George Rebane
The guiles of socialism should never be discounted or ascribed to only this class/intellect or that. As many others since then, the Bolshevik Revolution probably ate many of its own children when it applied overly simple rules for liquidating classes that were the designated enemies of the people. For example, during the Russian Civil War (1918-1923) marauding communist partisans stopped trains to examine the hands of passengers who were lined up along the tracks. Those with ‘soft hands’ were summarily executed on the spot.
We received a non-Christmas card from friends (actually friends of one of our daughters) that contained the obligatory annual family news summary. These friends are about fifty, and both are highly educated and accomplished technology professionals. They are also what I would call members of the 'soft hands' far Left intelligentsia – well to do, having benefitted immensely, and continuing to benefit from the free market capitalist system. And yet all their non-professional energies go towards a fundamental transformation of our country’s economy and social order. Their college age kids have been carefully taught, and are now sources of great pride to the parents.
The following excerpt is from their news letter (names changed).
… Bob’s big claim to fame this year was getting himself arrested (on purpose) in Washington DC by protesting the Tar Sands pipeline construction. Here he is in front of the White House on August 30th (behind Daryl Hannah). He returned to Washington in November to join the 12,000 people who circled the White House in protest of the pipeline. The demonstrations seem to have worked, at least delaying approval for the pipeline.
Elaine has always been interested in social equity, so it was no surprise when she joined the Occupy movement representing the 99%. She spent a month living in a tent at Occupy Oakland and participating in protests. The tent community that was set up in front of city hall (shown here) was quite impressive with kitchen, library, first aid, child care, yoga classes, and nightly general assemblies. It has been a real education in self-governance and non-violent protest for all of us.
The 2011 Time Magazine person of the year is “the protestor” and we’re very proud to have two of them in our family.
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