A weblog with random thoughts and reflections on society and ecology.
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Sunday, March 23, 2003
Democracy & Dissent
A true democracy has several characteristics: a deep community dialogue on issues and solutions, media that gives a voice to all views and represent these views fairly, and elections that gives each candidate an equal opportunity to have their views heard. Of course, in the US, none of these characteristics are met. People are pacified by entertainment and a consumer lifestyle that leaves little room for community involvement, corporate media only allows certain views to be presented and regularly misrepresent alternative views, and the political system favors those candidates who are aligned with and backed by large corporations.
There is a need for dissent and critical analysis of policies and their effects at all times, but never more so than in a time of war. In a war, decisions are made that have a direct life and death impact on large numbers of people. Those decisions, and the assumptions and policies behind them, must be critically analyzed and questioned by the media and the population at large, and there must be a willingness to engage in civil disobedience at all level of society. Unquestioned decisions, especially in a time of war, can lead to tremendous tragedies.
11:10
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