> Why not? I am not a part-time Buddhist. Buddhism is my
> operating system. I presume that anarchism is yours. Are
> you a part-time anarchist?
Anarchism is not a lifestyle or moral code for me.
> What is it then? I read the infoshop info and it seems that there is
> a definite morality associated with anarchism. I would presume that
> someone who says he is an anarchist would subscribe to the morality
> of anarchism. If not, why claim the name of anarchist?
You can see it that way. Sometiems anarchism comes across that way, but it is not a code of morals. Speaking for myself, I am against moralism.
> Is there any point in having beliefs if one does not manifest them in
> actions? I don't cut anyone slack, myslef included. I am surprised that
> you, as a pragmatist, would make such a plea.
I am a pragmatist and I try to practice what I preach. However, as a "taoist" and an anarchist I see the world as being pretty complicated. Since I'm not interested in moralism, I have no desire to adhere to an absolutist moral code or force my morals down somebody else's throat.
> So since anarchists cannot provide the drugs needed so that PWA's
> and PHIV's can survive, do you think it is moral to call for violence
> against
> the institutions which can provide these drugs without having viable
> alternatives in place?
I have no idea.
>> Besides, that misses the point of anarchism. We aren't positing ourselves
>
> as the salvation of people. We do not seek to take over government.
>
> I understand that. But to my eyes it is morally irresponsible to work
> for the destruction of a structure without having a substitute structure
> ready.
Anarchists are working on alternative structures, but more importantly we firmly believe that working people can implement alternatives when the current system collapses or is destroyed. Anarchists tend towards doing stuff today rather than waiting for the "revolution to happen."
> I did. It is very sensible. But it evades the question of how the complex
> machinerty of drug testing, production and distribution can be achieved
> without government of some sort.
If the government disappeared tomorrow, that wouldn't affect the ability of scientists to do research on Friday. I think you believe too much in the idea that government has to exist for society to function. In fact, there are many things in society that function without the assistance of government.
> I am all for the sharing of raw data
> and information, but all the research in the world is useless unless and
> until
> it is tranformed into practicable therapies that can be gotten to people
> with ease and consistency.
Right on, but a good case can be made that drug companies and government are huge obstacles to solving health problems.
> Buddhism is an empirically based religion. Also, there are some
> fascinatingroofs of rebirth. Many are available on the internet.
Pictures? Like pictures of Bigfoot and UFOs?
> But what if these empowered individuals decide that some formal
> structure is
> best for providing the complex needs of a complex populace?
Are you talking about government? Anarchists think that people would opt for cooperation, not government.
> That is fine. But how are they going to be able to research and produce
> the complex pharmaceuticals needed by PWA's and PHIV's. I certainly
> agree with drug-buying co-ops. But how would anarchists create the
> complex structures/machinery for researching/producing the needed drugs?
It won't be anarchists creating these alternatives, it would be anybody who is interested.
> They did it all the time with ACT UP, but we never masked up. Curious.
But you understand why it is important to keep one's identity out of the police files?
> ACT UP was one of the most egalitarian movementts I have ever been
> part of. And we didn't need to hide behind masks. Again, curious.
Apples and oranges. The black bloc is a tactic used during bigger demonstrations. The fact is that masking up faciliates egalitarianism within the bloc.
> Since anarchists have stolen so much from Buddhism, why are they so hostile
> to religion since much of their belief system is grounded in it?
What? Anarchism hasn't stolen anything from Buddhism! You are engaged in a logical religious fallacy like when my fundamentalist Christian mom told me once that Christians invented morality.
> Finally, since I know that you are pro-violence, I will ask again: can you
> point to an instance where you used violence and achieved a positive end?
I am not "pro-violence." I support diversity of tactics.
Chuck