Any social movement involves people with a wide range of beliefs and ideologies, bound together by a reality that has, for all of them, become intolerable. The first and broadest goal is to oust from power those who cause the suffering that has led to this spirit of resistance. Exactly how each segment understands the nature of the enemy they face is important, but not decisive. The most important thing is which side you are on. (Remember Woody Guthrie?
http://www.geocities.com/Nashville/3448/whichsid.html )
Among ourselves, we need to continue to debate and discuss the issue of how things really work - the role of the theocrats and the corporatists and who they are, what tactics are most effective, whether capitalism and liberty are the same or opposites, or what strategy is best - but always remembering that disagreement about the details is far less important than defeating our common enemy. And yet always remembering that understanding the nature of the common enemy is a very important detail if we are to succeed.
The divide and conquer tactic is old, but effective, and it usually involves attempts to elevate minor differences of view (Greens vs. Democratic Party loyalists, moderates vs. radicals, bad ads on AAR, one progressive host vs. another, pro- and anti-PETA or ELF, for or against direct action, for or against one particular interpretation of current events).
We need to keep these small differences in perspective and remember the stakes. Hang together, or hang separately. In the larger picture 90% of us have the same interests, 9% don't care, and 1% have a whole lot to lose and 90% of the resources to use to defend their privilege.
Nothing new here, but I thought it might be worthwhile to say it out loud.
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