Re: [Marxism] Antiwar demonstration in Washington

["cleon42@xxxxxxxxx" <cleon42@xxxxxxxxx>]

Much as I usually value Eli's contributions, I don't think there's much
point in harping over the misnaming of "TION." It's a mistake, so what?

Like Eli, I often am frustrated by those who jump on every
opportunity--and often invent a few--to trash ANSWER, TONC, or Workers
World. However, I recognize that these folks are not building the
anti-war movement in a constructive way; they're building it in a
sectarian way, which emphasizes leading from New York rather than
really mobilizing grassroots from below. (Though I don't discount their
ability to mobilize from below; here in Atlanta, the WWP comrades are
almost universally respected for their activism.)

However, I won't share Eli's criticism of Louis's criticism of ANSWER.
Louis at least takes an "a pox on both your houses" approach, and
doesn't shy away from focusing his fire on UFPJ as well. My problem
with the anti-WWP brigade in the anti-war movement is that while
they're quick to focus on the faults of WWP/ANSWER/TONC, they gloss
over or ignore altogether the faults of UFPJ's leadership. Many of
which are exactly the same as, or the mirror image of, the WWP crowd's.
Say what you will about the harshness of Louis' words, he at least
recognizes what most of the anti-WWPers can't (or won't).

At this point, on a national level, I'm just about willing to write off
the potential of both ANSWER/TONC and UFPJ. They seem grounded in their
own sectarianism, in pointless fights by the same individuals going on
30 years. It might well be time for a new coalition created, this time
*starting* from the local level instead of ending with it.

Adam


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