Do these guys imagine that getting coverage this way encourages the man on the street to discuss their issues on their merits? I find it hard to believe that – these “postmodern political actions” are often taken at face value by their target audience – i.e. “these are crazy fucks who seem to like destruction for its own sake.”

I often wonder why our organized Left cannot think out of the box, and create new “postmodern actions” that don’t involve paint, burning effigies, or banners.

I was just reacting to Chuck’s assertions when I stated that. Clearly, I am not trying to absolve the middle class of its sins but rather, I’m talking against the notion that it is okay to disrupt society simply because a person perceives to be a victim of injustice. Besides, as far as paint bombs go, it’s not the oil company that is inconvenienced; it’s the janitor who’ll have to work overtime figuring out how to clean their mess.

As you have stated, decorum vis-a-vis public acts have nothing to do with subverting institutions or the system. But there will be a lot of people where such mentality will be deeply ingrained into their minds, because society spoiled them into believing that “victims” are a type of faultless, privileged class. Ergo in the Philippines, everyone claims to be a victim.

Mr original post of this in my blog is quite long, so am sharing the link:
http://midfield.wordpress.com/2008/07/07/lauro-baja-and-the-other-dfa/

I don’t think it is fair for you to compare the militants protest actions with the instances you mentioned. It is clearly illegal to deface private property. It is a willful action on their part. They do it anyway regardless of sanctions or prohibition. And they do it to advance a public, political cause. If they go to jail, then they go to jail.

The examples you gave occur because of lack of governance – a lack of enforcement of rules. They only happen because their private actions go unpunished.