To those of you suggesting revolution: You're afraid to bleed.

"You're afraid to bleed."

I came upon this Malcom X speech earlier. I think at least parts of it are very closely related to current events. He
goes on to say:

"Look at the American Revolution in 1776. That revolution was for what? For land. Why did they want land? Independence. How was it carried out? Bloodshed. Number one, it was based on land, the basis of independence. And the only way they could get it was bloodshed. The French Revolution -- what was it based on? The land-less against the landlord. What was it for? Land. How did they get it? Bloodshed. Was no love lost; was no compromise; was no negotiation. I'm telling you, you don't know what a revolution is. 'Cause when you find out what it is, you'll get back in the alley; you'll get out of the way. The Russian Revolution -- what was it based on? Land. The land-less against the landlord. How did they bring it about? Bloodshed. You haven't got a revolution that doesn't involve bloodshed. And you're afraid to bleed. I said, you're afraid to bleed."

The OWS protests have been peaceful thus far, and look at what has happened. They've been beaten, evicted, and defeated. And when a protester is injured, they blame the oppressive police. Wake up people. What do you expect? For the police to sit by your side and indulge themselves on your trail mix?

People on ATS have been suggesting radical change or revolution left and right, and I see nothing being done about it. I don't care what your views on these current events are, or what your views on Malcom X are. But he's right. It's not a matter of opinion.

Another member posted the story about a Family Guy writer and his experience at OWS. If you read it, you'll see he was "afraid to bleed". Seeing what was happening around him, he submitted. I get the sense half of you OWS'ers don't know what you want. And you sure as hell don't know how to obtain it.

Not to go overboard with the Malcom X quotes here, but he can put it better than I:

"If you take up arms, you’ll end it, but if you sit around and wait for the one who’s in power to make up his mind that he should end it, you’ll be waiting a long time. And in my opinion, the young generation of whites, blacks, browns, whatever else there is, you’re living at a time of extremism, a time of revolution, a time when there’s got to be a change. People in power have misused it, and now there has to be a change and a better world has to be built, and the only way it’s going to be built—is with extreme methods. And I, for one, will join in with anyone—I don’t care what color you are—as long as you want to change this miserable condition that exists on this earth.”

Peaceful protests mean just about nothing when they are held by people who are willing to submit when they're in the midst of pain and fear. Perhaps I would be more inclined to side with the OWS'ers and with those who preach revolution if they weren't so willing to give up on their own convictions.

But enough about OWS. This is also about anyone talking about revolution. I don't know if you have any more sense than the OWS'ers. I am not trying to be Billy Badass, but if I felt a certain movement harbored enough of my interests, and enough of my peers' interests, I would die for the movement.

And why are we protesting corporate greed? Surely there is more wrong with our country than "corporate greed". And surely that is not the root of all our problems?

All I'm requesting here is that people start showing some courage.

" It is better to be violent, if there is violence in our hearts, than to put on the cloak of nonviolence to cover impotence". -Mahatma Gandhi


(I heard that quote on the A-Team Movie)

Even Gandhi knew you have to be commited. Malcom X was misunderstood. He didnt encourage violence but he was honest about his feelings and never took a backward step.

I dont think the Tea Party or OWS have encouraged violence but look at how msn has tried its best to potrait them as violent..

People need to be committed in relation to what they believe.That doesnt mean they are violent,more that they will not be intimidated. The Police were violent in the 50s and 60s,not Malcolm X.

#That is a post of mine from one of my threads. I agree,people need to have courage and be committed.

i agree with the op.


bleeding stinks.

Good rant, good points.

"You have bled with Wallace.... now bleed with me!"
"Men don't follow titles, they follow courage..."
~ Braveheart

"Ron Paul.... your title and reputation earn you the respect of the people who know you, and if you'd just lead them to freedom..... they'd follow you.... and so would I!"
~JibbyJedi

You are correct. There are many for a revolution. Some of them know what it takes and that it takes great risk of injury and loss of life. Some of them just don't understand the consequences.

I am one of the long time advocators of revolution here on ATS, and since my arrival, support of such actions has dramatically increased. I understood from the beginning that to fight a war, you need to risk lives and limbs, not to mention your sacred honor. It will not be for the weak of heart or those unwilling to risk everything. The revolution will be fought either by those who have nothing, or those who have something that they truly want to see a better future for.

OWS, yes, they are afraid to bleed. Peaceful protest will accomplish nothing, as I have stated from the very beginning. Sure, you will anger the powers that be, they will lash out against you, and they will quell these protests and show them for what they truly are - pushovers with no dedication and vindication.

The revolution is coming, and it will be fought by those of us who aren't afraid to bleed.

Originally posted by gwydionblack

The revolution is coming, and it will be fought by those of us who aren't afraid to bleed.

Amen to that brother!


To those who know not, see my quoted signature, it says it all.



UNITED WE STAND, THE REST IS, NOT AN OPTION!








Let it be known, those who knew, tried...

It's tough to get anywhere with revolution. Too many people have their own line that needs to be crossed that isnt confluent with the line of others.

Even relatively successful groups like the Black Panther Party and American Indian Movement fell apart due to internal struggle, federal plants and poor popular perception.

Generations of dependents and brain-washing have done a very good job of making sure any abuse by the government is viewed positively and any attempt to counter that abuse is viewed negatively.

A hand-full of locals shouted down the gov when they wouldnt leave Randy Weaver alone. The rest of the nation wanted to see that "racist nut" taken out.

A hand-full of locals stood by Ed Brown in his tax protest. The rest of the nation wanted to see his house nuked.

A hand-full of locals thought the ATF shouldnt be burning children at Waco. The rest of the nation wanted those "cultists" to burn.

This is the greatest hurdle.

Great speech and more truthful than people would like to admit.
Remaining comfortable is so much easier. TPTB are happy we're complacent.

The fact is "Ewe can't handle the truth!"


Climbing de fence is too hard for lazy people who should be defending themselves instead of living for their TV shows and football.

Things are not bad enough for a revolution...and not just by a little bit...but by a lot.

There is a lot of talk on ATS about revolution, but with no cohesive solution to what would happen after a revolution took place. Would OWS fight along side the Tea Pary...and then if they win...do they fight each other? Then if OWS wins...do the communist, the socialist, and the regulated capitalist fight each other?

You don't start a revolution by screaming "we need a revolution"...you start a revolution with a good idea that would replace the current "bad" way of doing things. No one has come up with such an idea that any type of majority agrees with.

But for the keyboard commando's, it's so much easier and safer to preach revolution from behind a keyboard, iPad, or iPhone.

People just don't want to sacrifice. They want the other guy to sacrifice.

reply to post by bg_socalif


You're assuming that everyone on the computer rallying for revolution is healthy enough/physically capable to be on the streets fighting. Some are smart enough to know that their presence would only hamper those who can be in the concrete jungle fighting.

I've said this before and I'll say it again:

Everyone in this country is scared.
Scared of one thing or another.

Scared they'll lose their house.
Scared they'll lose their job.
Or just plain scared to actually fight.
Fear drives this nation.
Not patriotism.
And it was planned that way.

The problem is rather complex yet the answer seems simple.
We need to un-install the decades of paying for this gov'ts actions.
Which have been occuring since the invention of the Fed Res and the IRS.
We honestly funded all this when we decided to stop fighting against taxation.
WITHOUT REPRESENTATION.

And all we have to do is UNITE and stop what we are doing.
Your taxes fund those wars.
Your taxes fund the MIC.
Your taxes pay for foreign aid that gets redistributed everywhere but here.

So what does that tell all of us?

If we stop funding the gov't how can they keep doing what they do?
If we put a stop to this madness, someone will take notice.

Want to start a revolution?
Get everyone to go on a nationwide strike at our gov't.
Although we can't seem to agree on a candidate for POTUS...
How does one expect to get ALL of America to agree to strike?

If we went on a nationwide strike....

The negatives will flood the positives.
Riots will begin and looting and destruction will occur.
Because people are greedy, just like our gov't.
But it is a step...if not the first step.
Maybe the shot heard 'round the world.


Everyone in this country is either aware or ignorant.
I'd say the shift is 80/20.
20% being aware.
Most ignorant people still see everything as "ok".
Or "It will get better."
Typical brainwashed responses.



When in reality, it's not.

reply to post by OutKast Searcher


Once again OutKast, we get into the argument of a "good idea" presenting itself. To those who know this country, they know that the only idea necessary is one that is already provided and given to us: The Constitution. Should we follow that, then this country will be hard pressed to be on the right track.

However, when it comes to other issues that the Constitution fails to cover, I believe more than enough people have been vocal with ideas on how to fix things in a modern, free market society. It is just that those who oppose revolution will always find flaw with every idea presented, just for the sake of doing so.

Do understand, the first revolution was not fought by the "majority" and in a true Republic, the "majority" does not have the say. Each individual has the say. This autocratic democracy in which the 51% control the 49% has got to go.





reply to post by bg_socalif


No, people are willing to sacrifice... and soon, some of them will. There will always need to be some kind of martyr to get the ball rolling, and that is the sad fact. The only problem is that people like to delude themselves and think that no one is willing to sacrifice, or even worse, the people willing to make the sacrifice are nothing more that would be "domestic terrorists" or "right wing nutjobs". There is always and excuse used to mask the truth of the situation. Truth is, revolution is coming and there are plenty out there who are willing to make the greatest of sacrifices.

I disagree with Occupiers being afraid to bleed. They and we know full well whatthe police have been doing to them and yes the cops have drawn blood, is it like Egypt or anywhere else in the ME? No. But, they still stand face to face with cops that at any moment could unleash on them. Nor are they defeated. Some of the camps have been swept away and it hasn't diminished the movement at all.

I f you are not afraid to bleed, then you are very courageous or very stupid...

It is when things get bad enough, people will act despite being afriad to bleed...

Do some history research...in 1776, the majority... the vast majority.... a 70% of the colonist majority... did not want revolution and secession from England.

Same with the south in 1860-61...the majority of southerners did not want to pull out of the Union.

Even looking to Mao and Castro... their movements started low and slow.

However, things sometimes take a life of their own. It is when the tyrrany of rulers and leaders goes beyond the bounds of tolerance that people act. And the spark will be something simple, something that should have been insignificant, and something unintentional....aka a Boston Massacre of sorts.

Then, the bounds of decency and righteous indignation will compell some to act. This in turn will drag others into the fray... and then the innocent bystander will be impacted and pulled in... and like the proverbial snowball down hill... it will grow... probably quickly.

The mosy likely scenario is economic collapse resulting in riots and martial law. Just imposing such would create the sort of enviroment that Mao says would promote guerilla warfare and insurrection. And as the government attempts to clench down even harder, the tyrant takes on the persona as the bad guy and the insurrectionist or revolutionary bacomes the good guy... a "robin hood" type paradigm if you will.

Again look to history... an increase in taxes agitated, occupation irritated, but taking of property and destruction and unjust imprisonment initiated... let the revolution begin.

I agree with about 90% of what the OP has stated. That being said, I have to add my 2 cents on the matter. For one thing, IMHO, the OWS crowd is occupying the wrong place. If you want to make a statement that will be directed at the heart of our nations problems then they should be occupying the mall in D.C.

While I admit that Wall Street has done a lot of under-handed dirty things, the real culprits that allowed them to not only get away with it, but also created regulations and laws that were meant to protect the bankers and speculaters are in D.C. The elected officials are meant to serve the nation as a whole, not just their own selected "special interest" groups and campaign contributors.

Anyone whom is versed on the founding principles of our nation and whom have taken the time to read the Federalist papers will be well aware of the dangers that our founding fathers knew were inherent in our form of government. Jefferson said that it was the duty of the people to govern the government and that is where we have failed as a nation. We have thwarted our duty and responsibility to properly govern our elected officials and now we are paying the price for that deraliction of our duty as citizens. Jefferson also stated that "When the people fear the government there is tyranny, but when the government fears the people there is liberty".

Madison added that the citizenry is the fountain that the government receives its power from. We have let our government grow so large and powerful for so long that we have, in effect lost our ability to govern the governors and that is why the only solution to our current problem will ultimately be to organize a revolution. I for one am not afraid to bleed, I did it in Iraq for TPTB and would not hesitate to do it for the better of our nation. However before I am going to be willing to bleed, or lay down my life for our nation I will wait for us to "organize" because if only a select few are willing to do so then the only result will be the labeling of those few as "extremists" or "wack-jobs".

This is why our government exerts so much energy into their constant dialect of class, economic, or staus warfare. They are well aware that as long as they can keep us busy fighting amongst ourselves then we will be too preoccupied to ever organize and rally against the real threat to our nation, which is the government officials that we seem to continue to keep in office.

Jefferson said that the tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It seems that the leaves of the tree are quickly wilting and if it is not refreshed soon it will surely die and so too will our liberties and our way of life. After all, he also stated that the most important reason for the right of the citizens to bear arms was, as a last resort, to defend themselves from tyranny in government. That tyranny is now upon us and it is up to us whether we sit by idly and let it continue to choke the life and liberty out of us.

If the OWS protesters would assimilate with others whom are tired of the corruption and lies and make a march of 3 or 4 million on "our" halls of Congress and demand their resignations then you may see a change. If not then it would be time for more drastic measures. The police would be overwhelmed and I think it would be safe to say that the chances of military intervention would be slim. Not because of the Posse Comitatus Act, but because being ex military I can honestly say that there are a very slim few in the military whom would be willing to fire on their own citizens.

Originally posted by thisguyrighthere
It's tough to get anywhere with revolution. Too many people have their own line that needs to be crossed that isnt confluent with the line of others.

I think this is the main point. Many people simply dont agree its time for a revolution. I personally dont see how a revolution would fix anything. For many American's things arent that bad, and I am not just talking about the 1% more like the 70% or atleast the 50%. America's main problems are two fold. First American's dont know how precious freedom is because most have no concept that there could be anything but freedom. A lot of people talk about the police state and I agree these developments are concerning. I think more than anything its the rise of a bureaucracy that wont leave us to do as we please, because the vocal minority are those who have no desire to take care of themselves. A couple idiots over dose on ephedra, bam now no one should have it so stupid people dont get hurt. An idiot sticks his hand in a piece of machinery, yep now we better have warning on everything. The list goes on and on. But to the first point American's are willing to let things happen so they can feel safe. They dont look at what these things do to liberty

The second issue is sort of tied with the first. American's are lazy and/or complacent. As long as you arent messing with their handout or pet issues they dont care about corruption or stepping on the constitution. John Corzine is the flavor of the month. He needs to go to prison. But congress is just more interested in finding a phony solution, "so this can never happen again". John Corzine gets a pass because he said he doesnt know what happened and he is sorry, so congress doesnt care. But how many American's care about this....maybe 5%. They werent invested in MF Global so doesnt bother them, or they dont pay attention so no worries. How many American's even know who JC is? pretty small number I'd bet. The fed's trounce all over the constitution? O no problem as long as I still get my welfare check or my favorite politician says its a good thing.

And I think the crimes of wall st. fall under this because American's just dont care that much, so we let them do it. So my main question is how would a revolution fix this? You may get the top leaders out of power, if it succeed. However, it will very likely just end in slaughter. There is not popular support for a total revolution (points 1 & 2). Even if there is some poll that says there is popular support, how many people will really join when the bullets start flying? If even 30% said they would join in, I bet less than 15% stay when the violence starts. Short, of massacring Americans you arent going to get popular support. And say it does succeed, your left with the same American apathy, but probably at slightly lower levels. So now do you kill these people, so apathy doesnt take over again?

ATS likes to talk about revolution but I say bottom line, you have a lot of people who like to post stories and quotes and get each other angry. There is no real coherent, much less valid, reason for revolution in most posts I see. Furthermore, I think its just a lot of anger. Most people say they are willing to sacrifice lives and such. Lets see if thats the case when your wife or kid is killed for no reason. For those that say its so bad we have to rebel, tell me why? We have a ton of freedoms, less than I'd like, but still much more than many places in the world. Go to Africa or N.Korea and then you can tell me when the police state is rolling in or that revolution is completely necessary.

bump... oops.