Politics and Transition

[Kate Clark]

I feel that TW is again moving towards a left-political agenda, and it is not necessary or good for the movement locally.  Again, IF we are to build true resilience, we must ALL work together- liberals and conservatives- to do so.  Just because most of the people involved in TW are liberal politically, this does not mean that we have to identify the larger group as such...there are so many other avenues in our community for expressing our political opinions, can we please have one group that is just focused on building community resilience? 

I am involved with lots of different organizations, and I don't demand that they all follow a liberal agenda in order to do thier work.  For example, I totally support the Whatcom Film Association- in their job to bring great films to Bellingham. I don't expect them to take a political stance though- that's not their mission.  Let's take off our political hats if we can when engaging with TW, and put on our hands-on building practical self-reliance hats so we can welcome even those who disagree with us on particular issues. 

[J. C. Walker,Jr.]

http://www.amzn.com/Language-Intelligence-persuasion-Shakespeare-eb...

Putting it into my queue, anyone else?

[J. C. Walker,Jr.]

http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/RelationsandR

This video is not viewable at this time. It's a C-SPAN issue. Please stay tuned. I'll post it up when the wheles go round.

[J. C. Walker,Jr.]

http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/RelationsandR

Race Relations and Reconciliation

Powerfull parralels. Please view this. ( I had trouble adding it to our collection. )

[J. C. Walker,Jr.]

"Kate , I will take it that you're still working on a reply to the questions raised by your post.

[David MacLeod]

Kate,

I'm still confused about where you see TW moving toward a left-political agenda.  Are you referring to TW events, or something the TWOG is involved in, or are you referring to topical postings by members on this website?

 

For anyone curious about Transition Whatcom policy, please read the About Us pages, especially the TW Guidelines document and the Transition Principles. I don't see a problem with people posting different opinions, as long as we respect one another and remember the following:

If you are involved with Transition Whatcom, come prepared to work shoulder to shoulder with people who may be very different from you in some or even many ways.

[J. C. Walker,Jr.]

http://www.democracynow.org/2012/8/2/bill_mckibben_of_350org_even_i...

[J. C. Walker,Jr.]

http://www.democracynow.org/2012/8/2/climate_skeptic_koch_funded_sc...

[J. C. Walker,Jr.]

When I watched Incontinent Truth way back when, my only complaint with the film was Gore's slams on Bush. I did not disagree with a thing he said, it just distracted from the bigger points being made. In the header above the left side has Rebuilding Community Resilience and Self-Reliance and on the right Tackling Climate Change and Peak Oil. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong in perceiving the rebuilding aspect as the "how", and the tackling aspect the "what". Global Warming, Climate Change, or Extreme Weather ( whatever the kids are calling it these days ) is politicized. The thermometer is politicized. The Right is in desperate need of a "ghost dance" to ease their collective conscious into reality and the Summer of 2012 seems to be laying down a good beat. There is no need to expend energy debating if triple digit temps are real, but barrowing some Eastern ethos, and allowing the yet to arrive to save face is in order. And then there is time. Embracing climate change for myself could last 20 years or so before I approach statistical averages. For my daughter make it 45 years, and for my grandsons make that about 70 years. Obviously climate change i.e. survival is going to mean different things to generations other than our own. I hope we can avoid prioritizing the "addicted to magical thinking" over those willing to get involved, arguably, those with more at stake. And one last request, could you explain how the anti coal folks don't line up with Transition's mandate to tackle climate change? Thanks for the post.

[Kate Clark]

Walter- Good point. Let's all vote Republican and bring the national economy down quickly!  Hmmm...

 

As for your question, J.C., it seems we are always having to say no to groups that want to have a presence at TW events, for example, the anti-coal folks, and the end corporate rule/anti-Citizen's United efforts.  While I personally fall into both of those groups, people who are on the other side of those are still going to need to be our partners in building resilience.

[Angela MacLeod]

Kate thank you for writing this. I agree with you very strongly. I have some experiences working in groups where we agree to focus on a shared project or purpose, while leaving politics aside just for that time. That allows a kind of tolerance to develop.  You don't have to change your own beliefs or values nor do others have to. It's liberating to experience a genuine friendly and working relationship with people who have very different politics than yourself. And I have found that that comes through experiencing it.