On Russian Intervention in Crimea

(Letter)

31 March 2014

Comrades,

As someone who has been politically conscious for almost forty years, I have been struck by how readily, liberals and much of the “left” have responded to recent events in the Ukraine. The vast majority have lined up behind the absurd premise that those in power in Kiev are “democrats” and that the Crimea somehow should be part of the Ukraine. I mean this isn’t exactly the USSR invading Finland (which Marxists, of course, defended). This should not be terribly controversial unless you happen to be a Ukrainian neo-fascist. For any Marxist, this should be a complete no-brainer. It is obvious that the “right of self-determination” is not being violated here, and possibly being served. I agree that it is critical how the Tatars are treated. It is also obvious that the ethnic Russians are at risk in the new order in the Ukraine. When I ask liberal friends, “explain to me again how Putin is worse than Obama,” they are usually at a loss, although a couple commented that Putin was a homophobe. The hypocrisy is really breathtaking. As for the fake Marxists that support the coup or oppose Crimea’s reunification with Russia, I guess I should not be surprised. The ongoing decline in political consciousness makes its mark everywhere. And some of the ostensible Trotskyist organizations have, in their previous anti-soviet zeal, supported fascists such as the “Forest Brothers” and of course such stalwart forces of progress as the Mujahideen in Afghanistan. Today it is Svoboda and the Right Sector. Real fascists, replete with swastika-like symbols and vicious anti-semitism. What’s next, calling for a vote to the “populist” National Front in France? (Actually, we all know that would not happen because there is the Socialist Party to tail in France…). In any case, I deeply appreciate your coverage of the events as they unfold. It underscores the bankruptcy of the bourgeois press, even its relatively “enlightened” wing. Thank you.

CGs
David