Monday, December 05, 2005

Politics on your plate, when Arnold met Tookie, doubting Wikipedia, and Mickey Z. goes Italian

Posted by Mickey Z on 12/05 at 07:24 AM
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  1. Great stuff this morning, Mickey.
    The UFW and FNB stories just show how much can be accomplished when we’re not divided into bickering, twittering little groups hell bent on achieving petty little “victories” over each other.  Sometimes we don’t seem like a population, but like a vast collection of out of tune instruments, played brilliantly by the great elite marching band. 

    The Arnold - Tookie story reminds me of post-battle situations, in the Arenas of Rome…
    The Emporer held out his thumb in a “neutral” position, and waited to hear the great bellowings of the crowd - Yea or Nea - before turning the thumb up or down…

    By the way, the link to the Italian article takes me speedily to the correct site, but then I’m hit with a Casino Pop up which includes a little dialogue box asking if I want to download their new gambling software…

    Posted by joe from Oregon  on  12/05  at  11:12 AM

  2. G’morning, Joe. Sorry about the pop-up. Didn’t happen when I tried it.

    I really like your comments above. The Roman analogy is frightening...and appropriate. It would make for a great political cartoon to expose the reality of these situations.

    As for all of us fighting each other, that was a hard lesson for me and I’m trying hard to make up for not getting it sooner. “Note” Mao yesterday: “We must not adopt an antagonistic stand towards comrades and treat them as we would the enemy.”

    Posted by Mickey Z. from Astoria  on  12/05  at  11:53 AM

  3. Hi Mickey -

    Yeah, I’ve been reading a piece from anarchistnews.org, in which the author hammers Zerzan and Jensen about “primitivism.” “Is It Realistic?”

    I can’t imagine that too many people are reading these critiques of civilization, with the intention of somehow “getting back to the garden.”
    But, even if they are, I figure that, for now and for the forseeable future, anyone who loathes the Empire, cares deeply about animals and the environment, and opposes violence, is allright by me… All these arguments about what sort of world we’ll form after the “revolution,” generally strike me as preposterous.

    If there’s a revolution, and any of us survive, the first thing we’ll do is laugh at the goofy plans we all made, back when we were warm and comfortable and seated at the computer…

    Reminds me of a scene from “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” where Paul Newman and Robert Redford are stuck on a ledge very, very high above a river.  ( A spot about 20 minutes from my here, by the way ) Newman wants to jump, but Redford refuses.  Newman asks why.  Redford says:  “I can’t swim.” Newman laughs sarcastically, and says:  “Why, hell… the fall will probably kill ya!”

    Posted by joe from Oregon  on  12/05  at  12:25 PM

  4. Oh, about the pop-up.
    It could be my computer.  Maybe I have some spy-ware or mal-ware or yurfucked ware…
    I’ll run a program and check.

    Posted by joe from Oregon  on  12/05  at  12:27 PM

  5. Joe, I know you’ve got plenty enough to deal with...but your comment above is just begging to be expanded into an essay. i wish I could say we have thousands and thousands of readers here...but we all know better than that. The type of ideas you regularly discuss here must be heard by as many “others” as possible.

    My two cents...not adjusted for inflation.

    Posted by Mickey Z. from Astoria  on  12/05  at  12:31 PM

  6. Hi Joe and Mickey...I also got the pop up about the casino at that link.
    Next weekend Cindy Sheehan will be on C-span book TV. That is a good thing. I support Cindy BUT she has written only 1 book. My point is that it is time to get Mickey on. If they knew of Mickey’s speaking talents, his books, his site here, etc they would be beating a path to his door. Just a quick, brief e-mail could make this happen. Here are the addresses.

    C-SPAN PROGRAMMING: SEND COMMENTS/QUESTIONS
    Book TV:
    C-SPAN Radio:
    Washington Journal: Ask a Guest a Question
    Washington Journal: Contact the Producers

    PROGRAMMING QUESTIONS & SUGGESTIONS
    Viewer Services: Questions about our schedule, how to buy videotapes, and for any other general comments about C-SPAN -

    Suggest Events: Submit a public event that you think C-SPAN should cover -

    Posted by RMJ from Churchill 4 Prez Hdqts  on  12/05  at  01:54 PM

  7. the title of that article is “Snared in the Web of a Wikipedia Liar” and it’s preceeded by the subheading Rewriting History the article is published in the New York Times.

    Manufacturing the news: New York Times report on Iraqi weapons of mass destruction: http://tinyurl.com/97m78

    The New York Times, Richard Pipes and historical truth: http://tinyurl.com/9jou3

    New York Times Rewrites Fallujah History: http://tinyurl.com/bsoqs

    NY Times Responds to FAIR on Fallujah Killings:http://tinyurl.com/9oabv

    “Hawaii soldiers of Japanese descent were used as bait for attack dogs during World War II because it was believed that the soldiers smelled like the enemy. It’s a story that the U.S. military won’t admit to because there are no official records of it.”
    continue: http://tinyurl.com/bglt8

    hello joe!

    Posted by tm from lower depths  on  12/05  at  02:01 PM

  8. Hello Mickey,

    Good catch with the Tookie-Arnold vignette.  I stole it for my blog (http://tinyurl.com/8ujbh), and am finding myself looking in at your posts with more and more frequency.  Your commentors are a big part of the draw, as well.  This place deserves a much wider readership—my prediction is that it will happen.

    Posted by Michael Hawkins from Boulder, CO, USA  on  12/05  at  02:18 PM

  9. I join Joe:  great stuff this morning, Mickey!  And it really is early (Tuesday) morning in Daylesford:  7:10 am, to be precise.  On the other hand, you have great stuff EVERY morning, Mickey - and congrats on having an article in an Italian anthology!  Buon giorno e tanti auguri (correct Italian?).

    And hi to joe, RMJ, tm and Michael Hawkins - and Mickey of course. 
    Arrivederci,
    Helga

    Posted by Helga Fremlin from Daylesford, Australia  on  12/05  at  03:11 PM

  10. RMJ: Thanks for your tireless support. Book TV would be great...but right now, I’m just hoping it doesn’t snow too much here. It’s bad enough having your event scheduled during Xmas season but snow makes it worse.

    TM: My Wiki post was tongue-in-cheek. I’m more skeptical of the Times than Wiki, I guess.

    Michael Hawkins: Thanks for stopping by. I will be linking to your blog as soon as possible. The woman that helps me is very busy. But, it’ll happen.

    Hello Helga...I can’t comment on your Italian. It’s all, uh, Greek to me?

    Where’s Big Country?

    Posted by Mickey Z. from Astoria  on  12/05  at  03:53 PM

  11. Ancora tanti auguri, and let’s just declare this your New Year, so buon capo d’anno.

    Killing Stan will serve what purpose, can anyone tell me?  A man who’s showed every sign of genuine change...okay, kill ‘im, let’s see if we can’t make some really angry people even madder.

    I sigh, of course, since I don’t think we should kill anyone except Repulsivecans and a few religious professionals.

    RMJ, we need the Expendables to rally ‘round Fearless Leader to get him on BookTV, so I’ve just bunged off an email to that effect.

    Yo Joe, Helga, How do tm, and hello there to Michael Hawkins!  Big Country?  Ain’t heard a peep myownself.

    Posted by Mudge from Dear, dead Austin  on  12/05  at  06:04 PM

  12. Hi Mickey, & Helga, & TM & Michael Hawkins -

    It’s a quiet day, here in the Z. Observatory, eh Mickey?  I, too, was just wondering about Big Country, and about Mr. Mudge, as well.  I imagine they’re off fighting injustice, and will return soon with tales of valor and victory…

    Rosemarie, thanks very much for the links.  I’m delighted with this cause, and I’ll be joining in sometime soon. 

    TM, thank you, too, for the links.  I’m not surprised to read about the attempt to train dogs to smell “Japanese-ness.” The prevailing propaganda, at the time, was that they were a species of sub-humans. I’m sure some military folks thought:  “Hell, you can teach dogs to track rabbits and foxes and raccoons - why not Japanese?” Racism as official state doctrine…

    What can be said about the Times - or about any mainstream media sources?  Their job is to support Elite programs and long-standing historical deceptions.  It only seems weird when we forget that, and expect them to be doing something else - something vaguely honest and forthright…

    Michael - thanks for the visit, and the kind words.  I just stopped in at your blog - great work.  I’ll be back.  Amazing pic of Tookie, as well.  He looks like a guy you’d never want to mess with, eh?

    I’m a walker, as well, and a reader, and an old coffee-shop guy, at least before they banned smoking in most places.  I’m happily married, as well, when I’m not feeling whiney and self-pitying, which is more often than I’d like to admit.  We’ll see you again, I hope…

    Posted by joe from Oregon  on  12/05  at  06:07 PM

  13. Hi All....Just heard on the news...5 women, one of them 86 years old, were arrested today. The arrests were at the site of the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Plant near Brattleboro, Vermont. There have been increasing numbers of protests there. Some of the 60 who protested there today might have been members of the old Clamshell Alliance. I am not sure about that.

    Posted by RMJ from Churchill 4 Prez Hdqts  on  12/05  at  06:10 PM

  14. Hey Mr. Mudge!  Good to see you!
    I’ve not begun the novel, yet, but it’s on the list.  I’ve been a bit off balance, of late, Sir, but I’m hoping to find some equilebrium, soon…

    It sure looks like they’re going to kill him, you know Mudge?  Imagine Arnold’s position:  He has to participate in murder, in order to keep his job.  And, even more frightening - he wants to KEEP his job…
    Anyone who wants such a job should immediately be arrested.

    Posted by joe from Oregon  on  12/05  at  06:13 PM

  15. Hi Rosemarie -
    Well, you know what those people have to look forward to, don’t you?  You could set up a counseling and advisory service for people arrested in political protests.  You’d probably be very, very good at it.

    Posted by joe from Oregon  on  12/05  at  06:15 PM

  16. Thanks Joe, actually I am already on some lists as a “counselor” to anyone who is arrested. Every legal case is different but the one thing that I would say to anyone who is ever a defendant or a plaintiff is that the system is set up so that you are alone. All other players on the scene the judge, your lawyer, and the opposing lawyer are all officers of the Court. The client is almost always alone.
    Hi Mudge. Thanks for contacting C-span.

    Posted by RMJ from Churchill 4 Prez Hdqts  on  12/05  at  06:42 PM

  17. Hi all,
    I´m putting finishing touches to my novel and reading a couple as well instead of posting here so a note to wish you all well. Mickey, I ordered your book from amazon and it didn´t arrive so they punted me out another and I´m anticipating reading it.

    Posted by Owen from Barcelona  on  12/05  at  06:53 PM

  18. Hello all. Thanks for the order, Owen. Much, much appreciated.

    Posted by Mickey Z. from Astoria  on  12/05  at  07:29 PM

  19. Way off topic, but that’s SOP here, right?
    Finally, a satisfactory response to that bonehead bumper bromide, “Support Our Troops”

    “How can you say that you support the troops if you support the false ideas they may die for?”

    Tomas Young IVAW

    http://tinyurl.com/d8yeh

    Every time I see that bumper sticker I feel my IQ drop.  And who needs that?  I get enough of that from work.

    Posted by Cart from near Warshington DC  on  12/05  at  08:13 PM

  20. Hey Cart. You’re right, no one is ever off-topic here.

    Excellent article and the photo was cool, too. As for me, my IQ has dropped so low, I now spell it iq.

    Posted by Mickey Z. from Astoria  on  12/05  at  08:20 PM

  21. Mr. “Z” seems mildly obsessed with his wikipedia entry.  What exactly, Mr. “Z,” is factually wrong with it?

    Posted by Barry Sanson from   on  12/05  at  09:00 PM

  22. Not to get in the way of more chat about Mickey’s awesome phony entry on Wiki (unnnn...), but wanted to stop in to say hey, about RMJs suggestion about video of Mickey, my digital camera can make these 3 or so minute Quicktime movies, maybe that could help tomorrow. Or maybe it’s more worth it to just get good solid still shots, we’ll see.

    And thanks, Mudge-- proofreading on wknds or overnight does pay more… question of how much more, is it really enough? Ehh, Bartleby’s 5 words in a perpetual loop through my head these days-- hey, did you see that movie version that came out of it a few years ago? Not perfect, but an interesting try. Anyone want to analyze that story for sociopolitical commentary apt for this board, take it away, I’m off to collapse so am in good shape for my star turn introducing Mr. Zemogogue tomorrow. Yeah, Bluestockings is cooler, but let’s hope some typical Barnes & Noble crowd gets something a bit unexpected. I’ll write up a more detailed report of the event this time. Good night!

    Posted by James from Hell's Kitchen  on  12/05  at  10:41 PM

  23. Finished novel so I´m going to be typing the next 48 hours.

    Posted by Owen from Barcelona  on  12/05  at  11:44 PM

  24. Mickey Z, feel free to refute any of the points made at wikipedia if you wish.  Otherwise I don’t see why you bother criticizing it.  There is a discussion page on the wikipedia article where you could participate directly.  Despite your claim that the article is inaccurate, in fact, it references each and every statement with a direct link to an article you have written, so I’m confused as to how you could claim it’s inaccurate.  The statement that you are a “self-promoting demagogue” was made in the context that that is what a critic of yours alleges, it is not made as a statement of fact in the article, but merely presented as a point of view and noted as that, with the reference to the criticism of you.  Feel free to correct any factual errors, and provide a biography of yourself, including birthplace, birthdate and any relevant information about yourself, as it usually included in articles at wikipedia about various persons.

    Posted by Wikipediite from Ireland  on  12/09  at  03:21 AM

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