Re: [Marxism] Disjunction between antiwar sentiment and size of protest

["Mark Lause" <MLause@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Decades ago, when I joined the SWP, a disappointed old friend predicted
difficult days ahead for me.

He told me that most of the party members he had met seemed
indistinguishable those in the CP or any Maoist organization in that they
were all fundamentally religious and utopian.  For all of them, he thought,
socialism remained contingent on fantasizing a utopia affixed to a particuar
country and becoming the proverbial "true believer" of one of another Great
Leader.  And, he warned, they will protect the faith by canibalizing their
own.  His last words on this were something like" "If you disagree with them
on anything, they will attack you as an enemy of the revolution."

In cannabis veritas.

Walter's recent posts recall such warnings.  Capping them is the bizarre
charge that the moderator of the Marxism List is a "red-baiter."  Louis'
comments may be correct or not.  They may be proportionally justified or
not.  But describing him as a "red-baiter" for making them not only puts him
outside of the movement, but into the enemy camp.  The very idea that
radicals shouldn't criticize the course taken by other radicals is a formula
for stagnation and defeat...but it is a powerful Defender of the Faith.

It speaks volumes to the quality of the judgment being the change.

Solidarity!
Mark L.





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