What Solidarity Looks Like. Staying the course... a thousand points of light.

[Dover]

This was posted in pol. video by stlsaxman. I hadn't seen any footage like this of the march in Oakland. Amazing! Something very good came of the initial troubles in Oakland that goes even beyond the union's dock slow down. It's a new and expanded 'union'.
check it out:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x631877

I was watching a program on PBS about the opportunities for a new type of governance and union in Germany that came about during the period of the late 80's, early 90's when the Berlin Wall came down and E & W Germany were once again united. Another extraordinary period of time that came about in large part by the people exerting their will. But due to the extreme poverty (particularly in east Germany) that preceded this period, the people ultimately chose a much more conservative form of government and took a pass on expanded rights...true change....because the money/security the conservatives promised was more immediately wanted and needed. And indeed, over the years since then, Germany has grown into an economic power house. At what cost? Only the Germans can answer that. But many involved in their grassroots movement at the time, while empathetic with those longings for security, knew that an enormous opportunity was lost. Disillusioned, they wondered if they were naive and too idealistic to expect a different result.
I can imagine a similar situation occurring here, particularly as the economic problems deepen. I wonder whether we are hungrier for material security or a real paradigm shift, a new collective governance that supports enpowerment and participation by the People?


If we answer that we are truly committed to significant change, what steps will take us there and how can we hold together on this path over what promises to be a long and difficult road? Is this like a long hunger strike where we hold out for our vision or will we choose to fill our stomachs? When the walls of Wall St. come down at last, what will we choose? Are we envious of what they have and simply want our share or has the ground really shifted and we want to build our new foundation on a whole new way of being in the world?

[Dover]

1. If you haven't seen the HUGE crowd in Oakland, be sure to watch the video.

I had no idea...

[MedleyMisty]

2. I am listening to a livestream of the Oakland General Assembly right now

I can tell you that these people are going for real change.

I vote for the ground having really shifted.

[Dover]

3. e pluribus unum .......n/t