I am quite sure that I have spent more time discussing my ideas than you have yours. I can't think of a single area where I haven't discussed my ideas; so you are speaking junk to avoid the subject. My "methods" indeed. Let is move to the meat: Where do you stand on Hizbollah and Israel. As I HAVE SAID my position is that I support a nation's right to defend itself against an invading terrorist organization [AS YOU WELL KNOW]. Wasn't it you that quibbled when I said that previously that only a dozen or so came across that border and that didn't really comprise an invasion? And wasn't it you that argued that Israel over reacted just because Hizbollah killed only 8 or so and kidnapped only two more? Didn't you say that? But as I have said and as you well know, I support Israel's right to "eliminate Hizbollah." Is any of this coming back to you now? Someone quibbled that "eliminate" sounded like what the Nazis did to the Jews and I, responding to that typical quibble, explaining that the elimination of a terrorist organization was not the same as the elimination of individuals. Everyone knows what I think about these matters. But what do you think Simon? Do you support Hizbollah or Israel in this current war? Or do you take some "out" as Andreas does and assume an anarchic position: a pox on all their houses? Lawrence _____ From: lit-ideas-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:lit-ideas-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Simon Ward Sent: Monday, August 07, 2006 11:19 AM To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [lit-ideas] Re: Anarchism and Leftism It's not an attack, Lawrence, it's an analysis of your methods. You seem keen to discuss other people's ideas even to the extent of willfully misrepresenting the views of the opposition as you see it, but you are less keen to discuss your own ideas, or the ideas of the collective group you seem to represent. I would imagine that some people on the list get tired of being told what they think and I for one would like to hear what your views are past the point of what you think about 'the left'. So tell us, Lawrence, what do the right think. And if you can manage it try and leave out what the right thinks about the left. Simon ----- Original Message ----- From: Lawrence <mailto:lawrencehelm@xxxxxxxxxxxx> Helm To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Monday, August 07, 2006 6:45 PM Subject: [lit-ideas] Re: Anarchism and Leftism I did notice that none on the Left saw fit to discuss the ideas in the MEMRI dispatch. I did notice that none saw fit to discuss the ideas in my comments. All anyone wanted to do was quibble about my reference to "leftists." As though none on the Left really knew what Leftism meant. In Andreas article I recognized arguments I'd seen coming from the Left before except for his comment which could only be described as anarchic. Why do you think there is an attack here Simon? What attack? Andreas made a comment and I looked it up. Where is the attack? I did see an attack in your note. Did it take up the issue of the Saudi, Egyptian or PLO opposition to Hizbollah's adventurism? No, You don't see fit to do that. Does it take up a discussion of the Left's association with Anarchism (which is the subject of the note you seem to be responding to)? No, you didn't see fit to do that. All you saw fit to do was the very thing you accuse the Right of doing, "attack," and yet you do it ineptly. There is no substance to your attack. It can't be pinned to anything concrete. Lawrence _____ From: lit-ideas-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:lit-ideas-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Simon Ward Sent: Monday, August 07, 2006 10:09 AM To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [lit-ideas] Re: Anarchism and Leftism Interesting that Lawrence's response, as so often, is an attack on the views of the political opposition rather than a defence of his own position. As far as I see it, this is a common thread in US right wing politics. Try a Google search on "What the left thinks" and you'll get the idea. Is this because the right are afraid of the left or is it because they have an effective policy vaccuum? Incidentally, British politics have become so centralised that there is little or no distinction between left and right. Simon