It Begins Now

Tonight I went to watch election results with some friends, but started to walk back home as we were nearing time for California and the rest of the West Coast to be called. I knew when all was said and done when seemingly in unison, whole apartment buildings started screaming. Fireworks started going off. There was literally singing on the streets. Cab drivers were going up the street honking their horns, pedestrians were cheering each other on. It was a beautiful sight.

Eight years of misrule were repudiated tonight right here in the streets of DC. As I walked the mile or so from Woodley Park to Adams Morgan where I live, the wave of joy continued to overtake me and all those around me. As I neared the busy intersection of 18th and Columbia, I could literally hear a roar of excitement. People were walking down the streets singing the "Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours!"

This night is historic on so many fronts that I don't even know where to begin, and don't think I will. President-elect Obama (!!!!) hasn't gone on stage yet, but we've already heard an exceptionally gracious concession speech from Senator McCain, and I truly wish we had heard more of that John McCain during the campaign than we did.

Yet the hard work now lies ahead of us, in spite of the hard work of the past two years. Electing Barack Obama as President of the United States is the first step towards correcting this country's course, not the last. We'll need to fight to hold this president accountable, just like all the others.

But for now, we celebrate. This is our time, and this is our future. If nothing else, we've already seen tremendous progress based solely on the fact that some 100 million Americans are believed to have voted in this election. That's a damn site better than we've had before, and that's a tremendously good sign. Now let's keep up the momentum, and push ourselves to greatness.

I've been repeating this all week, and perhaps it's trite, but hard work like this is how we grant ourselves peace.

Kids Vote

I voted first thing this morning. All told it took about an hour and felt sooo good. Ah democracy. Don't fail us now.

Then I went back to middle school. No, really. I'm spending the day with some 8th graders at a Middle School in Minneapolis talking about global citizenship. I'm making the connection between the right and responsibility to vote and the responsibility to understand issues beyond our borders and take action to resolve global issues or respond to injustices.

At the beginning of class, the students get to vote and the comments I've been hearing have varied. Some highlights include, "do I have to?" (teacher's answer: no - its your right as a citizen to abstain from voting), "what are these other categories?" (of course, people know about the presidential race, and maybe the senate races, but not much beyond that), "it's stupid just to vote based on race" (there was an interesting discussion/argument about this in the largely African American class) and "all these people are running for president?" (this girl was appalled that she hadn't heard of them...which I can understand. The teacher said it was their fault that they hadn't gotten their name out there more...which is a pretty oversimplified explanation, but it wasn't really the time to go into party politics). Anyway, it's been an interesting morning. (Oh and in case you're wondering...it's lunchtime:)

And just to make the connection between peace and this election, I just want to point out how lucky we are that we don't have to fear a military coup, rebellion or violent uprisings at the end of the day. Sure some people may not be happy with the result. But even 8 years ago when we didn't have a clear winner there was no mass violence. We don't hear about everything, and I'm sure there have been some instances of intimidation, but when you compare our election to so many others, I think we should all feel pretty lucky that our election is so peaceful. Even if it is long as hell.

Secret Ballot

Often when someone asks me who I voted for I say, "None of your business." I truly believe in the secret ballot yet with this election I find myself asking people who they are voting for and am regretting it later. I regret it because I find myself judging them.

Once the nominees were narrowed down to Obama and McCain my parents were hassled by both me and my brother to vote for one or the other. I was putting the Obama pressure on while my brother was canvassing for McCain. My mother felt most of the pressure since she was more undecided than my father and yesterday when I asked who she voted for she refused to answer, yet I continued to prod with psychological games. I blatantly disrespected her right to choose. Even now I am assuming she voted for McCain because she won't tell me.

To think she voted for McCain angers me for no good rational reason. My mother isn't the only person in my life who I have reason to believe voted for McCain and it all because I've asked that damn question, "Who did you vote for?" So, to save myself some anger and to practice a little patience I am vowing not to ask anyone else this question!

In the the end this will probably make me a more peaceful person. :)

This Election Shall be Live Blogged

It's 8am Tuesday and I just got back from voting! I arrived at my polling place at 6:50am, and the line was already wrapped around the block. By 7, when the doors opened, there were probably a hundred or so more people behind me. Of course, all this calls for photos!

Where I started in line.

Where the line ended when the polls opened 10 minutes later (you can't see it!).

Made it around the first corner.

Made it around the second corner. Still a long way to go.

A good sign along the way (that's my neighborhood, y'all).

So close you can smell the democracy.

At the door!

All in all, for a line that absurdly long, the wait wasn't bad at all, and I even had time to come back home for a snack. Once again, if you haven't voted yet, today is your last chance. Go vote, and grant us peace.

Dona Nobis Pacem: Go Vote

Folks, the time is now. Tomorrow morning the polls will open for a truly momentous election. If you're an American citizen, you've registered to vote, and you haven't voted yet (in places where early voting is allowed), we implore you to get out tomorrow. Lines are expected to be long, and the weather may not be entirely cooperative, so dress warmly and dryly and bring a little reading material, or, better yet, chat up your fellow voters. Regardless of how you intend to vote in a given race or on a particular issue, the democratic process brings disparate people together every couple of years and asks for their opinion on the critical issues of the day. Take advantage of this unique form of fellowship to get to know a few new people. Challenge each other's assumptions and celebrate your commonalities.

I, for one, believe strongly that participatory forms of government are essential foundations for peace. This country isn't quite peaceful yet, and hasn't been for centuries, but we're further along than a lot of places. In the past year, we've seen tense elections in places like Bolivia, Paraguay, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Russia and even Canada. In some of those places, people died for their votes. In others, their votes were canceled out by corrupt authorities. In still others, people felt a real sense of liberation after all was said and done.

Tomorrow and later in the week we'll start to analyze how this election impacts issues of peace and social justice around this world. If I can swing it, we'll even get to hear from someone on the ground at the winning candidate's victory celebration.

But for now, your charge is simple: Go to your polling place, stand in line, and cast your ballot. And vote on everything, not just the next president. In my own neighborhood, the race for our representative on the school board could mean a lot for how justice expands through the local population. All these issues matter; that's why they're on the ballot. Go out and vote your conscience, and thereby grant us peace.

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EDIT: Persons in some corners are expressing concerns about voter suppression. If you experience trouble at the polls (e.g. your registration or ballot are challenged) and you think you need help, call 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683) and they'll provide assistance, including on-site legal aid, if necessary.

Peaceniks Forum: The Election that Changes Everything that Ever Was

Perhaps that's a bit of an overstatement, but that seems to be the way most Americans are acting right now. So let's have a bit of discussion. What matters to you this time around? Why is this election so important? If you're one of our growing contingent of international visitors, what outcomes do you want to see from the U.S. election? Will anything good come of it for you?

Here at Practical Peaceniks, we've already weighed in on how we think McCain or Obama will promote peace in the world (or not). We've also touched on how some of the rhetoric surrounding the campaign has caused people like us who are dedicated to peace and social justice to cringe/want to spit venom. As virtually anyone has noticed by now, the campaign has only gotten more heated, especially as one side pulls ahead while the other seems to be spiraling downward. Is this a positive trend? Further, is a campaign process that has taken nearly two years and cost two billion dollars really good for this country, or any country?

For my own sake, I want to see a government for the people that brings an end to the degradation of civil liberties and demonstrates a renewed emphasis on expanding civil rights to all individuals in the United States (I use that construction intentionally). I want a government of the people that takes to heart the advice of Nobel Laureate, former Secretary of State, and fellow Tennesseean Cordell Hull, who said in 1945, "There is no greater responsibility resting upon peoples and governments everywhere than to make sure that enduring peace will this time -- at long last -- be established and maintained." Finally, I want to see a government by the people, that does not engage in unjust wars (with victims at home and abroad) and refuses to compromise our core values by torturing and illegally detaining individuals suspected of acting against us.

This election is important to me because I feel strongly that the country has been on a downward spiral. It's not just a matter of U.S. standing or influence in the world -- I don't really care about that. It's that within our own borders, we are a society that has lost the ability to value anything other than ourselves and our material wants. Too many Americans lack healthcare. Our schools need support, investment, and love. Our economy needs to be reconstructed so that injustices meted out by the privileged few don't get perpetuated when those same privileged few get bailed out while their victims get nothing. And looking abroad, this is a nation of remarkable power, and we should truly scrutinize whether we are using that power -- hard, soft, or whatever you want to call it -- in a responsible, compassionate way that still somehow manages to further our interests and keep us safe.

As for the electoral process, I tend to agree that it was wrong for Obama to break his promise to accept public financing in the general election. However, in so doing, he may well have uncovered a new approach to public financing. Having over 3 million donors and an average donation of just $85 may indicate that public interest in financing campaigns is growing, and we just need to rethink how the current public finance process works. The time this whole soiree has taken, though, is ludicrous. I've frankly stopped paying attention to the news for much of the past month simply because I was tired of it all. When the campaign process drags on for so long, we lose sight of issues and instead start deconstructing every syllable that comes out of someone's mouth. The 24-hour news cycle only exacerbates this problem. And only having two major candidates hurts too, I think. Maybe the Barr, McKinney and Nader campaigns have something to offer the country. If they do, we certainly haven't had a chance to hear about it. If they don't, we haven't even heard that either.

Consider this the opening salvo (definitely not a peaceful term) of your Practical Peaceniks election coverage this week. As always, we welcome your thoughts, and encourage you to join the conversation.

Pressure Cooker Palin

I am extremely concerned about the recent rallies Gov. Palin has been holding. The blatant bile and hate coming from the crowd and being fomented by Palin herself is absolutely despicable. Running negative campaigns is one thing but to tap into emotionally charged rhetoric knowing that it will raise the crowd's blood pressure is another.

She twists truth to incite hate. Telling crowds Obama pals around with terrorists is ridiculous. When Ayers was a terrorist Obama was 8 years old. Ayers is currently a professor a the University of Illinois.

I personally don't want a person anywhere near the White House that has the ability to stir such hateful feelings. Extremist speakers are pressure cookers that heat up negative emotions and unless controlled will explode and do more harm to society than good. Think of all the extremist speakers you can and tell me how many of them have actually made their societies better?

McCain/Palin Prospects for Peace...a report from the frontlines of the RNC

Today, this practical peacenik joined the protesting peaceniks (some also practical, but many also somewhat crazy) at the RNC in St. Paul. I felt it was my duty as the Minnesota-based peacenik to report from the scene. And, let’s be honest, while we’re trying to open the discussion about prospects for peace under an Obama/Biden vs. McCain/Palin administration, I’m not pretending to be fair and balanced. I’m a homegrown, Wellstone democrat. I was raised to support progressive politics and I’m proud to say that my Dad accompanied me to the protest (his last protest was sometime around ’72). So you can probably guess which side I am supporting. Still, I have been doing some research about McCain’s foreign policy and I think I can also offer some concrete points for discussion about the prospects for peace under his administration.

There is no question that McCain is a hawk. But when I started writing this entry, I was not convinced that if McCain had won the 2000 election instead of Bush that we would be at war in Iraq. I thought that his experience in war would make him more cautious with the use of force than Bush. I also thought that his experience as a prisoner of war might make him more respectful of human rights and international law. But after doing some more research, I think I was wrong. McCain has been a strong proponent of the war in Iraq even before it began . He has also surrounded himself with neconservatives who lobbied hard for the war as his closest foreign policy advisors. With these advisors at his side, we are unlikely to see anything but continued disregard for international law, declining human security, and more warmongering.

McCain’s senior foreign policy and national security advisor, Randy Scheunemann was head of the Committee for the Liberation of Iraq (CLI), a post-9/11 advocacy outfit that pushed for war in Iraq. McCain also served on the committee. On national security issues, McCain also receives advice from realists like, Henry Kissinger and Richard Armitage; however, according to a recent article in Newsweek, leading neoconservatives like Scheunemann, William Kristol and Robert Kagan are gaining increasing influence in the campaign. This is a frightening trend. Apparently, McCain supports the argument in Kagan’s recent book that a “fundamental global divide is emerging between liberal democracies and autocratic governments—namely Russia and China.” Coming at foreign policy with this type of absolutist, good vs. evil view of the world makes the promotion of peace in the sense of human security and cooperation impossible.

Still, McCain believes he is working towards “an enduring peace built on freedom.” As far as I can tell, what this means is that we will have peace on our terms because America is the greatest country in the world and if anyone has a problem with that, we will bomb them into submission. Ok, that may not be entirely fair. In fact, his statements on foreign policy, while hawkish, do demonstrate an understanding of international affairs that far outweighs that of his predecessor. However they also demonstrate his continued cold-war mentality. In a recent article on the Huffington Post, Phil Trounstine compares McCain’s unwillingness to “surrender” in Iraq to Nixon’s “Peace with Honor” in Vietnam. Meaning no peace without honor. And no honor without victory. As a former soldier and POW, he does not believe in abandoning a war effort once it has begun. There is no question in his mind that we must win at any cost – even if thousands more US troops and innocent Iraqis die in the process. He has even blamed the anti-war movement for weakening the war effort and endangering our soldiers. There are a lot of things that are dangerous about McCain’s obsession with winning in Iraq. Apart from the obvious humanitarian concerns, I fear he and the other supporters of this war do not understand that defeating terrorism and winning in Iraq are two very different things. Where does it end?

Lining our protest line of over 10,000 people today were a handful of pro-war republicans with signs that said “Victory over terrorism, Let our soldiers win.” What these people do not understand is that winning in Iraq may be important for our American pride, but it is not going to defeat “terrorism.” Instead, continuing the war is actually fueling the Islamic extremists and creating more terrorists. This effort cannot be confined to the borders of one country.

So what are prospects for policies that will promote peace under McCain? (I should note, I haven't mentioned Palin because as far as I can tell, her only foreign policy credentials are that Alaska is close to Russia You've got to be F-ing kidding me). If you listen to the anti-war protesters, they’re pretty certain that McCain won’t be any better than Bush on foreign policy. Pre-emptive wars, unilateral strikes and a complete disregard for human rights and international law are not on my list of ways to promote peace. What are your thoughts?

Peaceniks Forum: How will an Obama/Biden Administration Promote Peace in the World?

Note: This is the first of a two-part series centered around the major political party conventions taking place in the United States. This week the Democrats are up. Next week we'll pose the same question for the McCain ticket. We also are aware that we generally lean to the left here, but hope to give fair treatment to both campaigns.

With the Democratic Convention well underway, and Saturday's selection of Joe Biden as Barack Obama's running mate, we here at Practical Peaceniks thought it would be worthwhile to take a look at how an Obama/Biden administration will promote peace in the world. However, rather that just give you our opinion, we thought we would open the floor to our (growing number of) readers. Please feel free to have your say in the comments, and a few of our contributors might pitch in with more in-depth thoughts as the week progresses.

A few general comments to start us off:

Obama's foreign policy could probably best be summed up as pragmatic global engagement. As others have noted, the selection of Joe Biden for vice president reinforces that theme. This is a foreign policy that doesn't seem to fit neatly within traditional international relations constructs. Rather, the presidential responsibility to keep America safe is seen as one and the same with actively partnering with the rest of the world politically, economically, and socially. Ideological maxims are largely cast off in favor of doing what works, and Obama's foreign policy team reflects those aims. Also of note is that Obama doesn't buy into the old mantra that in order for Democrats to convince people they aren't weak in national security, they have to espouse an especially tough foreign policy. This is a refreshing turn of events worth noting.

Now, what are your thoughts?