From: "J.K.Marks" <J.K.Marks-AT-ibm.net>
Date: Fri, 16 Jan 1998 00:03:00 +0000
Subject: M-NEWS: left lists


  ==============================================          E-MAIL LISTS FOR BUILDING A DEMOCRATIC LEFT
        ==============================================
The following are descriptions of three e-mail lists dedicated to
bringing together activists around building a more unified left movement.

The lists include:

LEFT-L:  A general discussion of left issues
LEFT-ORG:  Discussions specifically about existing left organizations and
                coalitions
LEFTNEWS:  Low volume distribution of news of interest to left activists

To subscribe, send a message to:  listserv-AT-cmsa.berkeley.edu

In body of message, type:

sub <Listname>  FirstName LastName

i.e. sub Left-L  Joe Smith


More detail on each of the lists follows--

=========
        LEFT-L:  A DISCUSSION LIST FOR ACTIVISTS CONCERNED WITH
BUILDING A DEMOCRATIC LEFT IN THE UNITED STATES AND IN THE WORLD


        The Left List is an uncensored forum for the discussion of
building a broad democratic left in the United States and within the world
that can seek fundamental change in our economic and social system. It
seeks to create a common meeting ground for activists of all stripes who
are dedicated to the principles of building an economy and society
controlled by its workers and communities in a grassroots democratic
manner.  Through dialogue, debate and challenging one another, we can
address the challenges of the 1990s of building a new democratic left in
the post-Cold War period.

        The Left List will be a discussion forum dedicated to bringing
together activists organizing for fundamental social change and creating
a common meeting ground for electronic discussion, debate and
collaboration.  It is dedicated to those wishing to create a radical
alternative to capitalism, whether you call it socialism, sustainable
development, or radical democracy.

        To join the list, please send a note to:

        listserv-AT-cmsa.berkeley.edu

        Place the following command in the body of the message:

        subscribe left-l <your full name>


        You will then be a member of the Left List and send messages for
redistribution to the following address:

        left-l-AT-cmsa.berkeley.edu


        Please make your first post an introduction of yourself, the
kinds of activism you are engaged in and a general sense of what you
think we need to build a democratic left.  Put the words:  INTRO: <your
name> in the Subject header.

        To leave the list just send a message to listserv-AT-cmsa.berkeley.edu:

        signoff left-l


========================

        LEFT-ORG: A DISCUSSION LIST ABOUT ORGANIZATIONS WORKING TO
    BUILD A DEMOCRATIC LEFT IN THE UNITED STATES AND IN THE WORLD
        -- A Companion List to LEFT-L, the Left List


        The Left Organization list (Left-Org) is a discussion forum
dedicated to facilitating discussion about the organizations involved in
building a democratic society and economy.  Associated with the general
Left List, it is dedicated to those wishing to create a radical
alternative to capitalism, whether you call it socialism, sustainable
development, or radical democracy.  This list is moderated more strongly
than the Left List (although no individual messages are censored).  The
goal is to have a focused discussion and exchange of information about the
variety of left organizations and efforts to create greater unity between
them.  As well, we will discuss the activities of left activists within
organizations such as civil rights, environmental or labor organizations.

        The main functions of the list are: to exchange information on
the activities of organizations people are involved in, discuss the
limits and opportunities for unifying democratic left groups, and debate
the process and actions activists need to take in those organizations to
bring about the fundamental change needed to achieve their goals.  While
organizations are the product of theoretical disagreements over strategy,
tactics and values, abstract theoretical discussion not grounded in
the experience of specific organizations presently in existence is not
welcome on LEFT-ORG.  Rather, any theoretical discussion should spring
from analysis of day-to-day practical activity and debate within
democratic left organizations.


        To join the list, please send a note to:

        listserv-AT-cmsa.berkeley.edu

        Place the following command in the body of the message:

        subscribe left-org <your full name>

        i.e. subscribe left-org  Nathan Newman

        You will then be a member of the Left List and send messages for
redistribution to the following address:

        left-org-AT-cmsa.berkeley.edu


        Please make your first post an introduction of yourself, the
main organizations you are involved in, and, if you are up to it, what
are the main organizations active in your geographic region.  Put the
words:  INTRO: <your name> in the Subject header.

        To leave the list just send a message to listserv-AT-cmsa.berkeley.edu:

        signoff left-org


=============

                        LEFT NEWS-
    An Edited List of News Items of Interest to the Democratic Left
        -- A Companion List to LEFT-L and LEFT-ORG


        LEFT NEWS is an edited list that distributes electronic posts of
news and files of interest to democratic left activists.  The list will
aim to have a reasonable volume of high quality posts, carefully selected
by the list manager and associated editors.  So far the volume has
averaged roughly 5-6 posts per day, carefully selecting the most
interesting left news on the net for redistribution.

        Associated with the general Left List, it is dedicated to those
wishing to create a radical alternative to capitalism, whether you call it
socialism, sustainable development, or radical democracy.

        To join the list, please send a note to:

        listserv-AT-cmsa.berkeley.edu


        Place the following command in the body of the message:

        subscribe leftnews <your full name>

        i.e. subscribe leftnews  Nathan Newman


        You will then be a member of the Left List and receive all messages.
If you wish to send a news item to the list, send the messages for
redistribution to the following address:

        leftnews-AT-cmsa.berkeley.edu

The list manager will check for relevancy and forward on the post if it
is a news item or a general interest news analysis.  Otherwise, it will
be forwarded to LEFT-L if that is the more appropriate distribution list.

        To leave the list just send a message to listserv-AT-cmsa.berkeley.edu:

        signoff leftnews


If you regularly receive news reports in electronic form and would like
to apply for direct "send" abilities to the list, send a message to:

    leftnews-owner-AT-cmsa.berkeley.edu

State the kinds of news items you would like to post and the likely volume.


          
                J.K.Marks
              jkmarks-AT-ibm.net