Barons - Weatherman

     Active anarchists and revolutionists do not contribute to this web site, Radical Corner. If they did, they would use extra caution to avoid detection by the internet police. Admission of covert plans to overthrow the U.S. government or to commit violent acts against the same would obviously result in swift and unmerciful retribution. Revolutionists like George Washington, Vladimir Lenin, Leon Trotsky, Mao Tse-tung and Fidel Castro are some of history's giants of revolution. They led violent rebellions against tyrannical and oppressive governments and permanently changed the political climate in their countries. As Mao so eloquently stated, "Revolution requires bloodshed." Since 1970, three Yankee Doodle trouble makers come to mind: The Weathermen, Janet Reno and Timothy McVeigh. Since most American's forget everything that happened before Oklahoma City, here is a painless history lesson about the afore mentioned radicals: The Weathermen were comprised of young Americans who announced their intention to overthrow the U.S. government in the 1970s. Fueled by outrage over the Viet Nam war and racism in America, they went underground bombing targets across the country that they felt symbolized "the real violence" that the U.S. government and capitalist power were wrecking throughout the world. On February 13, 1993, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) raided Mount Carmel in Waco, Texas. The raid resulted in the deaths of four agents and five Dividians. After a 51-day siege of Mount Carmel, former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno approved recommendations of veteran FBI officials to remove the Branch Dividians by force. During the raid, a fire broke out and quickly engulfed the building, killing 85 Branch Dividians, 17 of them children under the age of 12. The cause of the fire was later determined to be deliberate actions of Dividians inside the building. This theory is disputed both by independent media and others. On April 19, 1995, U.S. Army veteran Timothy McVeigh parked a 20-foot Ryder truck in front of the Oklahoma City federal building. The truck was loaded with 5,000 pounds of ammonium nitrate and nitro methane. The explosion blew off the face of the building and killed 168 people, including 19 children. Before McVeigh was executed, he testified that the bombing was vengeance for the federal government's role in both the Waco tragedy and the Ruby Ridge incident. Does the end ever justify the means?  While McVeigh is categorized as one of America's most notorious mass murderers, Reno will always be known as the Clinton administration's top cop. Strange, isn't it, how one person's homespun terrorist is another person's highest ranking law enforcement officer in the free world. For better or for worse, today our revolutions are waged on television with Chevy trucks, hair gels, tooth paste and revolutionary baby diapers. Our rebels swig Mountain Dew and crash their skulls on pavement to prove their hardened independence and staunch individualism. The modern radical tattoos and pierces himself, and he feels tough and rebellious as he recites lyrics written by angry white men and pissed off brothers. His badge of honor is time served in prison. Modern anarchists wage fictitious battles in cyber space, as the offspring of the 1960s counter culture are born again evangelists. Everyone looks to everyone else to see what everyone will do next. Look no further than the voting booth, as the only enemy left to fight are the demons racing around in your own heart. And that is where the battles should be fought.

by Randy Schaefer