this just occurred to me re unions & Webb

[Mark Kohut]

I think the only thing here is it is unlikely most did not know and word
would spread.....workers, like neighbors, know most of what one of their
own is doing--esp regarding
something like that......and I do think the overwhelming amount of real
historical evidence, such as all I presented,  is that worker-comrades
would show solidarity by attending
the funeral of one they felt in solidarity with.....
And a meaning that you don't say you see is the one I wrote as a
possibility: Pynchon sides with all you wrote about non-violent union
action.....Walter Reuther's way, a known hero
of TRP's, not any violent criminal kind.........Webb presented here is why
Pynchon finds the Traverses as morally lacking. imho.

On Sat, Dec 25, 2021 at 10:57 AM Joseph Tracy <brook7 at sover.net> wrote:

> 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
> >
>
>
>
> --
> Pynchon-L: https://waste.org/mailman/listinfo/pynchon-l
>