July 14th

Dear Readers: What's below is from an email that one reader sent to another reader-and me. I believe it's worthy of serious consideration by one and all, regardless of what “negatives” you may find therein. It’s its *thrust* I’m focusing on here.

I am reading reactions in london by islamists and I am amazed that no-one picks up on the fact that we all are now colonialized, that the atrocities in iraq can and possibly will be repeated here in like manner by the rulers should they prove to be necessary. the whole clever idea of you comparing our situation like living on a plantation is so perfectly true. everything falls into place, the field niggers, the house niggers, massa getting angry and punishing indiscriminately and cruelly, the mental as well as physical humiliations and so on, this is a world of feudal proportions, which has re-conquered the capitalist mode. I think that is where leftist thought falls flat, because they do not see beyond the resistance against the mechanics of capitalism, i.e. they keep adhering to traditional marxist action that fights obstacles with objective and thus ineffectual means. I do not know how to express this better, but I sincerely think that the world has totally regressed in its social structure to the feudal pattern, i.e. the plantation model and the totalitarianism embedded in that. I have spouted off to you about capitalism and its psychological damages, but this is a lot worse because capitalism in itself is but a construct that overlays the means of production and distribution, but feudalism is a deep bondage to earth and masters that cannot be easily broken. as I wrote I think few leftists know or understand this situation. I will write richie. g.

June 14th

Why aren’t we hearing about the negatives embodied in the article (link) below from the *embedded* Bono and Brad Pitt? Is their job now done? Better question: Judging from the “results” of their efforts…do they deserve any applause at all? How ’bout derision for distraction? A “D” for being so dumb? A “T” for *taken in*?

What debt relief means for Africa

June 9th

The reason for providing what’s below –which I’ve written too much about already– is that it provides a very simple tool for talking to left-oriented individuals about a) what’s wrong with what they’re doing, b) what they can do to change some fundamental flaws and c) how zero will change in the Big Picture until they do embrace the thrust of this message. Simply put, shutting down Guantanamo will gain very little without shutting down SoA. There are many places to put up another Guanto…so that we, the public, *put up with it* unless systemic changes are forced upon The Powers. And, so, the tortured lives saved in locale A are quickly replaced by the same…elsewhere.

What does Amy Goodman think she’s supporting when she runs the following headline?:

> “**Jimmy Carter Calls For Guantanamo to Be Shut Down**
Meanwhile Former President Jimmy Carter has become the latest official to call for the Bush administration to shut down the Guantanamo Bay military prison as well as all other secret prisons around the world.”

It is NOT innocent of any wrongdoing. It is compounding ignorance with ignorance…by allowing focus to be on Carter’s current politically correct stance. It ignores his support of the School of the Americas (for decades)…which is directly linked to the torture he supposedly opposes. And it begs the question of why Carter waited so long to take such a stance, regardless. A question that Amy has chosen to ignore…in the name of providing a *catchy* headline (which serves a very shortsighted, unambitious agenda). Very saleable for her malleable audience

June 8th

I’m going to post this on Ox to Grind without identifying you; if you want me to NOT post this…let me know…and I’ll either stop my plans OR remove the email. I will NOT post it identifying you…unless you say that’s okay. I’ll probably edit very little, if any at all, of the body of the email. Ciao, Richard

Go ahead, you have green light with everything. And I believe no one of us is totally innocent of what is being done to the Iraqi people. Nobody…

B.

EARLIER:

Hi Ricky and Sylvie:

I did not disappear but yesterday night I came home unable to lift even one finger. I had spent practically all day at the Casa della Pace with the Iraqi delegation that is travelling from place to place to report about what is REALLY happening in Iraq. The 4 members of the delegation are: Mrs. Maha Abdul Latif Hasan , teacher of political sciences and member of the Iraqi National Foundation Congress, Dr.Mohamed Hadeed, a dentist but also a representative of a Sunni Humanitarian Association, Dr. Harith Mohi, a doctor that worked at the Hospital in Fallujah and witnesses the massacre of the town, Dr. Aldin Al-Obeidi, that graduated in Islamic Sciences and belongs to the Advisory Board of the Ulema (Muslim Students).

Well, after the meeting there has been a 2 hour conference. Everything was too painful to be true. The conference had been organized from the Italy/Iraq Association. At a certain point, they passed some giant pictures around and it was unbearable. I guess one should remain “distant” from the story but it was impossible. I have seen one photograph only and I did not want to see anymore. Believe it or not, they US Army tortured innocent people with a “trapano”, I am not sure how you call this tool in English, maybe a drill.

Although I did not look, I could not avoid listening to the narration of dozens of corpes of people that had been killed during the attack in april and the one in november. Dr. Mohi told they had died because of chemical weapons. He was on duty at the hospital the night of the attack in April and he said the bodies were entirely burnt, there were no signs of bullets or anything. In the attack, 118 officines and laboratories were also destroyed and then the Army attacked schools, hospitals, even private clinics, everything.

Dr. Mohi also said the militarty broke into his house, he was put face to the ground and beaten in front of his terrified children and it took many hours before they left. I can’t say why but it was quite different from reading about it in papers. The Iraqi lady, she really looked worned out and she lamented the terrible silence about her country that is on the edge of total devastation. With so many armies in Iraq, she said, she can’t understand the obsession of the western media about Al Zarqawi.

Also, I will be up all night for tomorrow R.A. inaugurates the new web site in Arab. We hope very much it can become a “bridging gap” towards the Arab Countries. Tomorrow I will also send you the questions for interview and I will answer all your questions about Sky.

Our new web sites add up to the classic one:
www.reporterassociatiworldnews.org
www.reporterassociatiinternational.org

I hope you like them.
Bianca

June 6th

**Response to NON via John Baptiste Poquelin**

In that Sylvie and I are planning to relocate to France within a year, we’ve been paying particularly close attention to EU-related matters there.

It all reminds me of Moliere refusing to follow his upholsterer father’s footsteps into the court of Louis XIV. Thank God his grandfather encouraged him to pursue a theatrical career!

Contemporary with both (tragedians) Corneille and Racine, among other honors… he should be acknowledged as the greatest writer of French *classical comedy*. However, that’s a very instructive label… in light of the point I’d like to make about the French and the EU.

Although derviving many of his ideas and characters, seemingly, from the comedic classics, Moliere nevertheless writes with a greater psychological depth and insight than the mere word “comedy” suggests. A master of comic invention and satire, Moliere manages to combine this with the telling ability to reveal deeper truths, a thing we might be mistaken for thinking more likely to happen in tragic theatre.

Just so… with false assumptions about neoliberalism in Europe, previous declarations respecting the need for unity, cries concerning French nationalism, self-absorption with Empire, etc. Just so with generalizations about their being no better than…. And so on.

I beg to differ. But not on my knees… any more than the French are willing to do.

The bottomline is that most of them have a built-in bottomline aversion to the bottomline of business being heralded so high above their traditional concerns with social consciousness and beauty*. I can’t remember which article mentioned it, but it’s very true… that the terms which festooned the fateful EU proposals were filled with mundane, superficially utilitarian expressions. Not the aesthetically pleasing mentality…so crucial… to so many French, especially when under political pressure.

*See something on this in my “Poetry Beyond Justice” article (especially the last footnote).

Moving throughout the various 19th-century town squares, state and ecclesiastical officials orchestrated their public spectacles in favor of the monarchy, but in the theaters, the French used Moliere’s *Tartuffe* to mock the restored monarch and the church. The cultural history of the French Restoration provided a means for critical legacies of the revolutionary period to be played out and cemented.

Moliere was no more revolutionary than the too-bourgeoise French today, but when push comes to shove… at certain junctures… over certain matters… decency often prevails.

If I’m wrong on this, we’ll make sure we turn things around when we get there.

The links below give you some recent, decent reviews of the French NON vote vis-a-vis the EU:

EuropeWatch: France
The French Bust the European Union Treaty
France’s Magnificent Non!
French Say “Non” in Thunder!

June 3rd

An email buddy who’s always traveling overseas wrote the following to me the other day. I go back and forth with him a bit… then make some points I’d like you to digest (IN CAPS). His words are boldfaced.

**France is OK. We spent a day in Nice. French are somewhat like Americans in that they worry a lot and seem unhappy. They like to hear people try to talk Francais.**

**I should take my own advice and not pay any attention to politics but I don’t. Here are some reasons why involvment in politics is not productive and “bad.”**

**a) it us upsetting and depressing — makes one angry and violent
b) totally a waste of time — can’t do anything
c) all politics is corrupt
d) involvement encourages and gives politicians power
e) information is unreliable at best but mostly false**

**This analysis applies to left-right, lilberal-conservative, etc. All politician are driven by self aggrandizement, etc. Liars, conmen — all. They enjoy manipulating people, tricking them, using them. They do it with words which gives them the satisfaction of “putting one over on the suckers” by just talking. Sickos who should be ignored because involvement adds energy to them. This goes for political analist, writers as well. You can see how the “left” is enjoying this Bush thing - - gives them something to fight for and benefit from the conflict. I’m just dashing this off without much thought. I do like to know what is going on as it will effect me but, really, who knows? I’m expecting worse. McCain is going to be worse than Bush. Like I say, I should follow my own advice. Later**

What about my posting this as is… leaving out your identification? Best, Oxie
P.S. I would ask for responses from readers… as it overlaps so much of what I’ve written on, encouraging people to pay attention to what’s in front of their personal selves, on their own lap, in their private souls. None of that, btw, precludes “helping” others on what might easily be construed as a political plane. If you give the green light…I may very well want to post this too… with it.

**You can post it but I didn’t work on it but …..what the hell. I would add that getting involved with politics is like paying attention when a child is naughty - - it’s better to ignore them. Don’t vote (no one to vote for either) - - don’t feed the beast. The situation is too far gone. There is no hope. The Rightwing, Conservative Republicans (what should we call them) control everything: Congress, Courts, Administration, education, media, business and the heart and soul of American Public. Anyway, tack some of this on if you want - - better to not use my name.
Later**

PRESENTLY, I WOULD ONLY ADD THAT –TO AVOID DISCUSSING A NUMBER OF OTHER DEBATEABLE POINTS RIGHT NOW– WHEN CHILDREN ARE “NAUGHTY” …SOMETIMES IT’S HELPFUL TO DEFLECT THEIR ATTENTION ON TO SOMETHING OTHER THAN WHAT THEY’RE FOCUSED ON. IN THAT SENSE, VERY OFTEN SOMETHING MORE PROACTIVE THAN IGNORING THEM MIGHT BE IN ORDER. I DON’T PARTICULARLY LIKE THE SUGGESTION THAT IT’S PRIMARILY REPUBLICANS WHO ARE CREATING THE HOLOCAUST…BUT I’M THANKFUL THAT THIS READER IS WRITING TO ME. LOVE, OX
P.S. YOU WILL BE ABLE TO BENEFIT FROM A MORE COMPREHENSIVE TAKE ON THE FRENCH, OF COURSE, IF YOU KEEP READING OXTOGRIND… AS SYLVIE AND I PLAN TO RELOCATE THERE SOON.

May 27th

In (the revered) Arthur Mitzman’s (lengthy and throught-provoking) “Agenda for a Sustainable Europe“, we find the author advocating an alternative to the abominable *Amerikan* approach to… our Avenue of Avarice & Atrocities. We find such lines as:

> “A progressive European Parliament could implement a European social program revitalizing protections for health, old age and unemployment currently menaced everywhere. It could reduce the work week rather than the work force, control outsourcing of jobs and financial speculation, and accelerate EU investment in public transportation, public education and public health.”

My question is whether or not there’s a single individual out there who believes that the scorecard’s not aleady in on the counts covered by Mitzman’s Counterpunch cutie.

Sylvie and I have a business based overseas (www.frenchpaintbox.com), and in the spirit of Mitzman’s cerebral contortions… it seems as if we’d be *wise* to cancel all we’re doing right now vis-a-vis encouraging airline travel to Europe. Does anyone agree that such drastic measures are in order…considering the status of the scorecard, the State of the Sewer?

The Inquiring Wired Ox

May 24th

Some even poo-poohed it. My version of *the Galloway visit*.

I pray that *ridders* will see that the recent Galloweeeee visit [1] is the same kind of breeeeeeeeeeze I was trying to blow everyone’s way with my pleeeeeeeea for Harold Pinter and MPeeeeeeeeeee Glenda Jackson et. al. to set feet on these shores ASAP. Displeased. That “Homecoming” proposal –if implemented– would have arguably had even more of an impact than what Galloway’s appearance has had. But we’ll never know. One thing we do know is that too many of my *ridders* didn’t jump on it, and others will think zero of ignoring the fact that the plan was an open book for one and all to explore… but that they refused to turn a page. Or a new leaf over.

Loving regards, Richard

[1] As per the Heather Mallick article Galloway in Washington and the recent Maria Tomchick piece Galloway and the US Press and/or the CPunch “exclusive interview.”

May 23rd

**A BAKER’S DOZEN**

Mistakes *ridders* are making in NOT “going to town” on the DV,D proposal:

1. **Demanding that a “something” be in place** before getting rid of the electoral scam.
2. Not acknowledging that voting is a **long-standing scam**.
3. Not understanding that there’s an analogy to be made between voting and doing military service…**common denominators for which prelcude either one as a viable option** today…regardless of economic status, etc.
4. Believing that one can determine **all of the possible scenarios** that might come down from generating word-of-mouth respecting “no voting until universal health coverage is in place.”
5. Thinking in terms of **this lifetime** only.
6. Relating to people *who hold all the cards*…who are above the law…who are violent…as if there’s no call for *the threat* of **violence and/or working outside of legal parameters** even if one has no intention of following through on those *saber-rattlings* individually.
7. Failing to understand the difference between screaming that the Emperor is wearing no clothes, denying that he’s without any clothes, and **clarifying the value of his only wearing a speedo**.
8. Living in *Protest Past* wherein concerns about…**to what degree others will jump on a given proposal** is deemed significant in all cases.
9. **Straining to find paradigms for action which can be characterized as being the same**, or similar to what’s being proposed (*precedents*), as if such is essential.
10. Not believing that *respectable* figures on the left (such as **Arundhati Roy and Howard Zinn**) –who have generally been very supportive of voting– **might very well advocate much of the thrust of what DV,D is all about**.
11. Refusing to factor in **to what degree the prospect of ecocide behooves us to move more quickly** than even an *acceptable reform approach* (coupled with good will) might allow.
12. Not acknowledging that **the proposal gives the gangsters an opportunity to change colors overnight** –which they won’t– and act in their own enlightened self-interest.
13. Failing to pursue the question of **what might have happened to slavery in this country if gradualists had been allowed to lead the way** in lieu of John Brown and the immediatists.

**Special Note:**

Below is an excerpt from an online article about Warren Beatty’s commencement address to graduates of University of California Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy. He’s testing the waters, obviously, for a run to replace Arnold…with eyes, perhaps, on the presidency. Anyone who is under the delusion that the director of *Reds* is what we need… in lieu of Schwarzenegger’s slime… or Bush’s crimes… is as much an enemy of mine… as is… Howard Dean & Co….and all of the culpable thespians indicted in my most recent article “Crass Glass Clash.” Look at Warren’s polite language… and puke. Or, rather, go to Hedberg on the Juke.

“Beatty, 68, said he has ‘a real soft spot for actors, even if they are right-wing,’ and has always liked Schwarzenegger. But the former action star is a politician who should ‘rise to the higher level of that calling,’ Beatty said, and not denigrate fellow politicians by mocking them as ‘girlie men,’ as the governor did of Democratic lawmakers last summer.

‘Can’t we accept that devotion to the building of the body politic is more complex and a little more sensitive than devotion to body building?’ Beatty asked.”

**Richard,**
**This is a quote that may also be fitting…**

> Asked to describe his governing philosophy seven months after toppling Gray Davis in California’s recall election, Mr. Schwarzenegger said, “Crush your enemies, see them driven before you and hear the lamentations of their women.” -N.Y. Times, 06/24/04

**And yes, that is a quote from Conan.**

**Cheers,**
**Scott**

May 20th

Has Slime Been Committed? Should Someone Be Committed? *More* Committed?

> Mr. Oxman,

> I thought I would take this chance to explain my comment to Alexander Cockburn about the New York Times and Jayson Blair.

> My suggestion was that the results of the Pew Research survey– that 14% of American do not trust the New York Times or any other newspapers– had absolutely nothing to do with Jayson Blair. The Times relies on that old, familiar logical fallacy: post hoc, ergo propter hoc.

> 14% of Americans don’t trust the New York Times because of an “ideological divide” that separates Times readers from Fox News viewers, Blue states from Red states. And even this divide is, after all, more about marketing and branding than it is about ideology.

> I don’t have a problem with the New York Times as a publication– it has flaws just like any other newspaper or magazine. I just thought their response to the survey and proposed reforms– like playing more to a middle American audience– was laughable.

> Best, Mark Hatch-Miller

> PS - I can understand that you are upset with CounterPunch for not using more of your work, but why on earth do you have a grudge against The Nation’s internship program? And where do you get the idea, which I think your characterization of me implies, that because I work for Alex Cockburn I blindly trust in everything he believes?

Bonjour, Mark. Thanks for writing. Truly. I’m glad to hear… confirmed by you… that you aren’t a carbon copy dude of Alexander’s. Actually, didn’t think so… but sorry for (obviously) causing confusion. Speaking of which… I don’t think that I missed the initial point you’re making; I believe I cited your Blair remark in a different context than you suggest. Nation? Well,…. But, again, sorry for any confusion I may have contributed to…. On the NYTimes business, I disagree with you enormously. However, that’s kind of overshadowed by my joy in receiving this missive from you. How did you get wind of my piece? Very interested in that. And just for some parting clarity, my being “upset” –I’m deeply regret to say– has MUCH more to do with matters other than CPunch not posting me more often. Blessings in solidarity and/or beyond that, Richard P.S. I’d love to be able to post your remarks in the Answers That Smart section of www.oxtogrind.org …with your permission…along with these few words of mine. I anxiously await your response. Say “hi” to AC for me, if you will (should you get the op), and please remind him that I appreciate the things that he does (that I like).

> Richard,

> I found your writing while looking for blog responses to Alex’s last column, and your was the most thorough I came across (also the only one I found that mentioned me by name). I was interested in seeing what people though about Alex’s take, which, while I didn’t completely agree with, I found very sarcastic and funny. Especially the “we won!” part.

> Feel free to post my response on your website. Although you can leave off the bit about you having a grudge against CounterPunch, in retrospect that sounds a bit mean.

> thanks for responding, Mark

Wow, this is great news. Before I say anything else…I hope you’ll tune into the Mitch Hedberg stuff at www.oxtogrind.org. Now back to the matter at hand. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE can I include the so-called “mean” stuff…if I make a note that you didn’t intend to be mean or sound mean? PLEASE. I like stuff unedited. And I’m sure you know where that comes from. What was your take, btw, on Alexander’s position on that anarchy/traffic blurb… in the same piece? Loving best, Oxie P.S. If you like, we can simply post everything we’ve done this morn… including this AND your upcoming response. May inclination is to post in reverse chronological order; my pref…as is.

SPECIAL NOTE TO *RIDDERS*: Received no further response…as of 5PM PST. Well, I sent the above to Scott for posting… without having received further permission on anything. Main reason is that I want the above to serve as an intro to a comment on a Cockburn piece posted today. Actually it’s a Bill Forman interview with AC; he’s from the *Sacramento News and Review*. I guess it came down ’cause Cockburn’s doing something in The Sac tonight. Man, is it disgusting. Sooooooooooooooooo disgusting, I’m tempted to never read his stuff again. Sooooooooooo *off (from) the left wall* that I’m inclined to take back my remark above: “Say ‘hi’ to AC for me, if you will (should you get the op), and please remind him that I appreciate the things that he does (that I like).”

Proof of progress is to be found in the varieties of coffee now available all over the place? Oh, I can’t even get down with the rest of the trash. Where is the underlying urgency about anything? The kind of *pressing need* that underscores so much of St. Clair’s work. What does this tripe say about JStC? Partners in slime? And those are just a few questions I have.

May 16th

Below is a very welcome bit of positive, loving feedback I received from one of my favorite buddies (respecting Mike Leigh’s Vera Drake masterpiece):

Thanks, Richard for your insights and for bringing attention to a truly great film. One of those true works of art that so seldom occur in film. Also thanks for the footnote on his process. One of the most beautiful and deeply moving films I’ve seen in way too long. Reed

Below is an excerpt of an email from a journalist friend of mine in Italy. I trust it speaks for itself. Like I tried to tell Helen Caldicott, one can’t make advances going to bed with Robert Mc Namara. Rockefeller and the radical journalism required…don’t mix. Getting one’s hands filthy for connections or money… won’t wash (off).

“Hi Ricky,

call me naugthy if you might but I gave the final blow to the Goodman Empire 2 days ago with publishing an article about the Funds she received from Ford and other pro-war Foundations. Still, I am encountering the same problems with ReporterAssociati and
Amisnet, though this last one is slightly better.

I would very much like to leave everybody behind and follow my ideal of real information, because I am simply fed up with the millions of ongs and journalists, small and big, that take advantage of human suffering to improve their lot. The European Union is giving millions of euros to the most insignificant projects but no real project for cultural journalism. Project are financed according various principles, but mainly it is a ‘windscreen’ that has nothing behind. Unless you think that sending a couple of bucks to a Palestian or Iraq village and cashing the rest for your own good a ‘project’.”

I understand that the same problem exists vis-a-vis ZMag and Nationrag. Spread the word, please. Media conferences are not going to do the trick.

Blessings in solidarity without them, Ox.

May 9th

My buddy, Doc Rhino of Japan, sent me the anti-Goff guff stuff below. And since I’m down on the poseur and his unenlightened entourage (in general, for a long time now), I thought I’d share it with you. Of course, I welcome feedback of any kind. Hugs, The Ox

P.S. Certainly, the part that goes: “But Americans are not yet forced to join the army. In the case of extreme poverty, one can perhaps understand and forgive” begs for comment. I don’t condone murder for a few bucks. Or even quite a few. Even if I’ve had a few. Whew! Now you.

Our Parents Sent Us to War
by Karin Friedemann

This is written in response to Stan Goff’s article “The Case of Hasan Akbar” in which he repeatedly asserted that he did not condone Hasan Akbar’s killing of two US soldiers. I was put off by his obscene moralizing and wrote to him that were I in Akbar’s shoes I would have done the same thing, and when I am president I will put Hasan Akbar on a postage stamp. His response was, “My son is in Iraq, and I will not encourage him to draw a death penalty: Mass action will defeat the empire.” Look at this. He is moralizing about Hasan Akbar and yet he is unwilling to accept any responsibility for his son’s morals. I suggested a mass action against parents who allow their children to murder Muslims. He responded by calling me stupid and I quote, “Go back to your fucking sandbox.”

A lot of aging leftists like to blame the war on George W. Bush and invite us to march in the streets. To quote Stan Goff, “Mass action will defeat the empire.” Will protesting stop the war? Everyone with a brain already knows that marching on Washington will not even disturb George W. Bush’s breakfast. In fact, by causing havoc on the streets we actually distract the public’s attention from the real crimes taking place. AIPAC lobbying Congress to bomb this or that country. Halliburton stealing our tax money and putting it in their pockets. The fact is, I can’t control George Bush. But I can teach my son the difference between right and wrong. He knows who the bad guys are. He won’t volunteer to die for George Bush but I would encourage him to die for freedom.

In Stan Goff’s case, he is an ex-military man who turned anti-war. How is it that his insights failed to reach his son? I have talked to (and been insulted by) other parents who claimed to be anti-war, anti-Zionist, what have you, and yet allow their children to display flags on their property. How is it that the wisdom of these parents fails to reach their children? Why are they in Iraq?

My grandfather was drafted at gunpoint and sent to Stalingrad by Hitler, where he was probably tortured to death in a Soviet concentration camp. In any case no one ever heard from him again. He cannot be blamed since he had no choice. But Americans are not yet forced to join the army. In the case of extreme poverty, one can perhaps understand and forgive. But this kid has a father who cares about him, an anti-war father, no less, and yet he chose to kill Muslims rather than listen to his father. Why did he feel that his financial independence was worth more than his father’s opinion?

My mother taught me that it is better to be killed than to kill. My personal philosophy was modified when a bunch of skinheads pounded a hippy friend’s head on the sidewalk while his friends stood around chanting “Peace, peace.” There is a time to chant “peace” and there is a time to kick someone’s ass. Right now the Iraqis have every right to kick American soldiers out of Iraq. I am willing to accept violence within the guidelines outlined in the Quran, where it says you have the right to fight in certain circumstances, for example if your life and property is threatened.

The Prophet Mohammed said that the army of the anti-Christ would be composed of bastard children led by the Jews. Does this really mean the servants of Evil have no fathers? Or does it mean that they somehow got disconnected from their fathers? The sad thing is, most Americans encourage their children to leave the house at age eighteen. I was made to feel very ashamed for sponging off my parents. By contrast, Muslim parents beg their children not to leave them. Could there be any connection between American kids’ willingness to kill for money and the way they were raised? Could there be any connection between Muslim kids’ willingness to die for justice and the way they were raised? Could there be any connection between the feeling that kids get that their parents do not want them and the fact that they are willing to join the military rather than live with their parents?

Mr. Goff dismissed my insights as “simplistic moralizing standards” - and yet the truth is very simple. Folks, stop blaming the war on George the Imbecile. He is just a pawn. We are at war because we allowed our country to be taken over by Zionists and other opportunists. We refused to take responsibility for our country. We refused responsibility for our children’s actions. At core, we are at war because we failed our children. Our children with all their faults need us to provide them with a warm family atmosphere or else they will be sucked away from our embrace by military recruiters.

—————-

May 6th

A Bottle of (Boondoggled) Jinn

by Richard Oxman

In a May 5th Counterpunch article focused on Congress investigating steroid use, etc., we find yet another bit of fine writing… that stops short of throwing its hat into the activist arena. The fine writer –whose work I like 75% of the time– repeats a weakness that runs through his ongoing exposes about race/sports issues, etc. To wit, he acts as if it’s sufficient to delineate crimes, attitudes, etc. And has no intention of jumping into the fray of fragging The Powers.

Let’s look at Dave Zirin’s lastest sports-related piece, its conclusion:

“There was one moment when the hearings made the transition from farce to tragedy. This was when Willie Stewart, head football coach at Anacostia Senior High School in Washington, D.C., testified about how one his former players had died two weeks ago of kidney failure, a condition the coach suspects was linked to steroid use. ‘His death was just a waste of a human life,’ Stewart said through a veil of tears.

Willie Stewart has in recent years become a local symbol of heartache, having coached numerous players that have died by gunfire, substandard medical care, or a toxic combination of the two. But don’t expect Congress to hold hearings on life in South East DC. They want to obscure the fact that poverty is the true health hazard facing this country, not performance enchancing drugs.

It’s also almost too ironic to see a Congress that over the last ten years has given us spiraling health care costs, the predominance of HMOS, and an senior citizen underclass who have to choose between prescription drugs and food, fulminate about the nation’s health.”

Well, well, well…he wants the poor to get well. Better. Have matters improve. That’s the thrust of his stance; that he would have their plight removed, the blight on our humanity…at least lessened. Well, for all of us to get well…don’t we have to give up on Congress? Or are we going to be content with complaining…till we buy the (Congressional) farm?

I know the answer. All my readers had better move post haste to paste my proposal on the foreheads of all writers, all citizens satisfied to play with their foreskins.

Skin me alive if I’m not 100% spot on target with my plea for readers to DV,D (See DV,D: Making Nice to My American Migraine).

With the best of intentions (in most cases), Zirin and Mickey Z and Howard Zinn and all the lovely leftists dwelling in ZZZZZZZZZZland are perpetuating a dialogue that doesn’t exist. The one that echos in and around the Voting Booth. I’m no longer simply bored with their snores. I wish them all well, but they can go to hell if they don’t ring the DV,D bell.

That goes for everyone. And it has zero to do with not respecting Zinn. I just want to end this worship of the imaginary Jinn.

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WARNING: Do not be tempted to actually read the links; I’m not recommending the articles. They’re merely obligatory citations.

Perhaps ANSWERS THAT SMART should be RESPONSES THAT SMART as I won’t always be giving answers to questions. Noteworthy examples that beg for commentary are below. One centers on a Joe Bageant piece, “Back to the Ancient Future.“. An excerpt is directly below:

It was a helluva crest, that spurt of technological jism by the industrial state toward outer space and impregnation of the moon. What with Neil Armstrong bouncing around in the lunar dust in his high tech Pillsbury doughboy outfit and all, it added up to about one week of attention by the masses and a lot of dough for government contractors. But as one who within my lifetime witnessed the entire evolution of the space program, and its accompanying nationalistic hoopla about beating the Russians at being the first to fart in the vacuum of space, I am somehow unconvinced it was worth it. I dunno. Maybe my wife is right. Maybe I’m just a goddam crab. Maybe I’m a little resentful because, thanks to the big American suckdown of the planet, I will never have grandchildren. My kids are among that portion of their generation who understand what their lifetimes hold and are not remotely interested in adding to the problem.

We weren’t always like that. Right after World War II and the advent of the atomic bomb a majority of Americans (67% of those surveyed by Gallup) wanted a cooperative one-world government with all nuclear weapons put under the control of the United Nations. Now you cannot get an American to turn off a light switch to save human civilization. As a friend from Cape Verde once remarked, “Just watching Americans consume things gives me a headache.”

Well, I can’t see readers spending the time it takes to plow through Bageant’s long diatribes… like this one. However, since he is so massively posted –and supposedly has such a following– perhaps we should consider the following comments on his article:

“Joe acts very irresponsibly suggesting that we might have another 100 years to go. Ever since my interview with him, I’ve been noticing how he exhibits funny behavior for a fool who foulmouths the publishing industry whilst pulling in a regular paycheck from ‘em…for years. A huge waste of talent and influence. The most important lesson for activists here is that he doesn’t confront, he carouses with dumbsh*ts, making cronies of one and all. ‘This is America,’ says Joe. Bottoms up!” — Richard Oxman

“Bageant would do everyone a favor if he paid attention to his current personal trauma instead of giving out advice like a drunk at a bar. Personal fears and devils are coming through more than ever of late.” — Phyllis Schley

“To make out like his kids are doing a good turn by not having ‘grandchildren’ and ignoring the fact that ‘their generation’ is contributing to the consumption bigtime is disingenuous.” — Ben Wallace

“Joe Bageant glorifies drink. And he’s quite the do-nothing writer sitting on a fat book contract, based on an output that’s repetititve and –quite cleverly, in a self-serving way– appeals to a segment of society that wants an imprimatur for knocking back a few. He prides himself on being able to relate to –and speak for– the blue collar Virginia crowd, but he’s a fake, an old fart who puts form above substance.” — The Ox’s neighbor

Alternative Press Review needs to stop with the RAJ; see acronym clarification below.

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Mike Whitney’s “Why America Needs to be Defeated in Iraq” is a good example of Redundant Alternative Journalism (RAJ). Information Clearning House should be ashamed for wasting our time and their space with it. “News You Won’t Find on CNN” blares their masthead. M’gosh. The thrust of Mike’s piece was covered definitively by John Pilger (in the field, I might add) ages ago… and most recently… and more eloquently… in a more appropriate format at this juncture (debate) in the Naomi Klein interview on L’il Orphan Amy’s show. Mike does seem more likeable than JB of late, however. “Bagging Bragging Bageant” could have easily turned into a piece of Ox RAJ.

I do hope they both have a good day, nevertheless, ’cause they both have much good to say, all said… and done.