Monday, February 22, 2010

We need more "dangerous" people

Posted by Mickey Z on 02/22 at 12:00 PM
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  1. Howdy,
    The Ellsberg post reminded me of what Bill Blum (ex-State Dept) said about having a particular respect for people who changed their ways for the better...because he was a prime example of it.
    Captcha says “justice”!!

    Posted by Rick (the Cartoonist) from England  on  02/22  at  01:38 PM

  2. I could not agree more, Mickey!  And howdy to Rick as well.  Our public broadcaster actually re-broadcast an interview with Daniel Ellsberg.  You can listen here: 
    http://www.abc.net.au/rn/latenightlive/stories/2010/2822746.htm

    Most impressive man!

    Posted by Helga from Daylesford, Australia  on  02/22  at  02:17 PM

  3. Oh, and here is an interview with Jonathan Safran Foer re ‘Eating Animals’:
    http://www.abc.net.au/rn/bookshow/stories/2010/2797879.htm

    Posted by Helga from Daylesford, Australia  on  02/22  at  02:26 PM

  4. Hello Rick.

    Thanks for the links, Helga.

    Posted by Mickey Z. from Astoria  on  02/22  at  03:48 PM

  5. I’ll be the one to comment on the WWE.

    Back when it was the WWF and I had just been studying theatre at college, I thought I was reliving the experiences of Marxist playwright Bertholt Brecht.

    He watching boxing matches and then re-invented his theatre in a way to get people active and talking about what they’d seen, like in sports.

    I went to see WWF live in Calgary just before the millennium. It was a blast. It had thrills and spills, clear cut characters and stories too. The audience followed these stories before the show and participated, bringing signs and costumes. The performers talked to the audience directly at times and engaged them. There was music and dances, speeches and stunts - and after the show everyone was talking about it and going home to follow the action for the next show.

    I suddenly understood Brecht’s experience. How good would it be if theatre put on a show like that, but about some issues too.

    That was also the power of people coming together.

    Posted by Andy from Shanghai  on  02/22  at  07:33 PM

  6. That’s a fun idea, Andy. Sort of “Guerilla Wrestling.”

    Posted by Mickey Z. from Astoria  on  02/22  at  07:53 PM

  7. And here’s an excellent article on a badger cull by George Monbiot.

    The war against nature resumes

    Lots of great quotes and observations - but here’s one he doesn’t make that I will: that specific situation can be solved at the root cause by everyone not eating meat.

    Anyway - here’s something from the article

    This exercise in wilful stupidity betrays an approach to the natural world that has scarcely altered since the Dark Ages. We still act as if we have been granted dominion over it. Those with an economic interest seem to regard any species which might compete or conflict with them as a threat not only to their income but also to their power. They still treat the natural world as disposable: nothing is too precious, too great a source of wonder and delight to liquidate. There appears to be no point of regret beyond which we won’t venture, no lesson in ecological collapse we are prepared to learn.
    Posted by Andy from Shanghai  on  02/22  at  08:06 PM

  8. Pathetic how the killers hide behind the name of “researchers.”

    Posted by Mickey Z. from Astoria  on  02/22  at  08:13 PM

  9. Hello Expendables...from rainy Astoria.

    What’s up?

    Posted by Mickey Z. from Astoria  on  02/23  at  05:45 AM

  10. I’m meeting the PG journo tomorrow night for a chat then the show is Thursday.

    Posted by Andy from Shanghai  on  02/23  at  05:57 AM

  11. I’m glad she made contact with you, Andy. If you can, please let me know how it goes.

    Posted by Mickey Z. from Astoria  on  02/23  at  06:01 AM

  12. RE #5 and 6: Lately I’ve read stuff from Chomsky and Paul Street criticizing the tendency for American liberals (like Keith Olbermann for example) to poke fun at the ‘Tea-baggers’ and others of a similar ilk. Chomsky says those people should not be ridiculed, they should be organized. It’s an interesting idea. Obviously would require a better understanding of what ‘they’ do with their time. Maybe the key is not only documenting vegan celebrities and athletes, but reaching out to them with issues of mutual concern: war, poverty, healthcare. Brain is churning.

    (PS: Sorry to be out of commenting mode lately. Swamped with good stuff keeping me busy.)

    Posted by Keir from here and there  on  02/23  at  10:56 AM

  13. I agree, Keir. That group has a mistrust of gov’t that can be re-focused. I doubt many of them are reading Planet Green but if they are, some of my stuff might resonate.

    Speaking of which, a new post is up.

    Posted by Mickey Z. from Astoria  on  02/23  at  11:40 AM

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