to stray a little from the topic...i was not having a fun day today sitting in school contemplating another 4 years, but seeing that banner afterwards completely brightened my mood. thanks to whoever is responsible.

As the shock of Dubya's relection dissapates ( undoubtedly this will take longer for the ABB crowd - Mike Moore may need a period of cardiac rehab ) anti-war and anti-globalization activists are beginning to talk about the need to mount the most militant, powerful counter-inaugural protests possible, with the intent of completely derailing the coronation ceromonies in January .

Such an convergence - embracing a diversity of tactics - rather than the usual permitted march and rally scenario - could inspire a sustained national effort to raise the social and material costs to our rulers for pursuing the Bush agenda -- and make the country ungovernable...if we have the courage and determination to see it through in cities and towns across the country. At the very least, we can force Bush and Ascroft et al to completely militarize the nation's capital, and project a powerful image of resistance from the heart of the Empire.

Resistance is fertile.

[O]n November 3, at least fifty of us marched through downtown Baltimore to say no to the war. The original plan was to hold a standing demonstration near the city's Washington Monument the day after the election. We would be demonstrating in order to make a statement, regardless of the election results, that we are resolved to continue our efforts to end the war and occupation of Iraq. However, a cadre of Baltimore police carrying nightsticks threatened to arrest anyone who remained in the designated area.

Thus we were prodded into taking our antiwar message to the people by marching on the sidewalks in Baltimore's downtown area. Many drivers honked and lots of pedestrians applauded to show support. The march ended at the detention center to show solidarity with the seven activists arrested on November 2. Just as we arrived at the jail, we received word that six of them were already released, and the seventh was expected to be out soon. All charges were dismissed.

I trust activists are taking to the streets around the country. Resistance should now be the elixir of the times.

Marat suggests mounting a militant counter-inaugural. To me this idea seems like more of the same, a lot of heat and no light, prompts me to think "so what?"

The fact that only 40-50 people showed up Wednesday nite should tell you something. The masses aren't ready to rise up, because they still need to be educated. The right-wing megaphones are drowning out the left. A silly demonstration is... silly. Been there, done that. It ain't working.

If the effort that went into organizing a counter-inaugural went into institutionalizing a small, lasting building-block, the left would be making progres. Instead, we get yet another suggestion to "react" instead of creating something that is a lasting step forward.

A radical idea? Create a campaign that says, "We choose not to waste our time at the Inauguration. Instead, we are going to 1) identify where Bush's support could be swayed, 2) craft an information campaign including the founding of three local radio stations, and 3) execute that plan on the Inaguration Day with great fanfare and solidarity across many disperate groups that oppose Bush."

When the event is over, we would leave behind (pick your number) three new radio stations, and a new message to the world: "We are moving beyond ephemeral protests. Instead, We're channeling our limited time and energy to build tangible, lasting institutions upon which the coming revolution will rest."

The left will continue to get it's ass kicked if it doesn't wise up and invest in something real and lasting, instead of investing in parade permits and making signs that end up as floxam in the Washingon, DC grabage pails.

I'm frustrated with the old failed methods. I'm tired of wasting my time. I'm tired of watching others waste their time. Aren't you tired of this too?

I am boycotting a counter-inaguration that doesn't build something.

I disagree that most people need to be educated. People are educated, people know this is all very messed up, people know this is all very wrong. The problem lies in the fact that voting is not empowering. When you are offered one candidate that seems to be a slightly to the left of right center vs. one completly to the right how are you suppose to throw weight behind that?

I talk to plenty of people that dont vote, dont care about politics, dont pay attention, remain apathetic and try not to pay attention all because they believe we can do nothing. We are just one person against a massive insitution that can silence you very easily.

So you, person who keeps posting about anti-inagural actions, propose we not "waste" time on demonstrations and see how the right is winning and in turn mimic their moves. So you want to play a propaganda game? You want to manipulate peoples fears, ride on the coat-tails of 9-11, use religion to justify political action and dominate the flow of information? How is that creating a better world? If all you are doing is trying to beat them at their own game then you will end up no better then them

What we need to do is show all those disenfranchised people that they do have power to create change. And this power isn't going to come through a political process that constantly disenfranchises people and leaves them powerless to do nothing but squirm around asking why.

A powerful direct action movement in this country in the likes and wake of what came about in respose to corporate global policies via Seattle here in the states needs to happen in terms of our entire government. We need masses of people willing ot take to the street, engage in direct action, risk arrest, push the envelope, disrupt the system.

That is the only way things will change.

Through that action people will see what they can do, what power they have, how organizing with one another and making collective decisions is better than voting a master, depending upon someone else to take action for you.

The system is a fraud