Date: Sun, 25 May 1997 18:55:10 -0600
From: Rob Lyon <kovnov-AT-geocities.com>
To: marxism-general-AT-jefferson.village.Virginia.EDU
Subject: M-G: Afghan, Trots, Mao,


Rolf, I just read one of your posts, which refered to the imperialist
war of the Soviet Union vs. the people of Afghan.  You seem to look at
it very one dimensionally.  The uprising in Afghanistan was put up ,
backed, armed and supplied by the U.S.  The U.S was prepared to subject
the people of Afghanistan to a horrible repressive fundamentalist
regime. The Soviet Union wanted to prevent such a thing.  Now although
the former SU acted I guess out of imperialism, we defend their actions
because, although Stalinism is horrilble, we think that the
fundamentalist actions towards woman and so forth are even worse.  We
have to support what the Afghan people had achieved.  We didn't want to
see what they had created destroyed, and the women repressed.  So,
although acknowledging the imperialism, we had to support the war for
the defense of the rights of equality in Afghanistan.
	I don't understand why you don't think the Albania revolution is a
proletarian revolution.  What do you call it when WORKERS, SOLDIERS, and
YOUTH stand up for the creation of a socialist society, in direct
struggle with the ruling class and capital?  The Albania revolution
should be looked at as inspiration for us all!
	I don't really know why, but there is a lot of Trotsky bashing that
goes on, a lot.  It's on this mailing list, Bob and I were bashed on
another project, and I'm not sure why.  We don't succumb to irrational
bashing and name calling, and before I thought it was petty and stupid
to name call and so on, but I've decided to defend Trotsky and
Trotskyism with all my might!!!!  I know there are different beleifs,
but us Trots always seem to get the most, the rudest, and the worst
opposition/insults/threats.
	I've been interested in Marxism for some time, well, about a year and
some, I'm only 18! but I came to Trotskyism on my accord, because it
makes sense, and I think it was/is the natural progression for
Leninism.  "For us Trotsky is Lenin" said James Cannon, there were no
differences between the two, well except for the TU debate, but
fundamentally they were unified.  I think if Lenin had lived, he would
have done and said the same things as Trotsky.  Maoism to me serves no
practical purpose, and I don't think is very *marxist* so to speak.  The
violence and oppositionism I see in Maoism, isn't very productive
(although irritating you guys come up with the best cut downs- always
good for a laugh)!  

P.S.- I was just out for a coffee with a friend and he was talking about
a book he had read on great people in history and their strange sexual
habits, and Mao was mentioned as one of the *kinky* and strangest ones. 
Has anyone else heard this?  I thought it was funny, and quite
interesting.
P.S.S- I'm curious about James Cannon, I know he eventually turned to
reformism, but when and how?  I have Socialism on Trial(very good book),
but I've never seen any other books by him or on him (although I know
there are a few).  Anyone care to discuss Cannon and his relation to
American Trotskyism?


Comradely

Rob


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