tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725396603205530908.comments2022-03-29T14:56:28.819-07:00Oregon Socialist RenewalHDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04797998577645466719noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725396603205530908.post-88871093393727350612017-11-30T10:28:57.715-08:002017-11-30T10:28:57.715-08:00The working class and the oppressed can learn ever...The working class and the oppressed can learn everything. Nothing is beyond their reach, above their heads. Why? Because they are not blinded by the lust for money, or the need to put their boots on the necks of those alongside them, or deemed beneath them by lies.Carl Davidsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00215874972566616424noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725396603205530908.post-19128026808440171012017-11-23T10:36:22.552-08:002017-11-23T10:36:22.552-08:00Hi, that sounds like a great idea. In the meantim...Hi, that sounds like a great idea. In the meantime, consider attending the Racial Justice Organizing Committee's (RJOC) holiday potluck on Friday December 15 (2017) here in Salem at the UCC Church 6 PM -- First Congregational United Church of Christ <br />700 Marion St NE, Salem, Oregon 97301. More information about RJOC here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/150645702008503/HDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04797998577645466719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725396603205530908.post-64776441742725011582017-11-22T20:48:14.266-08:002017-11-22T20:48:14.266-08:00Maybe a Moral Monday potluck if we could find a fr...Maybe a Moral Monday potluck if we could find a free space in Salem or Keizer. I live in Keizer and would love to build community. We could meet; take notes for letters to send or calls to make later; share resources (for those needing help); and eat food.LaTonyahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00260011666582605112noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725396603205530908.post-47064327394899610862017-10-21T10:03:21.370-07:002017-10-21T10:03:21.370-07:00This is a great post and I like the way the author...This is a great post and I like the way the author has intersperesed the cartoons and images with these very clear points. It was fun to read it!Drewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08057182508701974364noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725396603205530908.post-28952503996723298922017-06-26T18:32:10.644-07:002017-06-26T18:32:10.644-07:00Some context on the Otto Warmbier situation: the U...Some context on the Otto Warmbier situation: the US doctors that initially examined him did not find any evidence of physical trauma (neurological trauma- which the media has been hyping- is a RESULT of the coma, not the cause), and noted that his symptoms were consistent with an overdose of some kind. The fact is, we simply do not know what happened to Warmbier while he was in custody, nor do we know much of anything about the circumstances of his arrest. Needless to say, the savage treatment of the DPRK by the United States, the systematic killing of the civilian population during the Korean War, and the seemingly endless rounds of sanctions designed to inflict maximum suffering on the Korean people, must also be kept in mind.strannikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00532464960144087283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725396603205530908.post-8077772751984580642017-06-04T22:03:54.235-07:002017-06-04T22:03:54.235-07:00Thanks, Bob. Thanks, Bob. Alison Clementhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12690432983981024955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725396603205530908.post-13767438922345251302017-05-17T23:19:55.524-07:002017-05-17T23:19:55.524-07:00My family is proud to have voted for you, and grat...My family is proud to have voted for you, and grateful that you are willing to give so much energy to serving our community. We will be there for you next time. In the meantime, as you say, there is much to celebrate right now.Oonahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14216427924781408598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725396603205530908.post-27293454420323203102017-05-17T16:03:03.867-07:002017-05-17T16:03:03.867-07:00The anti-Planned Parenthood element was a huge pie...The anti-Planned Parenthood element was a huge piece of this, unfortunately. I would love to get a more detailed breakdown of the 25% of people who actually voted in this election.<br /><br />There are a couple of other issues of concern with Mr. Lipold which you may have been referring to:<br />1) he doesn't live in the district in which he ran and the current law states he doesn't need to live there until his term begins;<br />2) he kept stating publicly and it was printed in the voter's guide and elsewhere, that he was endorsed by current board member Paul Kyllo, which was blatantly false.<br />While he may ultimately be more "educable" than others, this is a far cry from the expertise that Mr. Herrera-Lopez would've brought. And the contrast between Ms. Goss and Ms. Harder is also stark, though possibly not as obvious to the average observer.<br /><br />Very sad day, indeed.Zany Zoitsahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14293788821444390598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725396603205530908.post-60444543635918964862017-04-11T17:50:24.957-07:002017-04-11T17:50:24.957-07:00The PYD has been among the most consistent anti-im...The PYD has been among the most consistent anti-imperialist forces in the region. The PYD exemplifies the demand for self-determination in its actual revolutionary form. Support for self-determination means international solidarity. That support raises the question of support for whom. I'm good with a position which supports the PYD, supports the PYD on the basis of its anti-imperialism and non-alignment, sees Assad as a potential partner in negotiations, opposes the Turkish, Iranian, U.S., Israeli and Russian interference in the region, views ISIS as a fascist threat and opposes those who support ISIS and Al-Nusra. I don't know why "socialist-led feminist movement" is in quotes, and I don't see a parallel between the experiences of Yugoslavia, Libya and Syria. Certainly the defeat of socialism in Yugoslavia was a blow, and certainly imperialism targeted these countries, so it's important to support revolutionary trends in these countries; for me that equals supporting the PYD while I study the situation in Syria more deeply. I take the point that we live in the strongest capitalist nation and have the key work to do. The PYD has gone far in demonstrating how some of our tasks can be accomplished. Bob Rossihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12403678802224960168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725396603205530908.post-70929153985407930592017-04-06T20:23:11.459-07:002017-04-06T20:23:11.459-07:00Whether the PYD truly is "head and shoulders ...Whether the PYD truly is "head and shoulders above anyone else" in Syria is beside the point for the left in the US; its primary duty, one which it shirks at practically every opportunity, is to oppose US imperialism. This task can and should occupy our full attention. The 'correct' line on Syria is simple: No US involvement, self-determination for the people. To go further, to pass our "expert judgement", as it were, is to risk lending credence to war propaganda. We saw exactly the same dynamic play out during the Yugoslav war, five years ago during the bombing of Libya, and in the run-up to virtually every other imperialist adventure. A 'principled' left refused to strongly oppose imperialism because we didn't approve of imperialism's target. And what has been the result? Is the former Yugoslavia a place where a "socialist-led feminist movement" could thrive? Is Libya? Do we imagine that the people of either country care one whit about the 'principles' of some cosseted Western leftists? If we wish to show solidarity with the peoples' struggles around the world, we should focus on the task we have shamefully neglected: defeating imperialism and chauvinism in our OWN countries.strannikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00532464960144087283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725396603205530908.post-12605513167266866892017-03-25T16:44:43.864-07:002017-03-25T16:44:43.864-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.HDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04797998577645466719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725396603205530908.post-83744557361291021992017-03-25T15:45:32.023-07:002017-03-25T15:45:32.023-07:00Let me be clear again: DSA has nothing to do with ...Let me be clear again: DSA has nothing to do with this forum or the promotion of this forum. If someone told you different, they lied to you. Bob Rossihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12403678802224960168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725396603205530908.post-81558823019695228582017-03-25T10:23:08.295-07:002017-03-25T10:23:08.295-07:00It is not misdirected. As a DSA member I take grea...It is not misdirected. As a DSA member I take great issue with the promotion of these speakers.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05754114667728953222noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725396603205530908.post-92091135963263923842017-03-24T13:43:02.824-07:002017-03-24T13:43:02.824-07:00A fellow named Andrew Pollack apparently has a pro...A fellow named Andrew Pollack apparently has a problem with an event sponsored by SUPER in Corvallis. He organized a few people to send provocative e-mails our way. The complaints are posted because, underneath the misdirected outrage, there may be a point somewhere.<br /><br />SUPER is not us and we are not DSA. We are not in Corvallis or at OSU. People with thoughts on this matter should connect with SUPER, not us. I have tried to put Pollack in touch with SUPER. We reposted this from a list of radical events happening in the Mid-Willamette Valley. We frequently repost from that list, even when we disagree with speakers and viewpoints. I don't see a reason to change that policy. Our larger group may, and we'll discuss it. That group includes, but is not limied to, a few DSA members.<br /><br />Had Andrew Pollack, Louis Proyect or the fellow signing himself as FRMurph1 looked into things, they would have discovered that we are a diverse group with different ideas, and that I and another member of our group visited the region and did political work there and were engaged for quite awhile in trying to build support for revolutionary Kurdish and Palestinian efforts here. I have never looked at Assad as an ally, and I have actively opposed a pro-Assad line in the US. That said, Assad has been someone Kurds may eventually have to negotiate with. The main enemies are ISIS, Erdogan and the Iranian government.<br /><br />So Proyect's deliberately inflammatory comment is misdirected, FRMurph1 gets to shake his finger at us and Pollack gets a star for organizing something. Since we're primarily a local group I'm not sure what, if any, meaning this has to us. Bob Rossihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12403678802224960168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725396603205530908.post-76692032383398692332017-03-24T12:36:58.054-07:002017-03-24T12:36:58.054-07:00Socialists should not be associated with an event ...Socialists should not be associated with an event such as this, which will foster the lie that the murderous and oppressive Assad regime is somehow progressive or anti-imperialist.FRMurph1https://www.blogger.com/profile/10999294200729796466noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725396603205530908.post-43275351131504948562017-03-24T12:34:31.125-07:002017-03-24T12:34:31.125-07:00Since when is the DSA into barrel bombing?Since when is the DSA into barrel bombing?Louis Proyecthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08876739966025806002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725396603205530908.post-13774647574943680592017-03-13T18:33:33.554-07:002017-03-13T18:33:33.554-07:00The Trump Administration and Republican majorities...The Trump Administration and Republican majorities (at both the federal and state level) are, predictably, producing so many atrocities that I think some become numb. One might liken it to sensory overload. People just shut down or seek an insular escape. Those who seemingly have less to lose than others, I would think, are most susceptible.<br /><br />And atrocities wrought by the plutocratic US Empire are nothing new. Plenty came out of both the Bill Clinton and Barack Obama Administrations. Not to mention, of course, the Bushes, Reagan, etc. Trump and Republicans in Congress have gone off the rails to such an extent that we can hope the masses revolt, but that's far from guaranteed.<br /><br />I suspect quite a few people simply feel helpless or question the efficacy of potential actions. As a result, few (if any) actions are taken. I personally question the efficacy of rallies and marches. I still attend some, but I'm often left wondering what was accomplished. Solidarity or unity is great but then what? Hopefully those demonstrations of solidarity ultimately lead to changes in public policy, but it's not always easy to make the connection. It's neither linear nor immediate.<br /><br />And others may just assume we're doomed, that we're going to lose the "race against catastrophe," as you put it in a blog post last month.<br /><br />It must also be recognized that everyone has a different amount of free time, and an individual's amount of free time can vary from one week to the next (in accordance with workload, health, family obligations, etc.). That should go without saying, but I said it anyway. Everyone has a different amount of energy, as well. My depression and a chronic health issue feeds my lack of exercise and poor dietary choices, which feeds my lack of energy. Compassion and empathy aren't always enough to get one moving. It's easy to take on too much, only to then have to scale back. Deciding what is and what isn't a good use of one's limited free time is not always easy and can itself be overwhelming.<br /><br />In The New Jim Crow, Michelle Alexander wrote, "It may be impossible to overstate the significance of race in defining the basic structure of American society." Well, I think it may be impossible to overstate the role bigotry (particularly racism) plays in enabling Trump and Republicans to govern as they do. Without racism, there's no viable Republican Party--bigotry is the tie that binds. In which case a left wing party could fill the void and challenge the Democratic Party. But absent major structural reform (i.e., amendments to the US Constitution), the US will remain a 2-party system. Moving the Democratic Party leftward may seem like pie in the sky, but it's a walk in the park compared to amending the constitution (requiring 2/3rds support in both the House and Senate, followed by support from 38 or more of the 50 states--good luck with that). My primary criticism of Bernie Sanders is that he's openly dismissive of racism's significance. I worry that radical change cannot occur without a critical mass recognizing that racism is key to maintaining the status quo.<br /><br />Just my 2 cents.Garretthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07275350842707067383noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725396603205530908.post-66072366234431045932017-03-02T13:15:19.423-08:002017-03-02T13:15:19.423-08:00"Blackshirts and Reds" was indeed a grea..."Blackshirts and Reds" was indeed a great read. When I think of Parenti, I am reminded of his insistence do not think the real powers in control are stupid, they know exactly what they are doing. Ramiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09786265295628850125noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725396603205530908.post-38766909872286935762017-02-28T07:21:45.050-08:002017-02-28T07:21:45.050-08:00Great take. I would just add that among the many ...Great take. I would just add that among the many points I found relevant during the evening the argument on rule of law seemed to be the sticking point for the opposition. That is probably the only portion of their argument they are willing to share in a public forum. But I thought this was countered well by those who pointed out that many horrible things have been legal throughout history, and the one gentlemen, quoting MLK, that said we should be willing to go to jail in opposition of immoral laws.<br /><br />Of all the points you discussed that were brought by the opposition, I believe they were all brought to the floor by only two speakers, out of the total 45.HallViewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09007864007514028863noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725396603205530908.post-76034713856716189332017-02-21T14:56:39.487-08:002017-02-21T14:56:39.487-08:00This is a new beginning carrying on the Wonderful ...This is a new beginning carrying on the Wonderful work of Betty Smith long time President to IP. We thank Betty for her tireless dedication to IP "We can change the world" together. Thank you BettyAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07008654880048808071noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725396603205530908.post-77702150827359921742017-02-20T16:24:42.842-08:002017-02-20T16:24:42.842-08:00Hi Scott, I am sorry I missed your question on FB....Hi Scott, I am sorry I missed your question on FB. Another person also asked the same question, and our reply, reflecting the actions we took, was that we are a grassroots effort, and are not associated with any organized group. We did connect with the organized groups, and had a speaker from CAUSA, and from NAACP. We also had speakers who are DACA recipients. So yes, we did work with the organized groups. On your comment on TAKING LEAD FROM immigrants, our core task force comprised of two immigrants, two refugees and a Latina from New Mexico. That is as close to taking the lead from immigrants (and refugees, and an American of Latino descent) as you can get. Pardon me, but I do not quite understand how you see this as "not a real step toward (sic) building an immigrant justice movement". Movements that have changed history came from the grassroots. On the point about having a rally on 2/19 and a march on 2/10, our intention was to allow those who could not attend the 2/20 march to have their voices heard on 2/19. Not everyone gets President's Day off. I look forward to your support as this grassroots movement gains momentum. We only win if we stand united, and those who wish to be actively involved (and not just attend rallies/marches) should be encouraged to do so. We intentionally made the 2/19 rally as inclusive as possible. You can tell that from the line up of speakers (which we have posted on our FB site). So many came up to us to express how our rally felt positively different from the bigger rallies/marches. In fact, people were so moved, they can't seem to stop posting their experience and photos on our FB site. Thank you.Ritahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04395959184588828706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725396603205530908.post-43223915070248394092017-02-20T16:07:22.735-08:002017-02-20T16:07:22.735-08:00Scott, I am one of the organizers and I am sorry i...Scott, I am one of the organizers and I am sorry if we missed your question on FB. We are very clear that we are a grassroots group, and to your point of TAKING THE LEAD FROM immigrants, the group that put this together is a group of immigrants (including me) and refugees - that is as close to taking the lead from immigrants as one can get. I am not sure how you can conclude that this is not a real step toward building an immigrant justice movement. While we were not officially linked to organized groups, we did connect with some of them, and in fact, we did get speakers from CAUSA; and speakers who are DACA recipients. I would have thought that you would encourage movements like ours, as there is a deep need for people to do an active part, rather than just turn up at rallies. We have been clear that this was a grassroots effort, and that holding a rally on 2/19 allowed attendance from those who could not make it to the 2/10 march. I hope that clarifies.Ritahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04395959184588828706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725396603205530908.post-82437335962465195092017-02-19T22:29:32.204-08:002017-02-19T22:29:32.204-08:00On why two rallies: you answered your own questio...On why two rallies: you answered your own question. I asked 2/19 folks over a week ago on Facebook: are you working with actual immigrant groups, or immigrant justice organizations, or maybe ANY groups at all? They "liked" my question, but gave no answer. This action was indeed "organized largely through social media", rather than allies working face to face with, and TAKING LEAD FROM, immigrants. Points for effort, but, in the end, not a real step forward for building an immigrant justice movement.Scott M of Eugenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08985513524708279480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725396603205530908.post-29542228842545515972017-02-15T05:30:28.430-08:002017-02-15T05:30:28.430-08:00Thank you Bob for this promising report.Thank you Bob for this promising report.Northwesthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17571607443015179267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725396603205530908.post-86296838169050518682017-02-14T22:55:00.867-08:002017-02-14T22:55:00.867-08:00This is an exciting account, thank you.This is an exciting account, thank you.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15543862587166296972noreply@blogger.com