This one is dedicated to the *aggressive* Freepers:

[Lori Price CLG]

Arming the Left: Is the time now? --by Charles Southwell

I hope you didn't open this page to read what we already know: that this is the most rightwing government we have ever had in the US, even far right of Bush I, that our rights are being eroded daily, and that our democratic process is all but gone, if it isn't already gone.

I hope you came here to read about tactics for action that will finally have some consequence. I hope you agree that our protests, petitions, letters, and on and on, have been utterly ignored. The fascistas that run our country laugh at us. They believe they can do anything and that we haven't got the guts to revolt, but only to wage a war of words. I have seen the Bush cavalcades, as they drive away, his aids sneering and jeering and laughing and mocking our protests. They think we are a JOKE. Tens of millions of Americans protested the war, but because we posed no REAL THREAT to their power, we were UTTERLY IGNORED.

As long as we pose no REAL threat to the powers-that-be, to what is shaping up into a dictatorship, we will continue to be ignored. Right now, we are ignored because we present no organized power to fight this onslaught of anti-democratic, totalitarian government that we are up against.

<snip>

Lori Price
http://www.legitgov.org/index.html#breaking_news

[bertha katzenengel]

1. Dear Mr. Southwell:

If you wish to be taken seriously, I suggest that you learn to write without trying to drive home your POINTS by CAPITALIZING certain WORDS. Also, one exclamation point is sufficient.

[defiant1]

3. So you're just going to dismiss everything he said....

because his grammar is not up to your standards?

[bertha katzenengel]

5. Why, yes. Of course I am. That is exactly what I said, isn't it?

:sarcasm:

[defiant1]

7. Well that little smiley might have been useful in the other post....

:shrug:

[bertha katzenengel]

11. Nope. I wasn't being sarcastic in addressing Mr. Southwell.

:hi:

[defiant1]

13. Gotcha....

:toast:

[lonestarnot]

28. eeeewwwww wish I had read this first... peace.

[bertha katzenengel]

29. peace

:hi:

[Lori Price CLG]

17. Southwell is an important 19th century artisan radical and writer.

"You may object to his style simply on the basis of 21st century rhetorical and stylistic bias. But your objection is certainly not based on any absolute standard for grammar, syntax or style, because, simply put, no such standard exists. If you knew anything about the history of grammar, syntax, rhetoric and semantics, you'd know that." --Michael D. Rectenwald, Ph.D., CLG Founder and Chair.

[Lori Price CLG]

18. BTW, the Ph.D. is in *English.* n/t

[bertha katzenengel]

25. Oh. I am now doubly impressed.

About as impressed as I am when some crotch rocket screams past at 130 MPH.

Like I said, the Ph.D. can keep his condescension, and you can keep yours.

[bertha katzenengel]

24. Well, thank you very much, Michael.

:eyes: I said nothing about grammar, and the 19th century style of rhetoric & syntax are completely irrelevant to my post.

This is the 21st century. Shouting and excessive and/or unconventionally used punctuation put people off these days, no matter what century they're from.

Lori, do thank Michael for his condescension, but tell him he can keep it.

[BiggJawn]

30. Certainly a SPRY old coot!

19th century writer, eh?
And that piece was dated 2003?

Mr. Southwell must be what, 200-250 years old?

And wouldst thou be so kind as to provide a definition for the term "Artisan Radical"?

[lonestarnot]

27. Is this your only CriTicIsM? I think Lorrie does a damn good job!

[defiant1]

2. Interesting....

When the revolution comes, I'm ready.

:patriot:

[richmwill]

4. I'd agree with everything, except for one point...

Reagan was the most "right wing government" that we had, not Bush I or sonny-boy.

[Lori Price CLG]

6. Right, I think it's clearly Dictator Bush (George W. Bush) n/t

[SteppingRazor]

8. Mostly agree...

And I'm already pretty heavily armed. But I don't think this is something to be that "in your face" about. Speak softly, carry a big stick, and all that.

[Lori Price CLG]

9. Right, but we also need to 'spread the word,' as well... n/t

[ClassWarrior]

14. Yup. Malloy's not shy about it.

:hi: Lori.

NGU.

[Lori Price CLG]

16. Hi, ClassWarrior! And, here's a place to share thoughts on the topic...

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CLG_Revolution_Tactics/

:hi: -Lori

[T Wolf]

10. Amen.

The one caveat I would make is that the threat must be on a smaller scale and expressed against individuals. (1) The chance for success would be greater than an actual armed insurrection against an overwhelmingly superior force. (2) It would be aimed at the actual perpetrators of the offense against democracy, not mindless military stooges who should be on our side. (3) It would be harder for the republican guard to oppose because, like the colonists, we would not be standing in the open exchanging fire with a better-armed enemy but hiding behind trees and employing hit and run tactics. The salesclerk at the corner market by day becomes a sniper by night.

Rallies and protests and marches accomplish nothing but make people feel better because they think they are doing something. In fact, the efforts merely detract energy from any real action that might actually work.

[kineneb]

21. the harmless blond receptionist becomes...

the barbarian germanic warrior by night...walk softly, wear pink, look cute and know how to hit the intened target with something large in caliber.

[catmandu57]

12. Little deuce coupe

You don't know what I got.:)

[Lori Price CLG]

20. LOLOL!! n/t

[The Sleeper]

15. She's real fine....

my 409....

[Dave Reynolds]

19. I'm already there,

but if some is good, more is better, huh?

[Taxloss]

22. "First they laugh at you. Then they ignore you. Then they fight you.

Then you win."

- Mohandas Gandhi, advocate of peaceful struggle.

[nadinbrzezinski]

23. YYYESSSSSSS somebody gets it

We need to get proficient and armed, no doubt in my mind...

[crispini]

26. interesting...