Word: grathwohl
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Planning a bombing required a "political struggle" session, usually at night, in which members debated tactics. Often the sessions evolved into heated and bitter "criticism-self-criticism" marathons, a Maoist technique to solidify political beliefs and reaffirm revolutionary commitments. Grathwohl was once badgered by other cell members for 16 straight hours for not showing enough interest in becoming a leader of the cell. Another time, cell members pressured a young mother to give away her four-year-old daughter because they thought that she interfered with her work. Was the woman into maternity or was she into revolution? Recalls Grathwohl...
After the Weather Bureau approved a proposed bombing, logistics were carefully plotted. Undercover agents studied the target. Other members bought dynamite at rural stores or stole explosives from construction sites. Couriers contacted sympathizers to ready safe houses in case flight became necessary. Grathwohl helped plan the bombing of the Detroit Police Officers Association headquarters in February 1970; at the last minute Ayers called off the attack...
...relaxation the cell members drank cheap wine, occasionally smoked marijuana and tumbled into bed with one another. Says Grathwohl: "There was supposed to be a political basis for having sex, but there didn't have to be much of one. After spending all day together in the political struggle, why not continue the political struggle in bed?" Indeed, so indiscriminate were their couplings, that members kept passing around a strain of gonorrhea that proved to be difficult to treat; they regarded it as a badge of honor...
...Grathwohl's travels took him to Madison, Wis., Buffalo and eventually to New York City, where he was directed to meet with Linda Evans, a member of the Weather Bureau, who was accused of conspiring to bomb police and military installations in four cities in 1970. Informed of his plans, the FBI decided to arrest her. To protect Grathwohl's cover, the agents also arrested him. But the Weatherpeople were still suspicious. He recalls: "They figured that Evans was informed on and that I was the only one who could have done...
Since then, except for a few threats made by telephone and in underground newspapers, the Weatherpeople have left him alone. Instead of revenge, they have paid more attention to tightening and purging their organization. Says Grathwohl: "I think they learned something from their experience with...