Re: Consensus/ was Another Bush Crime against humanity and Gaia

Dear friends,

How sad. We had begun with an (implicit) consensus on this list: that we all 
needed to brainstorm ideas about how best to publicize, and help others 
resist, the despicable corporate takeover of Iraqi agriculture.

But we were quickly distracted into petulant nitpicking about the nature of 
"consensus." Rather like the ancient story of Jason defeating an army by 
casting a pebble amongst them, that, as it bounced off their armor, set them to 
quarreling amongst themselves. If we are this easy to distract from a common 
purpose, no wonder the lockstep neofascist Republikans are creating their brutal 
world empire virtually unopposed.

So let's get a grip, folks. It does not matter at all what "consensus" 
is--it's just a word. What is important is to develop flexible, intelligent, 
collaborative strategies, both long and short term, for practicing and promoting 
worldwide Satyagraha against the Bush/Glomart juggernaut. None of us can know 
ahead of time exactly what techniques will work best, nor what forms of 
self-government are best adapted to cultures other than our own.

OK--I'll step off my soapbox now. :-)

In a message dated 1/29/2005 3:14:04 AM Eastern Standard Time, 
[email protected] writes:
Just because you don't like my idea of consensus doesn't mean I don't
> understand consensus. Let's be adults. You can define consensus any 
> way you
> want, and so can I.

Well, I was going by the dictionary and a number of classes that I've 
taken.

I don't think it's very adult to make up definitions for 
well-understood concepts.

But one thing you're right about -- someone with a big enough mouth 
will eventually get their way. I'm outta here