Comments on: Health Care Activists Arrested In Minnesota For Civil Disobedience

By: shekissesfrogs

shekissesfrogs — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 06:28:41 +0000

Are there any updated methods that would work better for progressives who are the usual suspects when it comes to protests?

Want to start up a donation fund to hire some unemployed mercenaries?

By: shekissesfrogs

shekissesfrogs — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 06:18:49 +0000

That Pacifist Ghandi myth is pure koolaid to keep the masses docile. There was plenty of terrorism going on in India at at the same time.
The same principles were at work with MLK, he was the good cop and the Black Panthers were the bad cops.
IOW: the Carrots and Sticks approach.

By: billjanes

billjanes — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 02:31:23 +0000

a surprise that corporations have its executive branch stooges terrorize citizens ? that would be a surprise to whom?

By: Leen

Leen — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 23:59:41 +0000

civil disobedience can be very effective….as well as the emailing, calling lobbying etc.

Being arrested for health care reform..they write up your record you plead no contest and your off and running.

But the civil disobedience ends up in the news, blogs etc. Gandhi, Martin Luther King masters of civil disobedience…empowering

By: BleuZ00m

BleuZ00m — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 23:27:34 +0000

Helllo again FDLers..

Five health care activists were arrested today in Philadelphia, for civil disobedience outside CIGNA’s HQ in Center City Philadelphia. They are still in lockup and are expected to be released tonight about 10PM. I just posted a rpt on TheSeminal.firedoglake.com/diary/8776

What IS is going to take? wow! I’m planning on taking Stacie Ritter,(the Manheim, PA mother of twins whose post-leukemia treatment has been denied by CIGNA) to meet with Senator Casey, again. She already testified to Congressional committees earlier this year, about cancer research focused on children’s long-term after effects. A second Senator Specter visit is in the works, too.

Local press and some national press are finally starting to tune into this. We’ve GOT to keep the heat on!
-bleuz

By: bailey2739

bailey2739 — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 23:23:05 +0000

Hi Jane, I’m enjoying your site, so much so that I’ve contributed as I could. I think YOU are astutely aware the Dems are likely to be clobbered in the 2010 elections IF they fail to use the clout we voters gave them (the presidency & clear majorities in the Senate and the House) to effect substantive Healthcare reform.
To answer your question, ABSOLUTELY NOT – my axe with the demonstrators is that sit-ins are old news, reduced to cliches by our corporte media when they don’t serve corporate interests. The gesture may certainly be sincere but no one cares. The on site Insurance Co. Executives are minimally inconvenienced by the gesture, and the real culprits in this Healthcare debate – our elected Dems – are clearly not taking our concerns seriously.
My observation is that you’re too often dismissed too easily by those Dems who are not already in the choir; that you’re not getting the attention your very important message deserves. I suggest you raise the ante. No one cares when I say I will NEVER vote for another Dem…, but what if 100,000 or maybe 500,000 long-term Dem. supporters (contributors, door knockers & voters) said the same?
Personally, I’m absolutely furious with the Obama Administration and the reason is far greater than its failing to push an agenda I believe is incredibly important to our country. I’m furious with it because every day the evidence grows that the passion for “hope” & “change” Team Obama sold to us voters was rhetorical at best. If the Obama team falls short, I believe it is the responsibility of all elected Dems to rally to PUSH a sound & smart agenda on its own. Failing that, neither the Obama Administration nor the Democratic party deserves support.

By: laurastrand

laurastrand — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 22:27:57 +0000

We are so overdue for a general strike – even if only for one day. While I agree with Earlofhuntingdon, the fact of the matter is that the palpable effect of instant community is soul restoring – and don’t we need to build real community with real folks? Here in Sacramento, the Amgen Tour of California is jsut a week long bike race through the state – but what actually happens is that people (even those that don’t bike or care for professional racing) like having a reason to get together and enjoy a civic opportunity. Maybe civic opportunity is a way to frame modern protest. Thoughts?

By: earlofhuntingdon

earlofhuntingdon — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 20:36:40 +0000

Blogging is virtual protest. Civil disobedience is the real thing – and Congress and the executive know the difference.

By: Phoenix Woman

Phoenix Woman — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 19:58:47 +0000

The pattern was set back in 2003.

By: Phoenix Woman

Phoenix Woman — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 19:58:07 +0000

Apparently. And of course The Usual Suspect gave that person a high-five for doing so.