Encouraging racism
I'm writing in response to Ahmad Nimer's article in GLW #464 "Attacks on US leave Israel the winner".
I simply cannot understand how such biassed and one-sided articles are allowed to be published in the GLW newspaper. His article did not convey the truth of the situation in the Middle East (Israel) in any way shape or form, it did not even come close.
I suppose it was very convenient for him to only give the Palestinians' account of the story. But why did it not tell of the many suicide bombs planted by the Palestinians against the people of Israel? Why did it not tell of the many innocent lives lost on the Israeli side, or would this defeat the purpose of his argument? Why did the article not report on the TV images of the cheering Palestinian people when news of the terrorist attack in America reached them?
It is articles such as this which give the wrong and biassed information that encourage racism and anti-Semitism amongst people who are not very familiar and informed on the subject. Maybe that was the aim.
In such a difficult situation one would be foolish to blame only one side. This conflict is far too complicated and much deeper than suggested by this article. It is very clear that mistakes have been made by both sides, blaming will not do a thing except intensify the hatred and prolong the violence.
Yula Geredov
US nightmare
The nightmare that has unfolded in the US has led to opinion polls showing 90% of Americans want to go to war to extract revenge for what has happened. Evidence seems to show that those responsible came from Middle Eastern countries.
Despite attempts by politicians, the media, and a revenge-seeking public to try to simplify and identify the enemy, no credible evidence has yet been put forward by the US to prove that Osama bin Laden was behind this shocking crime.
Whoever the culprits were, what led them to do this? Recent and not so recent history may provide some answers.
Years of meddling in the Middle East is finally coming home to roost for America. The policies of the US towards the region have spawned a whole new generation of extremists whose depravity seems to know no limits.
The seeds of these terrorist attacks trace back through the previous century. Western powers carved Arabia up into sultanates to allow the West to control the price of oil, deliberately handing the region's staggering wealth to a handful of filthy rich sheiks, who live in a world of Rolls-Royces and race horses while their countrymen are impoverished.
Then, after the attempted genocide of the Jews during World War II, the West allowed the formation of an Israeli state on land already owned by the Palestinians. Israel has only existed to this day as a result of support from wealthy American Jews, who wield so much power that they are able to ensure that US policy to the Middle East is pro-Israeli.
The problem for America is that it wants to fight like Mike Tyson; that is, by trying to kill its opponent with a frightening display of overwhelming brute force. If Tyson's opponent was able to last through such a battering, Iron Mike had no other options up his sleeve, and could be worn down.
The Vietnamese beat America by exploiting this strategy. Carpet bombing, napalm and Agent Orange were unable to beat an enemy that hid, and in this way America can't beat a small band of extremists that are spread across several countries and hiding amongst millions by blasting the heck out of Afghanistan, one of the most destitute and miserable places on Earth.
If America goes through with it, Muslim animosity will be inflamed, and this century will become the century of an ongoing conflict between Muslims and the West.
Ken Thorley
Hong Kong [Abridged]
Cuba
I recently saw the movie Before Night Falls at an arthouse cinema, and as a gay-friendly writer was shocked at the depiction of repression by the Cuban government of the real-life protagonist, gay writer Reinaldo Arenas.
But after some research on the internet, I discovered that all was not quite what it seemed. At <http://www.blythe.org/arenas.html>, I learnt that that a number of incidents had been added to Arenas' biography by the director. I also learnt that Fidel Castro and his government, a few years after Arenas' unfortunate experiences, expressed deep regret at their onetime repression of gays, which were based on USSR mistakes, and ceased that repression.
I read another article at the website, an interesting travel piece (<http://www.blythe.org/2months.html>). I was very impressed with what the Cuban government has done in the face of the ongoing unjust blockade by the US. The people of Cuba appear to be living good lives on low incomes without nearly as much of the commercial exploitation so rampant in the West.
Friends in the DSP have told me about the "real" Cuba before, but I must say I was sceptical. Ironically, a movie about the unfortunate past repressive tactics of the Cuban government has enabled me to learn what an effective socialist state it is today. Though not strictly a socialist myself, I hope to visit Cuba myself one day if I have the money, to better study its admirable political structure.
Steven Stevenson
Collingwood Vic
Bank nationalisation
A study of socialism in the countries where it had been established indicates that unless it can be administered efficiently and democratically, capitalism can be restored. This historical fact considerably increases the difficulty of Marxists in capitalist countries expounding the merits of socialism.
In the intervening period it is essential to campaign around issues that working people regard as important such as the GST and bank closures. Sir Edmund Coke, and English judge in the 16th century stated "Sometimes when the public good is pretended a private right is intended".
A sustained campaign to compel the banks to reopen branches and re-employ staff is essential. In the current political climate it could be the prelude to securing public support for a policy of bank nationalisation.
I hope that the next federal election campaign can be utilised for this purpose.
Bernie Rosen
Strathfield