^^^^^ CB: I have had quite a bit of interaction with Solidarity, in part because it is headquartered in Detroit. Many _Labor Notes_ writers are in the Detroit area. Dave Finkel is or was the editor of _Against the Current_ , and I were in Central American solidarity groups together in the 80's and our children attended the same school oh ten years ago. Diane Feeley, the victim of being shoved at the Labor Notes conference a few years ago is a local activist with whom I have worked often. In the early 1990's there were meetings between Solidarity and the then new Committees of Correspondence on the possibility of some type of merger. Yoshie Furuhashi, former LBO-talker, came to a Solidarity conference here in Detroit several years ago, giving me a chance to meet a list member in person. Labor Notes has annual conferences here. Labor Notes has of course had a significant role in organizing Teamsters for a Democratic Union.
Solidarity's first principle seems to be not work with any elected officials, especially Democrats (So, if Carrol is a member that's not a surprise giggles). I of course assess this as sectarianism or ultra-leftism. But I work with Solidarity, less I fall into sectarianism myself.
Also, on overwhelmingly white membership, Solidarity is quite pale despite being headquartered in 85% Black Detroit. It was strange when I tried to join them in 1992 or so and they couldn't quite accomodate that small darkening of membership. (smiles)