tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13622622.comments2023-12-22T08:44:24.389-05:00threewayfightMatthew N Lyonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15664330735255207352noreply@blogger.comBlogger492125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13622622.post-57183637331302894782023-12-19T14:47:01.270-05:002023-12-19T14:47:01.270-05:00Dang, I'm creeped out but intrigued. Great rev...Dang, I'm creeped out but intrigued. Great review, I'm now on the lookout for this book!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13622622.post-31025096053810263552023-11-16T10:15:19.558-05:002023-11-16T10:15:19.558-05:00Matthew, thank you. The links to other writers is ...Matthew, thank you. The links to other writers is very helpful, especially for many of us who have formed study groups and spaces of solidarity. m o o n markednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13622622.post-72064978313247999482023-11-12T21:44:42.753-05:002023-11-12T21:44:42.753-05:00Have you changed your mind with the new informatio...Have you changed your mind with the new information on the October 7 attack showing it wasn't the Hamas massacre of civilians it was made out to be,and that most victims were soldiers or civilians killed by the Israeli army?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13622622.post-41120891305237218292023-08-20T20:36:34.872-04:002023-08-20T20:36:34.872-04:00Thano: This is a very belated response to your que...Thano: This is a very belated response to your question, but I wanted to point to a couple of articles that discuss the role of LGBTQ+ people in Iran's recent mass uprising against gender oppression: "<a href="https://www.them.us/story/iran-protests-mahsa-amini-zahra-sedighi-hamedani-elham-chubdar" rel="nofollow">Iran's Mahsa Amini Protests Are an LGBTQ+ Fight, Too</a>," by James Factora on the website Them (October 2022) and "<a href="https://gal-dem.com/lgbtqi-people-forefront-iran-revolution/" rel="nofollow">LGBTQI+ people are at the forefront of Iran’s revolution – they should not be forgotten</a>," by Katayoun Jalilipour on the website gal-dem (December 2022).Matthew N Lyonshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15664330735255207352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13622622.post-25922519560271634582023-08-20T17:53:58.895-04:002023-08-20T17:53:58.895-04:00rowan and Xtn from the Three Way Fight project wer...rowan and Xtn from the Three Way Fight project were among the presenters at a session on "Trans Radicalism, Anti-Fascism, and the Three Way Fight" at the General Defense Committee's Midwest Anti-Capitalist Conference, July 28-30, Ypsilanti, Michigan. An audio recording of the session is available on YouTube <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQe5yGW-rzA" rel="nofollow">here</a>.Matthew N Lyonshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15664330735255207352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13622622.post-63201602918644093612023-07-21T17:43:52.399-04:002023-07-21T17:43:52.399-04:00The historian Nell Irvin Painter addressed the pot...The historian Nell Irvin Painter addressed the potential for South Asians in the U.S. to move into racially privileged status in a 10/26/2019 New York Times opinion piece titled “A Racist Attack Shows How Whiteness Evolves.” Discussing a 10/18/2019 incident in New Jersey in which two 17-year-old Indian American boys harassed four African American middle school girls with racial slurs and urinated on one of the girls, Painter writes, “Instead of asking what the boys’ reported racial identity tells us about the nature of the attack, we should see the boys as enacting American whiteness through anti-black assault in a very traditional way. In doing so, the assailants are demonstrating how race is a social construct that people make through their actions.” Noting that “The way in which whiteness is labeled has changed over time,” Painter asks, “Will Latinos of various skin colors come to consider themselves black or white? What about Asians of various skin colors? To find out, we should observe their actions. Or how they perform race.” <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/26/opinion/new-jersey-high-school-racism.html" rel="nofollow">https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/26/opinion/new-jersey-high-school-racism.html</a>.Matthew N Lyonshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15664330735255207352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13622622.post-71984919772716467802023-06-25T19:40:52.961-04:002023-06-25T19:40:52.961-04:00Has there been any analysis of the social uprising...Has there been any analysis of the social uprising in Iran by radical trans activists. I ask this because I believe a particular form of trans identity is recognized and subsidized by the state there. It seems to me that this might have particular implications for a 3 way fight perspective.Thanonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13622622.post-56972135489824589812023-06-15T07:39:03.737-04:002023-06-15T07:39:03.737-04:00John, whatever their responses to Russia's inv...John, whatever their responses to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, both the U.S. and Germany remain imperialist powers whose interests are fundamentally incompatible with human liberation, and Baerbock is wholly complicit in that. One of things that I appreciate about Simon Pirani's discussions of Ukraine is that he subordinates geopolitics to a working class-centered social movement analysis. I also appreciate his warnings not to romanticize the Ukrainian resistance. Ukraine remains a capitalist state which, while nowhere near as bad as Putin's brutal authoritarianism, has its own oppressive and repressive tendencies.Matthew N Lyonshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15664330735255207352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13622622.post-34788908132555626322023-06-13T21:38:28.553-04:002023-06-13T21:38:28.553-04:00Hi Matthew. Since I last saw you in person, I'...Hi Matthew. Since I last saw you in person, I've become ever more of an ultra-realo green mostly parroting Annalena Baerbock, and finding myself really more or less in agreement with the Biden administration's war policy, except I think they left the Germans hanging too long on the Main Battle Tank issue, and am comfortable that most US citizens seem to want to send the fighter jets faster than the administration. As a geopolitics wonk, I'm trying to compare this whole thing to the asymmetry of the 1990 Gulf War in terms of the four counter-offensives needed to get to Melitopol. And to just effing get there and squeeze the land bridge at the choke point. The Ukrainians are trying as I write to get to Tokmak, and that will be as ugly as the Kherson fight. And that is about half-way to Melitopol.<br /><br />But the Russo-Ukraine War is fairly described as a people's war too. Except that it is not a 'founding' war as the 1775ff US war of independence, or Israel in 1948. And we get ourselves into the idea of a populist war, or a war led by a populist. But that is not also an inaccurate description of President Zelensky. He is a left populist statesman sui generis out of the world of TV. And it has the support of the most powerful military alliance on the planet. Hence the 'assymetry' in a fashion similar to the 1990 Gulf War, though that of course was a direct intervention of the Western powers, but given an international legal legitimacy for the military activities of the Western powers by an virtually equivalent violation of the UN Charter on the part of S Hussein and V Putin. And here for the anarchists as well, perhaps, there is also importantly, a comparison to the Syrian Civil War of all the outcomes from the Arab Spring. I think we would have to call that a people's war that was defeated.<br /><br />The neo-conservatives at the AEI are support a variant of 'reluctant internationalism'. Alas, in some senses, all supporters of Ukraine in this fight are in this sort of a united front, but perhaps it is even hard to describe that part of the left that supports Ukraine as 'reluctant'. I was terribly worried about a hyper-war faction of the Thomas Friedman sort early on, but no longer. So I am not really reluctant. Are you?John Elynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13622622.post-21904838096656758562023-03-07T20:50:12.354-05:002023-03-07T20:50:12.354-05:00You aren't antifascists, you are false accuser...You aren't antifascists, you are false accusers.Vettel2011https://www.blogger.com/profile/00159892733238336987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13622622.post-68496135632349280532023-02-19T17:30:49.839-05:002023-02-19T17:30:49.839-05:00It's Black Metal, not Death Metal, that has mo...It's Black Metal, not Death Metal, that has more of a Nazi problem.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13622622.post-92103892354606166722022-08-06T10:49:19.970-04:002022-08-06T10:49:19.970-04:00THIS!
What an incredible article.
I have been stru...THIS!<br />What an incredible article.<br />I have been struggling with the exact questions you have hi-lighted here. I broached the subject of being more in solidarity with those who are on the same side but maybe only 85% same side, to be met with ostracism.<br />The far left needs to figure this out, fast. I saved a great article from 4 years ago about solidarity among the left. I'll try to find it. You'll enjoy it.<br />Saving your article. It's pitch perfect. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13622622.post-55934996292735127652022-06-14T07:20:45.788-04:002022-06-14T07:20:45.788-04:00Thanks very much for this thoughtful engagement wi...Thanks very much for this thoughtful engagement with what I have written. It's a refreshing contrast to many "discussions" in which people don't actually listen to each other. I totally agree that the Ukrainian far right needs to be analysed more fully than I have done; it's just not a subject I feel qualified to write on. There are people who specialise on it and it's better to listen to them. On Russia, yes, "authoritarian nationalism" sounds right, but we need to clarify respects in which the process has moved further, e.g. with the "Z" stuff and popular mobilisation. Yassin al-haj Saleh's designation of the Assad regime as fascist, quite different from the European analyses I grew up with, influenced me here. And yes, "people's war" is a really inadequate category; I suppose I used it to counter the "inter imperialist war" stuff that is repeated so incessantly. Anyway, let's continue the discussion. Thanks again. Simon Piranihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00836943937041022017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13622622.post-240008929728935762022-04-26T12:47:57.149-04:002022-04-26T12:47:57.149-04:00I posted a detailed criticism of Atzmon's &quo...I posted a detailed criticism of Atzmon's "Wondering Who" some years ago. It's here: https://articles-thestruggle.webador.com/a-review-of-the-who I'd make two points from it. 1) Atzmon said he's inspired by the insights of a writer named Otto Weininger. Weininger was praised by Adolph Hitler who said Weininger was the one "decent Jew"; 2) Atzmon claimed that as an Israeli solider in occupied Lebanon he learned how horrible Israeli was treating Palestinians (1984), but then did nothing at all for Palestinians for 20 years. <br />- Stanley HellerStanley Hellerhttps://thestrugglevideo.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13622622.post-78543762170178581262022-04-25T13:39:17.975-04:002022-04-25T13:39:17.975-04:00My god. What a dreadful, dreary, convoluted ramble...My god. What a dreadful, dreary, convoluted ramble this piece is. the author has completely and clearly deliberately misrepresented Rovics statements, trying to shoehorn them into some McCarthyite thoughtcrimes and guilt by association whilst avoiding mentioning Rovics own Jewish heritage. If the left is to stand any chance of revival we will have to abandon and ignore this sort of self destructive selfindulgent puritanism. You would think the author woukd have better things to do with his time than attack a diy left wing Jewish folk singer. bone eds roolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00352664842400811097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13622622.post-83076330294508427352022-03-24T09:25:34.054-04:002022-03-24T09:25:34.054-04:00I wasn't part of ARA, but I remember this even...I wasn't part of ARA, but I remember this event well. The Columbus town hall was a serious miscalculation by the Clinton administration. They wanted to rouse popular support for intensifying war on Iraq (which had never actually ended after the 1991 U.S. invasion), and they probably thought that Columbus, Ohio was a safe Middle America locale where they could expect a friendly and docile crowd. They didn't realize that the city was a major center of militant anti-racist activism. Along with the chanting and banners, there was a beautiful moment, broadcast live around the country, when an audience member challenged Albright's rationale for attacking Iraq and then scolded her for avoiding his question.<br /><br />A pretty good CNN account of the event is here: http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/9802/18/town.meeting.folo/Matthew N Lyonshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15664330735255207352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13622622.post-49723808601091499612022-02-21T02:04:30.842-05:002022-02-21T02:04:30.842-05:00Work-related vaccine mandates weaken the right to ...Work-related vaccine mandates weaken the right to employment and make the goal of full employment less attainable. Leftists should oppose them.Syndicalist 872412noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13622622.post-294339277614857972022-02-19T17:44:48.022-05:002022-02-19T17:44:48.022-05:00I thought that the leaflet was an exemplary exampl...I thought that the leaflet was an exemplary example of good politics and good <br />education. Well done comrades!<br /><br />JohnJohn Garveyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13148680993804023227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13622622.post-42238421920281779632022-02-12T06:07:53.956-05:002022-02-12T06:07:53.956-05:00excellent, even-handed, non-hysterical report.
excellent, even-handed, non-hysterical report. <br />ellen r rosnernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13622622.post-40026191580851362282021-11-26T02:58:22.400-05:002021-11-26T02:58:22.400-05:00Bet
I agree with the conclusion 100%
Would rec...Bet <br /><br />I agree with the conclusion 100% <br /><br />Would recommend removing "instigating" from "Instigating fights can get you and others hurt, and while that is not the ethical responsibility of antifascists (the far-right is always to blame for their violence, full stop), it is still something to be considered." The reason the far-right is to blame for violence is because they instigate fights. An antifascist, by ideological definition, cannot instigate violence because the fascist has already adopted a platform of violence.<br /><br />No need to let comment go through, unity and all that. Thanks for the analysis. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13622622.post-57990761632046612072021-10-07T14:07:59.099-04:002021-10-07T14:07:59.099-04:00I used to worry about these groups for their threa...I used to worry about these groups for their threats to my kids and grandchildren. Now, I'm seeing them finding purchase in so many state Legs. and the Senate and House, both Dems and Reps., that I think I might not escape their theocratic visions, especially if some of the shenanigans from Republicans find success, electorally. And, while I did try posting about the NAR and other theocrats, I agree with Fred Clarkson that the media sat on their hands while the roots of the Seven Mtns. were established and continues today. <br /><br />So, I'm glad to see you posting about this and I'll share it, for whatever that's worth. trog69https://www.blogger.com/profile/00448911131570383708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13622622.post-35885660693724811242021-09-18T03:08:33.388-04:002021-09-18T03:08:33.388-04:00the argument that people putting themselves in dan...the argument that people putting themselves in danger restricts the autonomy of others and is "coercing" them into helping is garbled nonsense. response #3 said it themselves: autonomy means being responsible for your own actions. that includes rushing off to get your ass kicked, but it also includes following behind because you're worried about the people ahead, or staying away and feeling guilty (or smug, or both) for not going along.<br /><br />that's a separate issue from lying about the # of people going with the group ("the whole bloc is going" or whatever), which is absolutely coercive, but the two should not be confused.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13622622.post-67166149893768031882021-09-16T18:37:27.439-04:002021-09-16T18:37:27.439-04:00I appreciate the response, Kristian. The info abou...I appreciate the response, Kristian. The info about the locations is helpful to this non-Portlander. (Those comments were both me, I couldn't figure out the commenting system...)Jared Enohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08323761918414931916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13622622.post-10724903308736952342021-09-09T20:30:48.898-04:002021-09-09T20:30:48.898-04:00Kristian Williams replies:
Jared and Anonymous-
...Kristian Williams replies:<br /><br />Jared and Anonymous-<br /><br />You raise essentially the same points, so I will respond to you both<br />together.<br /><br />Yes, a narrative that the fascists got run out of town twice would be<br />better than either of the alternatives I considered. However, we have<br />to choose among those courses of action that are available, not those<br />that we might merely imagine. So, had the decision-making process been<br />nimble enough to change direction as new information came in, and were<br />there logistics in place to transport a few hundred people across town<br />and have them arrive in a coordinated manner, and were all of those<br />people prepared to launch an offensive against a better-armed adversary<br />who had already established control of the terrain -- then you might<br />have a point. However, none of those conditions were in place on August<br />22. <br /><br />You seem to assume that the only thing the black bloc action lacked was<br />sufficient numbers, but I don't think that that is true. Other<br />contributors to this site have already discussed the shortcomings in<br />communications, logistics, and tactics, so I won't go over that again<br />here. I'll just note that good intentions are not the same thing as a<br />fighting capacity, and mistaking one for the other is dangerous.<br /><br />As to the question of geography: The area I describe as a muddy field in<br />a remote part of the city is Delta Park, where the Proud Boys had their<br />September 2020 sad-face tailgate party. Take a minute and go look at a<br />map. Delta Park is roughly triangular and bordered on two sides by<br />industrial areas, and on one side by an interstate highway. It is so<br />far north that it is almost in another state. <br /><br />In contrast, Peninsula Park, home to the September 2020 antifascist<br />demo, I described as being situated in "a populated and lively<br />neighborhood." You worry that translates to "areas of privilege where<br />marginalized folks are not welcome." In fact, it is in an historically<br />Black neighborhood which, despite years of gentrification, remains<br />pretty integrated by Portland standards. <br /><br />The Parkrose neighborhood, where the 2021 battle for Kmart occurred, is<br />a different matter. It is largely residential and (again, by Portland<br />standards) extremely diverse. As a whole it should not be written off,<br />and I am sorry if it seemed like I was being dismissive about it.<br />However, the Kmart parking lot is approximately seven acres, bordered by<br />four-lane roads on two sides, and has no direct street access to the<br />closest neighborhoods. This makes it a very defensible spot, but also<br />inaccessible and fairly contained. <br /><br />We don't know what would have happened had the black bloc kept their<br />distance, or formed a defensive line at the border of the residential<br />area. (Other contributors have already detailed steps that were being<br />taken to help protect the area's most vulnerable residents.) But we know<br />what did happen: As a result of the antifascist attack, the chances for<br />violence in Parkrose increased from "possible" to "certain." And the<br />thing that drew the Proud Boys into the nearby residential areas was<br />their pursuit of retreating antifascists. In terms of actual effect,<br />this can hardly be characterized as "defending" the community. <br /><br />I don't doubt anyone's intentions here, and I am certainly not saying<br />that we should *never* "go where they go." But I think that decision<br />needs to be made carefully, with attention to the tactical, strategic,<br />logistical, and (yes) narrative dimensions. I don't think it can be<br />assumed as a matter of principle.ThreeWayFighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11512465373943902647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13622622.post-1023807819728038482021-09-08T19:49:55.856-04:002021-09-08T19:49:55.856-04:00Interesting articles.Interesting articles.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com