English

Letters on Juan Cole

Below we publish a selection of letters sent in response to “An open letter to Professor Juan Cole: A reply to a slander.” The World Socialist Web Site encourages its readers to write to Juan Cole’s web site at: http://www.juancole.com/contact.

 

 

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What a passionate, heartfelt, and wholly honest retort. Thank you, Mr. Van Auken. We must all take a stand against imperialism.

 

Edward E
Uganda
10 August 2011

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Hi, just wanted to say I’m glad you guys put this out. I was on Cole’s e-mail list for some time because I occasionally find his perspective interesting. I saw the article in question shortly after it was sent out and was the first to post a comment on his web site. The comment was polite and did not take issue with his support for the so-called “Free Libya Forces”. My only point was that he owed WSWS and Alexander Cockburn an apology and that the suggestion that either would support a massacre of Libyans was slanderous and unprincipled, and that it would be difficult to ever take anything he says seriously again if he did not put out a retraction. He did not post the comment on his web site. I e-mailed him again later saying he was being cowardly and unprofessional in not only standing by his accusation against WSWS and Cockburn, but not allowing my comment to enter in the discussion on his site. I never heard anything back from him.

 

I enjoy reading a lot of different perspectives from across the political spectrum and around the globe. I think it is the only way to stay truly informed and aware. Ultimately my heart lies with the revolutionary socialists, but I am always willing to entertain another point of view. I appreciate the work you all do. Professor Cole has lost any respect I may have once had for him. To disagree with your politics is one thing, but to state that you would welcome a massacre is something altogether different.

 

Anyway, just wanted to say good job for getting this statement out. I hope you pursue it. Cole really does owe you an apology.

 

Oh, and will be posting your statement on Facebook and spreading it around where I can...

 

Jonathon
USA
10 August 2011

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Excellent rebuttal. Well done.

 

Michael M
10 August 2011

 

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I had just decided that I couldn’t stand any more “liberals” or “progressives” or whatever, then I read this. Thank you very much, and I hope you keep it up. I tried saying so to J Cole, but my e-mail wouldn’t go through for some unknown reason.

 

Georgia B
California, USA
10 August 2011

 

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