Date: Tue, 15 Apr 1997 08:52:39 +0200
From: Hugh Rodwell <m-14970-AT-mailbox.swipnet.se>
Subject: Re: M-I: The united front against Buffalo


Louis P wrote:

>And what a stunning achievement on the part of the Buffaloes. They have
>inspired a united front against pretension and obnoxious sophomoric
>behavior that includes so far: Rodwell, Proyect, Malecki, Yoshie, Philion,
>Sprouse, Henwood, McLemee, Rosser and Levy.


Not quite. What they do is combine a double-plus ungood method (Stalinist
exclusivity, arrogance, paranoia and excommunication reflexes PLUS
Menshevik circle mentality) and a bad critical approach (warmed-over
Catholic Stalinism from Althusser with Pomo frills) and attitude (the
arrogance again) with absolutely no organic connection with the  working
class or even the smallest struggle for bourgeois democratic rights.
"Obnoxious sophomoric behaviour" has got nothing to do with it. Pretension
on the other hand, does -- they claim to be at the cutting edge, with
things to tell us, but they aren't, and don't.

The interesting thing really is why this phenomenon provokes *so much*
discussion here. My guess is that American Marxism for various reasons is
still very unsure of itself and easily taken in by charlatans -- just look
at the respect with which the charlatan Adolfo Olaeachea was treated for so
long. Perhaps the blanket rejection of the positions and attitude of the
Buffalo group is a sign that things are improving. Half of the condemnation
might just be due to the group's grab at certain metropolitan subscribers'
turf, however.

Anyhow, youngsters change. It's quite possible that the group can recognize
and work through some of the stuff they've been criticized for. If they are
serious about Marxism and developing a critique of current imperialist
ideology and its reflexes in the working class, they'll listen and learn
and come back with some real contributions. But first they'll have to make
some kind of link with the real problems of the working class today.

Cheers,

Hugh




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