Organizing & Activism (Also see Nonviolence, Outreach)

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We need fresh, bold economics to fight climate disruption. See these great articles.

May 11, 2019 GlenAnderson 0

Here are several interesting new articles in early May 2019:   As Capitalism Fails, We Need a Roadmap to Survive Climate Change. This article says that the climate crisis ALSO challenges us to think about economics in bold, fresh ways. The economics that allowed the climate crisis to occur are NOT sufficient to get us out of that mess. Fossil fuels have fueled our long run of industrial and economic growth. But that is coming to an end. Now we need new economics for a post-fossil fuel future. There are many dimensions to this. The article at this link is […]

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Debunking the Myths of War — Here is a great resource!

May 11, 2019 GlenAnderson 0

The non-profit organization World Beyond War (www.worldbeyondwar.org) takes a bold stance: War is not necessary and is never good. We need to debunk the myths that keep war and militarism going. We can indeed choose peace. Debunking Myths of War See their powerful new PowerPoint presentation at this link:  Debunking-the-Myths-of-War1 On April 29, WBW’s Organizing Director Greta Zarro presented a talk on “debunking the myths of war” for the Beyond War & Militarism Committee in Syracuse, NY. In making the case for war abolition, the talk dispelled the myths that war is inevitable, necessary, beneficial, or just.    

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Print these anti-Trump labels. Attach them to envelopes you mail.

April 30, 2019 GlenAnderson 0

Every time you mail a letter you could be building opposition to the Trump regime. I created this page of labels that you can print out and attach to the left side of every letter you mail. I circle mine with a bold red marking pen. They are formatted for a very common kind of address labels:  30 per sheet with 3 columns of 10 labels each, with dimensions 1″ by 2 5/8″ http://parallaxperspectives.org/print-these-anti-trump-labels-attach-them-to-envelopes-you-mail

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Let’s re-think what REAL “populism” is so we can achieve better democracy.

April 30, 2019 GlenAnderson 0

The term “populism” has been thrown around and given a grossly misleading meaning.  Various pundits have distorted it to seem supportive of racism and Trump’s pandering to his political base’s worst biases. Actually, the U.S. had a TRULY PROGRESSIVE historical era of “populism” more than a century ago.  We need to rediscover those values and build upon the TRULY DEMOCRATIC political instincts that people were organizing around at that time.   This political cartoon should inspire us and guide our truly populist organizing:  CLICK THIS LINK: CARTOON — The people don’t know their true power   “Populism” can be used […]

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Several reasons why the right wing has built its power at the expense of liberals and the Left

April 30, 2019 GlenAnderson 0

The article at this link provides insights into the effectiveness of RIGHT-WING MEMES — and why the Left falls short in that:  https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2019/04/right-wing-groups-are-training-young-conservatives-to-win-the-next-meme-war/?utm_source=mj-newsletters&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=econundrums-2019-04-08   The Left had raised the issue of “globalization,” but the Right stole the issue and converted it into right-wing nationalism, racism, and anti-immigrant hysteria.  This allowed Trump and right-wing extremists to gain power in various countries that used to be “liberal democracies.”  This article provides insights:  https://fpif.org/sieg-heil-deja-vu-understanding-the-global-rise-of-the-extreme-right/   In the U.S and elsewhere, the dominant economic and political systems are not working, so mainstream (“white”) people feel victimized.  The right wing has promoted the current conservative […]

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Articles + videos: Greta Thunberg, Swedish teenager, speaks boldly to world leaders about climate crisis

April 29, 2019 GlenAnderson 0

An amazing 16-year-old from Sweden has spoken many times to groups of powerful leaders in many countries, including international gatherings.  Greta Thunberg has impressed people with her bold critique of the problems that led to the climate crisis — and her bold critique of powerful people and bodies that fail to take necessary actions. Her speeches have been videotaped and can be watched.  Some copies of her texts are also available.  Here are some links.   Greta Thunberg continues speaking boldly to world leaders. In April 2019 she spoke to some members of the UK’s House of Commons. The text […]

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Yes, we can organize more effectively at the grassroots for many important issues.

April 26, 2019 GlenAnderson 0

Globally, nationally, and locally, we are confronted with very serious problems. Some people feel overwhelmed and disempowered, so they feel powerless to solve the problems.  But that only allows the horrible problems to get worse. I strongly support the opposite approach:  Recognize that WE CAN INDEED LEARN HOW TO ORGANIZE EFFECTIVELY at the grassroots level (“Think globally and act locally”) to solve the problems. Sometimes people and organizations merely vent or flail about with random activities without a clear strategy for how to make the political and social changes we want.  We can do better than that! Specifically, I seek […]

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June 17-21, 2019: Learn how to mediate disputes.

April 25, 2019 GlenAnderson 0

The Dispute Resolution Center of Thurston County (the DRC at 360-956-1155 www.mediatethurston.org) offers TRAINING IN HOW TO MEDIATE DISPUTES. I highly recommend this 40-hour Professional Mediation Training during one week in June (17th through 21st), 2019.  It runs Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  It can help you strengthen your relationships at home, at work, and beyond.  The insights are practical in our daily lives.  I encourage people to take this training even if you do not think you’d want to be one of the DRC’s volunteer mediators. This fun and highly interactive 40-hour training will acquaint […]

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Do not let assumptions about “human nature” interfere with the bold social and political reforms we are working toward.

April 25, 2019 GlenAnderson 0

Sometimes when we work to significantly improve our society or our politics, people will try to inhibit our efforts by saying, “You can’t change human nature.” They assume that “human nature” is fixed and impervious to improvement. Actually, history has proven otherwise. People have indeed made radical progressive changes, and we can accomplish more. We do not need to “change human nature.” If we change our society so it will function better, people will change for the better too. So, for example, instead of assuming that “human nature” causes people to be greedy, let’s change our economic system and our […]

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Powerfully inspiring video (only 7 1/2 minutes) about the Green New Deal — by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

April 23, 2019 GlenAnderson 0

Many of my friends urged me to watch this powerfully inspiring short video. Finally I watched it. Now I’m sharing it with you and hope it will “go viral.” https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/04/17/we-can-be-whatever-we-have-courage-see-new-video-aoc-envisions-greennewdeal-future The Green New Deal would protect our nation far more effectively than militarism does.  The Green New Deal is a proactive way to deal realistically with the serious threats of climate disruption, unemployment, deteriorating infrastructure, depressed local communities, etc.  We should slash the Pentagon budget and generously fund the Green New Deal. The Green New Deal has great power to inspire, educate, motivate, and employ many young people along with […]

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Nonviolent resistance is being used effectively in Algeria.

April 22, 2019 GlenAnderson 0

Mainstream media do a bad job of covering international news.  Hardly anybody in the U.S. knows that a campaign of nonviolent resistance has toppled a long-standing autocrat in Algeria. The article at the link below affirms the effective use of principled nonviolence in bringing down an oppressor. The Algerian people are using proven strategies and methods of nonviolent action. See many positive examples in this article! https://www.juancole.com/2019/04/algerians-nonviolent-resistance.html      

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“Ranked-Choice Voting Strengthens Democracy”

April 19, 2019 GlenAnderson 0

The May 2019 interview on “Glen’s Parallax Perspectives” series (see below for info about watching it through your computer or TCTV channel 22) promotes an increasingly popular reform to satisfy voters and improve our elections. To watch the interview, CLICK THIS LINK. To read a thorough summary of what we said in the interview and see links for more information, CLICK THIS LINK.   HERE IS A VERY BRIEF SUMMARY: Everybody knows that our nation’s electoral system is broken in many ways. The problems prevent us from having an honest, vibrant democracy. But a number of remedies do exist. The […]

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The Sentencing Project performs excellent research and advocacy. Here is their 2018 Annual Report.

April 13, 2019 GlenAnderson 0

For a long number of years I have been impressed by the very high quality of research and advocacy conducted by The Sentencing Project (www.sentencingproject.org).  I have been donating financial support too. In March 2019 The Sentencing Project released its 2018 Annual Report.  Among other things it shows how this great non-profit organization has been intelligently and vigorously been supporting what it calls “a rapidly growing consensus that we must reduce the country’s misguided reliance on mass incarceration.” Read their 2018 Annual Report at this link: https://www.sentencingproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Annual-Report-2018.pdf?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=3c52607d-63f7-47e6-b14c-7e3ac7965612