Further musings on fellowship amongst leftist groups

Recently, the problem of factionalism amongst leftist has been growing even more profound. On the UWM campus there exists at least three separate groups touting a similar ideology. The main problem seems to be a lack of leadership, and idea of purpose amongst these groups.

Here on campus, SDS takes the role of the only major "revolutionary" group. They can boast the largest members, and yet groups such as "Progressive students of Milwaukee" and the "Revolutionary Students Union" and the SDS-splitter "Act Everywhere" still regularly hold meetings, rallies, etc. While these groups are filled with bright, charismatic students, and they generally put on a good protest, their stubborn refusal to take part in the legitimate affairs of UWM continue to damn them to inefficiency. In a sense, they are paper tigers.

At first glance, one would assume these rebellious groups are filled with the "typical college hippie," at once as equally taken with the movement as the image. They are in fact, filled with well-meaning and seasoned student activists. The man-power SDS can call up for a protest or speak-out is impressive if not a bit frightening.

These groups suffer from what I'll called "left revisionism." Their hatred of "the system" causes them to shun any chance of gaining legitimate power on campus, thus doing more harm to the leftist movement than any conservative group could do. While many paramount leaders are arguing whether or not to even vote in the student elections, conservative groups on campus are running, and electing their candidates to powerful positions within the government.

America needs a friend like Abu Dhabi

A strange sounding headline got my attention on the BBC website today, "Abu Dhabi gives 10bn to Dubai to help pay debts." I was confused since I've never heard of Abu Dhabi before, turns out it's the Capital of the U.A.E. Since Dubai has lost so much money in the economic downturn, its neighbor came to the rescue. Dubai had loans to repay, but not the accumulating interest kind America has with China, turns out Dubai was afraid of coming up short on repaying a special "Islamic Loan" which doesn't accrue any interest according to Islamic law. A story like this makes me envious that America doesn't have a friend like that. Would Canada hand over billions if the U.S was in danger of defaulting on its loans? I doubt it. I believe there is little sympathy in the world for the suffering of the U.S during this downturn, and maybe that's a sign that we need to work harder to foster bonds with our neighbors of the world.