NO TIME FOR BEGGING
For anyone who seriously opposes the war against Iraq, the time for begging Is over. The US government has made it dear that it will make the war it has wanted for months. To continue to make demands of those in power is now a blatant absurdity and it is necessary to consider the actions we can take on our own to obstruct the war effort. But in considering such matters it is necessary to have a clearer understanding of the full meaning of this situation.

Many of those that I have seen out on the streets at the anti-war demonstrations have been proclaiming their patriotism alongside their opposition to the war. The time has come to recognize that patriotism, the love of the fatherland, is the ideology by which every war between nations supports Itself. Patriotism always only serves the rulers. It is the ideological weapon that they use to divide the exploited people of the world, to convince them to fight each other rather than rising up against their rulers. An opposition to this war that is going to know how and where to aim its actions will need to reject patriotism and the concept of the fatherland completely. As long as these continue to exist, there will be war.

It is also important to realize that as significant a role as oil may play in determining the US insistence on going to war, there ore other factors that are equally, or possibly more, important in this decision. At least among radicals, it is generally recognized that a global marketplace has been developing over the post few decades. But it often goes unnoticed that the same processes through which this has come about have provided the state with the means for developing a global network for policing the world. This network consists of international institutions, military forces and alliances and police forces on oil levels and the technologies of information, communications and surveillance - systems. So the question has - arisen who Is to control this system? The US and the UN both agree that the world must-be policed and that when petty tyrants disturb the peace of the great tyrants, they must be put in their place. Their disagreement Is over how to manage this. The UN desires o brooder based multi-lateral management of global policing under the various international institutions such as the UN Itself and the World Court. The US Wants unilateral management for ItseIf, with other nations and Institutions supporting It. In either case, the great powers still make the decisions about existence that we are forced to live through. Global policing, regardless of who manages It, means the Intrusion of policing into every aspect of our daily lives. It Is the ongoing system of violence through which the rulers of this world impose social peace. If opposition to this war Is to be anything more then taking sides about who is to police us, then it must also be opposition to the peace offered by the rulers of this world - in other words, opposition to policing, social control, the state and the entire social order based on domination and exploitation.

Bush, Blair and their pack of warmongers have played heavily on people s fears to promote their agenda on Iraq. But this is nothing new. Rule through fear (which was among the first definitions of terrorism) has always been the basis of the state. Behind every ruling power stand the club and the gun. Even the democratic smile masks the barracks and the prison. For years now the American state has used the threat of crime to expand police powers and spread the tools of surveillance and control across the urban terrains transforming cities Into open-air minimum security prisons of preventive detentions, and make us all increasingly suspicious of each other so that the potential of real dialogue is suppressed. Democratic states take a sophisticated approach to rule through fear . They focus the fears of their subjects on an other - criminals , drug addicts , terrorists - convincing people to view the arms of the state, the police and the military, as their protectors. But an end to war has to be on end to rule through fear In all its forms. And that means putting an end to the state.

So resistance to this war must necessarily become practical resistance to the state in its totality. The functioning of the war apparatus requires obedience both by military personnel and by the population as a whole It requires the flow of various Items necessary for the war operation It requires the smooth functioning of various institutions and apparatuses. A serious response to the war must thus include total insubordination on our port, and the development of methods for supporting individuals in the military who choose, in whatever way, to refuse to obey orders. It must include direct action on all levels against the war machine and the institutions that support it. The targets are everywhere one needs only a bit of imagination and a few trustworthy accomplices.

Once we recognize that putting on end to war requires putting on end to oil the institutions of social control and exploitation, i.e., to the state, the absurdity of demanding peace from these institutions becomes clear. In fact, we have nothing to soy to them. Instead we need to talk with each other, creating the space and time for real dialogue, finding those we can act with and taking actions we ourselves decide. As the US government has been pushing its agenda at the top, in Argentina, in Bolivia, in Algeria, and numerous other places, the exploited have been finding ways to act on their own against their oppression, creating assemblies for real discussion among themselves, re-appropriating what they need to create their lives and attacking the Institutions that dominate them. The time for begging indeed Is over. It Is time to take back our lives.

Against the war, against the state total insubordination. e-mail ntwntp@yahoo.com

Craig Rosebraugh on the Anti-War struggle

As the Commander in Chief of the United States gears up at 8 00 pm (EST) to tell the notion and the world that war is inevitable, that the window of opportunity for Saddam to disarm and destroy his weapons of mass destruction has expired, serious questions need to be posed to the privileged anti-war movement in the United States. With massive U.S. led bombing of Iraq perhaps just hours away, the question remains, how far Is the anti-war movement in the United States willing to go to stop the U.S. government and its unceasing atrocities?

So for the peace or anti-war movement in this country has mirrored the some strategies and tactics of post historical anti-war causes. By for the most important example to reference is that of the Vietnam anti-war movement in the United States during the 1960s and 97Os Well over a million people participated In this effort, engaging in a variety of tactics and strategies in on attempt to stop the war, or even to prevent its further escalation. From public education to picketing, boycotts to lobbying, marches to massive civil disobedience, to even outright suicide In the numerous cases of individuals lighting themselves on fire in protest, the movement was extremely diverse. There was even a decent contingency of property destruction that occurred, no doubt condemned by the mainstream corporate peace organizations.

With oil this activity, with the incredible amount of participation, one would assume this would have been more than enough to stop the war, to pressure the federal government to pull out of Southeast Asia. Furthermore, when soldiers such as Aon Kovic, returned from the war angry and disillusioned and formed organizations such as the Vietnam Veterans Against the War, even more intense pressure was placed on the U.S. government. But it was not enough. None of the strategies and tactics applied during the Vietnam anti-war movement in the United States were enough, either individually or combined, to stop the U.S. government s military horrors. At the height of the Movement, Nixon s response was not to stop the war but to Initiate his policy of Vietnamization. This ingenious plan allowed the U.S. government to weaken the anti-war mcwemtwhUeccndrng on with the war for another five years. When the peace accords were S finally signed in Paris in 1973, they were more a result of the incredible success of the Met Cong than any realistic effectiveness of the anti-war cause.

Each of the anti-war movements that have surfaced in the United States since then have attempted to mirror, to on absolutist extent, the strategies and tactics that foiled during the Vietnam anti-war struggle. In fact these some strategies and tactics have been used In nearly all U.S. anti-war movements throughout history and the fact remains, never in U.S. history has any anti-war or peace movement actually prevented or ceased a U.S. military operation or war. And yet continuously, anti-war movements In the United States fall into the same mold of ineffective activism that stands absolutely no chance of threatening or challenging the power structure of the U.S. government.

In the current day, protests in select locations such as Washington. DC, New York, San Francisco. Los Angles. Portland, and more ore considered successful due only to the numbers of people in attendance. The common argument Is stated in defense of these activities that the message is getting out Into the media and thus people in this country and around the world ore learning that not everyone supports Bush s war. Yet, from a strategical standpoint there is absolutely no realistic foundation to the belief that this form of public education can and will have any effect on the government s decision to use military force in Iraq. Again, glancing back to the Vietnam period when the protests were even larger, when more people gathered and the tactics were even brooder than those utilized today, Nixon refused to listen to the public and continued on with the war.

During the post few weeks cries hove emerged from the progressive sectors of U.S. society concerning Bush s statement that the anti-war movement is a mere focus group and would not effect his ultimate decision. This should provide at least some indication that the large parties - which some might call protests or rallies - are not capable of generating the needed pressure which could actually force the government to stop. If it hasn t ever occurred throughout U.S. history and, arguably, the US. government is more powerful now than ever, there is no precedent on which to base this faulty behavior and activity. Yet, the large mainstream peace groups continue to give coring U.S. people false hope, that if they get involved in the movement there Is actually a chance they can help stop the war.

If we are going to become serious about stopping this war, and even the U.S. led atrocities of tomorrow, we must be realistic about our strategies and tactics and actually begin to utilize those methodologies which can and will challenge the power structure of the country. Yes, I am speaking of direct action, but not the generalized version spouted freely today and used to describe primarily conscience serving endeavors. An action is direct if it actually gets in the way, prevents, or stops on injustice from occurring. Unfortunately, the government sanctioned peace parades do not fit into this description. Even though public education is an inherent necessity of any movement, the time for public education by relying upon corporate media s interpretation of your events has long since passed - if it was ever valuable.

The only possibility of stopping this current military action is to engage in strategies and tactics which severely disrupt the war machine, the U.S. economy, and the overall functioning of U.S. society particularly how it relates to consumerism and the economy. Marches, picketing, rallies, parties, benefits, civil disobedience and even property destruction ore pointless, and perhaps even counterproductive, unless they sew to severely disrupt the functioning of the political system and its economy. An atmosphere of severe unrest will force the U.S. government to place military resources in the streets of the United States, will threaten the economy (the chief motive behind this military excursion) of the United States, and ultimately create o political atmosphere unfavorable for Bush to continue on with the war.

So how is on atmosphere of severe unrest and disruption generated? First and foremost, it must begin with our ability to lock beyond the business as usual strategies and tactics that have foiled miserably in the post. It must begin with our allegiance to come to terms with the realization that any and all tactics and strategies must be considered at least available for use. Next we must be willing to decipher exactly how the power of the politico! structure can be effectively challenged. Once this matter has been examined there is only one question remaining, will each of us become involved and use whatever tactics and strategies are necessary, or will we refuse and continue to engage solely in conduct which serves little other purpose than making people feel better about themselves.

Here ore some suggestions for the necessary creation of on atmosphere of unrest and disruption in the United States

1) Attack the financial centers of the country. Using covert or block block techniques, depending on the situation, physically shut down financial centers which regulate and assist the functioning of U.S. economy. This can be done in a variety of ways from massive property destruction, to online sabotage, to physical occupation of buildings. However the latter I would shy away from, especially the open civil disobedience type of activities which purposely involve arrests. This movement needs all the assistance it can get and absolutely NO good will come from going to jail. Allowing yourself to be purposely arrested demonstrates that an individual has at least some faith in the U.S. legal system. This is completely foolish. One primary objective is to engage in serious unrest and disruption and NOT to get caught. Not getting caught means you ore able to continue the struggle the next day.

2) Large scale urban rioting. With massive unrest and even state of emergencies declared in major cities across the country, the U.S. government will be forced to send U.S. troops into the domestic arena thereby taking resources and political focus away from the war. Unstable conditions in much of the country also serve as a political embarrassment for the Administration and could assist in forcing them to stop the war to deal with domestic concerns. Rioting should be focused on governmental agencies and corporations - especially those that are profiting from the war or destruction of life.

3) Attack the media centers of the country. It is the corporate media who has and continues to influence and control the minds of the mass body of people in the United States. These new media outlets cannot be utilized by the movement as they are owned by the very corporations one should be opposing Using any means necessary, shutdown the notional networks of NBC. ABC. CBS, CNN, etc. Not just occupations but actually engage in strategies and tactics which knock the networks off the air.

4) Spread the battle to the individuals responsible for the war and destruction of life - the very heads of government and U.S. corporations. No longer should these people be able to hide behind their occupations, living their lives in peace while they simultaneously slaughter countless people. Hit them in their personal lives, visit their homes, and make them feel personally responsible for committing massive atrocities.

5) Make it known publicly that this movement DOES NOT support US. troops serving a horrifying political regime.

we support the fraggin troops!

Create on atmosphere lacking of support to assist U.S. troops at home and abroad in losing their morale and will to fight. If you are supporting the troops you are supporting this war and the very U.S. government that is the primary terrorist regime in the international arena.

6) Actively target U.S. military establishments within the United States. Again, following the above stated goal of NOT getting caught, use any means necessary to slow down the functioning of the murdering body.

7) When. engaging in the above six activities, strike hard and fast and retreat into anonymity. Select another location, strike again hard and fast and quickly retreat in anonymity. Engage only in actions where you will be victorious. Do not be concerned with alienating the mainstream sectors of the movement - that mainstream has NEVER stopped a U.S. military activity or war. Do not get caught. DO NOT GET CAUGHT. Do not get sent to jail. Stay alert, keep active, and keep fighting. Remember, on action Is only good (especially at this juncture in U.S. society) if It will serve to severely disrupt the political system of the country, its economy, and the corporate Interests that drive this society.

These suggestions are not radical. They are merely recommendations for those that desire to actually have a chance at stopping this current military siege. As the peace or anti-war corporate organizations vocally oppose this message and its enclosed suggestions, continue to ask what realistic chance do their strategies and tactics have to actually stop this war? What historical precedent do their business as usual politics and policies have? As no peace or anti-war movement has ever stopped U.S. governmental military policies or activities using the state sanctioned and societal approved methods, what right do they have to give the coring public false hope?

Well over 500,000 Iraqi children hove died since the Gulf War as a result of U.S. bombing and sanctions - not to mention thousands of innocent men and women. With the planned massive bombing campaign planned by the U.S. military, the death toll of the innocent will severely increase. And for what? The U.S. rhetorical line of liberating the Iraqi people from dictator Saddam is as much bullshit as our historical line of helping to spread freedom and democracy around the world. Surely Saddam Is guilty of massive atrocities, but so are many other world leaders. Sure Saddam may have had or continue to have weapons of moss destruction, but so do many evil leaders of nations around the world. Just why is it we have not targeted Israel and Sharon in the some manner as Saddom? Why is it leaders of the United States have not targeted the U.S. government for its weapons of mass destruction and incredible history of terrorist and murderous atrocities? Similar to Bush Senior s Gulf War, this is another war for U.S. corporations and for the protection and, more importantly, expansion of the U.S. economy. With the incredible oil reserves in the region and the potential for U.S. corporations to have a hand in building and ruling a future Iraq nation, the motives are quite obvious. Of course, it wouldn t be just if the U.S. did not claim that it was taking action against a horrible dictator for humanitarian purposes.

As the U.S. led military campaign (jets fully under way In the very near future, the question remains.., how far is the anti-war movement In the United States willing to go to stop the U.S. government and its unceasing atrocities? Row far ore you willing to go, what ore you willing to do to stop the massive bloodshed once again caused by the U.S. government?

Civilization is a Death Camp, Resistance is Life
This winter marks the 60th anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising, the largest Jewish resistance to the Nazi terror to occur. The survival rate among Jews in the Warsaw Ghetto was significantly higher then in any other Jewish ghetto in eastern Europe. This stands as a clear reminder, that despite the odds and the brutality of one s oppressors, physical resistance con be the only significant method of survival. This Is not to soy that other more passive, but clever, tactics cannot stall or thwart immediate circumstances, but for a meaningful shift in the conditions of horror, direct physical insurgency is necessary. This reality has always been the case. It can be applied to and learned from every liberation movement in history, from slave revolts to the current Palestinian Intifada.

As the U.S. continues on with their plans for Full Spectrum Domination , we must not wait until we ore on the trains or in the camps before we begin to resist. Their goals are clear, and in fact, are consistent not only with the hegemony of U.S. power, but with civilization itself. The process of domination and control is reaching its ultimate state, and as we look into the face of this malignancy and of the possible end of all life, we must recognize that we have nothing to lose and our lives to save. Protests, rallies, and the petitioning of those who want us dead is not only futile, but naive and idiotic. We must resist at all costs, even in the face of certain death, because unless we do, certain death is the best we can hope for.

It Is Important to remember, however, that while we fight against those In power, we must also fight against power itself. Power and control ore what civilization is built upon, from individuals to Institutions. There ore too many examples of on oppressed people becoming the oppressor, of which the state of Israel is only one current example. Unless we challenge power fundamentally, the cycle of violence and domination will always be present, and tear at the fabric of life. As we create a resistance to the current, and likely most deadly, power structure this planet has ever known, we must do so by not only challenging the contemporary faces of civilization, but all that it is built upon.