Grab a Bike, Start a Revolution (537 hits)
Category: PoliticsRating: -0.14 on 22 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by Steven Durel (View user info) at 2006-06-07 12:29:59 EDT
Over the course of the past few decades, environmental activists and other concerned citizens have been directly opposing the government-funded oil industry by way of independent bipedal locomotion. This past May, millions celebrated Bike-to-Work Week and, as part of the occurrence, a group called Elm City Cycling led people across this state to their jobs in New Haven. Later this month, an event called Critical Mass will be taking place in which people around the globe bike together, thrusting the earth's rotation forwards. Transforming themselves into something of modern-day Thoreaus, these self-reliant collectivists commit themselves to actual action, be it practical or symbolic, in an earnest attempt to help mold a better world for human progeny.
Bikes Against Big Oil, another group of cycling dissidents based here in Connecticut, departed New York City on the first of June to begin a bicycle trip across the continent powered only by their inner determination and outward physical strength. The League of American Bicyclists is proudly endorsing the group's astonishing project, along with infamous underground publisher AK Press, the web site BikeFem.net, and many other local progressive circles. Embarking on this "Car-Free Summer," those taking part are at this moment traversing everything from metropolitan megalopolises to open plains, towering mountains and desolate wastelands, their legs propelling them the whole way like a Lewis and Clark expedition for the New American Century. With enough determination and luck, they hope to make it to the Pacific coastline in Portland, Oregon within a few weeks.
Throughout this lengthy seventeen-state voyage, the bike warriors will be openly speaking with Americans of every type and background about global energy policies, environmentalism and the general condition of social affairs. Like Yankee Zapatista rebels, this squadron of activists will be notifying the locals who they meet along the way that driving cars only helps further empower an elite class that plunders the globe in an ironic attempt to have it dominated. Indeed, those involved with the protest are not ashamed of their distrust for both the petroleum industry and its vanguard politicians. Right on the toolbar of BikeWarriors.org, these activists proudly declare: BOYCOT BIG OIL - DEMAND SUPPORT FOR ALTERNATIVE MASS TRANSPORTATION. Believing that true progress can only come from the bottom upwards, these dissidents are very proud to non-violently launch an assault against all forms of hegemony.
"The relationship between the energy industry and the government could be described as incestuous at best," Paul Comeau, a founder of Bikes Against Big Oil, explained with disgust. "We need no further proof than the situations in Iraq and Afghanistan to see that when business and government interests become too closely intertwined, the poor and working class people suffer while government officials and corporate executives profit."
Despite being cynical of market and state, Paul nevertheless affirms, "Working both individually and collectively is the most effective way to change the society around us to reflect our ideals of a progressive community free of all social injustices." Envisioning a population unmoved by the authority flags and solitary persons unimpressed by the influence dollars, these activists are peacefully taking up arms against two hierarchical institutions that seem to only present contrived illusions of acceptability.
Accordingly, Paul does not expect much when he hears corporate slogans promising advancement or the words of President Bush proclaiming some contrived nationalist pursuit for alternative forms of energy. Cameau asserts that "most cause-related marketing campaigns are merely attempts to maintain an air of social responsibility in the eye of the general public, without actual effort toward modifying existing business practices. GE's creation of toxic Superfund sites, while at the same time maintaining a campaign promoting 'going Green' is but one of many examples of such marketing campaigns in action."
In the end, however, the real purpose of Bikes Against Big Oil goes beyond simply chastising the forces of old and evil. Like all similar forms of protest, the purpose of this bike trip is to ignite a shared hope for genuine positive change—truly revolutionary progress. As Paul has noted, "Ideally, by wiping out the root causes of our dependence on oil—suburbanism and suburban sprawl—we would seek to develop environmentally sustainable communities where cars are both impractical and unnecessary. It is not so much about prosecuting the big oil companies for their crimes as it is abut building alternatives to their system of profits and environmental exploitation."
User Reviews
Submitted by pastacheese (user info) at 2006-06-08 07:18:18 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
It felt like it kind of lacked a purpose, but it was well written.
Not that I ride a bike to work...
Submitted by thorpe (user info) at 2006-06-07 23:21:59 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Wow.
Submitted by Genko (user info) at 2006-06-07 18:23:31 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
You're a pretentious goddamn idiot.
Submitted by ConorJS (user info) at 2006-06-07 18:17:19 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Bikes are b.a.
I've pretty much stopped driving now that the warm season is upon us.
I like the weather, the excercise is good for me, and I'm poor.
Submitted by Wiggles (user info) at 2006-06-07 18:04:52 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
what's up dick tickle
Submitted by BananaPhone (user info) at 2006-06-07 15:50:53 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
Grab A Unicycle, Start A Real Revolution!
That is how I roll. Stupid people still have their training wheel on...
Submitted by JonnyX (user info) at 2006-06-07 15:38:36 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
I totally agree with these bike guys, if they're all on bikes, that means there's more gas to top off my Escalade...
Submitted by darko (user info) at 2006-06-07 15:28:46 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Bring back College Guy
Submitted by The_taste_of_Monkeys (user info) at 2006-06-07 14:12:14 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
I went on a bike ride against SMALL oil once but a bunch of italians beat me up for pickiting their olive plantation
Submitted by scourge (user info) at 2006-06-07 13:47:02 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
I tried to read this, I just couldn't get through it.
My attention span has gone to shit.
I bike to work maybe 70% of the time, so have a 1 for the health propaganda.
Submitted by Orgasmatron (user info) at 2006-06-07 13:40:36 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Over the course of the past few decades, environmental activists and other concerned citizens have been directly opposing the government-funded oil industry by way of independent bipedal locomotion.
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Your opening statement includes at least eight words that are guaranteed to make me not continue reading. This was over before it began.
Submitted by WildcatMcGee (user info) at 2006-06-07 13:29:48 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
I didn't know ETS was an STD. Apparently you've got a slight case of the ETS. Funny how they're both 3 letters. Coincidence? I think not.
Submitted by sicosemen (user info) at 2006-06-07 13:25:50 EDT (#)
Ranking: -1
Well, this didn't work out quite as well as you planned it.
Submitted by Axolotl (user info) at 2006-06-07 13:09:49 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
-2die
Submitted by retrospect (user info) at 2006-06-07 13:07:04 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
i didnt read this but i am slowly phasing out driving. i walk to the train for work and everything else is in walking distance. i drive to my part time job but i'm thinking about getting a part timer thats a short walk away from my pad. is that what this was about?
Submitted by wookie (user info) at 2006-06-07 12:58:51 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by EchoBoxing (user info) at 2006-06-07 12:51:44 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
I didn't feel like reading it. Have this -2 on the hunch that it sucks.
Submitted by ubetidid (user info) at 2006-06-07 12:42:13 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by dove666 (user info) at 2006-06-07 12:42:02 EDT (#)
Ranking: -1
I'll bet every one of these obviously unemployed BABO folks either urinates or defecates on the roadside at least 30 times.
Submitted by EAZEDZT (user info) at 2006-06-07 12:40:51 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
The difference between this and a waste of time is.....
time
Submitted by Shlongy (user info) at 2006-06-07 12:38:52 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
Lick my sphincter
Submitted by professorfuckface (user info) at 2006-06-07 12:32:25 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
TOUCH MY PENOS