On 13 Jan 2004 05:13:07 -0800,
[email protected] (Bill Sloman)
wrote:
Our American members have a rather different perspective - they've
been trained in primary school to panic when they hear the word
socialism, and few ever recover enough to develop a rational approach
to politics.
Hello Bill, Paul and the Group,
I am not going to get involved in personal slanging matches
between individuals, but your comment above, Bill, about
Americans "been trained in primary school to panic when
they hear the word socialism" I thought that was good,
very funny! It certainly sounds true to me when I read
the posts from some Americans on this newsgroups.
Where is my wee mate John Dyson?
Anyway, just to add a bit of contrast to the American
primary school upbringing comment, have a wee read at this.
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These socialist commandments were taught to children who
attended socialist sunday schools, emphasising to children
that socialism was the secular embodiment of Christianity.
The Socialist Commandments
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1. Love your school-fellows, who will be your fellow-workmen
in life.
2. Love learning, which is the food of the mind; be as grateful
to your teacher as to your parents.
3. Make every day holy by good and useful deeds and kindly actions.
4. Honour good men, be courteous to all men, bow down to none.
5. Do not hate or speak evil of anyone; do not be revengeful,
but stand up for your rights, and resist oppression.
6. Do not be cowardly; be a friend to the weak, and love justice.
7. Remember that all good things of the earth are produced by
labour, whoever enjoys them without working for them is
stealing the bread of the workers.
8. Observe and think in order to discover the truth; do not believe
what is contrary to reason, and never deceive yourself or others.
9. Do not think that he who loves his own country must hate
other nations, or wish for war, which is a remnant of barbarism.
10. Look forward to the day when all men will be free citizens of
one fatherland, and live together as brothers in peace and
righteousness.
The socialist sunday school movement arose out of the London
dock strike of 1892 when food kitchens and educational classes
were set up for the children of striking dockers. It was at these
classes that children were taught the causes and results of poverty
for working people.
By 1912 there were over 200 socialist sunday schools organised
throughout Britain.
http://sites.scran.ac.uk/redclyde/redclyde/rc079.htm
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Bill, Paul,
I thought that was an interesting bit of history that might help
explain some of the attitude differences we sometimes see on
these groups, particularly between some Americans and people
in other parts of the world.
Number 9. is spot on, very relevant to recent events, Bush and
Iraq and written in 1892.
Number 10. Yes, I can see that would frighten most Americans.
As a staunch card carrying trade unionist, I too am a bit wary of
number 10's one fatherland, but the rest of the commandments
look OK to me.
Over 100 years ago, Australia was a world leader in the trade
union movement, first country to have an 8 hour working day.
The richest and most powerful union in Australia today is the
AMA, The doctors union, The Australian Medical Association.
Ooops, I can feel a rant coming on. I better get off.
Regards,
John Crighton
Sydney