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Ten questions. It seemed so simple. In an academic atmosphere like George Washington University, ten questions should have had all the makings of a grand debate.
It all started when the International Socialist Organization (ISO) announced it would be holding its annual DC socialist conference at George Washington University on March 9. (Click here for an account) The conference was titled “A World of War and Poverty: We Need a Socialist Alternative!”
In light of the failure of the socialist ideology worldwide, the American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property (TFP) activated its TFP Student Action group to ask a few questions about this “socialist alternative.”
On March 6, TFP Student Action took to the campus passing out a statement titled “Ten Questions for the International Socialist Organization.” Nearly 3,000 copies of the questions were handed out to students and faculty amid lively debate.
The ten hard-hitting questions focused on some of the contradictions and errors of the socialism in general and the ISO in particular. They called on the socialists to define themselves and their beliefs. They pointed out the double standards they have adopted in their criticism of modern society. Finally, the questions stressed the failure of socialism to deliver what it promises and the tendency of socialist parities worldwide to hide behind moderate platforms to get themselves elected. (To read the ten questions, click here)
The tenth question asked the students for questions that would be presented to the ISO. An ISO representative had agreed to appear with TFP Student Action members on GW Radio’s “The Right Way” program on March 13. In addition, Student Action members attended the ISO March 9 Conference and came away with a few more questions of their own. The ground was set for debate.
However, as the March 13 match approached, socialist representatives failed to appear. There were plenty of socialists outside the student union building manning a table, but nary a soul to step in the radio studio inside. Radio listeners were left to speculate as to why no one wanted to defend the socialist cause.
Their apparent lack of revolutionary zeal left the George Washington University student body with ten questions and no answers.