NationStates Jolt Archive

He did his usual rant about the evils of capitalism/joys of communism.

Regardless of whether you agree or disagree with him, do you think that his brand of fiery rhetoric helps or hinders his cause?

I think it damages it- it makes socialists look bitter and, well, crazy. And a bit of a leftie myself, I resent that... (Irony :p)

Oh, and sorry I've no source, but hey, when have I lied to you?

The problem isn't the fiery rhetoric per se. The problem is that leftists in general do not have a concrete vision of an alternative to capitalism. Nine times out of ten, the answer to the question "Okay, capitalism is bad, but what are we going to do about it" is "capitalism is bad".

It makes it look as though leftists are full of hot air, and not much more.

Yep. He's an embarassment.

EDIT: An the clip should be avaliable tomorrow (20th) from here (http://www.channel4.com/news/watchlisten/video/).

The problem isn't the fiery rhetoric per se. The problem is that leftists in general do not have a concrete vision of an alternative to capitalism. Nine times out of ten, the answer to the question "Okay, capitalism is bad, but what are we going to do about it" is "capitalism is bad".

It makes it look as though leftists are full of hot air, and not much more.
It's more the blind support for Castro/Chavez and their governments that get me, and the notion that either one supports them blindly or one is a stooge of the United States. There's no doubt in my mind he'd rabidly support the USSR if it were still around, as an 'alternative' to imperialism.

It's more the blind support for Castro/Chavez and their governments that get me, and the notion that either one supports them blindly or one is a stooge of the United States. There's no doubt in my mind he'd rabidly support the USSR if it were still around, as an 'alternative' to imperialism.

That's problematic too. Why so many leftists cling to these states or defend the USSR is beyond me. I do not understand it, and I don't think I ever will.

I did find him comparing Channel Four to Fox News quite amusing, though.

Yep. He's an embarassment.

EDIT: An the clip should be avaliable tomorrow (20th) from here (http://www.channel4.com/news/watchlisten/video/).

Thanks, if the thread is still alive, I'll work that out tomorrow.

I did find him comparing Channel Four to Fox News quite amusing, though.

Yeah, he'd be better off comparing Sky News.

But as our good-if-ironically-named Trotsky friend here said, he's damaging his case by not offering solutions. He just says "this is bad" without even trying to work out a way around it. He doesn't even say "let's pay a bunch of smart people to figure out a new good way" which would at least be a good start.

At least he's answering the questions. I remember him just shouting out insults and accusing people of taking Jewish money when he was in the states.

Good to see the leftist and Muslim community is being well-represented in the government.

That's problematic too. Why so many leftists cling to these states or defend the USSR is beyond me. I do not understand it, and I don't think I ever will.
You're not alone, although I think (at least here) most have come to realise that totalitarian statism is not the way forward.

I did find him comparing Channel Four to Fox News quite amusing, though.
Next he'll be comparing the Guardian to the Mail.

Thanks, if the thread is still alive, I'll work that out tomorrow.
No problem.:)

Yeah, he'd be better off comparing Sky News.
They've recently taken to interviewing a Tory MP every evening to read the front pages, almost without exception.

Man's a tit. Hopefully his [lack of] Respect party will lose every seat they have (one - his) in the next election.

On topic, people like him are definitely not a good thing for socialists/lefties/etc. Trotskylvania and Kyronea hit the nail on the head; I don't think I actually have any more to add (especially as they put it better than I ever could).

They've recently taken to interviewing a Tory MP every evening to read the front pages, almost without exception.

Ridiculous. At least Fox News hasn't become that bad...though they are just as bad in other ways...

Ridiculous. At least Fox News hasn't become that bad...though they are just as bad in other ways...

Karl Rove much? :p

He hinders his cause. This is a good thing.

He's on Newsnight NOW!