Morning Comrades!
Ok, if anyone would have told me how much work actually goes into making these damn podcasts I probably would have opted out before I even had the idea but here we are. I spent the better part of Thursday trying to figure out not only how to make this, the recording part was the easiest, but formatting all this to make these work and get across to you really did my head in.
With that, here we are! The first episode is now live for you to enjoy and as I explained previously, these audio essays are meant to supplement this newsletter and in a way replace, or better, give the usual, daily sharing of hot shots more context and better commentary. Heads up and I explain this in this episode, all of these will be unedited and raw, meaning that yes, there will be swear words and whilst I am trying to remain as collected as possible, well, a lot of the topics we deal with here do make me angry. If you are planning on listening to this, just be aware of that.
There are several things to work out here still so do please be patient whilst I get used to this brave new world.
This is a wonderful text, despite nearly being 90 years old. It really nails how actual Fascism works, what it means to us and what can be done about it. Considering the annual anniversary of Trump’s pathetic attempt to do a little Fascism back in D.C. last year this is extremely worthwhile to dig out again and get into.
It was delivered at the 7th World Congress of the Communist International and was a multinational conference held in Moscow from July 25 through August 20, 1935 by delegated representatives of ruling and non-ruling communist parties from around the world and invited guests representing other political and organized labor organizations. The gathering was attended by 513 delegates, of whom 371 were accorded full voting rights, representing 65 Comintern member parties as well as 19 sympathizing parties.
The gathering is best remembered for its endorsement of a Popular Front of communist and non-communist forces against the growing menace of fascism in Europe, paving the way for advocacy of collective security between the Soviet Union and the various capitalist states of Europe. This marked a dramatic reversal of the Comintern's previous orientation towards class warfare endorsed by the 6th World Congress of 1928, the aggressive line of the so-called "Third Period."- Just to give you some context. Please do not be put off by the length of it because it truly nails what it is we are facing today and puts into extremely clear language what needs to be done about. Let’s face it, whilst the face of Fascism has changed, the nature of it all hasn’t.
“With the development of the very deep economic crisis, with the general crisis of capitalism becoming sharply accentuated and the mass of working people becoming revolutionized, fascism has embarked upon a wide offensive. The ruling bourgeoisie more and more seeks salvation in fascism, with the object of taking exceptional predatory measures against the working people, preparing for an imperialist war of plunder, attacking the Soviet Union, enslaving and partitioning China, and by all these means preventing revolution.”
I am still trying to get into the swing of things work wise this week so the usual contributions from both Ana and Tatjana, for both food and drink respectively will return at a later date. With that I am going to share a few resources for you to take into your weekend in addition to the above.
I have spoken about this incredibly powerful book a few times beforehand but seeing that Verso is currently running another sale it is worthwhile to mention this absolute must-read once again.
“Why resisting climate change means combatting the fossil fuel industry
In this lyrical manifesto, noted climate scholar (and saboteur of SUV tires and coal mines) Andreas Malm makes an impassioned call for the climate movement to escalate its tactics in the face of ecological collapse. We need, he argues, to force fossil fuel extraction to stop—with our actions, with our bodies, and by defusing and destroying its tools. We need, in short, to start blowing up some oil pipelines.
Offering a counter-history of how mass popular change has occurred, from the democratic revolutions overthrowing dictators to the movement against apartheid and for women’s suffrage, Malm argues that the strategic acceptance of property destruction and violence has been the only route for revolutionary change. In a braided narrative that moves from the forests of Germany and the streets of London to the deserts of Iraq, Malm offers us an incisive discussion of the politics and ethics of pacifism and violence, democracy and social change, strategy and tactics, and a movement compelled by both the heart and the mind. Here is how we fight in a world on fire.”
Finishing off are three additional videos to allow you to roll into this first weekend of the year. No commentary needed, just watch these, enjoy and talk about them with your comrades.
That’s it for this week. Heaps of changes I know, and there are more to come as I get my head around all the other work yet to be done. Thanks for being here and supporting this work.
Until next week, I will remain yours, without compromise,
V.