Re: Invective

["David B. Shemano" <dshemano@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Louis Proyect cites George Galloway:

>> Before the hearing began, the Respect MP for Bethnal Green and Bow even had
>> some scorn left over to bestow generously upon the pro-war writer
>> Christopher Hitchens. "You're a drink-soaked former Trotskyist popinjay,"
>> Mr Galloway in formed him. "Your hands are shaking. You badly need another
>> drink," he added later, ignoring Mr Hitchens's questions and staring
>> intently ahead. "And you're a drink-soaked ..." Eventually Mr Hitchens gave
>> up. "You're a real thug, aren't you?" he hissed, stalking away.

Is calling somebody a former Trotskyist an effective rejoinder in Lefty circles?  Is a former Trotskyist better or worse than being a Trotskyist?  Doesn't such a statement identify the speaker as an unrequited Stalinist (not that there is anyting wrong with that).

David Shemano