What's your worse political mistake?

[Искра]

I don't know if there was this kind of topic here before, but what the hell.

What's your worst political mistake? The stupids thing you were advocating, for example when you were young.

When I was 15 I was an anarcho pacifist...:blushing: and I was keen on primitivism :blushing::blushing:

[Jazzratt]

I used to be vehemently anti-choice. I can't actually remember when I changed my mind or why, I just know it was sometime between the end of school and the beginning of college. I spent a lot of my time in that era as a sort of liberal, with some embarassing views.

[GPDP]

I, being an "illegal" immigrant from Mexico, supported tightening the U.S. border and giving more power to the Border Patrol.

This was during my senior year in high school, when I had become disillusioned with liberalism (or so I wanted to believe) and sought to become a "moderate," which meant I would advocate "pragmatic" solutions that would please both liberals and conservatives at least somewhat.

Thankfully, I was introduced to Marx about a year later, which is good, because I was even beginning to entertain libertarianism before that.

[Jazzratt]

I, being an "illegal" immigrant from Mexico, supported tightening the U.S. border and giving more power to the Border Patrol.

This was during my senior year in high school, when I had become disillusioned with liberalism (or so I wanted to believe) and sought to become a "moderate," which meant I would advocate "pragmatic" solutions that would please both liberals and conservatives at least somewhat.

Thankfully, I was introduced to Marx about a year later, which is good, because I was even beginning to entertain libertarianism before that.

The idea of you being a lolbertarian is...scary, I think :lol:

[RHIZOMES]

Hanging around with student union bureaucrats when I first started University and thinking I was actually doing something.

[Eat the Rich]

Being an anarchist long ago

[Bright Banana Beard]

Being a liberal.

[the last donut of the night]

Once I said that Obama's election would actually disillusion racists/fascists in America. :blushing:

[More Fire for the People]

Becoming a Marxist, after which I actually had to think about my political positions and how politics affects the world. I would give anything to retreat into the ease of 'democrat v republican' politics. Ignorance was bliss.

[JohannGE]

Voting for the UK's continued membership of the then EEC in 1975.

It was my first opportunity to vote and was a missplaced expression of my developing internationalism.
-

[RHIZOMES]

Becoming a Marxist, after which I actually had to think about my political positions and how politics affects the world. I would give anything to retreat into the ease of 'democrat v republican' politics. Ignorance was bliss.

Yep I can relate to that too.

[jake williams]

I grew up in the NDP (Canadian social democrats), but I don't really consider that a mistake, they did (and do) sort of progressive things and I just didn't know any better. I don't regret it, I mean it's possible I could have spent my time better when I was 14, but I'm not sure how I would have known.

What I'm a lot more embarrassed about (although I still consider it an important part of my political and intellectual and personal development, it's part of who I am), I had sort of a right-wing deviation when I was maybe 15 or so.

I was getting really caught up in the whole "atheist bestseller" couple months, Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, that sort of thing. There's sort of some awkward parts of myself that are really sort of intellectual-elitist actually, it's something I've mostly overcome and I could talk about the messy reasons for it, but it's certainly there. Sort of the idea that there are some smart people with good ideas and some ignorant people with bad ideas and that politics is beating the people with bad ideas. Elements of a sort of a right-wing or "centrist" kind of libertarian thing. I identified as sort of a leftist or a liberal a lot of the way through though, it wasn't at all a simple thing.

[GracchusBabeuf]

Not being a communist for so long. I never had the exposure to it in a middle class household anyway.:( Better late than never I guess.:D

[LOLseph Stalin]

Here's one: When I was about 13 I went through a very short lived Nazi phase(:crying:). It went on for like about two weeks until finally my mom found out and went ballistic. I'm glad she put some sense into me when she did. :lol:

[Durruti's Ghost]

I used to be a Libertarian.

I'm not sure what I was thinking.

:blink:

[Искра]

Being an anarchist long ago
Why's that bad?

[bcbm]

Why's that bad?

dreadlocks and smelly black clothes stop being cool when you hit a certain age

[gorillafuck]

Here's one: When I was about 13 I went through a very short lived Nazi phase(:crying:). It went on for like about two weeks until finally my mom found out and went ballistic. I'm glad she put some sense into me when she did. :lol:
You beat all of us

[Искра]

dreadlocks and smelly black clothes stop being cool when you hit a certain age
But that's crusty look not anarchist :)
I look nice... every mom would invite me to a diner.

[Искра]

You beat all of us
Agree :lol:

[The Ungovernable Farce]

dreadlocks and smelly black clothes stop being cool when you hit a certain age
And that's when you grow out of lifestylism and become a class struggle anarchist.

Worst political mistake: spending over half a decade in the SWP. :blushing:

And actually getting elected to a NUS conference as a Student Respect delegate. :blushing: :blushing: :blushing:

[Искра]

Worst political mistake: spending over half a decade in the SWP. :blushing:
:( poor you....
Spending over half a decade sounded by Torts... that must be like a nightmare...it's like studying philosophy

[rebelmouse]

my biggest political mistake: I didn't kill 1000000 of cops, judges, prosecutors, rulers, racists...

Millions of Dead Cops is the first studio album by MDC, released in 1982
Side A



Business on Parade (words - Dictor, music - Posner & Dictor) - 1:26
Dead Cops/America's So Straight (words - David Dictor, music - Posner) - 1:59
Born to Die (words - Dictor, music - Posner) - 1:57
Corporate Deathburger (words - Dictor & Schultz, music - Posner) - 1:16
Violent Rednecks (words - Dictor, music - Posner) - 0:39
I Remember (words - Dictor, Brodski, Schultz, Alpert, music - Brodski, Schultz, Alpert) - 1:59
John Wayne Was a Nazi (words - Dictor & Schultz, music - Dictor) - 2:06

Side B



Dick for Brains (words & music - David Dictor) - 1:03
I Hate Work (words - Dictor, music - Posner & Dictor) - 0:55
My Family (words & music - Dictor) - 1:54
Greedy & Pathetic (words - Dictor & Schultz, music - Posner) - 1:23
Church & State (words - Dictor & Schultz, music - Posner) - 0:30
Kill the Light (words - Dictor & Schultz, music - Posner) - 1:14
American Achievements (words - Dictor, music - Posner) - 2:15

[Stranger Than Paradise]

Yeah Jurko, when I was 15 I used to be some Anarcho-Pacifist guy. I was pretty deluded.

[Panda Tse Tung]

I liked the royal house (admittedly i was only 12 when i did, so i guess it's not THAT bad).


Worst political mistake: spending over half a decade in the SWP. http://www.revleft.com/vb/../revleft/smilies2/blushing.gif

Look at it on the bright side. It probably seemed like a very long time!

[Killfacer]

When i was twelve i thought the soviet union was great :blushing:

[RedDragon]

I used to think that 'greed is good' was a good mantra to live by. Soon sorted that out though.

[mannetje]

My worst political mistake was that i didn't cared about politics and on that way i allowed the system to screw me over. My political awareness isn't developed completely yet. but i realize since a short while that if we are with many we can changes things. :mellow:

[LOLseph Stalin]

You beat all of us

True that.

If anybody can come up with anything worse, let's hear it.

[Искра]

So, you wanna brag about this? You should be held to shooting squad...

[LOLseph Stalin]

So, you wanna brag about this? You should be held to shooting squad...


How authoritarian for an Anarchist. :p

[GracchusBabeuf]

So, you wanna brag about this? You should be held to shooting squad...
Have you read this? http://www.revleft.com/vb/announcement.php?f=22

No explosives, no weapons, no drugs

It is against the guidelines to discuss, promote, glorify, instruct, agitate or incite the practice of terrorism, the art of weapons manufacturing, the making, distribution or selling of explosives or weapons and the illegal taking, manufacturing and supply of narcotics: Anyone posting such information will have it removed and could potentially be banned. It not only puts you at risk, it puts other users and this board at risk.

[Olerud]

Two Words: Democratic Socialism. :blushing: and also being a hardcore pacifist.

[Искра]

Have you read this? http://www.revleft.com/vb/announcement.php?f=22
So?
I was talking about shooting squad and that was a joke. I didn't tell you how to make a Mauser 98k from an Oak tree. Also, you can't have a revolution without shooting squad. In that case every discussion about violence or Stalinism should be closed.

[Искра]

How authoritarian for an Anarchist. :p
Nah... I'm just watching my back :) You Trots always come from that direction :)

[LOLseph Stalin]

Nah... I'm just watching my back :) You Trots always come from that direction :)

Trot, trot, trot?! Where is this Trot you speak of? ;)

[Искра]

In your signature next to Marx or Engels? They look the same... like Chewbacca

[LOLseph Stalin]

In your signature next to Marx or Engels? They look the same... like Chewbacca

I see you want to shoot my signature. :p

[cb9's_unity]

Until my freshman year in high school I was a pretty ardent liberal. After that I was the worst kind of idealistic kiddie anarchist for a short time (don't get me wrong, anarchism isn't embarrassing, just the type of anarchism i was spouting was idiotic).

[More Fire for the People]

:( poor you....
Spending over half a decade sounded by Torts... that must be like a nightmare...it's like studying philosophy
Time for Tort reform.

[Qayin]

I used to be for Ron Paul (2007ish)

Im sorry guys, i was fucking high(literally) and not exposed to Marx just yet.

[spiltteeth]

I once killed a child. But its OK cuz that kid was a total fascist.
Still...I suppose I could've simply bought myself a lolly instead...but his looked so tempting.
Anyway the parents turned out to be total dicks but to ease their suffering I pretended to be a fellow fascist.

[Tyrlop]

I once killed a child. But its OK cuz that kid was a total fascist.
Still...I suppose I could've simply bought myself a lolly instead...but his looked so tempting.
Anyway the parents turned out to be total dicks but to ease their suffering I pretended to be a fellow fascist.
WHAT the
:crying:

Ive never done anything wrong, exept from uhm... i was member of reformist people socialist party, but that was like one year before they got too reformist, becaue suddenly they became very popular, and it was a trend to be in them but then i left... they are too populistic

[Olerud]

Also i went through a phase of being a Trot.. shamefull but it was when i was just getting away from democratic socialism and branching futher left.

[Ovi]

I once killed a child. But its OK cuz that kid was a total fascist.
Still...I suppose I could've simply bought myself a lolly instead...but his looked so tempting.
Anyway the parents turned out to be total dicks but to ease their suffering I pretended to be a fellow fascist.
You're kidding :laugh: Right?
Actually a looong time ago (say 11 yr old :D) I thought 'free' market must have something to do with freedom. But I couldn't find any relation. Next I actually believed there can be a good government. Again I couldn't find any, so ...Anyway that was a loong time ago

[Outinleftfield]

I used to be a libertarian. At another time I was an objectivist. One time in middle school I was a pro-life, homophobic conservative who wanted prayer in public schools, but I was only pretending to be that conservative so people wouldn't find out I was bi. I'd flip-flop all the time. One day I'd say I didn't believe in God. Another day I'd say homosexuality was against God's will. I was very politically confused.

[Kamerat]

Joining Rødt (Red) is my biggest politcal mistake. A couple of years ago they promoted armed revolution. This years election they promoted taxing the rich, and uncover corruption.

[RHIZOMES]

Most of what is listed in this thread aren't political mistakes, they're just stupid shit people believed when they were too young to know any better.

[RHIZOMES]

:( poor you....
Spending over half a decade sounded by Torts... that must be like a nightmare...it's like studying philosophy

Most philosophy is useless... but not all of it. I'm planning on doing a few Philosophy papers on the Frankfurt School, and 20th Century French Philosophy like Sartre and so on. Both of which while not being completely 100% revolutionary have a lot of things revolutionaries can learn from in understanding the world.

[Il Medico]

in middle school I was a pro-life, homophobic conservative who wanted prayer in public schools, but I was only pretending to be that conservative so people wouldn't find out I was bi.
This. :blushing:

[Bilan]

Anti-anarchist, anti-socialist, lifestylist punk. Yeah.

[KarlMarx1989]

What's your worse political mistake?
Ha. Living where I do now.

[MilitantAnarchist]

My worst political mistake was telling my girlfriend when she thought she was pregnant with my kid that marriage was a christian and capitalist con to scam money out of us for a piece of paper and i, couldnt promise i would NEVER cheat because you 'never know what is round the corner...'

My worst political mistake was being honest...:rolleyes:

[Orange Juche]

When I was younger, around 15, I considered myself a "libertarian." As in, the Libertarian Party.

Really what it came down to is a lack of political understanding, I am still a libertarian in many ways... just, now I recognize that a capitalist economy is anti-liberty and undemocratic.

[The Red Next Door]

drawing a picture of osama raping ann coulter in the mouth and posting it on here and i am beinging to regret ever voting for obama

[Искра]

Most of what is listed in this thread aren't political mistakes, they're just stupid shit people believed when they were too young to know any better.
Whell that's point of this thread, that you write something and then that we make fun of you :D

[Olerud]

marriage was a christian and capitalist con to scam money out of us for a piece of paper:

Plus fucking one !

[Искра]

My worst political mistake was telling my girlfriend when she thought she was pregnant with my kid that marriage was a christian and capitalist con to scam money out of us for a piece of paper and i, couldnt promise i would NEVER cheat because you 'never know what is round the corner...'

My worst political mistake was being honest...:rolleyes:
Other one was to support "Class War" (organisation, not struggle) ha ha ha :laugh:

[BurnTheOliveTree]

I think I began as a fan of Michael Moore and thought that everything would be fine if it wasn't for the Bush administration... I have never been right-wing. There was a real brief period I remember being on the fence about gay adoption, which is just bizarre, as I don't think I've ever been homophobic. meh, we all think crazy shit when we're starting out I suppose.

[DreamWeaver]

Trying to defend the Soviet Union, Iran's theocracy, Hamas and other regimes/groups that fought American imperialism etc. but were bad themselves. It's about the bigger picture.

[Tower of Bebel]

The uncritical defence of the USSR and a bit of reformism here and there.

[Andrei Kuznetsov]

Me in high school:

I am an Anarchist against all hierarchy
Maoism/Stalinism = genocidal totalitarianism
All genocidal totalitarianism = equivalent to Nazism
Therefore, Leninists are basically Nazis
Anarchists fight Nazis in the streets
Therefore, we should fight Communists (and ESPECIALLY
Maoists and Stalinists) in the streets by beating them up
anytime they join a demonstration.
REMEMBER KRONSTADT!!!

[Искра]

Me in high school:

I am an Anarchist against all hierarchy
Maoism/Stalinism = genocidal totalitarianism
All genocidal totalitarianism = equivalent to Nazism
Therefore, Leninists are basically Nazis
Anarchists fight Nazis in the streets
Therefore, we should fight Communists (and ESPECIALLY
Maoists and Stalinists) in the streets by beating them up
anytime they join a demonstration.
REMEMBER KRONSTADT!!!
I don't see why do you mock on Kronstandt victims?

[Andrei Kuznetsov]

No, I'm saying that was basically my "slogan" for Anarchists beating up Marxists at demonstrations and events.

Needless to say, my ideas pretty much fell upon deaf ears among few other Anarchists in my area... and now I'm the very thing that I hated so deeply ._.

[bailey_187]

Used to like Market Socialism e.g. Bukharin's line after his turn to the right

I was convinced Economic planning was inefficient and Markets were good (too much school economics)

Then i learnt more about the achievements Economic planning in practice in the USSR (and a bit about in Albania) and can see the benefits of planning.

[bailey_187]

I don't see why do you mock on Kronstandt victims?

I know, counter-revolutionaries being crushed isnt funny, its glorious!
It shouldn't be mocked, but celebrated!

[Искра]

I know, counter-revolutionaries being crushed isnt funny, its glorious!
It shouldn't be mocked, but celebrated!
I guess that all those people which died from starvation, cold and poverty because of all that achievements Economic planning in practice in the USSR (and a bit about in Albania) are contra-revolutionaries also.

Also, I guess than that fighting for communism (since that was what Kronstandt sailor where doing) is also contra-revolutionary and we should cooperate with capitalists, imperialists and czarist, while torturing the working class, like Lenin, Trotsky, Stalin... to be correct line :rolleyes:

[Spawn of Stalin]

Sold a few copies of Socialist Worker and actively promoted the Socialist Workers Party for around six months. I hate myself.

[Bright Banana Beard]

I guess that all those people which died from starvation, cold and poverty because of all that achievements Economic planning in practice in the USSR (and a bit about in Albania) are contra-revolutionaries also.

Also, I guess than that fighting for communism (since that was what Kronstandt sailor where doing) is also contra-revolutionary and we should cooperate with capitalists, imperialists and czarist, while torturing the working class, like Lenin, Trotsky, Stalin... to be correct line :rolleyes:

Exactly what Andrei Kuznetsov and I used to think back in time. We were both anarchists in the past thinking Totalitarian is evil murder dictatorship and we was totally stupid with the history just like you just said.

[Il Medico]

Exactly what Andrei Kuznetsov and I used to think back in time. We were both anarchists in the past thinking Totalitarian is evil murder dictatorship and we was totally stupid with the history just like you just said.
Ah, I think I figured out your problem mate! You see you got the right concept but you put it together wrong. Flip it around and that statement will pass any truth detector with flying colors.

EDIT::p

[Bright Banana Beard]

Ah, I think I figured out your problem mate! You see you got the right concept but you put it together wrong. Flip it around and that statement will pass any truth detector with flying colors.

As we can see, my point stills stand.

[Il Medico]

As we can see, my point stills stand.
I think you should do like most other Stalinist and leave the thinking to the party. At least that way you can blame everything on Trotsky and the revisionist. :p

[rosa_rot]

Two years before I used to like the SPD (social democratic party of germany). Need I say more?

[Искра]

I think you should do like most other Stalinist and leave the thinking to the party. At least that way you can blame everything on Trotsky and the revisionist. :p
HA HA HA :laugh: