Reply #35: Actually, you raise an interesting point

[Feanorcurufinwe]

and I slightly disagree. I see a distinction between 'direct action' and 'political theater'.

I agree the logging protest was successfull political theater, but I wouldn't call it direct action. Direct action to me means things like pulling up or moving surveyor stakes, sabotage, etc. - directly acting to disrupt the target. Sometimes it can also be political theater - e.g. tree sitting. But I don't see all political theater of that type as direct action. To me I guess the distinction would partially involve the desired end -- the protesters who hung off the logging truck did not actually intend to prevent the logs from reaching the mill, for example.