Date: Wed, 26 Feb 1997 12:17:33 -0500 From: shmage-AT-pipeline.com (Shane Mage) Subject: Re: M-I: List-Lobotomising Zarembka Gary, I'm greatly disappointed at this coming from you. Don't you realize that this list is open to anyone *and* that anything on it can be reprinted and used to discredit Marxism? Don't you realize that the enemies of socialism do not have, and never will have, a better political weapon against socialism than the image--the truthful image--of Stalin? When you see the face of Stalin in a Moscow demonstration you may sympathize, we all may sympathize, with the desperation of the poor victim carrying it. But why don't you think politically for a moment and realize that it is *that* picture, and all the memories it evokes, that is solely responsible for the overwhelming reelection of Yeltsin by voters who loathe and despise him? For my part, I feel the deepest *emotional* revulsion at seeing stalinoid apologetics on a "Marxism" list. So I'm really grateful to Paul for posting such an interesting and valuable attempt at a Marxist analysis of the nature of the stalinist counterrevolution in the former USSR, and really contemptuous of the billingsgate offered in response by the foul-mouthed Mr. Jones. In any event, if you think historical analysis is merely a "Trotsky versus Stalin" brouhaha, I suggest you discuss two questions: Whether very many people on this list have a real understanding of the counterrevolutionary process that led from Lenin and Trotsky to Yeltsin and Gaidar? And what chance is there for a "Marxist" tendency to have any standing among honest and informed workers if it shows any more than zero tolerance for stalinism? Shane Mage >I have kept fairly silent on this but a comment is called for. I was hoping >that this latest breakout of Trotsky versus Stalin would pass over. But >there a few posters who seem to think it is their duty to go back over this >territory again and again. > >Why is it that the Trotskyists seem so devoid of humor or any respect for >other comrades on the list? > >Most of my political work is with anarchists so I am used to the endless >mantras about Kronstadt and Makhno etc. I have grown accustomed to the >dreary repitition of the crimes of Lenin etc. I have also grown accustomed >to the idea that the anarchist notion of a united front is to get a lot of >people into a room and abuse them for the destruction of the anarchist >militia in Spain! > >After the necessary homage has been paid to the Anarchist martyrs of the >evil Marxists generally things settle down and we can get something done. >True every so often a new anarchist turns up and then we have to go through >the whole ritual denunciation bit again. It's fair wearying of the soul I >can tell you. > >Surely at least on this list we could evolve an alternative political method >to one that prioritises the barren recitation of the crimes of one's, often >imaginary, opponent. We should try and return to the referential function >of language and say something about reality. The performative function of >language has truly earned a rest. > >I would also like to say that have always considered myself a Trotskyist in >the sense that Trotsky's writings are of *political* importance to me. But >I am getting sickened by this baiting of comrades because they have a >different attitude towards Stalin. > >Let me be clear here. When I read of Adolfo addressing a Stalin Club, that >is code for me for a group of people who are committed to the revolutionary >overthrow of capitalism. I do not read it as my anarchists friends do in >their delightfully undialectical way. I do not think that Adolfo is >addressing a group of people who planned Trotsky's murder. > >Similarly when I see Stalin's photo being carried in a demonstration in >today's Russia, I interpret that to mean that this person is opposed to the >vile treachery that is the politics of Russia today. I do not think that >here is a person who wants to refill the gulags. > >So could we *please* move on? Could the Trotskyists *please* refrain from >preaching at us about the need for a Mass party and all that catechism which >we learned so long ago? For example could Dave B. lead off again on New >Zealand? It is of the utmost importance for us here in Australia and he has >a lot to say. Could Hugh R. give us something on Sweden- It just has to be >a fascinating country with such a wide range of interesting Marxist >expatriates gathered there. Or what about England? The British election is >so very close. > >As for Comrade Zarembka he must try to believe us when we say that he has by >now made his point about the absolute evil of Stalin etc. He is not going >to change Mark's mind. He is simply going to drive the rest of us to >distraction. > >regards > >Gary > > > > > > --- from list marxism-international-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu --- --- from list marxism-international-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu ---
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