This line of discussion may be ending/over, but I'll toss in my two cents
anyway.
Perelman wrote
Moore was wrong, I agree, to set Flint vs. Nicaragua as an either or
situation.
I'm not so sure that Moore is saying that Flint and Nicaragua are an
either or situation. (I haven't read the piece in the Nation. I let my sub
expire after getting a solicitation letter from them suggesting that if I was
mad as hell at the right and the left, then I should go wth the independent
voice of the Nation.)
My perceptions come from a talk Moore gave after unveiling his new film
in Portland, OR a few weeks back.
Immediately after poking fun at non-spanish speaking lefties who
pronounce Nicaragu or Cuba with a thick "spanish" accent, he
admits/claims that he too supported the Sandinistas and travelled to
Nicaragau. He also say's the he has supported work against the
blockade and was active against the war in Vietnam.
To attack US imperialism and fight for working people in this country is
entirely consistent.
However... some strategies followed in supporting the Sandinistas can
undermine alliances with workers in this country (as Newall pointed
out). Also, as Lear has pointed out, some factions on the side of
workers in this country have promoted the destruction of democracy
abroad.
Given this, I don't think the answer is to abandon either issues, and I
don't think that is what Moore is promoting. The answer is to fight for
both issues in a mutually supportive way.
Supporting the Sandinistas in ways the tell working people in this
country that the left is against America are less than optimal. Also, it is
quite possible to fight conservative elements in the labor hierarchy and
be strongly supportive of working people.
The problem is that there is a whole nest of perceptions and often
elitism that can get wrapped up with support of many issues that can
drive a wedge self-identified leftist and workers/the general population.
If the left is or is perceived by the general public to be academic elitist
snobs that are out of touch with ordinary people, then all issues that are
important to us will suffer.
Moore is one of many who is working over-time to help the left
communicate with people outside the walls of the university. Both
Hightower and Moore are populists whose message and style can
excite and convince people to struggle for workers in this country and
across the globe. Their example should be followed.
I agree with other people on this list who have written about the
importance of speaking in a language that will resonate and be
understood by ordinary people. Factionalization and endless bickering
over value theory (regardless of whether or not you are a Marxist) is
not the way to go.
