Chip Berlet wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> I thought the great contribution of the SWP to the anti-war movement of the '60s
> was the demand that each demonstration had to have 20 slogans none of which
> related to each other and few of which related to the war in Vietnam.
>
I had then and have now major disagreements with the SWP. But I think you are confused here: far from demaning multiple & unrelated slogans the SWP insisted that the only slogan be End the War. Bring the Troops Home. My praise was that they introduced this slogan in contrast to complicated and wishy-washy demands for negotiation, etc etc etc. My argument with them was that they did _not_ do anything at all like what you describe. I was among those that insisted that the anti-war movement must incorporate an anti-racist stand, including solidarity with black groups under attack. In fact just a few weeks ago I had a sharp exchange on the marxism list with an ex-SWP member who characterized my perspective as a mere laundry list of wishes.
I didn't like the SWP in the '60s, and I don't like it any more in retrospect, but they did contribute materially to a preliminary simplifying of the movement. Other parts of the movement, however they differed otherwise, did pick up on the simple demand to bring the troops home. Period.
Carrol