So, on the 4th of July, or any other day you declare your freedom at a tea party, don’t take the celebration to the town square or a park. Go to the homes of the people who have: … erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance”. [More]I like it in principle.
I'd like to see it fleshed out more. A lot more.
[Via Steve L]
3 comments:
"I'd like to see it fleshed out more. A lot more."
Like this?
"Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with these warlike preparations which cover our waters and darken our land."
"For my own part I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery; and in proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate."
No, like practical and logistical considerations for making this happen.
Fair enough. I don't have a plan-in-a-box - but here's a handful of thoughts:
For something along these lines to be effective - the more warm bodies that show up - the better.
So now we're getting into territory akin to the collaboration of The People's Front of Judea and the Judean People's Front - it'll take a while just for the Statement of Purpose to be drafted...
If a gathering of people as described occurred - it would be responded to as if it were a 'criminal' offense. I doubt any LE personnel or their bosses would declare it a "Free-Speech Zone" except in the most cynical of ways.
Whenever people get together to challenge state authority - by the time they actually have the strength to effect change - they face strong challenges from within and without. Dilution of purpose and power struggles from within - and all manner of subversion from without directed inward. Some groups have fared well in terms of the internal matters - but outside subversion directed inwards has been pretty successful from what I've observed. More frankly - I'm speaking in terms of agent provocateurs.
Many groups and movements develop unhealthy relations with 'the media'. Rule of thumb - let them come to you - and then politely decline comment. They're nicknamed 'gatekeepers' for a reason.
What's that said - diplomacy is war by other means? The same applies to internal state affairs. See the recent news about the equating of protest with low-level terrorism. Perhaps that should be seen as (yet) a/nother 'shot across the bow'.
On the plus side - the potential of communications is better now than it's probably ever been before. Imagine a "flash mob" of hundreds or thousands getting together within less than 24 hours to have a pillow fight in downtown San Francisco. That's what happened just a few months ago! People were 'on the horn' about those guys in the motor home who were pulled over in Mississippi (a couple weeks ago) within several hours - strangers posting bail by nightfall! Funny thing about that - this Twitter stuff that the guys in the motor home used to get the ball rolling - notice how the fedgov got interested in that on an international level recently? Think they don't understand how that might have some unintended consequences?
I could envision a website using SSL inputs (forms, surveys, and comments) that could use actuarial methods to generate just such gatherings as the post described. Just add warm bodies, lather, rinse, and repeat...
Next week: Harry *uttle vs. Vogon Construction LLC
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