Date: Fri, 13 Jul 2012

From: (A CP of Canada provincial office)
Subject: Something has hit the fan in Houston

To (provincial) comrades,

As indicated in the below important blog links, the ideological crisis seems to be intensifying in the CPUSA. This is consistent with our party’s analysis and criticism of the CPUSA leadership adopted by our Central Cte meeting last year in August.

Probably the most important article; the comments at the article’s end about other mass expulsions are illuminating:
http://houstoncommunistparty.com/will-the-real-communist-party-please-stand-up/

http://houstoncommunistparty.com/some-thoughts-on-recent-cpusa-activities-in-houston/
http://houstoncommunistparty.com/letter-to-the-editor-regarding-the-dropping-of-a-local-member-of-the-party/
http://houstoncommunistparty.com/letter-to-the-editor-from-north-carolina-about-expulsion-of-party-members/

(Name omitted)

* * *
Date: Fri, 13 Jul 2012
From:
Subject: Re: Something has hit the fan in Houston

Thx re the info below (reply omitted). I am certain the (CPUSA leadership is) fighting from a position of weakness – thus their desperate measures. Either: they are evaluating they’ve lost the majority of membership support (which forced Hewison’s actions) or 2) they don’t want anything to stand in the way of their (electoral tactic).

Angelo D’Angelo’s comment to the article “Will the real CP please stand up” is from New York, one of the first public recountings of the story there, and indicates growing cohesion and communication among anti-revisionist forces. A sad story from New York.

These top-down measures will never succeed in a revolutionary party.

Here is an e-mail exchange between a comrade in the UK and a comrade in Canada:

Hi Pat
I am forwarding our exchange of views. I’ll be talking to the branch on
Sunday and to other comrades at the Tolpuddle festival. I am coming around
to your view of your party’s leadership and if Greece, Mexico, Canada and
now Spain feel the same way then that isolates the Webbs.
I think the campaign to get rid of the anti-communist laws should continue
and should form a base of either an alliance within the party or the
re-founding of the party. If the USA party is only 200 it is time for a
rethink.
all the best
Gerrard

Editor’s note: Don’t forget that the German CP has also been very critical of the CPUSA
—– Original Message —–
From: A comrade in Canada
To: “Gerrard Sables” gerrard.sables@phonecoop.coop
Sent: Saturday, July 14, 2012 4:53 AM
Subject: Re: Re:

Hi Gerrard,

I share your opinion on the CPUSA. Yes, the party is probably
infiltrated as the actions taken by the Webb leadership are outright
sabotage: shutting down the print publications, not running candidates,
ect.. It is so bad that 3 communist parties have issued open statements
critisizing the CPUSA leadership : the CP of Canada, CP of Mexico and CP
of Greece. The Spanish CP liked the CPC statement so much that they
translated it into Spanish and posted it on their website. I agree with
you that the CPUSA needs to change its policies or a new CP needs to be
formed in the US. However, Webb and his cronies are firmly entrenched
and will not allow contending candidates to threaten them. My CP friend
in New York who tried to run at a nomination meeting to be a delegate at
the last Party convention told me that the leadership rigged the vote so
he would lose. Only candidates on the official list of delegates
submitted at the meeting by the Webb leadership were allowed to win.
The only alternative l see is for Houston and other dissident clubs to
form a new CP, as difficult as that maybe. In the meantime, l think our
comrades in Houston and elsewhere in the US need all our support and
solidarity.

Take care,
A comrade in Canada

On 12-Jul-12, at 11:29 PM, Gerrard Sables gerrard.sables@phonecoop.coop wrote:

Dear Comrade in Canada
The paper probably hasn’t had time to get to you. If you haven’t had it
by Wed 18 July let me know and I’ll send you a copy. CR publishes
articles from all over the world – sometimes Castro puts in an article.

You ask me what I think about pat’s situation and the CPUSA. Officially
I must not be seen to “interfere in the affairs of a sister party” and
so have told Pat that we can’t any longer be twinned but if you look at
www.northdevoncommunists.org.uk  you will see I have forgotten to take
Houston Club off our site and I doubt if I will get round to it.
Personally I think the leadership of the CPUSA is a disgrace. It has
given no support to our campaign to lift the anti-communist laws. It has
not said ‘thank you!’ to me for my work in solidarity which tells me a
lot. The leadership of the Communist Party of Texas has misbehaved in
the same way. I suspect that the security forces of the American
government has something to do with what is going on. James told me the
CPUSA is down to about 200 members. One can join by filling in a form
and paying the dues. If you want to join our party you apply and the
party decides whether or not to accept. Any nutter could join the CPUSA
it seems. No newspaper so nothing to sell on the street. No leaflets so
nothing to hand out on demos and nothing to distribute door to door.
Seemingly precious little industrial work. On the other hand very little
electoral work. Go to any of the world’s communist websites and you will
see a picture of people carrying banners but on the CPUSA’s – nothing.

The CPUSA should be pestering every senator and congressman to get the
Miami 5’s sentences quashed. They should be leading the fight to get
America’s prison population reduced, to get out of Afghanistan, to
hugely increase the minimum wage, to strengthen the trade union
movement, to obtain women’s rights, to outlaw the KKK and other fascist
bodies, to get rights for migrant workers, to end discrimination. The
USA is the most heavily armed country and the most aqggressive; it jails
more people than any other country and permits private companies to use
them as slaves; it humiliates the poor with food stamps rather than
cash; it is aggressively pro- religion and yet still has the death
penalty. Its media is supine; its culture is anti-culture. There is
plenty for a communist party to do in the USA. I think the CPUSA is not
only betraying its founding principles but also its unique
responsibility to the toiling masses of the whole world. Either there
should be a change of direction in the CPUSA or a new American communist
party.
I can’t say that to James but there is nothing to stop my views being
forwarded. In solidarity
Gerrard

—– Original Message —– From: A comrade in Canada
To: “Gerrard Sables” gerrard.sables@phonecoop.coop
Sent: Friday, July 13, 2012 3:43 AM

Hi Gerrard,

l am also distraught that James got expelled from the CPUSA. Most
probably the comrades who remain in the club with James will also get
turfed. Mind you, to tell you the truth, l don’t know what can be
done to save the CPUSA at this point while the Party is lead by Sam
Webb. James told me that the party is down to several hundred dues
paying members for a country with 300 million people. He was
impressed when l told him that the CPC has 5-600 members. What do
you think of the situation ?

A comrade in Canada

By A. Shaw

Dave Adkinson, who supports the national leaders of the CP for their crackdown on the Houston club, says this:

“My skin is not so thin, I was using deductive logic. Now you use religious references looking for support. Martyrdom?
What you have been doing goes far beyond criticizing, it is blatant factionalism. There are proper channels for criticism, as you should well know. We get it. You hate Sam and his beliefs.That is your choice of course. I just cant help but wonder why would you even want to be a part of the CPUSA if you so despise it, and its other members who do not follow you to the extreme left.I dont believe any of this huffing and puffing is helpful to the working class. I hope you can find peace within your own beliefs and among your followers and organize in your community for the working class.”

Mr. Adkinson, your skin may not be so thin, but your deductive logic is.

As for “Martyrdom,” Mr. Adkinson, don’t you believe that Communists should occasionally be forgiven if they “use religious references?” After all, if this isn’t so, true believers are then obliged to lynch Communists on crosses or, better still, burn Communists at the stake. Please, Mr. Adkinson, don’t hold it against me, A. Shaw, who also uses religious references.

Jesus! Folks! Talk about freedom of expression! Where has it gone? We can’t even use them religious references no more.

Mr. Adkinson, as for as your remark that the Houston club goes “far beyond criticizing … [into] blatant factionalism.”

It is often said in leftist circles that “your criticism is factionalism but my criticism is only criticism.” In other words, the difference between criticism and factionalism is often subjective and, worse, self-serving.

As for your comment “There are proper channels for criticism,” the CP constitution provides members with more than “channels.” The constitution imposes a duty on each member of the party to critically evaluate the work of the party. The constitution, unlike some of the party’s national leaders, doesn’t limit the duty of critical evaluation to certain times or to certain situations or, in your words, to certain “channels.” The constitution, in Article VI, Section 2, says:

“Each member shall critically evaluate the work of
Party collectives and his/her own activity, with the
aim of improving the work of the Party, its bodies,
and his or her own activity. The National Committee
and leadership at all levels shall take the initiative and
give lead for the development of the fullest critical
evaluation and self-evaluation in regard to improving
its work.”

So, the constitution says “each member” has a duty to critically evaluate the work of the party and of its members. Mr. Adkinson, you — not the constitution — seem to be saying either one of two things. First and more broadly, you may be saying if a member critically evaluates the work of the party merely in generalities, even then this critic is a factionalist. Or, second and more narrowly, you may be saying if a member critically evaluates the work of Sam Webb or the work of other top national CP leaders specifically, then and only then the critic is a factionalist.

The broad first alternative, mentioned above, turns the constitutionally-imposed duty of critical evaluation into “blatant factionalism” However, the narrow second alternative only commands sycophantic speech and behavior from “each member” of the party toward their national leaders.

It’s unclear, Mr. Adkinson, which of the two alternatives — the broad one or the narrow one– you subscribe to.

As far as your critical evaluation of “huffing and puffing” … Mr. Adkinson, I’m sure you concede that huffing and puffing is something which almost everybody finds irresistible.

Here is a tribute to Woody Guthrie on the 100th anniversary of his birthday from Oklahoma:

http://okworkersmonthly.blogspot.com/2012/07/woody-guthries-gift-to-american-culture.html?spref=fb

By James Thompson

Some of the people, notably G.L. Morrison and Dave Adkinson, have valiantly attempted to defend the leadership of the CPUSA and question any improprieties on the part of the party.

Below you will find an exact reproduction (with personal telephone numbers removed) of the e-mail exchange between James Thompson and John Bachtell leading up to “dropping” of James Thompson’s membership in the CPUSA. Leadership did not feel the need to file charges or even inform James Thompson of the reason for his dropping as required by the CPUSA constitution.

John Bachtell’s messages are full of contradictions. He thanks James Thompson for his e-mail response but alleges in the same message that James has made no response to his attempts to contact him. He also fails to address the fact that James Thompson contacted John Bachtell on 6/13/12 and invited him to Houston and requested the details of his visit. Bachtell did not respond until 6/30/12 demanding an immediate meeting. At this point, James Thompson was out of town on vacation and returned on 7/1/12. However, it was inconvenient to meet at this point and the day of Bachtell’s and Juan Lopez’ departure, 7/2/12, was also inconvenient since James Thompson had to work all day.

Some might ask why James Thompson did not clear his schedule to meet with John Bachtell and Juan Lopez. Of course, the obvious answer is that it was not possible. However, by the time they contacted James Thompson, it was obvious that they were attempting a hostile takeover of the Houston club. The question that went through my mind was “Why should I meet with these people who obviously have hostile intentions towards our club?” The other question that went through my mind was “How can I reasonably call together a meeting of the whole club in such a short time?” This reveals naivete on my part. John Bachtell and Juan Lopez did not want a meeting with the whole club.

In the meantime, I was receiving information from people Mr. Bachtell and Mr. Lopez met with indicating they were being told that the original Houston club was being folded into a new club which would be “shepherded” by the national office. People were also telling me that Bachtell and Lopez told them that they should ignore any e-mails from me and should not attend any meetings called by me. They also told people that Houston was not unique according to our members. They told our members that they were organizing new clubs in other cities where there were clubs that did not agree fully with the opinions of the national leadership. They cited Massachusetts as an example.

I’m reminded of the lines from Joe Hill:

“And standing there as big as life
And smiling with his eyes
Says Joe, ‘What they forgot to kill
Went on to organize,
Went on to organize.

Joe Hill ain’t dead, he says to me,
Joe Hill ain’t never died.
Where working men are out on strike
Joe Hill is at their side,
Joe Hill is at their side.

From San Diego up to Maine,
In every mine and mill –
Where working men defend their rights
It’s there you’ll find Joe Hill
It’s there you’ll find Joe Hill.

I am glad to be writing these little articles on the 100th anniversary of the birth of Woody Guthrie. His fighting spirit should be an inspiration for all working people. I grew up not far from Okemah, Oklahoma, where Woody grew up. I’m proud to be an Okie even if I’m not from Muskogee. I’ve been listening to KPFT in Houston and WWOZ in New Orleans all day who have been running back to back tributes to Woody, one of the greatest members of the CPUSA.

We need more people like Woody and less people like Earl Browder and Sam Webb and their cronies.

Following is the e-mail exchange between John Bachtell and James Thompson:

Hi Pat,

We are sending this email after numerous attempts to speak with you in person and by phone, without response.

It is clear your continued actions are incompatible with membership in the Communist Party USA. Therefore, based on a discussion in the National Board you have been dropped from membership.

Please turn over all Party records and finances in your possession to the newly organized and officially recognized Houston club.

If you have any questions about this action please feel free to call me at ———-.

John Bachtell
CPUSA
July 8, 2012

Hi Pat,

Thanks for returning my email. We have also made several attempts to reach you by phone and have left messages to schedule a meeting with you. We have not gotten a response yet.

We would be happy to meet with you anytime and anyplace at your convenience Sunday or Monday until midafternoon when we depart.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

John Bachtell
(John provided his telephone number here)

On Sat, Jun 30, 2012 at 6:51 PM,wrote:

My wife and I are in San Antonio now. I asked Bernard about the meeting last Sunday at our monthly meeting and he said he didn’t know anything about the meeting with you and Juan.

We will return to Houston tomorrow, however I have scheduled a phone call with a Union brother from NY at the time you propose.

I would be happy to meet with you the next time you are in Houston. Please show us the courtesy of giving us advance notice so that we can gather the whole club together to meet with you. We feel that informing us at the last minute is disrespectful.

Pat
________________________________________
From: John Bachtell
Date: Sat, 30 Jun 2012 10:21:50 -0500
To: Paul Subject: Re: Meeting in Houston

Hi Pat,

As you know Juan and I are in Houston. We along with Bernard would like to meet with you while we are here. We propose 7 pm Sunday at the Kim Son restaurant (downtown at 59th and Jefferson)

Please let me know if this is good for you.

Sincerely,

John

On Wed, Jun 13, 2012 at 9:09 PM, Paul wrote:
Dear John –

We have talked over the phone in the past.

We understand that you are likely to come to Houston in the near future. We certainly would welcome the opportunity to meet with you and discuss our points of common ground as well as differences. Some members have already expressed interest in such a meeting. We want to work together to build maximum unity and resolve differences in a mutually respectful and beneficial manner.

However, we don’t know the details of your visit. Please let us know if you would be available to meet with us and if you need us to make arrangements for a meeting place, etc.

We look forward to welcoming you to Houston.

Peace & solidarity
Pat Thompson
Club Chair, Houston Communist Party
(Pat provided his telephone number here)

By James Thompson

Dave Adkinson writes in his critical analysis of the Houston CP club:

“If those you criticise are as malicious as you say the i wonder why i cant find anything on the web where “they” sling mud at you and your former club.”

We applaud Mr. Adkinson’s efforts to provide some critical analysis of our club, but his arguments fall a bit short. Here is a posting from our Texas district leadership about our website which was posted on 11/28/11. The link is: http://tx.cpusa.org/houstonweb.htm .

We recently received the following statement from CPUSA leadership:

Statement on Houston Phony Web Site

The web page calling itself the Houston Communist Party (http://houstoncommunistparty.com/ ) and the associated Facebook page and Twitter feed are not affiliated with the Communist Party USA (CPUSA). The person or persons behind the web site know full well that the site does not reflect the views and positions of our party. By undemocratically and falsely identifying the site as affiliated with the CPUSA they are deliberately sowing confusion and misinformation.

The Texas Communist Party web site at (http://tx.cpusa.org/ ) is a web site of the CPUSA that is endorsed and supported by the party membership in Texas and the National Committee of the CPUSA.

National Board CPUSA

It should be explained that the reason Houston put up its own website was that the Texas District leadership repeatedly refused to send us the names of people from Houston who contacted the national website. I spoke directly to Sam Webb, Jarvis Tyner and many others and made the simple request that the names of people who contacted the national website or state website from Houston be provided to us so that we could attempt to recruit them into our club. This was at a time when I was writing many articles for the PWW and PW. At this time, I was also invited to and was attending party conferences at various locations around the country to include the conference on African American equality in St. Louis, Missouri, and regional conferences in El Paso, Texas and Oakland, California. I spoke to Sam Webb at the meeting in Oakland and to Jarvis Tyner at the march on Wall Street in NYC. I also made up the slogans for the signs used in the march on Wall Street as requested by Libero della Piana. I was also a delegate to the 2005 convention in Chicago and wrote the front page article for the PWW about the CPUSA support of the strike against the Congress Hotel in Chicago. We elected a delegate from Houston to the 2008 CPUSA convention. This individual is an accomplished journalist and could have put various party leaders on the Pacifica network. In fact, I suggested this to leadership and it was ignored.

The reason for putting up the website was simple. We wanted people in Houston to be able to contact us.

One of our current members attempted to contact us through the national website and state website within the last year and a half. He was ignored by the national office. When he contacted the state directly, he was told that our club in Houston did not exist. He found us by our website.

When we put up our website, we were told by district leadership in Dallas that we should take it down and that the party should file a lawsuit against us for putting up the website.

I wonder how many people in the party really think that these actions by party leadership represent a real desire to build the party and fully support one of its most active clubs. Instead of expressing appreciation for the hard work of comrades in Houston, leadership has chosen to split and divide our original club and fecklessly attempt to depose its elected leader.

Nevertheless, we continue to survive and thrive. We will continue to fight for the working class no matter what CPUSA leadership does to us. We will not surrender. We will not back down. We will continue to build our club since we believe the Communists will take up their historical role as the vanguard party of the working class. We believe that once again the CPUSA will fight for peace, civil rights and will return to an anti-imperialist stance. We believe the CPUSA will fight once again to enact legislation for working people such as single payer health care or a national health care system and the employee free choice act. We believe the CPUSA can and will fight anti-communist laws and other forms of voter suppression. We believe the CPUSA can and will field candidates for public office on its own ticket. We believe the CPUSA can and will be a fully democratic organization and operate from the bottom up rather than the top down.

By A. Shaw

“Are you seriously congratulating yourself on stealing the dues from the members of the CPUSA? On childishly withholding websites, FB profile and other things which show only that you INTEND to mislead and confuse anyone looking for the local branch of the CPUSA? You can’t vote to not dissolve, it was not in your power to admit yourselves to the CPUSA in the first place and it is not in your power to insist you still are “the same club”. Any more than if you were expelled from the Boy Scouts of America would there be an ounce of logic in insisting you are the REAL Boy Scouts. If you have any integrity, show it,” G.L. Morrison heatedly writes against the Houston club after the split of Houston Communists by intrigue of national CP leaders.

oooo

Thank you Mr. Morrison. Even though I strongly disgree with what you say, I agree with your right to say it and I’m glad you exercised your right to say it here.

As for “Are you seriously congratulating yourself on stealing the dues?”

The funds of the Houston Club belong to the members of the Houston club. When members of the club quit the club, the quitters lose their right to vote on the disposition of the funds of the club, because the Houston club doesn’t entitle non-members or former members to vote on funds or on anything else. So, the club can’t “steal” what already belongs to it.

As for “childishly withholding websites.”

The argument in the preceding paragraph dealing with funds applies to websites, too.

As for “You can’t vote to not dissolve.”

We have in fact so voted, because our reality is a social and political relation, not an opinion of CP national leaders.

As for “if you were expelled from the Boy Scouts.”

We defer to your opinion about Boy Scouts.