# Marxist/Leninist Communism:  How to folks keep the faith?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marxist-leninist-communism-how-to-folks-keep-the-faith/308039>\
**Category:** Great Debates\
**Created:** [June 13, 2005, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marxist-leninist-communism-how-to-folks-keep-the-faith/308039 "2005-06-13T03:12:57Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 5

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**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\
**Post date:** [June 15, 2005, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marxist-leninist-communism-how-to-folks-keep-the-faith/308039/81 "2005-06-15T18:02:35Z")

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> [@John Mace](#):
>
> There was one diehard communist who used to post from time to time (can’t remember his user name) and a few folks who’d come in briefly, rag on anyone who disagreed with them, and promptely get banned. Our resident “commie” had a good sense of humor, and was able to debate his cause without _ad hominems_.

Ah, good ol’ **Chumpsky**. A personal favourite of mine. Why, I remember a time when I said “And I suppose you’d like to abolish all private property” and he said “Yes” and I said “…uh, okaaaay…”

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**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\
**Post date:** [June 15, 2005, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marxist-leninist-communism-how-to-folks-keep-the-faith/308039/82 "2005-06-15T18:08:53Z")

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Olentzero was one of the ones I was thinking of…thanks BG, I couldn’t remember his/her name. 🙂 I remember Chumpsky as well, though he wasn’t the other guy I had in mind.

> [@John Mace](#):
>
> Not surprising, since they were communists.

lol…thats exactly what I was thinking too when I wrote that. 😛

-XT

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**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\
**Post date:** [June 15, 2005, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marxist-leninist-communism-how-to-folks-keep-the-faith/308039/83 "2005-06-15T19:21:33Z")

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> [@John Mace](#):
>
> There was one diehard communist who used to post from time to time (can’t remember his user name) and a few folks who’d come in briefly, rag on anyone who disagreed with them, and promptely get banned. Our resident “commie” had a good sense of humor, and was able to debate his cause without _ad hominems_.

On the chance that you’re refering to Olentzero, I’d like to say that he is one of the few socialists for whom I have great respect. He represents his philosophy with an astounding and thoughtful consistency. He does not pretend that it is anything other than central planning. I often argue from Hayek, and most socialists will try to explain away Hayek’s objections. But Olentzero meets them head on, and declares unequivocally that there are indeed people who know what’s better for me than I know for myself. I disagree vehemently. But I respect his intellectual honesty.

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