Greetings Economists,
I think it is your passion to reply to me that matters here. So I
would think you would find it hard to let go of responding to me. But
if ignoring me that makes you feel better I recommend it.
On Jul 13, 2009, at 12:54 PM, Doug Henwood wrote:
I should just start ignoring you, because you so often make no
sense. Let me try to state it in simple words. The Basijs are kind
of like the Klan - an informal militia with close ties to a
repressive state. It's a common trick for a repressive government to
blame protesters for having started the violence that the state
itself started. Publishing a "they started it!" argument that
defends such a state, except maybe as an illustration of political
pathology, is repulsive. Clear?
Doyle;
You do not make a good case for the reason this is an important
distinction to what Ravi wrote, by citing what MR published to show
the Basij thuggery. Your paragraph is not enough information. You
say this parallels the klan to make it clear on a U.S. thinking basis
that they are Klan like. Therefore Yosie is apologizing for brutal
repression like Southern government in the U.S. used to Klan to stop
racial integration. Like Ravi says about Westerner lack of solidarity
I have no great reason to take sides in this Iranian conflict because
I don't know what's there to cheer for. Is it all about repression is
no good? Sure I condemn Iranian repression. U.S. repression by any
measure is greater than the rest of the world. I condemn that also.
Nothing really 'left' about condemning repression. Condemning
repression in that way boils down to moral strictures abstracted from
real events.
Suppose a left is threatened and their neighborhood associations
respond? You could say Klan like there too. But I'd support them
responding to attacks because I support the left. If repression is
between reactionary and conservatives I'm on the side lines watching
with interest the dynamics of conflict and trying to understand
clearly and coldly why. Marx thought the North right in the U.S.
civil war because of economic determinations, not moral precepts.
thanks,
Doyle Saylor
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