VLVL the collapse of the Youth Movement

[Otto]

----- Original Message -----
From: "Paul Mackin" <paul.mackin at verizon.net>
To: <pynchon-l at waste.org>
Sent: Sunday, February 22, 2004 10:55 PM
Subject: Re: VLVL the collapse of the Youth Movement
>
> The phrase "failed revolution" is very problematic for the simple reason
> that if one should actually succeed (miracle of miracles) its very
> success would mark its failure. The faction gaining power would
> immediately set about to turn itself into the preceding regime.
>

Well said! There are many historical examples. Many victorious revolutions
have turned into terror regimes. Does it go for the American Revolution too?

And though the past has it's share of injustice
Kind was the spirit in many a way
But it's protectors and friends have been sleeping
Now it's a monster and will not obey
(Steppenwolf)

So the 60's revolution failed, but it has changed Western society
nevertheless. It had a huge impact on our liberal democracies, in fact it
turned the so-called liberal countries truly into such for the first time.

The budget cuts ending the reign of evil Lord Brock echo the end of the
Vietnam War which couldn't be stopped by the anti-war movement but only by
the government itself because the war had lost any public support which was
caused by the utterly devastating military reality.

Doch der Mann in einer heitren Regung
Fragte noch: "Hat er was rausgekriegt?"
Sprach der Knabe: "Daß das weiche Wasser in Bewegung
Mit der Zeit den mächtigen Stein besiegt.
Du verstehst, das Harte unterliegt."
(Brecht)

Otto