The Euston Manifesto

[BHS]

I'm posting a link to the website of The Euston Manifesto, because I don't think that too many people in the forum have heard of it yet. I only just read of it myself this evening.

It's a new call to arms for democratic progressives the world over, to change the direction of the progressive movement(s). I didn't take the time to read the entire manifesto, but I found a lot there that was heartening (even as I tend to maintain disagreement with any number of progressive viewpoints expressed). In fact, some of the declarations almost lead me to believe that there may be some Rovian right-wing trickery afoot. I leave it to the true believers to make that determination.

For those who are interested, the website is http://eustonmanifesto.org/joomla/

[August1991]

Interesting.

We reject without qualification the anti-Americanism now infecting so much left-liberal (and some conservative) thinking. This is not a case of seeing the US as a model society. We are aware of its problems and failings. But these are shared in some degree with all of the developed world. The United States of America is a great country and nation. It is the home of a strong democracy with a noble tradition behind it and lasting constitutional and social achievements to its name. Its peoples have produced a vibrant culture that is the pleasure, the source-book and the envy of millions.

Drawing the lesson of the disastrous history of left apologetics over the crimes of Stalinism and Maoism, as well as more recent exercises in the same vein (some of the reaction to the crimes of 9/11, the excuse-making for suicide-terrorism, the disgraceful alliances lately set up inside the "anti-war" movement with illiberal theocrats), we reject the notion that there are no opponents on the Left. We reject, similarly, the idea that there can be no opening to ideas and individuals to our right. Leftists who make common cause with, or excuses for, anti-democratic forces should be criticized in clear and forthright terms.

One of the tragedies of the Left is that its own reputation was massively compromised in this regard by the international Communist movement, and some have still not learned that lesson.

We repudiate the way of thinking according to which the events of September 11, 2001 were America's deserved comeuppance, or "understandable" in the light of legitimate grievances resulting from US foreign policy. What was done on that day was an act of mass murder, motivated by odious fundamentalist beliefs and redeemed by nothing whatsoever. No evasive formula can hide that.

These Leftists at least understand that linking up with radical Mullahs to oppose the US government just makes the Left look foolish.

On economic issues, the manifesto is the same old socialist claptrap. Bob Rae, Tony Blair and Bill Clinton, OTOH, have some appreciation for markets.

[theloniusfleabag]

Jesus H. Tapdancing Christ,

I have not read such inflammatory right-wing rhetoric in some time. Hugo used to be fond of the same false dichotomies, not dissimilar to: "If you wish to tax the cost of a streetlight out of your neighbour, you are a Stalin 'apologist' and you wish Hitler would have wiped out the Jews".

BHS,

I admit I only read what August posted. I must still declare the bulk of it asinine.

In fact, some of the declarations almost lead me to believe that there may be some Rovian right-wing trickery afoot.

'Rovisms'? Possibly. If the person is actually declaring the mandate of the US, to draw a line in the sand between not only those who saw 9/11 as 'comeuppence' (of which there must be many) , but also those who look with any hint of pragmatic, or detached impartiality at world events, then they are in serious trouble.

The USA may try to put on the 'Cape of Superman' (The will to have the most capable military force in the world), the 'Mask of the Lone Ranger' (fighting for that which they consider the 'good of everyone'), and "The eternal worship of Christlike proportions", they can so deceive themselves.

But if they want to fix their image, someone ought to tell them that their costume is covered in blood.

[BHS]

But if they want to fix their image, someone ought to tell them that their costume is covered in blood.

Yeah, 'cause they don't hear that every frickin' day, from people who's own costumes are covered in...say, what is the body fluid associated with false modesty?

By the way, this website and organisation appears to be based in England and created by genuine British lefties. Which you would have discovered if you'd followed the link. It was part of the reason I found the whole thing so interesting.

[Black Dog]

This manifesto appears to have been drafted exclusively for the purpose of getting its creators and signers into the good graces of the neocon right ("See? We hate liberals too!"). The thing is nothing more than a litany of straw men arguments and self-congraulatory claptrap. Indeed, they spend all their time denouncing the "left" (without naming or actually describing what that represents) and no time whatsoever on right-wing extermism (save for that that wears a turban).

Anyway, it's piffle, as this well-thought out critique makes clear.

But in the final analysis, there was something else bothersome about the manifesto — something I couldn’t quite put a finger on, for a while. A vague dissatisfaction, a feeling of blurry inconsequentiality....

Then it suddenly came into focus: The manifesto did not seem like the product of a real movement, nor the founding document of a new organization – nor anything, really, but a proclamation of dissatisfaction by people in an Internet-based transatlantic social network.