The Professional Left in action

[canetoad]

I used to have a neighbour, a good friend who was an ex-teacher pensioned out on psych grounds. Brewed his own beer, grew his weed in the yard, doing a part-time degree in archaeology. He loved his dogs, lived in a modest wooden house and drove a little Suzuki hatch. Idealogically, you could not fault the guy. Let's call him Wayne.

Towards the end of the 90s an industrial storm broke in Australia; Patrick's the leading stevedoring company announced plans to implement individual workers contracts that would negate union awards. Anticipating the backlash, Patrick already had a bank of 'mercenary' stevedore workers, ready to step into unionist's jobs at rates negotiated by the so-called workers and the company. This undercut everything our strong waterfront unions had ever stood for.

Anyhow, a picket line was formed at the wharves and the waterfront workers dug in. After a few days Wayne and I decided to go down to drop off some beers to the picketers, make a donation to the strikers fund and in general support their position. No huge deal, just a little solidarity with fellow working humans.

We thought we'd arrived at some kind of festival when we pulled up at No. 3 wharf. Down at one end, dour and uncompromising were the workers in danger of losing their jobs and their rights. Honest, everyday men and women with their livelihoods on the line. Leading up to their staunch picket was a line of stands and tables decorated with the emblems of the cause of the day.

Woodchipping, dolphins, whales, abortion rights, Tasmanian Forests, Aboriginals (no aboriginals - just supporters), anti-gambling, Kakadu, Uranium mining, Anti-nazi. You name it, whatever cause was going on in Melbourne at the particular moment, there was a table with a banner and some leaflets asking for support.

Now each and every one of these causes is worthy. More than worthy, they are the topics that define our age and they deserve to have their message spread. But...

They do not have the moral right to co-opt a legitimate industrial protest and dilute the message by turning it into a carnival of every leftist position under the sun.

These are the people I call the professional left. Although their hearts and intentions may be in the right place, they sabotage other, much more directed and focussed attempts at legitimate industrial action to the detriment of all parties.

Wayne and I left our donations with the waterside workers, went home and had a joint and an excellent home brew beer. We at least had left a little material support for what we believed in.

[RandomThoughts]

1. Maybe that is why they get paid.

[canetoad]

2. Who gets paid?

Don't understand your comment

[RandomThoughts]

3. The liberal professionals, if they are professionals they probably

are working for someone, and most of those groups have ideas they promote. Although some could be columnist

When he said professionals it would be assumed he is talking about paid people.




I think it was a big push by many elements at progressives. I figure it was banker motivated, but that is a guess.

[canetoad]

6. I'm not sure RandomThoughts

I guess we are all guilty of using the term 'professional' when we talk of people who seem to do nothing but ....whatever they do.

Admittedly I use the term loosely; I doubt if those I spoke of in my OP were paid by anyone. I would prefer to abide by common usage in that we call professional those who dedicate their life, works and energy towards a particular cause to the exclusion of all else.

[RandomThoughts]

7. ahh I see.

I could match some of those comments, I don't do much else but post here and maybe think a bit on things.

Although politics is only really something to work on because it has an effect on society, and if someone has time thoughts on what could help society seems like a good idea. And there are plenty of other things to work on.

[canetoad]

8. I don't like the words Politics

and society used together because the aims and outcomes of each are usually at odds with what ordinary people need to survive day to day.

I prefer to think of politicians as the 'office' people of humans in general. They are the admins, nothing more. Any idea that they hold an elevated position in society and can dictate progress is absurd simply because of who they are and the positions they aspire to.

[saigon68]

14. Its Green Peace and other associated ilk

[Scurrilous]

4. Thanks canetoad.

K & R :thumbsup:

[Political Tiger]

5. K & R! n/t

[Scurrilous]

18. ...

[canetoad]

9. A poll for the unreccers

Bless your little hearts, do this privately as we need ever know the answers you give.

Did you unrec this post without comment because:

a) You turn up at other people's pickets/demos without an invitation?
b) You believe it is the right of everyone to demonstrate anywhere, no matter how unappropriate?
c) You are sitting under an elm tree, having a beer and it just seemed like a good idea?
c) You have some bizarre idealogical bent that requires you to unrec honesty and common sense?

Here's looking at you :toast: in the broadest sense of the words.

[babylonsister]

10. Haha! One from column c, one from column c?

They're everywhere, aren't they.

:hi:

[JVS]

12. unrec for complaining about unrecs

[EFerrari]

20. I didn't rec or unrec this post mostly because

I usually agree with you even though I don't in this case.

You seem to see the presence of other advocates for other issues as co-opting. I tend to see it more as networking and synergy if it was cleared with the main organizers. Of course, no two events are exactly the same and without being there, it's difficult to tell what it sums to.

[babylonsister]

11. I like your take on the definition of professional, and

the example you use. There are so many competing issues that are worthy, yet those voices, always raised, risk drowning each other out as well as diminishing the original issue.

Go to commondreams and scan the right side of the page; some days, reading what everyone is fighting for makes me dizzy. So many issues, so many unhappy people.

:(

[Kahuna]

13. K&R!

[firedupdem]

15. K&R n/t

[felix_numinous]

16. I have been to marches and demonstrations just like this

and know exactly what you mean. Frustrating.

Unification and staying on message has been the bane of the left. Then the media has a field day showing how chaotic it looks.

If only all demonstrations were as unified as the ones against prop 8. Now that was a unified front, and a good model IMHO.

Democrats have to find a common cause, I have seen the 2nd Bill of RIghts as one good idea to start with.

[treestar]

17. Kick

Very interesting. I like to read about these kinds of experiences. I wouldn't like seeing that, either.

[quiet.american]

19. K&R - great story and very good point. nt

[DevonRex]

21. K&R. Excellent post. nt

[TheKentuckian]

22. Unrec for general demeanor and lame preaching for the adulation of the woodchuck choir