The Worker, Vol. 38, Number 7
Contents:
I. There Are No Anti-Apartheid Candidates!
II. Background Material on the Crisis in Gaza
I. There Are No Anti-Apartheid Candidates!
II. Background Material on the Crisis in Gaza
Note from the editor:
Nearly nine months ago we published our Special Edition of The Worker to start a campaign slogan. Members, friends and supporters of the Workers Party are encouraged to take part in the campaign by reciting the slogan "If you are illegal, then I am Illegal!" with others in any language while shaking hands and looking into each other's eyes. Don't do it without quickening love in your heart. We want to hear more from you about all your experiences with it as soon as possible. WorkerspartyUSAChicagoBranch@gmail.com
There Are No Anti-Apartheid Candidates!
Many people are asking: "Why aren't more serious anti-apartheid activities being organized?"
One of the reasons is that the opportunist political forces, which dominate the organizational apparatus of so many anti-apartheid coalitions and organizations are trying to channel the anti-apartheid movement into electioneering for the Democratic Party.
According to opportunism, elections represent a turning point – a chance to end apartheid and reverse the direction of government. All that needs to be done is for people to campaign for and elect the "anti-apartheid" and "progressive" candidates.
The problem is: "just who are the anti-apartheid candidates?"
The facts show that from day one of the post-2001 so-called "war on terrorism", the Democratic Party supported the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and the entire so-called war on terrorism. On September 14, 2001, the Congress voted 420 to 1 to give any current or future president full authority not only to attack Afghanistan but to wage a "war against terrorism" without limit and without end. The Congressional resolution ceded all U.S. presidents the power "to use all necessary and appropriate force against those nations, organizations or persons (he or she) determines planned, authorized, committed or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, or harbored such organizations or persons, in order to prevent any future acts of international terrorism against the United States by such nations, organizations or persons." So too, time after time, the Democrats have joined in practically unanimous votes to authorize the never-ending stream of funds for the aggressive war program of the U.S. government. For example, in 2005, even as the Democrats were widely advertising their "exit strategy," the House of Representatives voted 403 to 3 against the immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq. The list of the war deeds of the Democrats goes on and on.
Opportunism, of course, prefers to conveniently ignore these facts. But when confronted with them, opportunism replies that the Democrats are changing, that they "are responding to the movements of the people" and that there are "good" Democrats who are against apartheid, robbery, racism and repression.
The idea of "good Democrats and bad Democrats" is one of the oldest tricks in the politicians' playbook. As part of this routine, the "left-wing" of the Congressional Democrats have long organized themselves as a "progressive" caucus which issues pious and empty words for peace.
Here is how "The Nation" promotes this tactic: "The Progressive Caucus is not yet the defining force among Congressional Democrats. But it's the one group that makes the connection between members of Congress and the grassroots activists whose idealism and energy will be essential to progressive victories in next fall's elections." ("The Nation," 5/29/06). In other words, the "Progressive Caucus" helps to create illusions that even though the warmakers are the leaders and policy-makers of the party, someday the "good guys" may take control. Of course they never do, but the "Progressive Caucus" does help keep sections of the people under the tutelage of the Democrats.
Similarly, "left-wing" candidates run in the primaries as a way to keep voters in the fold. After the primaries are over, the "left-wing" candidates campaign for the same-old hacks.
Thus, the Progressive Democrats of America endorsed a host of so-called "anti-apartheid" Democrats during the primaries claiming that the victory of these candidates would "save the soul" of the Democrats. For example, in the Illinois primary in the 6th Congressional district, the PDA and other opportunists advertised the campaign of Christine Cegelis as the decisive task for anti-war activists. When Cegelis lost, the PDA embraced the openly pro-war candidate, Duckworth. The PDA writes: "Now that a winner of the primary has emerged . . . the most progressive next step is to assure that the Congressional District turns Democratic". Cegelis, a 4/3/06 article in the "Chicago Sun-Times" highlighted the importance of this aspect: "I think the majority of the voters who voted for me want a Democratic majority in the House. A Democratic majority is important right now. The country is going in the wrong direction."
Here is an example of the opportunists' sleight-of-hand. First, they assert that there are "anti-apartheid" Democrats. Then, even though these candidates lose, their illusionary "anti-apartheid" stance somehow rubs off onto openly pro-war candidates. The so-called "good" Democrats are only stalking horses used to keep people under the tutelage of the admittedly "bad" Democrats.
But this is not all. Again, opportunism has ignored the facts about just what their so-called "anti-apartheid" Democrats stand for. The fact is that the "left-wing" Democrats do not stand with the people in demanding the immediate, unconditional withdrawal of all U.S. and foreign troops from Iraq. On the contrary, they advocate an "exit strategy" – that is, they call upon the presidential administrations to begin discussing a plan to begin the phased withdrawal of U.S. troops, contingent upon progress in building up a puppet army in Iraq and defeating the resistance.
This is how the Democrats "respond" to the struggles of the people. They "respond" by spouting empty phrases in the hopes of diverting the people and buying time for U.S. imperialism. This is not an "anti-apartheid" but a pro-apartheid stand. And it can be no other way. The very program of the Democratic Party is and always has been based on the interests of the U.S. monopoly capitalists; it is a program which openly embraces U.S. imperialist exploitation, domination and aggression in the Middle East and the world.
The method of opportunism is to de-politicize people by advertising the empty words of the Democrats to cover over their deeds – deeds which always prove that they are a party of war and imperialism. We need a revolution to solve the problem.
There Are No Anti-Apartheid Candidates!
We Need a Revolution!
Problems Are Meant to Be Solved!
One of the reasons is that the opportunist political forces, which dominate the organizational apparatus of so many anti-apartheid coalitions and organizations are trying to channel the anti-apartheid movement into electioneering for the Democratic Party.
According to opportunism, elections represent a turning point – a chance to end apartheid and reverse the direction of government. All that needs to be done is for people to campaign for and elect the "anti-apartheid" and "progressive" candidates.
The problem is: "just who are the anti-apartheid candidates?"
The facts show that from day one of the post-2001 so-called "war on terrorism", the Democratic Party supported the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and the entire so-called war on terrorism. On September 14, 2001, the Congress voted 420 to 1 to give any current or future president full authority not only to attack Afghanistan but to wage a "war against terrorism" without limit and without end. The Congressional resolution ceded all U.S. presidents the power "to use all necessary and appropriate force against those nations, organizations or persons (he or she) determines planned, authorized, committed or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, or harbored such organizations or persons, in order to prevent any future acts of international terrorism against the United States by such nations, organizations or persons." So too, time after time, the Democrats have joined in practically unanimous votes to authorize the never-ending stream of funds for the aggressive war program of the U.S. government. For example, in 2005, even as the Democrats were widely advertising their "exit strategy," the House of Representatives voted 403 to 3 against the immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq. The list of the war deeds of the Democrats goes on and on.
Opportunism, of course, prefers to conveniently ignore these facts. But when confronted with them, opportunism replies that the Democrats are changing, that they "are responding to the movements of the people" and that there are "good" Democrats who are against apartheid, robbery, racism and repression.
The idea of "good Democrats and bad Democrats" is one of the oldest tricks in the politicians' playbook. As part of this routine, the "left-wing" of the Congressional Democrats have long organized themselves as a "progressive" caucus which issues pious and empty words for peace.
Here is how "The Nation" promotes this tactic: "The Progressive Caucus is not yet the defining force among Congressional Democrats. But it's the one group that makes the connection between members of Congress and the grassroots activists whose idealism and energy will be essential to progressive victories in next fall's elections." ("The Nation," 5/29/06). In other words, the "Progressive Caucus" helps to create illusions that even though the warmakers are the leaders and policy-makers of the party, someday the "good guys" may take control. Of course they never do, but the "Progressive Caucus" does help keep sections of the people under the tutelage of the Democrats.
Similarly, "left-wing" candidates run in the primaries as a way to keep voters in the fold. After the primaries are over, the "left-wing" candidates campaign for the same-old hacks.
Thus, the Progressive Democrats of America endorsed a host of so-called "anti-apartheid" Democrats during the primaries claiming that the victory of these candidates would "save the soul" of the Democrats. For example, in the Illinois primary in the 6th Congressional district, the PDA and other opportunists advertised the campaign of Christine Cegelis as the decisive task for anti-war activists. When Cegelis lost, the PDA embraced the openly pro-war candidate, Duckworth. The PDA writes: "Now that a winner of the primary has emerged . . . the most progressive next step is to assure that the Congressional District turns Democratic". Cegelis, a 4/3/06 article in the "Chicago Sun-Times" highlighted the importance of this aspect: "I think the majority of the voters who voted for me want a Democratic majority in the House. A Democratic majority is important right now. The country is going in the wrong direction."
Here is an example of the opportunists' sleight-of-hand. First, they assert that there are "anti-apartheid" Democrats. Then, even though these candidates lose, their illusionary "anti-apartheid" stance somehow rubs off onto openly pro-war candidates. The so-called "good" Democrats are only stalking horses used to keep people under the tutelage of the admittedly "bad" Democrats.
But this is not all. Again, opportunism has ignored the facts about just what their so-called "anti-apartheid" Democrats stand for. The fact is that the "left-wing" Democrats do not stand with the people in demanding the immediate, unconditional withdrawal of all U.S. and foreign troops from Iraq. On the contrary, they advocate an "exit strategy" – that is, they call upon the presidential administrations to begin discussing a plan to begin the phased withdrawal of U.S. troops, contingent upon progress in building up a puppet army in Iraq and defeating the resistance.
This is how the Democrats "respond" to the struggles of the people. They "respond" by spouting empty phrases in the hopes of diverting the people and buying time for U.S. imperialism. This is not an "anti-apartheid" but a pro-apartheid stand. And it can be no other way. The very program of the Democratic Party is and always has been based on the interests of the U.S. monopoly capitalists; it is a program which openly embraces U.S. imperialist exploitation, domination and aggression in the Middle East and the world.
The method of opportunism is to de-politicize people by advertising the empty words of the Democrats to cover over their deeds – deeds which always prove that they are a party of war and imperialism. We need a revolution to solve the problem.
There Are No Anti-Apartheid Candidates!
We Need a Revolution!
Problems Are Meant to Be Solved!
Background Material on the Crisis in Gaza
Today, everyone can see that behind the heavily armed Israeli aggressors stands U.S. imperialism – the world's sole military superpower. Indeed, all the armaments, the weapons of terror and mass destruction – are in the hands of the enemies of Palestine. In this regard, the war in Palestine is a war in which only one side is armed.
Yet, this is not the first time that the Palestinian people have faced the onslaught, the genocide, of Israeli zionism and U.S. imperialism. They faced it in 1948 and again in 1967. They faced it in Lebanon. In the West Bank and Gaza, the Palestinians have lived under fascist occupation for nearly 60 years.
In 1948, the Palestinians were dispersed as a people and their national homeland was usurped by occupiers. For decades, the imperialists and zionists tried to erase the very words "Palestine" and "Palestinian."
But the Palestinian people have not disappeared. In fact, under the very thumb of the occupier, the Palestinians have continuously rebuilt the institutions of their nation – their cultural institutions, their mass organizations and political parties, even their own government.
All the efforts of the people – those under occupation and those in exile – are concentrated on one goal – liberation and the reclaiming of their sacred national rights. Is not this proof enough of the indomitable spirit and struggle of the Palestinians? Are not the Palestinian youth, who with bare hands and stones go up against the Israeli tanks, proof enough?
The Israeli aggressors, along with their U.S. imperialist masters – like all the fascists throughout history – will go down to defeat because they have pitted themselves in opposition to the people. Their cause is the cause of occupation, colonialism and genocide. It will not pass.
On the other hand, the invincibility of the Palestinians comes from the necessity, the humanity, of their cause. They are fighting for national salvation and liberation, for their very life as a nation and people and nothing will prevent them from victory.
With an endless stream of propaganda, the monopoly-controlled media, along with the U.S. government, try to turn truth upsidedown, continually portraying the Palestinian people – the very victims of aggression, colonialism and terrorism – as the "terrorists."
This Hitlerite propaganda again shows the weakness of imperialism and zionism. This propaganda is a vain attempt to erase the ever-growing consciousness of the people of the whole world, including the American people. Over the years, as the Palestinian people have fought for their liberation, the American people have learned about the history and truth of their great struggle. Everyday, more U.S. workers and activists come out in solidarity with the Palestinian liberation struggle.
The Palestinian people isolated and surrounded by official public opinion, facing the aggression and fascism of U.S. imperialism, the empty words and treachery of so many "official" friends, must know that the American people, like peoples everywhere, do and will stand with them. Palestine's history again teaches the peoples that liberation will not come from U.S. imperialism and its collaborators. But this history also reminds us that the peoples' liberation struggles will always win the support of the oppressed and downtrodden everywhere.
The American workers and people not only support our sisters and brothers in Palestine but thank them, from the bottom of our hearts, for their enormous contribution to the struggle of all humanity against imperialism and for progress and liberation.
The Palestinian struggle is a call to the conscience of all – for the American people it is an inspiration and a demand that we redouble our struggle against U.S. imperialism, the real aggressor and occupier of Palestine.
Yet, this is not the first time that the Palestinian people have faced the onslaught, the genocide, of Israeli zionism and U.S. imperialism. They faced it in 1948 and again in 1967. They faced it in Lebanon. In the West Bank and Gaza, the Palestinians have lived under fascist occupation for nearly 60 years.
In 1948, the Palestinians were dispersed as a people and their national homeland was usurped by occupiers. For decades, the imperialists and zionists tried to erase the very words "Palestine" and "Palestinian."
But the Palestinian people have not disappeared. In fact, under the very thumb of the occupier, the Palestinians have continuously rebuilt the institutions of their nation – their cultural institutions, their mass organizations and political parties, even their own government.
All the efforts of the people – those under occupation and those in exile – are concentrated on one goal – liberation and the reclaiming of their sacred national rights. Is not this proof enough of the indomitable spirit and struggle of the Palestinians? Are not the Palestinian youth, who with bare hands and stones go up against the Israeli tanks, proof enough?
The Israeli aggressors, along with their U.S. imperialist masters – like all the fascists throughout history – will go down to defeat because they have pitted themselves in opposition to the people. Their cause is the cause of occupation, colonialism and genocide. It will not pass.
On the other hand, the invincibility of the Palestinians comes from the necessity, the humanity, of their cause. They are fighting for national salvation and liberation, for their very life as a nation and people and nothing will prevent them from victory.
With an endless stream of propaganda, the monopoly-controlled media, along with the U.S. government, try to turn truth upsidedown, continually portraying the Palestinian people – the very victims of aggression, colonialism and terrorism – as the "terrorists."
This Hitlerite propaganda again shows the weakness of imperialism and zionism. This propaganda is a vain attempt to erase the ever-growing consciousness of the people of the whole world, including the American people. Over the years, as the Palestinian people have fought for their liberation, the American people have learned about the history and truth of their great struggle. Everyday, more U.S. workers and activists come out in solidarity with the Palestinian liberation struggle.
The Palestinian people isolated and surrounded by official public opinion, facing the aggression and fascism of U.S. imperialism, the empty words and treachery of so many "official" friends, must know that the American people, like peoples everywhere, do and will stand with them. Palestine's history again teaches the peoples that liberation will not come from U.S. imperialism and its collaborators. But this history also reminds us that the peoples' liberation struggles will always win the support of the oppressed and downtrodden everywhere.
The American workers and people not only support our sisters and brothers in Palestine but thank them, from the bottom of our hearts, for their enormous contribution to the struggle of all humanity against imperialism and for progress and liberation.
The Palestinian struggle is a call to the conscience of all – for the American people it is an inspiration and a demand that we redouble our struggle against U.S. imperialism, the real aggressor and occupier of Palestine.