
Issue No 40		19 November 1999

Letters to the Editor

Timor Pride Not Cause for Requiem

Dear Sir,

I note that in recent times readers of Workers Online have had the benefit of John Passant's musings on a number of issues, most recently, the alleged capitulation of the left over the issue of East Timor (issue 38). Those of us in the ACT have been exposed to Comrade Passant's writings for some time now so it is good to see that he is able to reach a broader audience via Workers Online.

I am no leftist, so writing this letter in defence of the so called "pro-war left" identified in Comrade Passant's article leaves me bemused to say the least. However,

leaving aside the cold war language so dear to his heart, what astounds in me is the complete lack of alternative courses of action in relation to the East Timor issue. What would he have Australia do? Nothing? Or perhaps supply arms to an outgunned and outnumbered guerilla movement, thus prolonging a conflict that has gone on to long already?

Comrade Passant does "those millions of decent Australians" a grave disservice if he is implying that they are so easily lead. Comrade Passant's problem is that the innate ability of the Australian people to distinguish what is right and just (such as intervention in East Timor), also allows them to see through the empty and morally bankrupt stance of Comrade Passant and his (few) supporters. Comrade Passant appears to suffer from "if they don't agree with me they must be stupid" syndrome that afflicts ideologues of all political persuasions. Australian unions and unionists and the Australian public should be proud of their stance over East Timor, while rejecting the hysterical conspiracy theories propagated in his article.

However, Comrade Passant is right about one thing. The left is dead, driven to irrelevancy from the inside by people such as him.

Sincerely,

Steve Ramsden

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Issue 40 contents

Interview: No Quick Fix
Online pioneer Marc Belanger explains why the Internet, on its own, will not save the union movement.

Unions: Organising With A Mission
Entries are beginning to trickle in for the Labor Council Organiser of the Year. With just two weeks to deadline, we look at the TWU's nominee.

History: Rhyme and Reason
Poems written by workers provide us with an insight into their experiences and also how they felt about their work and working conditions.

Health: The Food Police
Three times a day you take your life in your hands. How? When you sit down to eat a meal.

Politics: East Timor: Defeat or Victory for the Left?
John Passant's "Requiem for the Left" advances some rather extravagant charges regarding the left and East Timor.

International: Kiwi Unions Rebuild from Ground Up
After fifteen years as a right wing laboratory New Zealand is about to change tack. New NZCTU chief Paul Goulter outlines the challenge ahead.

Satire: Australian Democrats Revealed as Student Hoax
The Chaser has obtained an exclusive background report on the extraordinary story which reveals how and why Cheryl Kernot defected from the Democrats.

Review: The Best of the Best
Once again Channel Nine has out done itself with it�s new Ray Martin program �Simply the Best�.

Labour Review: What's New at the Information Centre
View the latest issue of Labour review, our resource for officials and students.

Deface a Face: 25,000 Teachers Can�t Be Wrong!
Angry teachers yesterday voted overwhelmingly for Education minister John Aquilina to take the mantle of this week�s face to deface.

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