Forwarded from Anthony (reply to Carlos)

[Louis Proyect <lnp3@xxxxxxxxx>]

So long to Carlos, but what about the fish?

Re: To Anthony: Talking is fine From: "Alternative"
<alternative@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Date: Thu, 28 Feb 2002 20:43:55 -0800

My old comrade Carlos breifly joined the discussion on this list, and
abruptly bid us farewell. Oh well. Still his departure deserves a few
words, since he may be back.

After criticizing everyone still living on the left in the USA and
Great Britain (or almost), the Sandinistas, the PT in Brazil,
Stalinism in general, and assorted others, Carlos got miffed when I
asked him if his group is related to the CWI, and asked him to give
us more info about their plans for a new magazine in the USA to be
called 'Rev".

In particular Carlos implied that their new project would be a break
from everything wrong with the 'old left', and start things off in a
fine, clean, beautiful new direction, unlike 'Left Turn" and the new
antiwar newspaper int he USA (according to Carlos). But when I asked
him for details he wrote,

"Usually, I do not engage in discussions on e-mail lists.
Particularly on more partisan themes or discussions on particular
political projects. Especially when they are in a process of
elaboration.

"Partly because the lack of time, partly because I do not find these
lists a useful medium, unless there is some sense of common strategic
purpose, which I do not see reflected in a heterogeneous group like
this one. This is not a dismissive attitude towards others but useful
boundaries to keep focused on other stuff."

To be blunt, Carlos is being evasive - in my humble opinion. His
little group has reached a deadend - another deadend, and are looking
for a way out. Carlos thought he might find some opportunity on this
list. So he came fishing."

He came fishing because of the discussion over Jose's impolitic (to
be polite) remarks about Morenism and Nicaragua. Carlos wrote,

"I got interested in the Brigade's historical record and in the
discussion on the "peace processes" because I considered them more
general topics and I though you had some important points to make.
>From time to time I get an e-mail that attracts my attention and I
may answer if I have the time to do so."

"As you could see, I did not get into some responses to my comments
that I considered off the cuff and highly unnecessary."

While I agree with more with Carlos about the events of 20 years ago
in Nicaragua than I do with people like Jose, Carlos doesn't seem to
have advanced much beyond where he was in 1980. Carlos ended,

"This is not at all a refusal to discuss any particular question you
or anyone else has on the side. You, or any other comrade, may write
me at alternative@xxxxxxxxxxxxx and I will be glad to answer
-provided I have the answer... of course."

The only thing is, I am not interested in a discussion about these
issues privately. I would like to know what Carlos and his friends
are up to, even if they don't live up to Carlos' imaginary
projections.

In other words Carlos, talking to the people on this list shouldn't
be a threat to you, so why are you so afraid?

All the best, Anthony

--
Louis Proyect, lnp3@xxxxxxxxx on 03/02/2002

Marxism list: http://www.marxmail.org



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