Sir Brendan and his Massive Knighthood

[SirBrendan]

Hi guys, thanks for having me at your forum. I'm a Canadian Social Democrat, although for those familiar with the Canadian political landscape, I am most certainly not an advocate of the NDP (They are far too right wing for me).

I recognise many of you will have a prejudice or outright dislike for social democracy. Although I appreciate where it comes from as our work discourages more total revolution by mitigating the harm of capitalism --Lenin famously called for the West to vote for the most abrasive capitalists to expose the system--I hope it won't tarnish any chance for productive and good discussion. I simply can't, in good conscience, support violent revolution with the appreciation of how the Soviet Union was so thoroughly corrupted by authoritarian violence.

I am also, on a personal level, a libertarian socialist or left-anarchist. I believe in anarchism, which I imagine makes me much more accessable to this group and forum. I however am not convinced that the ideals, no matter how beautiful, are practical for the current populaton the world holds. I have reasoning for this cynicism which I'm sure will be discussed during my stay at your forum.

Anyways, I figured I'd introduce myself and my political agenda. I hope I can contribute some new ideas or perspective to the forum, and hope to learn from you all. Thank you fot having me, and hello:)

[Aussie Trotskyist]

G'day mate.

While I'm new here myself, I can understand your view.

I myself find the social-democratic ALP (Australian Labour Party) to be to right winged. But they are better than some of the other parties out there. (LNP, Kater's Australia etc).

And the USSR did end up becoming to authoritarian. Trotsky addresses this in The Revolution Betrayed. That's why I'm a Trotskyist. (Still all workers parties should unite for the common goal).

And your point on violent revolution is valid. I, as a pacifist, can sympahise. I was hoping that Egypt would prove it is possible to bring about a revolution by peaceful means, but I'm not completely sure it will. However, I've seen it as a necessary evil.

All in all, I hope you fit in well here.

[Raskolnikov]

Hello. I disagree with you on many things (from the aspect of revolution not being 'violent' - Revolution itself has already been violent as it's the battle of classes to topple one another. How can Revolution not be violent? There have been attempts, some successful, only replacing the dictatorship with a more subtle one, or a failure) but I do hope you have a good stay on the forums.

[Aussie Trotskyist]

Are you replying to me, or to SirBrendan?

If me, the revolution thing is just my utopian dream. Yes, it will be bloody. And other things, well, we may discuss that eventually on this forum.

If you weren't replying to me. Sorry.

[ellipsis]

Welcome to the forum, I don't know if you'll last long due to your politics.

[roy]

i think the user ed miliband may eat you, but welcome all the same.

[ed miliband]

yeah i just came to say that i eat social democrats so it's probably for the best if you don't stick around too long

[#FF0000]

Welcome, guy.

[Pretty Flaco]

how massive is your "knighthood"? ;)

[Prometeo liberado]

Boasting of one's "massive knighthood" is usually a way of making up for a deficiency's in one's politics. Good luck with that one.

[ellipsis]

Be forewarned that dick jokes and associated humor isn't looked kindly upon round these here parts.

[SirBrendan]

Lol, not very welcoming, are you all? So far I've been warned that I ought to go away because my politics aren't leftwing enough and because a sense of humour (esp. juvinile) is unacceptable to the new world politk.

Well, a revolution without dickjokes isn't a revolution worth having. Thanks to everyone who was welcoming

[Workers]

So far I've been warned that I ought to go away because my politics aren't leftwing enough

They aren't. This is RevLeft, a forum for revolutionary leftists (as the name says) and pro-small business bourgeois politicians, not for social democrats.

[Agent Ducky]

Welcome.
Everyone shouldn't be writing you off like this. I was in a similar state of mind when I joined Revleft, but as I read more about revolutionary leftism I quickly radicalized...

[Deicide]

Welcome.

I want the bloodiest revolution possible. If you 'peaceful' and 'democratic socialists' get in the way of us authoritarians during the revolution, we'll make sure you get put in the worst gulag cells. We're going to put you in gulag cells for counter-revolutionary activity regardless of what you do, but if you want better prisons cells, and warm soup, instead of cold, make it easier for us middle-class intellectuals to seize the state, by not getting in the way.

Oh and Stalin was a good guy, none of his decisions led to deaths of millions of people, that was all made up by the capitalist propaganda machine to discredit Communism. Long live Comrade Stalin!

[ВАЛТЕР]

I'm really just here for the violence. :cool:

But seriously, don't go.

or do, whatever.

[Luc]

dont sweat it dick jokes are p common here i dunno what everyone is talking about :sleep:

welcome! :)

[Lynx]

Which political party in Canada are 'true' social democrats?

[ellipsis]

dont sweat it dick jokes are p common here i dunno what everyone is talking about :sleep:

welcome! :)

And that is the problem.

Re:OP

The forum is very specifically for "revolutionary leftists", although we have an opposing ideology forum for folks who don't fit this criteria.

Generally the forum is used for "academic" purposes relating to anti-capitalism and revolutionary leftism. Sexist macho bullshit like dick jokes tend to degrade the conversation.

If this doesn't sound like you, it might not be the forum for you.

ALTHOUGH, I would still invite you to explore the forum and learn. There is a reason why I haven't banned or restricted you yet.

[ellipsis]

also your politics were a bit confusing, so i am giving you the chance to flesh them out, lest i punish without merit.

How can you be a social democrat and a libertarian socialist?

[SirBrendan]

' Sexist macho bullshit like dick jokes tend to degrade the conversation.'

Lol, not all dick jokes are macho or sexist. Some of them, include mine, are just as presented: a lighthearted way for a silly laugh. I'm a third-wave feminist/gender abolitionist. So please, don't typecast me for being a goof sometimes

As to how I can be a social democrat and a libertarian socialist is a seperation of goals into ideal and practical.

Ideally, libertarian socialism is the single most beautiful idea I've ever come across. Self determination, free cooperation, mutual propserity and a return to basic, small scale living without any larger power looming above. I love anarchism.

Practically, we have denigrated into neo-liberal capitalism, with the political wheel constantly turning further right for the last 40 years in the Western World. Practically, jingoism and exceptionalism has been used to justify the exploitation and wholesale slaughter of millions. Practically, no amount of intelligent revolutionaries have stopped this shift; the revolution ain't here yet and there isnt a place on this world where any nation is prepared to permit large scale anarcho-syndicalism.

So I support social democracy instead. Because they have suceeded. When I go to the hospital and can afford, that's social democracy. When I was homeless and supported by the welfare state to assist me in lifting myself up, that was social democracy. I go to university now, and can afford it despite being disabled, that is because of social democracy.

I am not opposed to any revolutionary leftism (aside from authoritarian). I am opposed to placing ideaology before practical considerations, or more, ignoring practical considerations. Capitalism won't be ended tomorrow, and it won't be ended because of a roar of a disenfranchised working class. Nice if it did, but I don't think it will. It will be ended through education and democracy, and gradual social change and awareness.

So, I am a anarchist by values and a social democrat by practice

[danyboy27]

welcome.

what dick jokes?