While Jim Hoft is none-too-pleased that the New York Times conflates patriotic, non-violent Tea Partiers with anarcho-authoritarians like Bill Ayers, Ann Althouse spots the fission of tension in the arguments of the paper that ran this article on September 11th 2001, thus unintendedly reminding readers that Jung’s concept of synchronicity isn’t just for hit album titles by the Police anymore.
Now, I understand the right-wing anger — hmmm — at the juxtaposition. The 60s protesters are Weathermen, and the Weathermen advocated and practiced violence. They murdered people. The Tea Partiers, by contrast, are engaging in the highest form of freedom of expression: assembling in groups and criticizing the government.
But people on the left admire and respect the 1960s protests. They wish there was more expressive fervor on their side today. To have the passion and vitality of the 60s is a good thing. And the air of potential violence, especially in the absence of any actual violence? I think lefties love that. They may not admit they do. But there’s a frisson. Remember, the NYT readers are aging liberals. They — we — remember the 60s as glory days. Yes, there was anger, and yes, it spilled over into violence sometimes, but the government deserved it, and these young people were idealistic and ready to give all for their ideals. They are remembered — even as (if?) their excesses are regretted — in a golden light.
Hey, as Robert F. Kennedy said in 1968:
As Kennedy began [to speak at Kansas State U.], his voice cracked, and those near the stage noticed his hands trembling and his right leg shaking.After praising [Al] Landon’s distinguished career, he said, “I am also glad to come to the home state of another great Kansan, who wrote, ‘If our colleges and universities do not breed men who riot, who rebel, who attack life with all their youthful vision and vigor then there is something wrong with our colleges. The more riots that come on college campuses, the better the world for tomorrow.’ ” …
Meanwhile, someone from Greenpeace decides to take the late Kennedy up on his offer. Kate of Small Dead Animals writes that “The climate fascists are getting restless…”
Emerging battle-bruised from the disaster zone of Copenhagen, but ever-hopeful, a rider on horseback brought news of darkness and light: “The politicians have failed. Now it’s up to us. We must break the law to make the laws we need: laws that are supposed to protect society, and protect our future. Until our laws do that, screw being climate lobbyists. Screw being climate activists. It’s not working. We need an army of climate outlaws.”
The proper channels have failed. It’s time for mass civil disobedience to cut off the financial oxygen from denial and skepticism.
If you’re one of those who believe that this is not just necessary but also possible, speak to us. Let’s talk about what that mass civil disobedience is going to look like.
If you’re one of those who have spent their lives undermining progressive climate legislation, bankrolling junk science, fueling spurious debates around false solutions, and cattle-prodding democratically-elected governments into submission, then hear this:
We know who you are. We know where you live. We know where you work.
And we be many, but you be few.
As Kate replies, “Maybe. But I’ll wager we have more ammo.”
Curiously, the angry and befuddled Greenpeace eunuch chose a network of interconnected computers originally created by NORAD, and used a computer operating system built by a NYSE or NASDAQ-traded company to write his primitivist cri de coeur.
How will the Times, another anarcho-authoritarian institution with one foot in the 21st century, and other in the Middle Ages respond?
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