> At 06:21 PM 10/18/01 +0200, Zak McGregor wrote:
>
> >Fair enough - except that yes, I do expect certain principles to be
> >immutable for anyone considering themselves "leftist". My perception
> of
> >where these boudaries lie obviously differs from yours and a few
> others
> >I guess.
> you haven't risked a thing because you laid out no positive program of
> your
> own.
OK, so you want a position from me. Fine, here is mine.
Define the terms relevant, in a way that is universally acceptable and involves multiple countries. It would be best if there waas a less partisan institution than the UN, but seeing as how that's what we've got to work with, do it there. The terms needing examination are "terrorist", "terrorism" and "harbouring" at the very minimum. Bring those guilty in the September 11th before an international court. How? By taking up the Taliban's offers of handing bin Laden over. Likewise, any other people who fit the terms as defined earlier with sufficient evidence supporting the case against them should be offered up for trial. Should the first step have been fairly and equally carried out that this list would include Sharon, Albright, Clinton, Bush and Busher, Kissinger, and other westerners. Try those rounded up and collected before a jury of some sorts.
As for long term strategy, whoever said that we should continue working for revolution and not pay much heed to this war is unfortunately correct. While it is heart-breaking to feel powerless to stop the carnage (it is, let's face that fact), the long-term issues are still needing to be dealt with. This latest round of murder is yet another resulting from imperialist and capitalist actions.
Obviously this plan is tricky, and won't work unless there is a huge cosmic explosion and everyone suddenly gets hit by a stream of clueons,ut hey, it's a whole dimension better than just repeating some of Bush's lines. ("Bring them to justice. Bring them to justice. This changes everything. This changes everything. Polly want a cracker.")
Mourn the event, sure. Despise those who commited the deed, absolutely. Recognise that they too are reactionary, exactly correct. But do not use Sept. 11th to in any way legitimise the present and future deaths of many more innocent civilians. This means accepting that any action taken other than accepting the Taliban's offer to hand over bin Laden is unacceptable and murderous, period. I acknowledge that this is easier for me to say than it will be for you to do, especially Doug and the others who have been directly affected by the events. Still, there seems to be no real need to lose our backbone.
Cheers
Zak