Re: A defense worse than the deed

[Zeynep Tufekcioglu <zeynept@xxxxxxxx>]

Since I started this thread, I feel compelled to reply to Lou, though I
really dislike this thread.

I object to your generalising conclusions, lacking evidence. Whatever the
subject, you have no right to pass judgement on people except based on some
pretty good evidence. So, I was really speaking up for others, even though I
also didn't like the position your picture put me in. You in fact insulted
every (male) member of the list who responded to any appeal from any woman,
any time.

To claim that anyone responds to any appeal by anyone for reasons other than
internationalism requires pretty strong evidence. You may be right, you may
be wrong. But, when in doubt, either keep quiet or ask a question, or
express the impression you have with due doubt. It is so easy to write-off
people on shred of evidence. If you think Rahul or Doug lead inconsistent
lives and if that's such an issue to you, you must prove it with a stronger
case than what I've read.

Also, a "better than thou" attitude is the rather useless in cyberspace. I
could put the same argument to you, couldn't I? It would be unfair and unjust.

Again, for Doug's interviews, I can't believe the claim you are making. It
is unjustified and cruel beyond words. You try to collect antibiotics for
prisoners of war and raise solidarity, Doug tries to write articles, do
radio shows etc. How do you propose that I should judge either of you to be
the "more revolutionary" one? A sensitive human rights activists may well do
what you do. A Marxist arm-chair academic may do what Doug does. Should we
write off both of you, perhaps?

>But, as I tried to
>suggest (too delicately, perhaps) I believe that a great deal of it has to
>do with the fact that you are an articulate woman of obvious learning and
>ability.    Why should this be so surprising?

Keep your beliefs to yourself unless you have strong evidence.

>Talk is extremely cheap, and nowhere is the discount more
>painfully apparent than on the Marxism list.

Yes, talk is extremely cheap. Take your own advice, comrade.

>I do not go much on what
>people say.

Fine. I don't either. In fact, I don't care one single bit about what people
say. I respect only actions, and putting your life where your mouth is. What
you are doing is passing assumptions about what you think the motivation
behinds people's behaviour is as proven accusations. I understand and share
that sensitivity, but knee-jerking does not serve well.

>The people who spoke most eloquently of honor and values were
>the very ones who sent my comrades and I to a certain death twenty five
>years ago.

So, everyone who speaks about honor and values is bad. What kind of
reasoning is this? Republicans say they think of the welfare of the Cuban
people. So, I guess we can never say that. American governments say that
they want justice, freedom and equality in the world. So, we can never say
that *we* are the ones fighting for justice, freedom and equality?


Keep your reactions for to the very ones that sent your comrades to a
certain death.

What kind of reasoning is this? You think Doug's radio station does not
cover enough about the Philippines-> but, he did an interview with me-> And
you do believe that the situation in Turkey deserves attention-> However,
since he did not do an interview about Philippines, his interest must be
because I'm a woman, though some 6000 miles away. This is sexism at worst. I
really think you owe Doug an apology. You can say "Doug, why don't you do
more about Peru, about Philipines". You can't say "Doug, I know why you are
interested in Turkey". You read minds? Do you think that way, so assume Doug
also must? Also, the fight you have with Rahul should have nothing to do
with me. Don't use me if you want to criticise Rahul for what he does with
his life. He never said a word about the hunger-strikes on the list, did he?

With such an attitude, no one on the list would have the right to say
anything about any subject, including you, if they couldn't prove that they
have devoted enough of their lives and attention to every subject. You must
suggest how we prove this? I know nothing about the Philippines besides a
few general things.

As for your apology, accepted. But, I feel awful that Doug was blamed the
way he was blamed by you for doing an interview with me. I also think you
underestimate me, comrade. I think that politically I can generate interest
regardless of my being a woman. If you don't think so, that's what you
should say instead of blaming others.

Your attitude dampens and has in the past dampened the spirits of many fine
women communists and revolutionaries. Can you imagine how I'd feel if I was
less sure of myself? I wouldn't want to say one more word on the list, or
elsewhere. Thank God that we have so many women fighters here, even the most
macho have stopped saying that women communists are treated differently just
because they happen to be women. Even the bourgeois press is tired of the
"female militant" stories.

Zeynep

----------------------------------------------------------------------
THE FASCIST TURKISH STATE CAN'T CONQUER DIGNITY!

Hunger strikes of hundreds of political prisoners in Turkey continues - day
65. Aygun Ugur, 25, fell on day 63 and Altan Kerimgiller, 26, on day 65. The
prisoners are fighting for the right to preserve their political beliefs and
be treated with the dignity due to a human being.

Protest! Get the word out!

(Relevant faxes in Turkey)
Prime Ministry          : +90 312 417 04 76
Ministry of "Justice"   : +90 312 425 34 55

VICTORY TO THE DREAM AND THE FIGHT FOR A BETTER WORLD!
----------------------------------------------------------------------



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