Bcc: <name withheld 1>, kerry <•••@••.•••>
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Date: Thu, 5 Feb 1998
Sender: <name withheld 1>
Subject: Re: cj#770> * shift of focus for cyberjournal *
> What I propose to do is shift the list to an ACTION focus -- democratic
> counter-revolution. Other threads will continue, but the emphasis will
> be what we can DO, based on a reasonable understanding of how things ARE.
Mr. Moore,
While I enjoying reading points of view that differ from mine, I have
absolutely no desire to belong to any list which promotes activism.
Because of that, I have unsubscribed from your list. Please understand
that while activism might, under some circumstances, be good, it far too
often is not. I consider this to be a slippery slope, one which I wish to
avoid.
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Date: Fri, 06 Feb 1998
Sender: <name withheld 2>
Subject: Re: cj#770> * shift of focus for cyberjournal *
I want to respond briefly. I've learned some good things from Cyberjournal,
particularly about international corporate/government jockeying. But I
can't get excited about participated in political action as part of this
group. I do a lot of local stuff (like pro-diversity work) and some
campaigns around workers' struggles and environmental issues. I can see why
you think this online group may have potential, and I will be interested in
seeing how that develops.
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Dear xx,
Allow me to clarify: I am not proposing that cj become an activist group
itself - no one signed up for that, and I don't think it would make sense
anyway. Cj continues to be a an online journal and discussion forum: I
merely want to shift from ANALYSIS and include more reporting on CREATING
SOLUTIONS through democratic activism.
If this encourages people to make the personal decision to increase their
level of democratic participation, all the better. One topic of discussion
(either privately or on the list) can be "What can YOU do?" in YOUR
particular circumstances.
rkm
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Date: Fri, 6 Feb 1998
Sender: Todd Fillingham <•••@••.•••>
Subject: Re: cj#770> * shift of focus for cyberjournal *
Richard:
As a sometimes lurker, not-very-often contibutor I take your
challange to respond re. a shift in focus. I have found that reading
cyberjournal has given me many concrete examples and "talking points" to
respond with when engaged in discussion with the generally left leaning,
but I'm-to-otherwise-busy crowd. In a sense this is action at the grass
roots. Nevertheless I encourage a more activist direction for the list,
especially with a view towards developing internationally coordinated,
high impact, widespread and relatively "turn key" type actions. Actions
that can be easily appreciated by that crowd mentioned above. The more
committed groups are already capable of and likely to persue a range of
actions they identify for themselves.
Todd Fillingham
www.fillingham.com
Industry With Out Art Is Brutality
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Dear Todd,
The concept of "range of actions they identify for themselves" is
equivalent to "think globally, act locally". It makes sense for objectives
which are naturally local, and it enourages the development of grass-roots
organizations which can then link up with others on larger issues.
The time has come, I suggest, for the "linking up" phase: the aligning of
disparate groups around common goals and objectives. The motto of today
should be "organize locally and act in global solidarity." We long ago
reached the point of diminishing returns from special-interest groups and
local activism. The powers that be have learned to play such initiatives
off against one another.
rkm
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Date: Fri, 6 Feb 1998
Sender: James Porteous <•••@••.•••>
Subject: Re: cj#770> * shift of focus for cyberjournal *
I live in Canada and have yet to see a single mention -in mainstream press
or elsewhere- of the challenge to the Multilateral Agreement on
Investment (MAI). So CJ proves invaluable in such cases.
The Toronto Star featured a short article on the negotiations themselves,
under the heading: Liberal MPs criticize global treaty negotiations (04
Feb 98, pg. A7)
The article reports that even members of the ruling Liberal party are
upset with the secrecy surrounding the negotiations in Paris.
"This thing has been done in stealth for a long time," said Clifford
Lincoln, MP for the Quebec riding of Lac-Saint-Louis. "It really shakes me
to the core to think that we are going to sign something in April without
the public or the provinces having seen it. I think it's just very, very
bad."
For his part, Liberal Trade Minister Sergio Marchi told reports some of
the criticism was justified.
"I think it's true that previously the government kept it too close to
the chest," he said of the treaty. When he took over as trade minister "it
was time to share with Canadians because there are a lot of things being
said about it (MAI) that quite frankly aren't true."
The double-speak of Mr. Marchi is quaint. Of course he _is_ Trade
Minister, yet talks continue in silence. So he has not learned anything
from his 'previous' mistakes.
So as you can see the call to action via CJ -the democratic
counter-revolution- is needed even in the land of the so-called
revolution.
Those interested in voicing concern to Canadian MPs can do so
at a site called FAX the FEDs <http://www.net-efx.com/faxfed> where
traditional email is routed to Ottawa and then sent out as a 'local' fax.
In the meantime, some of us feel like bit players in the film "Start the
Revolution Without Me."
James.
-=-=-=-=-=-=~-~=-=-=-=-=-=-
James Porteous •••@••.••• http://www.interlog.com/~porteous
Web Site & Music Reviews ** Fiction ** Freelance Writing
Just because I have an ice-pick in my head doesn't mean I'm a Trotskyite
-=-=-=-=-=-=~-~=-=-=-=-=-=-
+ Abolition 2000 http://www.wagingpeace.org/abolition2000.html +
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Dear James,
Thanks for the report. You mentioned Marchi's doublespeak, but your
example dealt only with _hypocrisy_. His _doublespeak_ I'd characterize
this way: when he speaks of "too close to the chest" and of "sharing with
Canadians", I suggest the operative phrase is "there are a lot of things
being said about it (MAI) that quite frankly aren't true". In other words,
he is suggesting the time has come for a well-funded pro-MAI disinformation
campaign, in the doublespeak guise of "sharing information".
rkm
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Date: Fri, 6 Feb 1998
Sender: "John H.St.John" <•••@••.•••>
Subject: Re: cj#770> * shift of focus for cyberjournal *
>I welcome suggestions of organizations and individual to invite to the PEI
>conference. Still more critical are suggestions for people to help
>organize the conference.
Dear rkm: Try •••@••.••• Sue Wheaton and Ronnie Dugger from AfD
Regards: jhs
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Date: Fri, 6 Feb 1998
From: kerry <•••@••.•••>
X-Sender: •••@••.•••
To: "Richard K. Moore" <•••@••.•••>
Subject: Re: cj#770> * shift of focus for cyberjournal *
MIME-Version: 1.0
> The focus of the list thus far has been INVESTIGATION and ANALYSIS of
> GOBALIZATION
Right on, Gobbleization/ Goebelization is what's afoot!
I havent been a subscriber (I pick the cj off of Activ-L) but I have
admired your tenacity for some time. In particular, I'm curious how much
discursive feedback you get: are you a voice in the wilderness, or are
netizens rallying around?
> What I propose to do is shift the list to an ACTION focus -- democratic
> counter-revolution. Other threads will continue, but the emphasis will be
> what we can DO, based on a reasonable understanding of how things ARE.
It seems, from other accounts, that making this move is easier said than
done. Cyberspace favors 'discussion' far more than it does 'execution,' -
(perhaps because (by and large) so many inhabitants have yet to
learn *how to discuss in a manner that leads to action?).
> In
> particular, I'd like to declare the intention to proceed to planning and
> organizing the first leadership conference. This will hopefully be sited
> on Prince Edward Island and will involve participation by anti-MAI
> organizers. The agenda, tenatively, will be "understanding globalization",
> "First-World counter-activism", and "global solidarty".
There's an outside possiblity of my actually getting to such a conf!
> I welcome suggestions of organizations and individual to invite to the PEI
> conference. Still more critical are suggestions for people to help
> organize the conference.
The IFG has been getting some experience on these lines.
Cheers,
kerry miller
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Dear kerry,
What is "IFG"?
rkm
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Date: Sat, 07 Feb 1998
From: Teemu Huttunen <•••@••.•••>
Subject: Re: cj#770> * shift of focus for cyberjournal *
I have been on the cj-list for a few months. It had some general
interest on me until I recieved Your New Years Greetings. That was an
analysis that really got me excited. That I have forwarded to several
friends of mine, and even had my mother read it. The text was complete,
original, illustrated and short enough to be a great and efficient one.
I am a philosophy student in univ. of Helsinki and to my ignorant view
there has been a lack of intellectual analysis of present state and
development of power. A (too) common opening for me is nowadays "Have
you read any Richard K. Moore?"
As for the revolution, I wish You the best of luck! I think some kind of
revolution (or at least an attempt) is inevitable. Or as my point of
view, necessary, needed. I am too poor and far from Canada to give any
practical support. But if and as a revolution finds its program and some
icons, it will spread. Even in Finland.
Oh and the way I found cj was in PHILOPHI list, which got from link
pages of a friend and which I quit some weeks ago. In cj, the fact that
it isn't too heavily loaded (quantitatively) is a clear advantage.
yours,
Teemu Huttunen
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Dear Teemu,
Hope you don't mind me publishing your note - it "felt" like it was
intended as a submission even though not directed to •••@••.•••.
Actually, for you and any others who might be interested, it is possible to
make important contributions, even from somewhere like Finland, via email.
All the organizing work, outreach, research, writing of various kinds
(pamphlets, OpEds, whatever) is done by email.
rkm
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Date: Sat, 7 Feb 1998
Sender: Karl Amatneek <•••@••.•••>
Subject: Re: cj#770> * shift of focus for cyberjournal *
Hi cj,
I am a recent lurker; I forwarded the Cuba piece to 35
friends; got 3 responses-- 2 from the Right, 1 from the
Left.
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~=-=-=-=-=~=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=~-~=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=~=-=-=-=-=-=-=~
Posted by: Richard K. Moore | PO Box 26, Wexford, Ireland
•••@••.••• | www.iol.ie/~rkmoore/cyberjournal
* Non-commercial republication encouraged - with this sig *
~=-=-=-=-=~=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=~-~=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=~=-=-=-=-=-=-=~
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful
committed citizens can change the world,
indeed it's the only thing that ever has.
- Margaret Mead
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