Its seems like some causes like LGBT rights, and legalizing marijuana, marching has been pretty effective as those causes are effected by movers & shakers. Meanwhile it's a different story with other causes that so many are compelled with, like the failed Occupy Wall Street, and removing 'Stand Your Ground' in Florida (highly overblown IMO; Zimmerman & Dunn didn't even use it BTW, and no data supporting that SYG is specifically a white on black license to kill like so many think).
Protest can only do so much in certain instances. Thinking with your heart and on emotion, when in reality it all comes down to the voting process can be totally ineffective politically. SYG isn't even on the ballot, work on that process first; A majority in FL support SYG, and political leaders know that flipping it would be career suicide. So marching against SYG is basically a flashy spectacle of people, with Sharpton lining his pockets and that's about it.
On a contrast, many Conservatives like the Tea Party have a full understanding of the political process, as they get together and organize politically. Arguably the most Liberal politician Barney Frank said that they should have had registration tables at Occupy Wall Street, but instead it was all about ineffective emotion and outrage. IMO with many causes, marching is like a chapter of a bygone era. Put on your thick skin, remember. :)
IMO, protest are best effective when you also have some "inside" advocating and lobbying going on. Things also don't tend to happen overnight. Many times, a movement could take years to work its self out.
Quote from: I-10east on March 14, 2014, 04:19:09 AM
Its seems like some causes like LGBT rights, and legalizing marijuana, marching has been pretty effective as those causes are effected by movers & shakers. Meanwhile it's a different story with other causes that so many are compelled with, like the failed Occupy Wall Street, and removing 'Stand Your Ground' in Florida (highly overblown IMO; Zimmerman & Dunn didn't even use it BTW, and no data supporting that SYG is specifically a white on black license to kill like so many think).
Protest can only do so much in certain instances. Thinking with your heart and on emotion, when in reality it all comes down to the voting process can be totally ineffective politically. SYG isn't even on the ballot, work on that process first; A majority in FL support SYG, and political leaders know that flipping it would be career suicide. So marching against SYG is basically a flashy spectacle of people, with Sharpton lining his pockets and that's about it.
On a contrast, many Conservatives like the Tea Party have a full understanding of the political process, as they get together and organize politically. Arguably the most Liberal politician Barney Frank said that they should have had registration tables at Occupy Wall Street, but instead it was all about ineffective emotion and outrage. IMO with many causes, marching is like a chapter of a bygone era. Put on your thick skin, remember. :)
The teabaggers have been the least effective of any major political group in my lifetime, I hardly think you can hold them up as some paragon of effectiveness. Unless you count destroying an otherwise viable presidential campaign, they were great at that.
They definitely killed Mike Hogan's chances to become the Mayor of Jacksonville.
Quote from: thelakelander on March 14, 2014, 07:21:46 AM
IMO, protest are best effective when you also have some "inside" advocating and lobbying going on. Things also don't tend to happen overnight. Many times, a movement could take years to work its self out.
+1
When I think of the most effective protests, I think of the various movements that helped to bring about change in the 1960s. IMHO, it would be difficult to have such large-scale protests, marches and gatherings in these times:
1. We appear to be more fragmented as a society these days.
2. We do not appear to be 'joiners' like we were back in the day.
3. Our idea of involvement tends to be confined to the virtual world more than ever.
4. We don't seem to have as many folks willing to risk or sacrifice for their cause like in the past.
5. We seem to have shorter attention spans.
Frankly, its a waste of time. Its simply the under-represented 's method of displaying emotion, and is generally not given well heard ear or ounce of respect.
Change starts with money, relationships, timing, and connections. MT seems to be a great venue to help with educating (myself for sure) and connecting the dots. The other pieces parts include talking with stakeholders, decision makers, financiers, politicians, bureaucrats, and other VIPs. Money is typically needed for donations and other types of support. Timing is critical in that our political system is contingent upon procedure and order of events. Legislation may need to be on ballots or on budgets in order for them to happen. People need time to understand facts, statistics, research, opinions, and to make decisions.
The magic formula for combining all of these elements in the perfect balance is what makes some things happen, and some things not happen.
Many people understand these concepts. Many do not. For example, young people are typically inexperienced and uneducated on politics, and typically resort to public protest as a means to have a voice. Its no surprise that young people are generally underrepresented in politics.
^^^I totally agree, well said.
Quote from: ChriswUfGator on March 14, 2014, 08:19:24 AM
The teabaggers have been the least effective of any major political group in my lifetime, I hardly think you can hold them up as some paragon of effectiveness. Unless you count destroying an otherwise viable presidential campaign, they were great at that.
Along the lines of 'presidential material' I agree that they are ineffective and very out of touch. What I was talking about is the many issues they are well organized on, like with the NRA and the 2nd amendment; The gun show loopholes, no background checks, having a stronghold within the Republican Party, etc.