It won't be ENOUGH until the Youth Are Out Front

Email Print posted by happyhominid 09/26/2007 01:32:02 PM EST

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Most of us find it incredible that we haven't been able to stop this war by now - let alone restore our civil rights to the place they were at prior to 2001.  It's obvious that the 70% who oppose Bush at this point are right.  So why can't we get any traction in a movement to force our government to do what the majority wants?

Like in every battle, you don't win it with the Lieutenants, Majors, Colonels and Generals.  You win it with the skills and desires of the foot soldiers.  This is always (cynical as it is), our precious youth.  In this battle against the horribly misguided foreign and domestic policies of the neo-conservatives/religious fundamentalists, we are clearly lacking an army.

As my daughter was woofing down a bowl of Corn Pops, tossing her volleyball gear into her bag and books into her backpack I asked her a simple question:  at your campus, do you see any signs of protest against the war or Bush policy?  She momentarily had a blank look, then shook her head and said no.

Now, understand that we live on the very liberal west side of Los Angeles.  My daughter attends Santa Monica College, which is nested in a supposed liberal hotbed of a city.  This is not Yorba Linda in Orange County.  If there are no groups on campus, holding events and speeches, posting signs and passing out organizing materials, in Santa Monica, CA then what's going on in Lincoln, Nebraska or in Pocatello, Idaho?

I can't prove it.  I have no data.  Maybe Cenk does.  But I'm going to guess that the average age of people attending the ENOUGH rallies is probably about 50.  I'm glad that there are some people my age out there.  But it is also the reason that these rallies attract a few dozen people instead of hundreds, and then thousands.  You won't get that many 50 year olds out to a protest.  Who goes to the streets?  Youth.  And when the youth get passionate enough to actually do that, it brings even more 50 year olds out as parents are shamed that their own kids out putting it on the line for principles that they themselves instilled in those children.

Unfortunately, I have to end this on an entirely cynical note.  I have to believe that the reason the youth are not involved - leading - this thing, is that it doesn't seem to effect them.  In order for the Right to continue these policies into the foreseeable future, a draft will become an absolute necessity at some point.  I guess when that happens, the youth will awaken out of their stupor.  Maybe this is nothing new and we haven't really raised a "me" generation.  Maybe it's the main reason the youth took the lead against Viet Nam in the 60's and 70's.  Whatever the reason, we need them out there or it's going to continue to seem impossible to change things.


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It won't be ENOUGH until the Youth Are Out Front | 12 comments (12 topical, 0 hidden)
New Frontiers (none / 0)
I empathize with your frustration with the youth’s perceived stupor but let me offer something new.  Despite the “me” generation mentality that dominates youth culture, there are new frontiers being treaded upon that will one day bloom into a viable force.  No longer is holding up a sign the only way to resist and change this country.  Give it time and don’t give up just yet!

by rev24 on 09/26/2007 01:59:31 PM EST

Fair Enough, Rev (none / 0)
And I'm not suggesting that kids need do what has been done in the past.  But I hear and see a lot of protest on radio, TV (to some degree), blogs and net videos - without seeing a lot of youth attached to it. 

It's another day in paradise...

by happyhominid on 09/26/2007 07:44:09 PM EST

[ Parent ]
dude (none / 0)
Dude Halo 3 just came out. What war?

by acroso on 09/26/2007 08:56:18 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Halo 3 is scratched (none / 0)
There are scratches on the disc! dont buy it.

--- Truth To Power

by Leeberal on 09/26/2007 09:00:45 PM EST

[ Parent ]
You're scratched. (none / 0)


John Woo Presents Strangehold is also a good recent addition to the 360 library.  Between that and Halo 3,  my fate is sealed.

by OneHitKill on 09/28/2007 10:08:13 AM EST

[ Parent ]
Na Man (none / 0)
Guitar Hero all night long bro - Don't forget to text wingnut for the reeb!

by rev24 on 09/26/2007 09:05:39 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Here is one (none / 0)
I thought I would post this to ya at least its something

http://www.unitedforpeace.o rg/article.php?id=3187

--- Truth To Power

by Leeberal on 09/26/2007 09:10:18 PM EST

[ Parent ]
I'm sure that some things are happening (none / 0)
It just isn't - here's that word again - enough.

Here's another one for you, that I'm stealing from Randi Rhodes from a couple of weeks ago.

She points out the lack of popular music that addresses social issues.  As she said, a society tends to cumulatively address pressing problems of the day through its music.  So where is it?  I know you can give me a handful of examples, but there not much there.

It's another day in paradise...

by happyhominid on 09/26/2007 11:41:55 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Ive been wondering (none / 0)
Some will say the protests of old are now on the Internet. I.E  MoveOn.org . The Internet is the ultimate gotcha. All eyes on the lies. But is it a catalyst for change? Not sure why younger people don't go out for an hr on the weekend with their enough! signs. I do and I'm under 50.

--- Truth To Power

by Leeberal on 09/26/2007 03:02:34 PM EST

You're under 50 (none / 0)
But I'm guessing not college age.  Again, I don't mean to say they have to be at the Enough protests.  But when my daughter tells me that she sees and hears NOTHING about these issues - at a liberal institution of higher learning... wow.  That's all I can say.... wow.  Bush drafts their little asses and it'll be a hornets nest - I would hope.  Who knows?

It's another day in paradise...

by happyhominid on 09/26/2007 07:48:06 PM EST

[ Parent ]
all the violent, sweet, perfect words (none / 0)
The political climate at USF and other college campuses across the country, however, raises questions about the effectiveness of the bottom-up Internet activism that's predominately fueled by youth.

I thought this article in my college's newspaper today alluded to a similar non-action feeling.  The university is one of the larger in the country and the only protest movements I see on campus are the standard-fare anarchy fliers (and an occasional Ron Paul poster.)

It is much easier to sit on ones ass and click the mouse a few times. Doesn't take much thought, time, or effort. Who wants to waste effort and time on thought? Heh.

by jazzchic on 09/26/2007 11:56:12 PM EST

Yep... (none / 0)
Thanks for the link.  When I went there, I noticed that no comments had yet been left on it.  Guess that speaks volumes.

It's another day in paradise...

by happyhominid on 09/27/2007 11:17:07 AM EST

[ Parent ]
It won't be ENOUGH until the Youth Are Out Front | 12 comments (12 topical, 0 hidden)
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