"To be neutral and to be passive is to collaborate with whatever is going on. ... [Democracy is] "not just a counting-up of votes [but a] counting-up of actions."
-- Howard Zinn
Sen. Kerry said that he believes in actions over words, unlike apparently the current President of the United States. Some would argue that a bit too often Kerry himself falls victim to that problem. For instance, Kerry is proclaiming every vote will be counted this time. Where art thou in Jan, 2001?
My local paper wasn't the only one that said national security is the most important issue in this election. The Commission wants action ... and fast. It is honestly unclear what will and can be done before November. All the same, I think a "100 Days" sort of period in the beginning of 2005 is something to demand. Put up or shut up. Actions over words.
[J]ust because you haven't bothered to learn about something doesn't mean that it isn't true, or that it isn't important.
-- Mark Kleiman
Make Them Go Away: Clint Eastwood, Christopher Reeve & The Case Against Disability Rights by Mary Johnson applies this principle to disability rights. The concept that the disabled are worthy of full citizenship, not only our pity and compassion, is something that is still somewhat weakly held. This includes the idea that sometimes "Denying includes inaction as well as action, and the equal protection of the laws includes the omission to protect, as well as the omission to pass laws for protection."*
This includes supplying help when needed, help that often has broad benefits (Bell invented the telephone as part of experiments to aid his deaf wife), help that furthers things worth more than dollars and cents. Johnson belittles the complexities of the situation a bit, the hard choices along the edges, but her overall message holds true. We have affirmative action, family leave, and financial aid. Is assistance to deal with disabilities, which we all will likely have at some point, less valuable? Deal with the disability, recognize the person.
Protest is what enables this nation, in its angriest moments, to progress, not self-destruct. It converts the despair of minorities into demands, turning the rage against oppression into an impetus for transformation. It makes a nation of individualists come together in struggle against exploitation and injustice. It keeps presidents from becoming monarchs and people from becoming subjects. Protest is the essence of American democracy.
-- Chisun Lee [read the whole thing]
And, sometimes, you need just to laugh. Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgandy will do the trick. LOL.
--
* U.S. v. Hall (1870), which is discussed by Justice Goldberg here and directly on point here. The nature of the citations suggest the basic principle has not been fully accepted, but its truth still holds steady in my mind.