10 Years Ago ...
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on
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How ironic. I was going through old ccm derailleurs just now. 2003, that's pretty old. I did find a bike winter sticker from 1999-2000.
So, who else was at that 2003 ccm??? Tc? Gin? Alex? Jim? Willow?
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Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on
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That was a great ride. Didn't we ride past someone's house in Edgewater who had been injured?
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Permalink Reply by Bikefreeek on
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I was there, and designed and edited that issue of the Derailleur!
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Permalink Reply by william on
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was this an anti-war/peace ride? I wasnt into bikes yet, so I missed out. I attended, however, the big Iraq War protest that shut down LSD.
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Permalink Reply by globalguy on
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I believe that was around 15 February. I was in Turkey during that demonstration and folks were incredibly surprised but impressed by the numbers. They had been led to believe that all Americans supported the war.
william said:was this an anti-war/peace ride? I wasnt into bikes yet, so I missed out. I attended, however, the big Iraq War protest that shut down LSD.
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Some CCM listserv discussion leading up to this ride (with little attention to formatting)
Starting 3/18/2003:
Sunday at the anti-war protest Dan Korn wore his CM T-shirt with ONE LESS CAR on the back and taped a "W" fashioned from duct tape over the "C" to form ONE LESS WAR. Quite effective. Another masser (I don't know his name) fashioned a peace symbol from a 20" rim with colored yarn and hung it from a broomstick with a rope loop. Very cool. -Bob Matter -----------If a US war is raging with Iraq in April CCM may see a big appearance of ONE LESS WAR shirts. Despite the dialog on this listserv about NION's involvement with Critical Mass, I believe that CCM is a fantastic venue for anti-war demonstrating and I encourage folks to organize and show up to the ride with that agenda (amongst others, like BIKES ARE FUN). I know that I'll be doing anti-war organizing and demonstrating now and in the months to come and plan to use Chicago Critical Mass as a venue for that message. If you don't agree, no one will be forcing you to wear a t-shirt! Remember Critical Mass is whatever whoever shows up! BIKES ARE FUN! OIL FEULS WAR Alex
Alex, I'm glad you sent this message. I feel the same way, and think
that the CCM list, CCM itself, and really all people everywhere should
be talking about (and acting on) the impending war.
I don't imagine anyone can continue to pretend the issue of war is "off
topic." I, for one, can't really fathom sitting around arguing about
whether bike lanes are good, or if people should wear helmets or ride on
LSD, or whatever.
This isn't "off topic" anymore, this is our daily reality--all of us.
--ChrisAlex Wilson <bikefreeek@YAHOO.COM> writes:
I know that I'll be doing anti-war organizing and demonstrating now and in the months to come and plan to use Chicago Critical Mass as a venue for that message.
There is a Emergency Response Plan for the Chicagoland Area which I think critical massers could contribute too. The plan is to assemble at Federal Plaza (Adams/Dearborn) at 5 o'clock the day or of the attack AND the day after. There will be various civil disobedience actions the first business day morning after the attack. It is anticipated that the turnout for this will be large and diverse, and consist of many people on the less militant end of the spectrum, as well as those with children. There may be a march to LSD or some other expressway, or perhaps up Magnificent Mile, or who knows, the decision cannot be made until that moment. There will also be events occuring all over the city, with varying degrees of militancy. It is very difficult to predict what level of control they will attempt to assert. I fear it could range from blocking public transport into downtown and blockading several blocks around Federal Plaza, or it could simple be a mounted police presence to contain the crowd. and block traffic. I think the tactical experience of CMers will be valuable here, as it is likely the police will be out in force. A bicycle-mounted tactical support squad for scouting the area, as well as patrolling the perimeter for police attacks would be a valuable asset for the organizers in their goal of keeping the rally and march safe for all of those attending. They could also provide a means for communicating with the rally beyond the range of the sound system that will be available. Anyone who would like to volunteer for such a squad, please contact me via email ASAP. Messengers with radios would be a great boon! There is a Special meeting of Chicago Coalition Against War and Racism today, Tuesday, at 6:30 at Soka Gakkai, 1455 S. Wabash, unless the war starts today. The ERP will be discussed. For more information, please checkout out chicago.indymedia.org and www.chicagoantiwar.org
(Craig B)The more CM's message strays from Bikes Are Fun, the smaller the segment of society that it will appeal to. That's just what we're dealing with here. I hear what you're saying- that stopping war is so important you're willing to have CM suffer in numbers in order to fight the power- but we're at a cusp this year. Will we continue to do what we've been doing (concentrating on Bikes as a Fun Thing) and grow CM past a grand? Or will we co-opt one movement in order to cuckoo's egg another one in there, driving moderates away? I think CM suffers from having a lefty bent. Do you think the average cyclist and/or driver who we are trying to recruit shares the same political alignment as the average CM'er? If we had a mix of political opinion (not just a few martyrs who are afraid to speak), then the only constant would be our message: Bikes Are Fun. The rest would be left to be bickered about on the list serv. I had heard about CM for two years before attending. The thing that kept me away was the thought of it being just another protest by some rowdy trustafarians who are so attached to their political issues that they can't set them aside to focus on one thing even if the cause would be furthered by that focus. When I finally showed, I realized, "Hey, this really is all about bikes and how they are fun!" I'm certain my experience is not unique. And now the circle is coming to a close, because I'm about to be driven away again. I'll do my anti-war protesting at an anti-war protest, thank you. Seriously, if you can't do your pro-bike activism in a pro-bike activist setting, and your anti-war activism in an anti-war setting, how the fuck do you manage to take a dump without making it into some sort of political statement? Christ in a motorcycle sidecar, why do you think we have a conservative government when most of the country is not? It's because we lefties can't just do one thing. We can't hold a peace rally without the pro-marijuana legalization burnouts showing up, and the lesbian rights, and the animal-rights people, blah blah blah. IF YOU SHOW UP TO CRITICAL MASS WITH ANOTHER MESSAGE ON YOUR BACK, YOU ARE DILUTING YOUR OWN MESSAGE AND OURS. The only reason you are doing it is because you want to co-opt a group of people who has gathered for one thing, and make them look like they agree with you, which they do not. That's low. That's a slimy tactic I'd expect from the bad guys. I have little respect for anyone who does this. "It's a xerocracy! Bring your own message!" I can't. I agree with you. But I'm there to ride bikes. Or at least, I will be, if it's about riding bikes. I won't have words shoved into my mouth. As a friend of mine put it, forcing one's viewpoint where it is unwanted is characteristic of the U.S. foreign policy that we're combatting. Don't fall victim to the very thing you're fighting against. -Johnny "One Less Masser" Payphone P.S. I'm interested in hearing about the San Fran mass. I heard (and this is just what I heard) that they used to be larger, but have shrunk a bit, because it's become too activist and is driving away participants. Anyone with personal experience?) ===== if you monkey round my widder I'm tellin you the fact my big white ghost'll come a-sneakin back I'll haint you boy
Oli M:
You've almost took the words right out of my mouth. I totally agree. My fear
of the leftisim also kept me a little apprehensive at first. I was
pleasantly surprised to see the homogenisation of our views on something so
great. Bikes!
Look at this way. As a conservative how often do you think I get to hang out
and chat in a comfortable setting with the other sides of the political
fence? How often do I get the chance to see that not all Liberals are bad.
If this becomes a anti war campaign I'm outa hear. Every where All I hear
is war this war that, I need a freekin break! CMass gives me that chance.
Trust me guys. If you really want to protest the war you'll have plenty of
opportunities.
hnk:A question and a few thoughts:
Question: Why does the Chicago Critical Mass need to number more than
1,000?
Thought: Many of the folks who show up at the protests I've
participated in couldn't do a better job of looking "left" (not that
there's anything wrong with that--"bongs not bombs" is a very cute
message). It's awfully easy for onlookers to decide that "No War" is a
radical leftist message. Mind you, I wouldn't try to imply that a
significant percentage of americans arrive at their political views
based on superficialities
But what if, instead of hiking up their patched pants legs and showing
up with their bike, folks put on their best interview clothing, grabbed
something resembling a briefcase, and showed up to a protest looking
like "wealthy happy successful business consultants against war" poster
children?
I wonder if adding bikes to the "no war" message (or anything else, oil
included) dilutes that message as much as the reverse.
I also think modifying a "one less car" t-shirt into "one less war" was
clever but I think it could also be interpreted as "let's put an end to
terrorism once and for all".
I think the best way to say "no war" is to say "no war", period.Cyclistas: A number of Wicker Park and Logan Square massers will be riding down to the March mass with Manny Flores, a candidate for first ward alderman in the April 1 run-off against incumbent Jesse Granato. I believe Granato will be invited as well. This will be a good chance to inform the candidate(s) about bicycling issues, as well as for him/them to experience Chicago on two wheels. If you would like to join us for the ride down, we'll be possying at Rapid Transit at 4:30pm. Today the City Council, Tomorrow the World! michael
Brian R:Given that CM began in direct response to papa bush's gulf war (I'll allow Jym to elaborate), I find it bitterly ironic that Johnny (Payphone) Come-Latelies insist that CM is only/primarily/hermeneutically about "bikes are fun". To compartmentalize politics from fun (or dead iraqi babies from our addiction to oil) is to live a schizoid existance. -----Original Message----- From: Chicago Critical Mass [mailto:CHI-CRIT-MASS@UIC.EDU] On Behalf Of croydon Sent: Tuesday, March 18, 2003 14:35 To: CHI-CRIT-MASS@UIC.EDU Subject: [*CCM*] war hey johnny payphone, who died and put you in charge, al haig??? adios, billy
Mike B:I've been on a political hiatus for the past few months as a result of this sort of issue. I was becoming very frustrated with the impulsiveness and impatience of so many progressives who would, in an attempt to strengthen their own movement, dilute the strength of others. I think Mr. Payphone's arguments seem a bit angry, but nevertheless, I agree with him. I have to admit I also think it is a "slimy" tactic to attend an event whose numbers are certain and to usurp those numbers for the good of your own agenda. Why turn Critical Mass into an anti-war rally, unless you're worried that you can't get a decent turnout otherwise? At some point it really does boil down to using other people (the people who wouldn't be there if it was just an anti-war rally) as tools for a tangental political agenda. My opinions do however diverge with Johnny's where the future of CM is concerned. If I actually thought we were at a political teetering point, where appropriating the strength of CM could possibly aid in the anti-war movement, I'd probably be willing to say, "Fuck the integrity of Critical Mass." I'd rather save lives. But we're at no such juncture, and furthermore, co-opting movements never makes anyone's argument stronger. It always leads to sectarianism and resentment and bickering (see the CM listserv). It waters down the messages of everyone involved. Turn Critical Mass into an anti-war rally and not only will we lose current and prospective members, but we also risk losing the support of those legislators supportive of a pro-bike agenda. It's easy to support bike safety and advocacy; the more you attach off-topic clauses to the bottom of a bill, the less likely it is to pass. I guess I just don't understand why those interested in an anti-war Mass don't just put together a separate ride. I mean, we only have one Mass a month; there's lots of time. I'll go. But to use the Mass to promote another agenda is just opportunism. It's not fair to those who don't agree with said agenda, and it's not necessary without them. Mike
Erika B:Mr. Flores came right to my door a couple weeks ago, when the weather was really heinous. He was walking around with a small posse, shaking hands and asking for support whilst freezing his @$$ off. That alone impressed me... and now he's riding to mass? Cool, man...
--- hnk <hnk@CORE.COM> wrote:
Question: Why does the Chicago Critical Mass need to number more than 1,000?
Well, personally, I'm trying to save John Greenfield a few bucks. -JP
Bob K:Jared Dunne wrote:
I am very involved in anti-war activism. As much as I like to see the Chicago anti-war movement grow.... I would have to agree with Johnny Payphone and Mike...
And Oli too. Add my name to the list of those against co-opting the Mass. It's a ride, not a rally. Bikes are (for) Fun! I bought a "No War" button at the Mass a couple of months ago; it's pinned on my bike bag in front. It's always on there, no matter where I ride. I won't take it off for the Mass, but I won't add anything to it, either.
John S:I have to echo Jared and Johnny, and Mike, and I suppose Howard. I've posted on this issue before too. I'm pretty lefty myself (actually I think of myself as American left, global centrist) and I'm very sympathetic to the anti-war view, by and large. But effective protest (or any sort of statement) requires credibility, and muddying a message reduces that. One reason the left has gotten clobbered so much lately is that the right is on the ball, on message, and they do a better job getting it out. Our problem is that our messages are more complicated and interconnected, and we have to work to make our point without writing a PhD thesis. Mixing messages doesn't make that easier. Mixing mesages also limits our ability to reach across political boundaries, to find other natural allies, witness Oli. Biking is not intrinsically a lefty issue, there are just too many benefits. I love Critical Mass. I love being a member of this community, and the friends I have made. I always enjoy my participation in Critical Mass. But I'm starting to have misgivings about the anarchic notion of letting the Mass be "whoever shows up and whatever they want to do on a bike." I'm not rejecting it, I'm just having some internal debate, because I enjoy that too. I just don't think it takes us where I want to go.
Jym:If you show up to Critical Mass with another message on your back, you are diluting your own message and ours.
=v= My message is, "We Are Traffic." Traffic includes things such as "Megadittoes, Rush!" bumper stickers and vehicles festooned with American flags. For me not to sport whatever message I feel like displaying to the world is for me not to be traffic. Sorry, no can do. span class="moz-txt-underscore">_Jym_>
Oli:
Ha.. You know it's kind of funny. Didn't we have this discussion a while a
ago. Isn't war conversation on everything. Soap box addiction isn't good for
you. I know about every view from this way to the sunset about the war,
Protesters and now even CM's various relationships with protesters.
Lets just end this discussion, my e-mail can only take so much. Seriously
we can all let it die now! *Poof* its DONE! GOODNIGHT!!!!
Heya Folks, I didn't have any intention of starting up the discussion/debate on whether or not CCM should be a venue for anti-war demonstrating. I will say that Chicago Critical Mass will be a venue for anti-war demonstrating. The goal,purpose or theme of Critical Mass is no more BIKES ARE FUN than it has been made out to be. The only thing that I would definately say about Critical Mass is that it's a free fun ride that happens on the last Friday of the month. There's no agenda other than what is brought to it by the riders involved. An anti-war agenda will be brought to Critical Mass because there are so many riders who are involved in the anti-war movement. It's already happening. This is no more coopting the ride than Critical Mass coopts public space. There are no rules and there are no leaders any more than are put forth by anyone and those who choose to follow. So the key is to promote whatever message you think Critical Mass should espouse and get as much support from as many people as you can, if you're really interested in promoting any sort of message anyhow. For me that message is BIKES ARE FUN and I've done a lot to promote that message. However, I think that the impending war is an issue that insists on being publicly addressed as much as possible. To think that an anti-war message will confuse others of what Critical Mass is about is giving the public at large too much credit. I really don't believe that Joe Schmoe on the street is going to make any distinction between an anti-war demonstration and a bicycle demonstration. Critical Mass is not on the publics radar. How many times has CCM been on expressways or Lake Shore Drive and what major (or minor) news coverage has it recieved? On the otherhand, if 50 folks show up at their local park for a candle light peace vigil to oppose the war it'll get 5pm and 10pm coverage. The War is on the public's mind and just about any public demonstration is going to be associated with it. So in a sense Critical Mass will be coopted defacto whether one likes it or not. And Critical Mass should be part of the anti-war movement! This war is about oil and we all know what oil is used for, cars! If cars aren't a major theme in Critical Mass then I don't know what is. Cars clog our streets, pollute our air and kill our babies and as bicyclists we should oppose a war to feul those death machines. As bicyclists we should use a public forum to voice our opposition to a war for oil. I don't believe that the theme of BIKES ARE FUN should be abandoned, on the contrary. I would love to see a message that promotes a form of transportation that is so fun and friendly that it would only seem absurd to fight a war for what only makes us miserable anyhow. We can discuss and debate wether or not Critical Mass should be a venue for the anti-war movement, but what will really matter is what individuals do. I encourage everyone to become more involved in shaping the evolution of Chicago Critical Mass. What is your vision for CCM, and is your desire great enough to make your vision reality!?! BIKES ARE FUN! AlexOn Tue, 18 Mar 2003, OLI MCINTOSH wrote:
Look at this way. As a conservative how often do you think I get to hang out and chat in a comfortable setting with the other sides of the political fence?
I dunno, and I don't really care. Your education is your own responsibility. You can ride your bike in the mass if you want (hey, anybody can) but if you want to find a "comfortable setting" for your views, I suggest you go rent an SUV and drive out to Yorkville. Learning how other folks feel doesn't always mean you get a "comfortable setting." As often as not, the way to learn what folks are thinking is to leave your preconceptions at home and go listen.
How often do I get the chance to see that not all Liberals are bad.
Have you stopped beating your wife? Two possibly-related points: 1. There's little that's more eye-glazing to me than a self- identified conservative who throws around the words "conservative" and "liberal" as if he were describing the good guys and the bad guys in an old western movie. 2. As one who's likely as close to a "liberal" (in the Phil Ochs sense) as this group can muster, I've never felt the least bit threatened or otherwise unwelcome at a mass.
If this becomes a anti war campaign I'm outa hear. Every where All I hear is war this war that, I need a freekin break! CMass gives me that chance.
Uh, lissen here, Mr. Conservative: I, too, am tired of hearing war this and war that. I'm tired of steering clear of the relentless war propaganda that can put a major bummer spin on my day if I let it. I'm tired of the daily barrage of jingoism, lies, lies, bullshit, more lies and more bullshit that have been rather successfully whipping up support for the war. But don't blame me for that. If you're tired of hearing about the war, I suggest you email your concern directly to the Warmonger in Chief. Whatever happens, if the bombing's underway by March 28, I assure you that the Mass won't be the usual carefree bike ride, just as the September 2001 Mass wasn't. There will be much sentiment worn on many sleeves, and if you can't fucking deal with it, then you may want to consider staying home, popping some popcorn turning on the TV, and enjoying watching the war. --- Eric Holeman eholem1 at uic,edu Chicago Illinois USA
Eric H again:On Tue, 18 Mar 2003, Johnny Payphone wrote:
I think CM suffers from having a lefty bent.
Wow. I suppose you were waiting for the Young Republicans to pull something like CM together? (Not that republicans, young and otherwise, aren't perfectly welcome to show up to a mass, but I suspect that the mass will be long underway by the time a Young Republican gets the SUV parked and the bike pulled out.)
Do you think the average cyclist and/or driver who we are trying to recruit
Who's trying to recruit? I'm just going home from work the fastest way I know. But if you'd like to appoint yourself the unofficial Ambassador to Non-Radical, Non-Lefty Potential Massers, then go right ahead. Everyone needs a hobby, I guess.
If we had a mix of political opinion (not just a few martyrs who are afraid to speak)
Uh, martyrs, by definition, wouldn't be afraid to speak or act. I believe the word you were looking for is "wussies"--truly, not a word often associated with those who fancy themselves right of center, but since you seem to feel there's a Silent Majority out there (or at least a Silent Minority) that would gladly ride along with you if only they weren't cowed into silence on the email list, I can't think of a better word. What with rightsters getting tons of airtime, plenty of ink on both papers' op-ed pages, almost half of the popular vote for the presidency, and, at long last, the war that so many of them have dreamed of for so long, I think that any right-wing sympathizer who feels intimidated in these heavily right-leaning times is a 100% certified wuss. Either that or they're suffering from what I call Right-Wing Persecution Complex. If they dream of being haunted by the ghost of Franklin Roosevelt, I strongly suspect the latter.
John S:OK, this is the last thing I want to say about this, and then I will be done with this thread. (I'm bored too.) Protest is an act of communication. An act with the intention of telling those in power your opinion, and persuading others toward your opinion. Sometimes we fall in love with the sound of our own voices. I know, I do it too. We are particularly vulnerable to our autohypnotic charms in passionate debate. And in that loud self-absorption, we lose track of the most important thing: not what we are saying, but *what is being heard.* This is why effective communication is hard: it requires an unnatural focus of attention, not on what is you are saying, but on what is getting heard. I do not advocate "compartmentalizing politics." I think we have to compartmentalize debate, among other things. Otherwise we will be received as a bunch of malcontented cranks, complaining about everything and accomplishing nothing. And that's how a lot of the left looks to most Americans. And that's why we are getting our asses kicked in the media. Communicate effectively, or be irrelevant. Be clear to get heard. Be simple to be clear. Which means, probably one message at a time. Compartmentalization is a necessity. --- Brian Ritzel <ritzel@PRAIRIENET.ORG> wrote:
Edit-- oh well, guess NING can't handle it.
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OK, I dumped most of it into a word document (as I got closer to the event I included more about the ride and less about the war e.g. threads titled "Michael Moore" and such.)
See attached. Rich Text format.
So, Rita Walter planned the route and designed the flyer.
It went past Kathy Kelly's house on Carmen. I don't remember who she was-- someone with a broken leg maybe?
Willow was there (I would have thought it before her time.)
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FYI the document above contains the rest of the discussion (I was only about 1/3 through when I tried to paste it in here.)
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Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on
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Technology time warp... ;)
Tricolor said:No smeared purple mimeograph ink? What kind of zine is this?
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I remember that ride, and the weather was warm - warm enough for open windows. I think it may have been June or July.
Crafty Cycling Chick said:I thought we rode past Eve's place but maybe that was another ride/another injured cyclist.
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Permalink Reply by Mike Zumwalt on
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10 years ago I made a brilliant choice to move to NYC, Manhattan with a car and bike with stars in my eyes and my future bright and then the cost of living...but it reaffirmed my love of biking in the city.
Here's to 10 more.
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