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Rich Simmons's avatar

Thanks, Will, for an encouraging take on our present situation in the US. You're right about the power of generally peaceful mass movements against oppression, from Gandhi against the British, the original overthrow of the Shah of Persia, to the color revolutions.

But some caveats...

-- The oppressors are also learning, and have developed tools such as massive disinformation and provocations as an excuse for violence and draconian measures.

-- Too often, these movements have failed -- sometimes deliberately -- to create a coherent program, message, or leadership.

There's a wonderful recent book by British journalist Vincent Bevins, If We Burn (https://www.amazon.com/If-We-Burn-Protest-Revolution/dp/1541788974). Bevins witnessed movements such as those in the Arab Spring, and how they failed and left the oppressors stronger and the people even more demoralized. We need to get it right, now that democracy and rule of law are under assault here in America!

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Gary T Burnaska's avatar

Can't wait for the revolution and Constitution 2.0

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