For fans of "The people's history of the United States" H. Zinn

[Room101]

A surprise for you.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=105&topic_id=1004061

Obedience is our problem

"Civil disobedience is not our problem. Our problem is civil obedience.Our problem is that numbers of people all over the world have obeyed the dictates of the leaders of their government and have gone to war,and millions have been killed because of this obedience. . . Our problem is that people are obedient all over the world in the face of poverty and starvation and stupidity, and war, and cruelty. Our problem is that people are obedient while the jails are full of petty thieves,and all the while the grand thieves are running and robbing the country. That's our problem."

—— Howard Zinn, "Failure to Quit"

[IrateCitizen]

1. I just read this quote last night in another book!

I am currently reading The Culture of Make Believe by Derrick Jensen, and he quoted this exact same excerpt from Howard Zinn.

I greatly enjoyed and was inspired by A People's History... and Declarations of Independence, but this one quote by Zinn completely sums up the heart of his philosophy of fighting for social change. It also sums up the ideas presented in Social Power and Political Freedom by Gene Sharp.

Now, the real problem lies in getting the majority of people out there to realize that they reside in prisons largely of their own collective making.

[parasim]

2. Fanastic!

thanks for the thread with the mp3s.

The quote you have here reminded me of Zinn's call to action just prior to the start of the war. it's always a good one to re-read now and again:


-snip

Men who have no respect for human life or for freedom or justice have taken over this beautiful country of ours. It will be up to the American people to take it back.


http://www.commondreams.org/views03/0227-12.htm


another exerpt

-snip

Arguments for the war are paper thin and fall apart at first touch. Weapons of mass destruction? Iraq may develop one nuclear bomb (though the UN inspectors find no sign of development) - but Israel has 200 nuclear weapons and the US has 20,000 and six other countries have undisclosed numbers. Saddam Hussein a tyrant? Undoubtedly, like many others in the world? A threat to the world? Then how come the rest of the world, much closer to Iraq, does not want war? Defending ourselves? The most incredible statement of all. Fighting terrorism? No connection found between Sept. 11 and Iraq.

-snip


on edit: added exerpt

[Djinn]

3. Thanks

[Ms. Clio]

4. WOW!!! Thanks a gazillion!

Also for those who are interested, you can sign up at e-music.com for a free trial (I think 40 downloads) and in the Soundtracks/Other section you can DL Chomsky, Palast, and Hightower, and also tracks from Lewis Black's latest CD, although I haven't listened to them, yet.

(edited to add Palast)