Mickey Z
Cool Observer
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Make love, not Warhol
Good morning Mickey and other brothers and sisters… I like the Warhol quote. I wonder if at any time in the distant future humanity will ever be able to overcome the forces of slavery that bind us all.
http://mwcnews.net/content/view/15521/26/
Posted by RMJ on from Churchill 4 Prez Hdqts 07/19 at 07:31 AMExcellent article, RMJ. It puts in my mind the massive air bombing campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan which are not reported at all by the media. The government and military does not need to worry about the American people becoming upset by the 1 million or so Iraqi deaths (http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/iraq/counterexplanation.html), but there is a slight concern about the number of US soldiers killed...so bomb the shit out of them from the air and nobody gets hurt (at least nobody who matters).
Posted by JOS on from Chicago 07/19 at 09:23 AMJOS...thanks for the link. Yes, I would be willing to bet that the average US citizen would support drones because, as you say, we could bomb them without endangering US troops. Too bad that those who hold that view can’t figure out that that is why they hate us and that is why they will continue to strap bombs to themselves. Wouldn’t it be nice if we knew who was writing the software for these weapon systems, so we could expose them. They are at least as responsible as Bush - who has no bombs or planes and has never written any software.
Posted by RMJ on from Churchill 4 Prez Hdqts 07/19 at 09:58 AMMost here know this already, but here it is anyway:
Posted by JOS on from Chicago 07/19 at 10:07 AMHello Expendables...from humid Astoria. Good to see both RMJ and JOS chatting here today. The Reaper is indeed grim, my friend.
As Derrick Jensen sez: “It is possible to kill a million people without personally shedding a drop of blood. It is possible to destroy a culture without being aware of its existence. It is possible to commit genocide or ecocide from the comfort of one’s living room.”
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 07/19 at 10:49 AMHello Everyone...well...slavery, bombs, Warhol, Bananas, Lou Reed, death, destruction...a society that isn’t, Firefox updates...what a menu!
Posted by joe of maine on from 07/19 at 12:40 PMRMJ, a fine and perceptive article. It brings to mind Mike Davis’ “Buda’s Wagon: A Short History Of The Car Bomb,” which I am reading. The chronologies he’s created of several hot spots where car bombs have been used, are staggering. And I’m not even into the part about Iraq. I’ll lift out some of the interesting parts the my fellow Expendables when I’ve finished it. Speaking of which, I didn’t realize Davis was a MacArthur Fellow ("genius grant"). I’m gonna file the papers for you, RMJ!
While piling on isn’t my style, I have appreciated the barbs stuck into CounterPunch lately. I’ve been posted on the site twice and in print once without care about payment, but that’s just me. This Wal-Marting of writers’ work is disgusting. After years of support, I long ago cancelled the print edition and have refused to send them a nickel since, but maybe there needs to be more concerted action about this.
Speaking of disgust, MZ, I have some good news for you. The Red Sox are going to tank, and it’s Terry Francona’s fault. That historic major league season I called for in May has been lost in the mists if indecision; he hasn’t ordered the same starting 8 or batting order three games in a row this year, and the pitching is uninspired (two of their starting rotation should have been canned by now). It’s baffling to me, but then again I don’t think like a multi-millionaire. Thhppt!
Posted by Zen Prole on from Urth 07/19 at 01:56 PMMmmm...maybe that’s what I need to do: think like a multi-millionaire. Suggestions, anyone?
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 07/19 at 04:27 PMGood to get your comments from yesterday Bob. And Zen Prole about CounterPunch. Bob, maybe your friend could start a union for non-paid book essayists who C/P have not paid. Sweatshops for left wing writers, oh dear. Christopher Hitchens would just love to be the PR guy on that union. Would someone like Alexander Cockburn write for The Nation for free? Does he write for free for The Nation? Mickey- what do you think writers should do if they are told they will be paid for a book essay and if it sells okay, what should be done? Tricky, heh. I miss Linda Heard and Kurt Nimmo on CounterPunch. I have found their work elsewhere but I wonder why they left. Is there a high burn out rate and why? It is a real shame as a lot of good writers pass through those web pages.
Perhaps being paid for articles/book essays is only for some. Perhaps the editors would like to respond. I like their writing and I’m sure Bob’s friend would like an answer. I can see why it might be hard for her to confront them. Writing. Unions. Sweat shops. As if there isn’t enough in the world to get down about. I’m off to work but there’s my comment. Oh, and a question for Zen Prole, since you like movie reviews, how about one of My Best Friend? I saw it and the themes of trust and reconciliation are interesting. Have you seen it? That vase breaking scene. Then the make up. You might like it.Posted by Alison on from Toronto 07/19 at 05:08 PMMickey..8..Stay Wood...Stay Wood
Posted by joe of maine on from 07/19 at 05:10 PMIt comes as no surpise that writers didn’t get paid. Publishing is a dead business and even ironclad contracts are meaningless. If I do another (and that’s “if"), it’s be for one of two reasons:
1. I just felt like doing it without any expectations
2. Someone pays me up frontIf there ever is a revolution, it won’t rise from radical websites and writers.
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 07/19 at 05:30 PMGreat quote.
Sitting at my desk at the community college plotting my escape from this travesty…
Posted by The CultureGhost on from Concord CA 07/19 at 06:00 PMI saw this quote the other day in an article on The Independent about Stella Vine. Let’s hand it over to her, she sums up what Bob and Alison seem to be saying about left wing writing. Great point about revolutions Mickey. Totally agree 100%. What have left wing journals achieved since 9/11? How many have died in Iraq and Palestine? Writers just look like volunteers for big elite charities only benefitting the people who run charities, and not those in need, however well the writers mean.
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(Substitute “writing” world for “art” world in the following quote). Stella Vine:"The art world is exactly the same as the sex industry: you have to be completely on guard, you will get shafted, fucked over left, right and centre.”Posted by old guy writer on from northern california 07/19 at 06:50 PM
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