Don, I think Stephen has some valid points which are worth discussing. Discussion and critical debate is essential in any wrokplace, community, or class. Action without thought or some acknowledgement of past action or theory is pointless — as is calling any discussion of radical ideas 'elitist academia', especially socialist or radical ones at that.

Take Blackball this year, which you were at. 'Academics', historians etc etc played a huge role in pulling that together with the help of workers and unionists — to discuss history and radical ideas. I'm over-simplifying your arguement, I know, but to move forward we need to shrug of this 'anti-intellectual' mindset and engage with any discussion of radical change, pratical or theoretical.

Cheers

Jared D