Thursday, January 5, 2012
From 12/14
Some flight of thought. It would appear to me that with all the various cities seemingly having an active occupy movement, this movement has developed on the local levels and as the old(60') radical leadership said it must begin(supposing any social movement). Therefore, doing as David Dellinger, Renee Davis, Abbie Hoffman,Jerry Rubin, Bobby Seal 'Black Panthers' did, u go national and Mobilize by communicating all local movement leadership social network and set a scheduled meeting/conference, whatever at some location-time and discuss just where it goes from here. National/Nationwide action must be mobilized and put forth so as to appear hundred thousands strong at Dem/Rep conventions and a major action this May Day. This is shot in the arm and tactical,moral boost needed. A wonderful rich history of how to organize can be found: David Farber, "Chicago 68",l988; University of Chicago Press. An awesome history of "National Mobilization T end the War in Vietnam (Mobe) was created,formed, organized and the joining of most or all of Amer. activist movements came together under such an organizational umbrella. All the players, Tom Hayden(SDS), Abbie Hoffman/Jerry Rubin "Yippie" party, Socialist Workers Party and virtually every college campus chapter of every bent are in this historian book. These local (City/State) groups must communicate and hold serious discussion on such a possibility. Just Sayin! Remember, those who fail to remember the past are condemned to repeat it.
Ideas on Portland's "Port Closure"
I did learn a lot at the Port closure day . For example, there were aprox 8-10 black clad ninja warrior types who attempted to erect a barricade out of railroad ties,garbage barrels and storm fence that they somehow managed to snatch from behind a closed port area and were resisted by a lone girl and after others came to her aid when ninjas got physical with her when she began tearing down their barricade the barricade was dismantled thus averting police intervention. While eating donated pizzas and donuts i talked to 4 of the masked ninjas (the oldest being 26) and they were all from the Spokane,Tacoma and N.Idaho area and not surprisingly were right-wing young daughters and sons of right-wing militia parents from the above State areas. Despite some demon insisting they de-mask to reveal themselves they simply vanished and appeared no more. Their agenda was obvious, to invoke,cause police confrontation knowing that a barricade would cause such police action. Failing in their efforts they simply went away as they could have no fun if police didn't crack the unsuspecting nonviolent demonstrator's skulls. I have been watching these types and clearly are intent on initiating violence and after their efforts they retreat either out of sight or to the far rear of the demonstrator crowd. The other grp i spoke to carrying ominous white n black banners bearing a black snake were from the Socialist Workers Party - a grp i had supported and was affiliated with at our events at Kent State. They were more talkative whereas the ninjas were rather tight lipped and would not reveal their faces or identities so that spoke pages of info with me. Also, the turnout with exception of the park occupation has been very small and i believe this is do to the most part from lack of formal organization by whoever the 'movement' coordinators are or may be. Every time the media does an interview at these events they are always talking to a different person who asserts they are or are not a leader, organizer, or coordinator so we have a random number of so called movement spokespersons at every event espousing different rhetoric. Thus the absolute need for a concrete leadership and organization within this movement to at least establish some kind of consistency as the media keeps taking jabs at them for the lack of clearly stated demands and purpose as with having no organized effort. If this thing is to move forward with any impact and force these matters must be addressed within whoever the group putting on these events may be and coordinate not only action but things like a permanent legal assistance wing, a medical assistance wing to provide medical assistance at every event, etc. It just behooves me as to why this has not developed after this long. I don't understand the thinking or lack of thinking on the part of today's youth who are out there but not accomplishing anything. Their numbers aren't even significant enuff to put together an effective picket line let alone a direct action strategy, game plan or tactics. This is NOT for posting. All day Monday i tried to speak with whoever may have been in charge but at every "mic check' or "general assembly" call there was always a different person leading. Where is the central command and control group ?? How do you inject yourself into the politics of this movement when there clearly is no leadership or organizational structure other than the "general assembly" chit chats to talk with and field ideas ? As i say, i am simply an objective observer and there for anyone who needs medical attention which is about all i can do under the circumstances of a incoherent, disorganized movement. A "movement" generally connotes some kind of organizational structure with guiding leadership of some sort but not this one so it simply looks random nonsense and kids with nothing else to do but come and have some fun and play.
D-6
D-6
Varieties of Protesters and Protest:
In order to make any sense of the great variety of tactics as witnessed within the present movement, one must keep in mind a primary distinction between two broad groupings of protesters: those for whom tactics are chiefly a moral question and those who see tactics chiefly as means to political ends. Nearly all, or 99% of pacifists fall into the first category. For them, the ethical posture of nonviolence is no less important than the cause for which they may be agitating. Believing in a govt of law, they insist on making themselves liable to the law's penalties; they hope to persuade others by the example of their sacrifice. Most non-pacifist, in contrast, are more interested in impeding the systems that be than in achieving a "correct" moral posture, and they are not bothered-or not so deeply bothered-by the idea of tactics which "hurt the enemy" while enabling the protester to avoid arrest. This is not to say that this group's tactics actually are more politically effective than the pacifists; that is a matter of continual debate within the movement (at least in Pdx). the point is that in assessing the movement's tactical evolution we must recognize the influence of a serious philosophical (if not ideological) disagreement which prevents that evolution from being simple or wholly explainable in pragmatic terms.
Assuming, however, for purpose of argument that both sides could agree on a unified or superior effectiveness of one approach or the other, it is still unlikely that the two grps would have coalesced. Radical militants are as averse to the posture of meekly courting arrest as the pacifists are to hit-and-run vandalism. Both parties, therefore, appear to be inhibited by choice of lifestyle from adopting a certain range of tactics and their means of protest are always bound to diverge.
The only tactics that both grps have agree on are mass rallies, a few peaceful marches but not ballot initiatives, no effective picketing, boycotts, sit-ins on any level let alone develop articulated statement as to exactly what their movement's demands of govt are, soliciting support of unions, church and community organizing projects. Perhaps recognizing this, movement coordinators (since they deny existence of any "organizers") have increasingly turned to unstructured demonstrations with "General Assembly's" which have never resulted in any sort of consensus on plan of action in which ideological lines are not insisted upon and protesters are free to take the sort of action that suits them individually. The movement as a whole has been singularly relaxed in this respect, drifting with events instead of following a fixed timetable, agenda and strategy of action, placing more reliance on a developing consensus feeling than on the adoption a direct political line and articulated demands. There have been constant quarrels and tensions, but they can be called minor in consideration of the vast differences that would appear within the movement if it ever had to set forth its positive vision of the good life. Perhaps for these reasons is why the movement appears to be going nowhere. The adage "United We Stand,Divided We Fall" sure comes to mind.
There can be no simple equation of militancy and violence or of pacifism and nonviolence. The truth is that neither wing/faction of this movement has been violent in comparison with comparable movements in our past and in other countries for sure. Surprisingly, the tactics of obstruction,disruption have been most richly explored by the pacifists, whose record of personal and small grp confrontation with police and military extends back into the days of Pacific nuclear testing, before Vietnam War was an issue.
The attention of public authorities is nevertheless concentrated on the non-pacifist militants and understandably so, for they are the ones who are not prevented by ethical scruples from passing into a more "revolutionary" phase. They arouse interest more for what they might later decide to do than for anything that has happened yet. Within this grouping there has certainly been a development-haphazard and halting and always subject to reconsideration-toward confrontation. Today the movement is still not wedded to confrontation as a favorite style of action, but the number of protesters who find it philosophically acceptable and politically meaningful appears to be increasing.
The reason for this trend appears plain. The movement at its best has only succeeded in producing negative effects which include public backlash and additional economic strain on their already strained community/municipal financial resources as well as workers lost wages due to disruption. Until govt acts to remedy whatever the protesters demands (as yet to be articulated and publicly stated), the more moderate element within the movement may find itself increasingly out of touch with the small minority who actually seek violence and can claim that milder tactics have proved unsuccessful. As in the "Black Liberation" movement, time may be running out for those who counsel prolonged patience, trust and nonviolence.````````````
Varieties of Protesters and Protest:
In order to make any sense of the great variety of tactics as witnessed within the present movement, one must keep in mind a primary distinction between two broad groupings of protesters: those for whom tactics are chiefly a moral question and those who see tactics chiefly as means to political ends. Nearly all, or 99% of pacifists fall into the first category. For them, the ethical posture of nonviolence is no less important than the cause for which they may be agitating. Believing in a govt of law, they insist on making themselves liable to the law's penalties; they hope to persuade others by the example of their sacrifice. Most non-pacifist, in contrast, are more interested in impeding the systems that be than in achieving a "correct" moral posture, and they are not bothered-or not so deeply bothered-by the idea of tactics which "hurt the enemy" while enabling the protester to avoid arrest. This is not to say that this group's tactics actually are more politically effective than the pacifists; that is a matter of continual debate within the movement (at least in Pdx). the point is that in assessing the movement's tactical evolution we must recognize the influence of a serious philosophical (if not ideological) disagreement which prevents that evolution from being simple or wholly explainable in pragmatic terms.
Assuming, however, for purpose of argument that both sides could agree on a unified or superior effectiveness of one approach or the other, it is still unlikely that the two grps would have coalesced. Radical militants are as averse to the posture of meekly courting arrest as the pacifists are to hit-and-run vandalism. Both parties, therefore, appear to be inhibited by choice of lifestyle from adopting a certain range of tactics and their means of protest are always bound to diverge.
The only tactics that both grps have agree on are mass rallies, a few peaceful marches but not ballot initiatives, no effective picketing, boycotts, sit-ins on any level let alone develop articulated statement as to exactly what their movement's demands of govt are, soliciting support of unions, church and community organizing projects. Perhaps recognizing this, movement coordinators (since they deny existence of any "organizers") have increasingly turned to unstructured demonstrations with "General Assembly's" which have never resulted in any sort of consensus on plan of action in which ideological lines are not insisted upon and protesters are free to take the sort of action that suits them individually. The movement as a whole has been singularly relaxed in this respect, drifting with events instead of following a fixed timetable, agenda and strategy of action, placing more reliance on a developing consensus feeling than on the adoption a direct political line and articulated demands. There have been constant quarrels and tensions, but they can be called minor in consideration of the vast differences that would appear within the movement if it ever had to set forth its positive vision of the good life. Perhaps for these reasons is why the movement appears to be going nowhere. The adage "United We Stand,Divided We Fall" sure comes to mind.
There can be no simple equation of militancy and violence or of pacifism and nonviolence. The truth is that neither wing/faction of this movement has been violent in comparison with comparable movements in our past and in other countries for sure. Surprisingly, the tactics of obstruction,disruption have been most richly explored by the pacifists, whose record of personal and small grp confrontation with police and military extends back into the days of Pacific nuclear testing, before Vietnam War was an issue.
The attention of public authorities is nevertheless concentrated on the non-pacifist militants and understandably so, for they are the ones who are not prevented by ethical scruples from passing into a more "revolutionary" phase. They arouse interest more for what they might later decide to do than for anything that has happened yet. Within this grouping there has certainly been a development-haphazard and halting and always subject to reconsideration-toward confrontation. Today the movement is still not wedded to confrontation as a favorite style of action, but the number of protesters who find it philosophically acceptable and politically meaningful appears to be increasing.
The reason for this trend appears plain. The movement at its best has only succeeded in producing negative effects which include public backlash and additional economic strain on their already strained community/municipal financial resources as well as workers lost wages due to disruption. Until govt acts to remedy whatever the protesters demands (as yet to be articulated and publicly stated), the more moderate element within the movement may find itself increasingly out of touch with the small minority who actually seek violence and can claim that milder tactics have proved unsuccessful. As in the "Black Liberation" movement, time may be running out for those who counsel prolonged patience, trust and nonviolence.````````````
12/8/2011
Here we go !All over media today, Unions steppin up publicly stating No Way and vowing any organized connection with protesters and publicly vowing 2 day they have NO participation in now will in Occupy port shutdowns, NOR "honor the protest as a picket line." ILWU's Pres. Jeff Smith in WW "If I/we(unions) wanted to shut down the port, I/we could dot it without occupy or anybody else. I don't need em. Why would i want to send my people home? Why would i take a job away from somebody?" "I don't get what they're thinking. Its my job to put people to work. Ive got jobs for em, so aim going to put em to work. And I'm going to take some of Wall Street's money to do it." "Occupy organizers need to find somebody who is going to take the bull by the horns and run it like an organization.How many people have you seen on the news saying,'I'am the spokesman of Occupy Portland?" That's frankly why I don't think it's working." Now what the hell would a Pres of a Union know about organizing, or even the need to.? Its not pompous but i have been right smack dab on key pt throughout beginning of this adolescent movement that better wake up and get things movin or they risk it fizzling away to nothin. Leadership,Organizing,Networking,Mobilizing,Coordinating. You cant run a revolution,...or even a occupy movement that rejects leadership, hierarchy,organizers/organization. The SDS thought this way to but nonetheless did go about all the above but in a low key manner beginning at grass roots community involvement,projects,job creation while organizing their movement and educational workshops. Be back directly with new installments of penexplosion. thanx 4 blog maybe i can build a "movement" therefrom but it sure wont be about camping in parks or occupying my own ego, or trying to control or manipulate others. You all need to read about SDS beginnings and Berkeley's Student Revolt. Mine aint the only library in town.
Here's another one they're tryin to slip under ur noses while occupied with "Occupy". Congress proposal would let the Border Patrol circumvent dozens of environmental laws, including the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act, in areas those laws were created for: the nation's most protected wilderness that falls within the 100 mile border zone with both Mex and Canada. a primary advocate/sponsor of the bill in Rep Denny Rehberg of Montana (Rep). Congress has always done these quick back door senate bills during times of social upheaval while public is distracted and can push them through with little to no public,lobby grp input. This move/attempt also increases/enhances Border Patrols powers and abilities,authority to also be used against domestic citizens, just like the Patriot Act and Anti-Terrorism statutes. Can can't sleep at the wheel for a second or the juggernaut will roll u right over.
Here's another one they're tryin to slip under ur noses while occupied with "Occupy". Congress proposal would let the Border Patrol circumvent dozens of environmental laws, including the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act, in areas those laws were created for: the nation's most protected wilderness that falls within the 100 mile border zone with both Mex and Canada. a primary advocate/sponsor of the bill in Rep Denny Rehberg of Montana (Rep). Congress has always done these quick back door senate bills during times of social upheaval while public is distracted and can push them through with little to no public,lobby grp input. This move/attempt also increases/enhances Border Patrols powers and abilities,authority to also be used against domestic citizens, just like the Patriot Act and Anti-Terrorism statutes. Can can't sleep at the wheel for a second or the juggernaut will roll u right over.
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