Word: dissenters
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Dates: during 1970-1979
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There is often a disconcerting inexactness about today's rhetoric of dissent. To denounce the Establishment in blanket terms makes little sense in a society composed of several establishments, each with its own ideology and set of mores-many of them surprisingly competitive. "Power to the people" is an admirable democratic slogan-except that, as used presently, what it really seems to mean is power to the leftist radicals who seek to control any revolution in America. It is verbal overkill to describe every mild demurral by whites against the most bluntly radical of black-militant demands as nothing...
Throughout history, dissent has been more effectively expressed by the word than by the weapon. The French Revolution was betrayed by the ruthless masters of the Terror THOMAS PAINE who silenced all opposition with the guillotine. The enduring importance of the revolution lies, rather, in the principles enunciated on its behalf by the philosophers of the Enlightenment, who bequeathed the notion of human equality to the modern world. During its bleakest hours, the American Revolution was resuscitated not so much by brilliant military strategy as by brilliant words-those of Tom Paine in the "times that...
During a period of national turmoil and self-doubt, it is all the more imperative for protesters to put down their rocks and find their voices again. As a commentary on the Kent State tragedy, President Nixon's remark that "when dissent turns to violence it invites tragedy" is callously inadequate. His warning, however, carries the weight of history: in a general unleashing of violence, dissent is the first casualty. Today the nation is in considerable need of healing, as well as elevating, language; often in the past that need has been filled by protesters whose perspective on society...
...believe that the present Soviet leaders, despite their problems with economic shortcomings and political dissent, plan to reinstate Stalin's brutal fist as well as his statues. Official Soviet histories continue to condemn his political "excesses" during the Great Purges of the 1930s. The more likely explanation for his current limited elevation is that the regime's major military figures want to build up their roles in World War II-and they can hardly avoid upgrading their wartime leader in the process...
...imposed on all the East-bloc countries, would apparently obligate those countries to aid Russia in case of a Sino-Soviet war. Some bloc members, noting that past friendship pacts were designed to foil only "aggression" from the West, are reluctant to comply. Rumania has already indicated dissent...