Surviving Capitalism (Not) : A new stage in the war on dissent

We’ve lived so long under the spell of hierarchy—from god-kings to feudal lords to party bosses—that only recently have we awakened to see not only that “regular” citizens have the capacity for self-governance, but that without their engagement our huge global crises cannot be addressed. The changes needed for human society simply to survive, let alone thrive, are so profound that the only way we will move toward them is if we ourselves, regular citizens, feel meaningful ownership of solutions through direct engagement. Our problems are too big, interrelated, and pervasive to yield to directives from on high.
—Frances Moore Lappé, excerpt from Time for Progressives to Grow Up

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

A new stage in the war on dissent

from Socialist Worker.

Michael Ratner of Center for Constitutional Rights is interviewed by Nicole Colson regarding the various aspects of the recent government raids on activists, legal actions taken against the latter, their implications, and suggestions for activists, especially activist journalists.

There are two aspects to this. One is that the government can label, without any kind of hearing or way to challenge it, a foreign organization as a terrorist organization. The other is that any American contact with that organization or support for that organization is prohibited.

It is important that activists continue their actions, but they must keep informed of the growing government strategies to limit dissent. This article contributes to that process.