How far would the US have to go before you'd become a revolutionary?

Thorn · November 25, 2003, 19:26

· I would when the Constitution is dissolved and a psychotic christian-right dictatorship is established. Unless they give me an opportunity to leave this madness and emigrate to Europe.

Will the rest of you (those that are revolutionary capable) wait until it is too late, or are you cowards like the cattle, Americans in groups, are known to be?

What chances does a revolutionary movement have against the strongest Military Power in the World With the ability to destroy the world over and over again 1000s of times in a matter of minutes?

Would Civil War and Civil Strife occur, would they be effective, will they be repressed, how many would die arbitrarly?

Start discussing these issues, can't hurt now, better to be prepared then ran over by the military might before you have a chance to wake up and smell the burnt remains of your friends and families.

chequita guevara · November 25, 2003, 19:27

Elect Ronald Reagan.

Vlad Antlerkov · November 25, 2003, 19:34

Once Congress passes an amendment saying that the U.S. is a Christian nation, or something to that effect.

Ben Kenobi · November 25, 2003, 19:34

Define revolutionary.

If you mean taking arms, I would never do so in any circumstances.

General Ludd · November 25, 2003, 19:35

Quote:

Originally posted by chegitz guevara
Elect Ronald Reagan.

As in, it's already gone too far? Or as in, when they elect him again?

chequita guevara · November 25, 2003, 19:38

As in, I became a revolutionary because of Ronnie.

JohnT · November 25, 2003, 19:38

Quote:

I would when the Constitution is dissolved and a psychotic christian-right dictatorship is established.

Uh, well, yeah. I would think that any "psychotic dictatorship" of any ilk, right or left, religious or irreligious, would need to be fought with all your American heart and passion.

Soldiers patrolling the streets would likely set me off regardless of political persuasion (unless, of course, there was a massive attack/invasion on US soil).

JohnT · November 25, 2003, 19:39

Quote:

Originally posted by chegitz guevara
As in, I became a revolutionary because of Ronnie.

Probably would've become an assassin had Goldwater won, eh?

chequita guevara · November 25, 2003, 19:40

Soldiers patroling the streets doesn't make me want to fight. It makes me want to flee. People with guns scare me.

chequita guevara · November 25, 2003, 19:41

Quote:

Originally posted by JohnT

Probably would've become an assassin had Goldwater won, eh?

I don't know if I would even have been born. Barry woulda have nuked Vietnam and that woulda been the end of that.

mrmitchell · November 25, 2003, 20:17

Quote:

Soldiers patrolling the streets would likely set me off regardless of political persuasion (unless, of course, there was a massive attack/invasion on US soil).

There is no excuse for a nation to oppress its citizens.

Me, about a few days after the government starts regulating caffeine and sugar.

AgentSubversion · November 26, 2003, 03:39

I am rebelling now.
It's the devils way now
theres no way out
you can scream and you can shout
but it's too late now
because you've not been
paing attention

Ned · November 26, 2003, 03:51

I take up arms when the left wing commies, socialists or the like seize power and start rigging elections, nationalizing industry, and outlawing religion except in the privacy of one's thoughts.

Nubclear · November 26, 2003, 04:00

Hmm....And if the right wing conservatives sieze the government and begin rigging elections, privatizing industry, and outlawing all OTHER religions except christianity?
Well nevermind...You'd be right at home, wouldn't you Ned?

I wouldn't take up arms for this country. I'd simply move.
However barring that, I'd take up arms when all facets of controlling the government close up.

MrFun · November 26, 2003, 04:06

If I were ever to become a revolutionary, I would be more of a public activist contributing to the movement that way, rather than as an armed guerrilla.

This is coming from a guy who doesn't know which end of a gun he should hold to fire it.

Dis · November 26, 2003, 05:56

I already am a revolutionary

Nubclear · November 26, 2003, 05:58

Quote:

Originally posted by MrFun
If I were ever to become a revolutionary, I would be more of a public activist contributing to the movement that way, rather than as an armed guerrilla.

And if that were to be deemed illegal?

AgentSubversion · November 26, 2003, 10:52

You have to subvert culture to instigate revolution.

What does that mean to you folks?
I got nothin

chequita guevara · November 26, 2003, 11:33

Here's how a successful revolution works.

Step 1. You build a revolutionary organization.
Step 2. Government has crisis with which it cannot cope.
Step 3. Revolutionary organization starts running things.

Most revolutionaries are stuck on step one.

Step two can either be a natural disaster, an economic crash, a horrible war, or caused by a guerilla uprising. I had written a piece about the Haymarket Massacre, and a Maoist comrade commented to me that it made him think about the role of natural disasters in radicalization, which in turn made me realize that the disasters didn't have to be natural. No revolution has ever been successfully launched against a strong state (though wars of independence have, that's a different story).

Step three requires people to realize the moment has come to take charge. If you're really at step three, the existing governmnet hould crumble lke a house of cards when pushed. If you miss your moment of historical opportunity, the people lose faith in you, and the government has time to recover.

Q Classic · November 26, 2003, 12:46

i wouldn't become a revolutionary for the single reason that i don't like imposing my will on others. now, striking out and seceding from a nation, and then defending that territory as strongly as possible as the foundation of a new state... preferably some place hard to get to, like the moon or mars...

Imran Siddiqui · November 26, 2003, 14:12

I'd move to Canada

.

Japher · November 26, 2003, 14:19

I'm with Ned... and if that fails, I'm with Inmran, and if that fails... Well, then I guess I'm with Che

Imran Siddiqui · November 26, 2003, 14:20

NOOO... don't do it!

Whaleboy · November 26, 2003, 14:22

Assuming I was American, elect Bush.

KrazyHorse · November 26, 2003, 14:22

Quote:

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui
I'd move to Canada

.

What makes you think we'd take you?

Shogun Gunner · November 26, 2003, 15:30

As long as there existed some political process to express viewpoints, i would not revolt.

If there were no mechanisms to vote...basically, if the united states became a non-democratic nation for any reason (Christians, Dictatorship, extended martial law, etc) then I reverse the process my great grandfather intiated by leaving Sweden and starting a life in the US many years ago.

How sad to contemplate the failed experiment of US democracy...

Imran Siddiqui · November 26, 2003, 15:34

Quote:

What makes you think we'd take you?

You're too polite to turn me away... and yes, I won't be coming to Quebec where that statement doesn't hold true

.

That and you took all those smelly Vietnam draft dodgers.

chequita guevara · November 26, 2003, 15:50

Canada's too cold. Oz is the place for me!

MrFun · November 26, 2003, 16:00

Quote:

Originally posted by Comrade Tassadar

And if that were to be deemed illegal?

Just because expressing dissidence would be illegal, does not mean that people automatically cow to such laws if they are brave enough.

Almost all armed revolutions have intellectual and public activists that articulate what the armed resistance is fighting for.

Imran Siddiqui · November 26, 2003, 16:01

Quote:

Canada's too cold. Oz is the place for me!

Oy! Good point! Maybe I'll go to Canada until I can get a flight

.