Garret Keizer, freelance writer and contributing editor of Harper's Magazine, discusses his call for an Election Day "general strike" against the Bush Administration in this month's Harper's Magazine.
The article can be read at: http://harpers.org/archive/2007/10/0081720 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/media-squatters/message/15799
This strike should not merely be general within the United States but Global!
I am turning the main breaker off in the cellar the evening before the strike (if you want to do the same, but worry about the fridge, just leave the kitchen breaker on). No Television or internet or digital clocks. No weatherman to tell which way the wind blows. The car stays parked. Family and friends should visit and stay together. Keep each other warm! Or hang out that bed sheet on the front lawn or in the center of town: "General Strike!" Be glad! This is a celebration!
Use every media you know to notify people and promote discussion of the event.
Another reason to strike now! http://groups.yahoo.com/group/media-squatters/message/15804
-mason
Nov. 02 2007 04:05 PM
Score: 0/0
Val
yes! can we go old school with a megaphone and ride around town announcing this to the rest of the world???
Oct. 13 2007 06:01 AM
Score: 0/0
carlene jadusingh
from manhattan
I have been searching for this man's article since I heard this interview on Brian's show yesterday. I agree with Garret Keizer completely & am very happy to hear someone articulate my thoughts & feelings so well. I will advertise and support the boycott & impeachment efforts. I wish Brian could replay this interview a few more time to make the issue more widly known. Thank you.
Oct. 12 2007 05:51 PM
Score: 0/0
Mark Kolakowski
from Fair Haven, NJ
How about a general strike on April 15? Speaking of invasion of privacy, the IRS and the Census Bureau head the list, yet the civil liberties lobby is remarkably silent about them.
Oct. 10 2007 03:27 PM
Score: 0/0
chestine
from NY
too bad nobody thought of this for May Day (may 1)
Oct. 10 2007 12:05 PM
Score: 0/0
David Kane
from Coney Island, Brooklyn
Other addresses for Congressman Nadler:
Manhattan
Rep. Jerrold Nadler 201 Varick Street, Suite 669 New York, NY 10014 Tel. 212-367-7350
Tell him to schedule a hearing for House Resolution 333 -- The Impeachment of Cheney.
This is the Kucinich H. Res.
Thanks -- Dave
Oct. 10 2007 11:58 AM
Score: 0/0
anon
from manhattan
Thank you, Garret Keizer, for the brilliantly written assessment of our dire condition and the inspiring call to (metaphorical) arms. As a fellow freelancer, I'll join you in "sitting on my overdue library books."
Oct. 10 2007 11:50 AM
Score: 0/0
sara
from putnam county ny
I think a general strike is not a bad idea - but I think election day is the BAD day... Brian just said 'Nothing's going on..." but there's a world out there beyond manhattan... Also election workers (many of whom probably have a viewpoint) MUST work... And it's a day when people get time off work already to vote... Finally - if it's chad-day, why not the day AFTER elections, when those votes began to be counted.. Make it a no-work AND no-shop AND no-travel day ... Biggest bit- just be sure that whatever happens, it's publicized... If the public and the govt don't know that it happened,then it didn't happen... thanks
Oct. 10 2007 11:49 AM
Score: 0/0
AJ
from Brooklyn/Manhattan (work)
Agree Pelosi has been lame and I'm for the strike as well!
Oct. 10 2007 11:42 AM
Score: 0/0
ab
Peter,
I agree, but that just makes it all the more absurd to me that impeachment "is not on the table".
Brian just stated what I was going to: I like the election day date because election day SHOULD be a national holiday. It's absurd that it isn't.
Oct. 10 2007 11:42 AM
Score: 0/0
Matt
In this age of submitting ourselves to the lies of those in power this is a worthy call to the world, not only America. Gordon Brown is already on track and Myanmar still points to the abuse of peaceful protest.
Mass consensus may not change their minds but we need to change our own. We are not powerless.
We too often wait and watch as lies are told and wrong choices made in our name. This must change.
Oct. 10 2007 11:41 AM
Score: 0/0
Paulo
from Paterson, New Jersey
Waiting him out, as the guest said, would just hand over the expanded power of the Presidency to the next elected President regardless of their party. No one gives power back. It has to be taken back. Would a strike do it? If you could get the political will to have a strike, you could get the political will to make the practical, political changes that a strike would highlight. The sad fact is that the will is lacking for both.
Oct. 10 2007 11:40 AM
Score: 0/0
Marco
from Manhattan
Tilting at windmills. People should hold their elected representatives to account rather than "striking" or issuing "manifestos." It's time for a third party.
Oct. 10 2007 11:38 AM
Score: 0/0
Christian
Regarding whether or not the success of the strike could serve as a referendum on the job approval of the Bush admin... Mr Keizer asks for a better way. Why not a poll on whether or not the American people would like an impeachment or resignation of GWB?
Oct. 10 2007 11:38 AM
Score: 0/0
CH
from NYC
It is a very thoughtful idea, and I applaud the motives. But what will the "other side" do? Can we afford to leave the world in the hands of FOX News ans Rush? What news items will the Bush Administration hold to release on that day? Do we dare give the Dark Side 24 hours of uncontested coverage?
Oct. 10 2007 11:37 AM
Score: 0/0
Peter
from Washington Heights, NYC
Note that, per a discussion with Bill Moyers among constitutional scholars, including the one who wrote the Clinton impeachment papers, that impeachment is a wake up call first, not necessarily a removal of the president. So it is not as radical a notion as we usually consider it. It tells the president he is not going unchecked.
This might help Keizer's idea's viability
Oct. 10 2007 11:36 AM
Score: 0/0
Michael Winslow
from Inwood
I second the motion.
Bush and Cheney should be impeached.
Polosi should be impeached as well since she hasn't done a damn thing since becoming speaker.
I would be open to letting Bush govern for a fourth term so we have more time to impeach him.
Oct. 10 2007 11:36 AM
Score: 0/0
ab
I agree with his statement about Pelosi...how dare she tell us impeachment is "not on the table"? SO disappointed in her, quite frankly
I agree, this is a good idea.
Oct. 10 2007 11:36 AM
Score: 0/0
Nick
from Austin
Hell, I'll second that!
Oct. 10 2007 11:35 AM
Score: 0/0
Eric
from B'klyn
It's a great idea
Oct. 10 2007 11:34 AM
Score: 0/0
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Comments [20]
The article can be read at:
http://harpers.org/archive/2007/10/0081720
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/media-squatters/message/15799
This strike should not merely be general within the United States but Global!
I am turning the main breaker off in the cellar the evening before the strike (if you want to do the same, but worry about the fridge, just leave the kitchen breaker on). No Television or internet or digital clocks. No weatherman to tell which way the wind blows. The car stays parked. Family and friends should visit and stay together. Keep each other warm! Or hang out that bed sheet on the front lawn or in the center of town: "General Strike!" Be glad! This is a celebration!
Use every media you know to notify people and
promote discussion of the event.
Another reason to strike now!
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/media-squatters/message/15804
-mason
yes! can we go old school with a megaphone and ride around town announcing this to the rest of the world???
I have been searching for this man's article since I heard this interview on Brian's show yesterday. I agree with Garret Keizer completely & am very happy to hear someone articulate my thoughts & feelings so well. I will advertise and support the boycott & impeachment efforts. I wish Brian could replay this interview a few more time to make the issue more widly known.
Thank you.
How about a general strike on April 15? Speaking of invasion of privacy, the IRS and the Census Bureau head the list, yet the civil liberties lobby is remarkably silent about them.
too bad nobody thought of this for May Day (may 1)
Other addresses for Congressman Nadler:
Manhattan
Rep. Jerrold Nadler
201 Varick Street, Suite 669
New York, NY 10014
Tel. 212-367-7350
Brooklyn
Rep. Jerrold Nadler
445 Neptune Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11224
Tel. 718-373-3198
Tell him to schedule a hearing for House Resolution 333 -- The Impeachment of Cheney.
This is the Kucinich H. Res.
Thanks -- Dave
Thank you, Garret Keizer, for the brilliantly written assessment of our dire condition and the inspiring call to (metaphorical) arms. As a fellow freelancer, I'll join you in "sitting on my overdue library books."
I think a general strike is not a bad idea - but I think election day is the BAD day... Brian just said 'Nothing's going on..." but there's a world out there beyond manhattan...
Also election workers (many of whom probably have a viewpoint) MUST work... And it's a day when people get time off work already to vote... Finally - if it's chad-day, why not the day AFTER elections, when those votes began to be counted.. Make it a no-work AND no-shop AND no-travel day ...
Biggest bit- just be sure that whatever happens, it's publicized... If the public and the govt don't know that it happened,then it didn't happen... thanks
Agree Pelosi has been lame and I'm for the strike as well!
Peter,
I agree, but that just makes it all the more absurd to me that impeachment "is not on the table".
Brian just stated what I was going to: I like the election day date because election day SHOULD be a national holiday. It's absurd that it isn't.
In this age of submitting ourselves to the lies of those in power this is a worthy call to the world, not only America. Gordon Brown is already on track and Myanmar still points to the abuse of peaceful protest.
Mass consensus may not change their minds but we need to change our own. We are not powerless.
We too often wait and watch as lies are told and wrong choices made in our name. This must change.
Waiting him out, as the guest said, would just hand over the expanded power of the Presidency to the next elected President regardless of their party. No one gives power back. It has to be taken back. Would a strike do it? If you could get the political will to have a strike, you could get the political will to make the practical, political changes that a strike would highlight. The sad fact is that the will is lacking for both.
Tilting at windmills. People should hold their elected representatives to account rather than "striking" or issuing "manifestos." It's time for a third party.
Regarding whether or not the success of the strike could serve as a referendum on the job approval of the Bush admin...
Mr Keizer asks for a better way. Why not a poll on whether or not the American people would like an impeachment or resignation of GWB?
It is a very thoughtful idea, and I applaud the motives. But what will the "other side" do? Can we afford to leave the world in the hands of FOX News ans Rush? What news items will the Bush Administration hold to release on that day? Do we dare give the Dark Side 24 hours of uncontested coverage?
Note that, per a discussion with Bill Moyers among constitutional scholars, including the one who wrote the Clinton impeachment papers, that impeachment is a wake up call first, not necessarily a removal of the president. So it is not as radical a notion as we usually consider it. It tells the president he is not going unchecked.
This might help Keizer's idea's viability
I second the motion.
Bush and Cheney should be impeached.
Polosi should be impeached as well since she hasn't done a damn thing since becoming speaker.
I would be open to letting Bush govern for a fourth term so we have more time to impeach him.
I agree with his statement about Pelosi...how dare she tell us impeachment is "not on the table"? SO disappointed in her, quite frankly
I agree, this is a good idea.
Hell, I'll second that!
It's a great idea
Leave a Comment
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Email addresses are never displayed, but they are required to confirm your comments. Names are displayed with all comments. We reserve the right to edit any comments posted on this site. Please read the Comment Guidelines before posting. By leaving a comment, you agree to New York Public Radio's Privacy Policy and Terms Of Use.