Marc Riddell wrote:
I admit I am also frustrated by the countless hours editors spend weeding out countless incidents of nonsensical, and at times malicious, vandalism. My background is sixties Berkeley - I am the antithesis of autocratic bullshit. Yet, I believe, some parameters must be set to achieve a goal. A protest without some order is merely chaos - and achieves nothing. And, ultimately, what or who you are protesting wins.
It seems like Mario Savio became discouraged and frustrated a long time ago. If a vandal's goal is to sow chaos he is accomplishing that very well.. Surely some vandals may be performing an act of protest, but I don't think that that tranche provides the really tenacious vandals who just get a thrill out of competing in a cat and mouse game.
Sticking to principles consistent with what the new left wanted in the 60s was not an easy task. Principles served on a plate of squalor can be very unappetizing. It's amazing how over the long run the establishment absorbs it all.
Ec