[lbo-talk] On poker [was: DC: Costs of big marches

[Wojtek Sokolowski]

Travis:
> But then you are now saying that mobilization should only occur if and
only if
> your group can control the feild and the rules of engagement.  So now your
> maximalist bar has been raised even higher!  Not only do mobilizations
need to
> scare the shit out of the ruling class and yeild immediate pay-offs but it
must
> also be the case that any further manouvering by the ruling class must be
met
> with the capacity to violently topple the state.  

If you can topple the capitalist state - you just topple it, instead of
wasting your time on marching, mobilizing and kindred posturing.  You march
and posture only when you can't, but want some concessions anyway and you
are in a position to inflict considerable damage if crossed.  If you are not
in such a position - you're bluffing and risking being blown out of the
water altogether, if your opponent sees through your game, which is not that
difficult to do.  In that situation, your best bets are either to humbly
petition those in power to be more considerate, or try to join forces with
those elements of the powers that be that may be somewhat sympathetic to
your cause and hope to prod them to do something for that cause.  Why is
this conditionality so difficult to understand?

Wojtek