Ideas for Freedom: a weekend of socialist discussion and debate, 29 June-1 July

[Laura Sc]

Ideas for Freedom is a weekend of socialist debate and discussion hosted by the Alliance for Workers’ Liberty: from the evening of Friday 29 June through to Sunday 1 July. Resource Centre, 356 Holloway Road, London N7.

Our major theme this year is what it actually means to be on the left, and to be a socialist. As much of the left, from the SWP and Respect to the Labour Party, continues to move ever further away from socialist politics and decay politically, we want to reassert the themes of human freedom, consistent democracy and working-class struggle as the basics of any socialism worthy of the name.

We will also be running a number of sessions "Introducing Marxism". Ideas for Freedom is a space in which young activists can come and learn about Marxist ideas in a friendly atmosphere where questioning and debate are encouraged.

Sessions will include:

- "Introducing Marxism", including: "Are revolutionaries violent?"; "Why do we need political parties?"; "'Working class', 'multitude' or 'people of good will'?"; "What does it mean to be left-wing?"
- Workers' Liberty debates Nick Cohen, Observer journalist and author of "What's left?" on "Does socialism have a future?"
- A panel on working-class political representation including John McDonnell MP, candidate for leader of the Labour Party
- How can we get the trade unions to fight? A debate with trade union speakers and Sheila Cohen, author of "Ramparts of Resistance"
- Debate with the Aegis Trust on Darfur and the left's attitude to humanitarian intervention
- Robin Blackburn on the real history of the abolition of slavery
- Sessions on queer politics and LGBT liberation
- Understanding Marx's Grundrisse
- Janine Booth speaks about her new book on the 1921 Poplar Council struggle
- A film showing and speakers on women and workers' struggles in Iran

Creche provided, free accommodation in London arranged.

Friday 29 June: film night and social, Bread and Roses, 68 Clapham Manor Street, London SW4, from 7.30pm-late. (Clapham Common tube or Clapham High Street rail)
Saturday 30 June and Sunday 1 July: at the Resource Centre, 356 Holloway Road, London N7. (Holloway Road tube)
Saturday evening social: live music

More details about the event: email [email protected] or phone 020 7207 3997.

Or you can register online at http://www.workersliberty/ideas

 

[Laura Sc]

Presumably, in the best/worst traditions of Urban 75, this is going to elicit a hail of posts about how the AWL is funded by Mossad etc. However, I hope more rational readers, whether they agree with the AWL or not, will appreciate the information, however.

 

[butchersapron]

Whose doing the Grundrisse session Laura - do you know? Robin Blackburn is good value on slavery and empire.

 

[Laura Sc]

Not sure how is doing the Grundrisse session - it is being organised by our comrade Martin Thomas, who runs a little website on the Grundrisse: http://www.grundrisse.blogspot.com

The version I posted left out ticket prices:

£25 waged, £18 low waged and students, £13 unwaged. Tickets are £3 cheaper in bought in advance. One day tickets also available.

 

[butchersapron]

Cheers, one last question, is the WCPI doing the one on women's/workers struggle in Iran. That sounds very interesting.

 

[ViolentPanda]

Presumably, in the best/worst traditions of Urban 75, this is going to elicit a hail of posts about how the AWL is funded by Mossad etc. However, I hope more rational readers, whether they agree with the AWL or not, will appreciate the information, however.

Oh dear. Where has any Urban 75 poster claimed the AWL id funded by Mossad?

If you're going to throw a pre-emptive strop then at least try to make it a little bit credible, eh?

 

[butchersapron]

Come on VP you could have just ignored that bit. It's a deliberate exageration to express something - not a factual claim. ( I hope)

 

[Sacha Ismail]

Thanks, Torres, that is indeed exactly the point. (Though recently we've been told on this board that the AWL's predecessor organisation changed its position on Palestine to two states for two peoples was in order to win votes in NUS elections from the Union of Jewish Students - which is not that much less ridiculous a claim...)

The Iran session isn't fixed yet, but we're in touch with a number of groups including the WCPI...

 

[tbaldwin]

Have you thought about a debate on migration.

 

[nino_savatte]

Have you thought about a debate on migration.

You're obsessed. Have you thought of soaking your heid?

 

[treelover]

Why not, its about time the left discussed immiigration, one of the biggest issues this century, in an open forum without screaming racists, its unlikely any left group will debate though.

Have you thought about a debate on migration.

 

[nino_savatte]

Why not, its about time the left discussed immiigration, one of the biggest issues this century, in an open forum without screaming racists, its unlikely any left group will debate though.

You talk incessantly about immigration. Funny how none of you ever mention emigration, isn't it?

Oh and your another who often refers to this shadowy entity that you call "the Left". Who is this "Left" and why do you never mention "the Right" in similar disparaging tones?

 

[Pete the Greek]

Ideas for Freedom [/url]

I have an idea.

Eradicate socialism from the map.

 

[nino_savatte]

I have an idea.

Eradicate socialism from the map.

I have a better idea: drop you into Afghanistan without a parachute or provisions.

 

[Pete the Greek]

I have a better idea: drop you into Afghanistan without a parachute or provisions.

I'd probably land on a Taliban's beard and drop off safely to the floor.

And catch an RAF flight home so I could log on urban and laugh in your stupid face.

 

[nino_savatte]

I'd probably land on a Taliban's beard and drop off safely to the floor.

And catch an RAF flight home so I could log on urban and laugh in your stupid face.

"A Taliban"? You're really thick, you know that?

The RAF wouldn't have you, even they think you're a cunt.

In your dreams, trollboy.

 

[Das Uberdog]

I'm not even going to try and make this relevant; AWL scum make me sick.

Wankers.

 

[Megaton]

- Workers' Liberty debates Nick Cohen, Observer journalist and author of "What's left?" on "Does socialism have a future?"

I wonder what wide ranging answers will come from that debate?

A) That he's a cunt

or

B) That he's a cunt

 

[Megaton]

oh, and I forgot:

C) That he's a warmongering cunt

 

[greenfield]

I'm not even going to try and make this relevant

 

[Das Uberdog]

Why, well done greeny - you pointed out what I said

 

[greenfield]

Why, well done greeny - you pointed out what I said

 

[ViolentPanda]

I'm not even going to try and make this relevant; AWL scum make me sick.

Wankers.

Ah, but do they make you sick because they are wankers, or is there some other reason?

 

[ViolentPanda]

I wonder what wide ranging answers will come from that debate?

A) That he's a cunt

or

B) That he's a cunt

Nick Cohen?

Didn't he used to be mildly left-wing a few years back, and then had a bout of MelaniePhilipsitis and came over all "Daily Telegraph"?

 

[fanciful]

Exactly the biggest joke is that the AWL have anything to do with "ideas for freedom", they must be the only group on earth (left or otherwise) who think that the US want to establish a democracy in Iraq. (honestly its true).
And just in case people don't believe me, quote from Sean Magamna (AWL leader)

"Do the US “intend” to “create a democratic society in Iraq”? I think they do."

http://www.workersliberty.org/node/3875

That's why the support the occupation and the slaughter of the innocents.
As for them debating Nick Cohen - seems to me that he's found his natural home.

 

[Das Uberdog]

Ah, but do they make you sick because they are wankers, or is there some other reason?

Mainly because of their policies and tactics (as discussed on the NUS thread) but also (and I suppose connected to that) because they're wankers.

 

[mk12]

Alliance for White Liberty, eh?

 

[Luther Blissett]

... iam pridem, ex quo suffragia nulli
uendimus, effudit curas; nam qui dabat olim
imperium, fasces, legiones, omnia, nunc se
continet atque duas tantum res anxius optat,
panem et circenses ...

 

[cockneyrebel]

Do the US “intend” to “create a democratic society in Iraq”? I think they do.

What the fuck?! Is this what the AWL are coming out with. Does he seriously believe this?

Also the AWL say they're not pro-imperialist and don't support the occupation. But then go on to say they don't want the troops to leave now because they are providing a breathing space for the workers movement. How can they say this isn't pro-occupation? If you want the troops to stay for the short term you are then de facto pro the occupation (in the short term at least).

An even worse position given the fact that the majority of Iraqis do want imperialist troops to leave now.

 

[mk12]

I don't know enough about the AWL to comment, but I think the US probably do want a parliamentary democracy in Iraq. Or do you think they want a pro-US, Saddam like dictator?