[Marxism] Isolation is torture
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == Hey, I just signed a letter to the Commanding Officer at Quantico Brig to end the inhumane conditions of Private Bradley Manning's detention as he awaits trial. Please join me in signing this important letter, and pass it on to your friends and family when you're done: http://action.firedoglake.com/page/s/bradleymanning?source=sharesubsource=email Thanks! ---BEGIN FORWARDED MESSAGE--- Hey Firedoglake Activist, Bradley Manning spent his 23rd birthday on Friday completely isolated, just as he has every day for the last 5 months months in his cell at the Quantico Marine Base. Manning is the Marine Private accused of leaking classified documents to Wikileaks. Since July, he has been held in cruel and inhumane conditions like violent, dangerous criminals in a Supermax prison. He spends each day completely isolated, with severe restrictions placed on basic activities like sleep and exercise. Yet he has not been convicted of any crime. The extreme isolation in which Manning has spent every day of the last 5 months is grueling. It's already taking its toll: Bradley Manning's physical and mental health are suffering, according to his attorney and friend who have seen him in prison. Bradley Manning deserves humane treatment while he awaits trial. Can you please add your name to our letter urging Commanding Officer of Quantico Marine Corp Base to lift the heavy restrictions of Manning's detention? http://action.firedoglake.com/page/s/bradleymanning?source=sharesubsource=email Bradley's friend, David House, will deliver your letter to the Commanding Officer at the Quantico Marine Base brig when he visits Bradley next month. While Manning is held in maximum custody, the military's most severe detention policy, he is also under a longstanding Prevention of Injury (POI) order that adds additional restrictions beyond those of other prisoners. While POI orders typically last a week or two, Manning has been held under a POI order for more than five months. A day in the life of Bradley Manning is isolating, lonely, and frustrating. - Manning stays in his cell for 23 hours a day - Guards must check on him every 5 minutes, and he must respond each time - He is not allowed to sleep between 5am and 8pm - Substantive exercise is not allowed beyond walking, potentially in chains - Communication with other people in the brig is banned, and he cannot write to people outside beyond the few a list approved by the brig commander; any unapproved letters he receives are destroyed. - He has not been allowed to read newspapers or watch international news during TV time - Comfortable sleep is impossible; he must surrender his clothes each night, has only a heavy suicide blanket akin to an x-ray vest, and guards must be able to see his face at all times. - A psychologist has said Manning isn't a danger to himself or others, and the POI order is unnecessary. His lawyer has also been unable to remove the POI order. But it is clear that Bradley Manning has been subjected to undue, inhumane, and unnecessary punishment, and it must stop now. Stop the inhumane treatment of Bradley Manning. Please add your name to our letter urging the Marine Commander in charge of Manning lift the unnecessary POI order. http://action.firedoglake.com/page/s/bradleymanning?source=sharesubsource=email No matter what you think of Manning's alleged acts, there is no reason to subject him to these extreme conditions. Thank you for standing up for human rights. Michael Whitney Firedoglake.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] sign on letter for academics against the FBI witchhunt
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == I hope the professors on this list will sign onto this letter supporting those being subpeonaed: http://www.stopfbi.net/petition/dear-colleague/professors-and-academics The CP had a decent article about the recent subpeonas: http://www.peoplesworld.org/protests-continue-over-fbi-raids-new-subpoenas-of-peace-activists/ And in their defense, they offered the Chicago defense committee their offices as the meeting place for our weekly meetings. Bye, Stan 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] Being subpoenaed by the FBI
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == This is a continuation of the FBI subpeonas issued in September. I read this statement for my daughter to a press conference/protest Dec. 6. I Am Being Subpoenaed By the FBI by Sarah Smith on Tuesday, December 7, 2010 On Friday morning, December 3rd, I received a phone call from an FBI agent. He asked if I had about 30 minutes to sit down and speak with him so he could ask me some questions. I asked about what and he said he “was not at liberty to discuss it.” I then asked if I needed a lawyer present and he said it was up to me but that I was not in any trouble and that they just had a few questions. I felt something suspicious about him telling me he wanted to ask me some questions, but he would not tell me what these questions were. So I said that I had to consult a lawyer and check my schedule and that I would get back to him. I reiterated that it would be easier for me to meet him if I knew why an FBI agent wanted to sit down with me. He then said that it had to deal with the trip I took this summer. He then emphasized, “I think you know which one I’m talking about.” The trip I took last summer was to Israel and Palestine. I am Jewish and wanted to see first hand what life is like for Israelis and Palestinians. If I went on the standard tour to Israel, I would not be shown how Palestinians live. So I went on a tour that showed me both worlds, Israel, and the Israeli occupied Palestinian West Bank. I went with 2 Palestinian-American friends. You would think Jews and Palestinians going together to visit Israel and Palestine is something the U.S. government would encourage. Instead, we are now being ordered by the FBI to go before a Grand Jury for going on that trip. The US government says it supports peace between Israel and Palestine. It says it supports separate Israeli and Palestinian states. So why does the FBI investigate us because we went to see the Palestinian land? Top US government leaders meet with Palestinian leaders, so why does the FBI investigate us because we talked to average Palestinians on the street? I went there so I could make up my own mind and talk about what I saw. It seems to me our government wants to hide what Israel is doing to Palestinians. I would like to thank the Committee Against Political Repression for the support they have given me and I encourage everyone to check out www.stopfbi.net to learn more and to sign the petition against this witch hunt. You can help by donating to my legal defense by sending a tax-deductible check to NLG Foundation. In the memo write: FBI Raids. You can mail it to Sarah Smith at 2961 S. Bonaparte, Chicago, Il 60608. 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] Ahmadinejad deserves fair reporting
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == http://www.campaigniran.org/casmii/index.php?q=node/10920 Ahmadinejad deserves fair reporting by Mathew Cassel (source: The Guardian, UK) Tuesday, October 19, 2010 Editor's note: Matthew Cassel is a journalist and photographer from Chicago currently based in Beirut, Lebanon. His website is JustImage.org. The complicity of western media with their governments could not have been more clear this past week, when the Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, came to Lebanon. The message that his visit was a provocation, as it had been labelled by the US, French and Israeli governments, was dutifully reinforced by those countries' media. One American journalist, functioning more as a propagandist, wrote in Slate: This is Ahmadinejad's first visit to Lebanon, and he couldn't have picked a better time to provoke outrage. But just who did he outrage exactly? In total, hundreds of thousands of mostly Shia Lebanese came out to the various events celebrating Ahmadinejad's visit. Even rightwing Christian politicians in Lebanon such as Samir Geagea – who couldn't be further away on the political spectrum from Hezbollah and Iran – came out to welcome Ahmadinejad, who he described afterwards as moderate in tone. To add some colour to their articles, many reporters made a point of mentioning an incident where two camels and 10 sheep were apparently slaughtered during the welcoming ceremony. A Sydney Morning Herald article opened: Camels were sacrificed in his honour, their blood flowed through the streets and the air filled with a roar of welcome. Some even tried to explain the significance of animal slaughter in Islam. I'm not even going to reach for a book on my shelf or search Wikipedia to find Islam's connection to animal killing. Instead I'll resort to common sense: human beings kill animals. In English we call them butchers. Not one article bothered to mention that the sacrificed camels, with their long, graceful necks slit open would actually be eaten afterwards. When it involves Arabs or Muslims, the implication is that they're savages killing merely for the sake of killing. But more important than what was included in most western coverage of the past week was what was left out. The misrepresentation of Hezbollah and the Islamic Republic of Iran remains rampant in western media coverage. Both are always painted with a broad anti-western brush that neglects their origins. The Islamic Republic was a result of 26 years of a western-imposed absolute monarch that brutally repressed all dissent, especially the Islamic movements. In 1979, those Islamists led a nationwide revolt that overthrew the west's puppet. In Lebanon, a few years later, Hezbollah was born. At a time when the predominantly Shia south of the country was under attack and occupation by Israel (the US's special friend in the region) those same Lebanese Shias organised and armed themselves with the aiding of the nascent Iranian regime to liberate their land. And they did, twice. With such crucial historical context, it's not hard to understand how such groups can be both fiercely opposed to the policies of western governments and also have legitimate grassroots support. Lebanon has always been the arena for many of the region's political battles. And Hezbollah, largely for its uncompromising resistance to Israel and the west, has become the most powerful player in the Lebanese political landscape. And by extension, Hezbollah's allies, Syria and Iran – operating amid western-backed despots and disastrous western-led wars and occupations – have also enjoyed an increase in their regional influence. If Ahmadinejad's visit to Lebanon signalled anything, it's that the balance of power is shifting in the Middle East. And as that happens we'll most likely see even more leaders and movements in this region take stands against the policies of western governments. More camels may even be killed in the process. Hopefully western media can distance themselves from their governments to accurately report these changes, rather than share in their condemnation and disappointment, paving the way for them to put their threats of war into practice. 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] Ahmadinejad and Chavez highlight the need for unity in fighting imperialism
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == http://www.campaigniran.org/casmii/index.php?q=node/10926 Ahmadinejad and Chavez highlight the need for unity in fighting imperialism (source: Press TV) Wednesday, October 20, 2010 Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his Venezuelan counterpart Hugo Chavez have underlined the need to expand cooperation in fighting imperialism. Ahmadinejad and Chavez on Wednesday highlighted enhanced cooperation between Iran and Venezuela as a key factor in standing up to the enemy. Ahmadinejad said that cooperation between the two countries was of high significance. He said that the two countries were united to establish a new world order based on humanity and justice. President Ahmadinejad condemned the expansion of militarism as well as the interference of bullying powers in Latin America. Chavez, in turn, called Iran-Venezuela ties as a strategic alliance and described his visit to Tehran as significant in showing the depth of relations between Iran and Venezuela. “Imperialistic countries are trying their best to stop our progress … But the more we resist and the more we try, no matter how hard they try or how much they threaten us, they will move toward graveyard by their action, Chavez said. Today is the end of imperialism. It's very close, he added. Chavez also reiterated his strong support of Iran's independence and condemned threats of military action against the country. The Venezuelan president arrived in Iran on Monday for a three-day official visit, with the goal of boosting ties between Tehran and Caracas. This is Chavez's ninth visit to Iran since taking power in 1999 and comes almost one year after President Ahmadinejad paid a visit to Venezuela. Iran has developed amicable relations with numerous Latin American countries, including Venezuela. Iran's soaring popularity in Latin America has dismayed the United States, which has been engaged in a tireless global campaign to isolate Tehran over its nuclear program. Washington considers Latin America as its strategic backyard. 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] Eva Golinger, narconews, upsidedownworld, EcuadorSolidarity Network
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == Artesian says the real issue is whether Golinger proves NED or USAID gave money to CONAIE. I don't know what world you live in, but the real issue was that there was a US backed coup in Ecuador and we should expose it. Artesian couldn't care less about that. Does Artesian oppose the coup? I don't read that he does. The real issue for him, like the Ecuador Solidarity Network is to attack one of the people who has exposed US roles in Latin American coups. What is Golinger's track record so far? On Venezuela and Honduras, has she written a lot of BS, or is it accurate? Does Artesian reject the made-up stories about Golinger that narconews or ecuadorsolidaritynetwork present? No. Evidently you are on the same side of the fence as Greg McDonald and those coup-makers and the CIA in Ecuador. If not, then say so. Do you think the CIA is just going to write a check directly to some leader of CONAIE? Sometimes they are stupid and sometimes they are professional. In Cuba there are sometimes many transfers of money between the US government and its final destination, to the dissidents. Maybe we should be attacking Cuba, not the US, because they uncover too many degrees of separation for our liking. We can read the statement of the president of CONAIE on October 6 about the coup, where he was categorically opposed to Correa, and denied there was any coup attempt. Is this the kind of statement someone would make who had been bought with US money? Yes. USAID gave $38 million to groups in Ecuador this year alone. Golinger says because of the delay in finding out exactly where this went, we won't know for a few years. But in previous years, people connected with CONAIE got money. We should focus on the real issues: opposing the coup, exposing the US role in the coup. A minor issue would be criticising the stance the president of CONAIE has taken in support of the coup. Instead Artesian wants to divert attention from any of those issues to whether Golinger has enough 2010 information about US funding to indigenous groups to prove her case. Well, we see where you stand. So what's next? Will you argue there's no real evidence to tie the FBI to the murders of Martin Luther King and Malcolm X? 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] was the Ecuador coup an amateur job?
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == David writes: I noted from the very *begining* of this discussion, on the day of the coup attempt (or, whatever) that the whole thing seemed like the gang that couldn't shoot straight (thank god). The cops COULD of juest offed Correa and that would of parcipated a real coup by the armed forces. [you mean precipitated] Eva Golinger has answered that quite directly on her website: DURING THE ATTEMPTED COUP YESTERDAY IN ECUADOR AGAINST PRESIDENT RAFAEL CORREA, BULLETS HIT THE ROOM HE WAS SEQUESTERED IN DURING THE LATE NIGHT RESCUE OPERATION. INVESTIGATORS CONCLUDED COUP FORCES WERE ATTEMPTING TO ASSASSINATE HIM BEFORE HE COULD BE RESCUED. THE CAR THAT TOOK HIM BACK TO THE PRESIDENTIAL PALACE WAS ALSO HIT WITH SEVERAL BULLETS, INCLUDING ON THE SIDE WHERE HE WAS TRAVELING. It seems to me the US put out the propaganda line that this coup was a bungled job, last minute thing, a sort of Ecuador police freelance thing, as an effort to cover its own role in it. In any case, I am rather surprised that on a Marxism email list, a number of people on it can't make up their minds about who to condemn when there is an attempted US coup in a Third World country. It sounds like a little miniature version of the German Social Democrat Party when World War One broke out: do we support the international working class or do we support imperialism? Well, it's a tough decision, maybe we should just abstain on the war credit vote and see what happens. 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] Behind the coup in Ecuador | Green Left Weekly
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == Yes, this was a good article. As I wrote before, the statements of the head of CONAIE on October 6 and of PACHAKUTIK on September 30, both show they supported the coup d'etat which failed, regardless of a NED smoking gun. The only question now is did they receive NED money or not. For that, it will be worthwhile to keep up with what is on Eva Golinger's blog for October 7. It is possible they supported the coup for free, as a free service to US imperialism, but I wouldn't bet on that. In any case, they supported the coup. The Alleged Coup d’Etat, Democracy, and the Indigenous Organizations By Marlon Santi President, CONAIE (my italics) We, the Federation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE, in its Spanish initials) and the Pachakutik Bloc, in response to the events of September 30, 2010, and the claims made in recent days about the alleged support by USAID-NED to indigenous organizations, standing firmly on our historic process of bringing about a true Pluri-national State, announce: The struggle of the peoples and nationalities is not an individual one, rather, it corresponds to the collective dream of constructing a diverse country, inclusive of the diverse popular and social organized sectors that seek a real change to end the old neoliberal, exploitative structures and the decolonization of the institutions of the State. We seek a pluri-national democracy, respectful of the rights of individuals, of collective organizations and of nature. We energetically announce that there never was any attempted coup d’etat, much less a kidnapping, but an event that responded to the uncertain political management of the government that causes popular discontent through permanent aggression, discrimination and violations of human rights consecrated in the Constitution. We do not recognize this dictatorial “democracy” because of its lack of freedom of speech, the kidnapping of all the powers of the state by the executive branch in its political system of one government, that does not generate spaces to debate the projects, and laws elaborated from the indigenous movement and other social sectors. We categorically refute claims that the CONAIE, the Pachakutik Political Movement, the peoples and nationalities have any relationship at all with the organism known as USAID, previously NED, not today nor ever. To the contrary, we know that this organization finances the “social programs” of this government like the forest partnership and that, yes, is condemnable. We demand the constitutional suspension of the National Congress for its failure to comply with the constitutional mandate that it legislate much less audit as it is well known that all laws are approved by the president’s legal minister. We condemn the usurpation of press freedom when on September 30 all media not allied with the government was forced to broadcast government news in “cadena nacional,” a means by which all access to information is controlled and manipulated with a version of the facts that does not inform about the real dimensions of the situation on that day in the country. Quito, Ecuador, October 6, 2010 Government of the Peoples and Nationalities, Marlon Santi Does this support the coup? Well literally, no, it denies there was a coup. Does he condemn the coup - no. Does he call for the suspension of the National Congress? yes. Does he support the actions of the Correa gov. to defend itself against the coup? No. Does he criticize the coup-plotters? No. Dooes he criticize the statement (below) of Pachakutik which called on Equadorians to actively support the coup? No. PACHAKUTIK ASKS PRESIDENT CORREA TO RESIGN AND CALLS FOR THE FORMING OF A SINGLE NATIONAL FRONT (September 30, 2010) Press Release 141 In the face of the serious political turmoil and internal crisis generated by the dictatorial attitude of President Rafael Correa, who has violated the rights of public servants as well as society, the head of the Pachakutik Movement, Cléver Jiménez, called on the indigenous movement, social movements and democratic political organizations to form a single national front to demand the exit of President Correa, under the guidelines established by Article 130, Number 2 of the Constitution, which says: “The National Assembly will dismiss the President of the Republic in the following cases: 2) For serious political crisis and domestic turmoil.” Jiménez backed the struggle of the country’s public servants, including the police troops who have mobilized against the regime’s authoritarian policies which are an attempt to eliminate acquired labor rights. The situation of the police and members of the Armed Forces should be understood as a just action by public
Re: [Marxism] Evidence of NED funding to Ecuadoran groups against Correa
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == http://www.chavezcode.com/2010/10/evidence-of-ned-fundingaid-to-groups-in.html I knew a woman in the anti-war movement here who supported Free Tibet and the Dalai Lama. I explained to her that these groups received CIA funds, and that the Dalai Lama himself admitted being on the CIA payroll. She said she didn't believe it, so I told her to go to google and youtube and put in Dalai Lama and CIA or Tibet and CIA. Later I saw her and she said she checked it out, but that she felt sorry for the Tibetans under that evil Chinese CP boot, and whether the CIA gave money to the Dalai Lama didn't matter, as his cause was just.. Obviously it suited her white paternalism quite well to keep a special place in her heart for her little brown brothers. Which brings us to Greg McDonald. Though the Tibet case is well documented, and the Dalai Lama is a longtime counter-revolutionary, which I will not say about Ecuador at all, there is still some degree of analogy: switch the natives from indigenous Tibetans to indigenous Ecuadorians, the evil Chinese CP to the evil Correa, and this woman to Greg McDonald. At this point, it seems McDonald could be shown a check written by NED to his favorite indigenous leaders and he would explain it away, and still insist their opposition to Correa was defensible and should be supported. At least McDonald has taught me something about the skill and influence of the CIA. Their propaganda operations and marketing techniques can be very first rate. 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] CONAIE and PACHAKUTIK did not oppose the attempted coup in Ecuador
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == We have already seen CONAIE statement where they indirectly support the attempted coup. Here is a press release from another group made during the attempted coup which is more explicit. If there was an attempted military coup against Obama would we come out with statements attacking Obama for all the things he has done, or would we come out in the streets to oppose the coup? I guess Greg McDonald and these two indigenous groups would find it appropriate to be attacking Obama not the coup plotters. Whether Eva Golinger has more evidence of their being in the pay of NED, we will wait and see. But certainly they are acting like they are on the US government's payroll. We at least know they aligned themselves with imperialism during the coup attempt - the only question is whether they got paid for that or did it for free. PACHAKUTIK ASKS PRESIDENT CORREA TO RESIGN AND CALLS FOR THE FORMING OF A SINGLE NATIONAL FRONT Press Release 141 In the face of the serious political turmoil and internal crisis generated by the dictatorial attitude of President Rafael Correa, who has violated the rights of public servants as well as society, the head of the Pachakutik Movement, Cléver Jiménez, called on the indigenous movement, social movements and democratic political organizations to form a single national front to demand the exit of President Correa, under the guidelines established by Article 130, Number 2 of the Constitution, which says: “The National Assembly will dismiss the President of the Republic in the following cases: 2) For serious political crisis and domestic turmoil.” Jiménez backed the struggle of the country’s public servants, including the police troops who have mobilized against the regime’s authoritarian policies which are an attempt to eliminate acquired labor rights. The situation of the police and members of the Armed Forces should be understood as a just action by public servants, whose rights have been made vulnerable. This afternoon, Pachakutik is calling on all organizations within the indigenous movement, workers, democratic men and women to build unity and prepare new actions to reject Correa’s authoritarianism, in defense of the rights and guarantees of all Ecuadorans. Press Secretary PACHAKUTIK BLOQUE” 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] CONAIE and PACHAKUTIK did not oppose the attempted coupin Ecuador
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == artesian writes: Would we come out under the banner of Return Obama to Office Defend Obama's Right to the Presidency? Or would we come out under our own banner, with opposition to the coup and opposition to the conditions that created the coup, the conditions that Obama himself has strengthened with the attacks on immigrants in and out of the workplace, with his support of the Bush doctrines on state secrecy and the immunity of the executive from judicial review in the treatment of prisoners, the brief given to the military and the security agencies to continue intelligence gathering against domestic groups, his consent to the FBI raids against the antiwar organizations in Minnesota? You tell me. Stan: Are you trying to make me look stupid or yourself? I suppose if the Tea Party and the military tried to stage a coup, you'd stay at home and make snotty comments about how screwed up the world is? If you do, maybe you could use you time a little better and acquaint yourself with a little episode starring Lenin, Kornilov and Kerensky. 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] CONAIE denies NED Charge
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == But that is not what CONAIE said in the early hours of the coup, when it released a press statement condemning it and expressing disappointment that Pachakutik had supported it. Later, it published a statement condeming Correa's policies, but also condemning what it categorically refers to as a coup by the right. http://www.conaie.org/component/content/article/21-noticas-portal/249-llamamos-a-la-unidad-de-las-organizaciones-sociales-por-una-democracia-plurinacional-de-los-pueblos It is only days later that Santi publishes his letter, which now states the unity of Conaie and Pachakutik, and is not signed by the leaders of ECUARUNARI, CONFENIAE, nor CONACNIE, only by Santi. -- - Juan Stan: Yes, you are right. As I read these statements over again, I saw I had overstated the case, and that what you write is a more correct description. CONAIE as a whole opposed the coup attempt when it happened, but its president on October 6 backtracked considerably, actually, over the fence to the other side. If Correa and these groups do not move to correct their serious errors, the CIA and its fronts will have ample space to take advantage of it. Then we will all suffer the consequences. 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 FBI Repression! National Call-in Day Monday October 4
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == Stop FBI Repression! National Days of Action October 4 5 Posted on September 30, 2010 by Committee to Stop FBI Repression Actions to Stop FBI Repression Take Place Across the Country! Further actions planned for coming week on October 4 and 5 Thousands have come together in response to the FBI raids on seven homes and an anti-war office on Friday, September 24, 2010. Across the country organizations and individuals are standing together to protest the United States government’s attempt to silence and criminalize anti-war and international solidarity activists. Jess Sundin said, “These raids and subpoenas are an attack on anti-war and other progressive movements. It is an attack on our freedom to speak, our freedom to assemble with like-minded people, and our freedom to tell the government that their actions and policies are wrong. It is an attempt to clear the way for more wars and occupations of other countries by the U.S. military.” Protests against the intimidation and harassment have taken place or are planned for 39 cities across the country. From Minneapolis and Chicago ,to Los Angeles, Atlanta, Kalamazoo MI and Dallas Texas, The response has been tremendous an continues to grow. We are calling for further actions to take place in the coming week as the first Grand Jury Subpoenas call for activists to appear on October 5. Monday October 4 : Call President Obama at 202-456- and U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder at 202-353-1555 Demand : **End repression of anti-war and international solidarity activists! **Return all materials seized in the raid! **Stop the Grand Jury Subpoenas of activists! Tuesday October 5: Act in solidarity with activists called before the Grand Jury Take action at local federal buildings and FBI offices! Organize demonstrations in your community! Sign the Petition Now: www.iacenter.org/stopfbi Funds for legal defense will be needed. We will announce where they can be sent in the next few days. Reach out to your organization or community group and send a statement of solidarity. Steff Yorek, a long-time antiwar activist and one of the activists whose homes was searched said, “The assistance and support we have already received has been tremendously encouraging, with your help we can stop this outrageous fishing expedition and attack on progressive movements.” Click here to download the leaflet ***Please print and distribute at Oct 2 March in DC and in your community today! Committee To Stop FBI Repression: www.stopfbi.net Email: stop...@gmail.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] Call President Obama--National Days of Action October 4 and 5 to Stop FBI Repression
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == --- On Sat, 10/2/10, Tom Burke tom.burke.o...@gmail.com wrote: Stop FBI Repression! National Days of Action October 4 5 Posted on September 30, 2010 by Committee to Stop FBI Repression Actions to Stop FBI Repression Take Place Across the Country! Further actions planned for coming week on October 4 and 5 Thousands have come together in response to the FBI raids on seven homes and an anti-war office on Friday, September 24, 2010. Across the country organizations and individuals are standing together to protest the United States government’s attempt to silence and criminalize anti-war and international solidarity activists. Jess Sundin said, “These raids and subpoenas are an attack on anti-war and other progressive movements. It is an attack on our freedom to speak, our freedom to assemble with like-minded people, and our freedom to tell the government that their actions and policies are wrong. It is an attempt to clear the way for more wars and occupations of other countries by the U.S. military.” Protests against the intimidation and harassment have taken place or are planned for 39 cities across the country. From Minneapolis and Chicago ,to Los Angeles, Atlanta, Kalamazoo MI and Dallas Texas, The response has been tremendous an continues to grow. We are calling for further actions to take place in the coming week as the first Grand Jury Subpoenas call for activists to appear on October 5. ++Monday October 4 : Call President Obama at 202-456- and U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder at 202-353-1555 Demand : **End repression of anti-war and international solidarity activists! **Return all materials seized in the raid! **Stop the Grand Jury Subpoenas of activists! ++Tuesday October 5: Act in solidarity with activists called before the Grand Jury Take action at local federal buildings and FBI offices! Organize demonstrations in your community! Sign the Petition Now: www.iacenter.org/stopfbi Funds for legal defense will be needed. We will announce where they can be sent in the next few days. Reach out to your organization or community group and send a statement of solidarity. Steff Yorek, a long-time antiwar activist and one of the activists whose homes was searched said, “The assistance and support we have already received has been tremendously encouraging, with your help we can stop this outrageous fishing expedition and attack on progressive movements.” Click here to download the leaflet ***Please print and distribute at Oct 2 March in DC and in your community today! Committee To Stop FBI Repression: www.stopfbi.net Email: stop...@gmail.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] Statement by the Chicago Committee to Free the Cuban Five: Stop FBI Raids and Harassment of Activists Opposing U.S. Intervention
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == Statement by the Chicago Committee to Free the Cuban Five: Stop FBI Raids and Harassment of Activists Opposing U.S. Intervention in Colombia and the Middle East The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized. -The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution On September 24, the Federal Bureau of Investigation raided seven homes and an office in Chicago, Minneapolis, and North Carolina and subpoena’d eleven activists in Illinois, Minnesota, and Michigan to testify before a Grand Jury. We denounce this harassment of anti-war and Latin American solidarity activists. We call on the Department of Justice and the FBI to stop the grand jury investigation into their activities, and to return all their seized possessions. By seizing from those raided every computer hard drive, disk, cell phone, file and papers they could find, including unrelated personal possessions stretching back for 30 years, the authorities have simply revealed they are on a “fishing expedition.” The activists have not been charged with anything. Rather, the FBI has confiscated their possessions and will see if they can find something to charge them with. Like the Red Queen of Alice in Wonderland, who insisted that the execution of prisoners should take place before the trial, the FBI is making the confiscations before the investigation. The FBI is illegally violating the privacy and constitutional rights of those they have unjustly targeted with the sham excuse of combating terrorism. The subpoenas ordered the recipients to bring with them to the Grand Jury proceedings: “(1) all pictures and videos relating to any trip to Colombia, Jordan, Syria, the Palestinian Territories, or Israel; (2) all items relating to any trip to Colombia, Jordan, Syria, the Palestinian Territories, or Israel; (3) all correspondence, including but not limited to emails and letters, with anyone residing in Colombia, Jordan, Syria, the Palestinian Territories, or Israel; (4) all records of any payment provided directly or indirectly to Hatem Abudayyeh [our note: director of Chicago’s Arab American Action Network], the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (“PFLP”) or the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (“FARC”); (5) all records of any telephonic or electronic communications with anyone in Colombia, Jordan, Syria, the Palestinian Territories, or Israel; and (6) any item related to any support provided to any designated terrorist organization, including the PFLP or the FARC.” The FBI has indicated that the grand jury is looking for evidence that activists have violated the ban of “material support” for groups designated as “terrorist” by the United States government. Under a recent Supreme Court decision, ‘material support’ is defined to include any ‘service,’ ‘training,’ ‘expert advice or assistance’ or ‘personnel.’ As one of the losing lawyers in the case argued, under this interpretation, former President Carter would have recently violated this law by advising Hezbollah and other groups on election procedures. Violations of the law are punishable by 15 years imprisonment. We consider the current persecution of Colombia, Palestine solidarity and anti-war/trade union activists as a step towards criminalization of all actions in solidarity with governments and peoples of the world fighting corporate domination. We think this is an extremely dangerous attack on civil liberties by the Obama Administration and must be opposed. The activists involved have done nothing wrong. They do not use guns and bombs. They are not terrorists. Their weapons are leaflets, newsletters, and nonviolent demonstrations. They participate in groups like the Twin Cities Anti-War Committee, the Palestine Solidarity Group, the Colombia Action Network, Students for a Democratic Society, Freedom Road Socialist Organization and the Arab American Action Network. Most of these activists came together with many others to organize the 2008 anti-war marches on the Republican National Convention in St. Paul. They have also been founding members of the Venezuela Solidarity Network, long time opponents of the U.S. blockade of Cuba, and supporters of the five Cuban political prisoners who have been unjustly imprisoned in the US for over 12 years. Since the U.S. government lists Cuba, without any justification, as a “state sponsor of terrorism,” and since the recent Supreme Court ruling
Re: [Marxism] Fidel to Ahmadinejad: 'Stop slandering Jews!'
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == What Tristan presents, below, is also a distortion of what Ahmadinejad said. In fact, on this list there is too much relaying of corporate propaganda about China and Iran. About Iran, I encourage people to get a copy of Phil Wilayto's book, In Defense of Iran. It is not a piece of apologetics about Iran (at least of my reading of it, though in the US it is not easy to access accurate information about Iran to do a systematic check.) I think the title of this Atlantic article illustrates the nature of anti-Iranian propaganda in this country: there is nothing in the article Fidel to Ahmadinejad: Stop Slandering Jews! that has any relation to the title. Wilayto in his book takes up this statement that Ahmadinejad denied there were gays in Iran on pp. 63-65, including the statement below. He also takes up the Holocaust conference, pp. 114-15. Stan Well Ahmadinejad DOES deny the existence of homosexuals in Iran like we 'have in this country [USA]'... So I hope we can all at least agree on the fact that Ahmadinejad is a liar and a right wing populist. Tristan 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 to Ahmadinejad: 'Stop slandering Jews!'
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == Louis wrote: Look, they had an idiotic conference on the holocaust in Iran that extended an invitation to David Duke, the KKK leader. More to the point, Ahmadinejad has a tendency to stick his foot in his mouth just like Louis Farrakhan in the USA. No matter what his subjective intentions, he undermines the security interests of the Iranian nation through these gaffes. in reply: Insofar as the Holocaust Conference addressed the issue of how Israel and the Western imperialist powers use the Holocaust to justify brutality against Palestinians, that is perfectly sensible and legitimate. Insofar as they invited Holocaust deniers, that undermined its progressive aspects. I could see some justification to it if Iran wanted to make the point that in free, sensible Europe you can be imprisoned for denying the holocaust, but here in repressive Iran you are not. These anti-semitic statements that Jesse Jackson and Farrakhan made are views shared by most US rulers. It is made an issue in order for the US rulers to attack leaders they seek to discredit, not because they are opposed to anti-semitism. Any, even moderate opponent of imperialism, they have called anti-semitic. It has even been applied to Chavez and Fidel Castro. This accusation of anti-semitism is simply hypocrisy, and we should emphasize that and point it out. The corporate media always try to paint enemies of imperialism as crazies: Castro, Chavez, Kim Jung Il, etc. About the biggest perverts (in the Vatican) and war-mongering madman in Washington DC, the corporate media regards as respectable. That said, I agree, to defend Iranian independence against imperialism, Iran needs international solidarity, the Holocaust conference in Iran in 2006 did not do their cause any good. Ahmadinejad on the holocaust against the Jews: http://www.campaigniran.org/casmii/index.php?q=node/8679 On Sept. 24, Steve Inskeep, host of National Public Radio's Morning Edition program, interviewed President Ahmadinejad at his hotel in New York. The transcript (see http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113175352ps=rs) says Ahmadinejad's remarks were delivered via a translator. Here's the relevant section of that interview: ... INSKEEP: We have, in a previous interview, discussed how you feel (the Holocaust) is being used unjustly to justify Israel, so we need not cover that ground again. But if you would like to describe to me what specifically you believe happened between 1942 and 1945, I would be interested. AHMADINEJAD: But then 1942 to 1945 is still about the Holocaust, right? I do raise a couple of questions about the Holocaust, and you are a member of the media, and I believe that you should actually tell people what these questions are, and try to receive answers from them as well. The first question is, is the Holocaust a historical event or not? It is a historical event. And, having said that, there are numerous historical events. So the next question is, why is it that this specific event has become so prominent? Normally, ordinary people and historians pay attention to historical events. Why are politicians giving so much attention to this particular event? Why are they so biased about it? Does this event effect what is happening on the ground this day, now? What we say is that genocide is the result of racial discrimination. Sometimes we look at history to learn the lessons of history. INSKEEP: Are you acknowledging that millions of people were killed? Millions of Jews, specifically, were killed during World War II? AHMADINEJAD: If you bear with me so that I can complete my statements, you will receive your answer. I'm asking, and I'm asking a number of serious questions. And I'm not addressing these questions to you, but to a wider audience — everyone — anyone who cares about the fate of humanity; who care about human beings and the rights of people. These are serious questions. If we are looking at history with the aim to learn — derive lessons from it, then what this indicates is that in the future, we should not carry out the same mistakes that were done in the past. While I personally was not alive 60 years ago, I happen to be alive now, and I can see that genocide is happening now under the pretext of an event that happened 60 years ago. So the fundamental question I raise here is that, if this event happened, where did it happen? As a form of an objection question, who was it carried by? Why should the Palestinian people make up for it? Ahmadinejad on Gays: http://www.campaigniran.org/casmii/index.php?q=node/2991 by Ali Quli Qarai (source: CounterCurrents.org ) Sunday, September 30, 2007 First I want to make some remarks about that now
[Marxism] We do not want to think of a world without Lucius Walker
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == http://www.granma.cu/ingles/news-i/8sept-lucius-fidel.html We do not want to think of a world without Lucius Walker Aida Calviac Mora THE irony of the blow has shaken us all: when the threat of nuclear war hovers over our heads, one of the irreplaceable men of peace has left us, after 80 years of sincere example. The death has taken place of Lucius Walker, the U.S. reverend who, close to 20 years ago, took up an uncompromising struggle against the obstinate and cruel policy of his country’s government in relation to Cuba. Fidel greets the leader of Pastors for Peace at an event in the José Martí Memorial on July 26, 2010, during his last visit to Cuba. Armed with faith and resistance, anchored to noble causes and social justice, Lucius arrived in this country in spite of the detentions and blows from those who have always feared Cuban realities being revealed and divulged. Prior to that, he left his mark of solidarity on liberation movements in Africa, on support missions to patriots in Guinea Bissau, Cape Verde, Angola… Then in Central America, particularly in El Salvador and Nicaragua. This last destination, as he said on many occasions, inspired the emergence of the Interreligious Foundation for Community Organization (IFCO)/Pastors for Peace. On August 2, 1988, my daughter Gail and I were among 200 civilians on a boat on the River Escondido in Nicaragua which was viciously attacked by the contras. Two Nicaraguans died and 49 passengers were wounded. That night in the hospital, while I was being treated for a bullet wound, I prayed to God seeking spiritual guidance to find an appropriate response to that act of terrorism. The inspiration that God gave me was to create Pastors for Peace to take caravans of material aid to the victims of U.S. aggression. Finally, this island captured his attention. In 1991, during a time of a deluge of lies about the Revolution, countdowns and apocalyptic predictions, a conversation with in Havana with the Reverend Raúl Suarez, director of the Martin Luther King Center, sparked an idea. In an interview given to Granma the following year, Walker stated, At first we thought that our task ought to be sending caravans like we did to Central America. But , observing the situation more closely, we came to the conclusion that Cuba’s most urgent problems did not need much help from us, except for breaking the blockade. We realized that Cuba did not need the same kind of help as other countries, because even with the blockade, it had the capability and strength to provide for itself. Our leadership analyzed the situation and decided that our contribution would be to fight to end the blockade. In 1992 the news that a group of religious people had toured several American states in and organized a fleet of 45 vehicles in which to send medicines, school supplies, and food to Cuba, an action considered by the U.S. authorities to be an insult more than an act of civil disobedience. The pilgrimage through at least 90 cities would reach its tensest moment when the caravan reached Laredo, Texas with 15 tons of humanitarian aid to be transported through Mexico. The [U.S.] government demanded an export license; however the Reverend had declared during the tour: We are not asking Washington for permission to carry cargo, because that would be to recognize the legality of the blockade and the right of the state to intervene in a mission of the Church. Neither intimidating warnings nor manhandling by more than one agent of the Treasury Department or Customs had any effect. Lucius Walker’s men and women, following their leader’s determination, held fast in their will to take everything across the border into Mexico and not just the part allowed by U.S. legislation, knowing that the violation of the blockade could cost them fines of up to $250,000 and 10 years’ incarceration, risks that they decided to take. Some members of the caravan crossed the border on foot, carrying over to the Mexican side those products which the regulations did not consider humanitarian aid. Among them, a wheelchair which Lucius, the first to cross, carried with a sign demanding: Let Cuba live. Lift the embargo. That first step across the border bridge led to his detention for 10 hours, but the die was already cast. 1993 was the year of the second caravan, and the obstacles, far from diminishing, once again tested his firmness and stand as a man of faith. This time the customs agents confiscated a little yellow school bus on the strange pretext that it might be used to transport Cuban troops, and several members of the caravan responded with a prolonged fast, despite high temperatures in Laredo – more than 100 degrees – making their hunger
Re: [Marxism] Fidel to Ahmadinejad: 'Stop Slandering the Jews'
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == Louis and Eli noted that we should take what Goldberg says with a grain of salt. I also searched for this Castro criticism of Amadinejad and found nothing. But that raises the question of why Castro would choose this reporter out of all the possibilties he has available to make a statement. And then we would have to wait and see if Castro repudiates anything Goldberg said Castro said. Curiously enough, the provocative direct quote in the headline appears nowhere in the article, nor do ANY of the statements allegedly made by Castro with respect to Iran. For example, Goldberg says that Castro criticized Ahmadinejad for denying the Holocaust, but again, we don't see any direct quote to that effect. That's not to say the article isn't accurate in that reporting, but again, as Louis notes, anything from Jeffrey Goldberg must be taken which more than just a grain of salt. Actually much more interesting than the headline claim was this (again, if accurate): I was, I admit, also surprised to hear him express such sympathy for Jews, and for Israel's right to exist (which he endorsed unequivocally). I refer in particular, of course, to the second half of the sentence, not the first. Eli Stephens 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] M-L Today website
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == A useful website that often has worthwhile articles. --- On Sun, 8/22/10, edi...@mltoday.com edi...@mltoday.com wrote: From: edi...@mltoday.com edi...@mltoday.com Subject: [Mltlist] M-L Today website updated To: mltl...@mltoday.com Date: Sunday, August 22, 2010, 8:59 PM Dear friend: The Marxism-Leninism Today website has been updated at: http://www.mltoday.com/ As always, we appreciate your comments, criticisms and suggestions at: edi...@mltoday.com The Editorial Board To remove yourself from this list reply with STOP in the subject line. ___ MLTlist mailing list mltl...@mltoday.com To remove your name from the list please click on the link below: http://mltoday.com/mailman/options/mltlist_mltoday.com We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false. -- William Casey, CIA Director (from first staff meeting in 1981) 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] Harvard Divests from Israel
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == is there any other verification of this? I have not seen a word about this on all the lists I am on that regularly send out emails about Palestine. I would even think it would make it on yahoo news, as this is something major. For some reason I cannot access Alandershowirz.com, but I assume he would have already started a major counteract. Bye, Stan The most potent weapon of the oppressor is the mind of the oppressed. Steven Biko 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] Socialist Voice: Why We Boycott Israel: A Reply to the US SWP
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == Bustelo writes, The problem is NOT what the SWP or RCP or SLP or WWP or FSP or CP or PSL or even the non-p's like ISO or SA or SO or FRSO (both of them) do. Because they don't do shit, or as close to as makes no difference. The problem is what they PREVENT. They prevent the fairly significant and sizable but atomized leftist/radical elements in the U.S. population from cohering into a movement. This reply by Bustelo cannot go unanswered as it is borderline red-baiting. He attacks and ridicules all US groups calling themselves Marxist. I don't belong to any, but I know a good number of very good political activists who do important political work who belong to these parties. They, like many others activists who are not members of parties, do exemplary and admirable political work, and I object to Bustelo singling out these communists or leftists, and saying they are all basically wreckers. It is kind of incredible that Bustelo, allegedly complaining about sectarianism, engages in his own more extreme form of anti-Marxist sectarianism. If none of these activist members of parties were around, if none of their publications and books were around, we would be in a big hole. Maybe it would be like the McCarthyite red-cleaned1950s all over again, where the social landscape was (I believe) cleansed of any Marxist voice anywhere. Bustelo thinks that is some kind of progress? He writes, A real radical movement in the United States, if it could be put together today, would be a complete mess, monstrously incoherent, confused on just about every important question, lacking the mastery of even the ABC's of radical politics, never mind proletarian or revolutionary politics. That is as it SHOULD be, as it MUST be. The BEST that can be hoped for in the United States is that within a vague, amorphous radical movement a more coherent Marxist core can begin to consolidate on the basis of actual experiences, in other words, countless stupidities and mistakes. This kind of situation would inevitably create parties and then splits and splinters and reproduce the same kind of groups we have now. Has that not always been the case? The *problem* is that the sects impede the avalanche from beginning. And the beginning of necessity is going to have to be extremely tentative, limited, and therefore easy to divert or frustrate. We need the sects --all of them-- to decide that the best thing they can do in the interests of building a revolutionary party and opening the door to the bright, communist future of humanity is to dissolve. Liquidate. But then Bustelo says this,Because they don't do shit, or as close to as makes no difference. So what is it? They don't do shit, or are they of such social weight in the US that the sects impede the avalanche from beginning? And then Bustelo concludes after his categorical and blanket attack on all US Marxist groups, that he is going to join one himself! That's quite a lot of contradictions for one email. In any case, I want to register on this Marxmail list, that I, for one, strongly object to someone posting something on this list attacking every honest and hard-working and effective political activist in this country who happens to belong to what they consider a Marxist party. The most potent weapon of the oppressor is the mind of the oppressed. Steven Biko 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] Marta Harnecker on the Latin American Left
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == Some of Marta Harnecker's explanation of the mistakes of 20th century socialism: (b) theoryism and dogmatism, which led to strategism [great strategic goals were planned, e.g., the struggle for national liberation and socialism, but without any concrete analysis of the historical conditions]; and (c) a distorted “subjectivism” [reification of the historical subject] in analyzing reality—inappropriate strategies and tactics were used, based on an inability to see the historical uniqueness of the revolutionary social subject. This sounds exactly like the garbage I was forced to study and take seriously at University of Chicago social science grad school. Evidently Harnecker is not concerned with addressing and educating workers and peasants and revolutionaries, but in appealing to academics by speaking their own pretentious nonsense. I would think that for someone like Harnecker that it would be ABC that if you want to educate the classes that are going to make the revolution, you'd better speak their language. The most potent weapon of the oppressor is the mind of the oppressed. Steven Biko 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] harnecker gets bad mark from disgruntled student
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == Michael Lebowitz might want to note that I said nothing critical of other work Harnecker has done, only on what I quoted from what she wrote. That he deleted this from his reply and instead discussed some other work of hers. If you have some issue with the content of the email I posted, then explain what it is. Stan Smith The most potent weapon of the oppressor is the mind of the oppressed. Steven Biko 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 collapse
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == The beginning of this article has a vaguely, no, clearly unpleasant tone about it. The US government does not suck up to Israel. The US is Israel's boss. I will leave aside whether Jeremy Salt has issues about Jews. But he clearly has unfounded illusions in US imperialism. If all Israeli soldiers had on US military uniforms, would their behavior towards Palestinians be distinguishable from the US miitary's treatment of Iraqis or Afghans? The only real difference is that in Iraq and Afghanistan the US doesn't say We're moving in and you're moving out. They already did that here, in a much more brutal way than anythng Israel has done. *By Jeremy Salt – Ankara* The spectacle of an American sucking up to an Israeli Prime Minister is familiar but no less sickening every time it happens. Not since Eisenhower has an American president had the guts to stand up to Israel. With this single exception, all of them have fallen over in their haste to give Israel whatever it wants and to hold it responsible for nothing, not even the murder of its own citizens. The recent meeting between Barack Obama 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] Sect, Party, Movement, Class - II
== Rule #1: YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. == I read most, but not all of what Joaquin wrote. As a person who works in various movements, to free the Cuban 5, end the US blockade of Cuba, defend the independence of Venezuela, fight the oppression of Palestinians, among others, I welcome all groups and individuals who want to participate. I am interested in how they contribute to doing the work, not what their ulterior motives are. I do not care if 5 of the groups think they are the true Marxist-Leninist party. I do not care if someone participates because they want to meet a new girlfriend, because they think it their Christian duty. I think that is irrelevant. What matters is the work they do and how they contribute. The better they work, the more they deserve respect. (And in these cases, I find Workers World Party deserves a lot of respect.) Joaquin evidently thinks that is not sufficient, that we should hold up these self-described ML groups to a special standard and call them out on their ulterior motives and their other defects. I have read nothing in Lenin that would justify his position. It would seem from Joaquin's logic, we should stay away from Malcolm X because he fought for some kind of Islamic brotherhood of people, or from Martin Luther King because he fought for some Christian brotherhood. We should have stayed away from Lenin's Bolshevik Party because in it Stalnism was germinating. Should we work to end the US travel ban to Cuba, and then denounce every bourgeois politician who opposes the travel ban, because they see ending the travel ban as a way to undermine the Cuban social system? The only non-sectarian approach in the movement is to work with all groups and individuals who share our demands and who work with us to achieve our goals. Ulterior motives, or maybe more correctly, Joaquin's interpretation of what their ulterior motives, is and should be irrelevant. 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
