New Tribes, New Turf
"Simple because a man is appointed to a position, or through the drudgery of years has followed the Peter Principle and rises to his level of incompetence, does not mean he is immortal. There has never been a system yet that would not gladly sacrifice one of its own for a moment's peace, no matter how brief. If the system is to be changed, then those who would change it should pinpoint its weak spot, its blockage point, and place all the pressure on that one point until the blockage is cleared.”
Vine Deloria, Jr., We Talk, You Listen: New Tribes, New Turf, Dell, 1970, page 66.
Yes, we are the minority in both houses of Congress. But, despite the last election's outcome, there are more of us than there are of the maga cult. We need to be preparing for the mid-term elections, which includes getting those who did not vote in 2024 ready to support Democratic Party candidates. We need everyone to put forth their best efforts between now and election day.
Back on March 22, I posted an essay I titled “Come Forth.” I think most readers recognized where that quote comes from. I used it, thinking back to how we made reference to “rolling back the stone” when Rubin was approaching release after two decades of false incarceration. Such sayings have both a meaning that is visible and one that's invisible. I shall fight the urge to discuss the invisible, despite its being my favorite topic, at least for now.
When we think of “government,” be it local, state, or federal, we tend to think of the three branches that are supposed to have balance. But there is more. We know that the media has been called “the fourth estate.” This is due to its having a significant influence on social-political issues in the US. This is, of course, why mega-corporations have bought “mainstream media” and frequently sells the public out. These days, there is the “information highway” that allows for discussion forums and pod casts where people discuss and debate these social-political issues. When used properly, the internet has great value; however, it can be used to spread misinformation and disinformation, the same as corporate media.
But there is another part of “government” that is even larger, and potentially more powerful, than these. It is found in a number of key areas, including voter registration drives and voting. Another area is found in Amendment 1:
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. “
So writing a letter-to-the-editor counts. Calling an elected official is part of “government.” This Saturday, we all have the chance to peacefully assemble and petition the government. Now, some people may be tired, or even think that rallies have no significant influence. I've seen maga-ites make fun of those at rallies. Heck, years ago a gentleman broke a board over my head when I was participating in a march.
Not every rally will be the March on Washington, with Dr. King speaking. Nor will every march equal the March 7, 1965 crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge. But each and every rally and march will be part of a historic effort to petition the federal government to redress grievances.
I hope that everyone here will “come forth” on Saturday.
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