[Marxism] Re: Kirchner and Argentina's military (Louis Proyect)

[Carlos Petroni <cepetroni@xxxxxxxxx>]

Walter wrote:
>Petroni, probably still writing from the comfort of his
>DSL connection in San Francisco, found considerable fault
>with the Argentine president's remarks.

Louis:

"Let's cut this sort of thing out. I don't agree with many of the things
that Carlos writes, but he has a solid activist history including episodes
that could have cost him his life. Walter's attacks on the "comfortable"
people in imperialist countries who dare to have political opinions to his
left should be retired. Right now."

My contribution to that part of the debate is: Thanks, Louis. I expect no less 
from a moderator of a Marxist List.

Now, on to the discussion:

In my brief e-mail I listed a number of facts related to meetings of the Armed 
forces' personnel in barracks, at the US embassy and generally of a movement to 
vindicate the dirty war.  I listed examples and I indicated that the military 
is engaged in spying politicians -- both in the opposition and the the 
government.  I also mentioned that what Kirchner said and did was an slap in 
the wrist and what it was at stake was the dissolution of the Armed Forces as 
they exist as they has proven neither capable of being reformed nor of reformed 
themselves.

I also linked the comments to an article ellaborating more on those things and 
I mentioned that Clarin, the largest circulation newspaper, was carrying the 
same day some stories around those issues, verifying most of what I said and 
giving some other examples of subversive activities.  Now more stories are 
appearing in the media indicating that those events leading to the present 
situation were not but the tip of an iceberg and that organizations of active 
as well as retired military men are planning an string of events and meetings.

Instead of arguing with the facts, both the answers from Walter and someone 
else I don;t remember who was, simply ignored them and insisted on either 
defending or justifying Kirchner less than mild "actions."

The questions raised are nor easy as we are talking about a military which 
"dissappeared" at least 30,000 people, forced the exile of another 150,000 and 
sold the country to imperialism.  We are talking about a military where more 
than 80% of those participating in the genocide of a generation and the "dirty 
war" are still active or in active retirement and a military which still train 
their young on conflict hipothesism that include war with our neighbor 
countries and internal suppression of dissent.

There is no "more" revolutionary line or "less" revolutionary line with this 
military.  It is only a revolutionary approach to this, which is also 
democratic: dissolution of the armed forces.  It is incredible for me to 
understand how someone could call himself/herself a Marxist and be for the 
"reform" of these criminals or could claim they are somehow on the road of 
reforming themselves.  We can pay dearly -- we meaning all workers and even 
those who are not -- if we allow a reconstruction of this murder machine.

Moreover,  these military who used and will use fascist methods will be calling 
for more mass meetings as that they organized on May 24.  What are we suppose 
to call for? For their democratic right to organize them and speak in favor of 
the "dirty war"? Or should we be calling for counter-demonstrations?  Or that 
is too much of a revolutionary line to have? Well, I'm pretty sure than more 
than one liberal, human rights groups, some unions, will support a call for 
such counter-demonstrations.  Should we do something or should we have 
confidence that Kirchner will resolve the issue with another speech?


Cheers!
Carlos
Living confortably in Buenos Aires, Argentina




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