sanders@menlo70.UUCP (Rex Sanders) (02/16/84)
I don't normally read this newsgroup, but I am about to do something I've never done before and wanted to make my views more widely known. In a few days, I will go down to the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant in central California and try to stop the workers from getting to their jobs. For this, I will likely be arrested and sentenced to 4 days in jail. I have never been arrested or put in jail before. What does this have to do with net.politics? I believe that the real, effective politics are no longer going to be played on a national scene, with people arguing over whether Jesse Jackson is any crazier than Ronald Reagan. The people who are making a difference are the ones taking power into their own hands, denying "the system" the power people have been giving to the system for far too long. People who are participating in the action at Diablo Canyon are making decisions without leaders, without a rigid heirarchical structure, without majority or minority tyranny, through a process of consensus decision making. I first became involved in the Abalone Alliance and various local groups in 1981 at the time of the last large action at Diablo Canyon. This new way of making decisions and making social change has transformed my life. A network of people is growing who share a common approach to social change, an approach based on "thinking globally and acting locally", based on realizing and using the power everyone has, and we are making a difference. I am both scared and excited about what I am about to do. This little piece may ramble a bit, and I'm scared to submit it. In 1981, after the Diablo action, I tried to present my views on a local BBS only to be torn to shreds by personal attacks and other attacks not based on relevant facts and feelings. So, I won't be around for a couple of weeks to hear your responses (if any). Please mail them to me, as well as posting, or post with long expiration dates (if possible). I may have some interesting things to say when I get back. -- Rex decvax!ucbvax!menlo70!sanders