tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486641877026778105.post3743447999731370813..comments2024-03-29T09:14:53.583+00:00Comments on All That Is Solid ...: A Touch of Virtual VanityPhilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06298147857234479278noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486641877026778105.post-12176322546506823212008-06-13T13:02:00.000+01:002008-06-13T13:02:00.000+01:00From Southpawpunch's post... hows about "Around th...From Southpawpunch's post... hows about "Around the left blogs"...<BR/><BR/>Go on you know you want to...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486641877026778105.post-26858693684565284862008-06-11T04:28:00.000+01:002008-06-11T04:28:00.000+01:00It's a shame the CPGB still don't kebab the refor...It's a shame the CPGB still don't kebab the reformist reds, the Labour types and more who dominate Left blog land (although there are a fair few SWPers).<BR/><BR/>Reading what one left blog says about another's practice and politics is like watching all the BBC football commentators refusing to put the boot in, when required, their former team mates.<BR/><BR/>I'm not talking about the unpleasant personal or tit for tat stuff (see Socialist Unity, Harry's Place etc) but a criticism of methods (how many left bloggers actually do any left activity - and I don't mean just blogging) the use of their blogs (agitate - no, organise - no, pontificate - yes) and their often pro Labour (or Galloway) politics. <BR/><BR/>Socialist Unity and Lenin's Tomb claim more readers than Socialist Worker - it will be a first introduction to red politics for many - we, collectively need to do far better and should not hesitate to rise criticisms and offer ideas to improve the larger Left blogs, in particular.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486641877026778105.post-67522042957327959942008-06-11T04:25:00.000+01:002008-06-11T04:25:00.000+01:00Well, it seems like much of what you said related ...Well, it seems like much of what you said related specifically to the 2004 election, and website issues. I think the website has been changed since 2004, and we're in a new election season. Politically/programmatically, I think you were fairly spot on about our focus vs. the more economistic focuses of other socialist organisations (though this is interpreted as "propagandism" by some.)<BR/><BR/>On the round-up for this year's elections, so far the SP-USA, SWP, and a relatively new outfit called the Party for Socialism and Liberation are fielding presidential tickets. It's conceivable that Workers World and the SEP will field a presidential ticket as well, but it's getting rather late to declare.<BR/><BR/>As far as Greens vs. Nader go, it's no doubt that both with do better electorally than any of the openly socialist candidates. Between the two, I would say Nader would pull out ahead, though if a McKinney campaign is managed well, I could be wrong. However, if Nader's post-election activities are any clue as to what will happen this time, I doubt any sort of permanent movement will be built out of it (despite Socialist Alternative's sincere hopes and attempts to push in that direction.) Comparatively, I think the McKinney campaign has a better chance to set up something more permanent, but I'm not completely convinced about that either.redmetalgeekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15896475278613442835noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486641877026778105.post-84531067747533052392008-06-11T00:58:00.000+01:002008-06-11T00:58:00.000+01:00I post something cultural or apolitical, after a b...I post something cultural or apolitical, after a battle with rightists about Venezuela.<BR/><BR/>I don't know what to say when people post a music video, of music I don't like. <BR/><BR/>I wasn't politically involved when I started blogging. I evolved back to my old self, fighting Sonia etc.Frank Partisanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03536211653082893030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486641877026778105.post-20711964727439104952008-06-10T22:01:00.000+01:002008-06-10T22:01:00.000+01:00" make a difference, he knows where he can find th...<I>" make a difference, he knows where he can find the real Socialist Party ;)"</I>?<BR/><BR/>Like the working class voters in Greenwich and Lewisham at the recent London elections? ;-)<BR/><BR/>Did you see the breakdown of the figures outside of Chris Flood's local patch of Telegraph Hill?<BR/><BR/><I>"It's very easy to pontificate from the side lines when you or your organisation has no stake in and little connection to any kind of struggle. Things appear much clearer cut when you don't have to make yourselves relevant to working class people."</I><BR/><BR/>*cough* *splutter* G & L got back to you. ;-)<BR/><BR/>Sorry, but I can't resist that wee dig. Vanguardism and connecting to 'working class people' always raises my hackles. It must be my non-proletarian roots.Imposs1904https://www.blogger.com/profile/04043116442576404667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486641877026778105.post-77984339424003963152008-06-10T19:16:00.000+01:002008-06-10T19:16:00.000+01:00Darren, was he the comrade who accused the cpgb of...Darren, was he the comrade who accused the cpgb of being reformist? Well, when he gets fed up of substituting jolly debate with the flotsam and jetsam of the ultra-left and wants to actually make a difference, he knows where he can find the real Socialist Party ;)<BR/><BR/>Zeus, first I hope you weren't seeing red in case I inadvertently insulted your organisation!<BR/><BR/>Four years on I'm sure I've changed my mind. Back then I was broadly supportive of the SPUSA's challenge, believing it had the right sort of campaign and party project that could unite the US Left (how many candidates were standing last time? Was it four - SPUSA, WWP, SWP and SEP?) Now I'm in the CWI I defer to the US comrades, I'm sure they know better than me. That said, from the distance of thousands of miles across the sea I think the Greens might be more worthwhile than Nader, but that's just my personal, private opinion.<BR/><BR/>What I probably will do is revisit those websites nearer to the time and comment on them here.Philhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06298147857234479278noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486641877026778105.post-9526397433812429102008-06-10T16:53:00.000+01:002008-06-10T16:53:00.000+01:00Oh, so you're the one who wrote about the US left ...Oh, so you're the one who wrote about the US left during the 2004 presidential elections? Interesting. If you looked back on it today, would you say your opinions of American socialist groups has changed much?redmetalgeekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15896475278613442835noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486641877026778105.post-72969202192951908662008-06-10T10:33:00.000+01:002008-06-10T10:33:00.000+01:00" . . .but four irate SPGB'ers took issue with my ...<I>" . . .but four irate SPGB'ers took issue with my review of their website on the occasion of their centennial."</I><BR/><BR/>Well, clicking on the link it looks like they took issue with the factual errors in the piece. ;-)<BR/><BR/>PS - Funnily enough, one of the four is now a CPGB/PCC supporter. Your work was done.Imposs1904https://www.blogger.com/profile/04043116442576404667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486641877026778105.post-20242402679667993552008-06-10T09:38:00.000+01:002008-06-10T09:38:00.000+01:00hmm you are aware i live in gillingham ? and peopl...hmm you are aware i live in gillingham ? and people think kashmir is fucked. <BR/><BR/>seriously though i'm considering going on a backpackers holiday to east grinstead, we all have to broaden our horizonsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486641877026778105.post-48433571774938777632008-06-10T06:55:00.000+01:002008-06-10T06:55:00.000+01:00I'll do Kazakhstan if you'll do the Kashmiri honou...I'll do Kazakhstan if you'll do the Kashmiri honours. Can't say fairer than that really ;)Philhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06298147857234479278noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486641877026778105.post-79116434461101286952008-06-10T03:05:00.000+01:002008-06-10T03:05:00.000+01:00you really were a bit of a tit-witch though werent...you really were a bit of a tit-witch though werent you phil? <BR/><BR/>that Kazakhstan trip is still do-able by the wayAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com