Internationalist manifesto causes a stir

[SteveLaura 0]

BBC article

A pub on the Euston Road in London was the venue for a document that has caused quite a stir in political circles in Britain and the United States.

The document, called the Euston Manifesto... offers a way for "democrats and progressives" to navigate through the minefields of blanket anti-Americanism and anti-globalisation, to support democracy and oppose terrorism without having to join the ranks of American neo-conservatives...

The titles of its 15 paragraphs give an idea of the kind of re-alignment it seeks:

It is "for democracy", it offers "no apology for tyranny", it calls for the benefits of globalisation to be spread in "development for freedom", it "opposes anti-Americanism", wants a "two state solution" between Israel and Palestine, warns of anti-Semitism, and is "united against terror."

It condemns "terrorism inspired by Islamist ideology" as a "menace that has to be fought and not excused."

About the United States it says: "We reject without qualification the anti-Americanism now infecting so much left-liberal (and some conservative) thinking."

In a list of "elaborations", it adds that the events of 11 September 2001 were not "America's deserved comeuppance, but an act of mass murder."

Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo are "roundly condemned" but it accuses "many on the left" of double standards by criticising democracies while keeping silent about worse abuses by others.

It deals with Iraq by acknowledging that the founding supporters were divided about the invasion, but adds that the task now is to "put in place in Iraq a democratic political order"...

"As for the United States, we identified a way of thinking among some that whatever America does must be wrong. That is their starting assumption. We don't see it that way."

Read 'The Euston Manifesto' here

I admit I haven't read the entire manifesto myself, so I won't condone or condemn it just yet, but from a brief skimming, there appeared to be a number of things to make this ole lefty smile...

PS. It happens to be Karl Marx's b'day today, too...

Edited May 5, 2006 by SteveLaura

[Fischkoepfin 1]

Cool, thanks for posting this! I find it quite problematic that so much productive energy on the left is spent complaining about America in general rather than trying to forge alliances with progressive Americans around issues that unite. Blanket anti-Americanism sux and it is bad for those who are critical of the US and its current government without opposing everything American, because its a two-camp war.

[pax 1]

It's also Soren Kierkegaard's birthday.

[Fischkoepfin 1]

Happy Birthday, Karl and Soren!

[almaty 19]

which one of the marx brothers was Karl???

Edited May 5, 2006 by almaty2004

[Fischkoepfin 1]

which one of the marx brothers was Karl???

The one with the huge white beard and the shabbby clothing.

[almaty 19]

which one of the marx brothers was Karl???

The one with the huge white beard and the shabbby clothing.

oh yeah, i always thought that was harpo...

[SteveLaura 0]

"Do ya have a manifesto or is it just the way ya walk..?"