Aside from my concern and condolences for the families of the thousands who have been killed and injured, I am also gravely concerned about the response that may come from this, from the US government and others. I fear tremendously violent military response that will, in turn, take many other innocent lives in a messy attempt to single out those who are believed responsible for these heinous acts. I fear that basic civil liberties and freedoms will be sacrificed in a vain attempt to insure safety. No rational person in this nation will defend the acts of terror and violence that have happened, but sane, rational and compassionate person can and should question the response. Is war a truly reasonable or desirable result? How can the death of hundreds or thousands more possible make up for the deaths that have already happened?
At this moment it is crucial to also keep one’s eyes on the indpendent and alternative media, which will be the only voices brave enough to challenge the militarized “conventional wisdom” already carpet bombing us from the mainstream media. These same voices may themselves become target as all our freedoms become to be at stake.
Right now the Internet is pretty bogged down with traffic, as major news sites are almost impossible to get–be it due to network damage in NYC or just sheer hits. The Indymedia centers seem to be holding up well. For good information and alternative perspectives turn to the Washington DC IMC and the Global IMC. Here at the Urbana-Champaign IMC we’re trying hard to keep our site updated with info from other IMCs and local news as we get it. Our site is off the main IMC server cluster, so we are not as easily bogged down in traffic.
On the radio, you can turn to your local Pacifica affiliate to hear breaking news coverage without the mainstream military-industrial slant. The Common Dreams news website is also offering wire and independent coverage. For a different international perspective you might check out the French News Agency AFP, available on Yahoo.
Also, don’t be afraid to share your views and the alternate sources you read and hear. Share them on an Indymedia site, discussion board, on your own website or just with friends and family. If we just sit passively by and only allow “official sources” to guide our thoughts and opinions, then we will only become tools of the officials. Indymedia and the DIY ethic are about every one of us taking charge of our lives and the forces that effect us. I can’t agree with the IMC credo more: “BECOME THE MEDIA”
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