You know who Joe Hill was, right? He was a worker, a labour activist, a Wobblie. In 1915, he was framed for a murder, and sentenced to death. His last words were to the firing squad: "Fire!"
But Hill's most famous words were written in a letter to his fellow activist, the IWW leader Bill Haywood. Hill said: "Don't waste any time in mourning. Organize."
Those trenchant words are usually shortened even further: "Don't mourn. Organize!" They have echoed through people's movements ever since.
And that's what we have to do. We have to recommit ourselves to keeping Canada Canada. The majority of Canadians did not vote for the Conservatives, and as the majority, we have to make our voice heard. We have to oppose their policies and their legislation, and urge the Opposition to live up to its name.
And we have to work for proportional representation. I'm thinking that as progressives, that's where our main fight should be.
While I'm here, I'd be remiss if I didn't say the standard things about last night's results. Don't want to be the only progressive blog in town without them!
- Thank [something] is wasn't a majority.
- Excellent showing for the NDP.
- The Liberals were a disaster and Dion will clearly be ousted - and soon.
* * * *
Of course, I'm worried about the war resisters. This case-by-case, deportation-order-court-stay dance is exhausting organizationally, financially and politically. Tonight's meeting will be interesting. I expect to come home with a new strategy and renewed hope.
See the interesting Joe Hill Project for more info.
PS: Last night was a disaster for the Red Sox, too. But unlike the Liberals, we're still alive. Backs to the wall, this is our moment.
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