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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I've been following the posts on what is the
appropriate response to 9/11, trying to get informed, and hesitating to enter
the fray, but now's as good a time as any to jump in, I guess. What is the
appropriate response? I submit that what "we" think should be done is a moot
point. This is the beginning of a new period of dark reaction, and "we" are
going to have no say in what the Response is, period. If people want to jump up
and down and wave signs to make themselves feel better, okay. I might even join
in once in a while, but I won't kid myself about its impact. On the other hand,
it's not the end of the world; if anything, it is the onset of a catastrophic
reorganization of Empire, and exactly where it leads is anybody's guess right
now...</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>The triggering Event of 9/11marked the end of
an uneasy stasis in Capital's relationship to the resource-rich and
communicationally exploitable Middle East (Baywatch as Iran's most popular tv
show, Havel's image of the nomad on his camel with a cellphone and a can of
Coke, etc.) Now Capital is clumsily reeling, trying to articulate its response
to this (deplorable) blow. Another Virtual War seems to be the present path, but
is it sustainable, compatible with the goals of Empire? This will be the
determining factor. After a phase of saber rattling and chest beating, the US
elites may retreat to consider some form of justice under international law,
while manufacturing perceptions to appease a wounded public now bent on
revenge, but easily distracted. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Meanwhile, fundamentalist Islam will continue to
face the contradictions in its own relationship to Empire, while at the same
time articulating one of the great transnational proletarian resistance
movements. (What are the world-wide "Moslem protests" currently taking place, in
the last analysis, but crudely articulated "postmodern" (see Hardt and
Negri) responses of a portion of the global proletariat in reaction to the
intrusions of Empire?) It too will mutate or die.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>What will the new equilibrium look like? Don't ask
me! But if anything is "to be done," I think "we" would be best served at the
moment by focusing on keeping our communications going with each other,
supporting the civilian victims of this insane "war" with as much material
relief as is possible through NGOs already in place, keeping alive the arts of
dissent in all public channels, defending freedom of expression, and
attempting to anticipate a new relationship with the oppressed peoples of the
"Islamic" nations in order to forge new links with the global proletariat. These
things alone are enough to keep "us" busy for some time.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I hope this little voice exercise will stimulate
some response. (Tear it up, you guys!)</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>paul g, mwc</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>