Re: [Marxism] Where Liberals Go to Feel Good
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == Chris Hedges nicely analyzes the political theater embraced by liberals (characterized at the moment by sound and fury about Obama's betrayals, to be followed in two years by rousing calls to re-elect him), and, being a big Gilbert Sullivan fan, I love his Pirates of Penzance references. But he errs in thinking that the only weapons we have left are acts of civil disobedience. CD has its place, but it's not a substitute for mass organization. There are no shortcuts. Eli Stephens Left I on the News http://lefti.blogspot.com Send list submissions to: Marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
Re: [Marxism] Chomsky's plea for Iranian prisoners
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == In the new video message, Mr. Chomsky called the two Americans “extraordinary young people” who “have dedicated themselves to advocating social and environmental justice,” and “truly embody the spirit of humanitarianism.” Of course Chomsky entirely misses the point. No doubt these two (or three) were progressives or radicals (choose your own words) who have dedicated themselves to various good causes. However it is a FACT that there are many such people (some on this list) who have cheered on the Iranian Green movement and done their best to support its demand for the overthrow of the Iranian government. Are there SOME such people who might go a step further than simply advocating on behalf of the Greens on the Internet, or helping to make sure their Twitter feed doesn't go down, and actually who would actually work in collaboration with the U.S. government to help bring that about? It seems almost indisputable that there are. Are Josh, Shane, and Sarah such individuals? I have no freakin' idea, and certainly know of no evidence that they are. But the idea that they are progressives or radicals and that that automatically rules out their guilt is simply wrong, and Chomsky should know better. No doubt he does. Eli Stephens Left I on the News http://lefti.blogspot.com Send list submissions to: Marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
Re: [Marxism] Chomsky's plea for Iranian prisoners
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == Louis: You are making an amalgam between CIA agents I made no mention of CIA agents whatsoever. The MEK are not CIA agents but they are certainly receiving funding from the CIA to help destabilize and overthrow the Iranian regime. People can collaborate with the CIA by providing information without being CIA agents. supporters of the overthrow of clerical rule in Iran, the Green movement--which is led by a faction of the clerical dictatorship, The Green movement may be led by a faction of the clerical leadership (or it may in fact really be led by organizations being funded and even organized by the CIA, as in the various color revolutions, who were merely throwing their support behind more moderate members of the clergy as a way to advance their aims - history and/or Wikileaks will tell), but whatever the case, the reason this movement received the full-throated (and much more) support of Western imperialism is because of their belief/hope that such a change would lead to a regime in Tehran which was no longer charting an independent course, but rather one more complaint with Western demands. But this is besides the point. Liberals and many radicals are also fully behind the Green movement. So the question of where that movement was going is irrelevant; the question is only, are there radicals with enough enmity for the Iranian regime that they would actually side with or even help the U.S. government in its attempts to overthrow that regime? I say the answer is yes (without the slightest implication about these particular three radicals). the hikers who were not even in Iran That is a HIGHLY dubious assertion. http://lefti.blogspot.com/2010/06/american-hikers-arrested-in-iraq-not.html and god knows who else. What do you think that the hikers were trying to do? Dig a hole from Iraq to Iran so that CIA agents could smuggle Twitter accounts into the country? Or copies of Madeline Murray's atheist tracts? What *I* think, based on the evidence that *I* have, is that they were hikers with extremely poor judgment. However many people no doubt also think, based on the evidence that *they* have, that Alan Gross was in Cuba merely to help the Jewish community and had no nefarious purpose whatsoever. The point being that I obviously couldn't even begin to speculate on what they might have been up to if they were really up to no good (about which again, I have not the slightest evidence). It's enough, I think, to know that the U.S. IS trying to overthrow the Iranian regime, is employing a wide variety of covert (and overt, obviously) means to do so. Some of those means we have some knowledge of, like the MEK, others of which we undoubtedly have no knowledge of. Could some American hikers, if not these particular hikers, be part of some such plot? I don't see how I could rule such a thing out. And I certainly can't rule it out based on the fact that the hikers were social justice activists. Eli Stephens Left I on the News http://lefti.blogspot.com Send list submissions to: Marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
Re: [Marxism] Chomsky's plea for Iranian prisoners
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == Mina: Eli, so where are the people of Iran in your equations? Are all Iranians collaborators of CIA for daring to dream social justice for their country? Like Louis, you exhibit a remarkable talent for (willfully?) misreading what I wrote and throwing out straw men. I was hardly attempting any kind of general analysis of the situation in Iran, nor insinuating that all Iranians are collaborators of the CIA, nor that the Iranian people don't justly aspire to a better society. All I have said is that there are without question SOME PEOPLE who are collaborating with the U.S. government and the CIA in an attempt to overthrow the Iranian government, both Iranian and non-Iranian, and that some of those are no-doubt progressives, and that, as a result, Chomsky's claim that the three hikers must be innocent because, after all, they were social justice activists doesn't hold water. Eli Stephens Left I on the News http://lefti.blogspot.com Send list submissions to: Marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
Re: [Marxism] John Burns' slobbering coverup for the invasion of Iraq
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == For another example of Burns' reporting, read this article: http://lefti.blogspot.com/2006/05/dujail-searching-for-facts.html One example from that post: Burns reported that Saddam had razed more than 250,000 acres around the town of Dujail (a figure which is numerically improbable, as the post discusses). After I pressed him on this, he did have the courtesy of replying, but informed me that this figure was a claim of the prosecutors. That's as may be, but in Burns' reporting, it was reported simply as fact, not as a claim of the prosecutors. Eli Stephens Left I on the News http://lefti.blogspot.com Send list submissions to: Marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
Re: [Marxism] Richard Holbrooke Represented the Worst of the Foreign Policy Establishment
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == An excellent summary of Holbrooke's career from Richard Becker: From the viewpoint of Marxism, war and diplomacy are not viewed as opposites: one ending in violence and the other in peaceful resolution. Diplomacy and war alike are tactics used in pursuit of class interests. U.S. imperialism seeks to dominate the world on behalf of U.S. capitalist corporations and banks. War and diplomacy use different but parallel and interconnected methods to achieve the same objectives for the ruling class of any society. Full article: http://www.pslweb.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticleid=14905 Eli Stephens Left I on the News http://lefti.blogspot.com Send list submissions to: Marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
Re: [Marxism] Major Media Ignore Veterans, along with Ellsberg and Hedges, Chained to WH Fence
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == Ralph: Maybe not a bad idea to let people on this list know that this is happening, even if no one else learns of it. Maybe they'll want to go and join them. Actually I did post about this event in advance of it happening. And if anyone wants to see the (far too brief) coverage it received on Democracy Now, here's the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfCaqqMyAfc By the way, as a wimpy West coaster, my hat is off to those who carried out this demonstration in such miserable conditions. Eli Stephens Left I on the News http://lefti.blogspot.com Send list submissions to: Marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
Re: [Marxism] The Irish bailout and the necessity for the United Socialist States of Europe
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == Others have commented on the slogan, but it's this that caught my eye: We call on working and young people to read and support the World Socialist Web Site, study the policies and programs of the sections of the ICFI, and join and build the world party of socialist revolution. So they have policies and programs and a website. They don't actually DO anything as far as I can tell, but they expect working and young people to be inspired by their policies and programs. Good luck with that. Eli Stephens Left I on the News http://lefti.blogspot.com Send list submissions to: Marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
[Marxism] PSL Conference video
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == Videos from the major sessions of this weekend's conference of the Party for Socialism and Liberation, which were streamed live, can be seen here: http://www.pslweb.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticleid=14763 I haven't watched them all yet, but I can strongly recommend the Keynote Plenary session. The session on Class Struggle in Africa is receiving rave reviews but I haven't seen it yet. For the single most inspiring speech of the conference, which in its own way sums up the entire conference and the struggle we are all (hopefully) part of, I can't recommend more highly this speech by Michael Prysner (co-founder of the anti-imperialist active duty and veterans organization March Forward!), which was part of the Special International Solidarity and Awards session: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZY3YBDzHbQk Eli Stephens Left I on the News http://lefti.blogspot.com Send list submissions to: Marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
Re: [Marxism] 280 of the signs at Jon Stewart's Rally For Sanity and/or Fear
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == The list missed one which was my personal favorite. Not the funniest, but the most in tune with my sentiments, the reference to the apocryphal God notwithstanding: God Hates Flags! Eli Stephens Left I on the News http://lefti.blogspot.com Send list submissions to: Marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
[Marxism] Socialist campaigns in Northern California
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == Oakland - Sun. Oct. 24, 11am Marx, Marxists, and the November Election Niebyl Proctor Marxist Library, 6501 Telegraph Ave., Oakland At the epicenter of the worst economic crisis in 70 years, Californians have been given a choice by the two Titanic Parties: Meg Whitman or Jerry Brown. What Would Marx Do? Join us for a discussion of this important question. Speakers include the gubernatorial candidates of two independent parties, Carlos Alvarez (Peace Freedom) and Laura Wells (Green). Hosted by Bob Patenaude and Gene Ruyle. San Francisco - Tues. Oct. 26, 7pm Why Is Racism on the Rise? And How to Fight Back San Francisco State University, Rosa Parks A-C JOIN US for a forum and discussion on how to fight back with Carlos Alvarez, the Peace and Freedom Party candidate for California governor, and other speakers. The passage of Arizona’s racist SB 1070 law and the climate of escalating anti-Muslim bigotry are two examples of how racism in the United States is on the rise. In the midst of an economic crisis, part of the ruling class wants to scapegoat immigrants for all the ills of society. Attacks on the Muslim community have been used to justify decades of bloody U.S. intervention in the Middle East. For African Americans, inspite of the heroic gains of the Civil Rights Movement, racism and inequity persist. The unemployment rate for African Americans is double that of whites; incarceration rates, tied to never-ending police-harassment of Black and Latino youth, continue to skyrocket; Black students attempting to get a college education are facing rising tuition and racist admissions policies. Sponsored by: Muslim Students Association, Black Student Union, ANSWER Coalition Sacramento - Wed. Oct. 27, 6-8pm Organizing and the Electoral Arena Sac Activist School at Sol Collective (2574 21st St.), Sacramento Join us for discussion with gubernatorial candidate Carlos Alvarez Send list submissions to: Marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
Re: [Marxism] U. of Michigan students protest IDF speakers
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == Similar event, similar protests at Cal State Fullerton: http://www.pslweb.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticleid=14635 Eli Stephens Left I on the News http://lefti.blogspot.com Send list submissions to: Marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
[Marxism] What the Economic Reforms Mean for the Cuban Revolution and Socialism
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == 43-minute video of a talk by Brian Becker: http://vimeo.com/15363166 Send list submissions to: Marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
[Marxism] Stand with Anti-War Activists Targeted by the FBI!
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == ANSWER condemns FBI intimidation tactics The ANSWER Coalition unequivocally condemns today's FBI raids on the homes of anti-war and solidarity activists in Illinois and Minnesota, and the intimidation of activists there and elsewhere. This morning, Sept. 24, teams of FBI agents from the Joint Terrorism Task Force served search warrants and grand jury subpoenas on the activists, allegedly relating to political speech in defense of the Palestinian and Colombian peoples. The FBI subpoenaed around a dozen activists to testify before a grand jury in Chicago in October. They confronted and intimidated activists in additional states as part of the operation. Continue: http://www.answercoalition.org/national/news/stand-with-anti-war-activists.html Eli Stephens Left I on the News http://lefti.blogspot.com Send list submissions to: Marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
Re: [Marxism] Cuba si ! Yanquee no !
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == Aside from your inability to spell Yanqui correctly, which marks you as ignorant right from the start, this sentence demonstrates convincingly how little you know about Cuba: Ordinary Cubans must continue to harvest the sugar canes. No, ordinary Cubans work in thousands of different occupations. The days when ordinary Cubans were restricted to harvesting sugar died when the Cuban Revolution triumphed. I can't find exact figures, but, just to name one occupation, I think the number of Cuban medical personnel working abroad (not even including those working in Cuba) exceeds the number of Cubans harvesting sugar. Eli Stephens Left I on the News http://lefti.blogspot.com Send list submissions to: Marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
[Marxism] More on Belarus
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == http://www.pslweb.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticleid=5179 Eli Stephens Left I on the News http://lefti.blogspot.com Send list submissions to: Marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
[Marxism] Maybe this will distract the conspiracy theorists from 9/11
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == Obama created by CIA: Report http://www.presstv.ir/detail/140093.html Eli Send list submissions to: Marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
[Marxism] All Aboard the Mavi Marmara - powerful video
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnqItpJI4rs A must-watch video matching David Rovics' powerful words with equally powerful images. Eli Stephens Left I on the News http://lefti.blogspot.com Send list submissions to: Marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
Re: [Marxism] Raimondo's Attack on Anti-War and Left
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == Raimondo claims that the America First Committee mobilized millions against the war, and pooh-poohs the paltry efforts of the left by comparison. The implication is that a right-left coalition without the right can't accomplish anything, but if so, then a right-left coalition without the left ought to be hugely successful. Since Raimondo is so opposed to the current (and all) imperialist wars (and I mean that seriously, not sarcastically, because I have no doubt he is), then surely HE and his cohorts (Ron Paul, Pat Buchanan) ought to be able to call out THEIR troops and put together a huge antiwar rally. Have they done so? We all know the answer. The largest movement on the right today is the Tea Party movement. Raimondo might want to take note of the fact that, amidst all their concern with big government and taxes and government spending and deficits, they breathe not a word against the wars; if anything, we can be sure they are among the biggest supporters of war. Eli Stephens Left I on the News http://lefti.blogspot.com Send list submissions to: Marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
Re: [Marxism] Interesting factoid
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == More Republicans (160) voted to fund the war in Afghanistan than Democrats (148). This is additional confirmation that we are living during the third Bush term. We are, but the statistic is misleading in the extreme. Republicans, with the exception of Ron Paul and perhaps one or two others, voted against funding the war purely for political motives, because they think a loss in the war will give Obama a black eye, not because they're actually opposed to the war. On the other hand, many Democrats voted against the bill as a protest against the fact that money for the economy (e.g., hiring teachers) had been cut (http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_15622566 - Some Democrats, like Eshoo, also opposed the war funding bill because the final draft didn't include money for the U.S. economy, including cash to stave off teacher layoffs. ). The number of Democrats REALLY opposed to the war, and willing to vote against funding it, is still in the low double-digits (Kucinich et al.). You can bet that if the vote were actually going to go against war funding, the vast majority of the Democrats who voted against the funding would have voted for it. But since it wasn't, a few more Democrats got to emphasize their fake progressive credentials in order to allow Medea Benjamin and Michael Moore to continue justify recommending voting for them in the next election. Eli Stephens Left I on the News http://lefti.blogspot.com Send list submissions to: Marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
[Marxism] Racism at the USDA? You bet!
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == From the ANSWER Coalition: Stop capitulating to right-wing racism! Reinstate Shirley Sherrod now! A spirited demonstration took place this morning in front of the U.S. Department of Agriculture denouncing the forced resignation/firing of Shirley Sherrod by Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. The demonstration included the ANSWER Coalition, Code Pink, the D.C. Statehood Green Party and others. The demonstration, which received significant media coverage, demanded the immediate reinstatement of Shirley Sherrod. The following is a statement issued by the ANSWER Coalition that was distributed to workers in Washington, D.C. in front of the Department of Agriculture. When they forced the resignation of Shirley Sherrod, the Obama administration officials cravenly capitulated before the false charge of “anti-white” racism leveled against an African-American federal worker by right-wing political forces. The facts of the case show that Shirley Sherrod, a USDA employee, should be reinstated immediately. Her forced resignation should be understood as a “firing” of a career civil service worker for blatantly political reasons. The hysteria generated by the right wing against Shirley Sherrod is based on a false interpretation of video of Shirley Sherrod’s speech to the NAACP conference. The heavily edited video falsely suggested that Sherrod had committed what the right-wing bigots considers to be the most abhorrent racial offense: Sherrod, a Black woman, had apparently discriminated against white persons. The right wing asserted that Sherrod, a worker with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, had once withheld assistance to a white farming couple on the basis of race. The right wing’s twisted story became untenable when the full video of Sherrod’s speech was released. Speaking at a NAACP meeting in March, she recalled working for a nonprofit that assisted struggling farmers. Sherrod had stayed in Georgia with the purpose of helping Black farmers, but her work with a white couple—to whom she admitted offering only minimum assistance at first—changed her perspective. In the unedited video of her speech, Sherrod says: “It made me see it really was about those who have, versus those who don't ... Black, white or Hispanic. It made me realize that I needed to work to help poor people ... those who don't have access the way others have.” Since the video was released, the wife of the white farmer in question has come out in support of Sherrod, saying she saved them from losing their farm. Even as she coped with the very real and palpable racism that had cost so many Black farmers their land in the South, Sherrod arrived at a broader class understanding of social justice through her own experience. But the bigoted elements who trimmed down the video of her speech took no interest in that story. The USDA's own history of racism In a July 20 statement, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack explained why he forced Sherrod to resign: “There is zero tolerance for discrimination at USDA and we strongly condemn any active discrimination against any person.” The USDA’s record says otherwise. Black farmers have been fighting the USDA in court since 1997 for the department’s long-standing practice of systematically denying funds to Black farmers. In Pigford v. Glickman, Black farmers demonstrated that, for more than 15 years, Agriculture Department officials ignored complaints that they were denied aid at the levels disbursed to white farmers. The case settled for $1.25 billion in 1999, yet many class action plaintiffs have yet to see a dime. Numerous farmers were excluded from the settlement altogether. The federal government has slowed down payments to a trickle—and the fight for the funds continues today. “I thought that the elderly farmers would get their money and get to live a few happy days of their lives,” John Boyd, President of the National Black Farmers Association, said in an interview earlier this year. “They deserve the money before they leave God’s earth.” Boyd has attended the funerals of several Black farmers who did not live to see justice. Shirley Sherrod should be saluted Slavery. Jim Crow laws. The systematic assassination of prominent Black leaders and the destruction of progressive Black organizations. Institutionalized poverty in Black communities. The disproportionate incarceration—not to mention execution—of African Americans. In a country with such a record, perhaps the strongest evidence that racism is alive and well is that the dominant question of the debate over race relations in the media is, “Are African Americans discriminating against whites?” Shirley Sherrod should be saluted for her lifelong work. She stood up for
Re: [Marxism] NYT on sources of Zionist Settler movement
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == i was also surprised to see this on the NY Times website. Norman Finkelstein calls the NY Times one of the main conduits for defense of the state of Israel in the US. This article can only be interpreted as Israel's increasing defensive position. Of course, this being the New York Times, one also finds inane statements like these: As the American government seeks to end the four-decade Jewish settlement enterprise and foster a Palestinian state in the West Bank... While a succession of American administrations have opposed the settlements here, Mr. Obama has particularly focused on them as obstacles to peace. Washington has consistently refused to allow Israel to spend American government aid in the settlements. (is the NY Times familiar with the word fungible?) Eli Stephens Left I on the News http://lefti.blogspot.com _ The New Busy is not the too busy. Combine all your e-mail accounts with Hotmail. http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?tile=multiaccountocid=PID28326::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WM_HMP:042010_4 Send list submissions to: Marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
Re: [Marxism] Exceptionalism
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == Hopefully you've also seen the delightful film of Cajun resistance to KKK-style oppression, Belizaire the Cajun. Eli Stephens Left I on the News http://lefti.blogspot.com _ Hotmail is redefining busy with tools for the New Busy. Get more from your inbox. http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?ocid=PID28326::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WM_HMP:042010_2 Send list submissions to: Marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
Re: [Marxism] Turks know the difference between Jews and Zionists
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == S. Artesian takes me to task: Israel's actions reflect on Jews everywhere? That's a load of crap, and just parrots the Zionist Israeli-Jewish conflation from a supposed left perspective. You do me a disservice. I'm certainly not saying that Israel's actions REPRESENT Jews everywhere. Obviously they don't. I'm saying that is the way millions of people around the world perceive it, and in that sense, they definitely do reflect on Jews everywhere. Eli Stephens Left I on the News http://lefti.blogspot.com _ The New Busy think 9 to 5 is a cute idea. Combine multiple calendars with Hotmail. http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?tile=multicalendarocid=PID28326::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WM_HMP:042010_5 Send list submissions to: Marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
Re: [Marxism] Alexander Cockburn: stop picking on Rand Paul
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == Ernest Leif echoes a common criticism of the Maddow interview when he writes: He says that the Civil Rights Act of '64 is a non-issue, one that will never come up for debate in the Senate, and I think he may be right. Yes, Paul says he won't try for repeal of the Civil Rights Act, but that's only because he's smart enough to know he would have exactly zero co-sponsors and that, even though 30% of the Congress probably agree with him, not a single other member of Congress other than his father would have the guts to put their voting fingers where their repulsive thoughts are. So far to my knowledge, only the equally repugnant John Stossel has come out publicly in support of what Paul had to say, and he's not in Congress. The idea that the Civil Rights Act is some 46-year-old law is dead wrong. The Justice Department is charged with enforcing such laws every day, and their is little doubt that Paul would be doing his best to deny funding to that division, just as he would deny funding (and possibly try to abolish) the EEOC or Health Departments or the FDA or the MMS or any other government agency who dared interfere in the sanctity of private business. The biggest flaw in Maddow's interview was precisely that she didn't bring out the very real and very current implications of Paul's racist philosphy, which sounds more appropriate in German: private property über alles. Eli Stephens Left I on the News http://lefti.blogspot.com _ The New Busy is not the old busy. Search, chat and e-mail from your inbox. http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?ocid=PID28326::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WM_HMP:042010_3 Send list submissions to: Marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
Re: [Marxism] Obama improves image of US Empire
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == The other headline from this article is the very negative view of Israel in world opinion (50% with a negative opinion, 19% with a positive opinion, one of the highest and lowest, respectively). And what none of the articles tell you, but you can see for yourself if you look at the actual data from BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/160410bbcwspoll.pdf), is that the survey includes exactly ONE Arab country (Egypt), only 3 others in Africa and only Brazil and Chile in South America. For sure a poll of the ENTIRE world opinion would reveal even more negative views of both Israel and the U.S. Eli Stephens Left I on the News http://lefti.blogspot.com _ The New Busy is not the old busy. Search, chat and e-mail from your inbox. http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?ocid=PID28326::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WM_HMP:042010_3 Send list submissions to: Marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
Re: [Marxism] Code Pink extends olive branch to fascist Tea party
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == S. Artesian writes: These people are not the terrified impoverished frightened petit-bourgeoisie, caught between the rock and the hard place in the economy. These goons are an organized group of country-club thugs. Nonsense. They definitely are serving the interests of the country-club set, and the powers behind the throne who are organizing the events like cross-country bus tours may be part of that set, but the shock troops of the Tea Party are nothing of the sort. The New York Times article this morning claims that a poll says they are wealthier than the general public, but please note that that is based on a telephone poll of people in general, not on a survey of the people actually showing up at Tea Party events. And even with that claim (undocumented by any data; are they 1% wealthier or 100% wealthier? No clue), we still read in that same article: 55 percent are concerned that someone in their household will be out of a job in the next year. And more than two-thirds say the recession has been difficult or caused hardship and major life changes. That doesn't sound much like the country-club set to me. For sure the Tea Party movement doesn't include very many blacks or Latinos, which probably ensures that they are wealthier than the general public from that fact alone, but make no mistake, the majority of the shock troops are working class people being misled into acting against their own interests. Is Code Pink on the right track? I seriously doubt it. But largely that's because countering the decades-long brainwashing of these folks by FOX News and, not to give FOX too much credit, the rest of the corporate media as well, is going to take a lot more than just Code Pink trying to make nice. Eli Stephens Left I on the News http://lefti.blogspot.com _ Hotmail is redefining busy with tools for the New Busy. Get more from your inbox. http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?ocid=PID28326::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WM_HMP:042010_2 Send list submissions to: Marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
[Marxism] Prospects for socialism in America?
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == For those who think that it's necessary or desirable to tone-down the word (or idea) socialism in the United States, I call your attention to the just-completed campaign (election yesterday) of Stevie Danielle Merino for Mayor of Long Beach (for non-Americans, the port city adjacent to Los Angeles). Running an openly socialist campaign as the candidate of the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL), Merino got 16.2% of the vote running against the incumbent mayor. Was some of that just some anti-incumbent sentiment? No doubt. But it's safe to say that the anti-incumbent Tea Party crowd didn't bring themselves to vote for an open socialist just to express their anti-incumbent feeling. But 16.2% of the people voting in Long Beach did vote for Merino for whatever reason, showing that the word socialist didn't scare them in the least (and possibly even did the opposite). Campaign: http://www.pslweb.org/site/PageServer?pagename=LBMAYOR_Home Election results: http://www.everythinglongbeach.com/long-beach-election-results-april-2010/ Eli Stephens Left I on the News http://lefti.blogspot.com _ The New Busy is not the too busy. Combine all your e-mail accounts with Hotmail. http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?tile=multiaccountocid=PID28326::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WM_HMP:042010_4 Send list submissions to: Marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
Re: [Marxism] interview with ISO member in haiti
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == Mark L. wrote: Most of us will defend ANY TARGET OF IMPERIALISM and Bhaskar writes that, in the view of the ISO, Cuba deserves defense from US imperialism. But see, that's the point. CLAIMING you defend something from imperialism is different from ACTUALLY DOING IT. As I wrote earlier, coming out in the streets with U.S. Out signs after the invasion is too late. Cuba (and others including Venezuela and North Korea and Iran) are under attack by imperialism NOW (and, in the case of Cuba, have been for the past 50 years). The time to defend Cuba against imperialism is NOW, and if the only thing your press ever writes about Cuba is negative, not only aren't you defending Cuba, you are acting as an enabler for imperialism in its attempt to prepare American opinion for whatever it chooses to do. And just to correct Mark on a small personal point, he writes: I have every confidence in the ISO on this...and on Eli's organization as well.. For the record, the only organization I'm a part of is the National Committee to Free the Cuban Five. I do work closely with numerous comrades from the PSL here in San Francisco, especially since they're among the few groups actually doing things (like organizing demonstrations) rather than just talking, and I certainly share their basic framework, but I am not a member (not that there's anything wrong with that), and I most assuredly do not speak for them. I speak for myself. And to Louis, who insists on labeling ANSWER and March 20 as a sectarian event, I note that the series of meetings to pull the demonstration together here in San Francisco were attended by an average of 80 people, representing dozens of organizations (although NOT the ISO), all of whom had precisely the same opportunity to speak, vote, serve on or lead committees, etc., and I have every reason to believe the same situation existed in D.C. and Los Angeles. Eli Stephens Left I on the News http://lefti.blogspot.com _ Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsoft’s powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/210850552/direct/01/ Send list submissions to: Marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
Re: [Marxism] interview with ISO member in haiti
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == Louis writes about ANSWER's steering committee. I guess he missed the point of what I just wrote. The demonstration in San Francisco was organized officially by the March 20 Coalition, not by ANSWER, and consisted of numerous groups in the city. I believe the same was true in DC and LA. Certainly ANSWER played a leading role in organizing the March 20 coalition, but all groups in the area had an equal opportunity to participate in the planning and decision making that went into the event. The composition of ANSWER's steering committee has no relevance whatsoever. And to D. Walters, who thinks March 20th was truly terrible in size, influence, impact, no doubt that is a subjective judgment. I felt quite differently. You can judge the size of the demonstration here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5NT1fHaD6s As for its influence and impact, there was TV coverage on almost all Bay Area channels the night before the demonstration and the afternoon and night following the demonstration. That may be a small impact, but it's larger than any other antiwar action had in a year. And, needless to say, influence and impact go far beyond that; I won't bother to elaborate. Eli Stephens Left I on the News http://lefti.blogspot.com _ Hotmail: Trusted email with powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/210850553/direct/01/ Send list submissions to: Marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
Re: [Marxism] interview with ISO member in haiti
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == How utterly amusing. TWO AND A HALF MONTHS after I called attention to the ISO's obviously deliberate attempt (in two separate articles) to avoid mentioning Cuba's heroic effort in providing aid to Haiti, along comes Dan Russell attempting, presumably, to set the record straight by citing a recently published article on the subject that, lo and behold, actually mentions Cuba. HOW it does so, however, is just as telling as its belated appearance. Just to begin with, it gets its facts wrong: Cuba sent dozens of doctors to join the several hundred doctors already working the country. No, Cuba sent HUNDREDS of doctors to join the several hundred already working in Haiti. Even more important than that is the context in which this is even mentioned - not one of praising Cuba's effort, but only as a bludgeon to compare and belittle the U.S. effort. And even in that role, Cuba is mentioned THIRD, behind China and Iceland (Iceland!!), even though Cuba's response was orders of magnitude larger (and more rapid) than either of those. Sorry, Dan, what you (and the ISO article you cite) have succeeded in accomplishing is precisely the opposite of what you intended, and just further proof that the ISO will stop at nearly nothing to avoid praising the accomplishments of the Cuban revolution. Eli Stephens Left I on the News http://lefti.blogspot.com _ Hotmail has tools for the New Busy. Search, chat and e-mail from your inbox. http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?ocid=PID27925::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WM_HMP:032010_1 Send list submissions to: Marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
Re: [Marxism] interview with ISO member in haiti
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == Mark asks: What damage did the ISO do to Cuba by not mentioning this? And what help did the ISO do for Cuba by mentioning it? Well, to a certain extent the answer is just like asking what effect any particular antiwar demonstration has - in a short-term, measurable way, probably none. But in the long-term, the more people who have a favorable opinion of Cuba, the more likely is the blockade to be lifted, the Cuban Five to be freed, and the less able is the U.S. able to demonize Cuba and prepare the American people, should circumstances ever develop, for a more aggressive intervention in Cuba. In short, telling the truth about Cuba is defending Cuba and the Cuban revolution and the Cuban people from imperialism. As I've written before, groups like the ISO claim to defend Cuba but their idea of defending Cuba seems to be that, if and when U.S. troops invade, they'll hit the streets with signs saying U.S. Out. Sorry, that will be too late. The time to defend Cuba, and any other country in the sights of imperialism, is before the invasion. Eli Stephens Left I on the News http://lefti.blogspot.com _ Hotmail is redefining busy with tools for the New Busy. Get more from your inbox. http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?ocid=PID27925::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WM_HMP:032010_2 Send list submissions to: Marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
Re: [Marxism] Fidel: Bill's approval was victory for Obama, gain for health care
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == Louis writes: The obligation of Marxists is to think like Fidel Castro even though he speaks as the former head of a state trying desperately to normalize relations with the USA. Did you read a SINGLE WORD of Fidel's essay? Because here's the VERY FIRST SENTENCE: (http://www.granma.cubaweb.cu/english/news/art0049.html) Barack Obama is a fanatical believer in the imperialist capitalist system imposed by the United States on the world. Does that REALLY sound to you like someone desperately trying to normalize relations with the USA? Here's the third paragraph: Out of an elemental sense of ethics, Obama should have abstained from accepting the Nobel Peace Prize when he had already decided to send 40,000 soldiers to an absurd war in the heart of Asia. Oh, way to ingratiate yourself with Obama, Fidel. NOT. As far as S. Artesian's question: where does Fidel say it's a gain for healthcare?, it is sort of implied (not that any of us, including Fidel, REALLY knows exactly how this is all going to play out, even now that the bill is passed), but not exactly in a positive way: It would seem, however, to be something truly unusual, 234 years after the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia in 1776, inspired by the ideas of the French encyclopedists, that the U.S. government has passed [a law for] medical attention for the vast majority of its citizens, something that Cuba achieved for its entire population half a century ago, despite the cruel and inhumane blockade imposed and still in effect by the most powerful country that ever existed. Most people would call that damning with faint praise. I'll avoid excerpting the remainder, but I'll repeat that anyone who could read this essay and believe it was written by someone trying desperately to normalize relations with the USA has lost all pretense of objective judgment. Eli Stephens Left I on the News http://lefti.blogspot.com _ Hotmail has tools for the New Busy. Search, chat and e-mail from your inbox. http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?ocid=PID27925::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WM_HMP:032010_1 Send list submissions to: Marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
Re: [Marxism] Israeli settlements
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == S. Artesian writes: I thought that the Jewish only complaint was inherent and explicit in the characterization of Israel as an apartheid state. Well, first of all, very few of those criticizing the settlements are willing to call Israel an apartheid state. And in demonstrating the apartheid nature of the state, it is key to note that these settlements are not for Israeli citizens, they are for Jews. So inherent, yes, certainly. Explicit? More like implicit, and even then, only once the connection is made between apartheid and what is going on. How many corporate media news reports have you read that talked about new Jewish settlements and included the words racism or apartheid? For myself, the answer is zero. Eli Stephens Left I on the News http://lefti.blogspot.com _ The New Busy is not the old busy. Search, chat and e-mail from your inbox. http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?ocid=PID27925::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WM_HMP:032010_3 Send list submissions to: Marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
[Marxism] Press conference video promoting today's antiwar marches
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlWPlIUXqU0 and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsHuDfTmmsQ (the latter focusing on the government's attack on free speech) Today's the day: OFF THE COMPUTER AND INTO THE STREETS! San Francisco: Civic Center at 11 Los Angeles: Hollywood Vine at noon D.C.: Lafayette Park across from the White House at noon And other cities as well including Albuquerque and Seattle Eli Stephens Left I on the News http://lefti.blogspot.com _ Hotmail has tools for the New Busy. Search, chat and e-mail from your inbox. http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?ocid=PID27925::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WM_HMP:032010_1 Send list submissions to: Marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
[Marxism] Press Conference promotes March 20
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == In D.C. today, a press conference was held to promote the upcoming demonstrations this Saturday, including: Brian Becker (ANSWER Coalition) Mahdi Bray of Muslim American Society Freedom Cindy Sheehan Mike Ferner of Veterans for Peace Geoff Millard of IVAW representatives of Military Families Speak Out and the National Council of Arab-Americans Debra Sweet of World Can't Wait Mara Verheyden-Hilliard of Partnership for Civil Justice Juan-Jose Gutierrez of Latino USA The complete audio (45 minutes including QA) is online here: http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/5543442 _ The New Busy is not the old busy. Search, chat and e-mail from your inbox. http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?ocid=PID27925::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WM_HMP:032010_3 Send list submissions to: Marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
Re: [Marxism] Alexander Cockburn on Hurt Locker
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == Louis: Bigelow's edgy indie approach is the artistic correlative of the Obama presidency with its hip pretensions. Maybe, maybe not; as I said I've neither seen her film nor know her politics. And I have little doubt that a certain percentage of Academy voters voted for this film as a way to show their support for the war. But it's also quite possible that other Academy voters, and Bigelow herself, saw this film as an expression of the liberal support the troops, bring them home mantra, which is definitely NOT the Obama line; Obama, who's got MORE troops fighting in wars than Bush ever did. Eli Stephens Left I on the News http://lefti.blogspot.com _ Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsoft’s powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/210850552/direct/01/ Send list submissions to: Marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
Re: [Marxism] 9/11 truther burp
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == Nor does he care that the BBC reported on this collapse 20 minutes before it actually happened. Of all the insane postulates of the truther movement, this is my absolute favorite. The conspiracy to pull off this hoax was apparently so great that it included PR agents whose job it was to inform the press that buildings were falling down (and who, it is postulated, slipped up by making the call too early)! Because, you know, no one would have noticed had it not been for this PR person. And obviously, involving even more people in the conspiracy was essential because of the vital role this person was to play. That's one strange conspiracy! Give me a effing break. Eli Stephens Left I on the News http://lefti.blogspot.com _ Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsoft’s powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/201469226/direct/01/ Send list submissions to: Marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
Re: [Marxism] pro-Iraq war speaker at Left Forum
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == I also note that the dates of the Left Forum, Mar. 19-21, conflict precisely with the long-scheduled national demonstrations against the war(s) on March 20 (www.march20.org). I don't know when the planning for the Left Forum started, but even if the March 20 demonstrations had not yet been announced, the fact that demonstrations against the war(s) would be held on that weekend was completely predictable. And a conflict avoidable. If the organizers cared. Eli Stephens Left I on the News http://lefti.blogspot.com _ Your E-mail and More On-the-Go. Get Windows Live Hotmail Free. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/201469229/direct/01/ Send list submissions to: Marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
[Marxism] UK sentences six over 2009 Gaza war protests
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == URL: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=118553sectionid=351020601 Six British Muslim men have been jailed for clashing with police during the anti-Gaza war rally in front of the Israeli Embassy in London in January last year. A court sentences the young men to periods of between one to years each in jail for violent conduct. A Press TV correspondent said most of the convicts on Saturday were 19 to 20 years old, and had protested that they had been provoked by the police. The charges against the six include hitting police officers and damaging property during huge protests outside the Israeli Embassy. The six had been enraged by Israel's war on Gaza, which killed over 1,400 Palestinians after weeks of ceaseless air land and sea assaults. This is while a human rights organization slammed the British police for mishandling the demonstrations by using heavy-handed tactics. The Islamic Human Rights Commission also said the police had failed to investigate up to 30 complaints against the Metropolitan police force. Dozens protesters more are expected to be jailed in the coming weeks. _ Hotmail: Free, trusted and rich email service. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/201469228/direct/01/ Send list submissions to: Marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
Re: [Marxism] Obama is Asked: Why Haven't You Condemned Israel?
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == For those who don't want to waste time on the video, you can read the transcript here: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/remarks-president-and-vice-president-town-hall-meeting-tampa-florida And if you don't want to waste time reading the transcript, here's the bottom line - he completely avoids answering the question (while of course swearing eternal loyalty to Israel). You're shocked, I know. Eli Stephens Left I on the News http://lefti.blogspot.com _ Your E-mail and More On-the-Go. Get Windows Live Hotmail Free. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/196390709/direct/01/ Send list submissions to: Marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
[Marxism] Talking to the public about socialism
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == A great example of the kind of coverage one can get talking openly about socialism, specifically by running for office: http://www.lbpost.com/ryan/8137 Eli Stephens Left I on the News http://lefti.blogspot.com _ Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsoft’s powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/196390706/direct/01/ Send list submissions to: Marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
Re: [Marxism] Obama is not a Wimp
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == Billy O'C: These Bomber Libs that cry about Nader single-handedly causing the Iraq war cheer the escalation in Afghanistan. Who'd want them? Be careful with generalizations. Some certainly do. Others (take Norman Solomon as a good example) most certainly don't. Eli Stephens Left I on the News http://lefti.blogspot.com _ Hotmail: Powerful Free email with security by Microsoft. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/196390710/direct/01/ Send list submissions to: Marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
Re: [Marxism] Obama is not a Wimp
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == Mark L. writes: Second, there will be no united socialist ticket...The SPUS..won't dissolve its club into some coalition. ... I can't imagine WWP or PSL dissolving into a united coalition in 2012, since they simply scorned the idea of doing so. I'm not a member of any of these groups, and if I were I wouldn't be speaking for them, but I'm at a complete loss to understand why Mark thinks that multiple socialist parties running on a united ticket involves the individual groups dissolving themselves. Running a united campaign involves...running a united campaign, and not necessarily anything more. As far as that scorning, Mark might be interested to read this letter from the PSL to the Freedom Socialist Party, who endorsed the PSL candidate Frances Villar in the recent NYC mayoral election: http://www.pslweb.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticleid=13285 Eli Stephens Left I on the News http://lefti.blogspot.com _ Hotmail: Free, trusted and rich email service. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/196390708/direct/01/ Send list submissions to: Marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
Re: [Marxism] Marcyite bombast (was: Solidarity with Haiti and Demands on the U.S.Government)
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == In a long article whose content is 100% congruent with things I've read from a wide variety of left sources, JB finds one sentence he doesn't like: Tons of supplies could be parachuted to desperate people in immediate need of food and especially water. And says: This is idiotic beyond belief. Really? Idiotic? Beyond belief no less? It may (or may not) be wise advice, or have been understood to be a wise idea in the first few days after the quake when this was written, but idiotic? Beyond belief? Such a description quite literally beggars belief. And from this one, and only one, sentence, JB concludes: Proof once again that the most significant contribution the Marcyites, like most of the US left, couid make to the bright communist future of humanity is to dissolve. Leaving the future of communism in the hands of the keyboard activists of the Marxism list. Hooray! The communist future of humanity is assured! Eli Stephens Left I on the News http://lefti.blogspot.com _ Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsoft’s powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/196390706/direct/01/ Send list submissions to: Marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
Re: [Marxism] Liberal disgust with Obama
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == And then there's Paul Krugman ( http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/20/he-wasnt-the-one-weve-been-waiting-for/?src=twttwt=NytimesKrugman ): I’m pretty close to giving up on Mr. Obama, who seems determined to confirm every doubt I and others ever had about whether he was ready to fight for what his supporters believed in. Eli Stephens Left I on the News http://lefti.blogspot.com _ Your E-mail and More On-the-Go. Get Windows Live Hotmail Free. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/196390709/direct/01/ Send list submissions to: Marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
Re: [Marxism] Liberal disgust with Obama
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == S. Artesian writes: No personal offense intended, but who gives a rat's ass about what liberals think of Obama? Positive, negative-- same-same We need to keep in mind-- the US bourgeoisie select a Republican whenever they're going into a recession, and a Democrat when they think they want out of a recession. I give a rat's ass because liberals and the US bourgeousie are not synonymous, despite what you seem to think. I'm not talking about liberal members of the ruling class (although perhaps you might include Krugman in that group), but liberal members of the working class. Liberalism is a significant current in the working-class movement, and if you don't understand that, and aren't ready to attempt to move people to the left at a time like this, then some of them will move to the right instead (perhaps as just happened in MA; I really don't know enough or care to analyze that election). Eli Stephens Left I on the News http://lefti.blogspot.com _ Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsoft’s powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/196390706/direct/01/ Send list submissions to: Marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
Re: [Marxism] Liberal disgust with Obama
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == S. Artesian: It's not the disaffection with liberals that will move workers away from the Democratic Party. It is disaffection with capitalism. Well, I'd say two things about that. First, some of the disaffection with liberals turns into disaffection with liberalism, and then with capitalism, as the disaffected person realizes that liberalism will NOT solve the fundamental problems. And second, if I'm going to try to find people who I can help become disaffected with capitalism, I prefer to start with people who think, for example, that government-funded health care is a GOOD thing, not a bad thing. People who think that mass transit subsidized by the government is a GOOD thing, not an affront to freedom. People who think that public education is a GOOD thing, not a bad thing. Etc. Not to mention people who aren't racist, sexist, homophobic, and xenophobic. Eli Stephens Left I on the News http://lefti.blogspot.com _ Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsoft’s powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/196390706/direct/01/ Send list submissions to: Marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
Re: [Marxism] Liberal disgust with Obama
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == S. Artesian: I was thinking that maybe the place to start was actually some other place, like with those who have absolutely no interest in good liberalism or bad liberalism-- like maybe the immigrant workers who confront the unified class policy of the bourgeoisie in its identical good and bad, liberal and conservative manifestations. So according to your theory immigrant workers have no interest in public transportation, public health care, public education, etc.? I do not think Krugman, Huffington, are any more committed to change than Greenspan or Kristol. They are all committed to the preservation of capital, private property. I can't speak to the underlying motivations of Krugman or Huffington. I'm talking about the average liberal, the regular people who are workers, students, etc., just like the people on this list. Most of them no doubt think that capitalism is the best way to achieve goals (like health care, education, transportation) which they share with socialists. And current events are helping to shake that belief, because even the great liberal hope Obama, with huge majorities of his fellow Democrats in Congress, is showing them the reality of expecting change to come from such an approach. Do you want to stand back and ignore that, or go talk to them and convince them that the best way to achieve such goals is through a socialist transformation of society? Eli Stephens Left I on the News http://lefti.blogspot.com _ Hotmail: Trusted email with powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/196390707/direct/01/ Send list submissions to: Marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
Re: [Marxism] Obama draws lesson from Massachusetts: shift further to the right
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == The most interesting statement from Obama was this: “Here’s my assessment of not just the vote in Massachusetts, but the mood around the country: the same thing that swept Scott Brown into office swept me into office,” Mr. Obama said in the interview on ABC. “People are angry, they are frustrated. Not just because of what’s happened in the last year or two years, but what’s happened over the last eight years.” It's a bizarre idea, that the same thing elected Obama (the perceived albeit not actual liberal) as Brown (the conservative), but in a way I agree with him. What it shows is that people are totally fed up with what is going on, and they're grasping for solutions, solutions which neither the Democrats nor the Republicans offer. Unfortunately, it also shows the long-term weakness of the left, since we offer the only REAL, coherent, consistent solution to the problems, but have been unable to communicate that to the population as a whole. Eli Stephens Left I on the News http://lefti.blogspot.com _ Your E-mail and More On-the-Go. Get Windows Live Hotmail Free. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/196390709/direct/01/ Send list submissions to: Marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
Re: [Marxism] Haiti's Cuban doctors mentioned by US media
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == A link to the CNN video (by reporter Steve Kastenbaum): http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2010/01/17/kastenbaum.haiti.la.paz.hosp.cnn An interesting article suggesting the need for U.S.-Cuban cooperation in Haiti on Huffington Post today: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sarah-stephens/to-increase-help-for-hait_b_425224.html Also on a related subject, note this from today's New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/17/world/americas/17haiti.html?hp=pagewanted=print The World Food Program finally was able to land flights of food, medicine and water on Saturday, after failing on Thursday and Friday, an official with the agency said. Those flights had been diverted so that the United States could land troops and equipment, and lift Americans and other foreigners to safety. “There are 200 flights going in and out every day, which is an incredible amount for a country like Haiti,” said Jarry Emmanuel, the air logistics officer for the agency’s Haiti effort. “But most of those flights are for the United States military. Eli Stephens Left I on the News http://lefti.blogspot.com _ Hotmail: Trusted email with powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/196390707/direct/01/ Send list submissions to: Marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
Re: [Marxism] Afghanistan: World’s Lengthiest Wa r Has Just Begun
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == My video on the subject: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbOdKVBoI8c Eli Stephens Left I on the News http://lefti.blogspot.com _ Your E-mail and More On-the-Go. Get Windows Live Hotmail Free. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/171222985/direct/01/ Send list submissions to: Marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
Re: [Marxism] What if this time the Sun does not rise?
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == Nestor escribió: From the military point of view, the Viet Namese didn´t win the war. Not even the famous Tet offensive finished with a VN victory. But the Minister of Foreign Relations of VN in those times (someone can remind me of the name?) explained that they won the war on the streets of Washington. Well, whatever that Minister said, there is no simple answer to this question. Just the other day I heard someone (was it Arundhati Roy? Can't remember.) say that the antiwar movement in the U.S. has NEVER stopped a war, and that it was really the resistance of the Vietnamese people which forced the U.S. out. No, they didn't win, but their continued resistance denied the U.S. any possibility of winning either, so the U.S. got out. Personally, I'd say it was a combination. And the lack of socialist consciousness of the Iraqi or Afghan resistance has little to do with it. It's their continued resistance to occupation which is the key. And as for the homefront, to the extent that our political resistance puts any limitations on the U.S. wars (e.g., sending fewer troops than they really would like to, cutting back on even more drone or manned aerial attacks due to continued opposition to the killing of innocent civilians), it makes that military resistance in the occupied nation that much the easier. Eli Stephens Left I on the News http://lefti.blogspot.com _ Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsoft’s powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141664/direct/01/ Send list submissions to: Marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
[Marxism] Stop the war...on the world
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == I need to post (sans graphics) something I put on my blog last week, which echoes remarks by several others here today: http://lefti.blogspot.com/2009/12/stop-waron-world.html (you need to visit the blog to see the graphics) Stop the war...on the world! I went to a meeting last night to begin planning for March 20 actions against the war(s). Although organizations are all invited to have their own leaflets and slogans within a common framework, the ANSWER leaflet looks like this: Of course I agree with all those demands. But what strikes me is this: we who demonstrate are constantly being criticized by the media for having too many demands. Let there be one Free Mumia or Save the Whales banner amidst a thousand U.S. Out of Iraq! banners, we'll be told the demonstration was reminiscent of the sixties with a hodgepodge of demands. But here's the thing: a wide range of demands are connected, and never before have those connections been as transparent as they are right now in the midst of the economic downturn. Which is why I think it's time to proudly embrace that myriad of demands, with the Stop the war...on the world! slogan. As I was traveling to the meeting, for example, over the radio came the news that the Los Angeles School District is planning to lay off up to 8000 personnel next year unless voters approve a new tax and teachers swallow pay cuts, all because of an expected $470 million budget shortfall. And all I could think of was the figure $1 million/soldier/year for the escalation of the war against Afghanistan, and that just 470 fewer soldiers (29,530 instead of 30,000!) and 8000 jobs could be saved (and actually a lot more, since those people buy groceries, and clothes, and toys, etc., from people who in turn buy groceries, clothes, and toys, etc., in the standard multiplier effect) Imagine what could be done with the money saved from sending 30,000 fewer soldiers to Afghanistan! Or bringing all 100,000 of them home, as well as the 118,000 from Iraq! These connections are becoming clearer and clearer, and although slogans like Money for jobs and education, not war and occupation and Money for healthcare, not for warfare have long been part of antiwar demonstrations, now is the time to give them even more prominence. And, although my Stop the war...against the world! graphic has included Global Warming since the day I created it in December, 2005, with the climate summit in Copenhagen going on, the double-meaning of the word world in that slogan has never been more appropriate. The world (the planet) may in a sense be collateral damage in the sense that it's not an intended target, but it's every bit as much a victim of capitalism and imperialism as are the people of Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine, and the others around the world directly in the cross-hairs. Stop the war...on the world! Eli Stephens Left I on the News http://lefti.blogspot.com _ Hotmail: Powerful Free email with security by Microsoft. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/171222986/direct/01/ Send list submissions to: Marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
Re: [Marxism] Afghanistan Anti-War Movement Possible?
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == Kenneth Morgan writes: It is extremely important not to abdicate this campaign to the pacifists, as was done with the Iraq anti-war movement... instead we got such wimpy candy ass pacifist slogans as war is not the answer, or honk for peace. ...This transformation to a pacifist movement was obvious with the terminology, when the anti-war movement became the Peace Movement. At that point I knew the movement was doomed. I don't know in what part of the country you are located, but everything I have observed first hand here in San Francisco and observed indirectly by watching video and reading coverage of demonstrations elsewhere, e.g., in D.C., suggests that what you wrote has NOTHING to do with reality. Where I come from, it's the ANTIWAR movement, and the lead banners on all the major demonstrations from before the invasion of Iraq to date have been antiwar (and frequently anti-imperialist) slogans, not candy ass pacifist slogans. Eli Stephens Left I on the News http://lefti.blogspot.com _ Hotmail: Free, trusted and rich email service. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/171222984/direct/01/ Send list submissions to: Marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
Re: [Marxism] Afghanistan anti-war movement impossible?
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == Might I suggest that everyone stop speculating or wringing their hands about whether such a thing is possible, or discussing reasons why it is or isn't, and get out there and DO SOMETHING TO MAKE IT HAPPEN. There was a demonstration in D.C. on Dec. 12, and national demonstrations in D.C., S.F., L.A. and probably elsewhere on March 20. Can the actions of committed activists make something materialize out of nothing? Of course not. But can they make a huge difference? For sure. Eli Stephens Left I on the News http://lefti.blogspot.com _ Hotmail: Trusted email with powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141665/direct/01/ Send list submissions to: Marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
[Marxism] Obama's Peace Prize speech, deconstructed
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == Barack and Eli, a dialog Barack: The capacity of human beings to think up new ways to kill one another proved inexhaustible Me: With most of those new ways being thought up by the good old U.S. of A. Barack: World War II was a conflict in which the total number of civilians who died exceeded the number of soldiers who perished. Me: With one hell of a lot of them perishing in the atomic bombing of two cities in Japan, plus the fire-bombing of dozens more. Barack: Terrorism has long been a tactic, but modern technology allows a few small men with outsized rage to murder innocents on a horrific scale. Me: Oh, Barack, don't be so modest. I would never call you (or George Bush or Bill Clinton) small men, yet you have killed more than two million Iraqis in the last few decades. Barack: In today's wars, many more civilians are killed than soldiers; the seeds of future conflict are sown, economies are wrecked, civil societies torn asunder, refugees amassed, children scarred. Me: Will he mention the four million Iraqi refugees, who have been for all intents and purposes totally forgotten by the world? The four million Palestinian refugees who his government is complicit in denying the right to return? No, he will not. Barack: We must begin by acknowledging the hard truth: We will not eradicate violent conflict in our lifetimes. There will be times when nations -- acting individually or in concert -- will find the use of force not only necessary but morally justified. Me: Will he acknowledge even that the U.S. invasion of Iraq was not necessary or morally justified? No, the only mention of Iraq is in conjunction with the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. Barack: As someone who stands here as a direct consequence of Dr. King's life work, I am living testimony to the moral force of non-violence. Me: An insult to Dr. King. Living testimony to the moral force of non-violence my ass, pardon my French. Barack: I face the world as it is, and cannot stand idle in the face of threats to the American people. Me: Really? 44,000 Americans die each year because of lack of health insurance. How about doing something about that threat to the American people, instead of having to pare down health insurance reform to nearly nothing because of its expense? Barack: Negotiations cannot convince al Qaeda's leaders to lay down their arms. Me: First of all, al Qaeda barely has arms. 9/11 was accomplished with a handful of men and box-cutters, as we all know. The arms al Qaeda has probably consists of a handful of rifles and maybe a few RPGs. Second of all, why couldn't negotiations accomplish anything? After all, al Qaeda claims to be inflamed by A) the presence of U.S. troops in Saudi Arabia; and B) U.S. support for Israel's oppression of the Palestinian people. Aren't those problems that are in principle amenable to negotiation? Barack: The United States of America has helped underwrite global security for more than six decades with the blood of our citizens and the strength of our arms. The service and sacrifice of our men and women in uniform has promoted peace and prosperity from Germany to Korea, and enabled democracy to take hold in places like the Balkans. We have borne this burden not because we seek to impose our will. We have done so out of enlightened self-interest -- because we seek a better future for our children and grandchildren, and we believe that their lives will be better if others' children and grandchildren can live in freedom and prosperity. Me: We don't seek to impose our will? Give me a break. What did we seek to do in Panama, or Grenada, or Yugoslavia, or Iraq, or Afghanistan? Install new governments of our choosing or favorable to the U.S.? What do we seek to do in Cuba, Venezuela, etc.? The same thing. If that isn't imposing our will or seeking to do so I don't know what is. And I've already spoken to this nonsense about enlightened self-interest: Our children and grandchildren will be better off if the rest of the world is living in slavery, providing natural resources and goods to us at the lowest possible price. Barack: So part of our challenge is reconciling these two seemingly inreconcilable truths -- that war is sometimes necessary, and war at some level is an expression of human folly. Concretely, we must direct our effort to the task that President Kennedy called for long ago. Let us focus, he said, on a more practical, more attainable peace, based not on a sudden revolution in human nature but on a gradual evolution in human institutions. Me: Sorry, no. War is not a product of human nature. It is a product of economic institutions, and in our day, that means capitalism and imperialism. Barack: The world rallied around America
[Marxism] DC Agrees To Pay $13M Over Arrests Of Protesters
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == URL: http://wjz.com/wireapnewsmd/DC.agrees.to.2.1329719.html S _ Windows 7: I wanted simpler, now it's simpler. I'm a rock star. http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/windows-7/default.aspx?h=myidea?ocid=PID24727::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WWL_WIN_myidea:112009 Send list submissions to: Marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
Re: [Marxism] Health care bill will reduce health care for seniors
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == More generally, the report questions whether the country's network of doctors and hospitals would be able to cope with the effects of a reform package expected to add more than 30 million people to the ranks of the insured, many of them through Medicaid, the public health program for the poor. This, and corresponding complaints from the right-wing about potential long waits for service under a new system, are (or would be, if the proposed plan actually accomplished what it claims, which is dubious by the time if and when it gets passed) unfortunately accurate. Obviously providing medical care to those who aren't currently getting it comes at a cost, both financial and otherwise. This is, as I have written (http://lefti.blogspot.com/2009/05/socialism-not-single-payer.html ) and presumably is obvious to those on this list, is why we need SOCIALISM, not even single-payer, much less a public option. Until and unless the government is responsible for ALL aspects of the health CARE system, from drugs to medical school to actual end-point treatment, all attempts at solutions will always confront the contradictions of capitalism and the limitations of the profit system. Eli Stephens Left I on the News http://lefti.blogspot.com _ Bing brings you maps, menus, and reviews organized in one place. http://www.bing.com/search?q=restaurantsform=MFESRPpubl=WLHMTAGcrea=TEXT_MFESRP_Local_MapsMenu_Resturants_1x1 Send list submissions to: Marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
Re: [Marxism] FOX Finds a New Black Boogeyman/More Buses for 11/12
An important article on a pending Supreme Court case involving states rights which may have a significant impact on Mumia's case: http://www.pslweb.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticleid=13213 Eli Stephens Left I on the News http://lefti.blogspot.com _ Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsoft's powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141664/direct/01/ http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141664/direct/01/ YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. Send list submissions to: Marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
Re: [Marxism] Superfreakonomics is dead on arrival
A little perspective is in order. The author got a very favorable (fawning) reception on the Daily Show last night, which has a lot bigger impact than Huffington Post or whereever else he's being trashed. DOA? I'll believe it when I see it. Eli Stephens Left I on the News http://lefti.blogspot.com _ Windows 7: It helps you do more. Explore Windows 7. http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/windows-7/default.aspx?ocid=PID24727::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WWL_WIN_evergreen3:102009 YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. Send list submissions to: Marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
Re: [Marxism] Lenin's Tomb on the theory of crisis
I call everyone's attention to a Marxist blog entirely devoted to this subject: Critique of Crisis Theory http://critiqueofcrisistheory.wordpress.com/ Eli Stephens Left I on the News http://lefti.blogspot.com _ Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsoft’s powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141664/direct/01/ YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. Send list submissions to: Marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
Re: [Marxism] Venezuela to go nuclear: US upset (of course).
Nuclear power? Hell, Hillary Clinton is complaining because Venezuela plans to buy surface-to-air missiles, a *defensive* weapon, from Russia: http://lefti.blogspot.com/2009/09/even-picture-drips-contempt.html Eli Stephens Left I on the News http://lefti.blogspot.com _ Bing brings you health info from trusted sources. http://www.bing.com/search?q=pet+allergyform=MHEINApubl=WLHMTAGcrea=TXT_MHEINA_Health_Health_PetAllergy_1x1 YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. Send list submissions to: Marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
Re: [Marxism] Obama’s solution is to pay the enemy
I kind of thought insuring every American was the “end,” and the only way to do that is with the public option. I hope this refers to Obama's idea of the end and not the author's. Because MY idea of the end is universal health CARE, not universal INSURANCE. Eli Stephens Left I on the News http://lefti.blogspot.com _ With Windows Live, you can organize, edit, and share your photos. http://www.windowslive.com/Desktop/PhotoGallery YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. Send list submissions to: Marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
Re: [Marxism] Invasion of the (Israeli or Jewish) body snatechers
Fred writes: This provides factual counter-information to the article from Counterpunch which has been discussed by a number of comrades from the list, in which Alison Weir claimed, based on a Swedish article, that Israel is systematically harvesting the organs of Palestinian prisoners. This is doubly incorrect. First of all, Alison Weir's article was no doubt *triggered* by the Swedish article, but it is hardly based on it. It contains extensive material covering a wide range of aspects of the subject. Secondly, the claim that Weir claims that Israel is systematically harvesting etc. is just a damn lie. Here is the final paragraph of her introduction to the article: The fact is, however, that substantiated evidence of public and private organ trafficking and theft, and allegations of worse, have been widely reported for many years. Given such context, the Swedish charges become far more plausible than might otherwise be the case and suggest that an investigation could well turn up significant information. Plausible. Suggest that an investigation could well... Hardly a claim of systematic harvesting. What the article DOES claim is that Israelis (not Israel) has been guilty of systematically engaging in black market operations to buy kidneys from people in poor countries. Finally, let's reproduce Weir's final paragraphs: Just as in the case of the rampage against Jenin, the attack on the USS liberty, the massacre of Gaza, the crushing of Rachel Corrie, the torture of American citizens, and a multitude of other examples, Israel is using its considerable, worldwide resources to interfere with the investigative process. It is difficult to conclude that it has nothing to hide. A rather clear statement. And hardly a claim that Israel is systematically harvesting the organs of Palestinian prisoners. Just an article filled with strongly suggestive evidence that it is, indeed, plausible that they are. Eli Stephens Left I on the News http://lefti.blogspot.com _ Windows Live: Keep your friends up to date with what you do online. http://windowslive.com/Campaign/SocialNetworking?ocid=PID23285::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:SI_SB_online:082009 YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. Send list submissions to: Marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
Re: [Marxism] When Jews attack
I can't decide whether to classify this movie as Jewish war porn or anti-Semitic. Maybe it's both. Either way, I won't be seeing it. Maybe Tarantino should have done a film on Israeli soldiers kidnapping and killing Palestinians and harvesting their organs. So much more societally useful than just scalping: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=103951 Eli Stephens Left I on the News http://lefti.blogspot.com _ Windows Live: Keep your friends up to date with what you do online. http://windowslive.com/Campaign/SocialNetworking?ocid=PID23285::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:SI_SB_online:082009 YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. Send list submissions to: Marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
Re: [Marxism] Clinton: behind the scenes, we were doing a lot
In response to my writing this: I'd have thought the answer was obvious, particularly in the international context of the U.S. attempting to demonize Iran and gin up support for international sanctions and/or war. Torture is against international law. Cops beating prisoners is not. John writes: Since when did Marxists put such great faith in international law. If cops beating prisoners was against international law, would your view on Iran suddenly change??? John seems to have missed the point of what I wrote. It isn't a question of what *I* think about torture vs. beating. It's a question of the use the imperialists are able to make of it. Breaking international law is grounds, in an imperialist-dominated world, for the imperialists to implement regime change with their military might, and then to get hold of a leader and put them on trial at the International Court. Beating prisoners doesn't qualify. I admit that they don't *need* to prove violations of international law to justify such a policy, they *can* do so on pretty much any grounds they want to, but every bit helps, and the more legality they can claim for their actions, the better it is (from their point of view, i.e., the easier to convince the public or other countries on the Security Council or liberal Democrats or whoever that war is necessary). In a world in which you can hear daily threats of a very serious nature against Iran from Israel, and weekly threats from the U.S., a world in which just a couple weeks ago the U.S. Secretary of Defense appeared side by side with Israeli Defense Minister Barak to denounce Iran and threaten war (Barak did so, Gates didn't demur), these are hardly minor points. Iran has a gun pointed at its head. Crying those Iranians torture their prisoners is just helping someone to pull the trigger, just as those who felt it the principled thing to do to denounce Saddam Hussein for his transgressions contributed to the death of more than a million Iraqis. This isn't an idle theoretical debate. It's a debate with very real, or at least potentially very real, consequences. Eli Stephens Left I on the News http://lefti.blogspot.com _ Get your vacation photos on your phone! http://windowsliveformobile.com/en-us/photos/default.aspx?OCID=0809TL-HM YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. Send list submissions to: Marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
[Marxism] The arrest of Henry Louis Bates
The title is mine, for eye-catching value. The article which follows was written by a local activist, Raj Jayadev: http://news.newamericamedia.org/news/view_article.html?article_id=0e04e004de044e2a27a01953c3f5a74d What if Henry Louis Gates Were Not an Acclaimed Professor? New America Media, Commentary, Raj Jayadev, Posted: Jul 29, 2009 SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Professor Henry Louis Gates, recently arrested, gets to share a beer with the man who arrested him, Sgt. James Crowley, at the White House with the President of the United States. It is a highly uncommon ending to an unfortunately very common occurrence – a man of color citing racial profiling after an arrest. If this incident is really to be the “teachable moment” President Obama hopes for, the real question to explore is this: What would have happened to Dr. Gates if he were not an acclaimed scholar and author, friend to the President, and someone whose stardom could greatly embarrass a city and county justice system? First things first, charges for his disorderly conduct would not be dropped shortly after his arrest, and Dr. Gates, a few weeks after the incident, would just be starting his journey in the criminal justice system, rather then reflecting on it in hindsight, while throwing back a beer with the leader of the free world. Let’s start from there. Since every city in the country is different in arresting practice, the way to approach this is not to examine Cambridge, but to ask what would happen if the arrest happened in your own town. Let me roll out what would have happened if Dr. Gates, were he not a noted scholar, was arrested in my city, San Jose, California with the same fact pattern, even as described by the police report. Starting from arrest, Dr. Gates would have been charged with more then disturbing the peace, (penal code 415 in California). From the narrative of what happened at his home, Mr. Gates would have also picked up a 148 resisting arrest, a misdemeanor. California Department of Justice numbers show San Jose has much higher arrest rates for these charges than cities of comparable size, in a racially disproportionate fashion. For resisting arrest in 2007, for example, 54.2 percent were Latino, although Latinos only represent roughly 30 percent of the city’s population. Blacks, who represent only 3.5 percent of San Jose residents, accounted for 15.4 percent of these arrests. Communities of color in San Jose claim the discrepancy is due to a practice some call “attitude arresting,” where police are using these particular charges that rely heavily on officer discretion to arrest someone when they don’t like their attitude, rather than for an actual criminal act. As for the comment, “You don’t know who you are messing with,” Dr. Gates would have also likely picked up a penal code 69 (felony in this case), for making a criminal threat to a police officer. Dr. Gates would not know of all these charges until he was arraigned at court. It is here that police abuse can take a more subtle, yet problematic direction – the well known practice of over-charging. Sometimes, it is not the gun or taser, which is the weapon of concern: it is the pen used for a police report. In all likelihood, someone less well known and well connected than Mr. Gates would be represented by the Public Defender’s office, which represents over 90 percent of all defendants in California. His attorney, over-worked, with an over-whelming caseload, would read the police report and speak with Dr. Gates, likely onthe day of his first court appearance. He or she would tell Dr. Gates of his maximum exposure – what he would receive if convicted on all charges – which may be a year, given the felony. The attorney would tell Dr. Gates “it doesn’t look good” since it is his word versus the police officer, and juries trust police officers. The Public Defender and the District Attorney would be anxious to resolve the case, since they are seeing their average case loads steadily increasing, as their offices budgets are shrinking. Across the country, plea bargains resolve roughly 95 percent of all felony cases. The Public Defender would tell Dr. Gates that he or she met with the District Attorney’s office, and that the prosecutor is offering a deal if he pleads guilty just to the two misdemeanor charges. He would do only ten days in county jail, and have a three-year probation, but the heavier charge would be dismissed. Dr. Gates would feel conflicted. Every fiber in him would say that he is innocent of any crime, but he would also feel he could not risk loosing a jury trial and going to jail for an extended period of time. He would know he would be facing a mainly white jury, who he fears would carry their own bias into the courtroom when they hear of an erratic acting black man. Demoralized and worn down from the process, Dr. Gates would plead guilty to the 415 and 148 charge, and do a week in jail, after time served is subtracted.
