Mickey Z
Cool Observer
Friday, February 03, 2006
Presidential PR: Nothing new under the sun
No preference on the books, haven’t read any of them but quite happy for other people to select. The Wood brain is yours for the filling (luckily most of the space isn’t spoken for!).
Posted by Chris Wood on from skiving at work 02/03 at 08:39 AMGood morning Mickey, Chris and all who’ll follow…
MZ you’ve got my book preferences in the same order as yours.
Amazing if politicians, and in the examples of today’s post - Presidents - could be taken at their word. Even the doublespeak would be an improvement if they acted upon the sugarry portions that lure so many of the cheering lemmings of supporters.
But then it’s back to the lesser of evils and far too flexible bendy compromise.
Posted by Amelopsis on from Canada 02/03 at 08:52 AMcould i suggest it be a film this time (or as well) there are plenty of things for free download and that way we would all definitely be able to get it.
Posted by michael on from scotland 02/03 at 08:58 AMshit
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4676916.stm
Posted by michael on from scotland 02/03 at 08:59 AMI like your idea about a choice that’s avail. online. In this case, I have the Mowat book already, so I admit to feeling biased.
I found this to be disturbing news: http://tinyurl.com/7zog6
I know that there are all sorts of issues within the story that could be disputed...who’s really doing the smuggling, etc.
But this puppy stuff just speaks to the lack of any respect for innocence...never mind who’s buying or selling the surgically inserted goods later. (not never mind - but you know - for the purposes of my upset in this instance)I hope this is even comprehensible. Feeling a little slow today.
Posted by Amelopsis on from Canada 02/03 at 09:04 AMEch, what terrible news so far… well, there’s lots of cool literary stuff avail. online here: http://www.bartleby.com, including yeah, the story it’s named after. Speaking of Scrivening, back to work…
Posted by James on from work 02/03 at 09:27 AMmorning all...I’ve been reading so much lately you can pretty much select whatever you lke and I am sure I will devour it.
In Cold Blood was an interesting study on how our society (US, but any other country would do), our way of life… our disregard for life is creating human beings without feeling… lacking the ability to value life in any form.
What was true in the 1950’s is one hundred times true today…
hope to check in later.
(changes)
Posted by JOS on from Chicago 02/03 at 09:35 AMGood morning Mickey, Chris, Amelopsis, James, Michael, and all...my vote would is a tie between two of them. The book about the Rebel and also the one about the Whales. Rebels and whales, two of my favorite subjects. The ecology of the ocean is being compromised more every day because of fish farming, etc. When the oceans die, so do we. The fishing industry is facinating (even for vegans). Fishing is said to be the most dangerous occupation.
Posted by RMJ on from Churchill 4 Prez Hdqts 02/03 at 09:38 AMMornin JOS...you said it, we have become a culture totally lacking in empathy.
Posted by RMJ on from Churchill 4 Prez Hdqts 02/03 at 09:41 AMA MORAL DEBATE
The issue of support of troops keeps coming up. Right now there is a mini-debate going on with some fellow VFP members. Anyone want to give their opinion here? Below is my reply to one who supports the troops.///////I am a recovering pacifist. In the spirit of Malcolm X, I believe that, “It
is criminal to teach a man not to defend himself when he is the constant
victim of brutal attacks”. Morally it might be acceptable to not defend
oneself. I don’t believe that it is ever acceptable to stand aside while
children and unarmed civilians are under attack. In my view, that would be
complicity with those who wage war. True opposition to war, opposes all
aspects of the war machine.Posted by RMJ on from Churchill 4 Prez Hdqts 02/03 at 09:55 AMNot only have we created a society or a generation without empathy, we do not know how to begin to show true sympathy (it’s easier to start with than empathy). We run for cures and wear poppies and buy daffodils and chocolate bars and call it sympathy. It denudes us of our true understanding of the word on a human level, deep in our souls. Even when we want to show empathy or sympathy, when no one would argue the injustice or support it, often silence is the only thing many people know how to do. It’s shameful, I think, that parents have somehow raised children who will live this way their entire lives.
I recently shared an article with a few female aquaintances saying only that I thought more women should be aware of it (was about female US military dying in their sleep of dehydration - not drinking liquids due to a fear of being raped on the way to the latrines at night). Not one person even acknowledged receipt of the article, let alone commented to me on the topic. And these are ‘nice people’ I’m talking about - not even right wing or military supporters, etc. These are ppl whom one would HOPE to see exhibit something to show that they CARE?!?!But no, it’s just “business” as usual and public apathy abounds. (fingers in ears: ‘la la la I can’t hear you’)
It almost matters not what sentiment may lie in your heart of hearts if you only ever keep it to yourself.
Posted by Amelopsis on from Canada 02/03 at 10:10 AMEmpress #11: “It almost matters not what sentiment may lie in your heart of hearts if you only ever keep it to yourself.”
This is a universal and timeless truism. The women you sent the article to probably had no frame to put the information in, and had no idea what to say to you, because in their hearts they had some unacceptable emotion like fear or anger. We can’t express those feelings in a culture that celebrates Paris Hilton’s joyless meating as sexy. (Wasn’t even sexual, IMHO, just revolting.)
#5: “But this puppy stuff just speaks to the lack of any respect for innocence” There’s never been a time or a place where power protected innocence. Puppies cut up for whatever purpose; rabbits tortured to ascertain just how toxic the colorful sludge women are sold as cosmetics can be made; monkeys forced to inhale massive, massive doses of nicotine and other cigarette effluent to see how lethal the cocktail making the profits for American and British corporations really was; children enslaved and children starved and children turned into soulless killing machines. (Nothing bad enough can ever happen to cats, so no mention need be made of them; their species-wide Satanic pact preculdes innocence anyway.)
We’re not very nice as a group. We never have been. This is why the hoi polloi need to acknowledge us as NUtI Emperor and Empress.
RMJ #10: Good morning, firebrand. “Morally it might be acceptable to not defend
oneself. I don’t believe that it is ever acceptable to stand aside while
children and unarmed civilians are under attack. In my view, that would be complicity with those who wage war. True opposition to war, opposes all aspects of the war machine.”As a statement of ideology, right on! As a rallying cry, slow down there Sparky! Your audience is guaranteed not to be as advanced in their thinking as you are. Most folks who have just awakened from the narcosis of GroupThink are, like most recent awakenees, pretty cranky and very confused. Give ‘em a little time digesting the “war is really, truly bad” message before you gobsmack the poor groggy bastards with the War Machine info.
JOS #7: “hope to check in later.
(changes)”
Glad you’re here, it makes the place more like home.
Michael #4: Damn, that’s sad.#3: I like the “as well” for a film. I can’t find available films for the three choices MZ’s identified. Downloadable films aren’t a practical solution for the techno-challenged (I don’t have DSL, f/ex, so a download takes forever), so permaybehaps we can make that a criterion for the next go-round?
Posted by Mudge on from Austin 02/03 at 11:42 AMHi Every Expendable.
My Sympathies Amelopsis, I know how that feels. It seems that most people either just block it out entirely or at best treat it like a Ghost story. Ooo that’s frightening, move on to next topic.I’m open to any book and can suggest a lot of movies some of which I could share via download with everyone on broadband. I’m a member at this site http://www.prisonplanet.tv/alex_jones_documentaries.html and he has a policy of allowing people to share his movies for free. Lots of food for discussion there.
Out of our current selection my order of preference would be Albert, Kurt and then Farley.
Peace and love
LCaptcha = Business
Weird dat..
Posted by Luna_C on from Zoid Land 02/03 at 11:45 AMMudge, great comment about animals there-- this CatLady doesn’t disagree w/any of it, disgusted by the animal experimentation of course, and as for cats, have I mentioned where I live lately (crosstown from where I am now)?
MZ, was it not freaky how Roddy just sat in his perch and glared at the party the whole time?
And by the way, anyone guess which Russian lit classic ‘Roddy’ got his name from? RMD will get it for sure…
Posted by James on from work 02/03 at 12:32 PMGreetings and welcome to Expendable “Center.” Great to see so many here this early...and JOS and Luna returning after short absences.
When it comes to books and movies, I think we can pick a film available on video and DVD to all watch. The downloadable part, as Mudge explains, is an issue for those without high-speed connections. For books, I guess it’s too early to tell which will be next. There’s nothing stopping us from eventually reading all three. For now, we just have to somewhat agree on an order.
RMJ: The mantra “Support the Troops” has become almost meaningless because it says something different to everyone. We could use a new way of explaining that we’re anti-war...but that doesn’t mean we’re rooting for Americans to be killed. However, when American soldiers commit atrocities, we are “anti-those-soldiers.” Still, we’d rather have a society that doesn’t brainwash young people about war and offers economic opportunities that would preclude their voluntary enlistment.
Can anyone sum that up in a pithy slogan?
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 02/03 at 12:37 PMSorry, James...simultyping. I thought it was cool that Roddy hung out. Most cats I know would’ve been under the bed.
Btw, I thought he got his name from Rowdy Roddy Piper.
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 02/03 at 12:38 PMYeah, Roddy’s cool, it’s just the imperious look on his face that bugs me sometimes, esp. when he looks down on me from up on top of the fridge. We’ll wait to see if Mudge or anyone guesses his name.
Posted by James on from work 02/03 at 12:50 PMJesus, MZ - post 15 hits the nail on the head but how the hell do you sum that up? “Support the troops” should to me mean “don’t risk them unnecessarily,” but that’s hardly catchy.
As to the female troops fearing rape so much they die of dehydration, it’s difficult to imagine a more degrading death. I suppose “supporting the troops” means, as you say, not condemning them for precipitating such states.
RMJ noticed that the pro-war lobby just ignored it - once more rings out the truth of Orwell’s sentiments about “patriots” being blind to the atrocities of their own side.
I’m glad Luna links to Alex Jones. I’ve been intrigued by his work for a long time. His American Dictators DVD is excellent, although his presentation is abrasive & I could understand that putting people off. His book “911 Road to Tyranny” (I think that’s the title) has much excellent info & he is an expert on the Patriot Act. Infowars.com is a superb & insightful webpage. Anyone have any good stuff on Bohemia Grove? I might get the video, but last time I was there (a while back) it was only available in American VHS, no good to me. But I find places such as the Grove fascinating in the appalling, but tell me more, kind of way.
Luna, if you could share any of his movies, as I’m not a site member, I would greatly appreciate it.
A thought: how about “Save the Troops”? Okay, it didn’t do that much for whales, but it might pique some interest.
I checked out that link to the right wing shirt site - I had a good laugh, especially about the diversity one (for those who didn’t see it, it’s a t-shirt with a “support diversity” slogan & pictures of loads of guns). Made me feel much better about myself.
Posted by Chris Wood on from Manchester, England 02/03 at 12:52 PMMudge #12...You do have a way with words. Your housemates are lucky and must be kept in a state of perpetual glee having you around. “Sparky”, that was my nickname when I was a kid because I had built a crystal set and used my bed springs as an antenna.
Chris...how about this, “SUPPORT CIVILIANS”, or “SUPPORT UNARMED CIVILIANS” or “SUPPORT CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS” or “SUPPORT VICTIMS OF WAR” ...
Mickey, it would help if Nicole’s book came out.Hi Luna and James
Amelopsis, That issue of the dehydration of the female troops is another one that has been ignored. The whole issue of the sexism in the military, the violence toward women, has never been dealt with properly. A while back there were congressional hearings, mostly about the rapes at the Air Force Academy. A few were disciplined and then the issue died.
Posted by RMJ on from Churchill 4 Prez Hdqts 02/03 at 01:22 PMHey another quick second here-- with the prisonplanet site’s films and books in mind, anyone have favorite/preferred disinfo books other than those by our host? I keep seeing used copies at great prices on amazon/half.com, etc.
Posted by James on from work 02/03 at 01:31 PMJames #14: Roddy wasn’t named after Roddy McDowell? I thought your “Dr. Cornelius” fetish was the source. Oh wait...Rod McKuen! The rock poet of the 60s, your Doppelganger, right?! No? Hmmm...Roderick Spode, of Plum Wodehouse’s imaginary England?
Am I getting warmer?
MZ #15: Slogan, pithy slogan..."Economic Justice Now!” Or “War is Hell, But War Profits Are Evil” or “Save Your Soul, Join the Revolution” all spring to mind. Any of those work for you?
Chris #18: “I checked out that link to the right wing shirt site - I had a good laugh, especially about the diversity one (for those who didn’t see it, it’s a t-shirt with a “support diversity” slogan & pictures of loads of guns). Made me feel much better about myself.”
A little dram of smugness is a GOOD thing in this case.
RMJ #19: “Your housemates are lucky and must be kept in a state of perpetual glee having you around.” Hardly! I make little sense to them, and they are a young married couple whose privacy I’m invading. When I leave they’ll wait a respectful time to be sure I’m out of earshot (they are well-brought-up and respectful of their elders) and then shout “huzzah” and other, less printable celebratory exclamations.
“‘Sparky’, that was my nickname when I was a kid because I had built a crystal set and used my bed springs as an antenna.” Such dirty jokes I could make...but I won’t...even if it kills me....
Posted by Mudge on from Austin 02/03 at 03:07 PMFor my dear RMJ, a picture by an artist whose work I am in love with...this one is called Finding Home #46 (Tikkun Ha-Olam, the Restoration of the World)...because it reminds me of you, the seeker for world restoration, caster of light in dark places, and divinely inspired:
http://www.cherylpelavin.com/cgi-bin/artwork_popwin.cgi?code=SB-P008
Posted by Mudge on from Austin 02/03 at 03:26 PMBTW, the books mentioned are inversely ordered for my taste. Mowat first, Vonnegut last.
Posted by Mudge on from Austin 02/03 at 03:28 PMYour post confirms it again: you have the best quotes, best graphics, best analysis, Mickey! I know, I know, flattery is not going to get me anywhere except - this is the truth. Re SOTU speeches: it’s deja vu all over again if one can go back a full 61 years.
A warm ‘welcome’ to Chris, Amelopsis, James, Michael, JOS, Rosemarie, Mudge (those are quite long posts!), and Luna_C. I hope you all have an excellent weekend.
I’m fine with ‘The Rebel’ by Camus btw.
Ciao amici ..Posted by Helga Fremlin on from Daylesford, Australia 02/03 at 03:28 PMHi Helga! It’s a beautiful day, and it would be perfect if I could remember howinahell to post graphical images. I’m having a half-heimer’s moment.
Refresh me, anyone?
Posted by Mudge on from Austin 02/03 at 03:32 PMHI,
Chris: I would be more then happy to share whatever I have with anyone. I got lots of documentaries, radio interviews and lectures from a wide variety of types. However I’m a little reluctant to openly post my FTP info or links to the video’s here. Mickey what do you think about organising an email list of Expendables who would like to have access to that? I’m asking you because I imagine you would have access to everyone’s email through your comments section. I could be wrong about that….
The only slogan I can think of is “Return our Defenders!”
Peace and Love,
LPosted by Luna_C on from work 02/03 at 03:38 PMMudge re#25: View the picture and it’s properties. That is what you need to link, rather than the page url that you would use for page or other such links.
These are they for the one you intended:
Posted by Amelopsis on from Canada 02/03 at 03:58 PMhttp://www.channel4.com/player/playerwindow.html?id=2815&vert=news
TinyURL seems to have indigestion just now, can’t make it work for me.
Got this revolting Channel 4 report off American Samizdat http://www.amsam.com/ Interesting, far less restrained in the comments than we are.
Posted by Mudge on from Austin 02/03 at 03:59 PMAnd I think it’s great!
Posted by Amelopsis on from Canada 02/03 at 04:00 PMMudge I did say it’s from a Russian lit classic… but Roddy’s an abreviated version of the guy’s first name. It’s an author we’ve mentioned before. A big novel, crappy films have been made of it…
Posted by James on from work 02/03 at 04:01 PMOOPS!! I just realised that there are a bunch of them called ‘finding home’!! Sorry Mudge - I don’t know which of the series you intended to post up here. (so you’ll right click and c & p the properties in your comment and Up She Goes!)
Posted by Amelopsis on from Canada 02/03 at 04:02 PMProperties? This is what I got viewing the properties of the image:
See if this one works...thanks, Empress!
Posted by Mudge on from Austin 02/03 at 04:03 PMMudge the correct url for Amsam is http://www.amsam.org/ (.com won’t work)
Posted by Amelopsis on from Canada 02/03 at 04:04 PMAnd if you do go back to amsam, scroll down a little (sort of a lot) to the RMJ post and view the comments...Youngfox got saucy with an anonymous one & while I agree entirely, it’s seriously said, it still gives me a little laugh, you might like it too.
Posted by Amelopsis on from Canada 02/03 at 04:09 PMEmpress #33: Thanks, I wasn’t paying very good attention it would seem.
James #30: Oh, right, RUSSIAN! So it’s Aleksandr Rodchenko then?
Posted by Mudge on from Austin 02/03 at 04:12 PMRodya Romanovich Raskolikov
Posted by James on from work 02/03 at 04:21 PMJames #36: Raskolnikov? Who’s that?
BOY!! Pay attention to me!! It’s no fun to tease someone who’s not paying attention! And follow the Rodchenko link, his photos are so amazing.
Empress #34: “I guess we should all just roll over, stick our thumbs up our asses and whistle Dixie.”
ROFL
Empress! What are you getting up to in the privacy of your provincial place of residence that is subject to surveillance? Y’all should go
Posted by Mudge on from Austin 02/03 at 04:30 PMHello everyone. I regret that I can’t join in at the moment but I’ll try again later. Have fun.
Btw, if TinyURL is acting moody, try: http://urlsnip.com.
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 02/03 at 05:10 PMProtagonist from Crime and Punishment. One of is teasing the other I guess, losing track… so I named my older cat after a famous literary axe murderer. I’m safe if I’m not an old lady with a fortune stashed away.
Posted by James on from work 02/03 at 05:10 PMMorni’ All,
How about “Your War is Hell, But My Profits are Sacred”?Posted by Jim on from 02/03 at 05:16 PMI could be off to Lithuania tonight-- wish me a safe trip! Not much vegan fare there, but I’ll consider is activist outreach!
Posted by James on from work 02/03 at 05:59 PMLithuani-luck!
Posted by Mudge on from Austin 02/03 at 06:23 PMMickey #15, You say the slogan has lost its meaning. I agree. BUT, every time someone says that they don’t support the troops it makes national news. It was interesting a few days ago watching what happened when Joel Stein of the LA Times wrote a column like that. How about this for a slogan, “SUPPORT THE VICTIMS OF WHITE PHOSPHORUS, DU, and OCCUPATION”.
BREAKING NEWS,,, just announced that the poor in Vermont will get heating oil at a 40% discount, thanks to Venezuela.
James...safe travels to you!
Mudge...nice art, very provocative.
I received e-mail today about a new Michael Moore film to be made. Anybody want to be in it or contribute ideas. Topic is health care problems, problems with HMO’s, insurance companies, etc. Speak up before I delete it from my e-mail.
Amelopsis...I tried posting a comment on your site but it would not accept me. I guess I did something wrong.
Posted by RMJ on from Churchill 4 Prez Hdqts 02/03 at 06:23 PMJames - Happy trails! With the odd weather everywhere you could arrive to find it feeling like a holiday in the sun - who knows.
RMJ - I think blogger may be having some trouble just now. I can’t even get my site to load up. Would you try again later or tomorrow? If it’s still being rude to you then, let me know please. That’s great news about the oil - Go Hugo!
Captcha says “medical” ?! RMJ I think you’d be perfect for a profile section in a Michael Moore piece - he could link things together nicely with his editorial skills.
Posted by Amelopsis on from Canada 02/03 at 06:55 PMThanks everyone, I’ll try to stay safe on my journey… um, two of you probably get the idea-- I should be back tomorrow sometime!
Captcha says ‘personal’. Very appropriate.
Posted by James on from Hell's Kitchen 02/03 at 07:46 PMSorry I missed most of the discussions today. As for the book choice, we’ll see if Joe, Hawk, Owen, Keir, RT, TM, and others weigh in before picking one. Personally, I have a feeling it might be Mowat.
Good night, everyone. Don’t forget to bring a story tomorrow.
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 02/03 at 10:36 PMJames, I have a feeling your voyage will be smooth and warm and deliciously moist.
I’m funny that way.
MZ, I’ll be at my brother’s place tomorrow, and honestly I can’t remember if he has home Internet access. Guess I’ll find out.
Posted by Mudge on from Austin 02/03 at 10:51 PMI’d be most interested in the Mowat book (I’ve read his “And No Birds Sang"), although I’m not likely to pick it up, either. I’ve got too many books already to catch up on. None of the ones mentioned would trump those already in my stack.
As for DVD rentals, has everyone seen the documentary “The Fog of War” with Robert McNamara? How about “The Motorcycle Diaries” about young Ernesto “Che” Guevera?
Posted by Jeremy on from Taiwan 02/04 at 05:36 AMMy preference would be the Camus because I have it but haven´t read it, the Mowat and then Vonnegut, which I´ve already read.
Posted by Owen on from Batcelona 02/04 at 07:14 AMThanks, Jeremy and Owen. Motorcycle Diaries would be a great discussion topic. As for books, I feel like Vonnegut is slipping away and we’re down to Mowat and Camus.
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 02/04 at 07:52 AMCamus
Posted by Christine Hamm on from 02/04 at 09:33 AMFine thank. Camus?
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 02/04 at 10:20 AMSi, Camus!
Although I wouldn’t mind the Farley—I just saw Grizzly man and it put me in a nature studying kind of mood.
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