File spoon-archives/marxism-international.archive/marxism-international_1997/97-02-27.135, message 39


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
>
>
>
>
>
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