Suggestions for the NVSA: The NVSA should take heart and work to expand its roster. The way will open.  The unprecedented unanimous decision

• The NVSA should take heart and work to expand its roster. The way will open.  The unprecedented unanimous decision in Bali to move forward on global warming gives us hope that common sense will prevail.  (To be sure, the 20-40% "deep cuts" in green house gases being envisioned look to be too little, too late, but at least there is world-wide agreement now that serious action is needed.)
   
• Nonviolent direct action is most appropriate where all other means have failed and where there is a mass movement to back up the action.  All other means have failed in a number of important areas, including illegal aggressive war, nuclear arms, torture and the growing disparity of wealth.  However, the mass movement, while building, has not yet surfaced.  Therefore the NVSA should concentrate on organizing work, with direct action being undertaken chiefly for training purposes.  Timing is important. 
   
• Today's major issues have a large global component.  When the time comes, the NVSA needs to be ready with a globally coordinated response. 
   
• Locally in the U.S., let us continue to support Code Pink actions.  Join the Code Pink war tax protest to be invoked when 100,000 people have signed up.  
   
• The NVSA needs to think and plan how to minimize casualties.  A nonviolent movement has to accept the suffering when violence is used against it, but we needn't be martyrs about it!