RE: Kurlands false accusation

[Michael Harrington <mharrington@milken-inst.org>]

I would like to second Norm Kurland's suggestion that an email group be set
up for the purpose of discussing the theoretical-paradigm debate. I agree
that it is important to consider and I find it most interesting, but those
not interested should not feel subjected to it. 

-----Original Message-----
From: VICTOR THORPE [mailto:victhorpe@hotmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, September 28, 1999 12:04 AM
To: EOpriv@cog.kent.edu; eosubnat@cog.kent.edu; eonation@cog.kent.edu;
homestead@cog.kent.edu; eotrans@cog.kent.edu
Subject: Re: Kurlands false accusation


Fair enough, Barry,
My concern is that I'm just about to provide a link to this discussion from 
the web page of our federation (I'm currrently General Secretary of the 
International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers 
Unions - ICEM - 20+ million industrial workers in 140 countries, via their 
industrial unions).  I'm concerned that they, like me, may be put off by too

much academic logic-chopping about the 'one true path'.
What we need to provide both jobs, meaning and a revived sense of industrial

community are practical solutions and examples of how to address real 
problems of how to "build the new in the body of the old".  Especially when 
"the old" is out to prevent it if it looks like becoming a serious 
alternative.
Anyone out there with any practical lessons to relate - good or bad, we can 
learn from both?  Anyone with ideas how to develop, for example, a venture 
capital pool for people like my 250 members in Montevideo who have occupied 
their glass-making plant for nearly a year and are looking for $500,000 to 
help them get to a level that will allow them and their community to buy and

operate the plant themselves (already the unions in Uruguay have raised a 
supportive $1 million by donating two days' pay)?
Let's face it, most governments these days don't have either the strength or

the guts, in the face of their capital controllers, to make much in the way 
of legal changes to help us.  They're too busy reinforcing the bulwarks of 
global finance.  If we wait for the politicians to act with definitive 
force, we're bound for disappointment.
Let's not overburden the debate with too much theoretical positioning at 
this stage.  Let's get a few real examples out there from which we can draw 
lessons and by which we can draw to the idea of worker ownership the workers

who will, in the end, ensure its success or failure as the way out of the 
capitalist mirage.
Vic Thorpe



>From: "Barry Randall" <brandall@fox.nstn.ca>
>Reply-To: EOpriv@cog.kent.edu
>To: <EOpriv@cog.kent.edu>, <eosubnat@cog.kent.edu>, 
><eonation@cog.kent.edu>,        <homestead@cog.kent.edu>, 
><eotrans@cog.kent.edu>
>Subject: Re: Kurlands false accusation
>Date: Mon, 27 Sep 1999 17:03:56 -0400
>
>Hi Everyone,
>
>I find the Kurland/Turnbull dialogue fascinating.  I would like to see
>it continue.  Perhaps this sort of dialogue will come up with answers
>to some of the  more obscure Kelso theories.
>Best Regards
>
>Barry Randall
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: VICTOR THORPE <victhorpe@hotmail.com>
>To: EOpriv@cog.kent.edu <EOpriv@cog.kent.edu>; eosubnat@cog.kent.edu
><eosubnat@cog.kent.edu>; eonation@cog.kent.edu <eonation@cog.kent.edu>;
>homestead@cog.kent.edu <homestead@cog.kent.edu>; eotrans@cog.kent.edu
><eotrans@cog.kent.edu>
>Date: Monday, September 27, 1999 8:30 AM
>Subject: Re: Kurlands false accusation
>
>
> >Dear Friends,
> >Am I alone in thinking that the enervating Turnbull/kurland controversy 
>is
> >just the kind of navel-gazing that gives the movement a bad name?
> >Vic Thorpe
> >Belgium
> >
>
>

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