There's one group talking a big game about confronting the neo-Nazi scum at the state Capitol this Saturday: the anarchists, the traditional foes of goosesteppers going all the way back to the Spanish Civil War, and then some. They're often badmouthed in many activist circles here in town for being unruly and pigheaded, but I will give them points for at least demonstrating against Holocaust-denier David Irving when he spoke at a Phoenix diner back in July. The anarchists were the only ones there. And for ruining Irving's day at least, I'd label the demonstration a success.
They don't command large numbers, and I suspect that organizing them is a little like herding felines. But they are generally intelligent, and pro-immigrant to the point of being for open-borders. Plus they have no moral quandaries with confronting blackshirts in the streets.
Their class-based political theories are a bit nutty, though. In a recent post to the Phoenix Class War Council's blog, which describes itself as a "fanatical, revolutionary anarchist group," the writer invites the local libertarian community to join the anarchists on November 7 in protesting the Nazis. Um, sorry, but the Ron Paulites and teabaggers are a little too close to the swastika-lickers for comfort sometimes, "states rights" being the battle cry of neo-Confederates, and all that. Paul himself had no problem accepting a campaign contribution from Ron Black, proprietor of the white supremacist messageboard Stormfront.org. He even appeared in a photo op with Black and Black's son.
The rest of the post is pretty gratifying, however, even if it sounds like a schnauzer with a doberman complex.
"If Americans can be counted on for anything," reads the post, "it's for hating Nazis, and images of brownshirted fascists in full historical reenactment regalia (or, alternately, dressing like SWAT team wannabes) spouting their anti-immigrant nonsense will highlight the extreme nature of what passes for the mainstream discussion in Arizona, and to show that there is strong resistance to it. The NSM's traveling circus affords us the opportunity to twist their spectacle to our ends."
The poster also reminds readers that, "militancy does not necessarily have to manifest itself in the obvious ways," and advises folks to "think imaginatively" in dealing with the Hitler-worshippers, and "treat the event as a stage." Ultimately, the blog's scribe hopes for "a variety of creative and interesting tactics...employed by as broad a collection of people as possible."
Crikey, he almost makes it sound like fun. And well it should be. The National Socialist Movement is a joke, populated by outright brigands, liars and cowards. Rather than bricks and bats, the anarchists need a little sketch comedy, some Dave Chappelle, or even Three Stooges to make their point with the dunderheads swathed in black.
Kudos, too, for drawing upon Quentin Tarantino for inspiration, and declaring themselves the "Inglourious Basterds Bloc," though I'm hoping they're not a bloc of one. I dig their slogan,"Doin' It Like Grandpa Did in France of '44!" Now all we need is Brad Pitt in a white tux trying to speak Italian with a Tennessee accent, and the Basterds are sure to prevail in humor over their Doc Marten-shod foes.