FROM THE BARRICADES FOR 4/5/09

Posted by Jon Pike Apr 5, 2009

Well, this week in the main column we looked at activism possibly being precipitated in what is called an “astroturf” fashion. “Astroturf” activism was coined by a wag to delineate activism that is purported to be grass roots but is, in reality, orchestrated by people who are far from the grass roots. This may be the case with the Tax Day Tea Parties being organized in a multitude of states. I have no doubt that there are people who are genuinely upset with the Obama administration’s budget plans and are right to lodge public protest against them, if that is their wish. These are issues that reasonable people can disagree about and I, as an activism columnist, would be remiss if I didn’t think that public protest is a legitimate thing to do.

I would not, however, be an honest broker of information, I didn’t also report that equally honest people see other forces behind these particular protests. This is why I reported on these particular protests in this fashion. My column and this blog are public forums, and if people disagree with how I report upon the activism scene, I want them to take issue with me.

I have this strange feeling that next week’s column will be a report on the evolutionism/creationism political activism that is happening around the country. We are the only civilized country in which the origins of life are an open question and the source of political activism. I guess Jay and The Americans, The Drifters, and Yakov Smirnoff are all correct, only in America and What A Country!

I’m not exactly sure what direction the controversy and activism over marriage equality will take. As far as I know, there is still activism being spearheaded by the LDS church to bring an end to the idea of civil unions in Illinois. The reports out of Iowa say that the anti-marriage equality forces could not get a constitutional amendment on that issue onto the ballot until 2012, but may try to get a law imposing strict residency requirements on gay couples getting married in the state. Federal Representative Peter Kings seems particularly bothered by the idea of gays coming to Iowa to get married. You would think people in Iowa would be interested in the tourism dollars!!

The ‘personhood’ movement to declare fetuses to be human beings was dealt serious blows in the heartland West: measure failed in both Montana and North Dakota. Organizers for this movement are continuing their organizing in places like Mississippi.