Gustav is bad but Republicans are worse - On with the Protests!

Gustav may have the power to destroy a wide area of the gulf coast, but with the Republicans running the government they could have the power to destroy the whole world.

Regardless of the RNC schedule change announced today in response to the hurricane about to strike the gulf coast demonstrations against the RNC should go on. Perhaps the message and signage should acknowledge the hurricane but protesters and anti-war demonstrations should stay on point, on target and go on as planned.

Those who have traveled from the gulf region and have family that might be effected by Gustav may want to change their plans. But no one should feel bad about staying on for the RNC protests. Hurricanes are a natural phenomenon that will be with us forever. Republicans and their politics are an un-natural phenomenon that does not have to be with us forever.

Getting them and their kind out of power could be seen as the best way to help people deal with any future hurricanes. Natural disasters do cause a great deal of suffering in the world, yes, we all know that. But it is the response of governments that only serves to compound that suffering a hundred times over. Hurricane Katrina should be enough proof of that for anyone who’s paying attention.

Have no doubt that despite whatever the Republicans or the Democrats, for that matter, are saying publicly about the hurricane their primary concern is: how does hurricane Gustav play into the election.

As for the protest planned to begin on Monday and throughout next week no group has announced any change of plans for their demonstrations because of the hurricane. And why should they? These protests are in no way disrespectful of people living in the projected path of the hurricane. In fact just the opposite the protests are for those people, for the people who are victims of government oppression in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina.

Despite attempts by the state to preempt organizing for protests with targeted raids against activists during the last 48 hours, these raids have not discouraged anyone from taking to the streets on Monday. The raids have only reminded people what they are fighting for and why they go to protests.

Action plans for Monday are still on. See you in the streets.