Mickey Z
Cool Observer
Monday, October 10, 2005
Have no fear, Homeland Security is here...
Great graphics this morning, MickeyZ -
especially Mr. Incoherence, and the pacing, thoughtful feline…
Your Columbus essay is very good and very sad and very much on target. It’s amazing, though understandable, that US history as taught in the schools, completely ignores what we’ve done to the millions of human beings who lived here when we - discovered - the continent. It makes sense that the “civilization” within which we now languish, would grow out of such murderous beginnings. Even the holocaust of WWII, as terrifying as it was, can’t compare to what has happened here. Yet, we mourn the holocaust even as we celebrate our own barbarism.
Perhaps, in a few decades, the city of New Orleans will celebrate “Katrina Day,” commemorating the happy discovery of the first great, white, corporate city of the 21st Century…Posted by joe on from Oregon 10/10 at 10:22 AMThanks, Joe. I’m a little graphic-obsessed lately...but it’ll pass.
P.S. I’m still waiting for someone to discover America.
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 10/10 at 11:15 AMPaul Simon and some people on the New Jersey Turnpike were looking. Don’t know how it went, tho…
Posted by joe on from Oregon 10/10 at 11:53 AMThey got side-tracked to South Africa...by way of the 59th St. Bridge.
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 10/10 at 12:03 PMJoe:
I agree that American history education has been appalling in the past, but you’ll be happy to know it’s getting a lot better. An increasing number of schools are using very solid textbooks these days. For instance, Alan Brinkley, a Columbia professor, has two extremely popular ones: “American History: A Survey,” and “Unfinished Nation.” Both are excellent, progressive, and even-handed, and the latter is the standard text in, among other districts, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Atlanta.
The problem of bad teachers remains unsolved, however. But curricular progress is being made, which is a good thing.
Posted by The Infanta on from New York 10/10 at 01:35 PMRE: the enormous number of foiled terrorist evildoing activities, this blogger has a list of Zarqawi’s second in command(s) allegedly captured, killed, etc. . .
It’s a given that any claims Bush makes can safely be viewed as specious by default, but the grandiosity is pretty stunning.
Posted by Harry on from 10/10 at 03:23 PMHarry, that list is extraordinary! The same is true of the fact that we have “foiled” ten Al Qaeda plots...not 9, not eleven, but ten.
Anybody remember the Irish journalist Carole Coleman’s interview of Resident Bush back in 6/2004?:
http://wdthu.blogspot.com/2005/10/leave-it-to-irishwoman-to-do-nyts-job.html
What a prick.
Posted by JOS on from Isla Grande Airport 10/10 at 03:38 PMGreat graphics indeed Mickey! And faced with the eloquence of everybody else on your comment threads I’ll keep it brief: great post - informative, enlightening, funny.
In other words: THANKS!Posted by Helga Fremlin on from Daylesford, Australia 10/10 at 04:33 PMMy favorite Zarqawi comrade is “nameless.” I hear he’s particularly evil.
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 10/10 at 04:58 PMHi Infanta - and Harry and JOS, Helga, and TheZ -
It is good to hear that textbooks are changing. But, you’re right, the teachers are critical. As the kids are generally disinterested, they wait for emphasis and explanation from the teachers. So many crimes are, as it were, hidden in plain sight. Take the classic textbook section on “The Robber Barons,” for example. Their attempt to overwhelm both government and the basic “principles” of capitalism are cogently presented. Then, of course, it is implied that various anti-trust laws concluded this dark segment of US history, justice was restored, and goodness and light ultimately prevailed. Such is the presentation, as well, of crimes against indigenous populations throughout the hemisphere. “Problems remain, of course, but studies indicate that incomes among Native American populations have been steadily rising in recent years…” (Or, some such drivel.)
My American History teacher in high school was a hard-ass Marine reservist, who was heavily decorated in the Korean War. He was conservative, of course, but also unusually blunt and straightforward. When we finished our studies of native Americans, for example, he said something like this: “The situation with American Indians is not resolved, people. They often live in great poverty and in miserable conditions. These sorts of problems are rarely resolved because that’s not the way the world works, people.” (Not a far-Left remark, of course, but such comments had profound effects on me, long term.)
My children’s teachers have been far less candid - perhaps because they were less well informed. Let’s hope the trend you describe is a growing one. Thanks for your input, Infanta.Yes, interesting list, Harry - thanks for the link.
Mickey, himself, foiled a big virus attack, just the other day, so I know they’re not just making this stuff up…Posted by joe on from Oregon 10/10 at 05:13 PMDon’t slack off, Joe. I have credible evidence that there’s been a breach of security here today. Stay diligent. If you see something, say something.
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 10/10 at 06:04 PM(I just saw it, Mickey. It was right over there...)
Posted by joe on from Oregon 10/10 at 06:27 PMHey, JOS -
Thanks for the Coleman-Bush link. She was smart and serious and sincere, but by no means rude or condescending, don’t you think? Bush must be completely shielded from any and all dissent - even quite mild disagreements, if he’s so upset by her questioning. No wonder he doesn’t get it! He’s surrounded by armies of slavish boot-lickers.George W. Bush, the Leader of the Free World.
(Nudge, nudge, wink, wink, know what I mean?)Posted by joe on from Oregon 10/10 at 08:32 PM“The First Law of Journalism: to confirm existing prejudice, rather than contradict it”
—Alexander CockburnPosted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 10/10 at 08:48 PMyeah, Joe...what balls his handlers have to call her after saying that he leads interviews, not the interviewers. Of course, when you think about the treatment they get here, it’s more understandable.
when you look at this story, that leader of the free world bullshit becomes even more laughable:
http://wdthu.blogspot.com/2005/10/do-you-remember-him.html
jesus, the yanks are “killing ME softly” right now, as the announcer just said about what the angels are doing to Moose.
Posted by JOS on from Puerto Rico 10/10 at 08:51 PMhey mick...cockburn got that right, didn’t he?
nice catch by matsui…
Posted by JOS on from Puerto Rico 10/10 at 08:52 PMThey never make it smooth. Let’s hope Randy can keep them in check until the Yankee bats come alive.
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 10/10 at 09:04 PMGrim tale, JOS.
And they can do that to virtually ANY! non-elite in the world. (Except perhaps a Chinese national)
There’s no habeas corpus any more, there’s really no law for these guys at all. Bush just signs some “executive order,” and the constitution and 200 years of legal precident are toasted…
Of course, that’s always been the case, but the elites have generally been a bit more hesitant to use their power. There is, however, the little matter of executive order 9066 - where we illegally robbed 120,000 innocent Japanese-Americans of their whole lives, then tossed them into prison camps. A few years later, when he died, FDR was revered as a sort of demigod…Posted by joe on from Oregon 10/10 at 09:38 PMBTW - great game dialog, you guyz.
Posted by joe on from Oregon 10/10 at 09:40 PMsweet new b-ball animation, mick.
talk about conspiracy theories...what’s up with the umps tonight?
Posted by JOS on from Puerto Rico 10/10 at 09:40 PMright on, Joe.
Posted by JOS on from Puerto Rico 10/10 at 09:42 PMThat new animation of me is thanks to Luna, our fellow Expendable.
Yanks are driving me nuts.
Btw, I just read part 3 of Josh Frank’s interview with Ward Churchill and I’m proud to say Ward specifically mentioned me as one of the few white lefties who came to his defense:
http://www.dissidentvoice.org/Oct05/Frank1010.htmPosted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 10/10 at 09:45 PMI missed one and two, this looks like a must read interview. Glad he acknowledged your support, Mickey.
I am also glad jete just hit a home run…
Hey, Ward forgot RMJ, his campaign manager for the 2008 run.
Posted by JOS on from Puerto Rico 10/10 at 09:57 PMSpeaking of RMJ, where is she?
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 10/10 at 09:59 PM####.
Posted by JOS on from Puerto Rico 10/10 at 10:46 PMI feel bad for A-Rod...he’ll be crucified tomorrow. That’s it for me tonight...good night, folks.
Posted by JOS on from Puerto Rico 10/10 at 10:49 PMHey, awesome collection on this post today, just came to read it more thoroughly now after a long day… but is that my cat you’ve got pacing around in that box? I swear if you keep using Frank like this, you’ve gotta start cooking and cleaning for him like I do. The fame’s gonna go to his head and he’ll… ahhh, good night!
Posted by James on from Hell's Kitchen 10/10 at 11:34 PMHi James -
Please say hello to Frank for all of us - and tell him thanks for pacing about all day long, without paws. He’s a real Leftist: low pay, long hours…
JOS, your post #25 pretty much sums up my entire view of life - both good - or very good - and bad.
Last time I heard from RMJ, MZ, she was in Vt., working with migrant apple pickers and trying to help some nursing home residents obtain a bit more control over their much too regimented lives. She’s also working on some essays.
Just your average American grandmother…Posted by joe on from Oregon 10/11 at 01:41 AMNY Post front page today has a giant picture of A-Rod with the words: Bronx Bums.
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 10/11 at 04:58 AM
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