> But I will say that part of seeing clearly is
> being able able to distinguish between those traditions which reflect our
> values and those which directly conflict with them. If I felt more
> sympathy
> for Mussolini's Italy than for Castro's Cuba, I would sincerely wonder
> what
> my purpose was on a left-wing list.
I agree about Italy and Cuba. But one predicament the left has historically often found itself in is to be faced with movements that embrace all the symbols, wave all the flags, and spout all the jargon of the "left" without seeming to embrace any of its humanist values. Such movements often have enemies with some degree of fascist taint. In these situations, "to distinguish between those traditions which reflect our values and those which directly conflict with them" is less straightforward a task than choosing between El Jefe and Il Duce. Looking to see who waves the right flag doesn't tell you enough - certainly not enough to decide whether to choose a camp.
Seth