tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635528435550979955.post6984900883262272010..comments2023-09-02T06:26:48.706-07:00Comments on Pushing for Progress: City of Olympia Nuclear Free Zone Act RepealRoberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03318864064632953373noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635528435550979955.post-87145376799461088102008-09-10T07:41:00.000-07:002008-09-10T07:41:00.000-07:00Margaret Mead said, "Never doubt that a small...Margaret Mead said, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."<br><br>you are doing it.Peggy Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06142778129748781744noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635528435550979955.post-49867199743398137792008-09-11T12:06:00.000-07:002008-09-11T12:06:00.000-07:00Bert, you wondered eleswehere why more people didn...Bert, you wondered eleswehere why more people didn't show up who (like myself) supported the repeal of the nuke free law. <br><br>I emailed and contacted the council about the matter, and 7pm on a work night is not very accessible for me. <br><br>I spoke with a few people who supported a repeal and we all had the same problems. Show up with what we perceived would be a room full of rabble rousers, and nutcases (the kind who usually show up and ruin mass gatherings in Olympia) or show up to work the next day somewhat groggy. We chose to voice our opinions elsewhere.<br><br>The leftist activist community in this town has such a bad reputation that many will choose to avoid them when they gather. In other words the leftists have rightly or wrongly managed to get portrayed as a bunch of unstable unemployed nut cases who have nothing better to do than picket, wave signs, unroll ribbon, block freeways, break windows, shut down traffic and spraypaint buildings. <br><br>So the "normal" people of Olympia express their views to the council via letter, email, and telephone, and leave the three ring circus to the far left protesters.<br><br>So the very perceived image of the far left activists in this town is what guarantees few opposing people will show up at a council meeting. We don't like the circus acts, we don't like the potential for violence, we don't like the ethereal and vaporous notions that get bandied about, and we can only stomach so much of the conversation that goes on there.S6noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635528435550979955.post-8573888072022870972008-09-11T23:23:00.000-07:002008-09-11T23:23:00.000-07:00Steve, that's sad.Personally, I want to say th...Steve, that's sad.<br><br>Personally, I want to say that you should always feel welcome and comfortable around me. I do my best to avoid judging people. I might judge actions, but not people.<br><br>I won't say anything about you that I would not be willing to say to your face.<br><br>I also disagree with you. Why are there so many who show up with differing view points on the Olympia Rafah Sister City Project? Why are there so many with opposing views on the isthmus rezone?<br><br>The nuclear free zone is different I think - because many people - perhaps not you - feel a degree of shame when they try to defend the nuclear weapons industry.<br><br>People know in their heart of hearts that our national officials are engaged in a war of conquest - to maintain and further the interests of the largest and most powerful and influential corporations - that of global economic hegemony.<br><br>It's about bottom line economics. The problem is that it is harmful and oppressive. People are suffering and hurting because of it.<br><br>Hey- thanks for stopping by and commenting.<br><br>I hope you're well.Berdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03318864064632953373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635528435550979955.post-57645534147785527422008-09-12T09:06:00.000-07:002008-09-12T09:06:00.000-07:00Bert,I didn't show up because I wasn't goi...Bert,<br>I didn't show up because I wasn't going to (literally) miss any sleep before work. I don't have a car, and have to walk from the Marina to downtown and then back. Too much time. I wrote to the council and did my part. <br><br>Another interesting point is maybe a certain group of people (like myself) think this law is such a waste of time, that we expected the council to repeal it (as they already indicated) and so didn't show up.<br><br>I talk with a broad swath of Olympia everyday at work, and the input I got on this repeal was very largely positive.<br><br>Win, lose, or draw, I don't believe this is something that a small little town needs to be involved in, as it does not affect the day to day operation of the city.<br><br>Instead all resources and energy need to be spent on more important issues that directly affect day to day life in Olympia.<br><br>As a symbolic gesture the law did little and divided the town. It would have been better if it never had existed, but it did, and now it doesn't. Let's focus energy on something else that effects our daily existence in Olympia, such as homelessness.<br><br>Nukes are owned by national governments. Those are the people to target, not small municipalities.S6www.olyforums.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635528435550979955.post-53113769402712559652008-09-12T13:47:00.000-07:002008-09-12T13:47:00.000-07:00Believe me Steve,I have been working on national o...Believe me Steve,<br><br>I have been working on national officials. They aren't receptive to people like me. They don't listen to anything except power (which is either money or an electoral challenge.)<br><br>Maybe I will take this as inspiration to mount my own campaign for public office.Berdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03318864064632953373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635528435550979955.post-83573252940176433402008-09-12T23:30:00.000-07:002008-09-12T23:30:00.000-07:00Well remember who inspired you to your higher aspi...Well remember who inspired you to your higher aspirations in politics when as public official you have to deal with the issues of the Right to Keep and Bear Arms.S6www.olyforums.orgnoreply@blogger.com