Pirates from everywhere

[Ben]

Yeah! Its awesome to have pirates joining from around the country.
When we started, (or at least when I got involved) we didn't really think about having members fromoutside of the Boston area. Looking at the website, I don't think it ever even says that we're a Boston based group, but we also haven't considered anyway for people from out of town to really participate in any actions. I guess I feel like participating in the group is exclusive for people in Boston, which seems increasingly wierd, considering the fact that almost all of the new people on the forum are from other places.
So here's what I'm thinking:
What if Pirates Against Bush could maintain a website and forum. Those of us in Boston could be sortof a local Pirates Againt Bush chapter, and other people from other cities could start their own chapters and plan their own actions there. After all, the kind of stuff we've been doing has mostly been banner drops and flyering, which tends to be more effective when done by lots of small groups.
And maybe say that the requirements to use the PAB name would be to make all of your actions non-violent and legal, and to be open to assorted political beliefs. (obviously all opposing bush. duh.)

so what do people think. i know it's probably too close to the elections for people to start forming a serious group, but I feel like it's at least worth giving people from other places the chance to participate.

[TheSquashbuckler]

i am very down with that. starting a group is especially good is people aren't already in a group with similar goals and ideas as ours. there is not Boston group doing this stuff that I want to do, that's why I'm so into Pirates. I would also say that people shouldn't feel like they need to dress up to be a pirate so long as their actions are in a pirate spirit (and as Ben said, nonviolent and legal). I especially encourage people to take the pirates part local if they live in a liberal community, as independents often wont be enticed by us running around dressed up. on the other side i would suggest people in more conservative areas to focus more on more reserved actions, because the goal isn't just to have fun and express ourselves, but also to make an impact.
Please create local groups, related to Pirates or not. borrow ideas from us that you like, and learn from things you don't. I strongly believe that community organizing is the most important thing we can do as activists. Starting a group can be really hard, but it is so much easier than I expected. I'll be glad to answer questions about getting groups off the ground for anybody, from talking to the media, organizing with other groups, good distribution tactics, etc.

[Pirate Phoebe]

I dig this idea yo.
It would be a biznatch if we kept the Pirates Agizzle Bizzle to ourselves in da hood (Boston).
But it's important to consider what might happen if someone decided to use the Pirates Agizzle Bizzle name in a way that doesn't have anythizzle to dizzle with us.
ARRRG MATEY WE SHOULD MAKE THE BAD PIRIZZLES WALK THE PLIZZLE!
Love,
Phoebe

[CaptainLauraD]

A Pirate-y Valentine...

After "founding" (the actual way PAB came about was mainly a silly idea, some dedicated friends, a few eyepatches and some anger) this group I NEVER EVER in a million years realized it would reach this amount of people or news coverage. I have had activist friends who have been in the community for decades tell me that they have been trying for years to get their message out, as we have done and they are amazed at how far our message has spread...Pretty inspiring eh? A couple teenage activists from Boston in pirate hats becoming national news?
As founder I never started this group with the idea of being it's "leader," more of a mother figure . I (and we i'm sure) am so excited that those of you from around the states are interested in us and I don't think I can say it better than Eric. As a group most of us happen to be in Boston but if you want to do (non-violent, or legal) actions in your hometowns GO FOR IT MATEYS! Take our ideas, use them, change them, or better yet, create your own! I put PAB out there to foster not only action but discussion, education and inspiration as well.

For those of you drawing a blank on how/when/where to organize Halloween is coming up, not only another excuse to dress up and eat free candy but also a time when many people are out on the streets. Do direct actions, preformance art, or just flyer...And if any of you end up organizing things, send us an update on how it went and pictures! We'll post them on the site (even if they're not in PABs name!).

Love and cutlasses,
Laura