::"The Communists disdain to conceal their views and aims. They openly declare that their ends can be attained only by the forcible overthrow of all existing social conditions. Let the ruling classes tremble at a Communist revolution. The proletarians have nothing to lose but their chains. They have a world to win."That's right, McSpot. There isn't a whole lot to debate about when advocating an armed insurrection of this system. Of course, it's your web site and that entitles you to screen or comment upon any post you please, but your bias always shows. Still, I thank you for allowing any opposite point of view to be heard at all.
Stuart Gort
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McSpotlight: *sheesh*; damned if I do, and damned if I don't.
Exactly *how* many people here are advocating armed insurrection? Point to any regular poster who is saying "well, yes, we want to kick everyone's head in to build a freer society (composed of all those who've had their heads kicked in)".
Neither the pro- or anti-capitalists here are advocating violence personally; but both are saying that the other's methods engender it. This is *not* fair on either side; it is possible that a peaceful capitalist society might exist; it is also possible that a peaceful Communist society might exist *regardless of what one quote of Marx's says*.
To say that either is doomed to result in violence is projecting present-day real-world experience onto a future world; which is unsustainable. It's analogous to getting a group of Romans together c. 17 A.D. and saying "well, democracy is a nice idea, but it failed in the real world, therefore it will always fail in the real world". If there is no point in trying to reform society for the better, as Frenchy's "why debate" implies, then why does *anyone* advocate any societal change at all? - and why does anyone feel the need to debate about it?
As is stated quite clearly, this is a space in which to discuss capitalism and the alternatives; if we felt there was nothing to discuss, we wouldn't be here. We wouldn't be here. Speaking personally, I have better things to do with my life than spend 10-15 hours per week moderating McSpotlight. I do so because I feel the debate is worthwhile and a valid topic for discussion. I believe that progress is possible through discussion and I believe that no valid conclusion can be reached with a debate that is skewed. Which is why I moderate these rooms as equally as I can and why I am responding to this post at some length, regardless of the insult it has caused me.
I (and any other of the moderators) could just discard any post we disagreed with. That wouldn't lead to a free and fair debate. If we post comments as moderators, it is to clarify a point, or ask a question of the poster requesting them to clarify their point, or to provide information for the debate, or to try and calm the atmosphere to further the debate. We have a function not unlike the Speaker of the House of Commons; while we have our own personal feelings, it is our job to maintain order and a healthy debate. And it is in those interests that we act and comment here; if someone comes up with something obviously untrue or insulting, it is our duty to bring them to order.
Because we value the debate and because we want a productive dialogue, we do our best to put aside all personal feelings; we are human, but we do our best to view both sides equally, regardless of our humanity.
If you feel that our best isn't good enough (despite the fact that I can't ever remember rejecting a post of yours), then you have two options. You can either stay put and continue debating, despite our fallible moderation inadequacies. Or you can stop debating here and maybe set up a debating room of your own where you can correct any perceived bias yourself.
As is, we run one of the freest and most equal moderated forums I've ever seen; and I say that having seen quite a few. Especially given the contentious nature of the subject under debate.
Note: I'm not looking for anyone to leap to my defence here, either; these Debating Rooms are non-partisan and need no-one to defend them; as we're perfectly capable of speaking up for ourselves, as I hope we've demonstrated.
Rex, McSpotlight.
