Political rally

[Brother D]

Dudes, I'm feeling a bit stuck and am in need of dudely advice. I am taking my eldest daughters to a political rally at the weekend (Jeremy Corbin, Labour), and though I support the guy, I want to do it in a dudeist fashion.

However, I don't want to embarrass them with a sign or placard with some slogan on it, or shouting out something that might make them cower in shame.

I am proud of them for standing up for their beliefs and hope to be there to support them and feel that I should keep my opinion to myself to save them from thinking that their old man is an ass, despite being there for the same reason.

The weird thing is, they find it funny when they see others doing the same thing. It's not like I'm gonna go dressed in my robe, smoking a joint and heckle from the crowd.

Lil help dudes?????

[Dudeist Monk]

I'd say just sit in a relaxed fashion, wear sunglasses, sagely nod every so often and, when someone says something you like in a speech, mumble "Far out, man.".

[Brother D]

Should've clarified; I don't want them to be embarrassed by my holding up of signs or placards. ( In a "we're not with him" kinda way).

[BikerDude]

I don't find anything wrong with a placard or any other form of free speech.
Personally I think the best lesson you could teach your children to value the freedoms of assembly and free speech. I'd be a bit concerned that they find such activities funny.
I do not believe it is in any way un-dude to participate in politics.
In fact I think knowing what we do about the dude character he was very involved. He spent most of his time in college occupying various administration buildings and he was one of the authors of the port Huron statement.
He was/is a hippie. Nothing could be more dude than political involvement and even protest
IMO you should teach your children to be involved.

[RandoRock]

I second what BikerDude says, there is nothing undude about participating in politics as long as your are not out there looting, haha.

[RandoRock]

Also I need to add when it comes to political activism blocking the road is pretty undude. I'm all for freedom of speech and I love that I live in a place where people not only can get involved but chose to as well, that being said I live near a college and there have been several times where they have blocked the roads to protest something. I don't know about you guys but I think that when you start interfering with peoples lives to a point where you could start to effect their job or anything else they need to do then you are acting undude. I figure that's probably not on your specific agenda but I needed to vent about it, haha.

[BikerDude]

Also I need to add when it comes to political activism blocking the road is pretty undude. I'm all for freedom of speech and I love that I live in a place where people not only can get involved but chose to as well, that being said I live near a college and there have been several times where they have blocked the roads to protest something. I don't know about you guys but I think that when you start interfering with peoples lives to a point where you could start to effect their job or anything else they need to do then you are acting undude. I figure that's probably not on your specific agenda but I needed to vent about it, haha.

Well again if being dude is being like "the dude" then I'd have say it is totally dude to draw a line in the sand and occupy various administration buildings.
Again the dudes views on these thing follow pretty closely with the hippie mindset. Best articulated by the free speech movements Mario Savio in his now classic anti war speech

There's a time when the operation of the machine becomes so odious — makes you so sick at heart — that you can't take part. You can't even passively take part. And you've got to put your bodies upon the gears and upon the wheels, upon the levers, upon all the apparatus, and you've got to make it stop. And you've got to indicate to the people who run it, to the people who own it, that unless you're free, the machine will be prevented from working at all.[6]

It's one of the very few really great anti war speeches from the 60's.
The free speech movement giving rise to the SDS (students for a democratic society) who's manifesto was in fact the Port Huron Statement.
Show your kids his speech

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PhFvZRT7Ds0

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hlYk-WoBEEg

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Vkiyn8JPMhs

Of course this sort of thing can be misapplied and that is very funny

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Sx8ioN5rqQY

[Brother D]

Far out, man, that's some inspired shit right there.

On this occasion, we're going to hear what the dude has to say and show support, not to stand against unchecked aggression. (Maybe in a passive aggressive kinda way).

Thankee for the advice dudes.

Will report from the front in a day or so.

[RandoRock]

Also I need to add when it comes to political activism blocking the road is pretty undude. I'm all for freedom of speech and I love that I live in a place where people not only can get involved but chose to as well, that being said I live near a college and there have been several times where they have blocked the roads to protest something. I don't know about you guys but I think that when you start interfering with peoples lives to a point where you could start to effect their job or anything else they need to do then you are acting undude. I figure that's probably not on your specific agenda but I needed to vent about it, haha.

Well again if being dude is being like "the dude" then I'd have say it is totally dude to draw a line in the sand and occupy various administration buildings.
Again the dudes views on these thing follow pretty closely with the hippie mindset. Best articulated by the free speech movements Mario Savio in his now classic anti war speech

There's a time when the operation of the machine becomes so odious — makes you so sick at heart — that you can't take part. You can't even passively take part. And you've got to put your bodies upon the gears and upon the wheels, upon the levers, upon all the apparatus, and you've got to make it stop. And you've got to indicate to the people who run it, to the people who own it, that unless you're free, the machine will be prevented from working at all.[6]

I get drawing a line in the sand but I don't think that any lines drawn should negatively impact people that don't have anything to do with what the protest is about. Blocking a busy road isn't really doing anything but causing problems for people just trying to get through the day. Protests should be directed at those who are being protested. Just like my opinion, man.

[Brother D]

Well dudes, we went and I must say, for my first political rally, it was a good experience. Kinda like going to a gig but with people speaking instead of bands, even down to the standing around, cheering, applause and excitement.

I am also super proud and humbled to stand with my girls in support of their beliefs and views.

This Dad abides.

[Rev. Trisha]

Glad you enjoyed the experience. political rallies can be great fun if one goes in the right frame of mind.

My own experience though has always been positive. But then not being too uptight about others having their opinions makes for me getting along with most. Though that may be put to the test this week when we (local constituency party) vote to nominate either Jeremy or Owen. I may need to get a White Russian or two ready for when I get back home. I am firmly behind Jeremy in this, in case you were wondering.

[jgiffin]

Attending, listening, participating, and/or speaking at political rallies? All very cool and dudely enough.

Hijacking the event by preventing others from participating (particularly those billed as its primary speakers)? Well, dudes, that way lies fascism.

[Rev. Trisha]

Attending, listening, participating, and/or speaking at political rallies? All very cool and dudely enough.

cool enough unless you are speaking and that can be terrifying at times. 

Hijacking the event by preventing others from participating (particularly those billed as its primary speakers)? Well, dudes, that way lies fascism.

That's the truth right enough.