Disqus - Latest Comments for mtomas3

Re: Fighting for the future: The necessity and possibility of national political organization for our time

mtomas3 — Tue, 27 Dec 2016 15:34:59 -0000

So glad to have come across the BN/RN Confederation. I have not ever been an anarchist, but share the revolutionary impulses here. I will not bore you with my personal trajectory and suffice to say that I believe democracy can only occur with socialism, socialism cannot exist without democracy, and that NEITHER can ever be without a revolutionary commitment to oppose the existing social and political order inherent in capitalism and its nadir, imperialism. To the extent that you are willing to hear, I am willing to listen and to the extent you are willing to listen, I am willing to hear. We cannot hope to achieve our common dream to end the scourge of capitalism without each other's commitments to what I would call the revolutionary working class form of democracy, solidarity, and unity. And, of course, these are all just platitudes if we do not forge these principles in struggle for a better world. . . than this. I look forward to reading and listening to you and seeing you in action when it becomes possible. Like "El Che", if you truly tremble at every injustice, then, you [will be] a comrade of mine. Hasta La Bandera Roja de la libertad y la Rosa Negra de Solidaridad, en luchar.

Re: For a Socialist Republic

mtomas3 — Wed, 21 Jan 2015 12:01:47 -0000

This is a very good start (I also hear in it some of Ryne Tipton's thinking). I believe the article--the author--gets ahead of himself in trying to predict what a "transition to communism" might be. It is not necessary to say--no one really knows--and the only effect is to try to answer beforehand those who may want to see the endgame of revolution before we actually achieve a revolution's end (or beginning as it were); our generally sectarian-trained friends among us.

"Once revolution has been fully achieved, I think it is important to note that republican socialism would be something of a bridge itself." Such a statement creates a very large horse, with all its required might, training, and directed leadership, before the cart that it must transport. There are too many questions to ask about a revolution being achieved never mind "fully" achieved.

All of that said, i believe the essential points--the "deep" structural problems of winning the masses into their own confidence combined with the "superstructural battle" for demonstrating democratic resolve in the context of pre-workers power as well as into workers power--are very important.

Learning is (at least it must be) defined as a change in behavior. Hence, the questions of how revolutionaries act, not only as elected representatives pr in our political statements but within our own structures and in the structures thrown forward by the mass movements, is essential if either the masses are to be won toward emancipating ourselves or any structures of government proposed by revolutionaries are to be successful. As a teacher, I must be willing to practice the democracy I hope to have my prospective teachers promote if I am to have any chance of their practicing it. So, too, must revolutionaries teach by example.

Finally, yes, some of my contribution above may seem rather vague to some. It is,after all at this point, purely an intellectual exercise as is this whole enterprise (North Star, the "Left", in general). I believe we become much more specific in practice. I continue to look forward to that day.

Re: American Podemos Part I: the Factors & Forces Behind Podemos

mtomas3 — Wed, 07 Jan 2015 08:52:18 -0000

What this synposis lacks in foundation is more than made up by its quick focus on an important lesson--we start because it is truly the "next move". I'm looking forward to the rest of the series, but I believe that to make our "American Podemos"(the counterpoint of "podemos" to the usurped "si se puede/yes we can" is not lost on me), we will truly need to avoid side discussions from detractors and focus on seeking discussion with activists intent on our "American" issues of #BlackLivesMatter, #Immigrantrights, Democracy as a counterpoint to the #surveillancestate--being sure to remain UNAFRAID that others are listening in--and refusing to allow ourselves to engage in "machista" confrontation for the sake of organization and solidarity. This last point is most important to me; women, youth, and the elderly from across the diversity of race and ethnicity must be directly involved--Now--if we are to make a real difference from every other "project" out there. I would rather engage in a "side discussion" with people like Black Lives Matter or Black Agenda Report, red feminists, and teacher/students involved in United Opt Out from standardized testing and education privatization.
I really believe there are significant numbers of us for even a small beginning. I really like the idea of face-to-face alongside internet livestreaming People's Assembly.

I'll contribute writings for something like this on a range of issues, but especially related to ending police occupation/community control, solidarity with peoples' struggles internationally, and the need to demand legalization for immigrants as well as democracy in the movement.

Re: Moaz al-Khatib Resigns: ‘A little bit of patience, our people. Isn’t the morning near?’

mtomas3 — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 20:58:35 -0000

As a 40-year fighter for democracy and against U.S. imperialist war, I posted the following to my page: "Everything that happened to the Syrian people — from destruction of infrastructure, arrest of tens of thousands of their children and displacement of tens of thousands and other tragedies — is not enough for the world to take an international decision to allow people to defend themselves.
Those who are willing to obey [outside powers] will be supported, those who disobey will [be] offered nothing but hunger and siege. We will not beg for help from anyone.
If there is a decision to execute us as Syrians, then let’s die as we want. The gate of freedom has opened and will not be closed, not only for Syrians but for all peoples." (Moaz al-Khatib)

What great valor!

Can Revolutionary Socialists Be Anywhere BUT In Solidarity with the Syrian People's Revolution! The Morning is Near, Moaz, And We Will Stand With You No Matter the Outcome Because Whatever the Outcome, the Syrian people have advanced the struggle for democracy, freedom, and an end to despotism and the imperialist thuggery from which it was spawned.

Down with the Despot Assad

Syria Freedom Now, Syria Freedom Forever

Re: LENIN'S TOMB: The crisis in the SWP, part II

mtomas3 — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 13:44:08 -0000

The entire business leaves me, a problem solver/looking to the future/revolutionary optimist, dismayed. I'll let it be so for a few minutes and, like I hope Richard and his comrades--women, men, people of color, the oppressed masses in all countries--are hoping to do, return to optimism and socialist democratic struggle. I will not pretend to know the entire "truth" or, even, whether the Democratic Opposition is or was correct on every point about this recent battle over revolutionary organisational democracy. What is clear is that, once again, cadres of revolutionary women, youth, workers, and members of oppressed peoples have been forced to engage in the important, but historically back-stepping process of regroupment because a leadership ensconced in the myopic belief that "party-building" means building an entity rather than an instrument that revolutionaries must use to interlink with masses as they begin to struggle.

My experiences in the U.S. SWP of the 70's and early 80's come to my mind as I read these more recent events. I am reminded of our own promise and how it was dashed not by "missteps", which are always inevitable, but the arrogance that such missteps should not reflect the need for more democracy in revolutionary organising not less.

Democracy is indeed essential to be practised not simply because we need "everybody's voice", but because socialists must learn--directly--how to help our class learn how to direct society in all our name. So, Richard is correct that the issues of party democracy are not an "inward looking" pre-occupation but directly relevant to the politics of our time.

The emerging leadership rising out of the flames of this crisis is also correct--even if we might bristle at the necessity--that the issue of women's liberation and the oppression of women in all its manifestations is a root point of battle that any revolutionary-minded individual must always consider in all that we do. Even now, as this issue has so dramatically torn asunder an important organization, the vast majority of writings on this crisis we see continue to be made by men (mostly White). Perhaps that is just a reflection of "demographics", but that fact belies the point.

One more time, precious revolutionary energy is expended on the "creeping" sexism that permeates our capitalist societies and the hubris that we, revolutionaries, believe that we somehow are immune because we have undertaken the "broader" struggle.

I do not now say this to imply that the comrades of the former Democratic Opposition and, I believe, their true comrades outside the UK SWP, are not doing so, but I hope that Richard, his comrades, comrade Laurie Penny, and comrade Owen Jones (not neglecting others, just acknowledging the ones I know), will a) firmly focus on drawing the lessons of this battle b) do it "right" so that the fight for representative revolutionary leadership is strengthened and not simply maintained during this time and c) can find the best way to energize newly radicalising revolutionary fighters onto the battles with the ruling class that indeed are at "our door".

I have been somewhat critical of some of Richard's posts and positions, but I am convinced that he and, most important, the comrades with whom he has shown true affiliation in and outside his former party are trying their hardest to build a revolutionary movement that can not only challenge the capitalist rulers, but forge the instrument of victory against them.

My revolutionary heart goes out to all of you in this most important and all too-treacherous time of transition, regroupment, and preparation for coming battles. I am sure those more close to these events in the UK and nearby will have more detailed things to say, more criticisms, indeed, more "politics" than I can offer here. I simply felt the need to say that your fight for democracy and socialism is my fight. And, I will stand with you always.

Most sincerely in struggle and solidarity,
Manuel

Re: LENIN'S TOMB: Obama wins; Right loses; mayhem ensues.

mtomas3 — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 13:43:11 -0000

This is a good analysis. The silver lining is that perhaps (I think it is only a "perhaps" at the moment) the "left", the Greens in particular, have learned, or are learning, that using the elections to galvanize an opposition is not going to be sufficient. Like what we are seeing in Europe, UK, and Ireland with austerity forcing an independent unification effort, it will take organizing around common issues that are counter to whichever party is in power. The euphoria of some new progressive agenda coming into being now that Obama is re-elected is going to dissipate once reality sets in and he continues his assault on working people, democracy, and the world. If the U.S. workers and social movements are to become any real independent force it will have to be on "the issues" and not trying directly to crack the illusions in the demagogues in power; something that will take time and on-going mass struggles to accomplish. The next elections will be another opportunity to check those illusions, but to wait on that kind of opportunity has proven fruitless for decades.

Perhaps this realization will bear more fruit among the more conscious elements. The Greens--especially many of their activists more so than their leaders--Occupy, revolutionary-minded Black activist leaders like those in Black Agenda Report, and the emerging militancy among young undocumented immigrants all may be a much better stage for the "left" to concentrate upon in building an anti-capitalist opposition. It seems that one major obstacle to that may be the tendency of the socialist and radical left in the U.S. to spout "correctness" about lesser-evilism, but do little to get beyond our sectarian attitudes towards each other in forging a stronger alliance that can become ever more attractive the emergent radicalizing layers among sectors of the youth, oppressed communities, and increasingly combative layers of the working class (exemplified by such people as the Walmart workers and teachers like those in Chicago, Washington, and elsewhere).

Many of us cannot do much, except of course our solidarity, to change the landscape in the emerging movements. However, as self-proclaimed revolutionaries, we can try to find a way to fight for unity and make our combined forces more worthy of the name. I am hoping that doing "practical" work that focuses on seeking ways to build collaboration and joint efforts will help.

Re: Huge Numbers of Students Don't Learn Critical Thinking in College | AlterNet

mtomas3 — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 20:41:01 -0000

Great story, Steven D. However, you might want to make use of a copy editor or simply review your post before sending (some of the paragraphs had a few errors that may or may not have been caught by a spell/grammar checker)--critical review not criticism. Keep it up!

Re: Secret Military Files Reveal Shocking Details About Failed War in Afghanistan | World | AlterNet

mtomas3 — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 11:02:55 -0000

The White House response is not only disingenuous ("blame it on Bush, he didn't "resource" this war enough), it is a response designed to continue Bush's policy of endless war; to use wars "against terrorism" as a moral redirection away from the bankrupting of U.S. citizens and the plunder being perpetrated by bankers, billionaires, the oil industry and defense contractors. The President never intended to get out of the wars (see his '08 campaign platforms) and thought he could convince the capitalist rulers of this country to siphon some of the $billions they are reaping into modest, but nonthreatening legislation in health, climate, & financial "reform"; all at the expense of the very people he sought to corral into voting for him. Maybe he didn't count on the Rich's greed or the severe racist backlash by their pro-capitalist minions, or simply just does not have the guts to stand up to them. It does not matter, President Obama and his partners in the Democratic and Republican parties, have proven themselves to be the enemies of democracy, the enemies of working people, and the enemies of the oppressed throughout the world. They are the architects of this global disaster of war and plunder and their Tea Party thugs are their shock troops.
Whether you are helping to organize the mass mobilization on October 2nd (http://www.afterdowningstre... this fall for jobs and end to the bailouts of Wall Street, organizing against the wars through the United National Anti-War Conference (http://www.nationalpeacecon..., or participating in the Rethink Afghanistan MeetUps locally (http://www.meetup.com/Rethi..., it's time to stop the paralysis of waiting for lesser-evil Democrats to "do it for us" or of hoping that the Republican hatemongers and their racist Tea Party thugs will go away.
Everyone here either knows what's to be done, or knows someone who does. It's time for us to come together, End the Wars, End these endless Ruling Class political administrations, and Start Building Our Own Anti-Capitalist Political Alternatives.
Talk is No Longer Cheap; It Is Costing Us the World.

Re: Activists Pan Dems' Approach; Say Another Immigration Policy Is Possible | Immigration | AlterNet

mtomas3 — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 00:52:16 -0000

And I would say the answers are 1) yes, 2) yes, and 3) exactly what is "generous and fair" with regard to immigration laws designed to maintain immigrants as either legal or illegal? We need to recognize that the only reason people from other Mexico and Central America (nobody is really that concerned about people from other countries, just all those Latinos) come here is because of economic upheaval there perpetrated by U.S.-based multinational corporate hijacking of other countries' economies.

Re: 5 Actions You Can Take Immediately Against SB 1070

mtomas3 — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 19:12:40 -0000

you can leave if you'd like. I will stay and change the laws.
Legalize Immigrant Workers
No Apartheid in the Americas
Somos Uno Porque América Es Una

Re: Peace Activists Extend an Olive Branch to the Tea Party to Talk about War | Take Action | AlterNet

mtomas3 — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 23:30:49 -0000

And exactly what would CodePink gain and lose from this "rapprochement?" A false agreement to end the wars in exchange for racist/sexist epithets on posters at anti-war rallies? Shouting "freedom" does not anti-war make and the movement would lose thrice more than gain. As foolhardy as thinking that some parts of the war in Afghanistan are "good" because the U.S. is pretending to be defending women against the misogeny of the Taliban (another recent blunder on the part of CodePink). It is tempting to believe that there can "peace" with rightists because they hate Obama and his sellout to Wall Street. But the Tea Partiers hate Obama because of his color. We oppose (not hate) Obama for his treachery and lesser-evilism that has created this vacuum of justified indignation that is being filled by misdirected outrage. The TP are the minions of the very robber barons that they cry out against on the street but whose spokespeople they are willing to support (e.g., Paul and Palin). It is a contradiction born of ignorance and hatred at the perceived loss of privilege. We all on the side of the oppressed are understandably weary and frustrated that the capitalist media do so much to spur the rightists on with their free publicity and do so little to show the true feelings of the large majority. It is not simply because bourgeois pundits want "headlines" and controversy; they also fundamentally support the right of the Rich to rule and are not interested in driving support for real and positive social change (after all, the media executives stem from the same ruling Rich).
We should remember the fable about the frog who offered to give the scorpion a ride on its back across the river and the scorpion stinging his ride in the middle thereby drowing them both. A scorpion can only be itself. It is dangerous to wish it different and to believe the hateful will oppose anything except through hatred. This is a lesson we should not strive to learn.

Re: “They Killed the Wounded and Drove Over Their Bodies”: Iraqis Speak About WikiLeaks Video, But Who Is Listening?

mtomas3 — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 22:43:35 -0000

Could not be said any better. U.S. Out Now From Iraq and Afghanistan

Re: Sheila Kihne and Gatesgate

mtomas3 — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 21:03:21 -0000

thank you for the excellent post, Gavin. I would only echo your saying the President's comments were "politically" unwise as opposed to actually unwise. In one of the few instances when the President has displayed his humanity--his justified outrage at the scourge of racism in our society and of racial profiling conducted daily by police (among others) albeit with a rather tepid us of the term "stupidly"--he is predictably lambasted by those who celebrate White privilege, but is also "praised" for his calmness, restraint, and willingness to self-depricate by those who purportedly support him, but are too uncomfortable at an honest expression of rational offence.

The press and "liberals" seem to have no difficulty assuming that Professor Gates "over-reacted" and the President acquiesces to such characterizations as does Professor Gates; likely because of his otherwise calm and dignified persona. A few have observed (the Wall Street Journal surpisingly among them) how this caricature of "even-handed" in over-reaction is wholly unjustified. A person of color in his own home. . .need there really more be said? Apparently so if one is to remain popular with the "good folk".

What has escaped this conversation is the patent indignity that has been visited on the victims of this racist episode. Whereas officer Crowley can "agree to disagree" (with the President, no less) to maintain his dignity, Professor Gates and the President apparently have to offer to be "bigger" people and "do better next time". Don't you find this "dis-balance" . . .awkward?

I suppose some over-reactions are more equal than others.

Re: The Education Equality Project’s New Website Is Up! | Education Equality Project

mtomas3 — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 12:51:30 -0000

I am enthused by the effort to improve the education of children and adolescents of color and look forward to the struggle for equitable outcomes and moving beyond equality of "opportunity". I would urge us, however, not to think that absolving the public school system from its responsibilities to educate every child equitably in curriculum, skill development, and, most important, outcome. I believe the focus on charter schools (i.e., seeking to create semi-privatized segregation in the education of children of color) is misguided and the results are sporadic at best and devastating to communities of color at worst. I would urge that we be about examining the science of education with more scrutiny in how scientific evidence for the efficacy of educational practice is both equitable in its conception and relevant in its implementation as it may apply to learners of color historically under-served in schools, under-represented in research, and under-valued for their worth. We can start by reviewing the academic achievement of students of color in the framework of charter schools and how such approaches actually improve outcomes for them. Such research should be quantifiable as well as qualitative rather than anecdotal.
Of course, because charter schools deserve scrutiny does not mean that public schools do not. Rather, we must review comprehensively what has already been shown not to work do determine a meaningful policy. Contrary to the views of some in both current and past administrations, there is ample evidence that a privatized education (of which charter schooling is a derivative) is inequitable. It is what we largely had as a country before the victory of the civil war and reconstruction, it is what the "publc" schooling was about under Jim Crow segregation before the victory of Brown vs. Board of Education, and it is what "neighborhood" schooling was about in the White flight attempts to reverse Brown ever since. Our society must take collective responsibility for the equitable education of all its children not cede that education to "good people" with well-meaning intentions. We cannot hold our society accountable for equity if we are not willing to sustain it as a responsibility of government (which ostensibly is by and for the people).