Three Cheers for the Grannies!

“Eighteen "grannies" who were swept up by New York City police, handcuffed and jailed for four and a half hours were acquitted today of charges that they blocked the entrance to the military recruitment center in Times Square when they tried to enlist.” – The NY Times.

The government has learned to ignore and repress youth movements, letter writing campaigns, and they can even rig election results. But they apparently don’t have balls brass and brazen enough to jail old women for protesting the war in Iraq.

More power to the Grannies, I say. Keep it up. To topple this administration and get rid of the corruption of corporate cash in Washington D.C. is going to take the efforts of many groups who do not typically see themselves as political activists. Old (and experienced) people, illegal immigrants, many unlikely groups are currently flustering the business as usual politicos. So which groups need to get involved next? Kindergarteners for Justice? Pregnant Women for Peace?

Whatever it takes. Everybody needs to take a hard look at what is going on (and not going on) in Washington D.C. and decide if this government represents you and your best hopes for the future of this country. I do not believe anymore that the question is: What will the government do? The question is: What will the people do? How much are we willing to let happen in our names?

Three Cheers for the Grannies. It is a small victory, but it is a victory all the same.