[lbo-talk] Anarchism, was Cuba

[James Heartfield]

Chuck:

"Anarchism is also a tool-kit, which we use to dissect, analyze, mock, pull 
aprt, construct, praise, scorn and much more."

My problem with this would be what Engels called 'political indifferentism', 
or Hegel, 'the beautiful soul'. Anarchists in my experience are too quick to 
absent themselves from the political struggle that is before them, because 
it does not conform to an abstract ideal of the just.

Cuba would be a case in point. Here is a conflict between the US and Cuban 
governments. Should one stand aside and take no position because both are 
governments? Such a position would only reinforce the authority of both 
governments, because the anarchist has abstained from a struggle that means 
a lot to the Cuban people.

There are political positions that do not abstain 1.) Support Castro 2.) 
Support America 3.) Overthrow Castro to save Cuba etc, etc. I can imagine a 
case for any one of these, but to take no view at all on the conflict seems 
pointless to me. Your beautiful soul has kept itself spotless, but the 
mundane world remains drenched in blood.