In which I whine and complain about ancaps

[Diello]

I live in Oklahoma.

Almost all of the self-identified radicals in this area are-- whether they're aware of it or not-- of the right-libertarian variety.

I spent the Saturday before last debating at length with a group of "anarchists" who passionately advocate voting for Ron Paul. Almost all of the people who come on with leftist-type rhetoric and have pictures up of Emma Goldman, Mikhail Bakunin, etc. eventually turn out to be of this sort; either that or they advocate basically liberal policies expressed in stereotypically radical terms.

The only apparently genuine socialists I've run into belong to some secretive, hole-in-the-wall coven-- they act like they think they're members of "Fight Club" and engage in a lot of ridiculous subterfuge. I have no desire to associate with them, particularly as I get the impression there are only four or five of them.

I've been doing some work with the Tulsa IWW; they're the most competent and organized group in this area I've come across, though of course they're quite small.

Over the past year, as I've developed from a state of near complete political ignorance, I've found myself generally more sympathetic to the philosophies of anarchism than those of Marxism-Leninism, but at this point I'd jump with joy to see some Leninist presence in this area, as opposed to the Ron Paul "anarchists" who form the majority of the self-professed radical community in this area.

This situation is frustrating to me.

That is all.

[ColonelCossack]

sounds like a chapter in winnie the pooh

(The thread title I mean.)

HA I didn't properly respond to the OP. :P

[Os Cangaceiros]

I thought that anarcho-capitalists only existed on the internet, I've never actually come across one in real life.

[Sperm-Doll Setsuna]

I thought that anarcho-capitalists only existed on the internet, I've never actually come across one in real life.

Be glad you have not, for it is an unpleasant experience. They're the most unpleasant and obnoxious things you could ever hope to find, and it is no small wonder that the only ones that can stand them are others of their wicked kind.

[Nox]

Hahah that sounds brilliant, I don't know which is funnier...

Anarcho-Capitalists with pictures of Goldman and Bakunin or Socialists pretending that they are spies

Only in Oklahoma...

[Diello]

I thought that anarcho-capitalists only existed on the internet, I've never actually come across one in real life.

That's why I've been so shocked to find them prevalent around here; one really has to dig a bit to determine whether or not someone is an ancap; in some cases I've been acquainted with a person for weeks before warning signs became apparent.

So far as the apparently socialist group abovementioned, I set up an appointment to meet with one of them at a restaurant; when the person (whose description I recognized) arrived she sat at the opposite end of my table and didn't speak or make eye contact. I thought, "Okay; I guess she needs a moment to collect her thoughts or something." After a minute or two of bizarre silence, I initiated the conversation. It turned out that her behavior was part of a "test," presumably to see whether or not I was adequately assertive. The second time I tried to meet with them, I was stood up without explanation. I imagine that was part of another "test."

On the whole, it did not inspire confidence.

[A Revolutionary Tool]

That socialist group seems like a legit communist street gang.

[Robespierre Richard]

I live in Oklahoma.

Almost all of the self-identified radicals in this area are-- whether they're aware of it or not-- of the right-libertarian variety.

I spent the Saturday before last debating at length with a group of "anarchists" who passionately advocate voting for Ron Paul. Almost all of the people who come on with leftist-type rhetoric and have pictures up of Emma Goldman, Mikhail Bakunin, etc. eventually turn out to be of this sort; either that or they advocate basically liberal policies expressed in stereotypically radical terms.

The only apparently genuine socialists I've run into belong to some secretive, hole-in-the-wall coven-- they act like they think they're members of "Fight Club" and engage in a lot of ridiculous subterfuge. I have no desire to associate with them, particularly as I get the impression there are only four or five of them.

I've been doing some work with the Tulsa IWW; they're the most competent and organized group in this area I've come across, though of course they're quite small.

Over the past year, as I've developed from a state of near complete political ignorance, I've found myself generally more sympathetic to the philosophies of anarchism than those of Marxism-Leninism, but at this point I'd jump with joy to see some Leninist presence in this area, as opposed to the Ron Paul "anarchists" who form the majority of the self-professed radical community in this area.

This situation is frustrating to me.

That is all.

I think you're lying. Nobody lives between the Appalachian and Rocky mountains. It's all uninhabitable wasteland that has been abandoned by humans after the 1930s dust bowl.

[Blake's Baby]

That sounds rubbish.

Hang out with the IWW. It's the only way. Hopefully, some bits of the last 100 years will eventually permeate the consciousness of the people in your area, and you'll start to meet other socialists that aren't... weird (not that the IWW are weird).

[citizen of industry]

That's why I've been so shocked to find them prevalent around here; one really has to dig a bit to determine whether or not someone is an ancap; in some cases I've been acquainted with a person for weeks before warning signs became apparent.

So far as the apparently socialist group abovementioned, I set up an appointment to meet with one of them at a restaurant; when the person (whose description I recognized) arrived she sat at the opposite end of my table and didn't speak or make eye contact. I thought, "Okay; I guess she needs a moment to collect her thoughts or something." After a minute or two of bizarre silence, I initiated the conversation. It turned out that her behavior was part of a "test," presumably to see whether or not I was adequately assertive. The second time I tried to meet with them, I was stood up without explanation. I imagine that was part of another "test."

On the whole, it did not inspire confidence.

Wow, that is just, akward. Nothing like insularism to get the word out to broad layers of people. What socialist group is it, do you know?

[NoOneIsIllegal]

Tulsa IWW is legit, from what I know. I'm actually meeting a handful of them in a few weeks at an O.T. 101!* :)



* Organizer Training

[Diello]

What socialist group is it, do you know?

They call themselves Red State.

Yeah, the IWW have been good; they seem serious and they aren't ridiculously ostentatious like the other group I've mentioned.

[praxis1966]

I thought that anarcho-capitalists only existed on the internet, I've never actually come across one in real life.

I've come close... sort of. The only decent hot dog joint in the East Bay that actually sells vegetarian/vegan dogs just happens be owned by one. I stopped eating there once I found out, though.


...in some cases I've been acquainted with a person for weeks before warning signs became apparent.

Yeah, it's kind of like realizing someone's a sociopath I would imagine. Your description of this "Red State" group is just fucking bizarre, though. That kinda shit would instantly give me the creeps.

[Susurrus]

I would look into this Red State group more, if only to be amused by their antics.

[Red Noob]

What would you say if I said I live in Tulsa and advocate voting for Ron Paul? :tt2:

Also, what's the IWW? I'm not familiar with any political organizations or the such.

[Agent Ducky]

What would you say if I said I live in Tulsa and advocate voting for Ron Paul? :tt2:

Also, what's the IWW? I'm not familiar with any political organizations or the such.

IWW is the Industrial Workers of the World. It's an international union that advocates abolishing the wage system... They're pretty radical and pretty awesome.
http://www.iww.org/

[Blake's Baby]

And have been in existence for somethiong like 106 years in one form or another. Which is some kind of acheivement.

John ('Jack') Reid who wrote 'Ten Days that Shook the World' was one of their most famous members.

'The Ballad of Joe Hill' is pretty much their unofficial anthem.

Is any of this ringing any bells?

[Diello]

That kinda shit would instantly give me the creeps.

I just found it disheartening and kind of pathetic.


Also, what's the IWW? I'm not familiar with any political organizations or the such.

Here's how they open their "about us" page:



The IWW is a member-run union for all workers, a union dedicated to organizing on the job, in our industries and in our communities. IWW members are organizing to win better conditions today and build a world with economic democracy tomorrow. We want our workplaces run for the benefit of workers and communities rather than for a handful of bosses and executives.

We are the Industrial Workers of the World because we organize industrially.

This means we organize all workers producing the same goods or providing the same services into one union, rather than dividing workers by skill or trade, so we can pool our strength to win our demands together. Since the IWW was founded in 1905, we have made significant contributions to the labor struggles around the world and have a proud tradition of organizing across gender, ethnic and racial lines long before such organizing was popular.

We invite you to become a member whether or not the IWW happens to have representation rights in your workplace. We organize the worker, not the job, and recognize that unions are not about government certification or employer recognition but about workers coming together to address common concerns.

Sometimes this means refusing to work with dangerous equipment and chemicals.

Sometimes it means striking or signing a contract. Other times it mean agitating around particular issues or grievances in a workplace or industry.

The IWW is a democratic, member-run union. That means members decide what issues to address, and which tactics to use and we directly vote on office holders, from stewards to national offices. Why wait? Join the IWW and organize for a better future.

And, of course, Agent Ducky has provided a link to their site.

[Chambered Word]

That socialist group seems like a legit communist street gang.

a hella sick communist street gang.