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As is well known, it is my contention that there are two huge species of animals in Okanagan Lake. These animals are commonly referred to as ‘’Ogopogo’’, by the members of the public. The scientific community refuses to acknowledge their existence. 

I maintain that one is an ichthyosaur, and the other is a whale. Both are nocturnal, so that they spend the daylight hours inside caves, as well as the winter months. Both are also omnivores, which is to say that they eat vegetation, as well as flesh. This means that during the warm months, these animals come out of the water, in order to graze. 

For the purposes of this article, I am concerned with the whale, referred to as basilosaurus. The scientists consider this whale to be extinct.

The method I use, to investigate the possible characteristics of such animals, those which are thought to be extinct, is to compare them to their closest living relatives. In the case of basilosaurus, it must be similar to another toothed whale, that of the sperm whale. The two are quite similar, close to the same size and weight.

To my surprise, I found that the ‘’poop’’ of sperm whale is considered to be supremely valuable! Even more valuable than gold!

This is referred to as ‘’ambergris’’, or ‘’amber grease’’, or ‘’grey amber’’, and according to the internet, ‘’among the secret scatological world of whale poo traders’’, is considered to be the most valuable poo in the world!

Further according to the internet, this ambergris is ‘’prized’’ by the perfume industry. It is ”used as an ingredient in the most expensive scents”. It is also occasionally used as incense, an aphrodisiac, and a medicine.

The scientists are agreed that this, the ‘’worlds strangest natural substance’’, is produced in the digestive tract of sperm whales. That is about the only thing upon which they agree!

Yet as it is produced by sperm whales, could it possibly be produced by basilosaurus whales?

It is entirely possible that this ambergris is strictly characteristic of salt water whales, not fresh water whales. It may have something to do with their diet, which is different from that of fresh water whales. Or not!

There is one way to find out!

At the time they graze, they also ‘’fertilize’’ the meadow. Their droppings should be examined. Bear in mind that ambergris has been described as an ‘’elusive, smelly substance’’, one which is ‘’frequently mistaken for pebbles and pumice’’. It may have a scent ‘’similar to sandal wood and tobacco’’. 

As for those who object to handling droppings, may I suggest wearing gloves. Then place the disagreeable substance in a plastic container, and have it sent to a lab. 

As these animals are so huge, they very likely graze on all of the meadows adjacent to the lake, or at least, all meadows which are accessible. On that subject, there is bound to be a ‘’slide’’, at the point that they enter and exit the water. That may also be a fine place to set up a trail camera. 

There is no harm in making the attempt! If nothing else, you will take part in a major scientific breakthrough! That alone should serve as sufficient motivation!

As I have previously stated, it is a fact that Soviets -or Councils, in English- first appeared, quite spontaneously, during the Russian Revolution of 1905. They were not a creation of Marxists, and could not have been created by Marxists, for the very fine reason that at that time, all of the Russian Marxists had been first thrown in prison, and were then either killed or exiled. As is well known, Lenin was exiled. 

It is also well known that these first Soviets were crushed, at the same time the First Russian Revolution was crushed, in 1907. This was followed by the ‘’counter Revolution’’ of 1907-14. Yet the Soviets reappeared, at the same time as the Russian Revolutionary Motion once again flared up, in 1914. The lesson to be learned from this, is that Revolutionary Motion gives rise to Soviets. 

This is of exceptional importance, because as Lenin stated, ‘’The basic question of every Revolution is state power’’. Soviets are nothing other than state power! Proletarian Power! A workers government! A direct challenge to the authority of the capitalists!

Just as the Russian Revolution gave birth to Soviets, so too the current Revolutionary Motion is also giving birth to Soviets, in various parts of the world. 

We know this for a fact, because in the city of Seattle, within the state of Washington, on June 8, 2020, a sector of that city declared itself to be ‘’autonomous’’. They referred to this as the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone. In the spirit of the finest tradition of the United States of America, they issued a ‘’Declaration of Independence’’. No one was terribly surprised when that Declaration of Independence, was ‘’shot down’’.

This self declared ‘’Autonomous Zone’’ was brief, lasting a mere three weeks, as it was crushed on July 1. Yet it gives us an idea of what to expect, after the Socialist Revolution.

A huge Black Lives Matter mural was created. There were free film screenings. Live music. A ‘’no cop co-op’’ was formed. There was free food and other supplies. A community vegetable garden was constructed. Donations were taken up for the homeless. Portable toilets were set up, as well as tents and medical stations. 

As well, there were frequent ‘’town hall’’ meetings. The ‘’occupants’’ within the Zone favoured consensus decision making, although there were references to an elected Council (Soviet). The press is reluctant to make any mention of this, because the very idea of Soviets within America, is too terrible to print!

It is significant that the Zone embraced the ‘’open carry of firearms’’. After sundown, armed guards of volunteers kept watch. For that reason, the Zone was one of the safest neighbourhoods in the city of Seattle.

Those within the Zone, who were variously referred to as ‘’occupants’’, or ‘’protesters’’, or more accurately, ‘’Revolutionaries’’, initially came up with a list of three demands, although additions came later. 

1. Cut the budget of the Seattle Police Department by half
2. Shift funding to community programs and services in historically Black communities
3. Ensure that protesters would not be charged with crimes 

The response from onlookers varied, depending upon their class background, and upon their identification with the ‘’Left’’ or the ‘’Right’’.

Several of the more ‘’kind’’ descriptions, from the Right, included that of the Mayor of Seattle, who stated that the Zone had a ‘’block party’’ atmosphere. Others mentioned getting the impression of a ‘’hybrid of other movements’’, of ‘’part protest, part commune’’, a ‘’blend of Occupy Wall Street and a college cooperative dorm’’, a ‘’centre of peaceful protest, free political speech, co-ops and community gardens’’. One of the more accurate descriptions was that of ‘’an anti capitalist vision of community sovereignty, without a police presence.’’

From this, it is clear that the Right leaning critics could not find anything ‘’bad’’ to say about the Zone, so tried to come out with neutral statements. 

On the other hand, the response of Donald Trump was more honest, as he spoke from the heart. He referred to those protesters, those Revolutionaries, as ‘’Ugly Anarchists’’! Typical Trump! Supremely ignorant!

Of course, the occupants of the Zone were anything but anarchists, but that in no way alters the fact that they amounted to a challenge, to the authority of the capitalists! State Power! The Zone was a challenge to the state power of the capitalists! The ‘’basic question of every Revolution’’! No wonder the capitalists were so anxious to crush the Zone!

That in no way changes the fact that these American Councils (Soviets), one of which emerged in Seattle, represents another government! As yet they are very weak, well hidden, never mentioned in the mainstream press. For that matter, much of the mainstream press may not even be aware of their existence. 

For the purposes of this article, I have chosen to refer to these proletarian organizations as Soviets. It remains to be seen if the American Revolutionaries will continue to refer to them as Councils, or as Soviets. That is entirely up to them.

Weak they may be, at present, but very soon, they will become very powerful. These Soviets amount to ‘’an organization of the workers, the embryo of a workers government’’, according to Lenin. For the moment, they are no match for the ‘’magnificent organization of the bourgeoisie’’. Yet in Revolutionary times, ‘’the limits of what is possible expand a thousand times’’, also according to Lenin! Bear in mind that we are currently living in Revolutionary times!

Perhaps an example will be helpful. 

Immediately after the Tsar was deposed, in March of 1917, there existed a dual power in Russia! No one thought this was possible! Yet it happened!

As Lenin explained: ‘’Along side the Provisional Government, the government of the bourgeoisie, another government has arisen, so far weak and incipient, but undoubtedly a government that actually exists and is growing- the Soviets of Workers and Soldiers Deputies …It consists of the proletariat and the peasants (in soldiers’ uniforms)….it is a Revolutionary Dictatorship, a power directly based on Revolutionary seizure, on the direct initiative of the people from below, and not on a law enacted by a centralized state power’’. (italics by Lenin)

Lenin went on to stress the importance of ‘’the only possible Revolutionary government’’, the ‘’Soviet of Workers’, Agricultural Labourers’, Peasants’ and Soldiers’ Deputies’’.

Of course, he was referring to the situation in Russia, early 1917.

Our current situation is somewhat different, more simplified. At least in North America, as well as in other parts of the world, we have very few peasants, or family farmers, as they sometimes refer to themselves. Yet the fact remains that the ‘’only possible Revolutionary government’’ is that of the ‘’Soviets of Workers’’, along with Soviets of other groups of working people, including the military personnel, whose titles have yet to be determined.

At the time of the forthcoming Revolution, the existing state apparatus, of the capitalists, must be destroyed. It must be replaced by these Revolutionary Soviets. This will be the form of the new Dictatorship of the Proletariat, a proletarian state apparatus, which will be used to crush the capitalists.

But first, the level of awareness of the working people, the common people -as that is the manner in which they refer to themselves- must be raised. The majority of working people must be won over to our side, the side of Revolution, to the Dictatorship of the Proletariat. 

That is where a true Communist Party comes into play, one which calls for the Dictatorship of the Proletariat. Only such a Party can organize country wide -or even international!- exposure of the capitalists. 

As Lenin went on to state, ‘’The class conscious workers stand for the undivided power of the Soviets…for undivided power made possible not by adventurist acts, but by clarifying proletarian minds, by emancipating them from the influence of the bourgeoisie.’’

As I stated in my previous article, such a Communist Party, Dictatorship of the Proletariat, will no doubt, soon be created. We can count on the capitalists, to persuade middle class intellectuals, to form such a Party! So many of them are about to be driven into bankruptcy! Too Small To Succeed!

No doubt, there are many who are skeptical, who think that the capitalists are prepared to reward their loyal and devoted servants, those who have ‘’given the best years of their life’’, in the service of their capitalist masters. Such is hardly the case!

Allow me to point out one example, one which is well known to most Americans, that of former President Richard Nixon. 

Historians rate Nixon as one of the most corrupt presidents that ever held that office! That is quite an accomplishment, as the competition is so fierce! They also rate him as one of the most stupid! Also a ‘’high bar’’! But then, he is the one and only president who ‘’wiretapped himself’’!

Indeed, Nixon set up a tape recorder, in his desk, in his own office! In that office, he ordered his most trusted ‘’associates’’ to commit a burglary! A burglary they ‘’bungled’’! They were caught! And the order which their boss, Richard Nixon, had issued, had been ‘’taped’’! By Richard Nixon! The height of stupidity!

Incidentally, I use the word ‘’associates’’, as a reference to the people who were closest to Nixon. They were the members of his ‘’inner circle’’, his most loyal, devoted followers. At least, most of them were loyal. But not all!

This simple burglary gave rise to a ‘’public outcry’’, or a mass movement, to put it in scientific terms. The government officials were forced to investigate, to ‘’find and prosecute the perpetrators, to the fullest extent of the law’’, to use their stilted jargon.

Nixon saw this in different terms. As far as he was concerned, the ‘’wolves were closing in’’. So in the interests of ‘’saving his own skin’’, self preservation, he decided to ‘’throw’’ his closest followers ‘’under the bus’’. These included the people whom had committed the burglary, as well as those whom had taken part in the subsequent ‘’cover up’’.

For such psychos, loyalty is a ‘’one way street’’! 

The fact that Nixon did not hesitate to ‘’sacrifice’’ his most loyal, devoted followers, should serve as a warning to other servants of the capitalists! As far as the capitalists are concerned, ‘’sentiment’’ is a weakness! It has no monetary value! 

Of course, Nixon decided to personally destroy all ‘’incriminating’’ tapes, to erase them. Except that he missed one. The one in which he directed John Dean to ‘’stonewall’’ the investigation, to ‘’bribe’’, to ‘’cover up’’. This is commonly referred to as a ‘’smoking gun’’!

But as I previously implied, not everyone was prepared to ‘’fall on their sword’’ for Nixon! John Dean was one of them! In an effort to secure a lenient sentence, he ‘’ratted out’’ his former boss, Richard Nixon. The audio tape which Nixon failed to erase, supported his testimony! 

As a result of this, the police were forced to believe John Dean, as opposed to their president! Dean objected to being ‘’thrown under the bus’’! Not for Richard Nixon! As a result, Nixon was in turn, forced out of office!

I use this as an example of a very powerful man, in this case a president, being ‘’brought down’’, due to the Revolutionary Motion of the common people! 

Bear in mind the words of Lenin, that during a time of Revolution, ‘’The limits of what is possible expand a thousand times’’! Further bear in mind that we are experiencing a full blown Revolution!

Now to return to the subject of the self declared Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone.

Much as we admire the courage of the Revolutionaries, the Soviets, of the Zone, we also have to face the fact that our Soviets are, as yet, too weak to come out with an open challenge to the capitalists. For the moment, it is perhaps best to keep a ‘’low profile’’, to ‘’bide our time’’, to ‘’spread the word’’, to train, arm and equip those Soviets, in preparation for an insurrection. 

Most working people, at least here in North America, have digital devices, and know how to use them. We would be fools not to take advantage of that fact. Further, just as Lenin focused on the Russian military, especially prisoners of war, we too should focus on all members of the military. Their military training will serve the Revolution well!

I should add that Lenin focused on the Russian prisoners of war, because he was able to write directly to them. There were no military censors in the prisoner of war camps!

By contrast, there was no shortage of censors in the military! That made it impossible for Lenin to communicate with them.

We do not have that problem. We can now use the internet, avoid the printed word, and get in touch with all members of the military, bypassing the censors. 

Bear in mind that common people are avid readers. They follow the news closely. They are paying strict attention to the antics of Trump, as well as others. They are well aware that Trump is facing no less than thirty four felony charges. As well, other people, notably women, are alleging that he committed ‘’more serious crimes’’.

The District Attorney of Manhattan has dared to do the ‘’unthinkable’’, to press charges against Trump, thereby setting a precedent, ’’opening the floodgates’’, so to speak. It is very likely that other prosecutors will soon ‘’grow a set’’ and ‘’follow suit’’. 

The results should be interesting, as so many people are paying strict attention! 

Almost all common people are of the opinion that the ‘’super rich’’, the billionaires, are ‘’above the law’’. Their vast fortunes allow them to do anything they please! They  know this from experience!

For the most part, this is true, in ‘’ordinary times’’! These are not ‘’ordinary times’’! These are Revolutionary times! Now it remains to be seen if a billionaire, a former president, no less, finds himself in prison! The strength of the Revolution is not to be underestimated!

The reason I have referred to Trump in this article, is because the mainstream press is referring to Trump, frequently and at great length! So that is what the common people are talking about! As well, they are discussing President Biden and his offspring!

It remains to be seen if the offspring, of both Trump and Biden, those who are also ‘’in the headlines’’, also facing allegations of ‘’criminal misconduct’’, are a true ‘’chip off the old block’’, concerned only with ‘’number one’’! It is entirely possible, if ‘’push comes to shove’’, that they may also ‘’throw their dear old Dad under the bus’’! It depends upon how well they have learned their lessons! 

But now to return to the subject of Soviets. Without doubt, the most advanced workers have gravitated to these Soviets. That is not to say that they are class conscious. Now it is up to Marxist intellectuals, Communists, to raise their level of awareness. 

With that in mind, be sure to use current events, in the interest of making a point. Stress the fact that Trump is not exceptional. On the contrary, Trump is merely a typical capitalist. He ran for president, on impulse, and the press reports that he was quite surprised, when he won. Now that he has tasted political power, it is safe to say that he wants far more. 

By contrast, most members of his class of capitalists, billionaires, the bourgeoisie, are quite happy to ‘’keep a low profile’’. They prefer to let their flunkies run for political office, make speeches and lie to the people. That is the only difference.

Bear in mind that time is not on our side! All of the banks are over extended, and could fail at any time! America is expected to go broke in June, unless Congress raises the debt ceiling. The various factions within Congress are at each others throats! Each faction does not even know what it wants! Yet they are expected to come together and raise the debt ceiling! Even though they are facing financial disaster, they are focused on the next federal election!

We can expect a financial collapse, very soon. That will have the effect of dramatically increasing the level of suffering, among the common people. As their suffering is at horrendous proportions now, it may not take much to trigger a full scale Revolution.

There is clearly a desperate need for ‘’another government’’. That government can only be Socialist, because as Lenin said, ‘’there is no other social force in the political arena, nor can there be’’! 

Soviets! Currently ‘’weak and incipient’’, no match for the ‘’magnificent organization’’ of the capitalists! Yet it is these Soviets which are destined to take political power! There is no alternative!

With that in mind, feel free to flood the social media outlets, facebook and such, with calls for the Dictatorship of the Proletariat. Make that expression a household term. Get in touch with the military enlisted personnel. Raise their level of awareness. Let them know that the government is about to collapse. 

We can expect marches and demonstrations, as the financial crisis deepens, and working people are forced ever deeper into poverty. Allow the posters and placards to call for:

Scientific Socialism!

Workers of the World, Unite!

Dictatorship of the Proletariat! 

In my previous article, I argued that the current situation, around the world, is comparable to that which existed in Russia, in early 1917. Immediately after the overthrow of Tsar Nicholas, the political climate can best be described in one word: Revolutionary!

At that time, the Revolution was raging in Russia. The ‘’First Revolution’’, which was a reference to the overthrow of Tsar Nicholas, was widely anticipated to be followed by a ‘’Second Revolution’’, one which was expected to overthrow the capitalists. 

Of course, Lenin was following events, as best he could, from ‘’afar’’, as he was still in exile. Yet even with the scarce news reports at his disposal, he was able to get a pretty good grasp of the events, as they unfolded in Russia. 

He noted that the ‘’slogan of the moment’’ was ‘’organization’’. Yet as that slogan contained no class content, it meant nothing. After all, organization is always needed. 

For that reason, most working people are already organized in trade unions, as well as clubs of various sorts, such as sports, books, dancing, cycling and so forth. This is a natural result of working people wanting to associate with others, those who share the same interests. There is nothing wrong with this.

The trouble comes when leaders insist that workers confine themselves to such organizations. That is the very thing the capitalists want, in order to strengthen their rule. They are determined that the ‘’workers should not go beyond their ordinary ‘legal’ organizations’’, according to Lenin. (italics by Lenin)

Fortunately, in 1917, the Russian common people, by whom I mean the workers and peasants, were not listening to such leaders, those who were trying to limit them to their ‘’legal’’ organizations. Indeed not!

Instead, they took a ‘’page from the book’’ of the previous Russian Revolution, that of 1905. They set up a Soviet of Workers Deputies! What is more, they expanded upon the Soviets, which had first been created in 1905. Indeed, they created a Soviet of Soldiers Deputies, a Soviet of Poor Peasants Deputies, as well as a Soviet of Rural Wage Workers Deputies. 

For the benefit of those who are not aware, the word Soviet means Council, in English. These Soviets, or Councils, are created as a result of Revolutionary Motion. 

As various Revolutions, or perhaps more accurately, Revolutionary Motion, is raging in various countries around the world, it is reasonable to assume that these Soviets have also spontaneously appeared. 

For his part, Lenin stressed the importance of these Soviets. As he phrased it, ‘’The prime and most important task, and one that brooks no delay, is to set up organizations of this kind in all parts of Russia, without exception, for all trades and strata of the proletarian and semi proletarian population, without exception’’. 

That is as true now, as when it was first written. Soviets of Workers, Peasants, Military Personnel and Rural Workers must be established, in the various countries of the world, which are experiencing Revolutionary Motion. 

I use the expression ‘’Military Personnel’’, instead of ‘’Soldiers’’, as it is possible that various branches of the military may object to being referred to as ‘’Soldiers’’. Some of them may prefer to be referred to as Sailors, Marines, Coast Guard, Airmen or even Military. That is entirely up to them. 

For that matter, here in North America, we have family farmers who may object to the name ‘’peasant’’. So perhaps the term Soviets of Family Farmers is acceptable. Of course, the industrial farmers should not be allowed to join those Soviets, as they correspond to the ‘’kulaks’’, rich peasants, the Russian rural bourgeoisie. 

That ‘’begs the question’’: What is the function of the Soviets? The answer, according to Lenin, is that they ‘’must be regarded as organs of insurrection, of Revolutionary Rule’’. This calls for a little explanation. 

A couple of years earlier, in October of 1915, in his article ‘’Several Theses’’, Lenin went into this in some detail. As it is so important, we have decided to quote the pertinent parts here, while not going into the parts which dealt with the Russian autocracy: 

‘’We consider that the consolidation and extension of Social Democratic work among the proletariat and its extension to the rural proletariat, the rural poor and the army are the immediate and pressing tasks. It is Revolutionary Social Democracy’s most pressing task to develop the incipient strike movement…

‘’Soviets of Workers Deputies and similar institutions must be regarded as organs of insurrection, of Revolutionary rule. It is only in connection with the development of a mass political strike and with an insurrection, and in the measure of the latter’s preparedness, development and success, that such institutions can be of lasting value. 

‘’Only a Revolutionary democratic Dictatorship of the Proletariat and the peasantry can form the social content of the impending Revolution in Russia…We have urged and still urge the absolute need, in any and all circumstances, for a separate organization for rural proletarians…

‘’We consider it admissible for Social Democrats to join a provisional Revolutionary government with the democratic petty bourgeoisie, but not with the Revolutionary chauvinists…

‘’Revolutionary chauvinism is based on the class position of the petty bourgeoisie. The latter always vacillates between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat….

‘’Our slogan is: Against the chauvinists, even if they are Revolutionary and republican – against them, and for an alliance of the international proletariat for the Socialist Revolution…

‘’The international solidarity of the Revolutionary proletariat is a fact, despite the scum of opportunism and social chauvinism.’’ (all italics by Lenin)

Incidentally, at the time Lenin was writing this, all Marxists were referred to as Social Democrats, as they were fighting for Democracy as well as Socialism. Later they became known as Bolsheviks, and then Communists.

By the Social chauvinists, he is referring to those who are socialists in words, chauvinists in deeds. Their goal is to take over the existing state apparatus, at the time of the Revolution, and set themselves up, as the new rulers.

Note that Lenin referred to Soviets as ‘’organs of insurrection, of Revolutionary rule’’. They must be as broad as possible, embracing all common people. That includes urban, city workers, those in industry, as well as those in rural, country areas, such as farm labourers. It is also important to set up Soviets in the military, as most enlisted personnel are working people. As well, there should be a Soviet of Poor Peasants, or Family Farmers. In fact, all working people, in all walks of life, must be organized in Soviets.

There is a good reason for this. At the time of the Revolution, the existing state apparatus, that which has been set up, by the capitalists, for the purpose of crushing the working people, must be smashed! This is to say that the ‘’organs of government’’, by which we mean the police force, army and bureaucracy, must be abolished!

It may come as a great surprise, to so many people, to find that Lenin referred to this state apparatus as a ‘’magnificent organization’’! But only because that is precisely the case! After all, it is the creation of the entire bourgeoisie, and the entire bourgeois intellectuals, in all capitalist countries! Further, they have had several hundred years to perfect this state apparatus!

In fact, this bourgeois state ‘’machine’’ -as that is the word the capitalists use- is so precious, it is closely guarded! Cherished and protected! The capitalists consider this state ‘’machine’’ to be their ‘’Crown Jewel’’! The Crown Jewels of the royalty could not be more closely guarded!

As Lenin pointed out, ‘’All bourgeois Revolutions merely perfected this state machine, merely transferred it from the hands of one party to those of another.’’ (italics by Lenin)

To think that this ‘’state machine’’, this closely guarded ‘’Crown Jewel’’ of the capitalists, is the very thing that we must destroy, at the time of the Revolution! That is indeed a ‘’tall order’’!

Yet we are not anarchists, those who are opposed to any sort of state apparatus. On the contrary, we are well aware that a different sort of state apparatus is required. After all, the capitalists can be counted upon, after the Revolution, to make every effort to ‘’restore their paradise lost’’. They are so predicable! They will stoop to any depth, to any deception, in their efforts to return to power!

The capitalists are not to be under estimated! After all, they managed to return to power, in the Soviet Union, after the death of Stalin. Not only that, but they also managed to return to power, in China, after the death of Mao!

As I have covered that in a separate article, and have suggested a course of action to prevent such a further reversal, there is no need to repeat it here.

For the purposes of this article, it must be stressed that at the time of the Revolution, after the capitalists are overthrown, after the bourgeois state apparatus has been smashed, a new state apparatus must be set up. ‘’But not the kind of state the bourgeoisie has created everywhere’’, as Lenin stated. (italics by Lenin) 

Instead, we need a state apparatus of a different sort, one that will crush the capitalists. We must substitute a new one, ‘’by merging the police force, the army and the bureaucracy with the entire armed people!’’  as per Lenin (italics by Lenin)

Lenin goes on to say that ‘’the proletariat must organize and arm all the poor, exploited sections of the population in order that they themselves should take the organs of state power directly into their own hands, in order that they themselves should constitute these organs of state power.’’ (italics by Lenin) 

As Lenin pointed out, after the Revolution, we will need ‘’a militia that will really embrace the entire people, be really universal, and be led by the proletariat!’’ He referred to this as the ‘’task of the day’’.

He went on to say that what we need is a ‘’genuine people’s militia, one that first, consists of the entire population, of all citizens of both sexes; and second, one that combines the functions of a people’s army with police functions’’ (italics by Lenin)

This new, soon to be created state apparatus, has been given the title of the Dictatorship of the Proletariat. After the completion of the Socialist Revolution, and the smashing of the bourgeois state apparatus, this proletarian state apparatus will be set up, as a means of crushing the capitalists, of exercising dictatorship over them. 

In my opinion, the most important thing now, is to prepare for the Dictatorship of the Proletariat. 

With that in mind, Soviets must be set up in all areas of the country. By that I mean, all countries that are in the midst of Revolutionary Motion. Further, those Soviets must be trained, armed and equipped. The most advanced workers must be placed in positions of leadership. Such advanced workers, those with little or even no training, will be placed in positions of authority, after the Revolution. Any training they receive now, will prove to be most valuable.

As I have gone into this in previous articles, there is no need to repeat it here. 

In conclusion, we can only state the fact that most, if not all, of the most highly industrialized countries of the world, are in the midst of a crisis. All are deeply in debt. The banks are also ‘’overextended’’, to use the polite term. Both the banks and countries, are on the verge of bankruptcy. Even the finest bourgeois economists are admitting the ‘’possibility’’ of world financial collapse. In fact, it is a certainty. 

It is also a fact that the working class, around the world, is in Revolutionary motion. Excellent! Yet that is not enough. 

In previous writings, I have compared the class struggle -or war, more accurately!- to two boxers, slugging it out. Yet one boxer is blindfolded. This gives the other boxer a huge advantage. 

Of course, in this extremely over simplified manner, I have compared the working class, which is not aware of itself as a class, with its own class interests, to the capitalist class, which is supremely well aware of itself, as a class. Further, the capitalists are well aware of the Revolutionary theories of Marx and Lenin. That includes the theory of the Dictatorship of the Proletariat. They have learned this in university. 

By contrast, the working class is largely barred from university, and the Revolutionary theories of Marx and Lenin, are not taught in public schools. So of course the working class is not aware, and can not be aware, of those Revolutionary theories. It follows that the workers are fighting the class war ‘’blindfolded’’, so to speak. 

So it is up to middle class intellectuals, to ‘’remove the blindfold’’, so to speak, to bring the awareness of those theories, to the working class.  

This is to drive home the necessity of a true Communist Party, one which calls for the Dictatorship of the Proletariat. 

As the crisis in capitalism intensifies, ever more middle class people will be impoverished. They will be forced into the ranks of the proletariat. Some of them will be intellectuals. No doubt, they will bring with them the awareness of those Revolutionary theories. Equally without doubt, some of them will focus on establishing a true Communist Party. It is in their best interest to do so! Self preservation!

With a proper Communist Party, Dictatorship of the Proletariat, CP, DP, to offer direction, we are almost guaranteed a future of Scientific Socialism. 

As is well known, there is a certain news outlet which is considered to be supremely ‘’Right Wing’’. No one has ever accused them of being ‘’Leftist’’, of being sympathetic towards socialism. They are one of the most outspoken defenders of capitalism, and appear to be quite proud of that fact. 

Yet it is also a fact that they tend to give a very accurate description of that which is taking place. They even dare to report on events, which the other main stream news outlets tend to ignore.

One example of such an event, which the other news outlets ignored, was the recent appearance of the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, in New York City. It is very likely that the other news outlets did not cover the event, for fear of offending certain members of the capitalist class.

There followed an exchange, between Nancy Pelosi, and various members of the audience, which I consider to be of the utmost importance. It reveals the level of passion of the working class, which is an indication of the strength of the Revolutionary motion.

Also of importance, is the reporting and analysis of the journalists. The reporting is excellent, the analysis is faulty. 

For that reason, I have attempted to repeat it, as accurately as possible. 

Journalist: ‘’Every once in a while, there is a moment in history when both sides of the political aisle wake up. We have reached a turning point.’’

The journalists are right when they say that ‘’we have reached a turning point’’. That ‘’turning point’’ is the Revolution! The common people, the working class, the proletariat, is ‘’waking up’’! That is indeed ‘’one side of the political aisle’’, commonly referred to as the ‘’Left’’! 

This is not to say that we have reached a ‘’moment in history’’ when ‘’both sides of the political aisle wake up’’! The ‘’other side of the political aisle’’, the monopoly capitalists, the billionaires, the bourgeoisie, the ‘’Right’’, are by no means ‘’waking up’’! On the contrary, they remain as reactionary as ever!

The journalists went on to give the example of Trump, who once referred to the Iraq war as a ‘’mistake’’. Their conclusion?

Journalist: ‘’That was a moment the levee broke, when the liberals and conservatives realized there is no Right and Left! It is more establishment and everyone else. The power players in the White House did not change. Nancy Pelosi is still Nancy Pelosi. The Left is not having it now.’’

On the contrary, at the ‘’moment the levee broke’’, the difference between the Right and the Left, the proletariat and the bourgeois, became quite sharp and clear! 

The ‘’establishment’’, as the journalists refer to the ‘’power players in the White House’’, also include the politicians in Washington, and not just the White House! Indeed, they ‘’did not change’’! They have merely ‘’revealed their true colours’’! They stand more exposed! They are, most emphatically, the Right! The differences now are sharp and clear! The Right represents the capitalists, the billionaires, the bourgeoisie!

Those whom the journalists refer to as ‘’everyone else’’, are the common people, the members of the public, the working people, the ‘’liberals and conservatives’’, as well as the middle class, the petty bourgeois, the Left! 

To deny the existence of the ‘’Right’’ and the ‘’Left’’, is to deny the existence of classes!

Remarkably enough, the same journalists who are such staunch supporters of capitalism, have just now classified themselves as members of the Left! As yet, they are not aware of this.

They further went on to report that at the meeting, the spectators ‘’heckled’’ Nancy Pelosi mercilessly. They called her a ‘’War Criminal’’! She was accused of ‘’trying to start a war with China’’, by ‘’going to Taiwan’’! She was told that ‘’she belongs in the depths of hell’’! She was also accused of ‘’getting us into a war with Iraq and Afghanistan’’. She was called ‘’War Hungry Nancy’’! Other accusations were also made, but were supremely vulgar, and do not bear to be repeated. Last but not least, she was accused of supporting the war in Ukraine!

Such accusations, in a public setting, are nothing short of shocking! It is doubtful that Nancy Pelosi has ever been treated before, in such a manner! As the Speaker of the House, second in line to the presidency, she is accustomed to being treated with a great deal of respect! Yet the audience voiced their complete contempt for her!

Such a public outburst can take place only as a result of the Revolutionary Movement!

Strangely enough, the journalists have even gone so far as to lump two members of ‘’The Squad’’, AOC and Hakim Jeffries, with Nancy Pelosi, as ‘’War Mongers’’, as they ‘’support the war in Ukraine’’. 

In all fairness to these particular journalists, I can only stress, that they accurately report the facts. From these facts, they then attempt to draw certain conclusions. At that point, they become completely confused.

One of their more ridiculous conclusions is that the ‘’progressives are now pro war’’, no longer part of the ‘’anti war movement’’.

They have come to this conclusion, as a result of the ‘’progressives’’ calling for support for the Ukrainian people, in their fight against the Russian invasion.

This shows that these journalists, all of whom are petty bourgeois, cannot think in class terms! For that reason, they have managed to work themselves into a ‘’muddle’’, to use the expression of Lenin. They think that all of those on the Left are ‘’anti war’’. Such is hardly the case!

True, the ‘’progressives’’, by whom they mean those on the ‘’Left’’, were opposed to the American wars of aggression in Iraq and Afghanistan. This is not to say that those on the Left are pacifists! It just means that the Left is opposed to wars of aggression, because they are ‘’unjust wars’’.

The war in Ukraine is also an ‘’unjust war’’, in the sense that Russia is trying to conquer the country. The Left is also opposed to this war of aggression, this unjust war. For that reason, it is correct to support the people of Ukraine, in their defence of their country. 

Yet the journalists think that because the Left opposed the American wars of aggression, we are ‘’anti war’’. They cannot understand the reason we are calling on all people to support the Ukrainians, in their war to defend their country, against the Russian aggression. 

The reason is that the Russians had no right to invade Ukraine. It is a war of conquest. This makes it an unjust war, on the part of the Russians. The Ukrainians have every right to defend their country.

Perhaps they are confused by the fact that the Right is also supporting the people of Ukraine, in their attempt to defend their country. In fact, the American government is sending vast amounts of weapons and ammunition, to the country of Ukraine! For their own reasons, mind you!

Perhaps a comparison to a similar situation, may prove to be helpful.

The current situation is similar to that of Russia, in early 1917, a time of Revolution. Also a time of mass confusion!

As is well known, at that time, the ‘’great slaughter’’ of working people was taking place. It has gone down in history as the First World War. The monopoly capitalists, the imperialists, of the most highly developed countries of the world, the so called ‘’Great Powers’’, were fighting among themselves, in an effort to redivide the world. 

One completely unexpected result of this, which is referred to as ‘’collateral damage’’, was the collapse of the Romanov dynasty! Those whom had ruled the huge Russian empire, for three centuries, were deposed, within the space of a mere eight days! Incredible!

This requires a little explanation.

As Lenin stated, in the first of his ‘’Letters From Afar’’, in reference to the collapse of the Romanov dynasty, that ’’every abrupt turn in history, and this applies to every Revolution, presents such a wealth of content, unfolds such unexpected and specific combinations of forms of struggle and alignment of forces of the contestants, that to the lay mind there is much that must appear miraculous.’’  

He went on to explain that there were a ‘’number of factors of world historic importance’’ which led to the ‘’collapse of the tsarist monarchy, in a few days’’. 

Among other things, this required a ‘’great, mighty and all powerful ‘stage manager’, capable, on the one hand, of vastly accelerating the course of world history, and on the other, of engendering world wide crises of unparalleled intensity – economic, political, national and international…This all powerful ‘stage manager’, this mighty accelerator, was the imperialist world war’’.

May I suggest that the modern day equivalent of the ‘’imperialist world war’’, the ‘’all powerful stage manager’’, the ‘’mighty accelerator’’, that which is ‘’capable of vastly accelerating the course of world history’’, is a combination of the Covid Virus, and the financial crisis, which is currently sweeping the world. 

As well, a great many people have taken part in the Occupy Movement of recent memory. They are now seasoned veterans! They have no illusions! They know what to expect! We may think of them as the equivalent of the veterans of the Russian Revolution of 1905. Those veterans were another factor in the rapid overthrow of the Romanovs!

On that subject, in early 1917 Russia, there was, as Lenin stated, ‘’a profound proletarian and mass popular movement of a Revolutionary character …for bread, for peace, for real freedom’’. (italics by Lenin) For that reason, the common people, the workers and peasants, wanted Tsar Nicholas gone!

At the same time, the Russian capitalists also wanted Tsar Nicholas gone, but for completely different reasons! The capitalists wanted war! 

They were afraid that Tsar Nicholas would sign a ‘’separate’’ peace treaty with Germany! So the Russian capitalists, working with the British and French capitalists, through their embassies in the capitol of Saint Petersburg, organized a plot to depose Tsar Nicholas.

Lenin referred to this in the following terms: ‘’as a result of an extremely unique historical situation, absolutely dissimilar currents, absolutely heterogeneous class interests, absolutely contrary political and social strivings have merged’’. (italics by Lenin)

The lesson here, is that there are times when the goals of the Left ‘’merge’’ with the goals of the Right. This is not to say that we are allies. We are not. We are bitter enemies. It is to say that our goals have ‘’merged’’.

This brings us to our current situation, which involves the war in Ukraine. 

Those of us who are on the Left, consider this to be an ‘’unjust war’’, as Russia has invaded the country, in an attempt to conquer it. For that reason, those who are on the Left are calling for all people to support the people of Ukraine, in their war of defence, against the Russian invaders. That is a fact.

It is also a fact that those who are on the Right, by whom I mean the American government, are also supporting the Ukrainian people, in their war against the Russian invaders! They are shipping vast quantities of military hardware to Ukraine! For their own reasons! The American imperialists do not want the Russian imperialists to seize control of Ukraine! They want to have Ukraine join NATO, so that they can instead control Ukraine!

This is another example of ‘’absolutely contrary political strivings’’ merging! The Left wants to assist Ukraine in their struggle against Russian invaders, so that they can remain independent, while the Right wants to assist Ukraine, so that they can subdue the country! 

Without doubt, there are also a great many Leftist people, in Russia, who are also against the war in Ukraine. In this way, they too are supporting the people of Ukraine.

This brings us to the subject of war. In particular, not all wars are the same. Wars of conquest are considered to be ‘’unjust wars’’, and it is correct for people on the Left to oppose those wars. 

Just as the Russian invasion of Ukraine is an example of an unjust war, so too the American invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan were examples of unjust wars. The opposition, by the Left, was correct, in those cases.

Such wars of conquest, ‘’unjust wars’’, stand in sharp contrast to wars which are ‘’just’’. These wars include that of national liberation, as well Revolutionary Wars!

We must stress that a true socialist, a Marxist, a Communist, is not a pacifist, an opponent of all war. Each war must be assessed, based on the facts, on the class character of that war. In each case, we must consider the events which led up to that particular war, the classes that are waging the war, and to what purpose.

In the case of the current war, which is raging in Ukraine, it is clear that the Russian imperialists, led by Putin, invaded the country of Ukraine, for the purpose of conquering the country. For that reason, we refer to this as an ‘’unjust war’’, on the part of Russia.

The citizens of Ukraine are fighting this unjust war, as they do not want to be conquered. They have no choice in the matter. They are not about to bow down to the Russian invaders! 

Now the American Left is supporting the Ukrainian people, in their defensive war,  against the Russian imperialists. This too is correct. 

No doubt, at the same time, within Russia, there is a strong anti war movement, against the Russian war of aggression. This is similar to the American anti war movement, during the time of the wars with Iraq and Afghanistan. 

Now if only the petty bourgeois journalists could understand that!

This confusion, among the journalists, is not at all surprising, but it is unfortunate. 

I say not surprising, because they are middle class, petty bourgeois, and the members of that class frequently get confused. Yet it is unfortunate, as they tend to spread their confusion. 

To this day, a great many common people still support Trump. This particular news outlet is a strong supporter of Trump. For that reason, a great many working people watch this news outlet, and are bound to become confused by that which the journalists state. After all, it makes no sense.

In conclusion, we can only stress the fact that classes exist. The working class, the proletariat, family farmers, and at least the lower strata of the middle class, the petty bourgeois – although ever more middle class people are moving to the Left! – are people whom I refer to as ‘’common people’’, the members of the ‘’Left’’.

By contrast, the billionaires, the monopoly capitalists, the bourgeoisie, also known as imperialists, along with their supporters, are members of the ‘’Right’’. 

As well, there are different types of war. Wars of aggression are ‘’unjust wars’’, and must be opposed. By contrast, there are ‘’just wars’’. These include wars of national liberation, and definitely Revolutionary Wars. 

These Revolutionary Wars we must embrace.

Especially as we are currently on the brink of a World Revolutionary Socialist War,

On March 30, 2023, American history was made. For the first time, a former president was charged with a crime. Donald Trump, in fact, was charged with over thirty crimes, which have yet to be disclosed.

The press is quite cheerfully reporting on all the gruesome details. That is awfully sweet of them, but the fact remains that most common people are not Philadelphia lawyers. For that reason, if no other, many people are quite confused. As that is the case, and as so many people are interested, it is time to explain a few things.

We can start by facing the fact that the journalists are now crowing about Trump being ‘’indicted’’ by a Manhattan Grand Jury. This is a legal term which just means that he has been charged. Perish forbid they should just use plain and simple English!

There is a big difference between a Grand Jury and a regular jury. 

A Grand Jury is composed of twenty three citizens, supposedly chosen at random. We are concerned with the Grand Jury which issued ‘’indictments’’ for Trump, in New York City.

The Manhattan District Attorney, Alvin Bragg, is the prosecutor. He ‘’convened’’ a Grand Jury. He then presented evidence, to that Grand Jury, in support of his contention that one or more crimes has been committed, by Donald Trump. This evidence included witnesses. We have no way of knowing what was said, as the only people who are allowed into the room are the prosecutor, the jurors, witnesses and a court reporter. 

It is significant that no judge or defence lawyers are allowed into the room, so that there can not possibly be any cross examination of any witness. Further, the defence cannot present any evidence. In fact, the people who are the focus of the investigation may not even be aware that they are being investigated!

After Bragg, the DA, presented his case, he asked the Grand Jury for an indictment, or a number of indictments, in order to charge Trump. Apparently they responded, with a certain amount of enthusiasm.

In all cases, the Grand Jury is told that if they consider it ‘’more likely than not’’, that the defendant is guilty, then they should vote to indict. A simple majority is required for an indictment. This means that if only twelve jurors, out of twenty three, vote to indict, then the defendant is charged. 

It should come as no great surprise to anyone, to find that the Grand Jury almost always votes to indict. That is the source of the ridiculous expression that ‘’a Grand Jury can vote to indict a ham sandwich’’.

Perhaps the strangest part of these proceedings, is the fact that the alleged ‘’crime’’ in question, that of paying ‘’hush money’’ to a porn star, is nothing more than a misdemeanour, one which took place seven years ago. By law, the maximum penalty for a misdemeanour is one year in jail, but this almost never happens. Yet the DA is arguing that the payment was documented incorrectly, and was used to commit another crime, a felony. As that is the case, the ‘’hush money payment’’ was also a felony. 

A great many legal experts are suggesting that the DA is ‘’standing on rather shaky legal ground’’. This is their polite way of saying that they expect the courts to throw out the charges. That is certainly the goal of the lawyers who work for Trump!

By law, a felony is a serious crime, usually punishable by imprisonment for a term of several years. By contrast, a misdemeanour is a less serious crime, so that those who are convicted, rarely go to jail. No wonder the lawyers who represent Trump are trying to get those felony charges thrown out of court!

As yet, we do not know just which charges Trump is facing, as the indictments are ‘’under seal’’, to use the legal expression.

The next step in this ‘’gong show’’ involves the ‘’accused’’, in this case Trump. He is expected to ‘’surrender’’ to the police. This is to say that he is expected to ‘’present himself’’ to the police, at a certain agreed upon time.

His lawyers are trying to work out the details, which are complicated by the fact that he is under the protection of the Secret Service! Just how the Secret Service is supposed to protect Trump, while in police custody, or even in jail, is a mystery!

After Trump ‘’surrenders himself’’, to the police, he can expect to be ‘’booked’’. This is to say that he will be treated in the same manner as all other ‘’criminal suspects’’. He will be photographed and fingerprinted!

Then he will be taken to the Supreme Court of the state of New York, in the borough of Manhattan, for his ‘’arraignment’’. In other words, he will be taken into court, escorted by the police, and brought before the judge. It remains to be seen if he will be wearing handcuffs!

While in court, before a judge, the criminal charges against Trump will be read aloud. At that point, he will become aware of the charges against him. And so will we!

He will then be expected to ‘’enter a plea’’. No doubt that will be a plea of ‘’not guilty’’. This is all part of the arraignment process. 

At that time, there is also something referred to as ‘’discovery’’, so that a prosecutor must turn over all evidence to the defence attorneys.

We can expect Trump to be released on ‘’PR Bond’’, also known as ‘’personal recognizance bond’’, which is a type of bail bond that does not require the defendant to pay any money up front. Instead, the court issues an order releasing the defendant from custody on the condition that they agree to appear for all scheduled court appearances.

It is only those who cannot afford to post the bail bond, who are required to come up with that money! Those who are filthy rich, are relieved of that burden!

The journalists are speculating that the lawyers for Trump will ‘’file a motion’’ to have all charges dropped, or more likely, a great many motions. After all, there are ‘’higher courts’’. This particular court is the Supreme Court of the state of New York, not of the country. As Trump can afford to hire a small army of lawyers, he can no doubt drag this through the courts for many years, if need be. 

Strangely enough, these charges, in the state of New York, are considered to be the ‘’weakest’’. Several other investigations have also been going on, for several years, but as yet, no prosecutor has ‘’worked up the courage’’ to charge Trump. Now that Bragg has dared to perform his duty, this may well ‘’open the flood gates’’. 

Possibly the most serious charges may soon be placed by the state of Georgia, in that they are considering charging Trump with ‘’attempting to overturn the federal election of 2020’’. Such an accusation borders on treason!

It is reported that a Grand Jury, in that state, has completed their investigation, on January 24 of this year. Now it is up to the District Attorney to ‘’take the plunge’’, to press charges against Trump. Feel free to ‘’grow a set’’!

Legal experts said that Trump may have violated at least three state election laws, all of which are very serious. A conviction of any one of those charges could result in a lengthy prison sentence.

On the federal level, the United States District Attorney may charge that Trump ‘’improperly retained classified records’’ at his Florida estate, after he left office, and then ‘’attempted to obstruct a federal investigation’’. 

The House of Representatives has requested that the Justice Department also charge Trump for the role he played, in that which they refer to as the ‘’January 6 Insurrection’’. For that reason, the Justice Department is also ‘’investigating his actions in the 2020 election’’.

As well, the Attorney General of the state of New York is reportedly investigating Trump, and his family, for allegations of various acts of fraud, in their business dealings. They claim that Trump and his company, Trump Organization, owe them 250 million.

They also maintain that they have uncovered evidence of ‘’criminal wrong doing’’, which was promptly referred to the federal prosecutors and the IRS. Another one who should ‘’grow a set’’!

Those people certainly know how to ‘’pass the buck’’!

It is entirely possible that the investigation, by the state of New York, into allegations of fraud, by Trump and his family, may become his biggest headache. Trump may not be the only one who could be facing a lengthy stay in prison!  

While there is a law forbidding married couples from testifying against each other, there is no law against children testifying against their parents! Further, there is a vicious rumour to the effect that at least one of his children has been spending some ‘’quality time’’ with the FBI! It is doubtful that these were social calls!

Numerous -former!- ’’business associates’’ of Trump can testify to the fact that he does not hesitate to throw anyone ‘’under the bus’’, if it suits his purpose. It is entirely possible that he has taught his children well!  Trump may soon find himself joining so many others, ‘’under the bus’’! Thrown there by one of his own children! One who is a ‘’chip off the old block’’! The old ‘’better you than me’’!

We have decided to go into considerable detail, concerning the charges against Trump, only because the common people are interested in this. Not for a moment, do we believe that sending Trump to jail, will change anything!

As is well known, those who are extremely rich, the billionaires, are above the law. They can do almost anything they like, and get away with it. So what is going on with Trump?

Even though Trump is a billionaire, a member of a class which we refer to as the bourgeoisie, the class of people who are in charge, he is considered to be a renegade. 

As he is a ‘’loose cannon’’, the other members of his class have decided that he must go. For that reason, they have given the ‘’go ahead’’ to various District Attorneys, across the country. Send Trump to jail! It is now ‘’open season’’ on Donald Trump!

In fact, this is just part of the ‘’process of dissolution going on within the ruling class’’, as the capitalists are losing their ‘’grip’’ on power. 

It is becoming abundantly clear that capitalism is in a state of crisis. Further, the capitalists can no longer rule in the old way. It is also just as clear that the ‘’lower classes’’, the working people, are no longer content to live in the old way, and are demanding change. This is the very definition of a Revolutionary situation! 

Now for the Revolution to be successful, it is necessary that a ‘’majority of the class conscious, thinking and politically active workers, should fully realize that Revolution is necessary’’, according to Lenin.

To such people, the working people who are demanding change, we can only stress the importance of becoming class conscious. Feel free to read the most important works of Marx and Lenin, including the Communist Manifesto, the Essential Works of Lenin, and Left Wing Communism, An Infantile Disorder. 

Those works stress the importance of Revolution, of overthrowing the monopoly capitalists, of smashing the existing state apparatus and setting up a new state apparatus, in the form of the Dictatorship of the Proletariat. That is necessary, in order to keep them from returning to power.

Bear in mind that the only reason this article was focused on Trump, is because that is what people are talking about. Capitalism is capitalism, regardless of the individual who is president. All presidents serve the same class.

The Revolution will break out soon. That much is clear. What is not clear, is whether or not it will be successful. That largely depends upon the most advanced strata of the proletariat.

With that in mind, may we suggest such slogans as:

Workers of the World, Unite!

Dictatorship of the Proletariat!

Scientific Socialism!