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• Tuesday, January 13, 2009 10:47 AM

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  ...the likelihood is quite slim of the US really changing its support for wars around the globe...

  True enough.

  But the particular wars and their motivations (and popular support or ambivalence) will change.

  I'm curious too about whether you think a "Peace PAC" such as Prof Cole is promoting can significantly influence policy in the short term.

  My perspective on what it takes and how long it takes is from experience (some of it bitter) trying to influence policy starting from the "outside," but on the lobbying track.

  It wasn't until we had friends on the "inside" -- made through personal relationships, not specifically through policy advocacy, that we were able to make any headway at all. And by then, yes, the issues had changed. On the other hand, some of the issues hadn't budged for a generation.

  The High and the Mighty keep themselves very well insulated from the pleadings of the masses and those who try to act on their behalf.

  Street action can bring attention to the issues that need to be addressed, can demonstrate popular support for for those issues, and -- if they are disruptive -- can demonstrate how very inconvenient not addressing those issues will be.

  So yes, direct action and massaging/persuading/lobbying/pressure are needed for many issues, and in the case of the Peace PAC project Prof Cole is outlining, I'd say both are essential.

  —Ché Pasa Read Ché Pasa's other letters
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