...and How to Prevent it From Failing

Interesting article from an ex-army guy on why it's so very important to adhere to non violent methods as the only means to bring about real change.

It's kinda long, but I found it pretty thought provoking. I'd be curious what other nexians think about it.

http://www.wagingpeace.o...icle.php?article_id=301

Peace

violence only begets more violence, and our military is in the business of protecting big business interests.

the solution is to get informed, then make decisions based on the entire information obtained.
these monopolies and oligopolies only know one thing..the bottom line. don't sign it.

save your money, and consume less.

Meanwhile the GOP wants to Occupy Sesame Street.

I've never understood the concept of 'fighting for peace'. How do we accept such a short statement in our vocabulary without understanding the inherent hypocrisy in it?

Non-violence and non-cooperation is the way to go and thankfully that's what I've seen from the OWS movement. It worked for Gandhi back in the day and it can work for us now.

I think it only worked for gandhi, because violence COULD have been an option. (it didn´t work in south africa btw, and it doesn´t work in israel, it depends on who the enemy is).

I think that peacefull protest can only succeed when it´s backed by so many people, that the choice for non-violence is realy a choice. The occupy movement is with so little people that using violence would immediately end this movement.

Only when you pose a real thread, and violence is a real option, the choice of non-violence is as powerfull as described.

Only when the police and the military KNOW that using force is opening pandora´s box, non-violent protest can truly force governments to change.

That´s not the case now.
The military or the police could easily whipe them off the streets and squares without seriously risking a civil war.
So it´s a powerless movement, still.

http://abcnews.go.com/GM...protest-caught-14996508
http://news.yahoo.com/ca...ustified-224930560.html

Ghandi wasn't up against modern bureaucracies.

the movement is too thin, with too little people. It doesn´t pose a thread to anybody.
It doesn´t have a choice but to be non-violent.

only when an organisation is with so many that it could succesfully use violence, it is in the position to change a country without the use of it.

The egyptian protestors are mostly peacefull. But they are willing and able to use force if they have too. If they wouldn´t have been, they would have been whiped-out without anybody noticing it.

It´s the fact that they are willing and able to defend themselves if they have to, that gives their non-violent aproach the moral authority it has, that makes them a serious player on the political battlefield.

People in power don´t negotiate with party´s that have nothing to offer.

You may think it's powerless, but it's increasingly gaining the attention of everyone everywhere whereas it was being ignored by practically everyone at first, so it doesn't seem to be completely powerless. If it were, it would have been swept under the rug by now. Secondly, I invite you to watch this TED talk on nonviolence in Israel.

Speaking of destroying the occupy movement, I happened upon this telling article:

http://openchannel.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/11/19/8884405-lobbying-firms-memo-spells-out-plan-to-undermine-occupy-wall-street

Please, if you support this movement this link needs to be posted on every twitter feed and facebook page possible.

Ditto. I saw this in facebook a couple days ago. I liked it. I like to see they're getting nervous. They are supposed to get nervous so eventually they may be afraid. Otherwise, nothing will happen.

But it's a good sign. I mean, obviously their attempt at a maneuver is low and disgusting, but revealing and interesting.

read the news
things are happening, people are dumping their bank in favor of credit unions; there's also been more petitioning on an array of different issues. it has begun..

next year will be even more turbulent; the cost of living continues to increase, the rising cost of resources and food already reflects this

wikileaks was the spark that raised greater awareness in the middle east, like flipping a lightswitch and all the roaches (diplomats) scurried. so they tried to crucify assange with a smear campaign, but the damage is done. people are already aware of the atrocities committed by global governments and corporate scumbags

There are a lot of things coming out of OWS that will survive long after the movement. Even when the protests disperse these people are going to go home and many will try to find another active role to play in the movement. Say what you want these people are passionate about their view and they will not just forget about it. As election day looms near the competition to those in office will use the events at OWS for their campaigns. I feel strongly if the movement does die it will re surge before the elections as will the tea party.