> Well, I'm not an individualist anarchist, so I have no idea who you are
> talking about. I've expressed my opinion and if you take that to apply
> to this mythical "hyper-individualist-anarchist" then you have
> mind-reading powers that Alex Jones would appreciate.
>
> I find it sadly predictable that any criticism of a leftist world leader
> is pounded down by a few resident authoritarian leftists on this list.
> I'm sure that if I had said something critical of Chairman-for-life
> Castro I would be subject to the same kind of personal attacks.
>
> It demonstrates the inherent weakness of your position that your attack
> me personally with stereotypes about anarchists.
Apparently you do not know what constitutes a personal attack. Were I to claim you dress like a clown, have poor personal hygene or hate your mother would be personal attacks. To claim your posts read like the thoughts of a hyper-individualist is a critique of what you have written. To claim I disagree with your assessment that Chavez is nothing but the left wing of capital is again directed at what you wrote, not your person. There is nothing weak about my position but complaining that criticisms of your posts are personal attacks as often you do is to stretch the definition of personal attack past its breaking point.
If you don't wish to be seen as hyper-individualistic you should refrain from writing posts that strongly suggest that is the position you hold. Incidentially if claiming your posts read like the writings of a hyper-individualist is a personal attack against you isn't your claiming "any criticism of a leftist world leader is pounded down by a few resident authoritarian leftists on this list." equally a personal attack against me, Charles, Carrol and others? I am by no means an authoritarian and I doubt the others who have responded to your criticism of Chavez would consider themselves authoritians either.
> > Chuck, you really have no idea what the term solidarity means do you?
>
> Yes, I understand that solidarity with the Venezuelan people involves
> opposition to American imperialism and to the false hope of left-wing
> capitalism that Chavez represents.
The Venezualan's, who overwhelmingly support Chavez, are all just too stupid to see that Chavez is offering them false hope. Fortunately a white middle-class Mid-westerner from the US is able to tell them how they are all being duped.
> >From a childish perspective it's all just a
> > form of parental authority that must be opposed.
>
> Oh no! I've been called a child!
>
> John Boy continues with the personal insults in another message:
You have not been called a child. The idea that all authority should be opposed is a childish one however. It makes no difference if that is your position or someone elses. To point this out is not a personnal attack. Use of the name John Boy is treading close to being the type of personal attack which you claim to dislike.
> Did you know that you have an infestation of hyper-individualistic
> anarchists under your bed?
>
> Boo!
>
> Chuck
Well see there, you do know what a personal attack is. My greatest irrational fear is really of spiders rather than anarchists. I suffer from a horribly phobia of them. I have no fear of anarchists rather I see them as the social equivalent of a chigger bite. Very annoying but no real threat to anything. To carry this analogy further the posts from such anarchists should be ignored but they feel like an itch that needs to be scratched. I should exercise greater restraint and simply ignore your rants. Unfortunately I seem to lack the self-control do this.
John Thornton