audiored
25th November 2008, 22:38
Hello all.
I've only recently become aware of revleft.com and been trying to get a feeling for the topics and discussions here.
I've been draw back because there appears to be a very diverse mixture of leftist traditions represented and accepted.
I live in the USA in the state of Iowa. I was born and raised here. I have lived elsewhere including four years in Toronto, Canada. I have a crappy job I hate and I am desperately trying to find another. I had been employed in non-profit for a number of years and after engaging in some contract work found myself unemployed and forced to find work with a temp agency.
I don't know how I'd label myself exactly. If pressed, I'd say I'm most sympathetic to the libertarian-communist/platformist-anarchism traditions. In the vaguest possible terms, I believe there are valuable ideas and tactics in most of the leftist traditions and the sectarian divisions and lack of communication and cooperation has been to our detriment. And despite some very sharp philosophical disagreements, we do share some common goals.
I'm not totally sure where I come down on some of the sharp disagreements. And despite raging debate for over 150 years on some of them, I don't think the answers are as definitive or absolute as some traditions want them to be. I would say I'm open to debate and persuasion.
In the past I've participated in a number of groups. I participated in events with OCAP (Ontario Coalition Against Poverty) and the New Socialist Group when I lived in Toronto.
To my knowledge the only active group in my current area is a branch of the Socialist Worker's Party. (But, that is part of the reason I wanted to introduce myself to see if there was anyone else around the central Iowa/Des Moines/Ames area.) I guess it is relevant that I did support and vote for Obama in the recent US election.
As far as personal stats: I'm 32, male, gay. I love scifi. I'm really into science programming. Carl Sagan is a personal hero. I use Ubuntu linux and macOSX. The two TV shows I watch regularly are Ugly Betty and The Big Bang Theory.
So in conculsion, I'm here to read and debate. Hopefully make some connections with others near by or around the world. And since the whole global economy seems to be in crisis, find out what exactly the left is up to and how I might be able to participate.
I've only recently become aware of revleft.com and been trying to get a feeling for the topics and discussions here.
I've been draw back because there appears to be a very diverse mixture of leftist traditions represented and accepted.
I live in the USA in the state of Iowa. I was born and raised here. I have lived elsewhere including four years in Toronto, Canada. I have a crappy job I hate and I am desperately trying to find another. I had been employed in non-profit for a number of years and after engaging in some contract work found myself unemployed and forced to find work with a temp agency.
I don't know how I'd label myself exactly. If pressed, I'd say I'm most sympathetic to the libertarian-communist/platformist-anarchism traditions. In the vaguest possible terms, I believe there are valuable ideas and tactics in most of the leftist traditions and the sectarian divisions and lack of communication and cooperation has been to our detriment. And despite some very sharp philosophical disagreements, we do share some common goals.
I'm not totally sure where I come down on some of the sharp disagreements. And despite raging debate for over 150 years on some of them, I don't think the answers are as definitive or absolute as some traditions want them to be. I would say I'm open to debate and persuasion.
In the past I've participated in a number of groups. I participated in events with OCAP (Ontario Coalition Against Poverty) and the New Socialist Group when I lived in Toronto.
To my knowledge the only active group in my current area is a branch of the Socialist Worker's Party. (But, that is part of the reason I wanted to introduce myself to see if there was anyone else around the central Iowa/Des Moines/Ames area.) I guess it is relevant that I did support and vote for Obama in the recent US election.
As far as personal stats: I'm 32, male, gay. I love scifi. I'm really into science programming. Carl Sagan is a personal hero. I use Ubuntu linux and macOSX. The two TV shows I watch regularly are Ugly Betty and The Big Bang Theory.
So in conculsion, I'm here to read and debate. Hopefully make some connections with others near by or around the world. And since the whole global economy seems to be in crisis, find out what exactly the left is up to and how I might be able to participate.