Correspondence with Steven Argue of the Revolutionary Tendency About Samuel Trachtenberg, Icaro Kaleb and Reagrupamento Revolucianario

Just so you know. I have banned Icaro Kaleb from several of our groups for snitch jacketing.

He has accused members of the IBT of having ties with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and regurgitated slanders from the Sparts. He basically fessed up that he didn't believe half of what he and his comrades have said about the IBT but still stands by it. It might make sense to check if he is a member of such groups as For Communism (Leninist-Trotskyist) and the Revolutionary Tendency. My suggestion is he be banned, unless he is willing to publicly repudiate the allegations he had admitted in private aren't as well as all of his cop-baiting allegations.

Kaleb was part of a splinter of Coletivo Lenin which fused with Samuel Trachbenberg's one-man group Revolutionary Regroupment. After four years, a nasty fallout erupted and Sam T. stole the groups email address and website (he changed the passwords without telling other members).

Sam T.'s erratic behaviour isn't new. He displayed similar behaviour in the IBT. If anything the, the IBT was MORE LENIENT with Sam then the Coletivo Lenin. Sam quit the IBT, he was expelled from Revolutionary Regroupment.

Sam behaved very erratically when he was in our Facebook group, the Marxist Internet Archive - Underground External Tendency. He sided David Walters a Robin Palmer when they defend ablest killer and fascist front-man Robert Latimer (a stance David Walters has since repudiated). He also made a mountain of personalize attacks against me such calling me a "liar", "flying off the hinges", "a bourgeois politician", a "laywer", a "labour bureaucrat", who accused me of having "angry outburst" and of "discrediting myself". This was BEFORE the rest of Revolutionary Regroupment decided to boot him.

I think it was mistake for the Coletivo Lenin splinter to fuse with Sam T. They have suffered the consequences but rather than learn from their mistakes or make an honest accounting of what went down they choose to stand by every slander and provocation that Sam T. had made before he left there group. This way they don't need to look themselves in the mirror or admit wrong doing.

It sort of reminds me of the Internationalist Group. They denounce every mistake the Sparts made after they were expelled in 1996 but ignored the cult-like internal workings, abuses and programmatic overtures before 1996 (in the 1970s and 1980s). They claim the ICL had a pristine record before 1996. They say such thing because they were essential components of the Robertson regime before their departure.

Myself, I find people (including on the left) who won't admit when they are wrong to be quite frustrating a waist of time.

As for Sam T.'s hostility toward Jason Wright and Tom Riley, who he has accused of having ties with the Department of Homeland Security, he has held such animosity before he left IBT. He has accused them of being out to get him and even insinuated that Riley had his arm up Wright's anus and his hand in Wright's brain. Sam T. in my opinion is extremely paranoid, irrational, malicious and dishonest.

It seems the Revolutionary Regroupment cadre in Brazil are no different. What is bizarre about it is Icaro Kaleb liked several of my posts, by the IBT, and had joined one of the groups I admin (which I added several IBT admin to). When I spoke to him via inbox, however, he quickly became very hostile. He basically called me a liar and seemed to imply that I was stupid.

Conrrespondence with Icaro Kaleb of Reagrupamento Revolucianario on the International Bolshevik Tendency and Samual Trachtenberg

Me

Hello. My name is Michael. I am a Trotskyist and a sympathizer for the Internationalist Bolshevik Tendency (http://www.bolshevik.org). It seems we are both Communist and with the Facebook group Class-Struggle Study Circles. Would you like to be facebook friends?

04:30

Icaro Kaleb accepted your request.

Icaro Kabel:

Hello Michael. How do you feel about this?

"At a 15 April 2010 local meeting it was suggested that a comrade who roughly fit my own description in terms of my limited relationship with Sam “befriend” him on a social media site in order to monitor him and relay information back to the leadership. I was the only person to comment on that point, stating that I would be the best candidate for such a job but that I don’t feel comfortable with it; that it felt dishonest and wrong. Riley merely shrugged and dismissed my objections by saying it wasn’t so bad and I shouldn’t have a problem with it."

https://rr4i.milharal.org/2010/07/17/1796/

09:00

Me:

I talk about Sam T. in my blog

http://spartacistwatch.blogspot.ca/

I have had run-ins with Sam T. myself. He was in my facebook group the Marxist Internet Archive - Underground External Tendency. We threw him out for numerous violations including slander, personalized attacks, ageism, ablesm and cop-baiting. I find him to be extremely malicious and dishonest as well as extremely paranoid. He often accuses people of being against him when they are clearly not. He has admitted to having O.D.D. which can be defined here.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oppositional_defiant_disorder#cite_note-7

Sam is an extremely talented individual for sure but also extremely troubled.

Kaleb:

Well, my question was not about Sam T. It was about the IBT conduct according to Brandon Gray. How do you feel about it?

Me:

Honestly, knowing what I know of Sam. I wouldn't be surprised if he made the whole thing up.

Kaleb:

This letter was written by Brandon Gray, a former IBT member in Toronto.

Me:

Did you speak to Brandon Gray yourself?

Kaleb:

It has been merely reproduced in our website (and we are no longer even associated with Sam T. as you certainly know). Yes, I communicated with him a few times years ago, when he left the IBT.

Me:

I honestly don't know specifics. I would really need to look into this. I have read that letter. I would need to talk to the IBT and hear there side of the story. I generally made a habit of not taking one side at it's word and not weighing in until I have all the facts.

I have however read the IBT's internal documents on Sam T. The IBT made considerable allowances with him. He basically refused to follow their rules and refused to work with people in the organization. He then opted to leave and denounce the IBT.

Sorry I didn't realized for a second I thought you had posted a link from the website Sam T. stole. My mistake.

Kaleb:

I don't know what selection on documents you have read. I myself have read a selection on documents sometime ago and that made me draw a completely different conclusion than yours. It convinced me that the IBT leadership was dishonest and corrupt. Especially when dealing with other left groups, which they treat as enemies.

*of documents

11:12

Me:

We may have to agree to disagree.

With all do respect, I think regurgitating the claim that Jason Wright works for Homeland is extremely dishonest and brands a person guilty until proven innocent. That seems to be on your website.

https://rr4i.milharal.org/2012/03/02/the-international-bolshevik-tendency-explains-its-demise-2/

I also noticed this.

"Logan was expelled by the Sparts for being a sociopath and lacking even the most rudimetary human decency. The Sparts actually produced three volumes dealing with his internal trial and his sociopath behaviour in Australia and britain. W he came back to NZ, they donated copies to all the public libraries, to warn everyone on the left here about him."

https://rr4i.milharal.org/2008/09/25/appendix-i-to-letter-of-resignation-from-the-international-bolshevik-tendency/

I actually have written on the ICL's claim on this matter.

http://spartacistwatch.blogspot.ca/2008/11/sparts-witchunt-against-logan-is.html

There is also this.

http://www.bolshevik.org/Pamphlets/Logan/Logan-Show-Trial-Contents.html

Here is more.

http://www.bolshevik.org/Leaflets/donovan.html

http://www.bolshevik.org/Leaflets/brock.html

In all honesty I think it was a serious mistake to side with Sam T. in the first place. We all make mistakes, including myself. But I think it is crucial to able to own one's mistakes. I really don't see that from this group. I think at the least. Revolutionary Regroupment needs to repudiate its support of the claims, Sam T., Philip Ferguson and the ICL made about Logan as well as the slander that Jason Wright works for the Department of Homeland Security.

I hope you don't see my statements as personal attacks and I am sorry if I come of as hostile but I think Sam T. has done a lot of unreasonable things concerning the IBT. I think you know by now that Sam isn't an easy person to reason with.

To be fair it isn't all Sam's fault he not only is dealing with mental health issues but he is also in the U.S. where health care is private and until recently they were denying healthcare to anyone with a pre-existing condition (which would be the case for Sam).

Kaleb: Michael, you're being dishonest. On Jason Wright: it was never claimed that he was a cop or an agent for Homeland Security, but rather that he was in a public position that was of significant "gray" nature (relating to Homeland officers on a co-worker level) which he should not have been advised to pursue by a leader of the organization (Riley). The IBT tried to hide it, as I have been shown sufficient evidence of. On Philip Ferguson: we do not advocate what he says in his post to alt.politics. We are interested in the quotes from the IBT, which show how the leaders (especially Logan) could conduct dishonest practices within the organization. We also think it describes well what happened to the NZ section of the IBT. On Logan: I've read many documents published by the SL. It was obviously a frame up. While the SL are hypocrites who did the same kind of thing (or worse) in the U.S., Logan cannot deny his actions. I don't think he is a "sociopath" (I'm no doctor btw). I just think he has conducted dishonest and bureaucratic manouvers in the iSt and the IBT. I have enough evidence for that. As you know (since you claim to have read the documents involving Sam T's departure) they have been complete assholes to the Argentines which wanted to become their section in Latin America. You must also be aware of the games they've played with the CL (of which I was part). We know it was discussed internally that they didn't want to fuse with the entire group because this would mean the CL would have significant weight internally to question Logan and Riley. So they tried to split our group while pretending to hold "fraternal relations" with it (which only us publicized - they never even acknowledged it to the public). I have read everything the IBT has published on the Logan trial, Michael. I don't know why you give me links for those. On Sam T.: I've collaborated with him for 4 years and he is not "insane" in any way the IBT described. You, btw, should be ashamed to be an "IBT supporter" knowing that the IBT has privately and publicly explored his depression as "mental illness". We have had differences with him on many tactical and organizational issues and he may be definetly difficult to work with, but we maintain basically all his assertions against the IBT. Just because they are true. There's nothing the IBT can do to change it. Truth is stubborn as they say. Who do you think you are to demand that we "repudiate" based accusations against the IBT? If anything this makes me even more disgusted. Are you acting on your own behalf or on the IBT leaders? (this is an honest question, since I don't know what is the level of your collaboration with them). In the latter case, this only proves they continue to engage in stupid and silly "tactics". I have nothing more to add to this. If you would allow, I would love to make this "conversation" public. I won't do it if you prefer not to. But in this case, just leave me (and my group) alone. We really have nothing to benefit from this and I honestly have more productive activity to engage on than discussing the IBT. It has always been a consensus in the RR that we don't need to worry about the IBT. We can just let it perish as the sick group they are. Unless they try to mess with us. In this case we will fight back.

Me: I see we are at the name calling state. Attacking my intelligence it pretty low. The IBT never tried to brand Sam as insane. They merely raised concerns about his behaviour. In my experience with Sam he is a very malicious and confrontation individual he has made numerous personal attacks against me. You say you don't call Logan a sociopath or Jason Wright a member of the Department of Homeland Security and yet they are posted on your website without qualification or explanation. With all do respect I think you and your group are behaving dishonestly. As for Phil Fergusan, in the dispute in question, the individuals who opposed Logan felt comfortable raising opposition to him and there decisions were partially implemented, plus they remained with the group for several years later.

An Update on David Walters

Well it seems David Walters has finally dropped his support for Robert Latimer. He posted this in a conversation,

"Michael is referring to an article in Workers Vanguard where the newspaper did a long piece on the case of a Canadian father who killed his extremely austistic daughter. The article made a very strong case in defense of the person. It was VERY convincing and not having read anything but the article I noted, as is FB venue, an informal agreement. Michael, on the other hand, believes this is a 'bloc'. There are no 'blocs' on FB. Michael actually had done a helluv a lot of research on this and the Sparts were wrong *factually* on both the case and Latimer, the name of the girls' father who was accused of murdering her. On the facts Michael was correct and thus it got me thinking about this whole issue. I don't "support" such actions nor do I "block" with anyone unless there is some sort of meaning to it behond these quite casual conversations on FB."

https://www.facebook.com/groups/communism.mlm/956232961077915/?notif_t=group_comment_follow

It took a while and a LOT of putting his feet to the fire but he has FINALLY dropped his support for Robert Latimer. Better late then never.

Clarification on David Walters and Samuel Trachtenberg

One thing that needs to be cleared up. It should be noted that neither David Walters (of "Socialist Organizer" (SO)), Samuel Trachtenberg (of "Revolutionary Regroupment"(RR)), Svend Robinson (of the New Democratic Party (NDP) of Canada) or the "Internationalist Communist League (Fourth Internationalist)(ICL-FI))" are fascist or fascistic. They have sided with fascistic terrorist and fascist front man Robert Latimer (and Robert Latimer himself is certainly himself fascistic). Robert Latimer DOES sit back and let outright fascists (including the Vanguard News Network, the Stormfront White Nationalist Community, the Phora and the speak for him).

Being that as it is the ICL, David Walters and Svend Robinson ARE in de facto bloc with fascists over the lynching of disabled children. But they them themselves ARE NOT fascist and ARE NOT fascistic. Samuel Trachtenberg did not directly side with Robert Latimer but did side with Robin Palmar and David Walters both of him sided with Robert Latimer. Samuel Trachtenberg IS NOT fascist NOR is he fascistic. That being said the behaviour of Trachtenberg, Walters, Robinson and the ICL is certainly opportunistic. SO and the NDP are opportunistic organizations the ICL are political bandits and their support for Robert Latimer is opportunistic. Trachtenberg's behaviour is opportunistic as well. That being said non of them are fascist or fascistic.

Update on Samuel Trachtenberg

It seems now that Sam no longer has a stance on the issue and has conceded that David Walters and Robin Palmer is misinformed.

Samuel Trachtenberg of "Revolutionary Regroupment": Another Apologist for Lynching

I had recently wrote about David Walters of Socialist Organizer being an apologist for the lynching of disabled children and the child killer and fascist front-man Robert Latimer. I also denounced the fascistic redneck Robin Palmer. Well it seems there is a new member of the syphilitic chain, Samuel Trachtenberg of the grossly misnamed "Revolutionary Regroupment".

Samuel has fallen a long way since he left the International Bolshevik Tendency (a group I am a sympathizer for). He has recently been defending the fascistic redneck Robin Palmer, and has defending David Walters for his apologies for Robert Latimer. Saying that regardless of whether David Walters supports Robert Latimer that my criticism are un-Marxist. So clearly Samuel Trachtenberg doesn't care that Robert Latimer murdered his own daughter for being disabled. He doesn't care that Robert Latimer's actions and the support he receives from the mainstream media encourages further violence against those in the disabled community. He doesn't care that Robert Latimer sits back an lets Nazis speak for him.

I think it is fair to say that it is anyone who would be in de-facto bloc with the far-right and fascists who is un-Marxist.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1592954937605924/permalink/1596093987292019/

David Walters of "Socialist Organizer": Lynch-rope "Socialism"

Ablest Terrorist and Fascist Front-man Robert Latimer already has the support of the dubious opportunist Svend Robinson of the NDP as well as the political bandits of the "International Communist League - Fourth Internationalist". But now another opportunist leftist can be added to this list, David Walters of the misnamed "Socialist" Organizer.

David Walters as it turns out associates with a Fascistic redneck and Robert Latimer support Robin Palmer. David Walters is well aware of Robert Latimer sitting back and letting fascist Nazis support him. Yet he still expressed grotesque apologies for Robert Latimer.

He ludicrously describe my remarks as "unscientific". "Mercy killing", unlike euthanasia (the latter requiring consent) has always and still is connected with fascism, nazism and eugenics. I guess David Walters considers Nazi ideology and eugenics to be sound science.

David Walter's only rather flimsy leg to stand on was the mistaken notion that she was in "constant pain". I ripped this notion to shreds. After this he went abruptly silent. If he regrets his words and actions, I urge he have the courage to say so publicly.

David Walters recently had a hand in purging the Marxist Internet Archive User Discussion Group. He falsely smeared Steven Argue of the Revolutionary Tendency as a "homophobe". I'm bisexual and know Steven Argue quite well and know he is not a homophobe. Even if it is true, David Walters is a proven bigot. And worse yet he is dangerous. He also stated that he intended to knock out Steven Argue. David Walter supports violence and even killing of leftists, workers and the oppressed and perfectly content blocking with fascists.

There is a famous union song with the refrain, "which side were you on?". As for David Walter, if he answered honestly (which I would highly doubt since he is such a pathelogical liar that he doesn't even know when he is lying) he would say "why the deadliest forces of reaction, of course".

https://www.facebook.com/Trotsky0321/posts/10152479080315977