Recently, a summit of Arab Bloggers met, where bloggers like “us” at BMG from a whole slew of countries got together, sharing what worked, what didn’t work, and the impact of their citizen journalism in bringing democracy to their countries. Of course, the press in the USA didn’t report on this.
At that meeting Al Jazeera says the Arab Spring bloggers took some of the credit for the Occupy movement in the USA – rightfully, and the reason is that democracy is seen as crumbling and being lost in the United States and other countries, and the Arab bloggers felt good about helping renew democracy here.
The Occupy movement works via Direct Democracy – and the feeling that “leaders” have the right to cram their views down anyone’s throat is met with hostility. It has been exciting to me to attend those Town Meeting style GAs (“general assemblies”) and see the ‘Lost Generation’ finding their voice.
No member of a political party in this state or this country should act as though they have a RIGHT to bully any other member to take a position or support a candidate – and if they do, more likely than not, it will blow up in the face of their candidate or position – especially with the 20-35 age group – and anyone with an ounce of self respect or personal integrity. Consider that a word to the – hopefully – wise.
