Mickey Z
Cool Observer
Sunday, March 05, 2006
Driven to Tears
I had an economist friend tell me the other day that poverty is the problem of the sociologist.
Posted by Owen on from Barcelona 03/05 at 08:39 AMGood morning Owen. Your comment is thought provoking. I would add that poverty is a direct result of Capitalism. Hunger is a weapon of the capitalist. I don’t think that poverty can be eliminated until Capitalism is. We need less capitalism and more “peoplism”.
Posted by RMJ on from Churchill 4 Prez Hdqts 03/05 at 08:51 AMWell said Mickey, though I respectfully disagree about protesting. My opinion: going on marches and vigils and so on is not the same as protesting, but an important part of it. You meet people, you see the diversity that exists behind what you advocate, and it can be very empowering. (That said, I have a friend, from Israel, who distrusts all mass protest because, as he puts it, power is power.) It’s one component of a balanced diet in my book.
But otherwise I’m with you. Here’s something I wrote last year using that Chomsky quote as a point of departure, it’s called One is one. (Click the text for a better view.)
Posted by Keir on from The Hague 03/05 at 08:56 AMOh man I miss the Police. The Clash’s excuse is that their lead singer is actually dead; not so simple for the Police. Music really stinks these days, I’m glad I’m not a teenager today. Then again, I kinda wish I were, of course…
Anyway, really enjoyed reading through everything yesterday, sure it’ll take days to absorb it all. Education’s always felt like such a complicated issue for me. Rosemarie’s article was great, and oddly, I realized that it was the night of the Hannity and Colmes show she mentioned where they were discussing Bennish that I was standing outside their studio on my way home with just several feet and a window between us. Not sure what to say about those two, but man, that Alan Colmes sure has one gigantic head. Literally.
Yeah, a mostly empty one, it would seem. So, this is an eloquent post today, too, Mickey, though sure to be the type of thing that people complain that is all about stating problems w/o offering solutions. You’ve mentioned before how people bug you about this, and you say that stating the problem is an important first step or soemthing like that, etc. etc. but sometimes that can feel like an unsatisfying resonse to people. It depresses me too sometimes. Like you say-- “Who knows what to do? Just about every single one of us knows what to do...but most have yet to find the impetus to start doing it.”
But I still don’t really know what to do, other than try to get my own act together as much as can, try not to lose any more jobs so I avoid credit card debt, things like that. And then what, making informed purchases and things like that? I think I’m the only vegan commenter here, but even that feels so hard sometimes. Besides issues of willpower, I mean sometimes it feels like Mudge is right, what a silly waste of effort it is. Do boycotts of anything, of factory farms or whatever else, ever make any real difference?
Don’t mean to sound so negative, but I try to be good and do all this left-wing websurfing and be a responsible shopper, but um, no, I don’t really feel like I know what to do about the tragedies described above. But at least I don’t fool myself otherwise, so that’s something, I guess.
Posted by James on from Hell's Kitchen 03/05 at 09:00 AMToo many cameras indeed. in the UK there are 2 million, one for every 29 people I think and if you walk a day in a major city there you will be photographed 350 times.
If you lot were going to make your own currency what tweaks would you make or how would you go about it?
Posted by Owen on from Barcelona 03/05 at 09:20 AMAbout music, I feel it is as good as it ever was - just depends where you´re looking (my favourite group singing about the state we´ve gotten ourselves into it Tool), tho I agree with what George Harrison said about popular music that it had gone a bit weird, either sickly-sweet or aggressive.
Posted by Owen on from Barcelona 03/05 at 09:29 AMOwen, check this out: Ithaca Hours.com and Ithaca Hours.org. Local currency from a town in New York State where me (and Kurt Vonnegut) used to study. Very cool town in many ways.
Posted by Keir on from The Hague 03/05 at 10:04 AMGood morning Everyone,
Thougt provoking post today Mickey. I agree a little with all of you (not really suprising - it’s why we all find ourselves here).
James I sympathise with the sense of wonder about whether my spending choices etc., yield any results. While I see a greater number of choices that appeal to me, most are aimed at a higher tax bracket - it’s a tricky compromise. At least we can know that we’re doing what we can, even when that seems to be woefully less than what’s needed.Keir I think likewise about the protests & marches. Often the type of crowd thats there irks me, but I take great comfort in knowing that all of us there do agree at least on the one thing. It is heartening and eye-opening.
I’m out to enjoy some of the nice day today - check you all later.
Posted by Amelopsis on from Canada 03/05 at 10:13 AMIt’s always hard to live your principles. It can lead to people being hostile to you, and to your message, because implicit in your effort is a criticism of their non-effort.
It is, however an important first step. Will it change the world? Yours, yes. Mine, maybe. Ours, most likely not. Is it then a silly waste of time? Depends on whether you’re interested in changing yourself, me, or the hoi polloi.
My contention that veganism is a silly waste of time is based on the latter scenario. Focus on changing your world, leave the rest of it to follow or not. It’s amazing how fast, in relative terms, vegetarianism went from lunatic-fringery when George Bernard Shaw espoused it at the turn of the 19th century to the present sizable minority of (Western voluntary adhenert) folks it represents today.
And each one of y’all a WEIRDO!
Oh yeah, hi everybody, what’s up? Still no captcha, interesting.
Posted by Mudge on from Austin 03/05 at 10:23 AMHm, oh I don’t know. So you mean that since veganism’s not an effective boycott of factory farming systems, it’s a waste of effort, I should just enjoy all the junk food I did as a kid, or you mean that factory farming’s really not so bad anyway so don’t worry about it… but factory farming/ animal cruelty was just one quick and easy example of the larger thing I guess Mickey referred to in the post. And I guess I’ve just been to impatient with too many things lately; you did warn me about that a couple of weeks ago.
I should follow Empress’ lead, get out into sunny Manhattan for awhile… and anyway, my other point still stands-- Alan Colmes has a very large head. I think I’ll take a different way home if I’m out at that hour in midtown again.
Posted by James on from Hell's Kitchen 03/05 at 11:31 AMCan’t comment on veganism - never having followed the diet I can’t talk about the bonuses to the individual. But I do hold with the view that you can only change yourself in the way you want the world to change.
Posted by Chris Wood on from Manchester, England 03/05 at 12:02 PMGet outside and breathe some fresher-then-indoors air, James. Change yourself, let others worry about themselves is where I was pointing. Make choices congruent with your principles to the degree it’s possible for you to do so, and let the chips fall where they may.
Colmes’s unprepossessing looks are a carefully calculated part of Fux “News” Channel’s campaign to discredit any person, place or thing associated with any but the *most* reactionary right-wing viewpoints. Hannity is what our culture perceives as handsome, wholesome-looking, and symmetrical. Colmes is, god love him, ugly as homemade sin with his lopsided face and freaky-lookin’ mouth and pallid complexion. The average unthnking Fux viewer will see him and subconsciously say “ewww, he’s so ugly he must be wrong” adding a layer of lizard-brain rejection of him personally to their innate stupidity.
The documentary Outfoxed is my source for this idea. It’s excellent, and should be considered for a future media-viewing party here at Cool Observer.
Posted by Mudge on from Austin 03/05 at 12:11 PMGood morning Chris, glad to see you ‘round these parts.
Posted by Mudge on from Austin 03/05 at 12:16 PMMorning to you too, Mudge. Good to be here exchanging views!
As to Hannity, I’d urge everyone to read the first two chapters of “Let Freedom Ring.” Firstly, it’s howlingly simple (surprisingly!) & I feel it is interesting to see how easily some poor saps are suckered by this drivel.
Secondly, it’s also quite entertainly puritannical whilst being horribly condemnatory. His take on Michael Moore is unintentionally hilarious. Also, the pictures of Hannity are so clearly airbrushed (at least in the edition found on English book shelves) that, if that pic shows him in a good light, I can only shudder for his poor wife.
No idea what the book’s like after chapter two, because I lost the will to live and had to leave the bookstore I was browsing in. But it did form some harmless amusement for a while.
I agree with you about Vermin News channel, Mudge. The presentation of people & opinions is clearly as you suggest it. (Although does anyone here find Ann Coulter attractive? I’m sure help is available. Don’t be ashamed!)
Posted by Chris Wood on from Manchester, England 03/05 at 12:25 PMPS I agree about Outfoxed - a superb film.
Posted by Chris Wood on from Manchester, England 03/05 at 12:28 PMAnn Coulter and Nancy Grace are prime arguments for male homosexuality. They are also proof that the mooted male anxiety about vagina dentata stems from a real source.
Let Freedom Ring, eh? Never perused it. After that last Ann Coulter screed assaulted me, I couldn’t make myself pick up another right-winger’s polemic. I’ll get back to it, because one can’t prepare for the worst by ignoring its apocalyptic (w)horsewomen.
Posted by Mudge on from Austin 03/05 at 12:46 PMHey Expendables...our own RMJ’s got ‘em on the run over at Press Action!
http://www.pressaction.com/news/weblog/comments/2202/
The discussion about education and its ills is hoppin’ even a day later! She’s arguing the reactionaries of our system into a corner, and at “length”! (Captcha’s back, I see.)
Posted by Mudge on from Austin 03/05 at 01:19 PMToday’s topic reminds me of Joe’s article ‘We Don’t Need Them’, which can be found over there at Dissident Voice.
Joe Sez:
“Want to change the world? Tell the truth to the plumber. Begin with the lady who hands you the stamps at the post office. Talk with the checkout people at the grocery store. Chat with the waiter at your favorite café. Speak with the cops who sit down at the next table. Gab for a few minutes with the guy who changes your oil or with the elementary school teacher with whom you’ve been discussing your child’s future. Lean out of your window while stopped at the light and tell the truck driver some truth he’s certain to recall and ponder.Feel the need to march? Gather a bunch of folks and wander about your neighborhoods with signs and leaflets. When people walk by, stop and gab with them. When that huge guy with the Hemi-powered Ram pulls alongside and tells you to “love it or leave it,” ask him to stay and talk. Smile, offer your hand, make nice. He’s one of us.”
Okay, in my neighborhood the ‘predictable consequences’ of doing so would end up with someone pulling a gun on me. But Joe is right- speaking truth to power is a waste of time because they designed the system just like they maintain it. They know the truth. I’m seriously considering moving to another country because at least that way I won’t be contributing to this war machine.
Captcha word: Country
Posted by Fiona on from San Diego 03/05 at 01:21 PMNew song by Frank Black called Dog Sleep, quite pretty http://tinyurl.com/zn57j
cheers Keir, I´d heard of they´d been doing at Ithaca but hadn´t pursued it.
Posted by Owen on from Barcelona 03/05 at 01:40 PMMudge, you are right. Today I am still having a lot of fun over at the sister site, PressAction.
Seems that the Bennish issue struck a nerve. I alerted Joe because post #33 over there, looked like it could have been written by him (it wasn’t). Some of the e-mails I am receiving make me laugh. Most are very nice and thoughtful and some just say, “Idiot”. Oh what a fun day, I am loving it! I haven’t had this much fun since the last time that I.......hummm, better not discuss that little escapade.Posted by RMJ on from Churchill 4 Prez Hdqts 03/05 at 02:16 PMROSEMARIE! I am jealous and upset at the idea of you Having Fun anywhere but here! You’re an Expendable!
On second thoughts, go forth and proselytize. (What escapade?! Inquiring minds wanna know!)
Fiona, I feel much the same way. Canada’s too cold, England’s too weird, Scotland’s got Michael the Tub-Thumper, Ireland’s got too many priests...any other ideas?
Posted by Mudge on from Austin 03/05 at 02:36 PMAnywhere they don´t speakee Engerlish, it´s Party Like It´s 1939 in those places.
Posted by Owen on from Barcelona 03/05 at 03:42 PMHello Expendables. I don’t have much to add today...at least nothing too positive. We just came back from visiting my Grandma Helen in an extended care facility (photo of Helen here: http://tinyurl.com/phbwj). She’s 94 and as sharp as a tack but physical problems have hit and she’s stuck in a place where almost all the patients have some form of dementia. It’s a long story with plenty more details...but it can be summed up like this: On almost every count, America is the opposite of what it claims to be. The system we live under is utterly inhuman and shows absolutely no signs of improvement.
On that cheerful note...I’m outta here.
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 03/05 at 04:07 PMMickey, I had that photo of Grandma Helen stored in my mind since you first posted it but she looks so great that I thought that it was your Mother. I understand what you say because my Mother has been stuck in a place like that since shortly after I was hit by the truck. Also, I was a volunteer in a place like that. Other cultures, the ones that this country criticizes the most, deal with these humanitarian issues in a much better way. In this country there are so many obstacles for families that want to do things in a different way.
Mudge, MZ’s is “home”. PressAction is like a vacation with extended family. A college prof who seems to be awfully smart (in spite of his time in schools) has just been posting over there.Posted by RMJ on from Churchill 4 Prez Hdqts 03/05 at 04:24 PMInteresting group on Press Action, RMJ. Mr. Oxman lives in the town my parents did when I was born. Mr. Austin (good name) makes a great deal of sense. Jamie, from here in Austin, is full of him/erself, no?
Ahh, Sundays. See y’all soon!
Posted by Mudge on from Austin 03/05 at 06:12 PMGood afternoon to you all, Expendables
Well a nice walk on a beautiful afternoon - observed some wonderful and as yet unidentified ducks diving and jet swimming underwater to forage for algae - I think, in a suprisingly calm and clear waterfront. It was a very beautiful and welcome tonic. This was followed up by Youngfox and I taking in an impromptu viewing of Good Night, And Good Luck at the cheap seats (finally!). He observed that between the two of us, we might’ve brought down the average age in the little theatre to around 50 or so, which is a shame, more young people should see such films. Great movie. Where’s a Murrough for our times when we need one? All too impossible for one to emerge from within the scheduled offerings of E television, sadly. Too bad that more didn’t “go down fighting” though.
Mickey, I’m saddened at your Grandma’s plight. I too sympathise - my mom’s physical problems have brought her to such a place all too early in life. It is difficult if as you say she’s still sharp as a tack but the company she’s got to keep has not the same control of their faculties. Frustrating is an understatement, I’m sure.
I must say that on the topic of personal or public change being the basis for our individual choices, that we must be the change we wish to see in the world. Gandhi had that right. To go beyond that is wonderful, but change must start with ourselves. Some choices I’d like to make are impossible because of the system in which we live and / or my current placement within it, however those broader issues will not discourage me from making the smaller changes I feel that I can make. Nor will my inability or lack of self discipline in enacting personal change on ALL levels to the extent that I would consider ‘ideal’, discourage me from making any changes that I already have.
Baby steps, I say; and if I can make a leap or a bound every so often; all the better. That I cannot win the sprint, does not mean I won’t take a leisurely stroll in the direction of my choosing.Blah-de-blah, I shall now go to see the Pressaction action. I hope you all had as pleasant an afternoon as I did.
Posted by Amelopsis on from Canada 03/05 at 06:25 PMMudge, Owen, Chris, Amelopsis, and others, hop over to PressAction for one minute. The conversation has turned to gay penguins. One of you, please pick up the banner for me. I have to wash my hair tonight.
Posted by RMJ on from Churchill 4 Prez Hdqts 03/05 at 06:41 PMGay penguins have the same rights as every other penguin! Nor should they be denied a decent education!
Captcha: “horse” - same goes for them too.
Posted by Amelopsis on from Canada 03/05 at 07:04 PMMarch of the Brokeback Penguins?
Mudge #12 and elsewhere-- true that, of course. I need to follow Dorothea Brande’s advice to at least start meditating, if nothing else. Also, I literally found this book on the street, On Writer’s Block, by Victrora Nelson. You down with that one? fun so far, but I mean, if you’re receptive to such advice in the first place, you’re already most of the way there.I can’t decide to watch the Oscars or not. I wish the Comedy Channel would just broadcast a condensed version with all the funny parts collected.
Posted by James on from Hell's Kitchen 03/05 at 07:11 PMHere’s a bright note: apparently many attending the Oscars have chosen to be ferried to and fro in hybrid cars. Finally some people of influence are making some minor responsible decisions!
(sad, but true, I suspect-their influence, I mean)James - take heart - I hope the job is at least rewarding or compensatory enough to allow you some respite at the end of the day; and meditation is so very gratifying on so many levels. I heartily condone it.
Posted by Amelopsis on from Canada 03/05 at 07:19 PMHello everyone. Sorry I missed all the fun. I’m signing off early tonight (gotta be up before 5 a.m. for a new client tomorrow morning). Btw, George Clooney won the Best Supporting Actor for Syriana and gave a good political acceptance speech.
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 03/05 at 08:41 PMGood afternoon/evening, everyone - it is 2:29 pm on a not too warm Monday afternoon (about 75 F). And as Amelopsis says: a thought-provoking post, Mickey. As for Mr and Mrs Helga, they even find it difficult to stay ahead of bills at the moment, seeing there is a real cashflow problem with self-employed people like Mr Helga. Fortunately I am entitled to a pension from July, so that should make things easier.
And I don’t entirely agree with Rosemarie re poverty and capitalism. There surely is poverty under socialism as well, no? Of course, it makes a lot of difference when there is universal access to health care and education.
Ciao amici ..
Posted by Helga Fremlin on from Daylesford, Australia 03/05 at 10:29 PMI look forward to Clooney’s political acceptance speech, Mickey. The whole Oscars ceremony will be broadcast in about 7 1/2 hours on a commercial channel down under. Wouldn’t it be great if Clooney would also win the Oscar for best director (’Good Night, and Good Luck’). One can always dream ..
Posted by Helga Fremlin on from Daylesford, Australia 03/05 at 10:36 PMAnd Mudge #21, I had to chuckle when I read that ‘Ireland has got too many priests’ - my thoughts exactly. At least the Catholic church has lost some of its iron grip on Ireland in the last 15 or so years.
Re Michael the Tub-Thumper: wouldn’t he give one a good reason to visit Scotland? LOVE his blog.Re your comment on the previous post: I can handle 69F as well - even 75F are manageable. Anything above 86 however ..
The largest gay and lesbian festival in Australia is only 4 days away:
http://chilloutfestival.com/2006/index.htmlWhat Mrs Helga found out last year: gay men really party like noone else!
Posted by Helga Fremlin on from Daylesford, Australia 03/05 at 10:45 PMOne last thing on this sunny Monday afternoon:
should have been: ‘the largest gay and lesbian festival in REGIONAL Australia’.
Now I’ll go over to ‘pressaction.com’ ..Posted by Helga Fremlin on from Daylesford, Australia 03/05 at 10:48 PM
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