Scottish Socialists
Well done to those 6 socialist M.S.P.s who did not attend the Queen's address to parliament - their place in the Scottish Republican Roll of Honour is recorded. The 100% boycott of the Queen by the socialists is in accordance with socialist principles. On this occasion, the leadership of the SSP's convenor, Tommy Sheridan M.S.P., was 1st class. On social policies, I am often in agreement with Tommy and the SSP. I've always encouraged them and still do. So, over all, I'd award a pass mark but there are times when comrades need to speak plainly.
I say "On this occasion" because I believe that the leadership and policies of the SSP do fall down regarding the military defence of justice, freedom and democracy. The almost pacifism of the SSP's joint stance with CND (Scottish Coalition for Justice not War - and similar groups) over bringing down the Saddam tyranny in Iraq is a case in point. On bringing down Saddam, when the SSP should have said "Better late than never", instead the SSP said "Stop the war". I'd retort "pathetic and NOT socialist". The SSP's non-violence policies may make them popular with the Scottish Green party and help red/green co-operation but quite frankly "non-violence" is unrecognisable as a socialist policy.
"Non-violence" would be scoffed at by socialists like George Orwell, a volunteer for the International Brigade fighting fascism in the Spanish Civil war,
or by socialists like Clement Attlee, the Labour leader and British war cabinet member in the Second World War against the Axis powers.
Comparing how they deal with Saddam, (the United States of America) President George W. Bush looks like a better socialist than Tommy Sheridan!
How is it "socialist" to allow Saddam to continue to mass-murder Iraqi people, and to threaten others? IT ISN'T!
How could the SSP get it so wrong? I believe it is because the SSP is to some degree (particularly here in Aberdeen and north east Scotland), like other parties, controlled by party managers with a control freak and Stalinist tendency. I'd love to attend SSP meetings here as a socialist guest (I'm not into party cards these days) but party managers would rather have the police remove me. If the SSP is not inclusive and open to debate then don't expect the party to get its "socialist" policies right (not all the time, anyway). Check out the SSP web site for yourself.
Click on the following: For War to Disarm Saddam
Queen Elizabeth's Failings
To report to the Scots when commanders fail their responsibilities
Return to this Web site's Start Page ___ Index, site map and search
A tip to delete the advertisement appearing on these pages.
CLICK TWICE in the top right hand corner of the ad.
First, click on the 'up' triangle and then click on the x.