Ghosts of the Chicago 7 and the Wayback Machine!

The definition of insanity is often described as doing the same thing again, and expecting the results to be different. And so it is with a group called Recreate '68.

In 1968, a relatively large group of anarchists (called protesters) protesting the Vietnam War created havoc outside of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Ill. The news of the day was replete with images of thousands of young (and some not so young) protesters taunting the police, nominating a pig for president, assaults by both the police and rioters, and general chaos. Later, a grand jury indicted 8 individuals for conspiracy: Abbie Hoffman, Jerry Rubin, David Dellinger, Tom Hayden, Rennie Davis, John Froines, Lee Weiner, and Bobby Seale.

Seale, a Black Panther was later removed from the trial for contempt and the resulting trial defendants became known as the Chicago 7. Five of the seven were convicted but their convictions were later overturned, justifiably in my opinion, "on the grounds of bias by the judge and his refusal to permit defense attorneys to screen prospective jurors for cultural and racial bias." Had the judge allowed the defense to screen jurors, I have no doubt that the convictions would have stood. During the trial, the Weathermen attempted to break up the trial and four days of rioting, destroying property and general lawlessness occurred during what was then termed the "Days of Rage."

The above is cited as a little historical tale to introduce the subject of this post; the formation of a group determined to bring back those tumultuous days in a recreation called "Recreate '68."

This organization's website states:

This website was created for all the grassroots people who are tired of being sold out by the Democratic Party.

R-68 agrees with the proposition, POTESTAS IN POPULO, "all power comes from the people." What stands between the people and power are the party machines. The parties were devised as a means to represent the people. Today they represent nobody, not even party members, but only party bureaucracy. The people have been left without appropriate institutions for their representation. We intend to create those institutes!

Join us in the streets of Denver as we resist a two-party system that allows imperialism and racism to continue unrestrained.

This is of course, complete with the raised fist symbol of communism and radicalism which tells us that they are taking themselves seriously as anarchists.

Events planned (so far) include a Denver City Council Proclamation to "We need a wide showing of support so plan on attending the meeting to support the non-violent actions by the police and your civil rights!" and they say that they will be in part represented by the National Lawyers Guild The guild, or NLG is according to some, a group that finds it difficult (if not impossible) to disagree with any principles of the Communist Party USA (CPUSA) and includes in its membership such defenders of law as Lynne Stewart.

The group plans four days of something called the "Festival of Democracy" in which one of the stated goals is to "share some fun and to work towards the development of programs and networks that will address our community problems, ourselves, without relying on the two party capitalist system." Two party capitalist system huh? Well, I can only surmise they prefer then a one party "communist" system and over the last two decades we've seen the horrors of that type of system in Russia, China, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. No thanks fellows, I'll stick with the system we've got.

Also during the same four days, there will be "Days of Resistance." Their site proclaims "During the Convention, there will be four major protest [sic], one each day. Each protest will focus on a symptom of the disease of an Imperialist, Capitalist, Racist system as seen in our communities." Oh, those Democrats, who knew they were imperialists, capitalists and racists?

So, one must wonder at the intent of this group. Do they really want to protest about the perfidy of the Democratic Party as being imperialist, capitalist and racist. Or do they want to recreate the electoral victory for the Republicans (and yes, I'm tempted to donate to them). Richard Nixon won the close election in 1968 in part because of the riots in Chicago in that year running on a platform of "Law and Order." Too, it didn't help the Democrats that they were bitterly divided into essentially four camps: Labor and big city party bosses aligned with Humphrey, the Catholics, blacks and other minorities backing Robert Kennedy, the anti-war faction composed of students and academics largely supporting Eugene McCarthy and lastly the "Dixiecrats who aligned with Humphrey initially, but later backed George Wallace in a third party bid. The end result was a fractured Democratic Party and a narrow Nixon win.

Today, the Democratic Party is still fractured with Clinton, Obama and populist Edwards leading essentially three factions. However, the Republicans are not in much better shape, but they do have less infighting between the candidates than the Democrats do. Enter Recreate '68.

Will these folk be able to pull off a "peaceful" demonstration or will their natural inclination towards anarchy contribute to a greater fracturing of the Democrats? Has anyone in the Democratic Party stopped to think of the possible implications of Recreate '68 or are they even on the horizon of the DNC? As Recreate '68 attempts to use Sherman and Professor Potter's Wayback Machine (for you Rocky and Bullwinkle fans) the results are likely to be just as wacky and at the end, Professor Potter will turn to Sherman and say "Quiet Boy!"

Regardless, I'm looking forward to the action (or inaction as it may be) and will enjoy tremendously the DNC's show inside and the Recreate '68 on the outside. And a good time was had by all.