[lbo-talk] "Islamofascism Awareness Week" (was Marjane Satrapi:Revolutionary Spirit)

[Charles Brown]

For some time now, Yoshie has been seriously agitating Doug and others
here, Lou Pro a while ago. Agitation is an honored left activity. She's
trying to bring some theoretical creativity to this left. She's also
trying to make us try to understand a different worldview. She seems to
be experimenting. That doesn't seem all bad given our own frequent
self-criticism that we ( the left) are in something of a rut.

 I'd say Doug's arguments on the substance of the issues in dispute are
sharper than he usually makes. Doug's anger has improved his arguments.

In fact, Doug is tending to persuade me of his position lately. I can't
quite see praising the current Iranian government and ruling circles. In
trying to prevent a U.S. attack, I could see arguing it's "not so bad"
and none of our ... I almost said "business".   

I wonder if we should argue that the U.S. is as bad or worse than Iran,
in a different way, even if we don't praise Iran. When I say " argue", I
mean in the context of averting a U.S. attack on Iran. Should we raise
issues such as the large U.S. prison population being as much a product
of our bourgeoisdom as our wealth and freedom for some ?  Should we use
anti-war forums to make domestic criticisms ?

Doug's anger is throwing him off some though, when he considers booting
Yoshie for name calling.  

 Surely, andie jests when he says Yoshie owes him an apology (smile).

Charles