*Notes From The Old Home Town-As March 17th Approaches-A Moment In History- The Irish Diaspora

Click on the headline to link to a "American Left History" entry that deals with the Irish Question in little different manner.


Markin comment:

Not all the entries in this space are connected to politics, although surely most of them can be boiled down into some political essence, if you try hard enough. The following is one of those instances where trying to gain any “political traction”, or as I am fond of saying drawing any “lessons” would be foolhardy. I should also note that this entry is part of a continuing, if sporadic, series of “trips down memory lane” provoked by a fellow high school classmate who has been charged with keeping tabs on old classmates and their doings, even those of old-line communists like this writer. Go figure?

As March 17th Approaches- A moment in history…


"A Terrible Beauty Is Born", a recurring line from the great Anglo-Irish poet William Butler Yeats,"Easter 1916"

At the corner of Hand Street and East Street forming a wedge in front of our old beige-bricked high school, and from that vantage point giving the building a majestic “mighty fortress is our home” look, there is a plaque that commemorates a fallen soldier of World War I, and is officially known as the Frank O’Brien Square. The corners and squares of most cities and towns in most countries of the world have such memorials to their war dead, needless to say far too many. That plaque furthermore now competes, unsuccessfully, with a huge Raider red billboard telling one and all of the latest doings, or upcoming events or honoring somebody or something, and in due course will be relegated to the “vaults’ of the history of our town. This entry, however, is not about that or about the follies of war, or even about why it is that young men (and now women) wind up doing the dangerous work of war that is decided by old men (and now old women), although that would be a worthy subject. No, the focus here is the name of the soldier, or rather the last name, O’Brien, and the Irishness of it.

A quick run through of the names of the students listed in the “Manet” for the Class of 1964 will illustrate my point. If Irish names are not in the majority, then they predominant, and that does not even take into consideration the half or quarter Irish heritage that is hidden behind other names. And that is exactly the point. If North Quincy in the old days was not exactly “Little Dublin”, the heritage of the Irish diaspora certainly was nevertheless apparent for all to see, and hear. That North Quincy was merely a way station away from the self-contained Irish ghettos of Dorchester and South Boston to the Irish Riveiras of the area was, or rather is, also apparent as anyone who has been in the old town of late will note.

And that too is the point. Today Asian- Americans, particularly the Chinese and Vietnamese, and other minorities have followed that well-trodden path to Quincy. And they have made, and will make, their mark on the ethos of this hard-working working class part of town. So while the faint aroma of corn beef and cabbage (and colorful pasta dishes, from the other main ethnic group of old Quincy, the Italians) has been replaced by the pungent smells of moo shi and poi and the bucolic brogue by some sing-song Mandarin dialect the life of the town moves on.

Yet, I can still feel, when I aimlessly walk certain streets, the Irishness of the diaspora “old sod”. To be sure, as a broken amber liquor bottle spotted on the ground reminded me, there were many whiskey-sodden nights (complete with the obligatory beer chaser) that many a man spent his pay on to keep his “demons” from the door. And to be sure, as well, the ubiquitous pot on the old iron stove for the potato-ladened boiled dinner that stretched an already tight food budget just a little longer when the ever present hard times cast their shadow at that same door. And, of course, there was the great secret cultural relic; the relentless, never-ending struggle to keep the family “dirty linen” from the public eye. But also this: the passed down heroic tales of our forbears, the sons and daughters of Roisin, in their heart-rending eight hundred year struggle against the crushing of the “harp beneath the crown”; of the whispered homages to the ghosts of our Fenian dead; of great General Post Office uprisings, large and small; and, of the continuing struggle in the North. Yes, as that soldier’s plaque symbolizes, an Irish presence will never completely leave the old town, nor will the willingness to sacrifice.

Oh, yes, that Frank O’Brien for whom the square in front of the old school was named , would have been my grand uncle, the brother of my Grandmother Radley (nee O’Brien) from over on Young Street across from the Welcome Young Field.

*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 needed divorce and consequent free ride that one Barack Obama has received- for no known rational reason. We knew, because he made it clear from the beginning what his priorities were, and 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!

*A Snapshot View Of The Leaders Of The 1917 Bolshevik Revolution-Alexandra Kollontai

Click on title to link to the "Alexandra Kollontai Internet Archives" for the works of this 1917 Bolshevik secondary revolutionary leader Alexandra Kollantai, and later Workers Opposition leader.

March Is Women's History Month

Markin comment:

No revolution can succeed without men and women of Kollontai's caliber. As Trotsky noted, on more than one occasion, the West, for lots of reason, in his day had not produced such cadre. I believe that observation, for the most part, is even truer today.

*A Snapshot View Of The Leaders Of The 1917 Bolshevik Revolution-Inessa Armand

Click on title to link to Wikipedia's entry for the 1917 Bolshevik secondary revolutionary leader Inessa Armand.

March Is Women's History Month

Markin comment:

No revolution can succeed without men and women of Armand's caliber. As Trotsky noted, on more than one occasion, the West, for lots of reason, in his day had not produced such cadre. I believe that observation, for the most part, is even truer today.

*From The Pen Of Communist International Leader Karl Radek - On "Larissa Reisner" (An Early Bolshevik Leader)

Click on title to link to the "Karl Radek Internet Archive" for other of the works of this important secondary Bolshevik leader and high Communist International official.

Markin comment:

No revolution can succeed without men and women of Radek's caliber. Although Radek had his ups and downs in his later days as a Comintern official, he stood tall in October. As Trotsky noted, on more than one occasion, the West, for lots of reason, in his day had not produced such cadre. I believe that observation, for the most part, is even truer today.

*The Latest From The "Socialist Appeal" Website

Click on the title to link to the "Socialist Appeal" Website.


Markin comment:

The question of a Fifth International proposed by Hugo Chavez and seconded, apparently by the IMT, will require a longer answer. But for this minute I wonder, and I wonder seriously why so-called orthodox Marixts would be heeding a call from a, what in the final analysis is just another Latin American caudillo with some oil money. We have heard about the epicenter of world revolution being in Latin America and other "Third World" spots before, if I recall, with the guerilla foci, and the results were not pretty whatever revolutionary impulses drove that movement.

I might add that Lenin, Trotsky and the other leaders of the Communist International were very precise (remember the 21 conditions) about who they were going to let in the Communist International. "Hermano" Chavez would not even get in the side door in those days. More, much more on this later, especially on Alan Woods' rationale for dumping the historic work of Leon Trotsky that he allegedly stands on just to be a "cheerleader" for some quasi-socialist, and in this I am giving Chavez much the best of it. U.S. Hands Off Venezuela!

*From The Pen Of James P. Cannon- "How To Organize A Study Class"

Click on the headline to link to a "James P. Cannon Internet Archive" online copy of his 1924 "How To Organize A Study Class".

Markin comment:

In light of the comment I made in one of yesterday's entry about the presentation of the short course on the Russian Bolshevik revolution this article seems timely. This article is from the days when Cannon was a central leader of the American Communist Party in the 1920s, another lean time for communists. A time though, as today, when study is most important to get ready for the days when the class struggle heats up and is less one-sided than it is now.

*You Are Not Paranoid- Big Brother Is Watching- "Wiring Up The Big Brother Machine"- A Guest Book Review

Click on the headline to link to a "Workers Vanguard" article, dated February 26, 2010, concerning a book review of one man's fight against "Big Brother and the Watching Company".

Markin comment:

And all these years I thought I was being paranoid. Whee!

*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 needed divorce and consequent free ride that one Barack Obama has received- for no known rational reason. We knew, because he made it clear from the beginning what his priorities were, and rubbed our noses in it last year. Now we need to get our priorities clear. Obama- Troops Out Now!

*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 needed divorce and consequent free ride that one Barack Obama has received- for no known rational reason. We knew, because he made it clear from the beginning what his priorities were, and rubbed our noses in it last year. Now we need to get our priorities clear. Obama- Troops Out Now!

*From The Marxist Archives- Leon Trotsky On "Students And Capitalism"

Click on the title to link to a "Workers Vanguard" article, dated February 26, 2010 concerning the relationship between students and capitalist society.

Markin comment:

In light of the recent March 4th "Defend Public Education" national actions led by students, teachers and campus labor organizations it is good to note the relationship between students, the working class and capitalist society. Back in the 1960s we wasted a lot of precious resources, personnel, and, above all, time by being very, very unclear on that relationship. But hell, we are all in the same boat right this minute so this lesson might be easier to learn today.

*Honor The 91st Anniversary Of The Founding Of The Third International (Comintern)-The "Communist International Internet Archives" Website

Click on the title to link to the "Communist International Internet Archives" Website.

Markin comment:

Some anniversaries marking events in our revolutionary calender are worthy of note every five or ten years. Others like May Day, the Paris Communes (1793 and 1871), The Russian October Revolution, and here the founding of the Communist International in 1919 (also known as the Third International and Comintern) are worthy of annual observance. I have done my duty in honoring the revolutionary years of that organization in this 91st anniversary year.

*Honor The 91st Anniversary Of The Founding Of The Third International (Comintern)

Click on the title to link to a "Wikipedia" entry for the Communist International

Markin comment:

Some anniversaries marking events in our revolutionary calender are worthy of note every five or ten years. Others like May Day, the Paris Communes (1793 and 1871), The Russian October Revolution, and here the founding of the Communist International in 1919 (also known as the Third International and Comintern) are worthy of annual observance. I have done my duty in honoring the revolutionary years of that organization in this 91st anniversary year.

*Honor The 91st Anniversary Of The Founding Of The Third International (Comintern)-The Famous 21 Conditions For Entry

Click on the title to link to the "Communist International Internet Archives" online copy of the famous "21 conditions" for the entry of parties to the Communist International adopted at the 2nd World Congress in 1920.

Markin comment:

Some anniversaries marking events in our revolutionary calender are worthy of note every five or ten years. Others like May Day, the Paris Communes (1793 and 1871), The Russian October Revolution, and here the founding of the Communist International in 1919( also known as the Third International and Comintern) are worthy of annual observance. I have done my duty in honoring the revolutionary years of that organization in this 91st anniversary year.

*Honor The 91st Anniversary Of The Founding Of The Third International (Comintern)-Lenin's "Founding Of The Communist International"

Click on the title to link to a "Lenin Internet Archive" online copy of his "Founding Of The Communist International", dated March 6, 1919.

Markin comment:

Some anniversaries marking events in our revolutionary calender are worthy of note every five or ten years. Others like May Day, the Paris Communes (1793 and 1871), The Russian October Revolution, and here the founding of the Communist International in 1919 (also known as the Third International and Comintern) are worthy of annual observance. I have done my duty in honoring the revolutionary years of that organization in this 91st anniversary year.

*Honor The 91st Anniversary Of The Third International (Comintern)-The Manifesto Of The Communist International To The Workers Of The World

Click on the title to link to the "Leon Trotsky Internet Archive" for an online copy of his "Manifesto Of The Communist International To The Workers Of The World"

Markin comment:

Some anniversaries marking events in our revolutionary calender are worthy of note every five or ten years. Others like May Day, the Paris Communes (1793 and 1871), The Russian October Revolution, and here the founding of the Communist International in 1919 (also known as the Third International and Comintern) are worthy of annual observance. I have done my duty in honoring the revolutionary years of that organization in this 91st anniversary year.

*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 needed divorce and consequent free ride that one Barack Obama has received- for no known rational reason. We knew, because he made it clear from the beginning what his priorities were, and rubbed our noses in it last year. Now we need to get our priorities clear. Obama- Troops Out Now!

*The Latest On Obama's Afghan War Budget- The Parliamentary Front- Vote "No" On All War Budgets- With Both Hands

Click on the title to link to a short article culled from "Boston Indymedia" concerning the (weak)parliamentary buildup in opposition to Obama's supplementary Afghan war budget.

Markin comment:

This one would seem like a no-brainer. But just to be sure we anti-imperialist, anti-capitalist, pro-workers party militants vote "no" on the small change Afghan supplementary war budget (the little 33 billion dollar one noted in the linked article), the regular big ticket Afghan war budget, the still big ticket Iraq war budget, and for good measure the whole imperialist war budget (yes, that 700 billion plus one). And for even more good measure-Immediate, Unconditional Withdrawal of All U.S./Allied Troops and Mercenaries From Afghanistan and Iraq! Hands off Pakistan and Iran! Not One Penny, Not One person For the Obama War Machine!

*Those Who Fought For Our Communist Future Are Kindred Spirits- Honor Mineworkers' Leader Mother Jones

Click on the title to link to a "Wikipedia" entry for early 20th century American labor leader Mother Jones.

This is a repost of a January 2009 entry on Mother Jones for her role as a class struggle leader. Here she is being honored as a women's liberation leader as well.

March Is Women's History Month

Every January, as readers of this blog are now, hopefully, familiar with the international communist movement honors the 3 Ls-Lenin, Luxemburg and Leibknecht, fallen leaders of the early 20th century communist movement who died in this month (and whose untimely deaths left a huge, irreplaceable gap in the international leadership of that time). January is thus a time for us to reflect on the roots of our movement and those who brought us along this far. In order to give a fuller measure of honor to our fallen forbears this January, and in future Januarys, this space will honor others who have contributed in some way to the struggle for our communist future. That future classless society, however, will be the true memorial to their sacrifices.

Note on inclusion: As in other series on this site (“Labor’s Untold Story”, “Leaders Of The Bolshevik Revolution”, etc.) this year’s honorees do not exhaust the list of every possible communist worthy of the name. Nor, in fact, is the list limited to Bolshevik-style communists. There will be names included from other traditions (like anarchism, social democracy, the Diggers, Levellers, Jacobins, etc.) whose efforts contributed to the international struggle. Also, as was true of previous series this year’s efforts are no more than an introduction to these heroes of the class struggle. Future years will see more detailed information on each entry, particularly about many of the lesser known figures. Better yet, the reader can pick up the ball and run with it if he or she has more knowledge about the particular exploits of some communist militant, or to include a missing one.