From: blunose-AT-interserv.com
Date: Mon, 4 Mar 1996 17:08:16 -0800
Subject: Note of Introduction(re: Stop this Madness)


I joined the l*st in January and I thought I should drop a note of introduction. 
I'm an office worker who dropped out of Graduate Political Science in 1988. I 
continue to read and learn as much as I can about Marx, history, class relations 
and revolution. I find this l*st is a great resource for my academic and 
activist/action interests. 

I am currently reading Gramsci and works about Gramsci. I will post some 
thoughts, summaries and questions about my reading when I get organized. 
(Working 9-5 and reading this l*st leaves little time for the preparation of 
text -- how do you do it?)

Reading this l*st is h*lping me hone my discipline for study. The debates on 
philosophy/theory/history clarify definitions and terms for me and h*lp me 
approach my reading with a critical awareness.

Moreover, my ultimate goal in reading, studying and searching the internet is to 
become an active participant in a party or group in which I can work in good 
conscience. Following some of the "so-called sectarian" debates on this l*st 
h*lps me look for a suitable outlet for that activist role.

I currently do some work with the Marxist Institute here in Toronto. This is an 
educational group which presents lectures and courses. I'll take this 
opportunity to ask subscribers to contact me if you know of speakers who might 
live in or visit Toronto.

To summarize, this l*st has been a gem of a find for me. To a worker who 
can't hang with academics or soak up student radicalism in person, it's a light 
of ideas, support, information and community at the end of the day . I feel I 
know so many of you and therefore I feel a little guilty for not letting you 
know me. I do plan to get more involved and contribute thoughtful posts. Many 
thanks to the people who do good work on this l*st. Please keep it up. Don't let 
the "wars" deter you. If you get fed up and take your discussion elsewhere, 
please let me know where you're going!

Elisa Gay Harley
Toronto, Ontario

PS--I wrote this post before reading Justin's uns*b message. I was going to try 
to stay out of l*st issues, but I can't avoid them now.

I want to emphasize how important it is for thoughtful people who want to 
discuss marx*sm and related ideas to continue to post. Remaining quiet will only 
leave the l*st to the "shouters". They are not going to be quiet because you 
will them to be while you wait off-line. I don't notice them interfering with 
most threads. They are flaming each other. I beg you to continue to post. Look 
at the good work emerging even in this last "very noisy" week (Kerala, Wm Blake, 
Cuba).

Of course, _I_ cannot stand on the sidelines and tell _you_ what to do. So, in 
spite of being intimidated by the level of experience, scholarship and downright 
good writing on this l*st, I will try to wade in too. But I'm hoping Lisa, 
_et_al_ will come back and you won't have "dumb ol' me" wasting band-width.



PPS-- I just read Louis' post about this issue and I couldn't agree more. Thank 
you.

[snip]
Louis:
>Therefore, we have to really take seriously the need to just IGNORE them. 
[snip]


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