Date: 29 Nov 95 03:21:36 EST
From: "Chris, London" <100423.2040-AT-compuserve.com>
Subject: UticaRose on socialism and liberalism


>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
From: UticaRose-AT-aol.com
Date: Tue, 28 Nov 1995 23:53:59 -0500
Subject: Re: Banning, Shunning and Self-appointed Leftists.

In a message dated 95-11-15 08:59:05 EST, Louis Proyect wrote:

> This list is just not a hospitable place for people who
>refuse to have a modicum of respect for other people's opinions.

<snip>

One thing which has always turned people off to the left has been the brittle
intolerance, the hauty phony intellectualism and the mistaking of caustic and
vicious personal attacks for political criticism. Fact is, socialism has been
a collosal failure during the past century. Fact is, socialists have been
very good at criticising others, very poor at taking a look in a mirror. Fact
is, garden variety liberals are often more practical, humane and successful.
Fact is, for all the carping about religion, much of the left has been almost
rabbinical in approach to 'sacred texts' and unable or unwilling to move
beyond a 19th century radical liberal social and secular programme.

<<<<<<<<


OK, so now you have stated your position more clearly, it is easier to 
understand where you come from. I was curious why, when you have commented on 
so many posts, you missed replying to my invitation to give us a name
to identify you by. Despite the feminine ending, I am now reliably informed that
Utica is more likely to be a city than your name.

This list has definite non-marxists on it who take part in and contribute to 
debates. It gets anti-marxist visitors from time to time. 
Considering that so I am also told, "liberal" is a stigmatised term in the USA
in the way "socialist" is in England, I see no reason why you should not 
explore common ground as well as clarify differences. For that, you need to 
stand your own ground firmly and quietly and I would suggest choose a limited
number of issues you will explore without appearing to be contemptuous of the 
other persons' opinions, whatever you may think in private.

What are you objectives in visiting this list, and how long do you want to stay?
It is your choice. Nobody can expel you.

Chris, London.


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