Date: Fri, 1 Mar 1996 22:01:13 -0500
From: Charlotte Kates <ckates-AT-mosquito.com>
Subject: Re: LENIN VS TROTSKYSTS ON STATE CAPITALISM!


        In the face of accusations that Adolfo Olaechea does not contribute
productively to the list, or request that party issues not be discussed, and
party statements not issued here, I must say this--Olaechea is a real
revolutionary. He wants to see socialism-in Peru, all over the world. This
obvious integrity and commitment comes through in his postings. Olaechea is
truly a communist, for what is a Marxist-Leninist, what is a revolutionary
who does not strive and fight for liberation in all ways? And the answer to
that must be--nothing, not a real revolutionary, not a Marxist-Leninist, not
a Communist. There are far too many of this type-standing to the sidelines
and condemning revolutionaries, investing in every bourgeois notion of
morality and justice and ignoring revolutionary movements. Olaechea is not
one of these; neither are the comrades of the PCP, of the New Flag, of my
party, the CPUSA and of many, many other groups.  We are all here, as
revoluionaries, to fight for socialism. Now, between ourselves there may be
some differences, however-- look at what the Fujimori government is doing to
the Peruvian people! You must agree that the PCP is at least a grand
improvement over Fujimori and that Comrade Gonzalo and the other political
prisoners must be freed, at the least. Around these issues we should unite,
to fight! We, as Marxist-Leninists must support the Peruvian revolution; the
people, the working class is there fighting for socialism. We cannot reject
that! 
       
         As for discusssion of "vanguard parties", I say yes, let us
discuss! There have always been many subjects on this list, and as leftists,
parties and organizations play an important role in our lives as activists.
Look at the number of us weho sign with our affilliations, the number of us
who see our Parties as great organizations in the struggle for liberation;
because our views conflict at times, this is not a reason to cut the
discussion. Life as an activist is not all so academic. It involves schism
and coalition, and we should not be afraid to put party issues out front,
where they belong, so there is not always an undercurrent of rivalry lurking
beneath the surface. Because the conflicts are there. So are the alliances.
And so is the learning that can be accomplished between and passed forth
from comrade to comrade. And this strength, as Marxist-Leninists, comes from
our ideology, our class, our people, our respective nations, and, yes, our
parties! Free discussion is the backbone of this list, the cornerstone, the
foundation. Without it, with only constricted, academic "discussion" for
what should be lively and productive debate and growth with comrades, we
have nothing in this list. The form remains, but the spirit is lost. It is
not only great disagreements that spring forth here, but also great alliances. 
Charlotte. 



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