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Hallo Comrades, I am amazed by many things. Perhaps first of all I am amazed at how Lou Poyect does so many things - not only keeping this list going throughout all its trials and disputes, but also keeping such frequent writings on his "Unrependant Marxist" blog - not all of which I, as a European, fully understand - but he clicks fully with me when he is talking about jazz !! And I can understand how Nestor Gorovosky can ask to be unsubbed after all the names he has been called as a result of his support of Chavez's supposed "support" of Gadaffi. I don't agree with Nestor in this dispute - but do not want to lose his insight into the affairs of South America (which are the source of his different take on events in Libya). I have followed this list for so many years I just do not remember when I started - not long from the beginning of the list, I believe - and a very good number of my contributions, particularly in recent years, have met with similar opprobrium (some almost akin to "flaming") - something strictly verboten on this list - but I have continued to follow - with just occasional contributions, because I support Lou's intention: to promote discussion, without sectarianism, of the contribution of Marxist ideas to the understanding of the human condition and the way forward, particularly for those of us who live in the "imperialist" (or "western") countries of the world. Lou and I met once, for an afternoon, at the end of my winter visit to relatives and friends in Canada and USA in 2008/9 - convincing me (and, I think, Lou) that we were kindred spirits, despite obvious disagreements on certain matters such, particularly atomic energy, but more particularly in rejection of the concept of the "vanguard party" and its consequent sectarianism in the 21st century. Then I come on to my second amazement. I am amazed that so many contributions regarding Libya are based on a simple "definition of imperialism" which, apparently, must determine our evaluations of events. This seems to me to misunderstand the two-faced aspect of imperialism - the imperative of power - and the imperative of ACCEPTANCE of that power by the local populace. The governments of GB and France are, at present, all concerned with the second of these. OF COURSE, the protection of imperialism and its profits is uppermost in their minds, but they are at the same time in a problem with their populace and its distrust at the domination of the financial moneybags on their governments - so at present their "humanitarian" opposition to the activities of a N African dictator can be a plus for their acceptance by their local populations. OF COURSE, their intentions have really nothing to do with "democracy" and "freedom" - but they are in a mess - and although we have to beware against long-term intervention in Libya - surely their (and the UN) response to the call for a certain amount of assistance to the anti-Gaddafi rebels needs initial applaud. OF COURSE also, that you will find I am trying to talk in simple language on this issue - not on behalf of any particular party or sect - but as one who grew with Marxism and the convincement of the necessity of full consideration of a problem, and determination of what is really the main problem at issue in any political situation - and here the MAIN issue is surely the Arab Revolution - the clearing of Arabia of petty tyrants and the beginnings in Arabia of "power to the people". How it plans out, we shall eventually see, but even the actions of imperialists can help. Let's stop calling names, and have sober analysis in this complex situation of 2011 across the world. My third amazement I shall leave for a further contribution. Please, listers, stay calm and consider ..... Comradely greetings to you all, Paddy http://apling.freeservers.com ________________________________________________ Send list submissions to: Marxism@greenhouse.economics.utah.edu Set your options at: http://greenhouse.economics.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
