Wednesday, January 25, 2006

WE ARE NOT SHEEP-Civil Disobedience for Dummies

ODM had it, and his pissed off-o-meter is reading a little below 100%..

ODM wants Syrians to be aware that the show of support to this regime and the masses you see wearing shoe-hattas come from 0.073 percent of the public. out of 20 million people, you may have found 200 thousand people marching with flags, chanting anti American slogans, and supporting Syria. What you have to understand, that most of those 6% are Syrian nationalist, not Assadists..but they are confused too.

It is time for Civil Disobedience: As I promised in my first post of this blog in early 2005, February of 2006 is the official kick off of my Civil Disobedience Movement. The official date in february is not public yet, as to our leadership will first undergo closed door meetings with the current regime, to try to have them meet every Syrians demand without the hassle, in other words, their last chance to save face.

If they don't accept, the campaign will officially start once our First Press Release is faxed to Al Jazeera, followed by a blast fax list consisting of more than 340 Media outlts across the world.

Below, ODM has outlined the steps to Civil Disobedience in plain terms, for people who have no clue of what I am talking about. More details on our Civil Disobedience Ultimatum and Civil Disobedience Movement are available in ODM's previous posts.


Steps to making a "We Are Not Sheep" Campaign

Most movement programs revolve around organizing single, unrelated events-demonstrations, forums, whatever. Were these activities strung together in an integrated fashion- building on one another -- the impact and potential for success would be magnified dramatically. Civil Disobedience Movements are like snowballs, people love revolution, especially when they are directly affected from what they are revolting against.

Such is the advantage of campaign organizing. The campaign provides an escalating series of actions over a period of time focused on a target in order to achieve specific goals. Persistence and a systematic approach are key ingredients of a campaign.

All this is not to say demonstrations should not be organized on individual dates when people are already being mobilized- like Corrective Movement Day (March 8), Independence Day (April 17), Faggots day, and so forth. But, when possible, pre planned actions which are part of campaigns can make a stronger statement.

Planning a Campaign

While a demonstration takes a good deal of careful planning, a campaign requires considerably more attention.

The first step is to do the basic groundwork of self-education on the issues and problems to be combated. This can be accomplished through research, study groups, workshops, and conferences.

The masses need to know that the "We Are not Sheep" Campaign is a Syrian cause for all Syrians, and that the agenda is for the empowerment of Syrian voice, basically gaining the Syrian Parliament, and getting rid of the rotten emergency laws.

The next step is to decide where to focus our initial efforts. What you need to find are weak points in the opponent's "armour," which will provide levers or handles to focus criticism and action.

During one phase of the Indian campaign for independence from Britain, Gandhi selected the British monopoly on salt as the focus for a campaign. At first this appeared to be an insignificant issue to worry about, compared with independence itself. But because salt affected everyone on this rather hot subcontinent, because its cost was a hardship on the masses, and because it was relatively easy to manufacture (and thereby violated the salt laws), it became an ideal symbol of why independence was being sought.

In our case it is the "WE ARE NOT SHEEP" motto that will appeal to everybody who is taking orders to live his life with his head dipped in the sand. This will appeal to the poor shawerma stand guy who has to shower in clorox for 4 hours because of his shitty job, to the Army General who deep inside knows that he and his grandfather has been sticking to a cause that has diminished, between a group of thugs that have already went through plans A-Z, and nowthinking of plan "Z" to the power of three-which is how to get out of here alive with some of the booty they made in the past 40 years.

In Ghandi's struggle, the British viewed the Salt Campaign as "nothing less than to cause a complete paralysis of the administrative machinery." In retrospect, the year-long campaign was the most spectacular effort in the 28-year struggle for independence.

The United Farm Workers grape boycott is another example of a well chosen campaign in the struggle to win union recognition and better conditions for farm workers.

One of the most important steps in a campaign, after determining the target or focus, is to choose the short range goals. Long range goals are easy, e.g., world peace or an end to sexism.

But sometimes if short range goals are not clearly defined, then the campaign could be stalled. Short range goals should be winnable within the near future (providing a boost and the encouragement needed to keep your group moving toward the longer range goals), measurable (you ought to be able to tell when you have accomplished them), set on a timetable to allow for periods of evaluation, be a significant step towards the long range goal(s).


Analysis

After the goals have been set, an analysis should be made to see who the participants in the campaign are and how they can aid the campaign.

Who do you need to participate if the campaign is likely to succeed? Who is on your side now? How are those people reached?

Write, call, or visit the community groups which are likely to be sympathetic: cooperatives, clinics, some veterans groups, women's groups, Third World groups, student groups, religious organizations, women's groups, and so forth.

Who are the opponents? How can they or their supporters be won over or neutralized. The supporters of the opponents might be the community, Business Men, Army personnel, newspapers, or clergy. Those people are really easy to win over in time of crisis as they know that they will be consumed by the masses if they don't stop what they do..

After this analysis, a plan of action set on a timetable is needed. This plan of action should be in a step-bystep escalation.

Escalation is necessary if the pressure on opponents needs to be increased. This does not necessarily mean the previous level of activity is abandoned, but simply that an escalated stage of activity is added to the previous stages.

For example, education should be a constant and complementary component of every campaign- never being abandoned. In the campaign for Syria, initiate the campaign by writing a formal press release handed to all local and regional media sources and forward it to all heads of government, demanding parliamentary elections and an end to emergency laws; etc. Should an escalation be necessary, picketing, leafleting, or boycotts might be next.

Beyond that, demonstrations, marches, and rallies could be organized. Then, perhaps, a student strike, and maybe carefully chosen civil disobedience actions.

Organizers should not lightly go from one level of a campaign to the next. Each stage should be evaluated and considered seriously. Remember, shifting to the next stage does not mean activities at earlier levels should always be forgotten (e.g., going from picketing to a sit-in does not necessarily mean picketing should be discontinued).

Step by Step Escalation in a Nonviolent Campaign

Investigation and Research

Checking facts and allegations; building an airtight case against opponents and preparing for countercharges

Negotiation and arbitration

Meeting with opponents to settle conflict before going public; ultimatum issued before moving to next level.

Public forums, letters to editor, etc.

Basic public education on issues

Picketing, leafleting, etc.

Public contact with opponents

Demonstrations, rallies, marches

Show of strength by maximizing numbers

Limited strike

Involving those immediately affected

Boycott

Against company or the whole government and its apparatus, if appropriate


Analyzing a Campaign

This outline is an expansion of an outline used by Joan Bondurant in her analysis of Gandhian campaigns. It can be used either in evaluation of a campaign or in preparation for a campaign.

1. Dates of the Campaign

2. Goals

Long range
What were the ultimate goals being sought?

Short range
What goals were set?
Were they achievable?
Were they measurable?
Can you tell if they've been accomplished?
Would reaching them have brought the campaign measurably closer to the long range goals?

Timetable
Was a timetable set to allow for periodic measurement of progress of the campaign?
What was it?

Bottom line
Were there any minimum acceptable goals set in advance, so as to avoid being compromised or coopted?

3. Participants
Who was on "our side" at the beginning?
Who was needed if the campaignwas likely to succeed?
How could those people we neededhave been reached?
Was there a core of people organized and prepared to stay with a sustained campaign so as to provide continuity?

4. Opponents
Who were the opponents?
Who was calling the shots in opposition to the campaign?
Was it necessary to win over or neutralize supporters of the opponents in order for the campaign to succeed?
How were supporters of the opposition won over or neutralized?

5. Organization and Constructive Work
What was the organizational structure to carry out the campaign?
How were decisions made?
How was the campaign funded?
Were there parallel institutions to replace those being opposed or any constructive work done during the campaign?

6. Preparation for Action
What research and investigation was done?
Education?
Public forums?
Mass media?
Training for the main actions?
Was there adequate preparation for anticipated repression (jail, levies, violence)?

7. Preliminary Action
Were approaches made to opponents?
Negotiation and arbitration? Petitions or letters?
Was an ultimatum issued? If so, what was the response?

8. Action
What forms of action were used: picketing, leafleting, marches, etc.?
Was it necessary to escalate to a higher level of struggle?
Why and when?
Were there strikes, boycotts, or limited noncooperation?
Did the campaign escalate to civil disobedience, mass noncooperation or some form of mass direct action? Why?
Why did the action end when and where it did?

9. Reaction of opponents
Were participants jailed?
Beaten? Repressed?Property seized?Lies spread? Media blackout? Intimidation? Ridicule?Concessions or coopting attempted? Was campaign basically ignored? GOOD BECAUSE THAT WON'T BE OGNORED

10. Results
Were the short range goals achieved?
Any progress made towards the long range goals?
What happened to jailed or injured people?
Was property returned?
Amnesty?
Did any of the opponents lose support?
Any property destruction by participants?

11. Analysis
Were appropriate tactics used at appropriate times?
Was the best target chosen?
Was the timetable realistic?
Did the campaign meet the timetable?
If not, why not?
Was consciousness raised among the general public?
Did the actions clearly communicate the myths, secrets, and realities of the issues and society?
If short range goals were not achieved, why not?
How could the campaign have been improved?
If there was property destruction, did it help or hinder the campaign?
Was the organizational structure adequate to conduct the campaign?
Was the decision making responsive to participants?
Were there problems in making decisions or lack of decisiveness?
Who had the initiative during the campaign?
Were there any surprises which hurt or helped the campaign?

10 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

ur a wise man...

I think you are taking it too seriously. Maybe you can vanish and nobody will hear about you!

12:02 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

After thiinking about this for a second, are we different than the rest of the world?

When is our tipping point? When will we revolt?

12:23 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

ODM,

I just read backwards from the beginning, your many blog posts. They are hilarious... in fact... I really can't find the words to express...exactly WHAT they are, but I can't stop laughing. I would definitely stand behind any revolution you want to start. (but your obsession with shit and asses might not go over well with the public!) Anyhow, I am not actually a syrian, in the sense of being raised one. I am an awful american. But my father is syrian, and I am thinking of abandoning america and coming there for good. WHO ARE YOU??? You have ideas, and you are so funny over the top, I can't stand it. Are you really in HOMS? How did you learn to speak such trash in English , no less, with such perfection. I really do want to know. Zenobia

11:17 PM  
Blogger O.D.M said...

Zenobia,

Syrian blood is Syrian wherever it goes, the fact that you follow issues that I discuss shows your interest in things that are Syrian.

I appreciate your compliments, but you have to know that caring about your country is not necessarily a talent, but an instinct as well.

Certain people, like O.D.M, express their thoughts through writing and leading, others can be good at implimenting.

I am a Homsy forever..Where from Syria are you?

Being American was and will never be a bad thing. The fact that Americans never care about what is happening outside their boundaries belongs to the comfortable environment provided to them, courtesy of the US Government... A government that sometimes puts itself first, Israel second, and everybody else last.

Haffez Assad broke the ice in one summer meeting with President Carter by asking him how the weather was in Washington D.C?

When Carter said that it was hot but not as hot as Damascus Assad said:

"I bet... because the Americans are really turning up the heat up in here in Damasus"


O.D.M

12:18 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

ODM,

Thanx for your reply. I am very very interested in learning more about Syrian politics and potential for change. I agree with you that time is of the essence, and it seems that something dramatic is about to happen. One has to seize these opportunities. It is all about organization and strategy as is outlined in your Civil Disobediance manifesto (so to speak). And most of all - Public Relations, that is, media. When people hear and see that there is an alternative.. they will grab it, I am certain. Even stupid people.

I agree that being american isn't that horrible. I am just a bit ashamed and horrified these days. Actually, only about half the country are truly ignorant and abominable people, but that is inexcusable considering how much money and resources exist here. I gathered from somewhere in your writing - that you went to school here, maybe. So you have seen some of this country for yourself. It is more like many countries and sub-cultures tied together. Unfortunately, it only takes 51% (or a stolen election maybe) to elect a presidency and congress like this one. Of course, there are ignorant people across the earth, as you know, but what is scary is the amount of power and lethal force that is in the hands of America to be used f-ing willy-nilly. All I can say, is that like all empires... eventually over stretching themselves militarily across the globe - this one will start to rot out from the inside too. I think we are tanking, as the expression goes.

So, I do have an instinct to protect Syria. You are right, it comes from somewhere deep. It surprises me. I wasn't joking about leaving. I am planning to try to come to Syria by next fall to stay indefinitely. My relatives all live in Damascus (ones that aren't in the U.S.). I hope that your aspirations all come to fruition, future prime minister. As for myself, I am determined that if those Marines come charging through that desert border, that I will be there to witness it. That would be kind of ironic, another Zenobia in the desert, after 1700 years, when the imperialists come to rampage. Sounds a bit grandiose, but then again, you are not exactly modest yourself.
So, we can't let that happen! The Syrian's need to wake up and save their country and themselves before this escalates.
Ok, so, because I would like an explanation of what the hell 'shoe -hattas' are, but I don't wish to degrade your web site... it would be great to hear from you by email... mine is, zenobia77@sbcglobal.net.. for this explanation or anything else.... - not for public consumption. Don't hesitate!
Zenobia

9:49 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The One and Only ODM,

what do you think of the cartoon situation in Denmark..people are going crazy!

Let me know when the kick off for your CDM movement is on. I like the way you break it down... Everybody needs an ODM.


Zenobia,

a shahhata in arabic means slippers.

a shoe-hatta is what ODM calls shoes that have their end near the heel bent down, so the shoe looks like a cheap slipper..or a shoe hatta.

Only mikro drivers (public transportation) and cheap can drivers wear those. they piss me off too when they do.

10:37 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

O.D.M,

I appreciate your last comment to Zenobia, and I have noticed that throughout your blog you have never dissed the American public, except:

-the publishers of books such as "The Art of Kissing", "You mean I am not Crazy and Stupid", and "The Little Book of Stupid Questions"

-Condolleezza Rice and American Officials

- Couch potatoes

I am telling you ODM, I am an american citizen, and I disown all that list too.

May I comment though that to Syria and Syrian affairs, you appear to be extremly right wing, with agendas similar to those radicals we have in power here..I don't know if anyone sees the similarities, especially when you always say that you wish you had a President like Sharon or Bush who care for their country. I may agree with that, but won't go far as Bush, such presidents like Bush and Sharon really don't care about anything else in the world, but their pockets and own country's short term benefits. I don't think George Bush's legacy would be a good one twenty or thirty years from now..Do you?

At the end, I would like to say that we too, diffrentiate between the people and the Government of Syria.

God bless all,

S.J

10:49 AM  
Blogger O.D.M said...

Disobedients,

Today is my Monday morning, my eternal nemesis.

Today is Monday to me because yesterday I decided to call in sick again, like the past two Mondays, and take the day off to get pampered and do absolutely nothing. It was my day of from reading the news too.

Therefore today, O.D.M's behind had to be up by 7:20 am, and had to undergo the business days Robotic-Monotonous-Slave like routine:

1-Wake Up to the most annoying industrial Alarm clock that vibrates, cuss every God and Prophet and Living thing on earth as I was shifting from my peaceful sleep, squeezing the ostrich-feather pillow between my right arm and the right side of my belly.

2-Lay in bed and count till 10, think of Money and arms, grass and horses in farms, and try to cool my self down. This is a technique I use to sway me from thoughts of quitting my slave-like job.

3-Enter bathroom, brush teeth, shave.....dressed.

4-Get in car, get annoyed.
Music: too early for that
No Music: too pissed off to listen to my thoughts.
AM radio: the news sucks as usual, somebody shot in midtown, Late MLK's wife dead, another bomb scare that turns out to be a torch light. Alito Hearing, Democrats bashing Republicans, and Vice Versa. Nothing new.

5. Get Stuck in Rush Hour, find no lighter in the car, get more pissed off.

6. Be late to work, even though you woke up 1:30 Minutes before it--->be more pissed off—As I walk in to work the sleep damage is almost undone, as it takes about an hour and a half to untangle the tangled and untwist what I twisted in my bad sleeping positions last night.

7. Come in to work----->178 email messages since Friday. 6 Voicemails

8. Close Outlook. Delete all VoiceMails.

9. Start the "How to effectively waste 8 hours of your day while pretending like you are busy, and do some work at the same time" Do the least repetitive work, do the rest later or delegate.

All of the above Dear readers is because I am out of thought, out of words, and out of responses to your comments..I am sleepy, tired, pissed off, and out of thoughts. But I will address your comments, promise.


O.D.M

1:47 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Abu Samra,

We are not different than anyone else. Propoganda makes you believe stuff. Americans face propoganda all they are lives.

Syrians are to believe that there is no one else but Bashar, and that everything in there is because of Israel. Low wages mean that if regime goes or if people revolt, maybe the result is worst economic conditions...

how could they know?

2:04 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I suggest you wait until they raise the prices of Diesel, then people will be ready to revolt in a heartbeat.

2:37 AM  

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