tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post114945992657847641..comments2023-10-25T12:49:50.074+01:00Comments on The Old Socialist Unity Blog - we have moved: Cuba's Brokeback montaƱaANhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05901425044840795347noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-1150039359744204162006-06-11T16:22:00.000+01:002006-06-11T16:22:00.000+01:00Nice colors. Keep up the good work. thnx!»Nice colors. Keep up the good work. thnx!<BR/><A HREF="http://969.topay.info/" REL="nofollow">»</A>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-1149537026741163082006-06-05T20:50:00.000+01:002006-06-05T20:50:00.000+01:00Yeah, Chris B. is scary but so is Chris Nineham. A...Yeah, Chris B. is scary but so is Chris Nineham. At the 1st ESF in Florence just listening to his sloganising for 15 minutes made my blood pressure rise.... I can feel it rise again now just rememberingLouisefeministahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08279991897445225597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-1149536021974126892006-06-05T20:33:00.000+01:002006-06-05T20:33:00.000+01:00presumably Castro is happy about it as Cuba was on...presumably Castro is happy about it as Cuba was one of the original sponsors of the telesur TV network along with Venezuela.ANhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05901425044840795347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-1149535676213060052006-06-05T20:27:00.000+01:002006-06-05T20:27:00.000+01:00It's not just going to Venezuela though. Venezuela...It's not just going to Venezuela though. Venezuelan state TV is very popular in Cuba which means large numbers of Cubans have a very easy way of seeing what's going on (even if mediated through state TV)<BR/><BR/>I do wonder how happy Castro is about thatJim Jeppshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17410387006098326671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-1149535609040947992006-06-05T20:26:00.000+01:002006-06-05T20:26:00.000+01:00Castro is one thing, but imagine a 5 hour speech b...Castro is one thing, but imagine a 5 hour speech by Chris Bambury, the very thought of it makes my blood run cold.ANhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05901425044840795347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-1149535452152416642006-06-05T20:24:00.000+01:002006-06-05T20:24:00.000+01:00Talking of Castro speeches, you too can read them ...Talking of Castro speeches, you too can read them in back copies of Intercontinental Press. An ex of mine was utterly devoted to that practice.Louisefeministahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08279991897445225597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-1149534578174033042006-06-05T20:09:00.000+01:002006-06-05T20:09:00.000+01:00Good article in International Viewpoint. I may not...Good article in International Viewpoint. I may not be a member of the ISG any longer but I still read and subscribe to IVP.Louisefeministahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08279991897445225597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-1149533178642574332006-06-05T19:46:00.000+01:002006-06-05T19:46:00.000+01:00I think that is historically true, and the 5 hour ...I think that is historically true, and the 5 hour speeches don't do anything for me. But things are changing, and the less besieged Cuba feels the more relaxed it can become.<BR/><BR/>On the positive side thousands of young Cubans are going to Venezuela now. As Celia hart says: "But the freshness of the Venezuelan process, the voyages there, the possibility of experiencing other realities and intervening there are an enriching experience and it is important that Cubans, in particular young people - and not the Cuban government or state of course - can take part in the Venezuelan revolution, not only as doctors or teachers, but in the factories, the neighbourhood meetings etc"<BR/>http://internationalviewpoint.org/article.php3?id_article=1052ANhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05901425044840795347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-1149531260512968432006-06-05T19:14:00.000+01:002006-06-05T19:14:00.000+01:00AN says: "The SWP and SP simply dismiss Cuba on th...AN says: "The SWP and SP simply dismiss Cuba on the basis of it being with state cap or a deformed workers state. Thus ignoring the (one would have thought) obvious fact that this is a country of 11 million where the left are in power. There needs to be a much more open minded debate about what that means in practice."<BR/><BR/>Very true! It is easy to be theoretical and the practicalities of the real world and real people get lost. T<BR/><BR/>he Cuban leadership is locked in a 1950s tankie bureaucratic mindset.Louisefeministahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08279991897445225597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-1149520483468365842006-06-05T16:14:00.001+01:002006-06-05T16:14:00.001+01:00hey - there seem to be a lot of multiple posting g...hey - there seem to be a lot of multiple posting going on. I blame jim.<BR/><BR/>Call me superficial, but it is the liberal, sandal wearing image that is the obstacle to the greens attracting the left, rather than the actual substance of their politics.<BR/><BR/>As we have saiid before the fact that Derek managed to get 800 plus votes for the male national speaker position last year shows there is a considerable left in the Greens. And it is also an organisation where debate and caucuses are permitted.<BR/><BR/>Personally, we have a Socialist Aliance branch here in Swindon that has been modestly succesful in pulling together a network of cooperation between socialists, including an independent socialist councillor, and we have good participation from local trade union officials, etc. (it is a bit like Asterix's village after the Romans (Respect?) conquered the rest of Gaul (the SA?))<BR/><BR/>But at a national level, there is no clear alternative. And there is only so far we can go in Swindon without some national frame work.ANhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05901425044840795347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-1149520442482187632006-06-05T16:14:00.000+01:002006-06-05T16:14:00.000+01:00Bloody comments thingie is doing strange things .....Bloody comments thingie is doing strange things ......stroppybirdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17084299441558297740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-1149519718048384352006-06-05T16:01:00.001+01:002006-06-05T16:01:00.001+01:00ANI have looked at the Greens website and their po...AN<BR/><BR/>I have looked at the Greens website and their policy. Some of it is good, better than the LP (ok, thats not saying much). Some sounds a bit wishy washy, sounding good but in a long winded way (again, the far left are not known for succinct direct writing either). Just feels a bit liberally and sandal wearing . Oh dear , should I say that out loud!<BR/>(Causing offence wherever I go....)<BR/><BR/>Then again, what is the alternative on the left? Like Louise I like to be able to disagree and debate . I have never found a far left grouping that I could feel comfortable in. The LP was always a compromise. Im pretty sure I will leave though, I can no longer find any reason to stay.<BR/><BR/>Oh dear, i'm verging on a AN/Louise disseration ....stroppybirdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17084299441558297740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-1149519702003109272006-06-05T16:01:00.000+01:002006-06-05T16:01:00.000+01:00ANI have looked at the Greens website and their po...AN<BR/><BR/>I have looked at the Greens website and their policy. Some of it is good, better than the LP (ok, thats not saying much). Some sounds a bit wishy washy, sounding good but in a long winded way (again, the far left are not known for succinct direct writing either). Just feels a bit liberally and sandal wearing . Oh dear , should I say that out loud!<BR/>(Causing offence wherever I go....)<BR/><BR/>Then again, what is the alternative on the left? Like Louise I like to be able to disagree and debate . I have never found a far left grouping that I could feel comfortable in. The LP was always a compromise. Im pretty sure I will leave though, I can no longer find any reason to stay.<BR/><BR/>Oh dear, i'm verging on a AN/Louise disseration ....stroppybirdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17084299441558297740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-1149518993964907252006-06-05T15:49:00.002+01:002006-06-05T15:49:00.002+01:00funny you should say that...Birth of the Green Lef...funny you should say that...<BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://another-green-world.blogspot.com/2006/06/birth-of-green-left.html" REL="nofollow">Birth of the Green Left</A>Jim Jeppshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17410387006098326671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-1149518991155236902006-06-05T15:49:00.001+01:002006-06-05T15:49:00.001+01:00funny you should say that...Birth of the Green Lef...funny you should say that...<BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://another-green-world.blogspot.com/2006/06/birth-of-green-left.html" REL="nofollow">Birth of the Green Left</A>Jim Jeppshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17410387006098326671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-1149518990224848672006-06-05T15:49:00.000+01:002006-06-05T15:49:00.000+01:00funny you should say that...Birth of the Green Lef...funny you should say that...<BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://another-green-world.blogspot.com/2006/06/birth-of-green-left.html" REL="nofollow">Birth of the Green Left</A>Jim Jeppshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17410387006098326671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-1149518861662232902006-06-05T15:47:00.000+01:002006-06-05T15:47:00.000+01:00I mooted the idea of joining the greens at our las...I mooted the idea of joining the greens at our last Socialist Alliance/Unity branch meeting in Swindon.<BR/><BR/>Reactions were mixed, and there is still a big resistance from comrades who see the green party as irrelevent to, or unconnected with, the labour movement.<BR/><BR/>From my point of view the Green Party still needs to make efforts to move closer to the traditional concerns of trade union activists before it is likely to attract the leftANhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05901425044840795347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-1149516101198651992006-06-05T15:01:00.000+01:002006-06-05T15:01:00.000+01:00DerekFunny you should say that. Peter Tatchell gav...Derek<BR/><BR/>Funny you should say that. Peter Tatchell gave me your number and suggested I speak to you.....stroppybirdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17084299441558297740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-1149514956614228672006-06-05T14:42:00.000+01:002006-06-05T14:42:00.000+01:00Well the easy point to make is join the Greens, it...Well the easy point to make is join the Greens, it is pretty friendly environment here.<BR/><BR/>We are great at agreeing to disagree where necessary and I think despite recent problems both the Scottish Socialist party and the SPEW show that leftism does not need to be sectarian..<BR/><BR/>but this is too easy a point...there is plenty of politics outside parties...if you don't like the Greens, burn your membership card anyway and get on with all the good campaigning that is worth doing which may be you do already...Derek Wallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05462511891409913195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-1149505339864226682006-06-05T12:02:00.000+01:002006-06-05T12:02:00.000+01:00Not that I am uncritical about the LP, far from it...Not that I am uncritical about the LP, far from it as some of my SB posts show. Just can't find anywhere else to go.stroppybirdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17084299441558297740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-1149505297901999812006-06-05T12:01:00.000+01:002006-06-05T12:01:00.000+01:00Sort of political 'pop idol' mentality !I generall...Sort of political 'pop idol' mentality !<BR/><BR/>I generally find its difficult to criticise aspects of the left without people getting into their set pieces and being defensive. Thats what I have found with LGBT/womens issues but with other issues and the left.<BR/><BR/>Probably why I am still in the Labour Party looking for somewhere else to go and feeling depressed....stroppybirdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17084299441558297740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-1149504387410037452006-06-05T11:46:00.000+01:002006-06-05T11:46:00.000+01:00SB - I think that's right, but also, which I think...SB - I think that's right, but also, which I think is a greater problem, is they all focused on Chavez 'the great man' with Venezuela itself being present only as a backdrop, if at all.<BR/><BR/>Whilst this kind of pop star politics is probably <I>easier</I> I'm not sure how helpful it is.Jim Jeppshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17410387006098326671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-1149502076986926732006-06-05T11:07:00.000+01:002006-06-05T11:07:00.000+01:00ANAgree that the debate generally gets polarised w...AN<BR/><BR/>Agree that the debate generally gets polarised when discussing latin America. With the recent Chavez visit the reports were either very sycophantic or very critical, nothing much in between.stroppybirdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17084299441558297740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-1149499415544278302006-06-05T10:23:00.000+01:002006-06-05T10:23:00.000+01:00true SB - but there is another issue that in Engla...true SB - but there is another issue that in England (not true in Scotland), the debate about Cuba has become completely stuck in the past.<BR/><BR/>There is intersting occassional reportage, but no analysis, in the Morning Star, but those who argue for a positve appraisal of Cuba - the RCG and the British supporters of the Barnsite SWP(US) are deeply sectarian. And the RCG in particular seem to argue that the British workers' movement should just be cheer leaders for events overseas.<BR/><BR/>The SWP and SP simply dismiss Cuba on the basis of it being with state cap or a deformed workers state. Thus ignoring the (one would have thought) obvious fact that this is a country of 11 million where the left are in power. There needs to be a much more open minded debate about what that means in practice.<BR/><BR/>I am pleased to see that Socialist resitance are bringing Celia Hart to their day school on 24th June, I am looking forward to it.ANhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05901425044840795347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-1149497263055673182006-06-05T09:47:00.000+01:002006-06-05T09:47:00.000+01:00I see the purpose of posts like this is to create ...I see the purpose of posts like this is to create a discussion and some thought around LGBT people and women in what are often macho cultures. It is often lacking when Latin America is discussed.stroppybirdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17084299441558297740noreply@blogger.com