Date: Mon, 07 Apr 1997 07:55:06 +0200
Subject: M-G: Two letters to Cockroach!


At 14:44 1997-04-06 -0400, you wrote:
>Mr. Malecki I don't want to be a pain but I've looked at your website
>and Cockroach and some of your comments on the Marxism-general list and
>I was just wondering how you define Marxism today, whether you define
>yourself as a Marxist or not, since you don't seem to like ideologies
>too much. 

Hi Chuck,

First I would like to say what a great letter! I want to publish it in
Cockroach and remove your name and address along with this reply..In fact I
will post it to a couple of lists and newsgroups also because it shows that
there are people out there who are both curious and interested in learning
about our common future.

Well, the answer to your question is Yes I consider myself a "Marxist". But
also a Communist, Trotskyist and Bolshevik Leninist. And naturally it would
be wrong to say that i don't seem to like ideologies. It would be better to
say that I am extremely careful about ideologies and especially those
people claiming to represent ideologies. 
>
>My family background is working class, Goodyear, farming in Ohio,
>whereas my interests lie in art, writing, etc.  I've called myself a
>Marxist but now I'm questioning that label.  I'm discovering I don't
>really know much about Marxism and especially the history, although I do
>know a little. 

Well! Realizing that you are "working class" is really a first very big
step! And really there is nothing magical about thinking I am a "marxist"
and then having doubts about what that is surpose to mean. But the bottom
line is that Marxists simply try to find the best way to fight in the
interests of poor and working class people on this planet. 

I have found that Lenin and Trotsky were guys that had a lot to say and
made a lot of sense. So my suggestion to you is to take contact with a
Trotskyist organisation and try and read and learn some of the basics of
your history as a worker.

The Trotsktists I am thinking off are honest people and have set up the
goal of building a revolutionary Communist International in order to lead
the working class in its struggle to overthrown present capitalist and
imperialist society in every country of the world. This organisation wants
to build a party in every country of the world. And they have always acted
in a principled and honest way in taking up this struggle.
Naturally working class people should give no political organisation a free
ticket and should learn to think critically because even the best communist
revolutionaries can make mistakes.. 
>
>I live in Kent, Ohio, and I'm not politically active, so it's no
>surprise I feel isolated in a conservative state. 

Before going in to exile I lived in Cleveland. Anyhow I suggest that you
contact the International Communist League (ICL). They are real Communists
and Trotskyists and be perfectly honest about your background.
Why not send a copy of your letter and my reply to them along with a
request to know more? And see where it goes from there. Naturally getting a
few of the classics like the history of the Russian Revolution by Leon
Trotsky and reading it would also be a good start.Here is their address..

International Communist League
PO Box 7429
New York, New York 10116 
>
>I respect your position and your strong feelings.  At least I think I
>do.  Perhaps you would disagree.

Why thank you! And I am glad that Cockroach arouses strong feelings in you!
Now that we have awakened a fellow worker to think it is your turn. Get out
their and grab em by the balls. And I am quite sure the ICL would be
interested in helping you along the way. Naturally there are other
organisations who would also like to make the claim and you can usually
find a FAQ on Alt.socialism Trotsky which gives addresses to other
organisations. But personally I have warm sympathy for the ICL..

Warm regards
Bob Malecki
------------------------------------------------------------------------
At 13:03 1997-04-06 PDT, you wrote:
>Dear Comrade Rob Malecki,
>     Thank you so much for the Albania info from the LCMRCI. Any further
info on 
>the LCMRCI, and on the Albanian situation will be super-appreciated. In the 
>United States it is very difficult to get decent information on Albania,
but the 
>International Trotskyist Committee wants to analyse it for revolutionary 
>practical purposes. I will read, study, and respond to the info sent to me. 
>Thanks again. 
> FOR THE POLITICAL REGENERATION AND ORGANIZATIONAL RECONSTRUCTION OF THE
FOURTH 
>INTERNATIONAL!!!!!! 
>                                  Yours in Struggle,
>                                  Alex 
>
>P.S. I wonder if you could tell me about how to contribute papers to the 
>alt.politics.socialism.trotsky newsgroup. I have no clue, but am interested. 
>Could you tell me?  also, in passing I want to mention that I think you have 
>probably the most interesting e-zine on the net for those claiming to be 
>consistent Trotskyists. I have been impreesed and found agreement with many 
>statements of yours. You are a vigorous and productive writer, and I only
hope I 
>can keep up with you. I hope to hear from you soon, Rob M!  

Try downloading a program like "Free Agent" (it is free) It is a program
which enables you to both read, and write too all newsgroups on the
Internet. All you have to do is subscribe to those groups you find
interesting.

PS posting your letter to a list where I am quite sure it will be
appreciated. However I will remove your address..And if the Lcmcri ask i
will forward your address to them OK. 

Bob Malecki
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
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