From: Rakesh Bhandari (rakeshb@STANFORD.EDU)
Date: Fri Jan 02 2004 - 13:22:28 EST
>Your post was non-responsive. The issue is very simple: do >you accept that Marxists have a responsibility before condemning >a popular movement in struggle with imperialism to at least make >sure that s/he or they have accurate sources and a thorough >knowledge of the situation? How can you possibly have met this >responsibility given what you concede in the sentence below? > >In solidarity, Jerry > >> this is >> definitely at least partially my fault as I have only read a few > > pieces on Chavez's govt. Well, I've read Ellner, Gott, Mommer, the articles from Paul B's magazine, a recent NLR piece, NYT articles, and several pieces on the web. In fact I think I have cited as much, if not more, information in my short posts as anyone else. I am making a good faith effort, and actively seeking the responses of Michael L who has been in and studied Chavez's regime. Again I do not accept your characterization of Chavez's regime as a popular movement; nor is it clear to what extent his regime is in active struggle with imperialism, given how he is treating foreign investors. And I do not accept the implicit idea that there is no burden of proof on those who would attempt to rally support for a regime that can present itself as anti imperialist. This is not a court of law, Chavez is not the accused; he is not presumed innocent until proven guilty. If you want to prove his progressive credentials, then do it. And you have yet to admit that you were wrong to use your administrative authority to criticize me for my very restrained reply to Zarembka who had nothing other to say than insinuate that I am a fascist-Trotyskist agent. Rakesh
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