The SDS was a big organization with a lot of different types of people in it. It had chapters on campuses and even high schools all over the country. Overall, I think it was a very good thing. They weren't what they were painted in retrospect. I went to a couple of meeting at SUNY Stonybrook and there was talk about bake sales to raise funds. They were nice, intelligent and intense kids who wanted a better world, an end to war, poverty and racism and most of their goals are still valid today. By the time I got to those meetings the faction that became Weatherman had already split off. Weatherman OTOH, didn't wind up being a big help. They were over the top, unable to make value judgements beyond "Off the pigs!" and the "you're with us or against us" mentality caused them to have "Free Charles Manson, free all political prisoners!" on a wall at their headquarters at one point. I have no idea if that was somewhat tongue in cheek or not, but either way, it made a poor impression. The were also not terribly competent, so they really weren't very scary, but they provided a convenient bogeyman for the establishment to use to against a whole movement. Most activists in the 60s were promoting peace and peaceful change, not violent revolution. If they were guilty of anything it was an idealism that was bound to be crushed by reality. I believe that groups like Weatherman helped to facilitate that reality. In later years it became apparent even to some people who, in desperation to see change, flirted with those groups that Weatherman and other such groups essentially aspired to terrorism in their own way.

It was a direct line to having that stuff associated with the counter-culture in the mind of the public and getting us "Morning in America" with Ronald Reagan. I don't know if I would have connected those dots, but I had my father pointing it out along the way and I can't argue with the fact that the conservative backlash he was seeing did come to fruition. Martin Luther King accomplished more with is non-violent resistance than any militant group ever did.

Now the inner city riots..the riots were a whole other issue. But, shit..I can't even remember enough to comment on those.

As always, Pat pretty much nailed my recollection as well as her own. I joined the SDS on campus at UT Arlington (that's right--it was EVEN in TEXAS!). It was our perception at the time that it was government infiltrators who were trying to get us to cross the line into violent/illegal action. Though we might have been paranoid (we often were, in those days) I still believe it was the case. Seemed to happen in every organization I joined, in two Texas cities and in Colorado. The most strident and radical ones showed up with little or no prior connection to anyone else and evaded questions about their background. I only knew 'real' Weathermen once, and something told me to stay far, far away from some of their meetings and activities. Interestingly, they respected my choice to be active in some things and not others, and we got along just fine; it's one reason I think they were the 'real deal.' Those whom I thought were infiltrators wouldn't easily take no for an answer.

Talk about memory lane...I haven't thought about any of this in years and years. We'll have to catch that show. BTW, the year I joined SDS was the year Jay & I met. <img src="http://www.arlo.net/ubb/smilies/hearts.gif" width=15 height=15>

Thanks for the thoughts. I sorta decided that these folks were way too far out there, and I can see how they did contribute to the Reagan revolution. Non violent resistance is the only way.

My father would point out some little thing..can't remember examples...just something that somone in the media said or something and would tell me that there was about to be this huge conservative backlash. He wasn't hoping for it. He was no revolutionary, but he was a liberal all the way. But from his experience in living on the planet, he could sniff social change. Being less experienced, I didn't agree. I thought that we'd never choose to go backward. I was really, really wrong.

An invitation from Michael Moore to go to the movies while on vacation: Finally coming to the "bedsheet screen" in Crawford Texas!
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>
July 26th, 2004 8:18 am
Open Letter to George W. Bush - by Michael Moore


Dear Mr. Bush:

I read that you have begun your summer vacation in Crawford. Summer vacation is a great time to see a movie - that's why so many blockbusters are released at this time of year. Unfortunately, my new movie, "Fahrenheit 9/11," has not been shown in Crawford (and didn't open 'til this weekend in Waco).

I write to invite you to the inaugural showing of "Fahrenheit 9/11" in Crawford at the Crawford Peace House, Wednesday, July 28 at dusk. I am very much looking forward to this Crawford premiere because, after all, so much of the film is set there in the months leading up to 9/11. Our Crawford premier will give us a chance to serve up some chips, salsa and a whole lot of truth - along with a film that I believe is all hat and all cattle, all sizzle and all steak.

If you graciously accept my invitation, I will also have the chance to thank you personally for being one of my Axis of Actors who star in the film (along with your Vice President and your Attorney General). And let's face it -- you've got the funniest lines in the film! We may even have an audience reading of "My Pet Goat" to celebrate "Fahrenheit 9/11" breaking through the $100 million mark at the box office.

Thank you for considering this invitation, and enjoy your vacation, for however long it may last.

Sincerely,
Michael Moore
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

there's an old saying in Tenn> I guess in Texas too, that "Fool me once, (long blank stare) well I guess I'm trying to say ya just can't fool me".

Stupid is as stupid does fits him much better. Maybe he can even remember the lines next time...Wait. If we pull together there won't be a next time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

What rb said (last): YES!