05-09-2017, 06:44 AM
(05-08-2017, 01:00 PM)Skabungus Wrote: So, on the far left, you have antifa. It is a collection of left wing anarchist and a few (yes, very few) communists. Mostly anarchists. These people show up at demonstrations and break shit. That is what they get noted for in the news anyhow. The truth of the matter is that only the black bloc component of antifa shows up to break shit, cause trouble, etc. The vast majority of antifa are doing things like handing out water, giving first aid, directions, and serving as legal observers to document the fulfillment of/or non fulfillment of the permit. They document/witness and otherwise observe what is going on and show up in court to testify on matters concerning the demonstration. So, yes antifa black bloc assholes break shit, start fights and so on. Nothing new here! I don't endorse or participate in said actions. I find them truly counterproductive.
That said, antifa does a lot to organize the left and it is done peacefully and behind the scenes. Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater. Antifa organized the Whitefish community (ranchers, resort owners, soccer moms and storekeeps) to stop the Neo-nazi march in Whitefish and to essentially drive Richard Spencer and his crew out of town. The network of folks antifa put in place is still together and functioning. That's right, leftwing anarchists worked to bring largely conservative rural communities in Montana together to oppose Alt-right efforts. Go figure.
Two years ago there were less than 10 antifa groups in America. There were well established groups in NYNY, Boston and a couple other east coast cities, and there were a few in California. Since August of 2016 Antifa groups have been popping up like poppies all over the country. At last I checked there were 5 in Michigan alone. That should tell you something. Antifa is comprised largely of Millies and Xers. Yes, there are a few grizzled Boomers hanging around, but the vast majority are Millies. Interesting, don't you think?
Take a look at the right and particularly the Alt-right. Collectively they've been busy lately with say, taking over wildlife refuges, burning down mosques, and various other genuinely violent displays. Frankly, this wing of the American paleo-politic has been consistently violent and threatening since Timmy McVeigh blew up a Ryder rental truck in Oklahoma City. Well, to be honest, the violent history goes back to Ruby Ridge, and The Order popping radio talk show personalities. These folks are part and parcel the tip of the Trumpian spear. They can be seen staffing Trump campaign offices, acting up at Trump rallies and now, showing up in gas masks with bats and shields at Trump victory marches, or at Berkeley face-offs with antifa. Yes, that's right, armed for combat, showing up at demonstrations to pick fights with antifa black bloc. This is what Boomer xer action looks like.
My point is, the right has been aggressive and violent for a long, long time in both physical acts and in the policies they push to marginalize large segments of society. The past 30 years has seen a constant stream of violent right activity including everything from Neo-Nazis and Christian Identity people to violent anti-abortion activism, and the burning of churches and mosques. Again, this has been a constant thing in America for some time. Violent right wing action: terrorism. Boomer terrorism. Bo Gritz and Randy Weaver, and Timmy McVeigh were not millies.
The left hasn't been aggressive and violent since say, the Weather Underground, the Black Panthers and SLA where roaming around. America has never had a Red Brigade, or Baader Meinhof group, or Shining Path to deal with. The left has been generally peaceful, focusing on inclusiveness as opposed to division. Focusing on progressive, peaceful, inclusive action is what get's you labeled a "snowflake" .
So now, in the face of Trump and all that he represents, and all the wingnuts he has emboldened, the far left is materializing in opposition. It is taking shape in the form of marches for science, women's issues, etc., etc. At some of these black bloc elements have trashed ATM's, some windows and one limo. There have been some head wounds and a couple of stabbings (antifa being the victims). One antifa person got shot by a Milo fan with a hand gun. Really the only reasonable label to apply to these events is CIVIL UNREST. That is all it is, right now anyway. No post offices have been bombed; no GOP offices torched; antifa hasn't gunned down Rush or Sean Hannity; and no anti-abortion preachers have been shot. So, to date, the far left has created some civil unrest. Millies out for their participation ribbons?
Everyone has their panties in a knot because a bunch of angry millies are donning black and picking fights at demonstrations, yet, these same people who point in horror at left wing direct actions against ATM's and white trash in red hats, will roll their eyes and dismiss church burnings and executions (think Roof) as the acts of loners, or rogue elements, not representative of the American right.
You've been conditioned well.
I think the spike in Antifa groups now is comparable to all the militant "wide-awake" groups that popped up in the late 1850s in the northern states. Progressive Millennials are being radicalized the same way the northern Gilded were.
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