this just occurred to me re unions & Webb

[Joseph Tracy]

That seems more likely and would amplify the fear for thise who might want to attend, because they would be both in disfavor from the union and marked by the Pinkertons. The only thing is there is no indication that the union leaders knew Webb was a dynamiter. Veikko is his only known helper. I personally don’t think there is any big point here apart from maybe the loneliness of Webb’s more destructive resistance. I don’t even know what it would be. Mostly it seems to lead to a solo renegade inclination in Reef. To me the saddest and most foolish behavior of Webb T was his failure as a father toward Kit and Lake. 
   All in all it is hard to separate the range of tactics of the unions as far as ultimate effectiveness at achieving goals. The French  of recent history have used property destruction as a pretty effective tool. Historically, the fundamental and most destructive personal violence has predominately been on the part of the owners, private cops, and State. When people are subjected to this kind of violence there are different reactions and all in all most Americans are not pacifists. It is surprising that the kind of hardcore violent class warfare feared by czars, the rich and conservatives is really very rare, while excessive state violence is not rare at all.
 I see myself as a Pacifist but know that life can challenge one in extreme ways. I am in a Friend’s meeting. But I cannot judge those who feel everyone has a right of self defense and how they practically interpret that right.  

> On Dec 25, 2021, at 9:11 AM, rich <richard.romeo at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> could be as well a control issue. Webb going off and causing mayhem against
> union leadership wishes. I dont remember if in the novel Webb is warned or
> advised by the union to cool it.
> 
> On Sat, Dec 25, 2021 at 8:12 AM Mark Kohut <mark.kohut at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
>> The other (major) reason no union member attended Webb's funeral, perhaps,
>> in Pynchon's vision in AtD might be because they---union members with real
>> solidarity---
>> did not see Webb that way.
>> 
>> In fact, I like this better. Webb had turned therefore........
>> --
>> Pynchon-L: https://waste.org/mailman/listinfo/pynchon-l
>> 
> --
> Pynchon-L: https://waste.org/mailman/listinfo/pynchon-l
>