Date: Sun, 16 Mar 1997 12:44:02 -0500
From: Doug Henwood <dhenwood-AT-panix.com>
Subject: Re: M-I: Re: The Real Problem?


At 5:25 AM -0500 3/16/97, Gerald Levy wrote:

>Although it's true that egos can get intwined in political struggles, the
>current debates are not primarily about egos. Rather, they reflect deep
>political differences among listmembers.

In the specific manifestations on this list, I'd say the political
differences are more like symptoms of a psychopathology than they are about
real politics. Shrinks speak of a "secondary gain" from a neurosis or
psychosis. In this case - and this isn't addressed personally to Jerry by
any means - the "political" positions are clung to as proof of the
superiority of the holder of the position. Evidence, argument, and all the
other features of sophisticated political conversation are irrelevant.
That's why this all degenerates into flaming attacks and flaming
assertions. Questioning certain beliefs becomes an attack on the very
structure of a personality.

There was a time when the left attracted some of the sharpest minds in the
world, even if the capitalists and their apologists had all the resources.
Now the left attracts the mediocre and the insane. It's very very sad.


Doug

--

Doug Henwood
Left Business Observer
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email: <mailto:dhenwood-AT-panix.com>
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