geekWithA.45
Moderator Emeritus
Cross posted from http://geekwitha45.blogspot.com/2004_04_04_geekwitha45_archive.html#108144094991847446
Background:
A lengthy blog discussion between various participants indicates a lot of uncertainty as to what to do in the "middle ground" between the usual (voting/writing/talking/joining the NRA) and the opposite extreme where no one really wants to go. (taking up arms)
We all note the various unique difficulties surrounding civil disobedience concerning guns, and that forming up million freeman marches and other forms of mass protest is problematic at best.
That being said:
-----------------------------------------
Democracy works for whoever shows up.
The things we've done, the letters, the faxes, the emails, they all have impact. They change the course of the river of history.
I spent some quality time on the phone yesterday with a fellow from the GOA, discussing a particularly heinous proposal for a Pennsylvania AWB.
Sidebar:
-----
There's no support for it at this time, it's not likely to go anywhere. I'm on the hot list in case it twitches, and y'all will know if it twitches 5 minutes after I do.
----
In the course of that conversation, I asked if we, the online community, actually had an impact with regards to S. 1805, not only with the legislators themselves, but with the strategy of the NRA.
Rough Quote From Memory:
-----------
"Oh, there is no doubt the NRA changed their strategy in response to grassroots pressure, and you guys had a lot to do with that."
-----------
If anything, we suffer from a dearth of imagination. We know that there's a lot of middle ground between what we've done, and the need to overtly take up arms, but few courses of action that seem substantially effective suggest themselves.
Like Hudson, it's time for us to rediscover our own spines. If we look over our shoulders and down, we'll find that it's right where it's always been, between our heads and our asses.
More importantly, it's time to engage our imaginations, and stride forth into that middle territory of activism to make our stands.
Enter Reader Airboss, who's recent trip to Austin not only bears fruit, but suggests a course of action.
Airboss has suggested that his ad-hoc group be named The Gonzales Group, after the first battle of the Texas revolution, which was centered on a cannon. Here's the flag the townsfolk flew:
[flag graphic: a star, a cannon, and the phrase "Come and Take It"]
Folks back then didn't tend to know Greek, but the spirit of "Molon Labe" is evident.
Here's the step by step course of action suggested by Airboss and his ad-hoc crew:
Direct Lobbyism by Ad-Hoc Concerned Citizen Committees
Since Democracy seems to work for people who show up, it's time to show up in great numbers.
Sure, there's a lot of apathy, but there's also a lot of US who aren't. What we need to do is bring some "force multipliers" into play.
Let's also do something that is feasible, on a workable scale. We recognize that organizing a million freeman march, or any similiar mass protest is a pain in the ass, but organizing a 5 man ad-hoc committee of concerned citizens is a different thing altogether.
If one person has an impact, a five person team will have a greater impact.
A five person team who show up for face time has a lot more impact.
A LOT of 5 man teams, all advocating for Liberty, is irresistible.
Resistance isn't futile for us. It's futile for the politicians.
1) Find 3-5 People who are of like mind in your state. You don't have to see exactly eye to eye, you don't have to be friends, but you do have to be able to work together on an ad-hoc basis. You may or may not already know 5 people, and if you don't, you'll have to actively seek them out.
2) Identify the Liberty/Gun issues that are most pressing, relevant, and actionable in your region In dark & fascist places, you're most likely going to be fighting defensive actions, trying to prevent something heinous from being enacted. In more enlightened climates, you'll be able to propose things to move FORWARD, along the lines of additional reforms and decriminalizations.
3) Formulate Your Proposal. You don't have to write a bill, that's for professional legal eagles to do. What you DO have to do is have a clear, bullet pointed list of what it is you want to achieve, and be prepared to talk about it, and handle obvious objections.
4) Identify 3 Legislators In Your State Friendly To Your Issue. (Ideally, you also want to know who your 3 biggest enemies are, but that will make itself apparent in time)
5) Call them up, and create a relationship with them. Initially, you'll be creating a relationship with a staffer in their office. THOSE are the guys to know, they inform their legislator on the issues. Your initial goal will simply be to get your name recognized, which will come with time and contact. Eventually, you'll be wanting a sit down with the legislator to discuss your proposals. Pace yourself. Relentless consistency is the key.
Find your Freedom Buddies, and form up.
How long can they really last with everyone shouting Show me the Freedom! every time they turn around?
Background:
A lengthy blog discussion between various participants indicates a lot of uncertainty as to what to do in the "middle ground" between the usual (voting/writing/talking/joining the NRA) and the opposite extreme where no one really wants to go. (taking up arms)
We all note the various unique difficulties surrounding civil disobedience concerning guns, and that forming up million freeman marches and other forms of mass protest is problematic at best.
That being said:
-----------------------------------------
Democracy works for whoever shows up.
The things we've done, the letters, the faxes, the emails, they all have impact. They change the course of the river of history.
I spent some quality time on the phone yesterday with a fellow from the GOA, discussing a particularly heinous proposal for a Pennsylvania AWB.
Sidebar:
-----
There's no support for it at this time, it's not likely to go anywhere. I'm on the hot list in case it twitches, and y'all will know if it twitches 5 minutes after I do.
----
In the course of that conversation, I asked if we, the online community, actually had an impact with regards to S. 1805, not only with the legislators themselves, but with the strategy of the NRA.
Rough Quote From Memory:
-----------
"Oh, there is no doubt the NRA changed their strategy in response to grassroots pressure, and you guys had a lot to do with that."
-----------
If anything, we suffer from a dearth of imagination. We know that there's a lot of middle ground between what we've done, and the need to overtly take up arms, but few courses of action that seem substantially effective suggest themselves.
Like Hudson, it's time for us to rediscover our own spines. If we look over our shoulders and down, we'll find that it's right where it's always been, between our heads and our asses.
More importantly, it's time to engage our imaginations, and stride forth into that middle territory of activism to make our stands.
Enter Reader Airboss, who's recent trip to Austin not only bears fruit, but suggests a course of action.
Airboss has suggested that his ad-hoc group be named The Gonzales Group, after the first battle of the Texas revolution, which was centered on a cannon. Here's the flag the townsfolk flew:
[flag graphic: a star, a cannon, and the phrase "Come and Take It"]
Folks back then didn't tend to know Greek, but the spirit of "Molon Labe" is evident.
Here's the step by step course of action suggested by Airboss and his ad-hoc crew:
Direct Lobbyism by Ad-Hoc Concerned Citizen Committees
Since Democracy seems to work for people who show up, it's time to show up in great numbers.
Sure, there's a lot of apathy, but there's also a lot of US who aren't. What we need to do is bring some "force multipliers" into play.
Let's also do something that is feasible, on a workable scale. We recognize that organizing a million freeman march, or any similiar mass protest is a pain in the ass, but organizing a 5 man ad-hoc committee of concerned citizens is a different thing altogether.
If one person has an impact, a five person team will have a greater impact.
A five person team who show up for face time has a lot more impact.
A LOT of 5 man teams, all advocating for Liberty, is irresistible.
Resistance isn't futile for us. It's futile for the politicians.
1) Find 3-5 People who are of like mind in your state. You don't have to see exactly eye to eye, you don't have to be friends, but you do have to be able to work together on an ad-hoc basis. You may or may not already know 5 people, and if you don't, you'll have to actively seek them out.
2) Identify the Liberty/Gun issues that are most pressing, relevant, and actionable in your region In dark & fascist places, you're most likely going to be fighting defensive actions, trying to prevent something heinous from being enacted. In more enlightened climates, you'll be able to propose things to move FORWARD, along the lines of additional reforms and decriminalizations.
3) Formulate Your Proposal. You don't have to write a bill, that's for professional legal eagles to do. What you DO have to do is have a clear, bullet pointed list of what it is you want to achieve, and be prepared to talk about it, and handle obvious objections.
4) Identify 3 Legislators In Your State Friendly To Your Issue. (Ideally, you also want to know who your 3 biggest enemies are, but that will make itself apparent in time)
5) Call them up, and create a relationship with them. Initially, you'll be creating a relationship with a staffer in their office. THOSE are the guys to know, they inform their legislator on the issues. Your initial goal will simply be to get your name recognized, which will come with time and contact. Eventually, you'll be wanting a sit down with the legislator to discuss your proposals. Pace yourself. Relentless consistency is the key.
Find your Freedom Buddies, and form up.
How long can they really last with everyone shouting Show me the Freedom! every time they turn around?