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FreeRepublic , LLC PO BOX 9771 FRESNO, CA 93794
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Posted on 10/03/2003 11:52:47 AM PDT by bicycle thug
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FreeRepublic , LLC PO BOX 9771 FRESNO, CA 93794
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It is in the breaking news sidebar! |
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FMCDH
The attacks, which included the costliest act of environmental sabotage in U.S. history, have targeted luxury homes and sport-utility vehicles, the suburban status symbols that some environmentalists regard as despoilers of the Earth.
Anyone want to guess why these terrorists haven't tried this nonsense in Texas? Could it have something to do with the fact that they stand a good chance of getting a severe case of immediate lead toxicity, hmmm?
FMCDH
These guys do a very good job of not actually associating with the terrorists. They supposedly receive anonymous letters, e-mail etc. from the guys who actually commit the acts. Then, the spokesmen pass it on to the media.
Probably, the cops could charge the spokesmen if they wanted to, but they're probably trying to use them to get at the actual terrorists by wiretapping phones and such.
Code for suicide by vigilante.
Now, if you want to really get scared, go to Green Anarchy's site and read real life opinions by anarchists about this and other subjects near and dear to their hearts.
I am typing up the latest article that talks of ecotage - as it is not online yet - to give you a more accurate take on current mindsets and catch words. I am a slow typist, so I will ping when I post it. I will do it in this thread.
It's title is: "Spreading Like Wildfire," by Felonious Skunk
Spreading Like Wildfireby Felonious Skunk
As the seasonal summer fires burn around the west, I contemplate incendiary "sparks" I witnessed in other bioreagions. Much like wildfires restoring nessesary nutrients to the soil, eco-anarchists are revitalizing movements long plagued with leftist and reformist tendencies, and we are getting to the roots of the problem we all face.
This year, the annual Earth First! Rendezvous was held in upstate Minnesota, near the Boundary waters along the Canadian border. The site was a beautiful spot along the shores of one of the reagion's thousands of lakes. The organizing collective (which is decided each year for the following rendezvous) was a fresh and energetic crew, mostly from the Minneapolis area. They added a much-needed change from the old-timers who seem to dwell on the "good ol' days" and promote washed-out analyses and tactics. Despite some Naivete, especially in dealing with law enforcement and media, the logistics came together relatively well.
It was smaller than usual (under a hundred people), but most were really intent on making the gathering a meaningful endeavor. There were discussions ranging from "Green Anarchy 101" and "Civilization and Patriachy" to "Backwoods Stealth Training" and a variety of direct action-oriented workshops. Lots of room was made for spontanious discussions, informal dailog, and of course swimming, canoeing, and beer drinking.
Probably the most important discussion to transpire was the "Earth First! Movement Self-Criticism." There was no consensus as to any specific direction of "the movement," but it was unanimous that Earth First! needs to recognize the problems facing the Earth and all her inhabitants run very deep, and thus require an appropriate resistance, as opposed to more of the same symbolic gestures.
Some viewed EF! as a stepping stone for more radical action, while others envisioned an EF! which embraced a diversity of tactics from tree-sits and office occupations to low level sabotage, while endorsing and explaining the need for more intense actions. My favorite vision, however wished to see EF! move closer to it's retoric (NO COMPROMISE IN THE DEFENSE OF MOTHER EARTH!) and become a vital component of a full-on eco-war, taking ALL NESSESARY action to stop the distruction of our mama, regardless of what the "mainstream" would think of it, or whether teh "movement" is in agreement. (Let's be clear, it is not Vanguardist to take the action you think is nessesary to achieve liberation for yourself and the planet.
It only becomes so, if you expect everyone else to follow your lead.) Inspiring action is nessessary to fuel the momentum we sometimes seem to have lost, but even more important are effective and meaningful actions, thosewhich actually make a significant impact in the techno-industrial infrastructure or create a substantial culture shock. If the biocentric earth-warrior myth of Earth First! is to have any relevance in the future, it needs to draw on more positive aspects of it's past, move away from it's often nostalgic and insular scenes, and develop strategies for an authentic resistence.
Currently, there seems to be a profound synthesis of the founding deep ecologist conservationists of the 80s (who were willing to sabotage the machinery of the earth distroyers), the social activists of the 90s (who connected many of the dots of how and why the earth is being killed), and the non-reformist and anti-authorian and anarchist flok of today (who comprehend the magnitude of change required.) Overall, I was impressed by what I saw this year, a radical trend I have been feeling within Eath First! for a number of years now (although not always reflected in the EF! Journal), that of Green Anarchy.
On our way to the next gathering, we stopped briefly in Madison, Wisconsin, to talk with a small crowd and show videos at the university. Dispite a low turn-out (most classes had been out for well over a month), those in attendence seemed very interested in the anti-civilization critique, and brought up many stimulating questions. We then made our way to Cleveland, Ohio, where we had an urban edible/medicinal plant walk and an informal discussion on Green Anarchy, followed by videos.
Folks here said that most of the local "activism" was either liberal or syndicalist oriented, and they were very excited about the night. They seemed to be a group who had been alienated by the "red" anarchist scene (those now producing the unenspiring and often pointless Onward anarchist publication.) They said many of the local red anarchists are hostile towards any anti-civ[ilization] ideas, but they were enthusiastic about the questions we raised. We finally made our way to the long anticipated Black and Green Gathering, an event long overdue.
We need to be strong on our own, and not depend on reformist environmentalism conferences or sectarian anarchist gatherings to get our critique out and make connections with like minded people. From the start, the organizers of the event were faced with finantial difficulties and frequently distracted by constant harrassment from local, state, and federal authorities (not to mention possible infiltrators, and wannabe pigs, much like those somethimes at work here in Eugene [Oregon].)
The location had to change in the last couple of weeks because federal agents pressured the campground to cancel the organizers' reservation. Black and Green was contacted by the campground and asked, "Why didn't you tell us you were terrorists?" Organizers were also harassed in person. Despite the difficulties, the gathering went on as planned.
The site could have been a little wilder, and the groups camping across the field - a group of Civil War re-enactors and one of young Marines - made for quite a surreal weekend. The content and enthusiasm, however, more than made up for any logistical problems, For three days, close to a hundred of us ate, played, learned, and talked. We had almost no down time as we went through basic to in-depth discussions about anarcho-primitivism, green anarchy, civilization, patriachy, political prisoners, direct action, anarchist parenting, spirituality, and much more, not to mention every afternoon had extended sessions on primitive skills like fire-starting, shelter building, foraging, and other post-industrial essentuals.
My favorite topis of discussion were "Beyond Veganism" a challenge to our often dogmatic and limited lifestyle choices, and "Hurt Where It Hurts," an evening campfire discussion on stragety and tactics aimed at crippling the techno-industrial machine.
What civilization is, what we are going to do about it, and how we can exist outside of it, were central issues to almost every discussion.
Interestingly, alcohol and drugs played almost no part (except for limited and very discrete circumstances) in this gathering, which was a pleasing change, probably vital for how much we want to accomplish in such a short time.
With lots of connections made and information shared, it was good to see a gathering of this type, especially in the northeast-the bastion of lefty politics.
Overall, I was inspired and refreshed to see the anti-civilization critique become more vibrant and widespread, especially among direct action focused and young people. The flames are continuing to grow...
I am not happy either, Carry Okie. But you already knew that.
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