Well, hi

[YSR]

Everyone else here seems to have an introduction thread, so I suppose I'll follow suit.

I'm 18, from rural/exurban Wisconsin, hopefully getting to a college somewhere in another (bigger) city next year. I sing in a ska band, so that's groovy.

My politics: Oy vey. My father is a pragmatic socialist-without-saying-it and I have the unfortunate seed of rebellion against authority whenever possible inside me. I passed through the Democratic Party (US) to democratic socialism, flirted with Marx but didn't like (what I perceived as) the "scientific" nature of it, and have settled in some general form of anarchism. Above all though, I've inherited my father's pragmatism. I'm non-denominational radical, my heroes range from Orwell and Clarence Darrow to Debs and the Haymarket Martyrs. (Apparently I suffer from the common "anarcho-1900ism" disease, where I'm stuck in the glory days of the IWW) I don't like intellectual anarchists as much as practical ones.

Wow. I hope I haven't wasted too much of someone's life reading my politics in a nutshell. And the name: I dunno, I use it on Infoshop forums and I think it fits. I don't know shit so I'm just talking whatever I think I know.

I heard about this forum from a friend who apparently got yelled at by members here. Then again, my friend is a soulless sellout, so that doesn't surprise me.

Anyway, hi.

[Tormented by Treachery]

Hello and welcome, I would refer to you as comrade, but I don't think that'd fit :lol: .

I've read some Debs, and I like his ideas. Very influential for the time period, that man.

[YSR]

We're comrades in the movement, for sure. Maybe not philosophically identical, but who is?

[amanondeathrow]

flirted with Marx but didn't like (what I perceived as) the "scientific" nature of it
I would say that most members of the board would take issue with this, considering most prescribe to scientific socialism.

[YSR]

I guess I should rephrase. I tend to view Marxism as based more on theory than on successful practice.

Does that make more sense? I think it does.

[amanondeathrow]

Sorry for the misconception :blush:

[YSR]

My fault. I speak poorly pretty often. Anyhow, nice to meet you, friend.

[amanondeathrow]

Anyhow, nice to meet you, friend.
Nice to meet you as well. I hope you find your time on this board most rewarding.

[Tormented by Treachery]

Let me rephrase it then, for you bring up a good point:

Welcome, comrade!

[Tekun]

Welcome brother

If my memory serves me right, Wisconsin is a difficult place for any socialist to live in

I feel for u brother

Feel free to correct me if Im wrong

[Husky42]

Welcome friend

May you enjoy your stay and use the board as the tool it is

[Abood]

Welcome comrade.
i'm planning to go study in Wisconsin for university, how good is it out there - especially for a socialist.

[LtnMarxist]

Originally posted by Young Stupid [email protected] 2 2006, 10:49 PM
I guess I should rephrase. I tend to view Marxism as based more on theory than on successful practice.

Does that make more sense? I think it does.
LoL are you serious, Marxism-Leninism has been the only successful revolutionary practice since the creation of class society. Anarchism is the impractical theory, check your history bro. Introduction wise I am a member of the Party for Socialism and Liberation, hauling out of our New York Branch.

[Zingu]

Originally posted by [email protected] 3 2006, 02:31 PM
LoL are you serious, Marxism-Leninism has been the only successful revolutionary practice since the creation of class society. Anarchism is the impractical theory, check your history bro. Introduction wise I am a member of the Party for Socialism and Liberation, hauling out of our New York Branch.
Sure, Leninism was revolutionary.

But was it Socialism?

Thats the question.

[Tormented by Treachery]

Originally posted by [email protected] 3 2006, 09:28 AM
If my memory serves me right, Wisconsin is a difficult place for any socialist to live in
The United States as a whole is a very difficult place to be a non-capitalist in general, but Wisconsin is a fairly liberal state.

[Tekun]

Originally posted by Tormented by Treachery+Feb 3 2006, 10:26 PM--> (Tormented by Treachery @ Feb 3 2006, 10:26 PM)
[email protected] 3 2006, 09:28 AM
If my memory serves me right, Wisconsin is a difficult place for any socialist to live in
The United States as a whole is a very difficult place to be a non-capitalist in general, but Wisconsin is a fairly liberal state. [/b]
Wisconsin liberal, I did not know that

But I agree, the US is a hard place for any socially conscious person

Funny story, I was in a donut place reading the Manifesto
And this mailman walks in, looks at the book, and gives me this "Why the phuk are u reading this" look

I was appalled by his ignorance, would of said something but he ran off rather quickly

[enigma2517]

LoL are you serious

Ya I know liek zomg d00d wtf?


Marxism-Leninism has been the only successful revolutionary practice since the creation of class society

It sounds like you're implying all revolutions since 10,000 years ago have been led by Marxist-Leninists. Thats probably not what you mean though.

Define successful? Whats the successful part, thinking you can substitute "leadership skills" in place of necessary material conditions for revolution in semi-feudal, pre-capitalist countries or the part where they all generate into state-capitalist shit holes?


Anarchism is the impractical theory, check your history bro.

Indeed, do check your history. Particularly about the Spanish revolution. In terms of giving power to the working class, they did more in a week than China and Soviet Union combined.

[YSR]

You speak truth, Enigma. No offense, Ltn Marxist but I think you are overlooking a good deal of anarchist history.

Tekun: Actually, up to about 50 years ago, Wisconsin was the best place state in the country to be a socialist. Milwaukee had a Socialist Party mayor up until 1960. We've also elected more Socialists than any other state to the federal House of Reps (I think). True, they were SPs, so not revolutionary socialists, but it's a start. WI has a pretty cool agrarian populist tradition (too many Lutherans in one place=revolution!) and Milwaukee still has a slight socialist tradition. Unfortunately, racism has turned much of Milwaukee (and the rest of the state) into a difficult place for radicalism to grow.

As for Socialist Advocate: Where are you studying? UW at Madison is ripe with radicalism. Conservatives around here say that Madison is "5 miles surrounded by reality". I've heard it called (by ignorant people) "the last bastion of Communism in America...besides Berkeley". Sadly, I'm out in the capitalist west, so that blows.

Christ, I'm like the Wisconsin ambassador to RevLeft. Oh well. Once again, nice to meet all you.

Edit: I'm incapable of spelling.