Mickey Z

Cool Observer

Posted by Mickey Z on 02/02 at 12:56 PM

I don’t know if you’ve already discussed it, or even been made aware of it, but your reference to Sacks made me think of another book of a psychological nature that goes a long way towards explaining Shrub: “Without Conscience” by Robert Hare. It’s a study of psychopaths and it’s enlightening as well as disturbing how well Shrub - and pretty much all of his administraion - satisfy the diagnosis with their behaviors. Scary stuff, kids! But highly recommended.

Posted by Rev Joe on from 02/02 at 01:10 PM

Maybe I’m underestimating the influence of television but when did a nitwit that fancies himself the embodiment of McCarthy become so powerful that tenured academics are at risk of being sacked? I thought Universities act on behalf of the alumni (and their generous $)they can’t ALL be watching Fox, can they?

I can’t help but think, “We’ve been through all this before” and that nothing was learned from the experience. Perhaps we’re all thugs at heart and my “inner brownshirt” is just waiting to manifest itself-Maybe if I think back I can call out some former instructors, or maybe the milkman, or the lady with the dog down the block...I can not begin to find the words for how sick and sad this makes me-and damn it, the standard American escapism of alcohol and needless shopping just don’t cut it.

Posted by Goody on from exiled to nebraska 02/02 at 03:30 PM

Mickey,
I don’t suppose you would consider interviewing Dr. Sachs on this very issue, would you?

Posted by Jim on from 02/02 at 05:44 PM

Do you have contact info for him, Jim?

Posted by Mickey Z. on from 02/02 at 07:15 PM

No, I don’t. Try his publisher for them or ask for his literary agent. Never-the-less, I’ll see what I can dig up. If successful, I’ll come back to you

Posted by Jim on from Oz 02/02 at 09:32 PM

Okay...I’m a tad on the swamped side at the moment. As soon as I come up for air, I will give this a whirl. Thanks for the suggestion.

Posted by Mickey Z. on from 02/02 at 09:45 PM

I sent a fax/email to NEU and I don’t even live in your country.

But if the US goes (or has it gone?) then Canada will get sucked into the black hole faster than you can say “family values”.

Posted by Rob on from Toronto 02/03 at 10:08 AM

My maternal grandfather was born in Ireland as a citizen...and thus, by descent, I’m an Irish citizen. I recently filed the papers to make it official. You never know…

Posted by Mickey Z. on from 02/03 at 10:10 AM

Thank you for the link to the article by M. Shahid Alam. I have taken the liberty of pasting the message and urging people on a couple of academic lists to act.

Posted by Lee Hall on from 02/05 at 01:59 AM