Re: [Marxism] Re: Anybody but Kerry

["Franz Fuchs" <f.fuchs@xxxxxxx>]

 From Néstor Miguel Gorojovsky:

> > Prof. Chomsky's reply was curt, but Mr.
> > Enyang's wasn't particularly friendly either. He didn't
> > begin his mail with "Dear Prof. Chomsky please look at this.
> > What do you say about it?"
>
> Why should he?

Out of politeness for a fellow human being? (Who also happens to be a
tireless advocate for left issues and whom even a severe illness could
only for a short time divert from his hectic schedule.)

> Who on Earth is Prof. Chomsky or any other Professor,
> for that matter?
>
> You don't need to be a Marxist to realize that the badge of
> "intellectual" doesn't grant you any kind of special status, other
> than a greater responsibility for what you say and do.

Of course you're right! I used the word "Prof." in a neutral way, it
wouldn't bother me to substitute it with "Mr." or other titles of your
choice. But I don't want to exaggerate this (n)etiquette discussion
because it ultimately doesn't matter. Mr. Enyang began his mail with
an - as I see it - insinuation , Chomsky countered with another one.
Chomsky for sure has developed a thick skin and won't hardly be
disturbed about (again this is my opinion) Enyang's misinterpretation of
his limited support of Kerry.

The problem as I see it is that the different factions on the left
impute each other to have all kinds of sinister motivations. For
example, Enyang writes that Chomsky is "dishonest", which implies that
Chomsky doesn't speak his mind but says - for whatever reasons - things
he doesn't believe in. Why on earth should Chomksy be "dishonest"?

The Nader and the (reluctant) Kerry supporters should let each other do
as they please which isn't so easy, I admit, with Democrats keeping
Nader busy at the courts. But then we'll see what happens: Can popular
antagonism coax Kerry do adopt progressive causes and/or can the Nader
platform evolve into a viable third party?

Best regards
Franz Fuchs


_______________________________________________
Marxism mailing list
Marxism@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/listinfo/marxism