Thursday, May 18, 2006
LIGHTMINDED LEFT ENJOINED
Norm Geras on the Euston Manifesto, in the London Times:
Well-known writers — mature people, veterans of the Left — see their way to endorsing the Iraqi so-called resistance despite its murderous methods, or give out lightminded comparisons between the US under George Bush’s leadership and Nazi Germany. That there are such themes being aired by people on the broad liberal Left is a matter of record. It has been documented and criticised repeatedly. Presumably the newspapers carrying comment of this kind wouldn’t be doing so if such comment weren’t finding comfortable accommodation with their readers.
The Euston Manifesto is a response to these political tendencies, and as such is very much on target. That is why it has aroused the interest it has, hostile interest included. We are happy to be restating some important if indeed obvious truths, in not giving up on the future of the Left.
By the way, Jim Nolan tells me Norm will be in Australia later this year to see England lose the Ashes. I’ve prepared a lectern (seriously; it’s from a demolished church) for his first Geras Ashes Lecture at Bondi Junction. Mark Steyn might be in the country around the same time. Expensive ticket details to follow.