Checked in here and caught up with Wretch’s distinctions between Leninism and Marxism which took me back to my original posts here back on Feb 27 – In a thread led by Wretch’s boost for Jonah Golderg’s best-seller, I’d cited the German Marxist Rosa Luxembourg’s early critique of the anti-democratic nature of Leninism from back in the 20s…Anyone who wants to can check that quote – it’s a striking passage that suggests how truth sets you free whether you’re on the right or left! – can check the Belmont Archives. There were a couple other graphs from one of the posts in that thread that also seemed on point – thoughI wish they were out of time – so I’ll cut and paste below…
Lux wasn’t complaining about Lenin (or Trot) as bad personalities, but about their concept which RULED for decades. It has a name – Leninism – As in Marxist-Leninism…The break that matters in this world is the divide between democrats (small d) and EVERYBODY else. Leninists may claim to be on the Left. But I don’t see them as being on my “side” to use your language. If you believe in Demos we can talk, if not…
Obama clearly believes in Democracy in America. Read his books and observe his career in the State Senate and U.S. Senate. There’s a reason why those republican senators in Illinois (and the Chicago Tribune, a Republican paper since the dawn of time) grew to respect him. It wasn’t that they were under any illusions about his politics. He was candid with them. He was NOT personally contemptuous of them. Same deal when he deals with folks in the Senate. Or with people in the Bush Administration. Here’s a straight up question: Have you read his books? If the answer is no. Maybe that should give you pause for a moment. This is a guy who wrote a 400 page memoir BEFORE he was in politics. If you’re offering opinions about his ESSENCE, maybe you should have taken a look at it?…
Well Wretch did take a look at pieces of “Dreams” – guided by Hugh Hewitt and Goldberg who traduced passages in the book – treating attitudes and world-views that Obama had sublated (and was, in fact, gently mocking) as his core beliefs. It’s seven months on – I’m wondering if Wretch has read Obama’s “Dreams” on his own yet. Dream on?
And while I’m at it – be nice if you would say what you think a Marxist is? We don’t seem to disagree much on Lenin. But it would be helpful to know what you think you mean when you use Marxist – Or is it just a scare-word?…Really do hope you get around to reading “Dreams” for yourself one of these days. Seems only right if you mean to continue offering unillusioned angles on O’s persona. Unless, of course, you don’t really care to know…Obliviousness rules? On the right and the left?
On that score – wondering if anyone has checked Bing West’s new book on Iraq? Barely lets Bush off the hook because he did do the right thing (re the Surge) finally. But West’s book seems pretty definitive re Bush’s & Rummy’s & Rice’s fecklessness over the YEARS, even allowing that war is always messy and that Dems were seriously creepy. Wade – After reading – doubt you’ll have an impulse to blame Rummy’s failings on pre-Petreaus generals.
