An Oscar for Activism

Freedom Times Commentary and Preface to the previous post:
“Democracy is not a spectator sport” presents an interesting concept, a bit long reading, but your life and mine, and our children’s lives and their future, make it worth the effort to evaluate.

"Democracy is not a spectator sport!" is a scientist’s open letter to President Obama critiquing “Tweedledee & Tweedledum trivia surface issues “ versus “Life Critical” issues.

In a world of the most quantitative, massive economic requirements we have ever seen needed to supply the ever-growing life needs, wants & desires of an expanding world population seeking to improve their lives and lifestyles, an honest look at current events and the insane economic downturn with their root causes, may assist in restoring democracy.

An Oscar for Activism by Ralph Nader, http://www.commondreams.org/ “What if, permit a flight of fancy, there were the equivalent of the “Academy Awards” for the civic heroism that goes on every day here and abroad. The powerless valiant ones who challenge the powerful and corrupt in ways that throughout history have broken new ground for more justice, economic well-being, health, safety and freedom. They are mostly unsung. They are often marginalized or maligned.”

In Turbulent times, the stress tightrope of psychological coping and escape mechanisms used to bring a semblance of sanity, cheerfulness and balance in our local everyday lives runs paramount. However, caution flags are recommended to prevent a defense mechanism from becoming pathological – “when it prevents the individual from being able to cope with a real threat and obscures his/her ability to perceive reality; when it is used persistently and leads to maladaptive behavior that will eventually threaten the physical and/or mental health of the individual, or group, community, nation when practiced universally by a majority”.

Current events, from bailouts to global warming, from resource wars, ecological imbalance, and ‘weapons of mass donkey’ corporate lies for profit and exclusive rights to third world counties' resources, (look up 50 year span death statistics caused by poverty, starvation, disease and lack of new energy systems); to transportation de-evolution - slower pace on urban highways than a wagon train traveling OVER the Rocky Mountains, with modern day workaholics dreaming of the freedom and leisure time slaves had in comparison, topped with the suppression of advanced energy systems in the late 1940’s that could have prevented the preceding events, and still can prevent the forward movement along this current road to mass destruction, ……..all portray the destructive effects resulting from misinformed/uninformed choices and behavior.

In short, the 2009 Message: Open appeal to Mr. Obama from a fellow achiever who is gravely concerned about our future. http://www.brianoleary.info/index.html
"Democracy is not a spectator sport!" is a highly recommended study and review, specifically list #6. Fearlessly foster (suppressed) innovation such as free energy.
“Mr. President, you must know we all are entering the gravest crisis the world has ever experienced and that the situation can be addressed only by implementing the kinds of systemic changes listed. Many of us are willing to support these efforts in team-work with you. I believe you will have no other choice but to move into these changes briskly. Otherwise, the degree of unrest, fear and repression will be too great to allow us to act without further violence, totalitarian control and ecological and economic collapse. We don’t want that kind of world, we want to have room in which to innovate our way from the very systems that have become so decadent, so destructive, and so tyrannical. Is this an impossible task? Not if we act radically, decisively and quickly. We can only try. Crisis breeds opportunity. It is time to restore the ideals upon which our nation was founded. We have grievously lost our way from practicing those principles.”
Dear President Obama,...... See previous post at http://freedomtimes.blogspot.com/2009/02/democracy-is-not-spectator-sport.html

Published on Saturday, February 28, 2009 by CommonDreams.org
An Oscar for Activism
by CommonDreams.org
by Ralph Nader
As the 2009 Academy Awards swept their way into history, the glitz and the massive global audiences show that across cultures fictional stories, mythologies and money go hand in hand. As the nominees for the awards were briefly showcased for their artistic imagination in one category after another, it occurred to me that the saying “truth is stranger than fiction” has another meaning. Many people would rather see fiction than the real thing. What if, permit a flight of fancy, there were the equivalent of the “Academy Awards” for the civic heroism that goes on every day here and abroad. The powerless valiant ones who challenge the powerful and corrupt in ways that throughout history have broken new ground for more justice, economic well-being, health, safety and freedom. They are mostly unsung. They are often marginalized or maligned. The history books make reference to only a very few—anti slavery abolitionists, women fighting for the vote, workers for the right to organize, farmers for federal regulation of brazen banks and railroads. People take on, for example, corrupt city machines, company towns dominated by a single plant or mine, toxic contamination of drinking water supplies, corporate looters of worker pensions, manufacturers of defective cars and harmful medicines. Recognition before large audiences keeps a highly nourished concept of the heroic before the people. It gives support to those who take the first step and who speak truth to power. Acclaim is protective and encourages more people to follow in the shoes of these citizen-pioneers. Civic heroism changes the culture and the dreams of youth. Movies are meant to be dramatic and can take liberties with reality even when they are describing real-life situations and people. But Hollywood can make almost any story dramatic and interesting. Look at Frost/Nixon. On the other hand, there have been great flops with pure violent action—consider Ishtar. Anything that is important to people in the course of their daily life can be made interesting. Real life narratives of people taking on power and cruelty can be compelling, without losing authenticity.How would the Civic Heroism Awards be organized? The process would start at the community level with nominations and take it up to the state, national, and international level. Unlike game shows and beauty contests, the nominees would not be allowed to promote themselves. What they have already done is why they have been nominated. There is no present or future enhancement at ever higher levels of awards for what they had accomplished and striven for in the past.Consider for a moment the peoples’ infrastructure that such a multi-tiered annual award process would stimulate. Local video producers would see an opportunity to profile potential nominees over the Internet, Cable and local screenings. The digital era assures the widespread egalitarian prevalence of such productions. Thousands of communities would be involved. Discussions, debates and banter would be stimulated over the criteria for nominations which would include awards for “the supporting cast” around the heroes as is done by the Academy Awards. The teaching of civics in the local schools would become more attached to local activities beyond textbook study. Putting a human face on civic action will stir the minds of youngsters presently saturated with often degrading electronic “virtual realities.” The positive repercussions are many. Just the chance to become civic celebrities through this process of recognition increases media exposure and greater attention to the serious conditions and reforms that the nomination processes highlight. The formulaic local television evening news—with its nine minutes of ads, four minutes of sports, four minutes of weather, chitchat, animal stories and miscellaneous fluff leaves very little time for civic news to attract the dwindling number of television reporters. Daily civic efforts to improve community life and justice wither on the vine for lack of any media coverage.Civic heroism awards—done in a professional and exciting manner—can compel news coverage. Even in print form, columnists like Nicholas Kristof of the New York Times roams the continents of Asia, Africa and South America to find the most courageous and besieged people standing up at great risk for human dignity and humane treatment.The drama is in the people. The search is for the civic dramatists to find their calling. Finally, philanthropy needs to come forward to jumpstart what could become the citizen equivalent of the Academy Awards from the local to the global for these stalwart pillars of just and democratic societies.Readers: do you know any likely philanthropists? Have them contact Awards Project at PO Box 19367, Washington, DC, 20036.
Ralph Nader [1] is a consumer advocate, lawyer, and author. His most recent book is The Seventeen Traditions [2].
Article printed from www.CommonDreams.org
URL to article: http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/02/28-1

Review: The Seventeen Traditions by Ralph Nader, February 22, 2007
By Alan R. Dicara (Ralph's Hometown) - See all my reviews Ralph writes about my home town, and his, Winsted, Connecticut, and about people we knew and loved, like his Mom and Dad who, like many parents and people, dedicated their lives to their family, their community and their friends. While it seems improbable that many modern families, preoccupied with 2 or more jobs, commuting to work, relying on others to help raise and feed their children, could once again undertake to offer themselves and their children hometown opportunities found in Ralph's book, and life, there are lessons to be learned about listening to one's parents, about debating news of the day, and retreating from the pc's and videogames and tv's to, perhaps, library books and getting to know one's own community. To going for hikes and taking the road less traveled, to being proud of where you come from and where you are going, to appreciating people for what they are, not for what Madison Avenue or Hollywood say the they should be. To taking on City Hall, and winning. Or lobbying Congress, a State Legislature, or a Governor or President, "in the public interest." Ralph has proven that one man can, did, and will continue to make, a difference, for the better. He has also proven the words of the great poet that " It is in the darkest hours of man that the spirit of man burns most bright," and that, finally, we can know what we've always known: anyone can make a difference. You just need a little courage, some important knowledge and a bit of passion for justice, to begin to do what is right. And good parents, good role models, do help. This book, The Seventeen Traditions, by Ralph, and many others he has written, together with his life of dedication, caring and hard work, show us that doing good is a matter of personal choice, a choice we can all make. Read it and get going!