Swans

Suggestions for Concrete Actions

by Jeff Lindemyer

October 15, 2001

The question: Jeff, you are a young man. In that, you are the future. So tell me and tell Swans' readers (even if it is a relatively small number) how YOU would react to the Sept 11 events. Think about it. What would you do? Concretely, what would you do?

My answer: Gilles, I am sure that you are asking for a more in-depth response, preferably a constructive plan. In that, I must apologize as I don't have the energy to write an essay to be posted but if you wanted some mere tentative suggestions (which I doubt as you are just as, if not more, familiar with the current situation) I can offer some:

Internationally
1--Drop all sanctions against Iraq, encourage the UN to do the same (which wouldn't be hard as we and Britain are the only two real opponents anyway), and create a rebuilding program for the Iraqi infrastructure, similar to the Marshall Plan. (I'm sure this comes as no surprise). [Ed. See Related Internal Links]
2--Play a significant and disinterested role in the Israeli / Palestinian peace process.
3--Halt funding and/or training of soon-to-be terrorists (i.e., bin Laden, etc., etc., etc.) that temporarily suit our short term interests.
4--Halt funding of present terrorist activities (i.e., Israeli aggression towards Palestinians and surrounding areas).
5--Cease implementing and/or controlling puppet governments throughout the world (the list is inexhaustible).
6--Actually go through with all of the international laws, treaties, accords, protocols, etc. that we demand every other nation to follow (again, this is inexhaustible).
7--Prevent the continual exploitation of those downtrodden as a result of corporate interests everywhere (i.e., most of the world, especially non-Western world).
8--Withdraw troops and military presence from the Middle East and around most of the world immediately.
9--End the bombing of Afghanistan and, again, create a rebuilding program, especially for infrastructure.

Domestically
1--Loosen the corporate hold on the mass media to allow the real dissemination of information.
2--Implement public awareness campaigns on various cultures to increase greater understanding (whether that be short term TV ads or long term in public school education). Reference the first point for this.
3--Stop subsidizing the already wealthy corporate elite (i.e., the airline industry CEO making $10 million a year who has to lay off over 10,000 workers, of whom the vast majority most likely make less than $25,000 a year).
4--Create workable programs to increase jobs nationally, something similar to FDR's programs.
5--Refrain from using grandiose and inflammatory war rhetoric.

Finally
1--Heed the words of Albert Einstein, "We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them." Words that Milo Clark has been repeating again and again on Swans, "Attempting to solve problems using the tools, techniques and thoughts which create them is silly."
2--Start implementing what we also keep saying on Swans, "There is only one way not to play a game and that is not to play."

Jeff Lindemyer is a student at UC Berkeley, California, who is currently residing in Minnesota where he works as an intern for US Senator Paul Wellstone. Lindemyer can be reached at Swans.

Please, DO NOT steal, scavenge or repost this work without the expressed written authorization of Swans, which will seek permission from the author. This material is copyrighted, © Jeff Lindemyer 2001. All rights reserved.

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Related Internal Links

Iraqi Silent Genocide

The Business of Manipulation, From Baghdad to Belgrade

Barbara Crossette and Iraq: Here She Goes Again

From Iraq to Serbia, Burying the News and our Humanness with it

Resources on the Iraqi Tragedy

This Week's Internal Links

What Would You do if You Were in Charge? - by Gilles d'Aymery

Casualties Of War - by Alma A. Hromic

Sparrow - by Michael W. Stowell

10 Years to Peace - by Deck Deckert