Re: [Marxism] Seven Theses on the Current Period, the War and theAnti-war Mov...

[Octob1917@xxxxxxx]

In a message dated 10/3/2004 9:33:11 AM Pacific Standard Time,
cbcox@xxxxxxxxx writes:
It is indeed a huge disaster for imperialism, and the central task of
left thinking in the u.s. is hammering out the means of building on that
disaster.

This assumes there is a US left (by which I mean a homegeneous entity capable
of building anything except egos and the cocoon inside of which they exist in
isolation from workers, immigrants and members of oppressed communities).

The anti war movement which attracted huge numbers before the war began was
essentially a middle class peace movement in nature and composition. There was
no ideological foundation and certainly no militancy. Those who've asserted
that people became demoralized and melted away as soon as the bombs and missiles
let loose are correct. However, the ruling class contributed largely with
their call to 'support the troops'. Obviously they'd learned a valuable lesson
from Vietnam and cleverly and cynically were able to play on the guilt which
still exists in US society about the way the returning troops were treated back
then.

Since then it has been the Left left, and it is in a very sad and weakened
state. Until we begin focusing on domestic issues, making ourselves relevant to
people's everyday lives, the movement I fear will remain stagnant, small and
ineffective. Attack social and economic injsutice at home and you attack
imperialism abroad. We need to begin focusing on the oppressed communities and
workers, rather than on campuses and the intelligentsia.

The one glimmer of hope is the Million Worker March movement. I would urge
all leftists and anti war activists to pour all their energies into this, as it
offers the best hope of attacking the ruling class's policies at home and
abroad.

Joe
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