Patriotism Means Resistance (1971)

In 1972 Barthold Fles, then an elderly New York literary agent, believed that this text and story should be told. I had written and assembled the text and information to speak to the times. However, during those times there was scant outlet for truly radical analysis or presentation of the full human dimension to current events. This is true despite what some might think was a profusion of stories about and presentation of views of the counter-culture, radical politics and all that. In fact, very little serious analysis and reporting occurred. Despite its self-congratulatory self-description as the Liberal Press, there was very little classically Liberal about the times. Walter Cronkite is the icon of how the Establishment finessed the Movement - possibly the most significant figure in the Orwellian drama of the times called The Sixties. Barthold Fles was one person who championed our cause, only to validate these present remarks.

Today, "The Sixties" remains a cartoon for both mainline Liberals and Conservatives. The phrase invokes prankish memories of youth, with just about every major commentator from each camp assuring his children and grandchildren that, indeed, Daddy/Mommy were Hippies! Free wheelin' - dope smokin' - bad attitude … hmm, well, kids - it was only long hair, an occasional joint, peeks at centerfolds … My campus had anti-war rallies! (That's where I met your mother.) I thought about going to Canada. … As idealistic as some of us were - and the word innocent has its rightful play as an adjective - the story which follows is of the few - very, very few - who stepped forward to risk their lives as only youth, it seems, has the courage to do. … Our story still speaks - challenges! - the youth of The Sixties!

Another story is, "What has happened to the Minnesota 8?" I dedicate this internet edition of 2002 to them, their kids, families and broader community. I know that among the group one went back to prison. Others excelled: a lawyer, a professor … others to make a living: several sales reps, a tennis pro … one faithful Radical: anarchist forever! … and so it goes.

What strikes me upon reading this, at least in reference to myself, is that I have not fundamentally changed. My language and spiritual experiences have transformed - as the stories on www.earthfolk.net show. How I could act in private and public spaces, these have been altered. "The Sixties" denotes more of a Crack-in-Time … one of those unusual mythic moments which enable people to peer at their culture and themselves and see in curious and precious ways. However, the only real difference between "The Sixties" and "today" is that the peering was, then, public. One could be private in public - commit an act of conscience, here, of civil disobedience. And in doing so express yourself symbolically - which is one aspect of mythic expression. Just for this time called The Sixties was the culture as a whole open - if only a crack - to listen and discuss and act upon (our punishment being this public act) our symbolic discourse. Such has faded during the psychic and mythic numbing of the last several decades. In this light, I am publishing because this story is about now. About how you might be challenged to act when another Crack-in-Time occurs. "The Sixties" are a mythic moment which is Ever-Present (in illo tempore). Resist!

Download zip files: Patriotism Means Resistance

Detailed record of anti-war activity consisting of Sixties underground and anti-war magazines, letters, trial transcripts, personal writings and pictures at: http://www.pals.msus.edu/pals/ (hit "search webpals", then "search pals", then "all pals libraries", then search on "Kroncke").