Unfortunately, I am in the process of painting and our books are all in
(MANY!) boxes. However, I have a book here somewhere about gangs, "mafia",
other types of organizations of "non-ideological" or "reactionary"
rebel-types that have arisen in medieval and capitalist society which I
would like to recommend. These organizations are viewed therein from a
Marxist perspective. As soon as I pull it out (painting will be done "in 2
weeks..."), I will post the title/author, etc.

- Don DeBar

----------
> From: Bill Bartlett <[log in to unmask]>
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: [CHOMSKY] Militias & youth gangs
> Date: Wednesday, June 18, 1997 8:59 AM
>
> Robert G Goodby wrote:
>
> >Really, I think in many cases the "instincts" of the militia people are
> >sound, as is much of their analysis--it's the conclusions they draw from
> >these that are often faulty and morally bankrupt. They have, however,
> >arose in a political context in which radical/left influence in minimal,
> >as a result of the obvious domination of the media, academia, etc. by
> >elite interests and the persistent inability of the "left" to
effectively
> >organize.
>
> If the left suffers from a "persistent inability" to effectively
organise,
> its pointless to blame their lack of influence on the media, or academia.
> You can't really expect the ruling class to take pity and help us out.
>
> >Folks who find the militias attractive are responding ultimately
> >to the realization of their own lack of power; this recognition could be
> >the basis for all sorts of responses, ranging from fascism & racism to
> >non-violent anarchist revolution. Unfortunately, given the prominence of
> >xenophobic, racist, and social Darwinist sentiments in well-organized
and
> >well-funded "conservative" circles, this is the direction most militias
> >gravitate towards.
>
> Are there parallels between militias in the US and youth gangs in cities
> like Los Angeles? I ask this because I have recently read a quite
> interesting analysis of the 1992 Los Angeles "rebellion" (putting it
firmly
> in the category of class war) from the Aufheben web site which says
similar
> things about them. However that analysis concludes that rascism is less a
> factor there than might be expected, which is a hopeful sign.
>
> Apologies if this is all old hat to you yanks of course, but I don't
really
> know enough to judge - interested in your opinion.
>
> Bill Bartlett
> Bracknell Tasmania