I
seemed to have sparked quite the conversations on FaceBook and on a
number of list serves and many e-mail exchanges with my defense of Gamal Abdel
Nasser.
This was a response of mine to some attacks on Nasser on a FaceBook page
of old SDS'ers:
Look; the various Egyptian Communist Parties
had many problems and squabbled amongst themselves making it pretty much
impossible for them to play a constructive role
when it was required. Some kind of attempt was made to bring several of
them together to support the Arab Socialist Union party's goals and
objectives. I don't know exactly what happened but when an attempt was
made to bring other Egyptian Communist Parties into unity they hit a
problem and things kind of exploded.
But, to use the problems within the Egyptian Communist parties to attack Nasser is a very flawed way of viewing history.
I wouldn't exactly call the Rag Blog a friend of Marxism unless it is the pro-Obama Marxists you are talking about.
What was Nasser and the Arab Socialist Union party supposed to do; wait
until the many factionalized Egyptian Communist Parties got their act
together before doing anything? I have never heard such nonsense.
That would be like waiting for the Obama-loving CPUSA today to stop
supporting Obama before building movements for peace, social and
economic justice.
In addition, people, including leaders, have a
right to develop their thinking as they proceed forward--- the idea is
that their thinking is consistent with the arch of history bending
towards justice. Nasser was such a leader. In the anti-imperialist
movements you will find many such people who turn out to be towering
figures capable of moving the masses continually, and often swiftly, on
the road to socialism.
It ain't easy; I guess that's why it's
called a "struggle." And a lot of times things don't develop as
perceived, intended and planned.
But, come on; anyone who can't
look at Egypt prior to Nasser and after Nasser and can't see remarkable
progress on all fronts from 1952 to 1970 must be kind of out of it. In
all of modern Egyptian history--- these were the ONLY good years for the
Egyptian masses. And the important thing to consider is there was
constant improvement in all facets of life--- not to mention Nasser's
stellar, able and capable leadership he provided to the non-aligned
anti-imperialist movement which, under his leadership was unified
against imperialism.
Who were Nasser's closest associates on the international scene? Fidel Castro, Kwame Nkrumah, Sukarno.
And Nasser had the support of the International Communist and Worker's Parties from all over the world.
Does anyone know how many countries were part of the very important
Non-Aligned Movement which Nasser helped to found and lead? It must have
been 80 to 100; at least. Supporting national liberation movements in
every corner of the world.
Compare Nasser's thinking to that of
the publishers of the Rag Blog who support an imperialist warmonger
like Barack Obama. And this outfit is now going to provide us with a
"people's history of Egypt?" Give me a break.