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December 16, 2005
Alaskan in Exile
by Neil Zawicki

     I spent the evening thinking about the state of the progressive camp in politics, and tried without success to understand what it is that holds the movement back. The Right Wing has enjoyed many victories over the past few years, while the Left seems to be incapable of selling its message.

    Why is that? Why is a platform based on humanity and community always second to one of money and rigid ideology?

    I walked the corridors of the Exile Bunker for hours considering the question, until finally I fell exhausted on a pile of copies of The New Republic. As I fell asleep, I had an experience that can only be described as a spirit vision.

    I found myself on a battlefield. Turbid clouds raced across the sky as two massive armies moved vigorously on both ends of a crimson valley. I suddenly found myself on a storm cloud, racing toward the camp of the army that wore the red uniform. A voice told me, “Behold! This is the army of the Conservative Kingdom!”

    I observed a flurry of organization and purpose. Horsemen stood, five abreast, as their steeds frothed and lurched forward. Behind them were legions of foot soldiers, dressed in heavy armor and wielding swords. Beyond them, tents ringed massive fires, and the people spoke with one voice, and mounds of gold and silver glimmered in the firelight.

    Next, I was pulled into the sky, and flew quickly on the cloud to the other end of the crimson field. The voice said to me, “Behold! This is the army of the Progressive Kingdom!”

    I found myself among groups of people, some attempting to start bon fires and others shouting into the air for organization. I saw a legion of horsemen, and they all seemed to face in several directions, while the army behind them struggled to don their equipment. More and more, the sound of commanders calling for their troops to organize filled the air, until it was the only sound that could be heard. And when an army did organize, its commanders would argue about which way to go.

    Finally, I found myself flying through the sky until I awoke startled back in the bunker.

    The vision made it clear. The Left has not been able to organize. Indeed, most camps on the progressive side talk about organizing. More and more, we hear activists talking about the importance of organizing. Meanwhile, the Right is fully operational.

    Organization is fundamental. And if you’re still talking about getting organized, then you’re already way behind the curve.

    The conservatives – as corrupt as they are – have long since organized. They’ve settled into a very effective operational mode, while the majority of progressives talk at length about the importance of organization.

    Better yet, let’s imagine the political arena is a soccer match. If you show up for the game to find the opposing team is out running drills and executing plays and scoring goals while you and your team are trying to pick a goalie and assign positions, then you’re probably screwed.

    Sure, there are groups within the Progressive camp that have organized and have an operational agenda, but the movement as a whole has yet to unite, and that is a major handicap.

    The organizational hurdle should be overcome by now. And until it is, the Right will rule the crimson field.

    If you disagree with my argument, then I suggest you first organize and then form a response.
 




   










 
Neil Zawicki, exiled Alaskan, is Editor at Large for Insurgent49, a former reporter for the Alaska Star, and winner of the Alaska Press Club's 'Best Columnist' award. He is now living out the rest of his days in an undisclosed location in Oregon. He can be contacted at -  neil@insurgent49.com
- Columnists -

Editor's Desk
by Aaron Selbig

Red Alert
by Soren Wuerth

Alaskan In Exile
by Neil Zawicki

The
Bramble Bush
by Kevin Morford





- also by this writer -
Copyright 2005 Insurgent Media. All Rights Reserved.
in-sur-gent (in sur'jent), n. 1. a member of a group which revolts against the policies of its leadership.