As some of you know, I'm a member of another political party (but I know whose house this is, so I don't really make a push of it), the Workers Party in America. Lately, we've had a number of members, supporters and friends approach us about the dilemma of wanting to have their young children involved in adventuring and outdoors activities similar to the Boy Scouts, but not wanting to subject their kids to the religious discrimination and jingoism of that organization.
So, some of us have put our heads together and the solution we came up with was simple: start an alternative for boys and girls of working-class families that weds the best values from the Scouting tradition -- honor, duty, respect, trustworthiness, etc. -- with a secular, class- and community-based orientation.
In short, we are looking to revive the Young Pioneers.
Those of us spearheading the effort are all Scouting alumni; three of us are former Eagle Scouts (I would be the fourth, but I never undertook the Eagle Board of Review due to my becoming an atheist and socialist). The program would be open to all boys and girls from working families ages 8-17 who are interested in the kind of activities that Scouts traditionally do, but for one reason or another cannot or will not join the Scouts. (We are also working on a program for young people from non-working class families, called the Wayfarers, that teaches about what it means to be a working person in society today.)
Please note: While the original Young Pioneers was known for being little more than a communist organization for young people, this revived Young Pioneers would not be an avenue for "indoctrination". Yes, members of the Young Pioneers would learn about different and alternative political viewpoints, including socialism and communism, but they would not be required to accept or adhere to them. The focus of our project is service and respect to class and community.
If people here are interested, contact me and we can talk more about it.
proteus_lives (1000+ posts) Sun Dec-13-09 03:44 AM
Response to Original message
3. Young Pioneers?
Like that's any better then boy scouts.
Tell me, what glorious leader will they swear loyalty to? How many months will they spend on the collective digging for beets? How many hours will they wait in toilet paper lines?
Will you teach them to inform on their parents for "Crimes against the Party"?
What's the time-frame on splitting into factions over ideology and slaughtering each other in the streets?
How long will your list of banned and censored reading, music and religious materials be?
Onward comrades! The blood of the Kulaks will run in the streets!
MSchreader (1000+ posts) Sun Dec-13-09 05:14 AM
Response to Reply #19
24. Communism is as dead as the conflict between workers and bosses
Obviously, we know which side you're on.
proteus_lives (1000+ posts) Sun Dec-13-09 05:18 AM
Response to Reply #24
26. You got me. I'm a boss.
In fact I'm wearing a monocle and a top-hat right now. I'm twirling my kaiser 'stache over a glass of fine cognac.
Your dead-end philosophy just creates new bosses and new workers. It changes nothing, it's been proved over and over.
Did you learn nothing from the birth, life and death of the USSR? The ongoing horror of North Korea?
MSchreader (1000+ posts) Sun Dec-13-09 03:55 AM
Response to Reply #3
7. OK, a more serious answer, point by point
"Tell me, what glorious leader will they swear loyalty to?" None. A Young Pioneer's loyalty is to themselves, their principles and conscience, their fellow Pioneers, their class and their community.
"How many months will they spend on the collective digging for beets?" None, but I can see many Young Pioneers involved in urban farming projects to help their communities and provide nutritious food.
"How many hours will they wait in toilet paper lines?" I suppose they might wait as long as you will the next time you're in such a line.
"Will you teach them to inform on their parents for 'Crimes against the Party'?" Since there is no "Party" that is overseeing the Young Pioneers, your question is irrelevant.
"What's the time-frame on splitting into factions over ideology and slaughtering each other in the streets?" Since no ideological requirements are a part of the Young Pioneer Oath or Code, I would say two weeks after never.
"How long will your list of banned and censored reading, music and religious materials be?" A Young Pioneer is encouraged to keep his or herself aware, alert and informed, and that includes reading and studying materials he or she may disagree with. Moreover, while the Young Pioneers welcomes young people who are atheists, those who hold personal religious beliefs are also welcome, just as those who are heterosexual are welcome.
"Onward comrades! The blood of the Kulaks will run in the streets!" Personally, I think you're just mad because you didn't think of this first.
Since no ideological requirements are a part of the Young Pioneer Oath or Code, I would say two weeks after never.
What's next? The Obama Youth?
A Young Pioneer's loyalty is to themselves, their principles and conscience, their fellow Pioneers, their class and their community.
Communism, with its horrible flaws, was at least about building a better world.
Communism, with its horrible flaws, was at least about building a better world.
MSchreader (1000+ posts) Sun Dec-13-09 04:17 AM
Response to Reply #11
12. Hey, if you have a good idea, please share it
Like I said, we sorta settled on this.
We use a compass rose as our logo (don't want to change that), and the different steps (like ranks) are: Pioneer, Runner, Escort, Monitor, Navigator, Trailblazer and Lodestar. If those things spark any moments of creativity for a name, let me know.
Kim Jong Il, lodestar of national reunification
Pyongyang, January 3 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun today carries a signed article saying the respected Kim Jong Il is the distinguished leader of the nation and the great lodestar of national reunification.
He has wisely led the cause of national independence, the cause of national reunification for scores of years, performing extraordinary feats and enjoying high leadership authority, the article says, and goes on:
His absolute authority strikes terror into hearts of the enemy of reunification but gives the conviction of victory to the fellow countrymen. It is he who devoted his all to the reunification, the desire of the fellow countrymen.
His great virtue closely unites all segments of people with different ism and ideas under the banner of reunification and patriotism.
The rays of his all-embracing politics are reaching not only the people in the north but also those in the south and overseas. Indeed, he is the sun, the genuine father taking warm care of the whole nation in the north, south and abroad.
He is, indeed, the great sun of the nation and the lodestar of national reunification who is leading the Korean nation along the road of reunification and prosperity, with unbounded authority and warm virtue surpassing those of all great men and sages recorded in history.
:lmao:
Don't know who said that; just followed Blitz's post. This is probably the same idiot that would say the Aztecs were peaceful. Another thing I saw on this site. The Aztecs were very peaceful, after they slaughtered all of the nearby tribes. Communists were the same way. They're peaceful, once they kill or imprison all the dissenters.
Don't these idiots know what Cuba is? Oh, that's right, they love Che and Chavez.
People, these Damn seditious f'n morons vote. Be frightened for your country. It may not be here for long.
Hey, wait a minute!
I completely missed something in my last post. Ranks in the Pioneers? Isn't that antithetical to the "classless" Communists?
I wonder how the shredding primitive justifies a class hierarchy in relation to his supposedly egalitarian philosophy.
"How many months will they spend on the collective digging for beets?" None, but I can see many Young Pioneers involved in urban farming projects to help their communities and provide nutritious food.
"How long will your list of banned and censored reading,... blah blah blah.... Moreover, while the Young Pioneers welcomes young people who are atheists, those who hold personal religious beliefs are also welcome, just as those who are heterosexual are welcome.
honor, duty, respect, trustworthiness, etc.
These words have no meaning to DUmmies. The concept is as alien to them as a job.
Perhaps they could honor that tradition by having "Bobolink," "Blue Star" (from Stella+Blue), and "Redstone"Troops, umm I mean 'Youth Soviets'?
I think I'll just wait until they form the Hitler Youth.