Spazmatic

I'll have you know that this name has a lot of meaning behind it, cloaked away in my gaming history!

galiel

Hi, gilly54:
My post was not in response solely to your post. My post was a general one in response to posters who seem resigned to settle for second-class citizenship, think there is no hope for changing public opinion and who are afraid to rock the boat.

You are right, there is nothing wrong with having a wish list.

You did begin your post, however, by saying:

And you ended it by saying:

Imagine if MLK bracketed his "I have a dream" speech with the two statements of yours that I just quoted...



As for "picking our fights", that is, respectfully, a bunch of nonsense. It has been the ACLU's rationale for becoming increasingly risk-averse and correspondingly less effective. When one is making a commitment to become part of a society-wide movement for social change, one doesn't "pick a fight" in the first place. One simply stands on principle, and lets the chips fall where they may. That is not to say that once a movement becomes cohesive and has coordinated leadership, that smart strategic and tactical moves do not make sense. But we are not even close to that yet.

There are times when simply being bold is more effective than being careful.

If you write letters seeking to create momentum for change, great. If you write letters believing nothing can change, then you are merely blowing off steam, and your post will discourage others from even trying.

It takes sustained pressure for a steam engine to move a locomotive.

(edited by galiel to correct spelling)

[ July 01, 2002: Message edited by: galiel ]</p>

simian

The next step? How about making ourselves visible? The SOBs are getting away with doing what they do because of the idea "nobody I know is an atheist." We are the people who exist in "other communities," but "not here."

So consider contacting local government about that 10 Commandments monument, or about the city council meeting that is always opened with it a Christian prayer. Bring up the "Texas football prayer case" as an example of why we have a Constitutional separation of Church and State (Mormons and Catholics tormented by the majority denominations).

Imagine, if you will, every state in the nation having a controversy about 10 Commandments monuments. Imagine, for a moment, the more reasonable denominations finally getting the courage to raise a rucus in the public square and taking back their religion from the wing nuts.

If you want to set your sights really high, work toward a "National Day of Rationality" where everybody would be encouraged to base their actions off of facts, not superstition.

Simian

David Bowden

Darwin Day in February comes very close to this. Maybe we US citizens can find a US scientist or freethinking spokesperson to celebrate in similar manner, at the other end of the year (August or something - and hey, Aug. doesn't have any major holidays...)

*Runs off to find out Ingersoll's birthday...*

-Wanderer

simian

I was thinking more along the lines of something similar to the "National Day of Prayer". Get all the Governors to proclaim it, the pres., the congress. A person can dream, can't they?

Simian

simian

Edited to add: I mean this in the sense of a parody of the NDOP. Good luck getting a national politician agreeing to using rational thought.

Edited to add: I need to be able to tell the difference between the edit and quote buttons. DOH!

[ July 01, 2002: Message edited by: simian ]</p>

David Bowden

Ahh... yes, that smacks of some good arrogant fun. Count me in; I'll bring my frisbee, a chessboard, some Copi, and some beer.

-Wanderer

The Other Michael

Hi Simian,

I think I saw something on Cliff Walker's site about the mayor of Portland signing a "freethought day" or "rational thought day" proclamation in the last year or two.

The best bet would be to find a sympathetic person with a spine who'd do something like that.

But I imagine if you are based in Fundyland (TM) that is going to be hard to find (actually, even if you aren't in Fundyland (TM) it appears that is going to be a problem).

cheers,
Michael

simian

Oh, it is not as fundy as it could be (I was in a much worse place when I lived about 1,000 miles east of here). In fact, I think the local politicians could be convinced to do a "day of freethinking," if they are already participating in the day o'prayer. Might be worth pursueing.....

scombrid

Heh, ain't this the truth. How many people have we heard in the last several days that have said, "This is a stupid ruling, they're banning the pledge because one man doesn't like it."?