Iran: They are Right to Rebel! And We Have Responsibilities.

[Rawthentic]

Iran: They are Right to Rebel! And We Have Responsibilities. (http://mikeely.wordpress.com/2009/06/17/iran-it-is-right-to-rebel/)

Posted by Mike E (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1129785784) on June 17, 2009
http://mikeely.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/iran_uprising.jpg?w=350 (http://mikeely.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/iran_uprising.jpg)

By Mike Ely

This is being written quickly.

Kasama has received photographs (http://mikeely.wordpress.com/2009/06/16/photos-from-irans-upsurge-of-anti-regime-struggle/)and brief reports about Iran. We are publishing photos, leaflets and articles as we get them here on our site: http://kasamaproject.org (http://kasamaproject.org/)

We urge you to help us spread the word about the atrocities the people face, their heroism in the face of brutal suppression, and the existance of revolutionary currents (http://mikeely.wordpress.com/2009/06/16/iranian-maoists-to-regime-you-wanted-a-fight-let%E2%80%99s-fight/) among them. Take time to think through ways of mobilizing networks of people in this work.

We have long strongly and correctly opposed the sinister threats of both the U.S. and Israel against the people of Iran. And certainly these are moments when we all need to redouble those efforts together. There is no excuse for allowing these events to become some sick new justification for a criminal U.S. grab for Mideast hegemony.

At the same time, there now come to us, from this major country groaning so long under the bloody hand of the Shi’ite fundamentalists, the cries of people rising up and demanding radical changes. We need to find the ways to politically support them — and to popularize the revolutionary, secular and socialist currents that may well contend and grow among them.

In times of tight repressive governments, outbreaks among the people often involve exploiting cracks (and in-fighting) within the establishment. Liberal reform movements almost always intermingle with more deeply revolutionary currents.

This is like the ice cracking after a long chill. Like a wind of air through a dungeon. Like a sudden first breath after CIA waterboarding. The bitter disappointment in the election has produced despair — and then new hopes and openings have been forged through combativity and courage. The mullah-regime in Iran is shaking.

And there is much that people all over the world — including us, here in the heartland of the empire — can learn from real life, and from the complex events that now follow.

People awakening to political life, and daring to resist for the first time, are (almost by their nature) going through rapid political changes. What starts as a “liberal reform” movement need not end that way. (Meet SNCC? SDS? Russia’s February Revolution? Even the first stirrings of revolution against the Shah of Iran in 1979 were denounced as “Jimmy Carter Human Rights advocates” by dogmatists within the communist movement.)

At a very basic level (not as an axiom but as an observation drawn from historical experience) we should understand the importance, the value and promise of people rising up against repressive regimes. And we should have some confidence (dare I say faith) that people will creatively sort out some truth from a world of falsehood (as quickly as they can) once they have met in the streets, recognized each other on campuses, and fused individual frustrations into a collective movement.

A progressive revolutionary direction is not inevitable or inherent — and it certainly doesn’t always win out. But revolutonary thoughts and organization do, very often, emerge and metastasize when people rise up and raise their heads.

That is why Maoists say, as a deceptively simple observation, as a fundamental stance:

“It is right to rebel against reactionaries.”

And when people rebel like this in the face of ruthless power, the rest of us have responsibilities — and renewed reasons for hope.

[PeaderO'Donnell]

Ahmadinejad accuses West of waging psychological warfare against Iran

(monkeysmashesheaven.wordpress.com)

According to official results, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has, with a record turnout, decisively won the presidential election in Iran. This result has been contested by supporters of his more Western-leaning opponent, Mir Hossein Mousavi. Mousavi’s supporters have been protesting in the streets of Tehran. Many have been arrested.

It is no secret that the West would have preferred a Mousavi victory. Ahmadinejad is considered a “hard liner” by the West for his welfare-state economic policies, support for Hezbollah, support for the Iranian nuclear program, and his support for Iranian self-determination in foreign policy, and not bowing to the West and Israel. Ahmadinejad’s support is reportedly higher in poorer and in rural areas. His opponent Mousavi is considered a “reformer” by the West for his liberal, free-market policies and his more conciliatory attitude toward the West. Mousavi’s support is higher among the Iranian middle strata and in urban areas.

Ahmadinejad’s victory comes amidst efforts by the United States and Israel to manipulate the election by stepping up threats of war during the polling. (1) In the aftermath of the election, the Obama administration has cast doubt on the fairness of the results. (2) Other Democrats have also weighed in. Hawk and big-time Zionist Joseph Lieberman, a former vice-presidential candidate, stated, with little evidence that the Iranian rulers stole the elections and made a mockery of democracy. (3) First Worldist “leftist” sites echoed the imperial consensus. One First Worldist post-“Maoist” group even listed instructions on how to attack the Iranian state’s news agency. Thus the First Worldist “left” continues to play its role as imperialism’s stooges. (4) (5) Opposing this imperialist chorus is Hugo Chávez who stated “Despite all pressures, the nation of Iran had completely won (the election) and indeed this victory shows the clear road for the future.” (6)

It is quite obvious that the CIA is promoting “peaceful” régime change a la the “Orange Revolution” in Ukraine by organizing forces in civil society a “democratic” anti-state agenda. That their actions have so far come to naught is no thanks to the enemies in the First Worldist “Maoist” milieu, who have long since abandoned science for Trotskyism and First Worldist hype. Ahmadinejad rightly said that the recent imperial meddling was “psychological warfare” against Iran. (7) (8) (9)

With so much imperialist misinformation floating around, there is no way of knowing whether or not the elections in Iran were rigged. Whether the elections were “fair” or not, Maoist-Third Worldists oppose the imperialist campaign to meddle in the affairs of Iran. And, Maoist-Third Worldists consider the attacks by the First Worldist “left” to be straight-up pig work. That such activity is considered “Maoism” shows just how degenerate the International Communist Movement has become. It shows how absolutely necessary it is to put the banner of Maoism-Third Worldism at the head of the global people’s war.

Sources

1. http://monkeysmashesheaven.wordpress.com/2009/05/30/war-mongers-war-monger-seek-to-influence-public-opinion-in-iran/
2. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090614/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_iran_election;_ylt=AhQ0YJ5oqEN.g3_x.doE0KhvzwcF ;_ylu=X3oDMTJxZjZkbzQxBGFzc2V0Ay9hcC8yMDA5MDYxNC9h cF9vbl9yZV9taV9lYS9tbF9pcmFuX2VsZWN0aW9uBHBvcwMyBH NlYwN5bl90b21ic3RvbmUEc2xrA2FobWFkaW5lamFkbw–
3. http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/090614/world/us_iran_2
4. The following was posted by a participant of the Kasama Project, an online-only organization that split from Bob Avakian’s cult:
“Tell No Lies said
June 14, 2009 at 2:42 pm

Also while the Iranian government is shutting down various forms of communications the people are fighting back by attacking the government’s websites.

If you open a tab and put in the following url: http://www.pagereboot.com/ie/?url=http://www.irna.ir/&refresh=10 it automatically reboots the government’s news agency site every 10 seconds. If enough people do this it will crash the system. The link is for their Farsi site as their English site has already been crashed!

Spread the word.” http://mikeely.wordpress.com/2009/06/14/iran-election-controversy-internal-coup/
5. http://monkeysmashesheaven.wordpress.com/2008/12/23/first-worldist-fake-maoists-echo-neo-cons-no-surprise-to-those-paying-attention/
6. http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=97983&sectionid=351020101
7. http://monkeysmashesheaven.wordpress.com/2007/10/17/david-horowitz-bob-avakian-tussel-over-copyright/
8. http://monkeysmashesheaven.wordpress.com/2007/06/26/excerpt-interview-with-ganapathy-general-secretary-cpimaoist/
9. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090614/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_iran_election;_ylt=AttbZWO6y7uwBLQK7R

[Rawthentic]

Can someone please delete this pro-imperialist, fake-maoist, garbage?

It does nothing to advance this debate and struggle.

We need to be on the side of the people struggling against different and equally reactionary sections of the bourgeoisie. This is a time when millions of Iranians are questioning the current social order and we need to struggle alongside them in solidarity and as communists (in the sense that we need to raise their sights and build a revolutionary pole in stark opposition to both Mousavi and Ahmadinejad).

I don't think anyone here questions the reactionary and imperialist role the US plays. If they support Mousavi, it's not a reason for us to support Ahmadinejad - it's our role to expose their natures and build a revolutionary movement.

This a real revolutionary opening that needs to be exploited - and the fake Maoist, pro-imperialist shit you post here objectively stands on the side of the oppressor.

[Led Zeppelin]

Great article, also great analysis Rawthentic.

Good to see real Maoists opposing the reactionaries.

Also are you or Mike Ely part of a party or organization? I want to add you to the list here: http://www.revleft.com/vb/parties-and-organizations-t111281/index.html

[Rawthentic]

Yes, LZ.

Mike Ely and I are part of the Kasama Project (www.kasamaproject.org).

[AvanteRedGarde]

I don't think anyone here questions the reactionary and imperialist role the US plays. If they support Mousavi, it's not a reason for us to support Ahmadinejad - it's our role to expose their natures and build a revolutionary movement.
Ya, you or I are really going to be doing that from Chicago or wherever.


This a real revolutionary opening that needs to be exploited

This is movementarianism in its finest. Instead of examining the political content of the movement, as long as its a seemingly mass movement in the streets, it captivates and get the stamp of approval from the Kasamites. Instead of seeing this event as part of a wider analysis of revolutionary strategy, Kasama merely sees various 'openings.'

[Rawthentic]

We have internationalist duty towards the struggle of the people, not towards reactionary regimes. We understand that most of these movements do not begin with a proletarian character or socialist leadership, but that it's our role to comprehend the rapid changes in consciousness and understanding during these sort of events.

The difference is, I have faith in the people. Us "Kasamites" see this as a battle between two bourgeois factions (manipulated by different imperialist powers) that are equally reactionary and oppressive. The people have risen up against the Islamic Republic and electoral fraud - and we need to further that movement and expose the nature of the system (an understanding more and more Iranians are coming to and will come to as the struggle continues).

This is real "crack" in the capitalist establishment that can be and needs to be exploited by revolutionaries in order to create an independent revolutionary movement. That is role, as Lenin said, "tribunes of the people." All you fake white radicals do is tail reactionary regimes. Good thing you are insignificant.

[AvanteRedGarde]

We have internationalist duty towards the struggle of the people, not towards reactionary regimes. We understand that most of these movements do not begin with a proletarian character or socialist leadership, but that it's our role to comprehend the rapid changes in consciousness and understanding during these sort of events.

The difference is, I have faith in the people. Us "Kasamites" see this as a battle between two bourgeois factions (manipulated by different imperialist powers) that are equally reactionary and oppressive. The people have risen up against the Islamic Republic and electoral fraud - and we need to further that movement and expose the nature of the system (an understanding more and more Iranians are coming to and will come to as the struggle continues).

This is real "crack" in the capitalist establishment that can be and needs to be exploited by revolutionaries in order to create an independent revolutionary movement. That is role, as Lenin said, "tribunes of the people." All you fake white radicals do is tail reactionary regimes. Good thing you are insignificant.

Rawthetic, I see Maoism has completely been dumped by your kind.

"Two bourgeois factions that are equally reactionary?"

This isn't class analysis, its anarchism.

"Fake white radicals?" "Internationalist duty" Are you just substituting the Iranian struggle as your focal point of the week- as it's pretty obvious that the Kasama project is going nowhere fast in terms of picking up supporters and entering struggles here (I said struggles, not national conferences)?

[Rawthentic]

This is a real class analysis - a real understanding of the political players in this process.

We all know the reactionary Islamist regime is in contradiction with U.S. imperialism. But that isn't a reason to support it's bloody actions against the Iranian people rising up against injustices and the system itself.

Your politics lack a faith in the revolutionary potential of the people and substitute that to support an incredibly backward and reactionary regime (and system, ultimately). Where do the people come in, ARG? Where is the role of communists? Why do you think no Iranian revolutionary organizations exist that oppose the Iranian people's struggle (and there is nothing revolutionary about anyone that does)?

Your politics is a narrow-minded dead end. There are many reactionary regimes in this world in opposition to U.S. imperialism (for one reason or another). But, is that our only alternative? To tail and rally for reactionary regimes while people rise up? The people have agency, but your narrow-mindedness simply can't account for that or the possibility the people have in influencing and maybe radically changing the situation. Your politics have an objective disdain and distrust of the power of the people, their ability to come to revolutionary understandings, and ultimately to make revolution (your politics chooses one reactionary regime after another - and revolution never even crosses your mind).

And, this has nothing to do with the Kasama Project. It has to do with being revolutionaries or not. I think it's been clearly shown who is on the side of the people...and whose death will be lighter than a feather.

[AvanteRedGarde]

And you have no appreciation for leadership.

In China they made notice how after one error was made, repentant comrades would swing the other way and make the error on the other side of the spectrum.

Weren't you a former RCP supporter?

[Rawthentic]

Seriously, just stop. It's clear you have no way of defending your counterrevolutionary politics.

If you can't reply to my post with some substance, I won't even bother replying. Many other people read these threads...and your politics have been well exposed for what they are.

[redguard2009]

Agree with Rawthentic. We're not talking about supporting Ahmad over Mousavi or vice-versa; few if any people on here (except that crazy MIMite) are forwarding either one of those strategies. Limiting yourself to supporting a cause solely on the basis of whether or how much the US is involved and to what ends is severely limiting; a true Maoist supports a cause based on its fundamental importance to the ultimate end result (the radicalization of the population, the development of revolutionary ideals).

Fighting in the same direction as US imperialism is nothing new to Maoism. China itself under Mao grew increasingly antagonistic to the Kruschevite Soviet Bloc, because it was the right thing to do, regardless of the fact that US imperialism also had vested interest in seeing a defeated and destroyed Soviet Union. Many Maoists also opposed the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.

We can not ignore the small steps while waiting for the big steps (or vice versa). The uprising of the Iranian people is a clear indication of a leap in political consciousness. Not straight to communism, no, but it is a progressive step; the success of this revolt will lead to one thing above all else, and that is the planting of the seed of dissent, revolt and revolution in the collective minds of the Iranian masses.