T

HOW (First Draft)
Being only one of many possible scenarios….
by The Ox (in dedication to David Dellinger’s Howie Douglas)

Note: A necessary introduction to this is available upon request. This piece is in process. Members of RATM, for whom this is being created, are the only people I trust to digest the list without an orientation.

“Papi, why do those people say TOSCA is impossible, impractical… idealistic, as if that’s a bad word?” — The author’s nine-year-old son (www.marcelsgeo.blogspot.com)

a. Brad Wilk revives the interest of Bruce Anderson of the Alexander Valley Advertiser.
b. Zack de la Rocha contacts Eva Golinger (”La Novia de Venezuela” as per Hugo Chavez).
c. Tim Commerford emails Howard Zinn, Michael Parenti and Bill Blum, encouraging them to back up their imprimaturs with specific action, as per principles touched upon in Out of the Rain.
d. Howard Zinn agrees to urge specific TOSCA-centered action in his appearances, and encourages others to do the same. Afshin Rattansi features TOSCA on Rattansi & Ridley which broadcasts internationally.
e. Tom Morello sets up an appointment with Mark Rudd.
f. Mark Rudd reaches Ed and Joyce Koupal of the Initiative Process in California.
g. Ed or Joyce connects with the Labor Community Strategy Center in L.A.
h. Someone from LCSC’s Bus Riders Union contacts Rev. Jeremiah Wright and Cynthia Peters.
i. Rev. Jeremiah Wright contacts Ishmael Reed and Devendra Banhart.
j. Ishmael Reed gets Alexander Cockburn to start running “announcements” on Counterpunch.
k. Jefferey St. Clair of CPunch gets Chris Spannos of ZNet to do the same, and makes contact with a number of environmental groups on behalf of TOSCA’s agenda.
l. Derrick Jensen contacts Ward Churchill and a number of animal rights groups, and a number of anti-dam organizations. Two of Derrick’s salmon-loving friends contact The Ox with suggestions.
m. Ward reaches a number of Native American activists with Brenda Norrell’s help.
n. Joshua Frank of CPunch gets together with Canada’s Kim Peterson of Dissident Voice, and the two of them encourage Noam Chomsky (who has been very helpful respecting TOSCA) to nudge Michael Albert to push TOSCA in his appearances. They also get him to encourage Lydia Sargent to spread the word to many feminist and gender-centered groups.
o. Mickey Z begins to encourage specific TOSCA-centered action in his appearances.
p. Lydia Sargent gets Barbara Ehrenreich to honor her labor-centered promises to The Ox, and to get her publisher involved in TOSCA.
q. Tom Morello connects with Steve Earle regarding the anti-death penalty promise of TOSCA.
r. Tim Commerford connects with Green Day.
s. Billy Joe Armstrong gets his wife, Adrienne, to have employees at her sustainable living shop in Oakland, California (The Atomic Garden), spread the word to others in organic clothing and organic food activities to… spread the word.
t. Richard Martin Oxman talks to the entire Green Day contingent respecting why the major non-profits (supposedly) working for meaningful change… should no longer be supported.
u. Dick Roman, working on class issues in Mexico, contacts Dick Russell (who co-wrote Don’t Start the Revolution Without Me! with Jesse Ventura) about addressing border issues immediately, and getting the Hispanic communities in Southern California involved… following a new model for action.
v. Jesse Ventura agrees to provide “insider” advice as we go along.
w. Howard Zinn contacts Arundhati Roy.
x. Arundhati revives the interest of Devinder Sharma.
y. Henry Giroux of Canada revives the interest of UCLA’s Peter McLaren, who, then, generates much interest among colleagues at the Paolo Freire Institute in L.A.
z. Binoy Kampmark spreads the word in Australia.
a1. Binoy revives the interest of Peter Phillips and the entire Project Uncensored crowd at Sonoma State University.
b1. Howard Zinn gets Matt Damon to get off his ass in a meaningful way that doesn’t reinforce the horrid shit perpetuated by the likes of Blackhawk Down; Matt actually apologizes in public about the misrepresentations in Invictus. Seriously, Howard could snap his fingers and, then, all the high profile people like Danny Glover, Bruce Springsteen, Amy Goodman et al. who invested heartbeats in the recent People’s History television event could be on board doing something other than marching and talking in circles, preaching to the voiceless choir. [Forgive, please, if this sounds disrespectful or unappreciative; it is not meant to be so. Ditto for much else here.]
c1. Democracy Now! interviews Mickey Z respecting TOSCA, and agrees to make regular “announcements” regarding our agenda, etc.
d1. Someone from DN! — not Denis Moynihan! — contacts that guy who’s been running that high profile radio show out of Boulder, Colorado forever… who’s a bud of Chomsky’s… who knows EVERYONE!

Jeez, use your imagination! One Love. One action in unprecedented solidarity. One goal which, if realized, would put one and all in a position of historic influence, creating a watershed situation… immediately impacting on our horrid momentum positively. [No, you don't get it yet. I'll have to continue with this list, I guess.]

e1. Juan Gonzalez of DN! contacts David Barsamian to reinforce previous contact.

f1. Richard Martin Oxman attempts contact with everyone who was connected with One Dance: The People’s Summit — which had, arguably, the “biggest” lineup of leftists in the history of Santa Cruz, California — for the purpose of getting them to contact ten colleagues/friends each on behalf of TOSCA.

g1. Artist Jerry Fresia (Lake Como, Italy) contacts Matt Gonzalez to see if they can reconcile differences… for the purpose of moving in solidarity respecting people in the San Francisco “arts community.”

h1. A student at the San Francisco Art Institute contacts a student associated with the Paolo Freire Institute, and they both put pressure on student groups ensconced in the UC system to organize along new lines.

i1. Wallace J. Nichols contacts many marine biologists and oceanographers, and other ocean-concerned citizens, reviving the interest of Michael Stocker.

j1. Steve Earle firms up plans for action with every major anti-death penalty group in the country except the one headed by M*A*S*H’s Mike Farrell.

k1. Ron Jacobs writes a TOSCA-centered article.

l1. Dave Lindorff does the same. And asks the Playing for Change people to encourage Mumia to begin delineating the positive aspects of TOSCA in his addresses to the public. Noelle Hanrahan agrees to spread the word to supporters, once she understands “the potential” TOSCA holds for political prisoners… what a “threat” TOSCA is for the entire Prison Industrial Complex.

m1. Greg Moses interviews Glen Ford about TOSCA (after Cynthia McKinney revives Glen’s interest).

n1. David Yearsley writes some TOSCA-centered lyrics, and spreads them around Cornell University (and submits an article on all that to Counterpunch).

o1. Cindy Sheehan puts together a group of twelve unaffiliated, non-politician citizens — a list (recommendations) — for the consideration of one an all… and submits the tentative list to Counterpunch for posting.

p1. Code Pink, following pressure applied by The Ox, makes a public apology for having supported the U.S. military in the past, and leaders of that group, including Jodie Evans (who cuts down on her busy schedule long enough to do something fresh), urges all followers to consider TOSCA’s agenda.

q1. Danny Weil gets Ronnie Cummins to motivate all the celebrities who say they’re interested in supporting things organic, including _________________________________________.

r1. Danny does an article on TOSCA.

s1. Danny begins to mention TOSCA in all his public appearances.

t1. Anthony DiMaggio writes a TOSCA-centered piece. Dave Zirin gets a major sports figure involved.

u1. Doug Deitch gives a speech about how toxic the groundwater is in Santa Cruz County and/or how potable water is fast disappearing, explaining how TOSCA could address those issues.

v1. Jesse Ventura offers to help libertarians understand why it’s in their best interests to support TOSCA, even though there’s a huge difference between our take on capitalism and theirs.

w1. Dick Russell talks to his publisher about the possibility of writing a book on TOSCA.

x1. David Yearsley comes up with an interesting link between Puccini’s opera and our TOSCA, submitting a piece for posting to Counterpunch and a hundred other alternative sites.

y1. Mickey Z puts together a comedy routine based on the idiocies of the so-called Left, part of what TOSCA hopes to address. Keb’ Mo’ joins Mickey on stage… providing the public with a new take on the U.S. Census… and how TOSCA could improve it, and — simultaneously — bring the NAACP out of the doldrums.

z1. Woody Harrelson contacts David Byrne who contacts Joan Baez, Angelique Kidjo (and a number of women performers listed at http://www.respondinc.org/respondproject/respond.html) who contact Ramzy Baroud, reviving his interest. Even Ani DiFranco comes on board once Jennifer Loewenstein explains why she needs to let go of Obama.

a2. Eric Walberg writes an article about TOSCA in Al Ahram.

b2. Psychologist Bruce E. Levine contacts many colleagues about how TOSCA will be able to address the issue of torture in a new way, contribute to eliminating it altogether.

c2. Bruce (The Boss), understanding why we’re going to have to probably proceed without Bono or Bill Gates or any of the money people appealed to in Ralph Nader’s recent work of fiction, apologizes about his former association with Walmart, and jumps on board… reaching out to John Fogerty, asking for him to do what he can to make “the thrust” of his “Don’t You Wish It Were True” a reality; he underscores that TOSCA was greatly inspired by the ditty.

d2. David Byrne encourages Sting to contact the permanently marginalized “third parties” in California, including the well-intentioned Peace and Freedom Party and the well-connected Green Party, to come together in solidarity for the upcoming gubernatorial electoral contest… so that the TOSCA agenda — which will benefit their collective agendas enormously — can be realized.

e2. Zack de la Rocha and Tom Morello help Byrne and/or Sting and/or Tim Robbins and/or Matt Damon and/or Sean Penn and/or ANYONE who has the presence of mind to listen that something must be organized as TOSCA makes progress… to address the fact that even if TOSCA wins the upcoming election… its (working figurehead) candidates won’t be allowed to take office. Details on this upon request.

f2. Tim of RATM asks Susan Sarandon to give a public reading with Eddie Vedder or someone well-known and magical on acoustic guitar… followed by blah blah with Tom Waits, Metallica members, Jim Jarmusch (and others who Matt Damon has asked to appear). Amy Goodman’s people record the whole shebang, and use the tape to introduce Mickey Z for his second TOSCA-centered appearance on DNow!

g2. Michael Albert finally comes on board full force with Chris Spannos. This is followed by unqualified endorsements by other friends of Noam Chomsky and more high profile figures worldwide than you could shake a toxic stick at. There is a huge debate on ZNet regarding whether or not TOSCA is a good vehicle for PARECON.

h2. Afshin Rattansi urges other commentators to conduct interviews.

i2. Michael Parenti encourages Christian Parenti to write a TOSCA-centered piece.

j2. Stephen Martin revives the interest of Stephen Lendman.

k2. Missy Beattie gets Melissa Checker on board.

l2. Ishmael Reed gets Angela Davis to join Mike Davis as two of the twelve citizen members of the TOSCA gubernatorial ticket.

m2. The New York Times picks up on the “involvement” of Angela Davis and Mike Davis.

n2. People Magazine does a story on “The New Matt Damon” in which they question him about his “new radical politics” which go “perhaps, too far.”

o2. MIckey Z is invited on to some FOX TV show to debate the merits of TOSCA.

p2. L.A. lefty Frank Dorrell comes out publicly against TOSCA, helping us to recruit additional activists.

q2. Amy Goodman reaches Bill McKibben personally to get him into the TOSCA loop.

r2. Angela Davis and Mike Davis and others now on “the ticket” delineate parameters for Michael Moore, letting him know that TOSCA is not interested in being documented by him if he’s going to perpetuate myths he’s pushed in supporting Obama, Wesley Clark et al. in the past.

s2. Elliot Spitzer of New York offers his support.

t2. Hugo Chavez and Evo Morales jump into the ring, provoking all kinds of huge controversy about foreigners influencing U.S. politics. That debate brings ups lots of useful material for public self-education about our history.

u2. U2 does a 180 degree about face and comes on board on TOSCA terms. [I guess anything is possible.]

v2. Artist Jerry Fresia says that he’s “out” if U2 is in. Time passes, and everyone makes nice.

w2. Paul Street writes a great article on TOSCA.

x2. SEIU and U.S. Labor Against (the) War go into TOSCA-centered meetings.

y2. Save the Waves Coalition comes on board.

z2. Nuclear Age Peace Foundation posts a piece delineating how non-profit groups can get around the legal restrictions against electoral activity… and support TOSCA.

a3. Detroit’s Boggs Center comes on board.

b3. Michael Leonardi, based in Italy, gets environmental groups abroad to come on board.

c3. Zach de la Rocha contacts Rainforest Action Network.

d3. ANSWER comes on board on a limited basis, but generate much publicity for TOSCA.

e3. Elin O’Hara Slavick, artist, joins hands in solidarity.

f3. The Institute for Palestine Studies comes on board.

g3. Stephen Zunes asks if he can be one of our twelve gubernatorial members; we respectfully decline his offer to serve in that capacity.

h3. Members of Haymarket Books and The New Press, Verso, AK Press and others in the field come to special publication agreements with TOSCA members.

i3. Marian Wright of Childrens Defense writes an article (with Staughton Lynd) on behalf of TOSCA, following parameters (for non-profits) recommended by the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation (See above). She underscores how the government manages to control the population’s dissent by supporting non-profits.

j3. Jackson Browne and Bonnie Raitt co-author a TOSCA-centered song. Cynthia Peters posts a helpful article which causes local labor in Boston to take part in a non-violent sit-in.

k3. Nick Hornby, discussing the link between autism and vaccinations, writes an essay in support of TOSCA’s intentions.

l3. ILWU discusses TOSCA.

m3. Bob Moses of the Algebra Project agrees to be a member of our twelve-person gubernatorial group.

n3. Rose Aguilar interviews MIckey Z on radio.

o3. The Organic Farming Research Foundation makes inquiries about how they can help.

p3. James Hillman and Dahr Jamail appear together at a Vets anti-recruitment rally, making an appeal on behalf of TOSCA.

q3. Danny Schechter interviews Mickey Z.

r3. Chellis Glendinning writes a favorable article.

s3. Bill McKibben, not having responded to TOSCA’s missives for a year, gets very proactive for us… recruiting George Monbiot of the UK and others, following the clear failure of Copenhagen.

t3. Corbin Bleu, in a shock of a move, leaves Disney, seriously endangering his career prospects by enthusiastically endorses TOSCA.

u3. Ali Abunimah and just about everyone who endorsed the Gaza Freedom March — which, like so many other well-intentioned efforts, came and went — agrees to move in solidarity with us. That includes Noam Chomsky.

v3. Cynthia Peters finally returns my calls, and says she’ll think about joining hands with us.

w3. The Brown Berets of Watsonville, CA provide their imprimatur.

x3. John Trumpbour, of the Labor and Worklife Program at Harvard Law School follows through on his promise to move in solidarity, recruiting many others for the TOSCA cause.

y3. Members of The California India Radio Project and Fix the World People ask what they can do.

z3. City Council Members from Arcata, California ask what they can do.

a4. Daniel Ellsberg’s wife, Patricia, joins hands in solidarity.

b4. Dr. Perlita Dicochea calls, saying that she and her academic colleagues will now seriously consider TOSCA.

c4. Ice Cube’s people make tentative overtures of interest.

d4. Jennifer Matsui writes an article about TOSCA, using a TOSCA-centered piece by Jeremy Scahill as a point of departure.

e4. Mickey Z gets a number of online sites to carry regular announcements about TOSCA.

f4. Members of International Rivers contact us.

g4. Jamie Oliver, Gordon Ramsey and Nell Newman appear on both Jimmy Kimmel’s show and Graham Norton’s show touting the gastromonic advantages of TOSCA.

h4. L. Russell Brown, a musical buddy going back for over more than five decades (and co-writer of “Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree” ), finally agrees to come on board with TOSCA.

i4. The Ghost of Paul Robeson, haunting me since 1949 as per http://oxtogrind.org/archive/378, agrees to support us until the very end, above and beyond when push comes to shove… citing our mutual obligation.

Use your imagination, please. If we run through something like the above and multiply it by the vast numbers I have in my back pocket (from recent contacts/attempted contacts), we end up with our watershed in history: twelve unaffiliated, non-politician citizens serving together as Governor of California, each and every one with heart and mind and soul in a healthy place.

Running out of heartbeats,
Ricardo
One Love

With reference to E.E. Cummings’ “Anyone Lived in a Little How Town,” …it is true that Cummings’ perverse ways with grammar permit one to interpret “pretty how” as “how pretty,” but another reading is possible. Suppose “pretty” is construed as an adverb, and read as “rather,” modifying the adjective “how.” Such a construction would drastically change the tone of the line, its implications for the whole poem, and the interpreter’s entire pattern of strategies in reading. This reading has the advantage of referring to the town’s universally noted involvement in the sheer routines of living. Thus, in much the same way that one would describe a town preoccupied with the oil industry as an “oil town” or another which derives its principal mode of life from livestock as a “cattle town,” a “how town” would be a town in which the principal preoccupation is the asking of the mechanical question, “How?” in the sense now applied by engineers: “know-how.”