Click on the title to link to a "Workers Vanguard", newspaper of the Spartacist League/U.S, article on the subject mentioned in the headline.
Showing posts with label opposition to an iranian war. Show all posts
Showing posts with label opposition to an iranian war. Show all posts
Friday, February 03, 2017
Thursday, September 30, 2010
*All Out On October 2nd To End The Afghan And Iraq Wars And Struggle For Economic And Social Justice
Click on the headline to link to the Majority Agenda Report website for information on the aims of sponsors of the One Nation October 2, 2010 March and Rally in Washington, D.C.
Markin comment:
I have already argued in previous entries about the continuing importance of massing in Washington, D.C. on October 2nd for this event. (See, On The Question Of Organizing Anti-War Contingents For The October 2, 2010 "One Nation" Demonstrations In Washington, D.C., originally dated September 7, 2010.) Bring your own slogans and banners, but be there to really start building the long-delayed and needed divorce from one Barack Obama who has been given a pass on war issues- for no known rational reason. We anti-war militants knew, because he made it clear from the beginning what his priorities were in 2008, and he rubbed our noses in it last year. Now we need to get our priorities clear along with all the other issues. Obama- Troops Out Now!
Markin comment:
I have already argued in previous entries about the continuing importance of massing in Washington, D.C. on October 2nd for this event. (See, On The Question Of Organizing Anti-War Contingents For The October 2, 2010 "One Nation" Demonstrations In Washington, D.C., originally dated September 7, 2010.) Bring your own slogans and banners, but be there to really start building the long-delayed and needed divorce from one Barack Obama who has been given a pass on war issues- for no known rational reason. We anti-war militants knew, because he made it clear from the beginning what his priorities were in 2008, and he rubbed our noses in it last year. Now we need to get our priorities clear along with all the other issues. Obama- Troops Out Now!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
*All Out On October 2nd To End The Afghan And Iraq Wars And Struggle For Economic And Social Justice
Click on the headline to link to the Majority Agenda Report website for information on the aims of sponsors of the One Nation October 2, 2010 March and Rally in Washington, D.C.
Markin comment:
I have already argued in previous entries about the continuing importance of massing in Washington, D.C. on October 2nd for this event. (See, On The Question Of Organizing Anti-War Contingents For The October 2, 2010 "One Nation" Demonstrations In Washington, D.C., originally dated September 7, 2010.) Bring your own slogans and banners, but be there to really start building the long-delayed and needed divorce from one Barack Obama who has been given a pass on war issues- for no known rational reason. We anti-war militants knew, because he made it clear from the beginning what his priorities were in 2008, and he rubbed our noses in it last year. Now we need to get our priorities clear along with all the other issues. Obama- Troops Out Now!
Markin comment:
I have already argued in previous entries about the continuing importance of massing in Washington, D.C. on October 2nd for this event. (See, On The Question Of Organizing Anti-War Contingents For The October 2, 2010 "One Nation" Demonstrations In Washington, D.C., originally dated September 7, 2010.) Bring your own slogans and banners, but be there to really start building the long-delayed and needed divorce from one Barack Obama who has been given a pass on war issues- for no known rational reason. We anti-war militants knew, because he made it clear from the beginning what his priorities were in 2008, and he rubbed our noses in it last year. Now we need to get our priorities clear along with all the other issues. Obama- Troops Out Now!
Sunday, September 26, 2010
*All Out On October 2nd To End The Afghan And Iraq Wars And Struggle For Economic And Social Justice
Click on the headline to link to the Majority Agenda Report website for information on the aims of sponsors of the One Nation October 2, 2010 March and Rally in Washington, D.C.
Markin comment:
I have already argued in previous entries about the continuing importance of massing in Washington, D.C. on October 2nd for this event. (See, On The Question Of Organizing Anti-War Contingents For The October 2, 2010 "One Nation" Demonstrations In Washington, D.C., originally dated September 7, 2010.) Bring your own slogans and banners, but be there to really start building the long-delayed and needed divorce from one Barack Obama who has been given a pass on war issues- for no known rational reason. We anti-war militants knew, because he made it clear from the beginning what his priorities were in 2008, and he rubbed our noses in it last year. Now we need to get our priorities clear along with all the other issues. Obama- Troops Out Now!
Markin comment:
I have already argued in previous entries about the continuing importance of massing in Washington, D.C. on October 2nd for this event. (See, On The Question Of Organizing Anti-War Contingents For The October 2, 2010 "One Nation" Demonstrations In Washington, D.C., originally dated September 7, 2010.) Bring your own slogans and banners, but be there to really start building the long-delayed and needed divorce from one Barack Obama who has been given a pass on war issues- for no known rational reason. We anti-war militants knew, because he made it clear from the beginning what his priorities were in 2008, and he rubbed our noses in it last year. Now we need to get our priorities clear along with all the other issues. Obama- Troops Out Now!
Friday, September 24, 2010
*All Out On October 2nd To End The Afghan And Iraq Wars And Struggle For Economic And Social Justice
Click on the headline to link to the Majority Agenda Report website for information on the aims of sponsors of the One Nation October 2, 2010 March and Rally in Washington, D.C.
Markin comment:
I have already argued in previous entries about the continuing importance of massing in Washington, D.C. on October 2nd for this event. (See, On The Question Of Organizing Anti-War Contingents For The October 2, 2010 "One Nation" Demonstrations In Washington, D.C., originally dated September 7, 2010.) Bring your own slogans and banners, but be there to really start building the long-delayed and needed divorce from one Barack Obama who has been given a pass on war issues- for no known rational reason. We anti-war militants knew, because he made it clear from the beginning what his priorities were in 2008, and he rubbed our noses in it last year. Now we need to get our priorities clear along with all the other issues. Obama- Troops Out Now!
Markin comment:
I have already argued in previous entries about the continuing importance of massing in Washington, D.C. on October 2nd for this event. (See, On The Question Of Organizing Anti-War Contingents For The October 2, 2010 "One Nation" Demonstrations In Washington, D.C., originally dated September 7, 2010.) Bring your own slogans and banners, but be there to really start building the long-delayed and needed divorce from one Barack Obama who has been given a pass on war issues- for no known rational reason. We anti-war militants knew, because he made it clear from the beginning what his priorities were in 2008, and he rubbed our noses in it last year. Now we need to get our priorities clear along with all the other issues. Obama- Troops Out Now!
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
*All Out On October 2nd To End The Afghan And Iraq Wars And Struggle For Economic And Social Justice
Click on the headline to link to the Majority Agenda Report website for information on the aims of sponsors of the One Nation October 2, 2010 March and Rally in Washington, D.C.
Markin comment:
I have already argued in previous entries about the continuing importance of massing in Washington, D.C. on October 2nd for this event. (See, On The Question Of Organizing Anti-War Contingents For The October 2, 2010 "One Nation" Demonstrations In Washington, D.C., originally dated September 7, 2010.) Bring your own slogans and banners, but be there to really start building the long-delayed and needed divorce from one Barack Obama who has been given a pass on war issues- for no known rational reason. We anti-war militants knew, because he made it clear from the beginning what his priorities were in 2008, and he rubbed our noses in it last year. Now we need to get our priorities clear along with all the other issues. Obama- Troops Out Now!
Markin comment:
I have already argued in previous entries about the continuing importance of massing in Washington, D.C. on October 2nd for this event. (See, On The Question Of Organizing Anti-War Contingents For The October 2, 2010 "One Nation" Demonstrations In Washington, D.C., originally dated September 7, 2010.) Bring your own slogans and banners, but be there to really start building the long-delayed and needed divorce from one Barack Obama who has been given a pass on war issues- for no known rational reason. We anti-war militants knew, because he made it clear from the beginning what his priorities were in 2008, and he rubbed our noses in it last year. Now we need to get our priorities clear along with all the other issues. Obama- Troops Out Now!
Monday, September 20, 2010
*All Out On October 2nd To End The Afghan And Iraq Wars And Struggle For Economic And Social Justice
Click on the headline to link to the Majority Agenda Report website for information on the aims of sponsors of the One Nation October 2, 2010 March and Rally in Washington, D.C.
Markin comment:
I have already argued in previous entries about the continuing importance of massing in Washington, D.C. on October 2nd for this event. (See, On The Question Of Organizing Anti-War Contingents For The October 2, 2010 "One Nation" Demonstrations In Washington, D.C., originally dated September 7, 2010.) Bring your own slogans and banners, but be there to really start building the long-delayed and needed divorce from one Barack Obama who has been given a pass on war issues- for no known rational reason. We anti-war militants knew, because he made it clear from the beginning what his priorities were in 2008, and he rubbed our noses in it last year. Now we need to get our priorities clear along with all the other issues. Obama- Troops Out Now!
Markin comment:
I have already argued in previous entries about the continuing importance of massing in Washington, D.C. on October 2nd for this event. (See, On The Question Of Organizing Anti-War Contingents For The October 2, 2010 "One Nation" Demonstrations In Washington, D.C., originally dated September 7, 2010.) Bring your own slogans and banners, but be there to really start building the long-delayed and needed divorce from one Barack Obama who has been given a pass on war issues- for no known rational reason. We anti-war militants knew, because he made it clear from the beginning what his priorities were in 2008, and he rubbed our noses in it last year. Now we need to get our priorities clear along with all the other issues. Obama- Troops Out Now!
Saturday, August 21, 2010
*From The Rag Blog- The Looming Spectre Of A Strike On Iran- A Guest Commentary
Click on the headline to link to a The Rag Blog entry- The Looming Spectre Of A Strike On Iran- A Guest Commentary
Markin comment:
Hand Off Iran!
Below is a re-post of a commentary on Iran from a couple of years ago but still contains the key anti-imperialist points that need to be made as the United States and its allies (particularly Israel on this one) gear up their provocations.
************
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Hands Off Iran!
Commentary
U.S. Out Of Iraq And Afghanistan Now! Hands Off Iran!
Correct me if I am wrong but I smell gunpowder in the air these days and it is not clear who is getting ready to ignite the fuse. No, I am not talking about any old wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Hell, those efforts are old hat and, according to the putative Republican presidential candidate John McCain , at least in Iraq, will last about 100 years-so it is way too early to even worry about ending that little beauty. I assume by his lights we are to let our great- grandchildren end it. Moreover, President Bush is playing the eternal optimist on Iraq, a role that he has perfected to a tee in his disastrous presidency, by being authoritatively reported as saying that it would only take forty years to straighten out things there. His scenario would permit our grandchildren to conclude the war. Again, that is music for the future. Nothing to get nervous about now, right? What exercises me today though is that little recent buildup of talk pointing toward some off-the-wall adventure aimed at Iran either by American imperialism itself or, I believe, more probably by air strikes from the American surrogate in the area, Israel.
I have been harping on Iran, off and on, for a couple of years now ever since reading Seymour Hersh’s informative April 2006 article in the New Yorker (and later additions and updates to the core of that argument by Hersh and others). Nothing since that time has led me to believe that the White House, the American military or Israel has given up the dream of smashing Iran’s future capacities to develop nuclear weapons. Capacities, by the way, even some hostile conservative critics have recognized that Iran needs in order to defend itself in an increasingly hostile world, especially as it remains in the cross hairs of American imperialism.
Certainly it was not the little ‘diplomatic’ maneuver over the weekend of July 19th where a high ranking American diplomat actually sat in on the six nation talks, despite previous American disdain for such efforts, on the question of what the international response to Iran’s alleged nuclear buildup should be. And certainly it was not any rhetoric on the part of the cowboys who control the inner sanctum in Washington about trying to find non-lethal ways to curb Iran. The minute they start with that talk in Washington, hold onto your wallets- you are about to be fleeced.
The events of the past several weeks have brought my concerns into some focus. Israel’s air strikes against a target in Syria, the American drumbeat campaign to denigrate any finding that Iran is not within striking distance of being capable of making at least one nuclear bomb and, of course, the defiant, if comical, attempt of Iran to saber rattle with the testing of short-range missiles. Six months, for a Bush Administration that has nothing to lose, is a long time in politics, a long time to prepare and launch surgical attacks and a long time to create an American ‘public opinion’ committed to nipping Iran’s buildup in the bud. Every militant leftist in the world, while holding his or her nose at the political regime in Tehran, better prepare now to defend Iran’s right to have nuclear weapons in this crazy old world. That said, we better dust off those old posters- U.S. Hands Off Iran- And Keep Them Off!
Markin comment:
Hand Off Iran!
Below is a re-post of a commentary on Iran from a couple of years ago but still contains the key anti-imperialist points that need to be made as the United States and its allies (particularly Israel on this one) gear up their provocations.
************
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Hands Off Iran!
Commentary
U.S. Out Of Iraq And Afghanistan Now! Hands Off Iran!
Correct me if I am wrong but I smell gunpowder in the air these days and it is not clear who is getting ready to ignite the fuse. No, I am not talking about any old wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Hell, those efforts are old hat and, according to the putative Republican presidential candidate John McCain , at least in Iraq, will last about 100 years-so it is way too early to even worry about ending that little beauty. I assume by his lights we are to let our great- grandchildren end it. Moreover, President Bush is playing the eternal optimist on Iraq, a role that he has perfected to a tee in his disastrous presidency, by being authoritatively reported as saying that it would only take forty years to straighten out things there. His scenario would permit our grandchildren to conclude the war. Again, that is music for the future. Nothing to get nervous about now, right? What exercises me today though is that little recent buildup of talk pointing toward some off-the-wall adventure aimed at Iran either by American imperialism itself or, I believe, more probably by air strikes from the American surrogate in the area, Israel.
I have been harping on Iran, off and on, for a couple of years now ever since reading Seymour Hersh’s informative April 2006 article in the New Yorker (and later additions and updates to the core of that argument by Hersh and others). Nothing since that time has led me to believe that the White House, the American military or Israel has given up the dream of smashing Iran’s future capacities to develop nuclear weapons. Capacities, by the way, even some hostile conservative critics have recognized that Iran needs in order to defend itself in an increasingly hostile world, especially as it remains in the cross hairs of American imperialism.
Certainly it was not the little ‘diplomatic’ maneuver over the weekend of July 19th where a high ranking American diplomat actually sat in on the six nation talks, despite previous American disdain for such efforts, on the question of what the international response to Iran’s alleged nuclear buildup should be. And certainly it was not any rhetoric on the part of the cowboys who control the inner sanctum in Washington about trying to find non-lethal ways to curb Iran. The minute they start with that talk in Washington, hold onto your wallets- you are about to be fleeced.
The events of the past several weeks have brought my concerns into some focus. Israel’s air strikes against a target in Syria, the American drumbeat campaign to denigrate any finding that Iran is not within striking distance of being capable of making at least one nuclear bomb and, of course, the defiant, if comical, attempt of Iran to saber rattle with the testing of short-range missiles. Six months, for a Bush Administration that has nothing to lose, is a long time in politics, a long time to prepare and launch surgical attacks and a long time to create an American ‘public opinion’ committed to nipping Iran’s buildup in the bud. Every militant leftist in the world, while holding his or her nose at the political regime in Tehran, better prepare now to defend Iran’s right to have nuclear weapons in this crazy old world. That said, we better dust off those old posters- U.S. Hands Off Iran- And Keep Them Off!
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
*Hey, Even “Non-Professional Leftist” Senator John Kerry Gets It On Afghanistan, Kinda
Click on the headline to link to a National Public Radio report on Senator John Kerry's meeting with Afghan President Karzai.
Markin comment:
Of course part of the headline to this entry refers to the “tempest in a teapot” comment by White House publicity flak, Robert Gibbs, concerning the “unfair” heat that the “professional left” (whatever that is in his universe) has been giving his boss over little things like the almost total abandonment of anything a progressive could stand for, including that nasty little over-the-top dramatic escalation in Afghanistan last year that has Obama’s signature all over it. The other part refers to recent news (see linked post) that Senate Foreign Relations Committee czar, Senator John Kerry, is starting to get “queasy” over the quicksand situation in Afghanistan and has sat down with Afghan puppet Karzai to give him the “skinny”-shape up, or we (the U.S. government) will ship out, maybe.
Now no one would ever, at least since the minute that he got before the cameras in 1971 at the Senate hearings on Vietnam, accuse old Senator Kerry of being a “professional leftist”, a thorn in anyone’s side. Not at least to the Obama’s administration where he provided key support for the December 2009 troop escalation strategy. But, I will take the Senator's word as good coin TODAY (I will not, nor should you, speculate on tomorrow) about getting out and give him the slogan to fight around (when he is ready, of course) Obama-Immediate, Unconditional Withdrawal Of All U.S. / Allied Troops And Mercenaries From Afghanistan!
Markin comment:
Of course part of the headline to this entry refers to the “tempest in a teapot” comment by White House publicity flak, Robert Gibbs, concerning the “unfair” heat that the “professional left” (whatever that is in his universe) has been giving his boss over little things like the almost total abandonment of anything a progressive could stand for, including that nasty little over-the-top dramatic escalation in Afghanistan last year that has Obama’s signature all over it. The other part refers to recent news (see linked post) that Senate Foreign Relations Committee czar, Senator John Kerry, is starting to get “queasy” over the quicksand situation in Afghanistan and has sat down with Afghan puppet Karzai to give him the “skinny”-shape up, or we (the U.S. government) will ship out, maybe.
Now no one would ever, at least since the minute that he got before the cameras in 1971 at the Senate hearings on Vietnam, accuse old Senator Kerry of being a “professional leftist”, a thorn in anyone’s side. Not at least to the Obama’s administration where he provided key support for the December 2009 troop escalation strategy. But, I will take the Senator's word as good coin TODAY (I will not, nor should you, speculate on tomorrow) about getting out and give him the slogan to fight around (when he is ready, of course) Obama-Immediate, Unconditional Withdrawal Of All U.S. / Allied Troops And Mercenaries From Afghanistan!
Saturday, August 07, 2010
*From Renegade Eye- On Afghanistan- A Guest Commentary
Click on the headline to link to an analysis form the In Defense Of Marxismwebsite (via Renegade Eye blog)on the current situation in Afghanistan.
Markin comment:
I would add here since the point was not made directly in the article- Obama,(and Cameron)- Immediate, Unconditional Withdrawal Of All U.S./British/ Allied Troops and Mercenaries From Afghanistan (and Iraq)!
Markin comment:
I would add here since the point was not made directly in the article- Obama,(and Cameron)- Immediate, Unconditional Withdrawal Of All U.S./British/ Allied Troops and Mercenaries From Afghanistan (and Iraq)!
Monday, August 02, 2010
*From The Wilds Of Cyberspace-The Latest From The "End Us War. Org." Website-Troops Out Of Iraq And Afghanistan Now!
Click on the title to link to the website mentioned in the headline for the latest news and opinion from that site.
Markin comment:
I think that we need to "speak" a little more Bolshevik on this issue than what is offered here by this group but at this point in the anti-war struggle every point of opposition accrues to our benefit. Obama-Immediate, Unconditional Withdrawal From Afghanistan and Iraq!
Friday, July 30, 2010
House approves $37 billion war-funding bill, 308-114.
War Is A Crime: SIGN THE END US WARS PLEDGE!
Please add your name and district by writing to sign [at] enduswars.org to be published on the Pledge page.
For All Voters:
I will actively oppose any candidate who has, during the current 111th Congress (2009-2011), voted for (or otherwise facilitated) appropriations to fund the criminal and illegal US military adventures in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia, or Georgia; for kidnappings, assassinations, and other acts of war carried out by the US government on foreign territory; or for any bill or measure intended to support military actions and/or covert operations against Iran. I will make every effort to identify, recruit, fund, publicize, and support anti-war candidates of any party whatsoever. To earn my support, these candidates must pledge in public and in writing that they will vote and speak out against, and oppose by all available means any bill which includes funding for the policies and acts of aggression enumerated above.
For All Congressional Candidates:
I hereby pledge that if elected I will vote, speak out against, and oppose by all available means any bill which includes funding for all policies and acts of aggression including the criminal and illegal US military adventures in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia, or Georgia; for kidnappings, assassinations, and other acts of war carried out by the US government on foreign territory; or for any bill or measure intended to support military actions and/or covert operations against Iran.
Markin comment:
I think that we need to "speak" a little more Bolshevik on this issue than what is offered here by this group but at this point in the anti-war struggle every point of opposition accrues to our benefit. Obama-Immediate, Unconditional Withdrawal From Afghanistan and Iraq!
Friday, July 30, 2010
House approves $37 billion war-funding bill, 308-114.
War Is A Crime: SIGN THE END US WARS PLEDGE!
Please add your name and district by writing to sign [at] enduswars.org to be published on the Pledge page.
For All Voters:
I will actively oppose any candidate who has, during the current 111th Congress (2009-2011), voted for (or otherwise facilitated) appropriations to fund the criminal and illegal US military adventures in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia, or Georgia; for kidnappings, assassinations, and other acts of war carried out by the US government on foreign territory; or for any bill or measure intended to support military actions and/or covert operations against Iran. I will make every effort to identify, recruit, fund, publicize, and support anti-war candidates of any party whatsoever. To earn my support, these candidates must pledge in public and in writing that they will vote and speak out against, and oppose by all available means any bill which includes funding for the policies and acts of aggression enumerated above.
For All Congressional Candidates:
I hereby pledge that if elected I will vote, speak out against, and oppose by all available means any bill which includes funding for all policies and acts of aggression including the criminal and illegal US military adventures in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia, or Georgia; for kidnappings, assassinations, and other acts of war carried out by the US government on foreign territory; or for any bill or measure intended to support military actions and/or covert operations against Iran.
Monday, June 21, 2010
*From The "International Marxist Tendency" Website- "Where Is The Iranian Revolution Going?"-A Guest Commentray
Click on the headline to link to the "International Marxist Tendency" Website- "Where Is The Iranian Revolution Going?"
Markin comment:
No sooner had I posted a resignation statement (posted from the "Workers' Press" blog), complete with a blow-by-blow international analysis of the failings of the organization, including the split in the Iran section and here is a polemic by IMT honcho Alan Wood directed at those "former" Iranian comrades. With a classic amorphous "ebb and flow of the class struggle" defense of why his analysis of last year's upheavals as the start of the Iranian revolution was a tad bit off. More later, as I have to start paying more attention to this organization.
Markin comment:
No sooner had I posted a resignation statement (posted from the "Workers' Press" blog), complete with a blow-by-blow international analysis of the failings of the organization, including the split in the Iran section and here is a polemic by IMT honcho Alan Wood directed at those "former" Iranian comrades. With a classic amorphous "ebb and flow of the class struggle" defense of why his analysis of last year's upheavals as the start of the Iranian revolution was a tad bit off. More later, as I have to start paying more attention to this organization.
Monday, May 31, 2010
*From The "Renegade Eye" Blog-Iran: On the character of the present lull and the tasks of the Marxists- A Guest Commentary
Click on the headline to link to a "Renegade Eye" entry- "Iran: On the character of the present lull and the tasks of the Marxists"- A Guest Commentary From The IMT.
Markin comment:
Very interesting to draw the analogy with Spain on the question of Trotsky's theory of Permanent Revolution. However, the two obvious weakness in the article are the lack of analysis of the relationship between the events today and those in 1979 by the left in Iran (and internationally) for and their responsibility for the "lull" (lack of revolutionary party and leadership). Nor do I see any serious criticism of the current movement's still rather heavy subservience to "moderate" Islamic fundamentalist forces. You have to make the break sometime. And that sometime is now if you want to coalesce a Marxist cadre. This Green (not the eco-green although the same proposition is true on both counts) and Red do not mix. As thousands of leftists in Iran have learned the hard way- with their lives.
Markin comment:
Very interesting to draw the analogy with Spain on the question of Trotsky's theory of Permanent Revolution. However, the two obvious weakness in the article are the lack of analysis of the relationship between the events today and those in 1979 by the left in Iran (and internationally) for and their responsibility for the "lull" (lack of revolutionary party and leadership). Nor do I see any serious criticism of the current movement's still rather heavy subservience to "moderate" Islamic fundamentalist forces. You have to make the break sometime. And that sometime is now if you want to coalesce a Marxist cadre. This Green (not the eco-green although the same proposition is true on both counts) and Red do not mix. As thousands of leftists in Iran have learned the hard way- with their lives.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
*From The Renegade Eye Blog-Iran: We Will Take Revenge for Farzad and His Comrades!
Click on the headline to link to a "Renegade Eye" Blog entry-Iran: We Will Take Revenge for Farzad and His Comrades!
Markin comment:
Every militant leftist fighter stands behind this commentary, whatever our other poltical differences.
Markin comment:
Every militant leftist fighter stands behind this commentary, whatever our other poltical differences.
Thursday, April 08, 2010
*UJP's Protest Of President Obama's Afghan War Policy In Boston On April 1st-Troops Out Now
Click on the headline to link to the "United For Justice With Peace" Website for a posting on their anti-Afghan war demonstration against President Barack Obama when he came to Boston in order to raise funds for the Democratic National Committee.
Markin comment:
The stars are not in alignment these days. At least not in alignment in our favor, for those of us who have opposed President Obama, his governance of the American imperial state and , particularly, his Iraq and Afghan war policies from the left. No question that Obama is riding “high” after a few well-published victories for his domestic policies (the truly ugly and poorly thought-out, even by bourgeois standards, health care package that just passed Congress) and an appearance of doing something in foreign policy by taking a “red-eye express” flight to Afghanistan to lay down the law to the “Mayor of Kabul”, the current squirming American puppet, Karzai.
In light of that flourish Obama has deemed it safe to run around the country raising huge sums of cash for his political party. Part of that effort brought him to Boston on April 1st. (No sophomoric jokes necessary here. Moreover, in Obama we are not dealing with a fool like the last guy, uh, Bush, who ran the ship of imperial state into the ground but rather a very capable agent of that state.) In response the local chapter of the United For Justice With Peace Coalition (UJP) sponsored a protest centered on Afghanistan to greet him. And that is the reason that I say for us today that the stars are not aligned.
No question that Obama, for a myriad of reasons, has gotten a free pass, except for the crazies on the right and their front, “The Tea Party Express”, from the general populace. More importantly, he has gotten a free pass on the Afghan question and not just from the general populace but, apparently for now, a fair share of the left. At least, that part of the left that we are interested in making anti-war, anti-imperialist, anti-capitalist fighters. I offer the response to the UJP demonstration call and who came to the protest as prima facie evidence for that comment.
As the linked post above graphically demonstrates few people (about 100) showed up and those who did had, frankly, a “more in sorrow than anger” perspective in confronting the Democratic Party bigwigs who showed up to rub shoulders with their President. The core of the protest was led by Raging Grannies and Code Pink activists. Now, before I am tarred and feathered, and rightly so for making sport of the efforts of my fellow AARPers and their allies to “bring the war home” let me say that I have worked, of necessity, with these kind of groups all my political life. And where we can agree on an issue, like Afghanistan withdrawal, if not the strategy to accomplish that, I am more that willing to “united front” with them. My point here is rather why, in 2010, are raging grannies, raging mid-life protesters, raging pacifists of all ages standing almost alone along side the remnants of the anti-imperialist left that was so vociferous earlier in the decade. This local configuration reflects the same phenomena that was witnessed in the Washington March 20th anti-war demonstration.
Something is indeed out of alignment when grey hair, grey beards, granny shoes (for real), granny glasses and all the other impedimenta of old age greatly outnumber the single idealist young student, the young working class parents worried about the future of the planet for their kids, and blacks and other minorities who have been beaten down, and beaten down hard in this decade. With no relief in sight. Obviously we continue to organize as best we can but I believe, at least I believe today, that all this “apathy” in the face of serious social destruction here, and internationally, among the young cannot be simply reduced to changes in lifestyle, changing technology, and changes in the way that youth connect socially. I mentioned at one time in a earlier post that I thought, as a rule, the youth that I run into today have no grand dreams, no grand schemes like those that drove my generation in our youth, but try to get by day to day as best they can. I also mentioned that I was perfectly willing to be corrected on that score. And I still am. But in the meantime- Obama- Immediate, Unconditional Withdrawal Of All U.S./Allied Troops From Iraq And Afghanistan!
Markin comment:
The stars are not in alignment these days. At least not in alignment in our favor, for those of us who have opposed President Obama, his governance of the American imperial state and , particularly, his Iraq and Afghan war policies from the left. No question that Obama is riding “high” after a few well-published victories for his domestic policies (the truly ugly and poorly thought-out, even by bourgeois standards, health care package that just passed Congress) and an appearance of doing something in foreign policy by taking a “red-eye express” flight to Afghanistan to lay down the law to the “Mayor of Kabul”, the current squirming American puppet, Karzai.
In light of that flourish Obama has deemed it safe to run around the country raising huge sums of cash for his political party. Part of that effort brought him to Boston on April 1st. (No sophomoric jokes necessary here. Moreover, in Obama we are not dealing with a fool like the last guy, uh, Bush, who ran the ship of imperial state into the ground but rather a very capable agent of that state.) In response the local chapter of the United For Justice With Peace Coalition (UJP) sponsored a protest centered on Afghanistan to greet him. And that is the reason that I say for us today that the stars are not aligned.
No question that Obama, for a myriad of reasons, has gotten a free pass, except for the crazies on the right and their front, “The Tea Party Express”, from the general populace. More importantly, he has gotten a free pass on the Afghan question and not just from the general populace but, apparently for now, a fair share of the left. At least, that part of the left that we are interested in making anti-war, anti-imperialist, anti-capitalist fighters. I offer the response to the UJP demonstration call and who came to the protest as prima facie evidence for that comment.
As the linked post above graphically demonstrates few people (about 100) showed up and those who did had, frankly, a “more in sorrow than anger” perspective in confronting the Democratic Party bigwigs who showed up to rub shoulders with their President. The core of the protest was led by Raging Grannies and Code Pink activists. Now, before I am tarred and feathered, and rightly so for making sport of the efforts of my fellow AARPers and their allies to “bring the war home” let me say that I have worked, of necessity, with these kind of groups all my political life. And where we can agree on an issue, like Afghanistan withdrawal, if not the strategy to accomplish that, I am more that willing to “united front” with them. My point here is rather why, in 2010, are raging grannies, raging mid-life protesters, raging pacifists of all ages standing almost alone along side the remnants of the anti-imperialist left that was so vociferous earlier in the decade. This local configuration reflects the same phenomena that was witnessed in the Washington March 20th anti-war demonstration.
Something is indeed out of alignment when grey hair, grey beards, granny shoes (for real), granny glasses and all the other impedimenta of old age greatly outnumber the single idealist young student, the young working class parents worried about the future of the planet for their kids, and blacks and other minorities who have been beaten down, and beaten down hard in this decade. With no relief in sight. Obviously we continue to organize as best we can but I believe, at least I believe today, that all this “apathy” in the face of serious social destruction here, and internationally, among the young cannot be simply reduced to changes in lifestyle, changing technology, and changes in the way that youth connect socially. I mentioned at one time in a earlier post that I thought, as a rule, the youth that I run into today have no grand dreams, no grand schemes like those that drove my generation in our youth, but try to get by day to day as best they can. I also mentioned that I was perfectly willing to be corrected on that score. And I still am. But in the meantime- Obama- Immediate, Unconditional Withdrawal Of All U.S./Allied Troops From Iraq And Afghanistan!
Monday, March 22, 2010
*The March 20th 2010 Anti-War Rally in Washington- The Bourgeois View From "The New York Times"
Click on the headline to link to a "The New York Times" article, via "The Associated Press", on the March 20, 2010 Anti-Iraq and Afghan Wars Rally and March in Washington, D.C.
Markin comment:
Things are definitely tough when the "journal of record" for the bourgeoisie, "The New York Times", depends on an "AP" stringer's report of a major anti-war event in Washington, D.C. It may also reflect how little impact, newsworthiness-wise (ouch), the august editors of that newspaper considered the story. Much easier to keep the limelight on the Chief and his battle to get a totally inadequate health care plan passed through Congress. We, brothers and sisters, have our work cut out for us. I will pass on my own report on the event when I get a chance. The "AP" story though has it pretty right factually , as far as it goes.
Just a couple of quick comments here. First, the fight is now on against the Obama wars, although I am unhappy that the turnout was smaller that even I had expected. We are, its seems, in a somewhat analogous situation to about 1965 in the Vietnam anti-war era. The second comment is less heartening- the turnout was a "show the colors" event in more than one way- there were very few people there , at least from what I could tell, who had not been committed to the anti-war movement previously. Few new faces...and still many, many illusions in the "good faith" of Barack Obama. More, later.
Markin comment:
Things are definitely tough when the "journal of record" for the bourgeoisie, "The New York Times", depends on an "AP" stringer's report of a major anti-war event in Washington, D.C. It may also reflect how little impact, newsworthiness-wise (ouch), the august editors of that newspaper considered the story. Much easier to keep the limelight on the Chief and his battle to get a totally inadequate health care plan passed through Congress. We, brothers and sisters, have our work cut out for us. I will pass on my own report on the event when I get a chance. The "AP" story though has it pretty right factually , as far as it goes.
Just a couple of quick comments here. First, the fight is now on against the Obama wars, although I am unhappy that the turnout was smaller that even I had expected. We are, its seems, in a somewhat analogous situation to about 1965 in the Vietnam anti-war era. The second comment is less heartening- the turnout was a "show the colors" event in more than one way- there were very few people there , at least from what I could tell, who had not been committed to the anti-war movement previously. Few new faces...and still many, many illusions in the "good faith" of Barack Obama. More, later.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
*The Latest From Reuters Afghanistan/Pakistan Website
Click on the headline to link to the Reuters Afghanistan/Pakistan Website.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
*March 20th-Washington- Boston Anti-Imperialist Committee Slogans- Not One Penny, Not One Person For Obama's Wars
Click on the headline to link to the "National Assembly To End the Afghan and Iraq Wars" Website, one of callers of the National March on Washington on March 20, 2010.
Markin comment:
We will march under our own slogans of -"Not One Penny, Not One Person For Obama's Wars"-"Immediate, Unconditional Withdrawal Of All U.S./Allied Troops And Mercenaries From Iraq And Afghanistan"-"Defend The Palestinian People"-"Hands Off Iran And Pakistan"-"Build A Workers Party That Fights For A Workers Government"
Markin comment:
We will march under our own slogans of -"Not One Penny, Not One Person For Obama's Wars"-"Immediate, Unconditional Withdrawal Of All U.S./Allied Troops And Mercenaries From Iraq And Afghanistan"-"Defend The Palestinian People"-"Hands Off Iran And Pakistan"-"Build A Workers Party That Fights For A Workers Government"
Friday, March 19, 2010
*All Out On March 20th To End The Afghan And Iraq Wars -A Guest Commentary From "The National Assembly To End The Afghan And Iraq Wars
Click on the title to link to the "National Assembly To End The Afghan And Iraq Wars" Website.
Markin comment:
I have already argued in previous entries about the importance of massing in Washington, D.C. on March 20th for this event. Bring your own slogans and banners, but be there to start building the long-delayed and needed divorce from one Barack Obama who has been given a pass on war issues- for no known rational reason. We knew, because he made it clear from the beginning what his priorities were in 2008, and he rubbed our noses in it last year. Now we need to get our priorities clear. Obama- Troops Out Now!
Markin comment:
I have already argued in previous entries about the importance of massing in Washington, D.C. on March 20th for this event. Bring your own slogans and banners, but be there to start building the long-delayed and needed divorce from one Barack Obama who has been given a pass on war issues- for no known rational reason. We knew, because he made it clear from the beginning what his priorities were in 2008, and he rubbed our noses in it last year. Now we need to get our priorities clear. Obama- Troops Out Now!
*From The "UJP" Website- For Those Who Can't Make It To Washington March 20th- A Local Boston Action
Click on the headline to link to the "UJP-Boston" Website for an announcement for a local Boston anti-war action for those who cannot go to Washington.
Markin comment:
I have already argued in previous entries about the importance of massing in Washington, D.C. on March 20th for this event. Bring your own slogans and banners, but be there to start building the long-delayed and needed divorce from one Barack Obama who has been given a pass on war issues- for no known rational reason. We knew, because he made it clear from the beginning what his priorities were in 2008, and he rubbed our noses in it last year. Now we need to get our priorities clear. Obama- Troops Out Now!
*****
Obviously some people will not be able to go to Washington on March 20th for health, economic, family, or other reasons so here is a local opportunity to show your opposition to Obama's wars. Same struggle, same fight! Obama-Immediate, Unconditional Withdrawal Of All U.S./ Allied Troops And Mercenaries From Iraq and Afghanistan!
Markin comment:
I have already argued in previous entries about the importance of massing in Washington, D.C. on March 20th for this event. Bring your own slogans and banners, but be there to start building the long-delayed and needed divorce from one Barack Obama who has been given a pass on war issues- for no known rational reason. We knew, because he made it clear from the beginning what his priorities were in 2008, and he rubbed our noses in it last year. Now we need to get our priorities clear. Obama- Troops Out Now!
*****
Obviously some people will not be able to go to Washington on March 20th for health, economic, family, or other reasons so here is a local opportunity to show your opposition to Obama's wars. Same struggle, same fight! Obama-Immediate, Unconditional Withdrawal Of All U.S./ Allied Troops And Mercenaries From Iraq and Afghanistan!
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