Despite the spat of bad weather in New England as of late, I recently meet my comrade in arms Saheim Al-Azad at one of our Vermont training facilities. We decided to do some winter trials to test a number of things: 1) the reliability of SKSs and a Mossberg 500 in cold weather/heavy snow fall. 2) the possible use of snowshoes in guerrilla warfare 3) the degree that the snow made our patrol more difficult. 4) What it feels like to feed a 3" Magnum 15 pellet 00 buckshot through my Mossy.
After hiking for about 1/2 hour into the woods with at least two feet of accumulated snow, Saheim and I set up some targets. I definitely wore too many layers; the sun was out and the great amount of energy exerting going up hill in the snow got both of us sweaty. I feed 10 rounds through my Norinco SKS at 30-40 meters with no problems. Sahiems's Yugo SKS misfired on almost every round, even their second time through the gun. Saheim now plans to sell it. When we shot the Mossberg, the pistol grip broke completely off in Saheim's hand when he shot the second 3" shell. The lesson here is don't buy a shitty plastic pistol grip for your shotty. I replaced it with the original wood butt-stock and am glad to have it back in its regular configuration. On the way down we tried walking without the snow shoes, which was significantly more difficult. We both agreed that for long treks in deep snow, snow shoes would be optimal, but would be too clumsy for the purposes of moving around during combat. Also the snow tended to freeze on the lenses of my gear, making the scope on my SKS worthless and requiring me to chip the ice off of my binoculars. It was good to get into the mountains of Vermont and continue our training.
Feb 24, 2008
Pierre Falardeau's Octobre Free Online
This film comes highly recommended from my comrades in Québec. Directed by famous sovereigntist film maker Pierre Falardeau, Octobre (1994) chronicles the infamous October Crisis of 1970, from the perspective of the FLQ members. The movie is based on FLQ member Francis Simard's memoir of the groups most notorious and effective action of their nine year existence. Enjoy:
Tip of the Day: Know your Rights and Exercise them Freely
Thanks to xbiscuitsx over at Anarchy and Social Movements. Learning to deal with the authorities is a vital skill for any activist or political opperative, regardless of methodology.
Know Your Legal Rights
- A Quick Reference Guide -
from No Compromise Issue 23
By Shannon R. Keith, Esq.
GENERAL RIGHTS YOU SHOULD ALWAYS KNOW:
You have the right to remain silent
You have the right to an attorney
You have a Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination
You have a First Amendment right to freedom of speech
You have a Fourth Amendment right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures
QUESTIONING BY “AUTHORITIES”
If you are stopped by police, FBI, or other governmental “authorities,” remember your rights listed above, as well as these helpful hints:
Ask, “Am I being detained?” If the ‘authority’ says, “No,” then move on. You do not have to speak to them if you are not being detained. Do not allow them to trick you into speaking. For example, you may ask if you are being detained, and the authority may respond, “Not technically; I just want to ask you something,” or they may avoid the question completely. The best thing to do in this situation is to keep walking. Tell them that you do not wish to speak to them and that you are invoking your right to remain silent.
If an authority answers that you are being detained, remember that you still have the right to remain silent. They may ask for your name, social security number, address and phone. You do not have to provide this information. However, if you are subsequently arrested, you will waste a lot of time if you do not give your name and address, because they will hold you until they get it. If you don’t want to wait, the ONLY INFORMATION YOU HAVE TO GIVE IS YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS. You do not have to provide your phone number or social security number. (Note: there has been much debate over this issue. Some cases say that you must provide identification when lawfully detained, or you can be arrested for interfering with the duties of an officer. When in doubt, try to call your attorney, as many cases are fact specific.)
Just because you are being detained, does not mean you will be arrested.
Activists are routinely followed to their cars after protests. The best thing to do in this situation is keep walking and do not allow the ‘authority’ to follow you to you car and into your personal life.
At a protest, an ‘authority’ will almost always ask who is in charge. NEVER divulge that information, even if you think they already know. One of the biggest mistakes anyone can make is to divulge information to ‘authorities’ on the grounds that they already know the information. NEVER assume they know anything, and even if you KNOW they KNOW, make them do their homework-DON’T DO THEIR WORK FOR THEM!
WHEN THEY COME A KNOCKIN’….
The most important thing to remember is to NEVER open the door to strangers. Not only should you follow this policy, but you should tell friends, family, roommates, and co-workers to follow this policy, as well. Unfortunately, doors sometimes do get opened, and there can be unexpected visits at your workplace that you cannot control. When this happens, remember the following:
If you are visited at home or work by the ‘authorities,’ tell them you have nothing to say and wish to seek legal counsel.
Most likely, this will not deter the authorities. They will try to trick you into divulging information. One way they will do this is by playing good cop/bad cop. They might be very cordial at first, and once you assert your legal rights, they may tell you that if you don’t answer their questions you can get in “big trouble.” Do not let this frighten you. If they continue to harass you, close the door or walk away and ignore them.
They may also ask if you if they can come in. They may use an excuse like they need to use the bathroom or your phone. Do not let them in! Once you let them in, you have given them consent to search your home.
‘Authorities’ cannot enter your home without a search warrant (absent an emergency), and they cannot arrest you without an arrest warrant (absent probable cause).
Any competent adult can consent to a search if it appears that s/he has the authority to give consent. That means that if your co-worker or roommate is not given the heads-up, s/he might let ‘authorities’ into your home, and IT IS LEGAL!
If you find that your roommate or co-worker has allowed the ‘authorities’ onto your private property, tell them that you do not consent to the search and you are contacting an attorney.
YOU ARE YOUR BEST ATTORNEY
Your attorney and legal defense or offense is only as good as you make it.
You have a responsibility to yourself and others to be observant at all times. Keep the following in mind:
When at a protest, always have a pad of paper and pen ready.
Take note of the names of activists present.
Take note of the number of officers, their names and badge numbers.
When visited by “authorities,” ask for their card. If they refuse to give you their card, ask for their name, official title, address and phone number.
Write down exactly what occurred, the time, date and words exchanged.
Take pictures and video whenever possible.
ALWAYS ASSERT YOUR RIGHTS. NEVER BE AFRAID OR EMBARRASSED TO ASSERT YOUR RIGHTS. THE MORE YOU ASSERT YOUR RIGHTS, THE MORE YOU WILL GET USED TO IT. AND NEVER– UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES– NEVER, EVER COMPROMISE!
Know Your Legal Rights
- A Quick Reference Guide -
from No Compromise Issue 23
By Shannon R. Keith, Esq.
GENERAL RIGHTS YOU SHOULD ALWAYS KNOW:
You have the right to remain silent
You have the right to an attorney
You have a Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination
You have a First Amendment right to freedom of speech
You have a Fourth Amendment right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures
QUESTIONING BY “AUTHORITIES”
If you are stopped by police, FBI, or other governmental “authorities,” remember your rights listed above, as well as these helpful hints:
Ask, “Am I being detained?” If the ‘authority’ says, “No,” then move on. You do not have to speak to them if you are not being detained. Do not allow them to trick you into speaking. For example, you may ask if you are being detained, and the authority may respond, “Not technically; I just want to ask you something,” or they may avoid the question completely. The best thing to do in this situation is to keep walking. Tell them that you do not wish to speak to them and that you are invoking your right to remain silent.
If an authority answers that you are being detained, remember that you still have the right to remain silent. They may ask for your name, social security number, address and phone. You do not have to provide this information. However, if you are subsequently arrested, you will waste a lot of time if you do not give your name and address, because they will hold you until they get it. If you don’t want to wait, the ONLY INFORMATION YOU HAVE TO GIVE IS YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS. You do not have to provide your phone number or social security number. (Note: there has been much debate over this issue. Some cases say that you must provide identification when lawfully detained, or you can be arrested for interfering with the duties of an officer. When in doubt, try to call your attorney, as many cases are fact specific.)
Just because you are being detained, does not mean you will be arrested.
Activists are routinely followed to their cars after protests. The best thing to do in this situation is keep walking and do not allow the ‘authority’ to follow you to you car and into your personal life.
At a protest, an ‘authority’ will almost always ask who is in charge. NEVER divulge that information, even if you think they already know. One of the biggest mistakes anyone can make is to divulge information to ‘authorities’ on the grounds that they already know the information. NEVER assume they know anything, and even if you KNOW they KNOW, make them do their homework-DON’T DO THEIR WORK FOR THEM!
WHEN THEY COME A KNOCKIN’….
The most important thing to remember is to NEVER open the door to strangers. Not only should you follow this policy, but you should tell friends, family, roommates, and co-workers to follow this policy, as well. Unfortunately, doors sometimes do get opened, and there can be unexpected visits at your workplace that you cannot control. When this happens, remember the following:
If you are visited at home or work by the ‘authorities,’ tell them you have nothing to say and wish to seek legal counsel.
Most likely, this will not deter the authorities. They will try to trick you into divulging information. One way they will do this is by playing good cop/bad cop. They might be very cordial at first, and once you assert your legal rights, they may tell you that if you don’t answer their questions you can get in “big trouble.” Do not let this frighten you. If they continue to harass you, close the door or walk away and ignore them.
They may also ask if you if they can come in. They may use an excuse like they need to use the bathroom or your phone. Do not let them in! Once you let them in, you have given them consent to search your home.
‘Authorities’ cannot enter your home without a search warrant (absent an emergency), and they cannot arrest you without an arrest warrant (absent probable cause).
Any competent adult can consent to a search if it appears that s/he has the authority to give consent. That means that if your co-worker or roommate is not given the heads-up, s/he might let ‘authorities’ into your home, and IT IS LEGAL!
If you find that your roommate or co-worker has allowed the ‘authorities’ onto your private property, tell them that you do not consent to the search and you are contacting an attorney.
YOU ARE YOUR BEST ATTORNEY
Your attorney and legal defense or offense is only as good as you make it.
You have a responsibility to yourself and others to be observant at all times. Keep the following in mind:
When at a protest, always have a pad of paper and pen ready.
Take note of the names of activists present.
Take note of the number of officers, their names and badge numbers.
When visited by “authorities,” ask for their card. If they refuse to give you their card, ask for their name, official title, address and phone number.
Write down exactly what occurred, the time, date and words exchanged.
Take pictures and video whenever possible.
ALWAYS ASSERT YOUR RIGHTS. NEVER BE AFRAID OR EMBARRASSED TO ASSERT YOUR RIGHTS. THE MORE YOU ASSERT YOUR RIGHTS, THE MORE YOU WILL GET USED TO IT. AND NEVER– UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES– NEVER, EVER COMPROMISE!
Feb 21, 2008
Fidel Steps Down and Serbian Nationalists Burn U.S. Embassy!
As I am sure you all have heard by now Fidel Castro has resigned, maybe permanently making his younger brother Raul the second president of Cuba in almost fifty years. Of course the bourgeois and corrupt Miami Cuban lobby is celebrating/protesting, as is to be expected. The consensus among academics in my area, on the left and right seems to be that obviously the event is going to receive lots of media attention and be spun is different ways, but in reality real change within Cuba is going to be slow going. Apparently there is a serious proposal by members of the government that same sex couples in Cuba should receive the same rights as heterosexual married couples. A close Cuban-born friend of mine said that within five years Cuba will be completely different. And that was two years ago. I hope to be able to gain non-U.S. citizenship in the near future so that I may travel unrestricted to the island.
In unrelated news, a mob of Serbian nationalists stormed the U.S. embassy is Belgrade and set it ablaze before the respressive forces of the government showed up to disperse the crowd. They were apparently upset about Kosovo's recent achievement of nationhood, but mob/crowd mentality is rarely that simple. I would suspect that member of various clandestine organizations were among the crowd and possibly helped to escalate the situation. Meanwhile in Western Mass, UMass Amherst students clashed with police after the Patriots lost the Superbowl. If all the sport fanatics in this country devoted the same amount of energy to politics, this nation would be a far different place.
Feb 19, 2008
Free Books, Music, 'Zine etc. for Political Prisoners and Other Prisoners in Need of Solidarity
If you or somebody you know or know of is currently incarcerated or facing incarceration The Revolution Script wants to help you! Contact me through this website and we can talk about want kind of stuff (e.g. books, magazines, music cds, 'zines) you need/what kind of stuff is allowed by your current detention facility. Packages will be sent out free of charge to any incarcerated member(s) of the following organization: EZLN, ELF, ALF, APPO, BPP or any similar groups. If you are a political prisoner who is incarcerated unjustly or for involvement in leftist political activities such as direct action, street protest, squatting, train hopping, etc. you will also be sent free materials. This service will be funded through anti-consumerist acts and other revolutionary practices, like media mail. Calls to solidarity can also be posted on this website if emailed to me.
Also contact Lost Magazine, an incredible publication that provides free subscriptions to any incarcerated person(s) with the U.S. penal system. Pretty righteous.
Also contact Lost Magazine, an incredible publication that provides free subscriptions to any incarcerated person(s) with the U.S. penal system. Pretty righteous.
Feb 16, 2008
How to be a Post-Modern Revolutionary, Legally
One of the limitations of blogging is that I have to be very careful about what information post that pertains to my off-line existence. I really can't talk about too many things I have done or too many places I have traveled as by doing so I either 1) reveal incriminating information or 2) reveal identifying information. But I can write about stuff that I haven't done yet or have no plans of doing. Today I want to talk about how commit revolutionary acts in "non"-violent and legal ways. That said check your local, state and federal laws before doing anything described herein.
The ELZN or the Zapatistas are known for being the first "post-modern" revolutionary army. This is because while they have guns, they only used them for twelve days in 1994. Since then their arms act merely as a deterrent against outside aggression, i.e. as a means of providing self-determination. Back in their prime, the Black Panther Party in San Francisco took advantage of California's open carry laws and formed armed street patrols to deter acts of police brutality in their neighborhoods. It worked and acts of police brutality against Blacks plummeted.
Some states, such Vermont still have open carry laws permitting your to carry firearms openly as long as you are not on government property, i.e. on the Vermont Statehouse lawn. As such, there is nothing inherently illegal with a band of ski-masked people carrying guns to walk around the streets of their hometown carrying AK-47s. Pointing them at or generally threatening people with them however is illegal. One idea that I had was to establish patrols in my home town to demonstrate that the town and the state of Vermont are more than capable of defending itself against foreign aggression, without the help of the federal government. Thus your band of revolutionaries is replacing and therefor nullifying the federal government in one respect. Providing for the populace where the government has failed is the first step towards establishing your movement as a counter-authority and gaining popular support, as described by Timothy Wickham Crowley.
Another idea is to use the fact that you are armed to bring attention to your cause. Media member will no doubt take interest in you and you must you this opportunity to get your message out. They key to this is having a statement prepared so that you do not look like another "gun nut" (my apologies to the gun nuts who read this). Also do not allow yourselves to become provoked into confrontation. If the police come, which they will remain calm and cooperative, explaining that you are well within your legal and constitutional rights. Have a copy of the open-carry law with you to prove that you are not committing a crime. Again, double and triple check all applicable laws before doing this. For example in Vermont you can have a loaded handgun in your car, but not a loaded rifle or shotgun so you would have to load up your AK or AR once you got to where you plan to demonstrate and then unload them when you leave. This is assuming that you want to keep your guns loaded, which is not necessary as you will not be using them, plus it looks better if you do get arrested for whatever reason.
The ELZN or the Zapatistas are known for being the first "post-modern" revolutionary army. This is because while they have guns, they only used them for twelve days in 1994. Since then their arms act merely as a deterrent against outside aggression, i.e. as a means of providing self-determination. Back in their prime, the Black Panther Party in San Francisco took advantage of California's open carry laws and formed armed street patrols to deter acts of police brutality in their neighborhoods. It worked and acts of police brutality against Blacks plummeted.
Some states, such Vermont still have open carry laws permitting your to carry firearms openly as long as you are not on government property, i.e. on the Vermont Statehouse lawn. As such, there is nothing inherently illegal with a band of ski-masked people carrying guns to walk around the streets of their hometown carrying AK-47s. Pointing them at or generally threatening people with them however is illegal. One idea that I had was to establish patrols in my home town to demonstrate that the town and the state of Vermont are more than capable of defending itself against foreign aggression, without the help of the federal government. Thus your band of revolutionaries is replacing and therefor nullifying the federal government in one respect. Providing for the populace where the government has failed is the first step towards establishing your movement as a counter-authority and gaining popular support, as described by Timothy Wickham Crowley.
Another idea is to use the fact that you are armed to bring attention to your cause. Media member will no doubt take interest in you and you must you this opportunity to get your message out. They key to this is having a statement prepared so that you do not look like another "gun nut" (my apologies to the gun nuts who read this). Also do not allow yourselves to become provoked into confrontation. If the police come, which they will remain calm and cooperative, explaining that you are well within your legal and constitutional rights. Have a copy of the open-carry law with you to prove that you are not committing a crime. Again, double and triple check all applicable laws before doing this. For example in Vermont you can have a loaded handgun in your car, but not a loaded rifle or shotgun so you would have to load up your AK or AR once you got to where you plan to demonstrate and then unload them when you leave. This is assuming that you want to keep your guns loaded, which is not necessary as you will not be using them, plus it looks better if you do get arrested for whatever reason.
Tip of the Day: Don't Think about Cops
Has this ever happened to you? You are driving or walking along, thinking to yourself "I haven't seen a cop in a while" and then BOOM a police car drives into views. It happens to me more often than I would like. There are several possible explanations: 1) the government can read my mind 2) I can predict the future or 3) I have incredible powers of psychic manifestation. I rather like the 2 & 3 more than 1. So if you don't want to see cops then don't think about how you don't see any cops, just take advantage of that fact and TCB (take care of business).
BTW who else wishes they were in Denmark right now?
BTW who else wishes they were in Denmark right now?
Feb 15, 2008
Book Review: Knife Throwing Techniques of the Ninja by M.E. Peters
It is kind of weird to review a book 22 years after it was published, but this just came across my radar. Knife Throwing Techniques of the Ninja by M.E. Petersavailable here and in the downloads section is an interesting introductory text to tanto-jitsu, or knife throwing and fighting techniques taught in ninjutsu. It is a fairly quick read and covers everything from what kind of knives to use to detailing four different grips. It was well written, a refreshing change from a recent knife fighting manual based on the author's experiences in Folsom Prison. It pretty much confirms what I already knew: mastering knife throwing i.e. learning how many rotations are required for what distances, etc. can only be done through rigorous practice and feeling it out for yourself. The book teaches technique but recommends throwing 200 times a day, starting at ten feet. I definitely recommend it and it's free here so why not?
I have also been reading a really great 'zine called "politicians love gun control: reframing the debate around gun ownership" by sweet tea, which will be scanned and posted soon. So stay tuned kids, there is more revolution on the way.
I have also been reading a really great 'zine called "politicians love gun control: reframing the debate around gun ownership" by sweet tea, which will be scanned and posted soon. So stay tuned kids, there is more revolution on the way.
Feb 14, 2008
Updated: 103 Goals For Self
I saw this on comrade's xbiscuitsx's blog, Anarchy and Social Movements. I took most of her list, but added alot. I will update it as time goes on. And I just did!
101 Goals
1- Graduate College X
2- Investigate Mass gun permit X (gun control is the tool of the oppressors)
3-Publish Green Mountain Boys zine/pamphlet
4- Publish The Revolution Script Reader #2
5- Get a real website for The Revolution Scipt distro
6- Fill my sketch book with drawings
7- Get a dog from the pitbull rescue people to be my personal guard dog/companion animal (see:D&D Ranger Class)
8- Become a gunsmithing apprentice/ gunsmith
9-Run a marathon
10- Run 5 5ks (0/5)
11- Learn to roller skate well
12- Plant a garden
13- Get more tattoos (one planned)
14- Get Wilderness EMT certified
15- Draw a tattoo then give it to myself
16- Get a non Bank of America bank account x
17- Start Food Not Bombs in town of residence
18- Drink at least one cup of tea product a day
19- Walk all the streets in Oaxaca City and work on my map of APPO-occupied Zocalo
20- Publish a more political zine
21- Write and Publish book on contemporary radical militantism
22- Learn to ride motorcycles/dirt bikes
23- Get an ATV
24- Dumpster more food than I buy
25- Hug at least one person every day (100/1001)
26- Practice map/schematic drawing enough to use for actions/integration with Google Earth
27- Figure out what I want my knuckles to say
28- Stop drinking soda ever at all any
29- Cut corn syrup out of diet
30- Avoid putting sugar in coffee ever X
31- Go rockclimbing
32- Practice Swimming (50/??)
33- Get a bike cart
34- Learn to shoot left handed/one handed, both sides
35- Go to clinic defense at least once
36-Go to a select board/ Town Hall meeting, just to see whats up
37-Buy vegetables from local farmers during the summer x
38-Participate in vegan potluck whenever possible
39-Shoot at least once a month X (I've been doing a good job so far, S&W helped me for the month of January)
40-Read The Autobiography of Malcolm X and other books about civil rights and black power movements X
41-Consistantly Practice climbing roofs X (harder during the winter)
42-Learn to sew stitches in human flesh
43-Not ever buy any pepsi. coke, or Phillip Morris products (I cut soda out of my diet, that is a big start)
44-Spend more money at thrift stores than non-thrift stores
45-Have a healthy relationship that lasts longer than 2 months X
46- Lift weights at least once a week (needs work)
47-Go running at least twice a week X
48-Do 25 situps before bed every night (Needs work, was up to 100 a day at one point)
49-Do 10 pushups before bed every night (needs work, was up to 50 a day at one point)
50-Don’t ever go back to deodorant X
51- Eat less cruel x
52-Keep Chillin' X
53-Read one book/zine/blog for pleasure every day X
54-Attend two shooting events in 2008
55-Listen to music I love each day X
56- Take at least 5 Juijitsu classes (0/5)
57- Finish Akido X
58- Finish Fencing X
59-Go on at least 1 multi-night camping trip
60-Look into taking a NOLS, Tom Brown, or Ruckus outdoor course
61-Go out of my way to be nice at least once a week X
62-Write a letter/email a week to someone X
63-work on communication skills X
64-Find a place I like to volunteer at and volunteer at least once a month X
65-Create posters/stencils that reflect my political beliefs and spread them around
66-Research squatting in Vermont, consider squatting some buildings in Vermont
67-Help organize/work in a community garden
68-Ride the Virginia ‘diamond’ on coal cars
69-travel by freight train on a good length trip
70- travel by hitch hiking for a large distance
71- Never get married (unless very very financially helpful)
72-Never own a car, use bike and public transportation X
73-Find a way to work on Spanish skills X
74-Learn how to screen print and actually build one and do it
75-Make some sweet stencils and patches
76-Make buttons with button maker for Green Mountain Boys
77-Wake up early and exercise or stretch or read at least 1 day a week
78-Cut down on TV/Movie watching x
79- Play a board or card game at least once
80-Go skinny dippin in the Connecticut
81- Ride my bike naked
82-Get a job that trains me for the revolution (1/?)
83-Do a complete overhaul of belongings and donate / recycle everything that is no longer relevant/needed
84-Travel to the west coast to visit friends and see what it is like
85-Go to a gun convention
86-Go to NRA Blogger's Bash (missed it)
87-Organize at least 10 shooting trips for new shooters (2/10)
88-Learn throw knives better
89- Organize an infoshop
90-Organize a social center
91- Cook more X
92-Attempt meditation or yoga
93-learn to sail better
94-Draw up an inventory of munitions, then destroy it x (must be constantly updated, only to be destroyed
95-Complete at least 20 fabrication/"work" projects (2/20)
96-Adopt a catamount from the wild
97-Visit the Edgar Allan Poe museum in Richmond
98-Read all of the books I own, listen to all the cds I own, watch all the DVDs I own
99-Go on 5 hikes (15/5)
100-Actually save some money in savings account X
101-Start a club of some sort in Vermont
102- Learn to run a Books for Prisoners program
103- Stop smoking cigarettes
101 Goals
1- Graduate College X
2- Investigate Mass gun permit X (gun control is the tool of the oppressors)
3-Publish Green Mountain Boys zine/pamphlet
4- Publish The Revolution Script Reader #2
5- Get a real website for The Revolution Scipt distro
6- Fill my sketch book with drawings
7- Get a dog from the pitbull rescue people to be my personal guard dog/companion animal (see:D&D Ranger Class)
8- Become a gunsmithing apprentice/ gunsmith
9-Run a marathon
10- Run 5 5ks (0/5)
11- Learn to roller skate well
12- Plant a garden
13- Get more tattoos (one planned)
14- Get Wilderness EMT certified
15- Draw a tattoo then give it to myself
16- Get a non Bank of America bank account x
17- Start Food Not Bombs in town of residence
18- Drink at least one cup of tea product a day
19- Walk all the streets in Oaxaca City and work on my map of APPO-occupied Zocalo
20- Publish a more political zine
21- Write and Publish book on contemporary radical militantism
22- Learn to ride motorcycles/dirt bikes
23- Get an ATV
24- Dumpster more food than I buy
25- Hug at least one person every day (100/1001)
26- Practice map/schematic drawing enough to use for actions/integration with Google Earth
27- Figure out what I want my knuckles to say
28- Stop drinking soda ever at all any
29- Cut corn syrup out of diet
30- Avoid putting sugar in coffee ever X
31- Go rockclimbing
32- Practice Swimming (50/??)
33- Get a bike cart
34- Learn to shoot left handed/one handed, both sides
35- Go to clinic defense at least once
36-Go to a select board/ Town Hall meeting, just to see whats up
37-Buy vegetables from local farmers during the summer x
38-Participate in vegan potluck whenever possible
39-Shoot at least once a month X (I've been doing a good job so far, S&W helped me for the month of January)
40-Read The Autobiography of Malcolm X and other books about civil rights and black power movements X
41-Consistantly Practice climbing roofs X (harder during the winter)
42-Learn to sew stitches in human flesh
43-Not ever buy any pepsi. coke, or Phillip Morris products (I cut soda out of my diet, that is a big start)
44-Spend more money at thrift stores than non-thrift stores
45-Have a healthy relationship that lasts longer than 2 months X
46- Lift weights at least once a week (needs work)
47-Go running at least twice a week X
48-Do 25 situps before bed every night (Needs work, was up to 100 a day at one point)
49-Do 10 pushups before bed every night (needs work, was up to 50 a day at one point)
50-Don’t ever go back to deodorant X
51- Eat less cruel x
52-Keep Chillin' X
53-Read one book/zine/blog for pleasure every day X
54-Attend two shooting events in 2008
55-Listen to music I love each day X
56- Take at least 5 Juijitsu classes (0/5)
57- Finish Akido X
58- Finish Fencing X
59-Go on at least 1 multi-night camping trip
60-Look into taking a NOLS, Tom Brown, or Ruckus outdoor course
61-Go out of my way to be nice at least once a week X
62-Write a letter/email a week to someone X
63-work on communication skills X
64-Find a place I like to volunteer at and volunteer at least once a month X
65-Create posters/stencils that reflect my political beliefs and spread them around
66-Research squatting in Vermont, consider squatting some buildings in Vermont
67-Help organize/work in a community garden
68-Ride the Virginia ‘diamond’ on coal cars
69-travel by freight train on a good length trip
70- travel by hitch hiking for a large distance
71- Never get married (unless very very financially helpful)
72-Never own a car, use bike and public transportation X
73-Find a way to work on Spanish skills X
74-Learn how to screen print and actually build one and do it
75-Make some sweet stencils and patches
76-Make buttons with button maker for Green Mountain Boys
77-Wake up early and exercise or stretch or read at least 1 day a week
78-Cut down on TV/Movie watching x
79- Play a board or card game at least once
80-Go skinny dippin in the Connecticut
81- Ride my bike naked
82-Get a job that trains me for the revolution (1/?)
83-Do a complete overhaul of belongings and donate / recycle everything that is no longer relevant/needed
84-Travel to the west coast to visit friends and see what it is like
85-Go to a gun convention
86-Go to NRA Blogger's Bash (missed it)
87-Organize at least 10 shooting trips for new shooters (2/10)
88-Learn throw knives better
89- Organize an infoshop
90-Organize a social center
91- Cook more X
92-Attempt meditation or yoga
93-learn to sail better
94-Draw up an inventory of munitions, then destroy it x (must be constantly updated, only to be destroyed
95-Complete at least 20 fabrication/"work" projects (2/20)
96-Adopt a catamount from the wild
97-Visit the Edgar Allan Poe museum in Richmond
98-Read all of the books I own, listen to all the cds I own, watch all the DVDs I own
99-Go on 5 hikes (15/5)
100-Actually save some money in savings account X
101-Start a club of some sort in Vermont
102- Learn to run a Books for Prisoners program
103- Stop smoking cigarettes
Feb 11, 2008
Zapatistas Losing Support?
A comrade recently sent me this link.
POLHO, Mexico - Nearly 200 families have abandoned the Zapatista rebel movement in one of its strongholds, turning to the government for aid at a time when the insurgents are complaining about the loss of outside support.
On Wednesday, each family received initial payments of $43 in a ceremony with Salvador Escobedo, a top official with the federal government's Social Development Department. The government is promising similar payments every two months, as well as a school and medical center.
This may seem dramatic and potentially damaging to the cause of the Zapatistas, but lets think about this for a second. The Mexican State of Chiapas is the most resource rich AND the poorest per capita state in Mexico. One third of the Mexican army is stationed in there, where they routinely conduct exercises in "low-intensity warfare." This means raping, assaulting, killing, harassing and generally making life difficult for the peasants in the rural areas of Chiapas. The Zapatistas have tried to mitigate these miserable conditions by establishing it's own autonomous communities, building local economies, health care facilities, schools etc. In this regard they have done a great job, but there is always more work to be done. This sounds like nothing more than bribery to support a government which never paid any attention to rural Chiapans until masked men and women with guns showed up. Forty three dollars or about 430 pesos goes a long way in Chiapas, particularly when your family may have no income to begin with. The article continues:
In December, Zapatista leader Subcomandante Marcos said he was withdrawing to the shadows, ending nearly two years of public appearances aimed at bolstering a grass-roots leftist movement across Mexico.
In making the announcement, he complained that the once widespread national and international support for the Zapatistas has been "insignificant or null" recently.
The Zapatistas still enjoy considerable support among radical leftists in this country and in Europe. What I would say is that the Zapatistas are no long "en vogue" as they once were among more moderate leftists. So I would like to take this opportunity to express my unequivocal support for and solidarity with the struggle of the Zapatistas and the people of Chiapas.
Hasta Siempre
POLHO, Mexico - Nearly 200 families have abandoned the Zapatista rebel movement in one of its strongholds, turning to the government for aid at a time when the insurgents are complaining about the loss of outside support.
On Wednesday, each family received initial payments of $43 in a ceremony with Salvador Escobedo, a top official with the federal government's Social Development Department. The government is promising similar payments every two months, as well as a school and medical center.
This may seem dramatic and potentially damaging to the cause of the Zapatistas, but lets think about this for a second. The Mexican State of Chiapas is the most resource rich AND the poorest per capita state in Mexico. One third of the Mexican army is stationed in there, where they routinely conduct exercises in "low-intensity warfare." This means raping, assaulting, killing, harassing and generally making life difficult for the peasants in the rural areas of Chiapas. The Zapatistas have tried to mitigate these miserable conditions by establishing it's own autonomous communities, building local economies, health care facilities, schools etc. In this regard they have done a great job, but there is always more work to be done. This sounds like nothing more than bribery to support a government which never paid any attention to rural Chiapans until masked men and women with guns showed up. Forty three dollars or about 430 pesos goes a long way in Chiapas, particularly when your family may have no income to begin with. The article continues:
In December, Zapatista leader Subcomandante Marcos said he was withdrawing to the shadows, ending nearly two years of public appearances aimed at bolstering a grass-roots leftist movement across Mexico.
In making the announcement, he complained that the once widespread national and international support for the Zapatistas has been "insignificant or null" recently.
The Zapatistas still enjoy considerable support among radical leftists in this country and in Europe. What I would say is that the Zapatistas are no long "en vogue" as they once were among more moderate leftists. So I would like to take this opportunity to express my unequivocal support for and solidarity with the struggle of the Zapatistas and the people of Chiapas.
Hasta Siempre
Blast from the Past or COIN and Cigars
I recently picked this up at a tobacco shop because it was just too classic. Apparently there are so many empty .50 cal ammo boxes lying around Nicaragua, left over from the U.S. illegal funding of counter-insurgency efforts in the region that they are used for shipping cigars. The box shows its age as it is slightly rusted but no matter, I am now the proud owner of a piece of COIN history. I plan to re-use it for it's original purpose, storing ammo. But unfortunately I cannot afford a $1500+ gun that shoots $6-70 rounds.
Feb 8, 2008
Tip of the Day: Drive on Vegetable Oil
Why should you pay for fuel when there is fuel to be found that is completely free. I am talking about vegetable oil, which can be burned in diesel engine, sometimes with no modifications. Any diesel car, truck or van can be greased. The kit to run on diesel and grease can be found on Grease Car and can be installed by oneself. The fuel can be picked up for free if you make arrangements with restaurant to haul away what they usually pay to be deposed of. After filtering the grease, you are good to go. I have several friends who use this on everything from VW buses to Mercedes sedans to Ford F350, which is run on pure vege oil in warm weather. I someday hope to run a mil-surp Hummer on grease.
Feb 4, 2008
The Sino/Soviet Split
The year is 1984 and across Asia, the Red Armies march on to confront capitalist imperialism. Note the Norinco SKS in the first video.
CCTV – Enemy of the Revolution
Today we have a contribution from Comrade Damien, a guest contributer from the UK:
In Britain we have a massive amount of CCTV (Closed Circuit Television) cameras; there are 25 million CCTV cameras in operation worldwide, with 2.5 million in the UK alone. The average UK citizen is caught on CCTV cameras 300 times a day. Now this is a bit of a problem for a revolutionary as there are not many places to hide. Imagine Che Guevara being captured 300 times a day on a camera, it’s pretty safe to say that even he wouldn’t have done much. And so we face a major dilemma with the cameras: do we either attempt to constantly disrupt and destroy the cameras? Or do we attempt to use the cameras as our advantage? The destruction of CCTV cameras could be seen as the best way forward as it would immediately stop any filming and recording of that area, however over time the cameras would get repaired and it could be very time consuming to keep destroying cameras and would not benefit the revolution in the long term. Alternatively we could attempt to use these cameras to our advantage. Sun Tzu said that all warfare is based on deception.
We must see ourselves as behaving like magicians, we make the audience keep watching one hand while the other keeps pulling rabbits. Organization is key, at least two groups must be formed in order to fully function properly. The first group will be used to distract and deceive the operators of the CCTV cameras and create as much distraction as possible to keep the CCTV operators busy, making sure that they only appear to be doing various acts and not actually doing anything. We need to make the operators of the CCTV very paranoid and hopefully after a long period of using this tactic they may even suspect a normal civilian of doing something wrong, which will aid us as it will keep them even more distracted from us.
The second group will be used to take out various random CCTV cameras to make it seem that we could strike anywhere anytime. They must also be used to keep these cameras down for as long as possible and halt the repairing of the cameras.
While these two groups are operating it will then be possible and more easier for the rest of the revolutionaries to undergo there various tasks and missions during the revolution.
Hopefully this has been of some help to you on the subject of CCTV cameras and counter surveillance.
In Britain we have a massive amount of CCTV (Closed Circuit Television) cameras; there are 25 million CCTV cameras in operation worldwide, with 2.5 million in the UK alone. The average UK citizen is caught on CCTV cameras 300 times a day. Now this is a bit of a problem for a revolutionary as there are not many places to hide. Imagine Che Guevara being captured 300 times a day on a camera, it’s pretty safe to say that even he wouldn’t have done much. And so we face a major dilemma with the cameras: do we either attempt to constantly disrupt and destroy the cameras? Or do we attempt to use the cameras as our advantage? The destruction of CCTV cameras could be seen as the best way forward as it would immediately stop any filming and recording of that area, however over time the cameras would get repaired and it could be very time consuming to keep destroying cameras and would not benefit the revolution in the long term. Alternatively we could attempt to use these cameras to our advantage. Sun Tzu said that all warfare is based on deception.
We must see ourselves as behaving like magicians, we make the audience keep watching one hand while the other keeps pulling rabbits. Organization is key, at least two groups must be formed in order to fully function properly. The first group will be used to distract and deceive the operators of the CCTV cameras and create as much distraction as possible to keep the CCTV operators busy, making sure that they only appear to be doing various acts and not actually doing anything. We need to make the operators of the CCTV very paranoid and hopefully after a long period of using this tactic they may even suspect a normal civilian of doing something wrong, which will aid us as it will keep them even more distracted from us.
The second group will be used to take out various random CCTV cameras to make it seem that we could strike anywhere anytime. They must also be used to keep these cameras down for as long as possible and halt the repairing of the cameras.
While these two groups are operating it will then be possible and more easier for the rest of the revolutionaries to undergo there various tasks and missions during the revolution.
Hopefully this has been of some help to you on the subject of CCTV cameras and counter surveillance.
Feb 2, 2008
Training Report #3
My training has been progressing, albeit slowly. I finished Aikido and fencing and now have much more time on my hands. Recent snow fall allowed me to practice tracking and identifying animal tracks. I have been continuing on my rooftop surveillance and urban patrols. In addition I have also been working on my PT (physical training) and am going to start getting into a routine with an anarchist comrade.
More interestingly, I made a trip down to the Smith & Wesson range/factory/academy in Springfield, MA, along with some comrades in the animal liberation movement. It was their first time shooting pistols and they had a great time with a .22lr revolver. I, however had been wait to try one of S & W's new line of tactical revolvers. I put 50 rounds through the M&P R8 in .357, pictured below. It shot great, although I was a bit rusty and shot like crap. I did place some nice head shots at the 3rd position. The recoil wasn't that bad and after the box was done my hand barely hurt. The fact that it fits 8 rounds in the chamber was it's strongest point, much better than my friend's 5 round Ruger, in the same caliber. I hadn't been shooting for a while so it was great to go down, shoot, window shop and see everybody else shooting a rainy day.
More interestingly, I made a trip down to the Smith & Wesson range/factory/academy in Springfield, MA, along with some comrades in the animal liberation movement. It was their first time shooting pistols and they had a great time with a .22lr revolver. I, however had been wait to try one of S & W's new line of tactical revolvers. I put 50 rounds through the M&P R8 in .357, pictured below. It shot great, although I was a bit rusty and shot like crap. I did place some nice head shots at the 3rd position. The recoil wasn't that bad and after the box was done my hand barely hurt. The fact that it fits 8 rounds in the chamber was it's strongest point, much better than my friend's 5 round Ruger, in the same caliber. I hadn't been shooting for a while so it was great to go down, shoot, window shop and see everybody else shooting a rainy day.
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