Veterans on the Occupy Movement

[Susurrus]

http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2011/11/at-occupy-camps-veterans-bring-the-wars-home/248220/




In Zuccotti Park, Army Specialist Jerry Bordeleau, 24, was sitting next to a table of IWW (Industrial Workers of the World) literature. On his sweater were two buttons: an Iraq Campaign metal and one from the IWW. He served two tours in Iraq and now says he's unemployed and can't find work for over $10 an hour. And he can't live on $10 an hour. When I asked him why he's at Occupy Wall Street he says, "I went and fought for capitalism and that's why I'm now a Marxist."

[scourge007]

That's really inspiring. Hopefully more vets will see the light like that comrade has.

[The Douche]

I would feel like a baller if I made $10 an hour.

[NewLeft]

"It's Veterans Day and the Bolsheviks at Atlantic give us THIS story. Figures." :laugh: I love the comment section.

[Paulappaul]

In Portland we have converted the Left Wing Veteran groups to basically Anarchist Affinity groups. They march with American Flags attached to Black Flags now :)

[The Douche]

In Portland we have converted the Left Wing Veteran groups to basically Anarchist Affinity groups. They march with American Flags attached to Black Flags now :)

I don't get it?

[Susurrus]

Like with clothespins, or what do you mean?

[Die Neue Zeit]

I don't get it?

It's meant to show the bankruptcy of their former militarist "patriotic" service.

[Paulappaul]

I don't get it?


It's meant to show the bankruptcy of their former militarist "patriotic" service.

Pretty much that. They show they are veterans who are now converted to Anarchism.


Like with clothespins, or what do you mean?

Two separate flags tied together. One giant pole basically.

[Die Neue Zeit]

It's ashame, comrade, that it's much more taboo to march with American flags attached to plain red flags or at least the red-and-white flag of the Paris Commune. :(

[Paulappaul]

They march with Red Flags with too. They march side by side Socialists and Anarchists and call them "Comrades". I think they are more inclined to Anarchism because it is very explicit anti - state.

[The Douche]

Out here most of the other politically active veterans I've met have been Trots or tankies. I'm pretty sure I haven't personally met any anarchist people in IVAW, MF, or VFP.

[Paulappaul]

The entire IVAW is Anarchist here. VFP marched with their flags and black flags. Scott Olsen and our agitation very much turned them. Some comrades have been working with em for a while though.

[The Douche]

The entire IVAW is Anarchist here. VFP marched with their flags and black flags. Scott Olsen and our agitation very much turned them. Some comrades have been working with em for a while though.

Really? One of the main organizers for IVAW (at least on the east coast, but I'm pretty sure nationally) is a right-wing libertarian who loves Ayn Rand.

She doesn't support OWS, and she is pro-cop, she has recently had facebook statuses chastising GAs that won't let the police into their camps.

[Paulappaul]

Dude I've said it like three times. Yes Really.

[The Douche]

Dude I've said it like three times. Yes Really.

Bro, that is a "really" of suprise, not doubt. My comments are just to give you some insight on how things are elsewhere, not to dispute how they are where you're at.