Michael Perelman wrote:
Of course, it is silly to imagine strategies that could change the shape of political life.
We can't help it, Michael. We people are silly. We strive for *conscious* social change, because the other kind sucks more often than not. We can't remain human and accept chance turned into fate as our ruler. I admit the evidence of success is humbling. But in the intellectual tradition some of us absorbed, you just take it as as a given that we humans problematize life, set goals, align means, and push in the direction of the gradient.
Did Cindy Sheehan strategize about how she could shape public opinion? I doubt it, at least in the beginning. My guess is that her outrage fueled her. People responded to her authenticity.
With somebody like Cindy Sheehan, we were just lucky. Lucky that a woman with her strong personal motivation, ability to elicit broad empathy and respect, and the heart in the right place took it upon herself to struggle the way she's been doing it. The concern I have and others may share is about helping our luck a little. Cindy Sheehan can't galvanize a crowd that is not ready to be galvanized. So, in a sense, Cindy is who she is because she embodies a widespread sentiment. And that leads me to the question: How can we best organize this popular sentiment so that we, the masses, start to generate high quality leaders in sufficient quantities to beat the odds? And where else can we lay out our grand strategies if not on these lists? What keeps these lists together (and I'm referring here to people who just lurk or read the archives occasionally) is, I suppose, is our interest in public affairs. Or maybe the main reason we hang out on these lists is that we're hoping somebody will give us inside info we can use. Then we can become investment bankers and influence politics. Anyway, here's my strategy for tomorrow, at 2pm, on 6th Ave between 35 and 39 Streets, New York City, NY: Be there or be square! (If you're attending the demonstration and wish to meet and discuss strategy with me, contact me off list.)
