To preach or practise

It must be admitted that those of us who wish to see the present order of things political changed, need instruction in the art of revolution. However to receive such instruction from the gentle pen of Steve Lahood (star of stage, screen and lanternslide) surprises me just a little.

Lahood talks about a projected cowardice in the face of fire, "A real revolution when there are actual, tangible issues and principles at stake". I feel that the most important and basic principle that we or any other people must face is the lack of control that we ordinary people have over our own lives. I cannot accept that a meeting of the sort that we protested at is in any way a minute issue. In the long term this conference was more important than any Governmental conference could possibly be.

The Bank of Tokyo, Mitsubishi, Mitsui, Chase Manhattan, First National City Bank Lockheed etc are the real enemy. It is the activities of these companies and others like them that govern our life. Lahood speaks of Nixon's warmongering and seems to think that this is a basic issue. He must realise that Nixon acts in Indo China as the servant of international Capital. That war like most is the result of economic considerations and such wars will continue until such time as these people are again brought down to the level or ordinary men, with their rights, and not the rights of gods.

Steve Lahood seems to take exception to the demonstration because he does not like me very much because of the issues involved Well Steve, I am heart broken, but do not transfer the personality of Alick Shaw to the demonstration as a whole. God knows I wish it were all my work... but it was not I can think of many people who demonstrated who might very likely find me irrelevant to the protest movement. I can think of none who would do me the honour that you Steve have done in naming me a figure head.

If you ever did anything to make the movement more effective and better able to recognise and act on the real issues then you might insult me with more authority. However since you are as armchair bound as you are mistaken on the role that we "fuck wits" must play, I do not feel disposed to take your advice to heart. If you are intent on some poor fool martyring himself by blowing up French Embassy, or burning Phillip. . .then I would suggest that you could do us a double favour by doing it yourself and getting shot in the process.

Alick Shaw.