Many questions came to mind after reading Burch’s article on the Litton bombing and on direct action "violence". Perhaps Brian can answer them -- or anyone else…

Respone to MEANS AND ENDS article by Brian Burch on March 29,2002

What is the history of the "Direct Action Movement"?

Do violent means always result in violent ends?

Brian Burch makes the point that "means and ends" are related. Does he claim that that violent "means" always have had as a result violent "ends"? Some historical support is needed here.

Is the implication here that if we constantly march by the millions and eventually by being in the oppressors’ face enough; they will finally throw in the towel and give up their wealth and power?

Is Brian really trying to say that direct "actions" should only be symbolic actions limited to marching and civil disobedience?

Is he saying that and if we end up with thousands and thousands of peaceful demonstrators arrested, beaten up by riot police and sprayed with chemical poisons and god knows what else, then we will prove that we do not have true a democracy and therefore expose the true nature of the capitalist system? Is the only goal of these actions to prove what everybody already knows: that “capitalist democracy