Re: Query from a Venezuelan

["Devine, James" <jdevine@xxxxxxx>]

Title: RE: [PEN-L] Query from a Venezuelan

 okay. I wonder, though, about Soviet workers' support for their government (that Andie points to). What are we to conclude? what are we to say about the support by US workers for US imperialism in the current era?

you can use any definition you want, but how useful is the definition? all sorts of governments (e.g., in Burma) say that they're doing it all for the greater good. Should we take these assertions at face value?

Jim

-----Original Message-----
From: Grant Lee
To: PEN-L@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: 6/26/2003 12:28 AM
Subject: Re: [PEN-L] Query from a Venezuelan

Jim,

I think Michael is right, discussions about Stalin have been done to
death....so to speak.

What is important is that most people in the USSR did support the regime
most of the time. It may not have lived up to the stated intention to
abolish the state, but it is that "stated" which is crucial for
definitional
purposes.

regards,

Grant.