August 19, 2004
Anarchy now!

Am I the only person who just loves the concept of an anarchists' convention?


Anarchists generally pride themselves on their rejection of government and its authority. But a faction of them fed up with the war in Iraq say they plan to cast anti-Bush votes this fall.

The voting debate was just one of the topics explored at the three-day North American Anarchist Convergence, which brought about 175 participants to Ohio University.

Some attendees rejected the voting proposal.

"Ultimately, those who are voting are either bad anarchists or not anarchists at all," said Lawrence, a "Californian in his mid-40s" who declined to give his last name. "No one can represent my interests. We reject political professionals."

Others said they are embracing their right to engage in the political process, and plan to vote for John Kerry, Ralph Nader or anyone who can underscore their opposition to the Bush administration.

Susan Heitker, 32, of Athens, believes that the U.S. government is neither legitimate nor democratic, but she still plans to vote.

"To me, at least, it's important to vote," she said. "There was a time when I was not going to vote, but I really dislike Bush."

Howard Ehrlich, of Baltimore, also embraces his right to "engage the political system."

"I will certainly vote against George Bush because he is leading the nation to further violence and eroding civil liberties," said Ehrlich, who is editor of Social Anarchism, a 3,000-circulation magazine.


Obviously, this is what happens when the members of the high school anarchists' club graduate. Via O-Dub.

Posted by Charles Kuffner on August 19, 2004 to The making of the President | TrackBack
Comments

I'm curious as to how the candidates will court the anarchists vote. I'm also looking forward to the anarchists get out the vote campaign. ;-)

Posted by: William Hughes on August 19, 2004 9:30 AM

"the anarchists get out the vote campaign. ;-)" - WH

Shouldn't they be holding a "get out OF the vote" campaign? :-)

"Ultimately, those who are voting are either bad anarchists or not anarchists at all" - Lawrence Whoever

Ah, the accusations are flying this year. Bad Americans. Bad Catholics. And now even bad anarchists. What's the world coming to?

Posted by: Steve Bates on August 19, 2004 9:47 AM

What's this world coming to?
I may actually vote for Kerry.
That's how bad it's gotten.

Posted by: Laurence Simon on August 19, 2004 9:51 AM

I'm not an anarchist, but the chortling about anarchists having a convention is kind of silly. Nothing in any flavor of political anarchism is opposed to voluntary organizations. Indeed, anarchist theory tends to hold them in high esteem.

Posted by: Patrick Nielsen Hayden on August 19, 2004 10:10 AM

Actually, some anarchist communities have their own courts and stuff, kinda crazy, but PNH has a point too.

Posted by: jesselee on August 19, 2004 10:40 AM

Do the anarchists follow strict Robert's Rules of Order at their convention?

Posted by: Mike Thomas on August 19, 2004 10:52 AM

Ugh. Ohio University. See this post.

Posted by: sean on August 19, 2004 11:22 AM

There is a wonderful reading by Jerry Stiller of John Sayles' At the Anarchists' Convention on Volume I of Symphony Space's Selected Shorts.

Posted by: ral on August 19, 2004 9:19 PM

I plan to Vote for Kerry... I see it as a way to hasten the decline.

Posted by: snuffy on August 30, 2004 10:49 AM

nice move!!

Posted by: mark on October 1, 2004 8:01 PM

if you voted then your not a true anarchist, so stop acting like it!!!

Posted by: Barbara on December 8, 2004 2:53 PM

Voting, protest marches are all a waste of your time! The chance that the storm troopers will destroy us at any given time so no sense in giving them a big target. Good anarchy works in the dead of night and creates havoc to the establishment by instilling dysinformation and computer viruses on the pig infrastructure! We need a pure communist revolution now, George Bush will blow off any protest with the words, "see how free we are, we allow protest". Our only hope now for pure anarchy to florish and communism to replace capitalism is to endure the nuclear bombing that Bush has planned to generate support for his abhorrent death polices. When that goes off we will have our Hiroshima and millions will be destroyed and then Bush will move to suspend all reasonable tenets of a free society. That is their goal and our chance to move into action to create havoc, they can never stamp us all out and like the valiant Iraq resistence we will survive!

Posted by: Commie Ricko on August 7, 2005 7:19 AM