Mickey Z
Cool Observer
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Remind me again: What exactly does "anti-war" mean?
Hello Mickey, Anti-war to me means you’re against all war. I still can’t see how Hitler could’ve been dealt with any other way. That being said the war really didn’t solve anything as wars never do. They just buy time until the next conflict arises.
I heard a line in a movie(Troy?)that war is old men talking and young men dieing.
Think of all the good we could accomplish around the world through sharing of the world’s resources instead of fighting over them.
I don’t harbor any hope that I’ll see that in my lifetime.
Peace!
Posted by David on from Louisville KY 10/29 at 07:56 AMHello Expendables...from a very windy Big Apple.
Great to see you, David. It’s been a while. I agree with you but it seems many use the label “anti-war” only when it’s convenient. I’m not exactly recommending Clint’s new movie but to sit through the graphic battle sequences in Flags of Our Fathers should be enough to convince any sane human to be anti-war.
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 10/29 at 11:16 AMIt’s striking to me how people can get so wrapped up in patriotism that we are willing to send our children off somewhere to get shot at. That happened in America, Germany, & Japan during WW2. My Father-In-Law was a young child In Germany during the war. He was a member of the Hitler Youth. He said that people in Germany thought and felt the same patriotism towards their country as people in America felt here.
So to me it’s simple: Patriotism is a dangerous thing. I am a recent convert from Patriotism. It feels odd to see the flag and not think much of it. It feels odd to not want to stand during the National Anthem. I still do so that I don’t have to put up with the stares and hateful words people sling your way when you don’t.
Is anyone from this group voting this year? I want to vote but don’t really think it matters. We’re either getting Republicans or Democrats who are cut from the same cloth. Some third party people look good so maybe I’ll cast my lot for them.
Posted by David on from Louisville KY 10/29 at 12:21 PMHi David and Mickey....First, thanks to everyone for yesterday’s supportive comments.
As I was doing the laundry today, I had C-span on in the background. The topic there was the same as here. It was a great discussion that will be rebroadcast tonight, at 11:30 I think. Scott Ritter and Seymore Hersh discussed war, Iran, nuclear probabilities etc. Ritter said some things that are still in my mind...He says that Americans, Repubs and Dems, like war. It’s only losing wars that they are against. (That reminded me of Kerry’s stand during his campaign. He said that he would do the war bigger and better.) Also, Ritter made the point that we really hate the Iraqi people. Proof is that we keep killing them. It was a very good program.
David...about voting. Later today, if I have time, I plan to write a little something about why no one should ever vote for an incumbent.
About the weather...this week-end is the anniversary of the Perfect Storm, the storm that sunk the Andrea Gail and killed all on board. A few years ago, I actually went to Gloucester and hung out in the Crow’s Nest for a few hours and talked with some of the locals. The Crow’s Nest was the hangout of the crew.
Posted by RMJ on from Churchill 4 Prez Hdqts 10/29 at 01:31 PMFor David....
NEVER VOTE FOR AN INCUMBENT
Voting for an incumbent is like going back to the same dentist who pulled the wrong tooth the last time.
Voting for an incumbent is like going back inside your camping tent even thought you were just bitten by a snake there.
Voting for an incumbent is like re-marrying your spouse even though she cheated on you the last time around.
Voting for an incumbent is like getting in a plane with a pilot who crashed his aircraft last time he went up.
Voting for the incumbent might mean that you need a change in your medications.
Voting for the incumbent is like taking your computer back to the same repair shop, even though last time they told you that your computer needed a lube and an oil change.
Voting for an incumbent is a vote for “staying the course”.
Voting for the incumbent means that you believe that things can never get any better.
Voting for the incumbent signals the end of all hope for change.
Voting against ALL incumbents is the perfect way to achieve term limits.Posted by RMJ on from Churchill 4 Prez Hdqts 10/29 at 02:00 PMHey RMJ and everyone else-- just a second here as I prepare for my book club in a few hours… now now now, JOS-- but RMJ, I think that what you’re saying relates to the quote that Mickey’s mentioned here before, about how insanity can be defined as doing the same thing over and over again, even though it didn’t work the first thousand times. That’s about it, right?
I got existentialism on the brain, so I’ll leave with mentioning Kierkegaard’s Anxiety… the Dizzyness of Freedom. Lately it all seems to come down to that.
Posted by James on from Hell's Kitchen 10/29 at 02:14 PMJames...I think you just proved that the usa is insane ? It’s either insanity or a permanent case of “voters’ remorse”. Just wait, 6 months from now, the moaning will start about how bad things are.
Posted by RMJ on from Churchill 4 Prez Hdqts 10/29 at 02:27 PMMaybe it’s this 19th century Danish idea of dreading the anxiety that freedom entails that keeps people running from it, and back to the polls to vote for the same old thing, like Ms. Roy said, just because we have elections, doesn’t mean we live in a… question is, who’ll be doing the moaning?
Mickey’s right, it’s very windy here, I can even hear it just sitting here.
Posted by James on from Hell's Kitchen 10/29 at 02:38 PMHello again, everyone. I think voting—within the context of our (sic) two-party (sic) system—demonstrates the immense power of conditioning. All across the nation, seemingly reasonable individuals are foaming at the mouth as they discuss what they see as the vast differences between Democrats and Republicans. Stay tuned for more about that here tomorrow.
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 10/29 at 02:39 PMHaha, y’know, I recently tried using (sic) in spoken conversation, taking an indirect lead from you, and it just doesn’t work out the same as in print… later--
Posted by James on from Hell's Kitchen 10/29 at 02:46 PMI’m sic (sic) of people copying me.
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 10/29 at 02:54 PMHey, has anyone watched the laughing video?
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 10/29 at 03:01 PMThat lunatic is the definitive non-New Yorker; dude wouldn’t last five minutes here in the kitchen. Each time you post it, I can only last halfway through… but I’m still glad when you do post it.
I just took a classic Roddy pic, displaying his ennui with literature. Will post later tonight, but yes, Frank is still fixated on 50 AR, the guy can’t get enough of it.
captcha say “average"-- not a word I tend to think of in terms of the comments board here. Out into the wind tunnel…
Posted by James on from Hell's Kitchen 10/29 at 04:10 PMI saw the laughing video some time ago. Funny.
Rosemarie: GREAT mini-manifesto on real term limits! How would you feel about it being quoted in full (crediting you, of course) . . . ?
I agree with Mickey . . . voting between D’s and R’s in the USA is like arguing over which corner of the room you’re going to cower in as a meteor hurls toward your house.
David, I failed to apply for an absentee ballot, so will not have the opportunity to vote against Hillary Clinton on the 7th. But I would encourage all New Yorkers to do so if they will be voting. Vermonters know who to pick for Attorney General.
But I think I’m done with voting in a country where mainstream politicians openly declare their support for torture and other types of naked aggression. There is nothing legitimate about the electoral system in the States and there is no political discourse and I’d prefer not to take part in the so-called democracy fronted by mass murderers, thieves, liars, idiot ivy-league frat boys, tyrants and sell-outs (etc etc etc)
Posted by Keir on from The Hague (Jackowski election hdqts) 10/29 at 04:25 PMKeir...I love being quoted, especially by you !!! and besides that, I was going to try to figure out how to post something on your site. It is too long for here. It is my reply to the Burlington Free Press editorial and their endorsement of the Incumbent AG. I know that they have the right to endorse Mickey Mouse if they want to, but I have a problem with their journalistic ethics, or lack thereof. They did not even interview any of the other candidates. No newspaper in the State will publish my reply to the editorial.
Posted by RMJ on from Churchill 4 Prez Hdqts 10/29 at 04:46 PMRosemarie, do you want to email it to me? Mickey has my address.
Noam Chomsky would more correctly note that the so-called free press would happily endorse a leading toothpaste brand for attorney general, or any political post.
I forgot by the way to answer the question posed by Mickey’s post: “what exactly does anti-war mean?”
It means against war. All the other meanings are such degraded forms of language and social organization that I have to wonder if those who adopt those meanings aren’t really a sub-species.
David: how could Hitler have been stopped without war? Maybe Prescott Bush (GWB’s granddad) and his cronies should have stopped writing cheques to Adolf’s Nazi party throughout the 30’s and into the 1940’s.
Posted by Keir on from The Hague (Jackowski election hdqts) 10/29 at 05:04 PMMaybe Prescott Bush (GWB’s granddad) and his cronies should have stopped writing cheques to Adolf’s Nazi party throughout the 30’s and into the 1940’s.
That would’ve been a strong first step, Keir.
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 10/29 at 05:06 PMKeir #16...Yes.
Mickey, please send Keir’s e-mail address to me when you have time. ThanksPosted by RMJ on from Churchill 4 Prez Hdqts 10/29 at 06:31 PMI just sent it, RMJ.
Captcha sez: together
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 10/29 at 06:35 PMThanks, Mickey. It is nice to have friends in high places.
Posted by RMJ on from Churchill 4 Prez Hdqts 10/29 at 07:05 PMOn C-span tonight, 11:30 EST. Really worth watching.
11:30 PM EST
1:27 (est.)
Forum
Target Iran
New York Society for Ethical Culture
Seymour M. Hersh , New York Times
Scott Ritter , United NationsPosted by RMJ on from Churchill 4 Prez Hdqts 10/29 at 07:35 PMThanks, RMJ...but I’ll be in my 19th dream by then.
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 10/29 at 08:19 PMBut at least you might now miss this, as promised, my damn cat being bored with his current reading:
Hope I did that right. Speaking of worldly ennui, after doing my best to moderate between democracy and a dictatorship with my book club, I can understand more than ever how voting systems can fall apart so readily.
And as far our own local nonsense, if I hear any more about losers like Alan Hevesi, I’ll just stick to a complete media blackout at this point. Which I’m just about in with anyway. Thanks for a great article today, hope it’s reaching a wider audience than just who’se commenting today!
Posted by James on from Hell's Kitchen 10/29 at 09:10 PMLaughing vid gave me a voloptous giggle cheers mickey, same for my sis and mum, some time ago i ralised laughing was the most important thing i could do and possibly my mission on this skew ways planet, and to spread it around, i cry inside for those that life has spun a humourless web around but the thing is ou’re better singing sorrow than crying sorrow, but as i’m slightly the worse for country guinness i’ll extrapolate no further.. oh a joke though, i can’t resist… so this piece of stringwalks into a bar and asks for a pint of guinness and the barman says, i’m not serving you, so the disgruntled piece of sting goes out side and rips himself up a bit and ties himself up a bit and marches (to the best of a frazzled piece of strings ability) back up to the bar and reiterates his demand for a pint of guinness to which the eagle eyed barman responds, aren’t you that piece of string i just refused, o hing our striny friend replies, no, i’m a fraid not.... don no if that goes off to well in print but big love from the tarnishing emerald anyway dex
Posted by declan on from galway 10/29 at 09:18 PMGoddamnit I’m sorry that stupid photo is so big-- mind’s just been scattered all over the place lately…
Posted by James on from Hell's Kitchen 10/29 at 09:20 PMwhat a lovely looking kat… are there many mexican restaurants in your neighbourhood??
Posted by declan on from eurland 10/29 at 09:45 PM“Frayed knot.” I get it, Dex. Thanks.
Uh, Cat Lady...is that image big enough? Btw, the comments tend to be a little slower than usual lately...but traffic over the past two months has been very high here.
Who knew?
G’night, all.
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 10/29 at 09:46 PMGlad to hear it about the traffic here and yeah, the Cat Lady, not the most tech savvy with the jpegs, ehhh.
Posted by James on from Hell's Kitchen 10/29 at 10:36 PM
Next entry: No-brainer: Hillary loves Dick (Cheney, that is)
Previous entry: In the doorway of a rush hour #5 train
Copyright © 2005-2007 Mickey Z.
