ffs, while there may be something ( a little something) in the fact that the youth have less to lose in terms of jobs, kids, houses etc the analysis that political violence is sickening leaves the status quo untouched. Sure, the state denounces political violence e.g. during miners' strike, whilst simultaneously and unashemedly employing the Met (their special bodies of armed men) to carry out that violence on their own behalf. As for weakindividuals needing to brag, maybe on an individual level with today's youth. But from my experience there wasn't bragging during the days of RAR/ early ANL or RA/ AFA and others, but a recognition that even talking about it in some pubs could compromise those involved, getting drunk would make you a liability to those around you through being a less effective fighter and more likely to have loose lips. They were people prepared to put their liberty, livelihoods and physical well being on the line at a moment's notice - just so liberal librarians could have meetings, attend gigs in an area that the e.g. fascists were trying to make 'no -go' . AFA, by the way, also did meetings and exhibitions at school in the East End - it was a battle for hearts and minds of the disenfranchised white working class youth, many of whom were all too ready to join the fash after a spot of lefty bashing. They were far less likely to do so when they saw these so called hard men high tailing it up the road from what was supposed to be their manor. And if it weren't for the actions of e.g. AFA, it probably would be their manor. Even JFK said something like, those who make peaceful change impossible, make violent change inevitable.
