Mickey Z
Cool Observer
Sunday, October 22, 2006
"Bloodthirsty Bitches and Pious Pimps of Power"
Good Morning all…
Mickey, you really surprised me with this one today. I never expected to see Gerry Spence discussed here. He is one of my favorites. He is outstanding in so many ways, not only his belief system but also his way with words and his delivery. I always thought that he should have his own prime time program on the msm. I absolutely believe that if he did, it could change the course of history. He has a very special way of not only presenting facts, but doing it in a very persuasive way. I contacted him early on in some of my legal struggles. He was too busy to help but took the time to send a nice reply. Thanks for telling us about his new book. If it is half as good as his old ones, it will be a real winner.Posted by RMJ on from Churchill 4 Prez Hdqts 10/22 at 07:54 AM”... But they have learned to profit from it."
This can be said of many many people in our world, picture the ambitious middle management who will say anything whether or not they mean it, because it’ll help their ‘advancement’.
I feel there’s a lack in people who learn to profit in quite that manner; although clearly we are products of the same society.
From last night, I feel the need to clarify: Deb I think you misunderstood my statement. I have no problems whatsoever with women who choose not to wear makeup. More power to you; but I think if a woman feels se HAS to wear makeup that she might benefit from introspection; I hold no disdain, but think it’s a little sad.
Posted by Amelopsis on from Canada 10/22 at 09:38 AMAs Auden put it:
Children afraid of the night
Who have never been happy or good.Posted by sk on from 10/22 at 09:54 AMHello Expendables. It started out sunny today but is fast becoming damp and colder with rain looming once again.
Thanks for the early Sunday comments. Until I read the book being discussed today, I had only a passing awareness of Gerry Spence...but I do recall RMJ speaking of him.
Anyway, my marathon weekend continues today. Michele and I will be on our way soon to our nephew’s birthday party (he turned 5 on Friday). Nothing like a throng of sugar-fueled five-year-olds to brighten your day, huh?
Captcha sez: lost (as in weekend?)
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 10/22 at 11:01 AMHi all. MZ, inspiring stuff re: Spence. I’ll pick the tome up soonest.
How do RMJ. Fortune attend thee, next AG of Vermont.
Empress...makeup is, in the non-combatant’s opinion, the nuclear option in the war between the sexes. Its deceptive powers are legendary. Personally, I think the stuff stinks and tastes awful when smooched off onto uneducated palates.
Greetings SK, hoping your Swedish fall is as beautiful as my Texan one...today 22C with sunshine and breezes.
I’m listening to old Pat Metheney music today. American classical music (jazz) for an American classic day. Bliss!
Posted by Mudge on from Austin, Texas 10/22 at 12:37 PMI, too, am happy to hear this news about Gerry Spence’s new book. What a title!
Spence is an incredible person. Of all those illustrious and not so illustrious persons I’ve ever met at a book signing-- he is one (with Cindy Sheehan!) who struck me as among the most warm, aware, and human-- ready to extend a hand and say “thanks.”
My favorite book of his is “Give Me Liberty” which probably influenced my political perspective more than any other book published in the last 20 years-- It is plainspoken, but hits all the nails-- BAM! BAM BAM!
Not only does he cut through complicated issues to reveal reality with a rare clarity and naturalness-- he is never dogmatic, narrow, or arrogant. His arguments are respectful, persuasive, inspiring and implementable.
Spence, like many of Mickey’s Expendables here, has always been ahead of the curve-- read his essay “The Rat Hole” at his website, http://tinyurl.com/ylp674. That essay was written when the so many “respected” pundits and commentators were applauding Bush’s “getting the job done.”
After reading David Ray Griffin’s “Christian Faith and the Truth Behind 9/11” (dense, but mind-blowing)-- I am now reading Michael Parenti’s “Dirty Truths”.
Parenti’s writing is like Spence’s: well-reasoned exposition and arguments: clear as crystal.
Posted by Robert B. Livingston on from San Francisco, California 10/22 at 12:50 PMOT, as always, but--
http://www.boingboing.net/2006/10/22/us_govt_bans_vegemit.htmlWhat the heck? But that stuff has “Kraft” on the label anyway, no beacons of veganism exactly anway…
Posted by James on from Hell's Kitchen 10/22 at 02:09 PMHello Mudge, Robert, and CatLady.
It seems I have much to learn about Gerry Spence. I look forward to exploring his other work. I’ll also keep an eye out to see if he will be speaking in NYC soon.
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 10/22 at 05:22 PMI gotta say I’m not much into the Gerry Spence quote posted today. Maybe I’m reading it wrong, but it sounds to me like the suggestion is that we victims of abuse ought to blame ourselves. I readily accept responsibility for my own failures and shortcomings; I am not going to blame myself for theirs. The rat bastards Spence has on his mind when referring to “bloodthirsty bitches and pious pimps”—let’s forget about specific social/political/economic/religious agendas of the moment --- know exactly what they’re doing.
Adults who by now could pretty much do any altruistic thing they want with their careers and their access to multitudes without ever having to fear about going hungry or unloved, they choose to be corrupt, spineless, morally bankrupt cheerleaders of exploitation and murder wherever they can get away with it.
I have made a conscious decision not to live the easy life of a complete and happy scumbag, and I’m sorry but I do not share the pain of bloodthirsty bitches and pious pimps. Nor do they share mine.
The rest of the book might be excellent (I checked the Rat Hole link provided by Mr. Livingston and was glad that I did) but this little excerpt doesn’t encourage me to further reading, I’m afraid.
Or have I totally missed the point?
Posted by Keir on from The Hague (Jackowski election hdqts) 10/22 at 05:28 PMKeir: It’ s not easy to condense the book’s thesis but I’ll share how I saw it. Spence discusses the rat bastards but then dispenses with the notion of Democrat/Republican or any such false conflict. Instead, he talks about the corporate culture that spawns and nurtures not only such rat bastards but their willing, adoring audience, too. What pleased me about this approach is the fact that he followed the money.
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 10/22 at 05:33 PMThat’s more my cup of tea. Maybe some more quotes in upcoming posts will help. This one today got my goat for some reason.
Posted by Keir on from The Hague (Jackowski election hdqts) 10/22 at 05:41 PMHere’s an editorial review posted at Amazon: Despite its inflammatory title, this book offers a thoughtful exploration of the vitriol of conservative commentators in the media and their effect on the broader society. Spence, an attorney who has represented Karen Silkwood and Randy Weaver of Ruby Ridge fame, lambastes Nancy Grace, Ann Coulter, Bill O’Reilly, Rush Limbaugh, and other conservative commentators. While they attack liberals and others with whom they disagree, they don’t dare attack their corporate sponsors, who commit all manner of misdeeds. Spence cites troubling parallels between the propaganda of Fascist Mussolini and Nazi Hitler and what he calls “corporacy,” the growing corporate ownership and control of the media and American thought and discourse. Spence also attacks “thingism,” the unbridled lust for products that enslaves Americans with debt, tying them to unfulfilling jobs, stoking constant fear and anger that are fed by the conservative commentators. Hate sells, Spence laments, in this stinging rebuke of the hypocrisy of commentators who cash in on the frustrations of average Americans without regard for the longer term consequences. Spence’s passion should appeal to a broad range of readers concerned about the current political environment.
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 10/22 at 05:51 PM
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