[Imc-communication] FEATURE PROPOSAL : Word from Lebanon / proposal posted at 18:30 Pacific Coast Time

[Petros Evdokas]

CC: imc-communication, Asher, Boud, imc-beirut


From: Asher ashergoldman at gmail.com
Sat Jul 15
[Imc-communication] word from Lebanon / slaughter of the innocents continues


Hi all,

Just wanted to agree with Petros' sentiments here - I think it's vital that
we keep people informed via Global features, with the local IMC's inactive.
I wrote the Gaza feature on July 6 (
http://www.indymedia.org/en/2006/07/842035.shtml) and am happy to keep
writing more as well, as the situation progresses. Is there someone on this
list from IMC-Israel? If anyone there wanted to step up and help get the
info out, that would be fantastic too.

Love & Rage
Asher
Aotearoa Indymedia / Climate IMC

-----------------

Thank you Asher, your response is much appreciated.
Friends,

I must tell you that I'm a little shocked with the following realizations:

It's almost two hours now since the deadline passed for disagreements,
commentary, or feedback on a FEATURE PROPOSAL titled "Word from Lebanon"
  that was submitted to our global imc editorial group about the Lebanon
and Gaza situations.

The proposal is here:
http://lists.indymedia.org/pipermail/www-features/2006-July/0716-dw.html

In the time since the Proposal was submitted:
- not a single one of our global editorial group members or liaisons
from our many members who have seen the proposal (our network consists
of more than 150 organizations) voiced interest;
- not a single one of our global editorial group members voiced an offer
to help with posting the article to the site;
- not a single one of our global editorial group members expressed a
question;
- not a single one of our global editorial group members expressed a
disagreement on the basis of political, editorial, organizational concerns;
- not a single one of our global editorial group members objected or
blocked the Proposal;
- not a single one of our global editorial group members responded.

So, the Proposal is "formally" passed and official now, but what is the
meaning of this juncture among us?

I am aware that the Lebanon and Gaza situation is buzzing in the ears
and mouths and keyboards of every progressive and radical on the planet
right now, and also of every independent journalist, even every
establishment jouranalist and politician. All of our local imc groups
are very concerned as well, some actively reporting, some involved in
solidarity protests, humanitarian aid campaigns, etc.

But our global instrument of expression is beyond silent: it seems
unresponsive, numb.

There are demonstrations breaking out all over the planet about the
events in Palestine and Lebanon. Even within the United States, the
Belly of the Beast itself, the major progressive and radical Coalition
which had spearheaded the anti-war protests of the last few years on a
national scale is calling for an emergency protest for August 12, noon,
at the White House. The initiative is coming from the A.N.S.W.E.R.
Coalition, the National Council of Arab Americans (NCA), and the Muslim
American Society Freedom Foundation.

Our own organization at the global level, though, is silent.

I'm also aware that weekends are the periods when most volunteers find
the time to participate on email groups and so Fridays, Saturdays,
Sundays tend to be more active for imc email lists. But on our global
editorial work group list, at the peak of the weekend, nothing.

If this is not the epitome of a non-participation crisis, I don't know
what is.

There is no other explanation. It seems to be the same fate that has
befallen most of our other imc global collective entities. Dysfunction
through non-participation. Not because of disagreement, not because of
conflict, not even from "too much happening chaotically all at the same
time", but from exactly the opposite. Non-participation is the illness
that speaks loudest through silence. That is what we have, it seems.

So our problem is at least a double one right now:

1. How do we get this Feature article published in the central column,
since none of our colleagues who have access to the machinery responded?

2. How do we face the grand existential and organizational problems of
indymedia at the global level if very few (almost none at all) of our
people want to face or admit their existence?

I would like to help solve both of these problems, and I would
appreciate it if someone among us has suggestions on what I can do to
help contribute to solutions.


In the meantime, Lebanon and Palestine are having the liver plucked out
of them and chewed by the Beast on a daily basis. Shall I just write to
our comrades there and tell them we don't care - we can't be bothered to
even push a few buttons to publish?

As a long term IndyMedia member I'm experiencing an embarrassment about
this that is very hard to swallow.

I try. It sticks in my throat.
Petros
________