[Marxism] Attitude toward the Iraq CP - reply to Jurriaan

[<lshan@xxxxxxx>]

If we do not express our opinions on the ABC of Marxism, what is the whole
purpose of Marxmail?

Aside from this, you appear to have overlooked the contributions of Gary and
Jose who implied support for violence against a workers organization in
Iraq. To say that I am presuming to preach to the Iraqis while overlooking
their provocative remarks is outrageous. And to say that my open expression
of my views is "a concession to imperialism and imperialist ideology" is
doubly so.

My remarks were directed towards them. In fact, in my last sentence where I
write "a class approach here, one not limited to a particular organizational
name," I almost added "nor limited to Iraq." However, aware of my tendency
to write long run-on sentences, I concluded that this wasn't necessary.
Apparently it was.

Under the circumstances, my statement of some ABCs of Marxism is milk toast
indeed. And I don't think that this requires an engraved invitation to write
about how it may apply to the situation in Iraq or any other country. Of
course, I could carefully edit my remarks to avoid expressions like
"Revolutionists should." I once was in an organization where exchanges were
limited in time and place and where personal letters that included political
discussion were denounced as cliqueism. Of course, letters between the
leaders was not cliqueism. They were, after all, the elected (there were of
course pre-selected) leaders and could discuss with whom and when they
wished.

Realizing what I was up against, when I did have a limited opportunity to
write, I agonized over every paragraph to make sure that I eliminated every
phrase that could be twisted against me. I don't intend to do that again.

The only weakness of this discussion list is the tendency of some on it to
cry "great white power chauvinism" or words to the same effect whenever
anyone suggests a different strategy or criticism of certain revolutionary
icons.

IMO, the best discussion so far on Marxmail was the exchange between Louis
Proyect and Mahmood on the politics of the Workers Communist Party of Iraq.
It may have been preceded by some sort of formal request, but I don't think
that it should have been necessary.

This is a far cry from the Third International, including the period when it
was led by Marxists of immense authority, who issued directives, settled
disputes, sent emissaries, etc. throughout the world.

from Brian Shannon


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