I am not certain of the policy here, but this is on the AI listserve. The relevance to Harrison's comments on the CD Peg has provided are obvious. Dave
>From the AI listserve: In a message dated 12/5/1999, smartsw...@aol.com writes: << Those of us who believe in AI have understood the necessity for dialogue. Perhaps most absent (from what I have been able to gather here in NY) from the WTO protests was that important ingredient >> In a message dated 12/5/1999, soren...@onramp.net writes: << Demonstrators fail to see that when they move from expression to destruction that they have crossed an invisible line that separates the rule of law that protects us from disorder and the disorder that promotes the implosion of society. >> I appreciate the deepening of dialogue that has in fact resulted from this tumultuous week in Seattle -- here and across the globe. I appreciate the legions of young people becoming awakened to a political consciousness and galvanized to action. We have much to learn; I think reflection upon the week's events will yield many lessons -- about the challenges of globalization, about living in the chaos, about balancing safety, the status quo, and free speech. We are learning to do large group, 'real time' strategic planning... How can we create better designs for 'real time' on the street mass public dialoguing?! I want to express my appreciation to the thoughtful demonstrators on the streets of Seattle. The spirit of positive hope, vision, caring, mutual respect was beautiful to experience. The 'power of the people' was awesome to behold. The mingling of nver-before allied individuals and groups was astounding -- 'rednecks', truckers and tree-huggers, radicals, old timers, students, developing world, farmers, labor unions, ecofeminists, French, Indonesian, Tibetan, etc. There were tens of thousands of demonstrators -- and the VAST majority were dedicated to meaningful dialogue and nonviolent protest -- including refraining from any destruction to property and any violence--verbal or physical. Even the ardent "Direct Action Network" group committed to these guidelines and participated in a huge effort towards training in nonviolence and peacekeeping -- there were many of us who provided many free sessions in nonviolence throughout the weeks leading up to WTO. During the demonstrations, I participated in and witnessed many incidents of courageous peacekeeping. 99.9 % of the demonstrators were deeply committed to respectful, peaceful and positive protest. It was very disheartening to come home from an event with 50,000 people yet find only two inches of news amidst pages devoted to the violent few -- to find the TV covering tear-gas troops launching non stop, yet mere seconds of the stirring and thoughtful speeches. How do we make images of reflective dialogue and peaceful interaction as appealing to the media as the uglier images they find irresistible-- and replay over and over, so that any single incident of smashing a pane of glass is shown so many times it seems to multiply-- ? I also want to express my appreciation to the police: no one was seriously injured and even the property damage was limited to graffiti and broken glass. I appreciate how all the sides in Seattle are now joining to try to learn from this -- police, mayor, citizens, merchants, protesters, etc. Many forums and candle light vigils for healing are being held, with participation from all sides. This week felt like the birth of a global grassroots movement -- labor pains were intense, it was bloody and messy... the newborn is fragile. The challenge is to find ways to keep these passions going in ways to work for the good of all people and the planet -- to encourage continued demonstrations but find ways to help deepen dialogue and move beyond slogans in peaceful yet powerful ways so the issues won't become side tracked into a (vital but not future visioning) struggle for free speech and restraining police action. **************** Susan Partnow 4425 Baker NW Seattle, WA 98107 voice 206-789-8697 fax 206-782-7786 susan...@aol.com ****************** ============================================================== Jack Brittain mailto:britt...@business.utah.edu is the list moderator. This list is sponsored by the David Eccles School of Business, University of Utah. http://www.business.utah.edu ==============================================================