Date: Tue, 13 Jan 2004 19:13:22 -0600
From: Chuck0 <chuck-AT-mutualaid.org>
Subject: Re: primitivism and anarchism


dave dorkin wrote:

> The point was, Noam Chomsky calls himself
> unproblematically a leftist, as well as anarchist. I
> recall Zerzan and other self proclaimed anarchist
> luminaries claiming that Chomsky was indeed not even
> an anarchist but rather just a liberal (not making
> even the cut to leftist).

Noam Chomsky calls himself many things. I think he is one of those 
public activists who doesn't want to let labels get in the way of his 
ideas. Kind of like Howard Zinn who identifies as a socialist and 
anarchist. Chosmksy has stated on numerous occasions that he is an 
anarchist, which is good enough for me.

Zerzan did criticize Chomsky. That's Zerzan's opinion and I've always 
disagreed with it. I also disagree with Zerzan's take on Star Trek.

> "Ineffectual anarchist skateboard punks" was an
> excercise in slandering anarchism the same way you
> slander leftism. I "dragged myself" onto this list and
> continue to think anarchism an important current
> though I am distressed at some of its most recent 
> mostly Americian avatars, as are many others. 

Distressed by some of its American avatars?

I'm going to diss leftism because I see it as being hostile to the 
things that we anarchists are trying to achieve. While anarchism has a 
long relationship with the left, mostly out of a need to survive, there 
has been more bad blood between anarchists and leftists than good. Keep 
in mind that leftists have a long history of killing and imprisoning 
anarchists. We've even seen leftist activists who are willing to rat out 
anarchist to the police.

I'm not against working with some leftists on various projects and 
campaigns, but I'd like to see more anarchists shed their dysfunctional 
relationship with the left.

I am an anarchist, not a leftist.

Chuck