Someday I will be crowned Free-Tour of Amsterdam King, and my reign will be brief but legendary. Scores of visitors come and go these days: friends, old-friends… friends of friends, girlfriends of friends.. bring me your tired, huddled masses, yearning to breathe weed. It has left me quite exhausted, probably because I find myself telling the same funny squatter story so many times in one week. Still – don’t get me wrong – I love visitors.
There’s a question going through my head over and over again right now, besides “should I pour myself another hot chocolate,” it concerns the anti-war movement before the invasion of Iraq. Brooke at Bitter Shack of Resentment is working on a book which focuses on the successes and failures of the movement. And what should be done differently if this should ever happen again. (which of course, it will) So as a very active pacifist, I’m asking myself this very question, expecting some fantastical answer.
On the one hand, I know what the movement did right. Mass mobilization…as I wrote about back then, millions world wide on the streets expressing their disapproval of this military invasion.
But what should have been done differently, because in the end it did not stop what happenned. 
Maybe nothing could have been done, because those with all the power have the ultimate say in these matters. The only thing I could think of is to really place ourselves in the paths of the machines, like the heavily criticized human shields were supposed to. But maybe that would still be seen as impossible and insane. One thing that should be pointed out is that we have not yet seen the full effect of the mass mobilizations in 2003. I’m referring to the political reprisals, which have been seen in Spain, Poland, and parts of Latin America. Where people have used the vote to express their dissent, even if it is now a bit late. We have yet to see how this will unfold in Britain, United States, Australia etc. But the signs are there, for instance in Japan or the Netherlands, where seemingly the entire population disagrees with their governments participation in this invasion, and they won’t forget that when they next go to the polls.
I guess I still haven’t answered the question, but i still think its too soon.
F/911 has reached the UK. Decent article in the Guardian related to that. Just a little bit further and it will be here at last!
Here’s one of those do-not-miss internet thingies. The Dick Cheney “Go Fuck Yourself” famous quote tshirts! They’re sellin like hotcakes. Maybe I’ll find one in Brussels this weekend.
Today’s Music: Bela Fleck – Communication