Camp Oz Activists

It begins, At long last … Camp Democracy (formerly Camp Casey) moves from Crawford Gulch to the National Mall in DC for a 17 day fun-filled event.

On initial reading of Camp Demo's site I thought finally the push is on to DC. After further reading I sadly report the whole affair is simply more of the same managed, staged, packaged, fake-assed "opposition."

PoliticsTV has a video link of Camp Democracy, a "coalition" of various activist groups, holding a kick off press conference at the National Press Club, announcing plans for protest and workshops on the Washington Maul in September.

The announcer, and one of many members "putting together Camp Democracy," is David Swanson. He mentions that "constitutional crisis" we have on a regular basis. And how opposed the majority of Americans are to "this administration" not the system that breeds so many crooks and liars.

Also announced on the video is that Cindy Sheehan, due to health reasons, has cancelled all participation in coming events for September. Sheehan has served her purpose and is being retired ? or are there some ego issues going on among the opposition leaders?

Swanson promises Camp Demo will empower you, give you new skills to save the republic. Show you how to organize, mobilize, lobby, sing, dance, teach, and learn at workshops, films, performances, and training. A carnival of family fun, campily restoring democracy.

There is a link to the schedule of what's happening each day. "Tents will provide activist activities, trainings, workshops, and entertainment on these themes: End War: Peace, nonviolence, accountability, and impeachment | Human Rights: Civil Rights, Immigrants Rights, Workers Rights, Women's Rights, Voting Rights, Katrina | End Corporate Welfare, Meet Human Needs: Healthcare/ Energy/ Education/ Environment | Communications and Creativity: Hands-on Media and Arts Training."

In other words, the theme is educating you on the US government's goodness - until this administration. Oh yea. The world can't wait, learn how to drive out the Bush regime.

Hands-on training on how to talk talk talk talk while bent over being reamed with the flagpole. And talk is something the first speaker could use some training in. Swanson introduces Malik Rahim, described as a former Black Panther, current Green party member, and a housing and prison activist.

Malik (nee Donald Guyton) "returned" to being an activist after serving 5 years for armed robbery in Los Angeles in the 1980s. Listening to Rahim's slow speech, the use of 'dat and 'dose for that and those, I can only conclude Camp Demo organizers feel a crack-fried Black ex-con wid 'dem kindah talkin' skills has broad appeal to average Black America. No sir folks, no MX or MLK these days. Malik is our best "militant" representative.

I'd rather join up with the Honorable Louis Farrakhan than heed Rahim, a diluted and damaged version of Black activism put on display by the fake opposition movement. Hey, can ya embarrass us some more brother.

Sponsers were listed as: Democrats.com. Code Pink, code for white women activists living well on organizations they founded. Immigrant Solidarity Network, all humans are legal and sneaking into the US is a way of networking. The ever awful NOW, or women without a cause.

Also attending are musicians I've never heard of and authors I can't stop hearing about, Ray McGovern, Scott Ritter, etc. The standard bearers of "opposition" are scheduled to be there, i.e. Maxine Waters, Barbara Lee, and maybe congressman Jim McDermott.

Camp Democracy. Be careful my little progressive pretty, or they'll get you and your little dog too.

P.S. Although the National Mall is not a mall per se but a complex of museums, etc. there are nifty gift and souvenir shops galore so – don't forget to go shopping.