[lbo-talk] Islamofascism Awareness Week

[Miles Jackson]

Jerry Monaco wrote:
> Where did I make this assumption.  I talked about __relative__
> responsibility and the effects of our speech and actions.  I made no
> assumption about "democracy" in the U.S.   If you actually read what I
> wrote you would have seen I talked about responsibility, relative to
> our freedom, power and privilege. What you would like to do, I gather,
> is to say that we have as much effect on the governments of our
> official enemies and of the governments "over there" as the state
> institutions here.  Well quite frankly this is bullshit Miles and I am
> surprised at you for even presenting this as an argument.  We have
> limited violence of our government in the past and we can do better in
> the future.
>
>   
I honestly can't think of a plausible case of the U. S. population 
"limiting the violence of our government".  Can you provide some 
examples?  As far as I can see, your position is perpetuating the myth 
that somehow "we the people" can meaningfully influence U. S. government 
policies and actions, if only we'd try hard enough.  In practical terms, 
every member of LBO "speaking out" and "acting out" about the gross 
injustices of the U. S. government will not affect U. S. policy one 
iota.  I agree that this is a disheartening view, but that's where we 
are.  It doesn't help anything to pretend that we live in a true 
democracy where our voices make a difference.  (Perhaps the unshakeable 
faith that ordinary working people can shape U. S. government policy 
is--the modern opiate of the masses?)

Miles