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

[Dis]

I already am a revolutionary

[Nubclear]

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]

You have to subvert culture to instigate revolution.

What does that mean to you folks?
I got nothin

[chequita guevara]

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]

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]

I'd move to Canada .

[Japher]

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]

NOOO... don't do it!

[Whaleboy]

Assuming I was American, elect Bush.

[KrazyHorse]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui
I'd move to Canada .

What makes you think we'd take you?

[Shogun Gunner]

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]

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]

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

[MrFun]

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]

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 .