Louis on Marxism ... and gutless Stalinism

[iwp.ilo@xxxxxxxxxxxxx (CEP )]

    Great!  I was absent for a few days from the List, came back and
    Louis has posted a long article on the gutless Stalinists of the
    FSLN and the FMLN.  I carefully choose the words for the headline.
    I do repeat my assertion: they followed to the letter the theories
    of Stalinism, not Marxism.  Nowhere I talked about the
    organizational question that Louis talked about.  I was talking
    about the Stalinist theories they applied to their politics.

    I will answer in detail to Louis in what promises to be a friendly,
    but pirotecnic exchange.  I will do it in three installments.  Here
    are the headlines:

    I. The Gutless Stalinist Policies of the FSLN and the FMLN

    2. The Cuban contradiction ... according to Louis

    3. Louis "deconstruction" of Lenin and Marxism

    And before Louis, or anyone else flame me, let me explain.  If
    I have the opportunity to work with Louis, the FSLN or the FMLN
    at any juncture (as I did in the past many times) in a united
    workers front or in unity in action, I will do so.  That shouldn't
    prevent me, or Louis, or the FSLN or the FMLN or anyone else to
    present their positions or their criticisms of each other or of
    all of them.

    Many people confuse political discussions with consensual ideology
    or silence in the name of unity. You may agree, as I did hundreds
    of time in defending Cuba against imperialism or a shop steward
    who is stalinist against the bosses and still present your
    differences with them as clearly as possible.  I hope I don't
    have to say this again.  I don't really in the mood to apologize
    for what I believe.  I never did.  Nor I'm interested in those
    who charge you a ticket of silence in order to be able to work
    together: that's is blackmail of the worst kind.

    I like Louis, because he said what he thinks.  I hope he takes in
    what I will say in my next posts and answer them as I will his.

    Comradely,
    Carlos


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