Thursday, October 12, 2006

(Some of) what I believe

I believe it would not only be accurate, but also extremely relevant to start referring to the white supremacist, capitalist patriarchy currently known as the United States of America as “the occupied territories.”

I believe someone needs to write a definitive book on the Tupamaros of Uruguay.

I believe someone should buy the last copy in stock of my latest book.


I believe the capitulation of Dennis Kucinich in 2004 should serve as a permanent reminder of what it means to be “progressive” and a Democrat.

I believe we should all know as much as possible about the Military Commissions Act and the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act.

I believe it’s useful to remember quotes like this one from Malcolm Forbes: “Elected leaders who forget how they got there won’t the next time.”

I believe that landlords should lower rents once they have paid off their mortgage.

I believe those who read my recent article on Grenada should consider signing this petition.

I believe all forms of authority must be questioned…over and over again.


I believe there is much to learn from the examples of the Black Panthers, Puerto Rican Young Lords, and American Indian Movement.

I believe Bishop Desmond Tutu got it right when he said “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.”

I believe the “land of the free” cannot incarcerate its citizens at the rate of 1200 per week.


I believe the “home of the brave” cannot carpet bomb civilians from 15,000 feet and call it “humanitarianism.”

I believe all this talk about “preserving our way of life” gets to the heart of the matter. “Our” way of life is precisely the issue.

I believe that yes, the ruling elite truly can make this country “what it once was,” e.g. an arctic region covered with ice.

I believe the current patterns of dissent in America are long overdue for re-evaluation and overhaul. The powers-that-be have long ago figured out how to either marginalize or co-opt dissent. Unless tactics evolve, they will remain self-parody.

I believe that too many people imply that unless a critic expounds a specific strategy for change, the critique is worthless or too negative. The problem with this understandable retort is that it misses the crucial role critical analysis plays in a society where problems are so cleverly disguised. When discussing the future, the first step is often an identification and demystification of the past and present. In order to inspire and motivate humans to work for change and try new approaches, we must agree that we got it wrong the first time.

What do you believe?

Posted on 10/12 at 05:11 AM
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