Posted on 01/25/2010 6:55:59 AM PST by eeevil conservative
The purpose of these writings is quite simple. We wanted to provide an easy to use tool in understanding Alinsky’s teachings, the tactics used by his followers, their motives, and the contrast of these to the spirit of America and her forefathers. Alinsky’s goal was revolution, just as our forefathers; but the outcome of each revolution are as different as freedom vs slavery.
No one can begin the study of Rules for Radicals without noting that Alinsky includes a quote from Thomas Paine and one from himself at the onset.
Paine quote:
“Lest them call me rebel and welcome, I feel no concern from it; but I should suffer the misery of devils, were I to make a whore of my soul….”
Alinsky quote:
“Lest we forge at least an over-the-shoulder acknowledgement to the very first radical: from all our legends, mythology, and history (and who is to know where mythology leaves off and history begins- or which is which), the first radical known to man who rebelled against the establishment and did it so effectively that he at least won his own kingdom—Lucifer.”
Alinsky makes it clear with his quote from Paine, that his soul is invested in this revolution; hence calling him a name, like “rebel,” does not concern him. Yet he uses Paine of all people to establish this. I submit he used Paine as some way to not just legitimize himself, but to portray him as noble in his own eyes as well to others. I also conclude that he uses Lucifer as an example of a rebel, the first one to set the record straight that even calling him Satan himself will not dissuade him, he is committed. He wants his followers to be just as committed. He also establishes with his quote about Lucifer that the prize or goal for this deep dedication is one’s own “kingdom.” I’d also like to note that it is quite cute that he compares history to legends and mythology and challenges that no one really knows that there is any difference between them. As we continue this study, you will notice that he uses this technique quite often. He takes legitimate things, and mixes them among “evils” in an attempt to subliminally make them equal.
In the first paragraph of his prologue he attempts to establish that the “system” is flawed, everyone knows it, and the people cry out to “burn it down.” In the second paragraph he claims that the radicals of his generation are the vanguard, and few of them survived the “Joe McCarty holocaust of the early 1950’s” and even fewer gained an insight “beyond the “dialectical materialism of orthodox Marxism.” Alinsky wastes not time making very clear his motivation and his end game objective; Marxism.
The third paragraph begins with this:
“Today’s generation is desperately trying to make some sense out of their lives and out of the world. Most of them are products of the middle class. They have rejected their materialistic backgrounds, the goal of a well-paid job, suburban home, automobile, country club membership, first class travel, status, security, and everything that meant success to their parents. They have had it, they watched it lead their parents to tranquilizers, alcohol, long-term-endurance marriages, or divorces, high blood pressure, ulcers, frustration, and the disillusionment of “the good life.”
Note that he combines country club membership, first class travel, and status, with a well-paid job, suburban home, automobile, and security; while labeling them all as materialistic. I have yet to find a youngster who does not long for the freedom of the use of or for the possession of their own car. He is suggesting that a poor paying dead-end job, an inner city shack, dependence upon public transportation (government run and subsidized transportation, by the way), and lack of security should be the goals of true radicals? What kind of world or future is that? You see, security and personal property are evil and materialistic. Having nothing to live for is noble and makes you sincere and worthy to be his foot soldier. He believes the youth have rejected these sins of their parents. He wants his followers, his fellow radicals, to have NOTHING that would interfere with what he wants from them. He wants them to have nothing to lose, so there is no action or deed with too big a price for them to take.
We are only 2 and a half paragraphs into the prologue folks, but I think this is enough for today. I want to keep these short so that busy folks can keep up without giving up too much time with their families, etc.
Please feel free to share your thoughts on anything I have written above or to add your own insights.
Open mike time!
Ping!
I hope this is useful, offers some insight and sparks some good dialogue....
I am open to any suggestions to make these threads more helpful if there is more I can do to make it better...
Thanks
ec
and as always- let me know if you want to be added to the ping list...best to FREEPmail me in case I miss any posts in the threads....
Only my opinion but you would have made a better choice in juxtaposing Alinsky to Thomas Jefferson.
BUMP
Thanks.
that is a great idea....
Kerretarded had the idea of juxting....and he offered Paine...he also offered to do the work..
if you would like to offer juxting with Thomas Jefferson, and do that, I think that would be AWESOME!
I truly want this to be as useful to folks as we can....
Just reading that makes me think about Russia and its problems with alcoholism, even while under communism.
Paine was a Jacobin. A real dirtbag. When Morris was trying to free Americans in France, Paine was over there working a deal with the revolutionary mob to steal Spanish property.
Alinsky used Paine because his target audience knows exactly how debased and evil Paine was.
WOW— Fantastic!
thanks for sharing that info...I for one, had no clue! I hope you continue to offer your insights...
thanks!
Obama is violating that principle, with his lavish lifestyle. His recent vacation in Hawaii cost a fortune.
Interesting that folks like him and other "leaders" of that philosophy expects that of their followers, but refuse to be held to the same standard. They become the very ones they rail against.History has proved that time and time again.
Thanks for undertaking this project. I'll be checking back frequently!
Bookmark!
Figured it might spark some interest in your thread
:-)
There is a reason Bill Moyers son named his website after Tom Paine. Liberals love Paine. Anti-Christian bigot. Jacobin. Franklin told Paine to burn his “Age of Reason” rather than publish it.
But he was a great propagandist. Thankfully Adams and others ditched him after using him. Jefferson did invite him to the White House. It caused a scandal. Paine slunk off to die alone and bitter in his Fairfield, Connecticut farmhouse.
Looks great so far.
Please add me to your ping list.
of course— and he can- he is not part of the “followers”— he is a leader—
I have his first book also....
Reveille for Radicals....
Chapter 4 “The Program” literally says this:
“It is not a democratic program but a monumental testament to the lack of faith in the ability and intelligence of the masses of people to think their way through to the successful solution of their problems.”
He is explaining that the program for organizing people that you are creating is a dictatorship....very few people in charge running it...play on the people being dumb, etc....
I have his first book also....
Reveille for Radicals....
Chapter 4 “The Program” literally says this:
“It is not a democratic program but a monumental testament to the lack of faith in the ability and intelligence of the masses of people to think their way through to the successful solution of their problems.”
He is explaining that the program for organizing people that you are creating is a dictatorship....very few people in charge running it...play on the people being dumb, etc....
Thanks!
this should be an awesome project with folks like you and other FREEPers here to add so much...
thx..
you have been added...
OMG...just wow.
bookmark
Please add me to your list.
Thanks,
TS
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.