"that is where I feel you put your finger on the weakness of your left-orientated position; which seems to me [correct me if I am wrong] to be predicated on the postulate that morality and leftwing views are in some way synonymous or identical"

Ah - 'correct me if I'm wrong'.

You're wrong. Consider yourself corrected.

Since you are unaware of my personal circumstances, you cannot assume that if I do not reply I am refusing to answer your questions. You might, for example, take into account the possibility that because of other commitments my visits to Mudcat are of short duration and do not occur on a regular basis.

Yes, I am left-wing. Yes, I am aware of the record of far-left governments. Yes, it saddens me that it has so far been impossible for a nominally far-left government to behave with humanity towards their citizens. Yes, it saddens me that revolutions have always so far fallen into the hands of the self-interested.

No, I do not believe that we should therefore sign resignedly and give up the fight for justice and fairness.

No, I do not believe that all right-wingers are "all such despicable forms of lowlife that we have no need even to pretend to treat you or your views with any sort of respect or consideration." In face to face debate I have frequently made the point that that attitude is counter-productive and will in fact prevent the people so accused from listening to the points the speaker wishes to make.

Yes, I am depressed when debate turns into childish insults and name-calling.

Please do not assume that your response to this, if any, is being ignored because I do not respond immediately. I am unlikely to have time for Mudcat for the next few days.