packing and Unpacking of Meaning and the Steven Salaita Case) )
Make no mistake: the powers that be have know that they have cowed most of the public into being afraid to talk about Guantanamo, and that suits them just fine. Our power to act starts with talking widely -- beyond just our usual circles -- about the way in which we're being scared ... and why a government would possibly want to scare its own people.
(See Pentecost, Guantanamo, and the Moment When Talk Becomes Priceless)
Despite the difficulties associated with engaging in effective solidarity with dissidents in China, it is important to make the effort. A fundamental tenet of all peace and justice activism is that if we have the power to speak we can do anything, and if "they" succeed in shutting us up, it's the beginning of the end.
(See What is the US Peace and Justice Movement Doing for Dissidents in China?)
The occasion was a nationwide day of action to STOP! the Suppression of the Occupy Movement. Chicago was one of the major action centers. I learned three things . . . .
(See Limbering Up for May )
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