The Art of Non Violent Revolution.

What follows is a profound truth, written expertly, eloquently, and with perfect timing by a man with a keen intellect, and a person I am proud to call friend, Nael Noaman. A blue print for success.
 
All through history people have struggled against the rulers or the governments, some turned sour and failed some succeeded but created dictators that were far worse than the original ruler, some took the peaceful approach and some chose the armed and violent approach. Looking back at these struggles, what was the percentage of success of each approach and how to measure this success?

Prof. Erica Chenoweth from the University of Denver's Josef Corbel School of International Studies answers these questions and more in her award-winning book " Why civil resistance works ", she defines the civil resistance as " a method of conflict in which unarmed civilians uses tactics like strikes, protests, boycott and other methods without physically harming their opponents, which could be more effective than armed conflicts in removing a leader or creating an independent territory".

The study explores the strategic effectiveness between violent and non-violent campaigns from 1900 till 2006, and came up with some amazing facts:
1 – Non-violent campaigns have scored 53% success rate compared to violent campaigns that only scored 26% success
2 – Repressive regimes are 12 times more likely to grant the non-violent campaigns some concessions more than the violent campaigns.
3 – Defections of security forces are more than 4 times more likely in non-violent campaigns
4 – Non-violent campaigns are 6 times more likely to fulfill complete success against repressive regimes.
5 – Non-violent campaigns are 4 times larger because all ages could participate thus reducing the risk calculation of security forces which will eventually lead to unlikely violent outcome.
6 – The non-violent campaigns could get the support of big corporates and investors which could lead to a faster compromise from the regime.
7- Societies that emerge out of a successful or even none successful non-violent campaigns are more likely to have democratic institutions with in 5 to 10 years and 15% less likely to lapse into civil war than violent campaigns with in the same period 3 images of world's greats whom led non-violent campaigns and succeeded, Prof. Chenoweth added that behind such successes came important reasons:

1 – Their commitment to non-violent campaigns enhanced their domestic and international legitimacy and encouraged more people to participate thus increasing the pressure on their governments which then started thinking about the economic and security impacts.
2 – Against violent movements the governments easily justify their violent moves, whereas against the non-violent movements, it could easily back fire on that particular government
3 – International condemnation could be an immediate result and that exactly what happened with South Africa which eventually gave in.
4 – leading a non-violent movement keeps the door open to negotiations, since these governments never sensed a threat towards their lives, and what better story regarding this point than Gandhi's refusal to go violent even after the Brits turned the Ameristar demonstrations into a massacre killing hundreds in 1919 and imprisoning him in 1922 and later the massive imprisonments of 60,000 people after the famous 1930 salt marsh were he and his followers covered walking as a protest to salt tax a distance of 241 miles,,,,, but finally the Brits gave up and signed the famous Gandhi -Irwin pact which basically Britain agreed to free all the political prisoners in return for the suspension of civil disobedience.

I could not help thinking while reading this great book about Syria, 207,000 civilian deaths and 11 million left their homes to settle elsewhere , what if Condoleezza Rice did not bring up the " New Middle-East idea" which sprung the Arab spring (Fall in my opinion) which resulted in a million deaths across the Arab world and is still harvesting lives, what if the Saudis, Turks, Qataris and Israelis did not arm the rebellion, and what if AL Assad forces did not use excessive force on the first day,,,,,the what if's could have been stopped if the people were more educated to learn from both studies and history that NON-VIOLENT resistance works better during and after the confrontations.

Fish Taco Revolution.

Last night we found ourselves surrounded by the remnants of the 17th Street bowling league. It was a cool night,so we decided to go out and get a bite to eat at Mama’s Tacos and Fried Fish. It is right across from the bowling alley, and right next to the Drug Extravaganza, (Home of High Prices and Rude Help). Since it was such a pleasantly cool evening the patio was almost empty. Since we were feeling pretty good about life, a little extra exuberant, and filled with joyful sound of Friday, we decided to take the empty table at the far north east corner, away from every one else.

Crisp fall air embraced us as we sat on the metal chairs, and read the laminated, multi colored menus. One sheet, but 10 inches wide, and 16 inches high, and covered front and back with accurate descriptions of some of the counties best, if not always most authentic Mexican food. A separate sheet carried the drink selection, Mama made the best margaritas and daiquiris in town, and sold them by the pitcher.

Out waitress, the polite, aging Isabelle, who was dressed in a long red skirt, a flowing, flowery blouse and had her graying black hair in a ponytail that came halfway down her back. All of which made her look even taller and thinner. Her smile was sincere, and her demeanor was gracious. She was a fixture at Mama’s and everybody loved her.

About midway through our appetizers, (Shrimp Carnitas Nachos, Chicken Mole Rolls, and Tiny Fish Tacos) we noticed movement in the brushes, surrounding the parking lot. It was the 17th Street Irregulars, a member of the Friday Night Big Shot Bowling league. They had suffered a crushing, humiliating defeat at the hands of the Bob’s Discount Liquor Drive Though Marauders. Many people felt Bob brought in paid ringers from around the city. His cramped office, in the back of his drive through was stuffed with slow pitch softball, darts, billiards and bowling trophies.

Moving quickly we established a defensive perimeter and began to maneuver. Aided by the headlights of passing cars on Maple Street our antagonist were quickly surrounded and forced to surrender. Our superior mobility proved to be the decisive factor.

The bowlers were soon co-opted into our party and we ordered more pitchers, some jalapeno poppers, and some guacamole with tortilla chips, and the party took off. We signed a non aggression pact and decided it was time for Bob to pay the price for his arrogance and smugness.

Thus was born the Fish Taco Association for Justice.

I would like to apologize for this post. I have been reading "Street Without Joy" by Bernard Fall and it has put me in the mood for intrigue, war, and covert cooperation. Outside influences are a curse.  And food is always welcome at Life Explained. This in not going to be easy but somehow it is going to be tied into #VivaLaDonuts.

The Fight Continues

"Our isolation continues to be total; various illnesses have undermined the health of some comrades... our peasant base is still undeveloped, although apparently a program of planned terror will succeed in neutralizing most of them and their support will come later. We have not had a single recruit (from the peasantry)... To sum up a month in which all has evolved normally considering the standard development of a guerilla war."

"Che" Guevara, Bolivia April 1967

Join us, you can do it from home.








Apparently this insurgency warfare is a lot more time consuming and arduous than we thought, at first.  And kind of lonely. And the first holiday party is Monday. So we may have to just go to attend.

It might be the perfect chance to gather intelligence, though. If you ply people with enough pizza and "fun size" candy bars it is only a matter of time before they start spilling the beans about the plans for the Thanksgiving party, and the Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa party. Oh the power of melted cheese, chocolate, caramel and creamy nougat. It is irresistible,

Then we can spend the next few weeks undermining the party plans of the imperialist lackeys, and their overly social bourgeois masters.

Nothing says happy Thanksgiving like an exploding turkey (particularly if it is too dry), and lumpy potatoes and gravy. Also, we plan to substitute fat free whipped topping for the pumpkin pie. Then people will think twice about having another party.

If that does not deter them we plan on taking all of the presents for the big party, the gift giving extravaganza and substituting "Dummy" books. "Dieting for Dummies" "Hair Styling for the Complete Idiot." "Makeup Application for the Stupid, and Trashy." Hey, that party might be kind of fun, then.

We are still working on the New Years bash, and will update you soon. Stay focused, comrades, our struggle is real and the road to victory long. #VivaLaDonuts.

A short lived career.

Last weekend my son asked a question about the government, and a perfect opportunity for education was born.  He needs to understand the obtrusive, controlling interference that has been the overriding purpose of governments throughout history.  Sure, they provide roads, waste removal, national security, and parks and recreational opportunities, plus education, and assistance in many facets of research and development, but that is just a front, a method to cover the real purpose. The manipulation and control of the lives of it's citizenry. Who better to explain this than John Kay of Steppenwolf, (he is from Canada, the largest, and most successful, state, I think it is somewhere around Montana)?.  And what better vehicle than the lyrics from "The Ostrich"?

"You're free to speak your mind, my friend,
As long as you agree with me,
Don't criticize the Fatherland,
Or those who shape your destiny,
'Cause if you do, you'll lose your mind, your job and all the friends you knew,
We'll send out all our boys in blue,
And they'll find a way to silence you."

Oh, the nostalgia, the memories, troubadours of defiance, artists against the "establishment."  Leaping quickly to action, I had a cup of coffee and thought about some cool songs. By Wednesday evening, I had assembled a play list of anger, and disillusionment selectively going between Amazon and iTunes to fill in the gaps in my collection, judiciously using whichever was less expensive. Thursday morning it was ready, the turning of the page, the dawning of a new age.

Here is the list (you know, sometimes lists are useful and can be very cool);

All loaded and ready to roll, it was a great drive to work.  I got out in the parking lot, and thought, "I'm through toilin' for the MAN.  It is time to take a stand against tyranny, injustice, it is time to stand up and be the voice of those that can not be heard."  Fuming, angry, intolerant, life was going to start playing by my rules, answering to me.

Then, daylight came and slapped me in the face, "you have a mortgage, a car payment, an HMO and a retirement plan, plus your son is headed for college. And, don't forget, the Klondike Bars in the freezer at home."  Revolution will have to wait,"  Reality said.  Curse you reality, curse your love affair with cold, hard, remorseless facts, and curse your flawless refrigerator inventory technique.

Oh well, change is difficult, and I probably don't have the stomach for insurgency, anyway.  Remember, though, good music should speak to you in powerful, wonderful ways, art should always make you dream.  Everybody should be allowed to feel like a revolutionary once in a while, but, the dishwasher still needs emptied and somebody has to make the first pot of coffee, so off I go, smiling, happy about the beautiful weather, and delighted there is only one more day until the weekend.

Tomorrow on the way to work, "Ghost Riders in the Sky" by Johnny Cash, "Cheyenne" by the Del Lords  and "My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys" by Willie Nelson,  I hope I can find some boots, a hat and a lariat, because I will be ready to ride the range.