Originally published in Profane Existence #10 (April 1991)

The end of civilization as we know it
By Felix Havoc

Victory is achieved, the status quo is maintained and a new Pax Americana is imposed on the world. While our myopic government engages in costly adventures abroad our nation at home continues to fall apart. All the patriotic war hysteria in the world isn't going to help stop rising homelessness, poverty, sexism and racism as we slide deeper into recession. If this downturn takes a real turn for the worse people may begin to loose all their economic security and question the status quo. While historically this has meant icreased support for radical groups it is also a breeding ground for fascist politics as well. Hate crimes are on the rise and skinheads still roam the streets of America unopposed. We must be on the lookout for a rise of David Duke style politicians who will blame economic conditions on minority groups. It would be easy to imagine a series of layoffs in St. Paul followed by a surge of assaults on that cities H'mong community. We can easily dismiss hate mongers like Duke and Metzger as cranks on the lunatic fringe. But, it is sobering to remember that the Third Reich started with a handfull of cranks meeting in a backroom and bunch of street thugs. Never Again.

Part II
I was intrigued by a letter in last months issue that criticised punks for wearing military surplus clothing and gear since the point of anarchist punk was to be anti-war. I beg to differ. Yes, I and most every other anarchist I know opposed the late war in the Middle East. But warfare or at least organized violence has been a part of human existance since long before the dawn of recorded history. We are a long way from anarchy and even farther from utopia. It is my opinion that anarchists will continue to need an instrument of organized violence such as a militia for many years into an anarchist epoch. This sort of force would be necessary to defend communities from attack and act as a check the the impostion of authoritarian rule. I am also of the opinion that about the only thing that can reverse the destruction of many inner city communities by racist police, gangs and drug lords would be an armed community self defense force such as those used by the Black Panther Party in the 60's and early 70's. I've used this space before to defend my views on firearms, and as an extension of the same argument I would defend the aquisition of military acoutrements. Yes a I own a couple of pairs of army pants, they are cheap functional and will last quite a while, I could leave it at that but....I also have a full set of LC-1 wed gear, an M-52 flak jacket, an old steel helmet, an alice pack, an assault rifle, and a combat shotgun. I also know a considerable number of anarhcist punks who are in the process of aquiring or saving for weapons. I'm glad that we still have the opportunity to aquire weapons and equipment anonymously on the open market since such items are strictly controlled in most countries. This saves us the trouble of being forces to clandestinely manufacture such items when the excrement hits the spinning blades. Don't think for one minute that the state will not use every means at its disposal to cush opposition to its tyranny. It's up to us to deny the state the opportunity to monopolize violence and crush us effortlessly as it has in Lithuania, China and so on.

Furthermore as I read this letter I was reminded of a conversation I had with Tyler of Anarchist Alliance Core on the bus while returning from giving a talk on anarchism at Edina H.S. In the past most societies had a complement of warriors (usually the entire able bodied male population) which defended it in times of need. I draw you attention to the Mohawk warriors who fought the most recent battle in a 500 year war against colonialism this summer. I think as part of natural selection many of us still have what I'd like to refer to as a warrior mentality that thrives on action and conflict. Unfortunately most people with this mentality choose to be pawns of the state and serve in its armed forces. Guys like Tyler and I have both seriously considered joining the military for the valuable training in combat skills, which we could put to use in the service of the revolution, not the ambitions of state power. In both of our cases our committment to anarchism and better judgement overrode such notions. Still I think there is a latent warlike side to many people which manifests itself in such popular activities as wargaming, splatball, weapons collecting, or martial arts. All the above are passtimes of mine, and many other punks as well. The popularity of such activities only goes to prove that such a mentality when not used for evil ends is just as harmless as pacifism.

As for anarchists being anti-war, yes anarchists have and should oppose all wars waged by governments to further their schemes. Anarchism though is not without its own military experience. Recall that anarchists have taken up arms on numerous occasions in the name of revolution and self defense from Paris Commune onwards. Anarchists have fought as both regular and partisan military units and indeed as entire armies in the Spanish and Russian revolutions and civil wars, and in Italy during World War II. So there you have it. And if some of us think that combat boots, bullet belts, camo pants, or berets beyond their functionality look rather sporty, so be it. Who is it really harming anyway.

A note in parting: From now on I'll be typing in all my own stuff, in accordance with the new P.E. policy. Last month whoever typed in my comments after the "Short History of Anarchism" wrote Sacco Vanzetti instead of Sacco and Vanzetti referring to the pair as him. When "short history" is revised and printed as a pamphlet I will take full advantage of the new book on Sacco and Vanzetti by Paul Avrich and will cover the two with much more accuracy.