Mickey Z
Cool Observer
Monday, March 31, 2008
Progressives (and Z Net) for Obama?
Barack Obama…
9/11…
JFK…
Impeachment....
Everyone is so smart… but so blind.
It is all so frustrating!
I am ready for the desert!
Here’s a story: http://tinyurl.com/2gh9wj
Posted by Robert B. Livingston on from San Francisco 03/31 at 07:46 AMHello everyone...so many people still think and want to believe systemic change is possible...a blind optimism for a lesser of the evils...the system needs changed to NO system, especially one ‘controlled’ by a central, abusive authority and who is part of the very wealthy while economic class discrimination is still practiced and normalized as if inequality is a ‘natural’ approach to human relations and living life...rationalized by all the busines, political babble that was never applicable or real.
Posted by joe of maine on from 03/31 at 09:20 AMHi joe, Robert, Mickey, and all…
It is interesting watching the Federal Reserve being given more power by the government. Must be the reward to the Feds for screwing up the economy so badly.
Is today Ceasar Chavez’s birthday?
Posted by RMJ on from Ward Churchill 4 Prez Hdqts 03/31 at 12:30 PMToday might be the anniversary of the death of Terri Schiavo. The dems, liberals, and progressives all got this one wrong. They tried to justify the decision of a former spouse, with a new partner, and a conflict of interest.
Nader got it right.
Posted by RMJ on from Ward Churchill 4 Prez Hdqts 03/31 at 12:39 PMRMJ...3...I don’t know if Ceasar Chevez’s bithday is today...I know it’s Gianangelo de’ Medici’s birthday...good ole Gianangelo, I’ll bet he knew a good cigar when he saw one...I’ll bet he knew a criminal public official when he saw one…
Posted by joe of maine on from 03/31 at 01:27 PMHello Expendables...from rainy Astoria.
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 03/31 at 02:08 PMdid we ever find out the identity of the prominent lefty who emailed you over this article, Mick? Or did you decide to keep the conversation private?
Posted by JOS on from Oak Park 03/31 at 06:19 PMLOVE the ‘Bluestockings bookstore’ there, Mickey! I wish so much I could be there in early May - 3 and 4 May so happen to be the days when a neighbouring town, Clunes, transforms into a haven for booklovers, so we might go there.
Hi, Robert B. Livingston, Joe of Maine, Rosemarie and - Mickey from a sunny and not too cool (about 72F) Daylesford. Now I’ll click on one of the links on the Cool Observer’s latest post ..
Posted by Helga Fremlin on from Daylesford, Australia 03/31 at 06:48 PMHi Helga. I would love it if you were in NYC for my event.
JOS: I’m going to keep the exchange private for now. We’ll see how it goes.
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 03/31 at 07:23 PMSo now the Obama campaign is an “exciting social movement”? (By extension, Clinton must be “the antiwar presence in Congress.") This is the moderate liberal version of Straussian politics, some sick postmodern joke. This Sam Smith bit bears re-posting: http://tinyurl.com/2ba8np
Campaign Notes: In 2004, a prominent lefty I know, who will also remain nameless, was spouting “wear a burqa and vote for Kerry.”
A rational response to this Obama nonsense is to ask what sorts of excuses will be advanced when he betrays his supporters. Another is to ask when the 60’s left will realize their heyday was composed not of shrewd tactics and gifted insight, but mostly outnumbering the opposition. It ain’t that way anymore and it’s anyone’s guess when that will start to sink in. My money’s not on ‘anytime soon.’
This post is way too cheerful. Let me ground it a little: http://tinyurl.com/23wk4b
Posted by Zen Prole on from Urth 03/31 at 10:49 PMI have to admit to being surprised by just how virulently against voting at all the admin and I think other people of Infoshop really are, to the point of deleting comments that present an argument for voting. I almost wanted to leave a comment questioning about it all but felt sort of intimidated. I suppose they’d also be against 3rd party candidates like Nader and McKinney for being too capitalist and part of the system. Okay, well since the only activism I’m involved with is chatting on message boards anyway, I’ll still vote for one of those two, because I’m not familiar or enthusiastic enough about the 3rd parties like the Socialist or whomever else.
A new study seems to link cell phone use with cancer, and Jessica Simpson is going to the hospital for a kidney infection.
Posted by James on from Hell's Kitchen 04/01 at 06:40 AMJust quick post to say that it’s right for you to post this and I (for whatever my endorsment is worth)am right behind you.
Total shock to see that on Z-net.
Anyway - it’s fine for people to post any article they want there - but then it’s certainly necessary for this blog to say what it’s saying too.
Never give it up, Mickey.
Posted by Andy on from Shanghai 04/01 at 09:42 AMThanks, Zen, James, and Andy.
As for Infoshop, I guess the theory is this: There are innumerable sites making a variety of arguments related to voting. Thus, for an anarchist site (by definition, anti-voting) to devote any space to something already covered is counterproductive.
In a way, the same should go for Z Net. The number of pro-Obama articles out there are incalculable...so why did Michael Albert feel the need to add to the cacophony when his site is allegedly dedicated to a more radical vision?
Needless to say, M. Albert did not appreciate my article
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 04/01 at 10:22 AMAfter sleeping on it, I think I’m OK with “Progressives for Obama.” However, I find myself strangely drawn to joining “SS Colonels for Racial Justice.” Maybe I need some more sleep, or perhaps an afternoon of electroshock.
Captcha sez “costs.”
Posted by Zen Prole on from Urth 04/01 at 12:09 PMHave a look at the Guardian front page from the UK here.
Notice the link to it’s pro-Obama piece ...
... wait for it ...
“Obama - The US Mandela?”
Posted by andy on from Shanghai 04/01 at 04:32 PMMore on Obama… just bear the date in mind:
http://supervegan.com/blog/entry.php?id=1044
Posted by James on from Hell's Kitchen 04/01 at 06:15 PMHow about “Progressives for Pinochet”?
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 04/01 at 06:54 PMMickey #9: If only I could dream myself away to New York on 3 May - or just put on some wings and fly over there.
Re Obama: I am still in two minds about the man - hope that doesn’t make you get out your barf bags, fellow expendables! And hi, Zen Prole, James and Andy.
Watched ‘Michael Clayton’ last night - very impressed.
Good afternoon/night
Posted by Helga Fremlin on from Daylesford, Australia 04/01 at 07:14 PMI am of somewhat two minds also Helga...you see, I would like to think that Obama is a decent person who is playing a game to win. I don’t think he will, but I can’t say I am certain of that.
In my first post-- I wanted to communicate the idea “why hit on Obama?” (Whren there are other greater issues that are being ignored?
I sort of missed the discussion about Michael Albert-- but I can say unequivocably that he, like George Monbiot, and Manual Garcia is a major let-down to me-- because of their conclusions on 9/11.
I suppose one could become infatuated with many things they write about-- but when it comes to brass tacks-- the need for an honest investigation-- theywith many other notables-- disappeared.
“Whatever.”
I am ready to dissapear.
... and leave with a smile:
captcha says “girls”
Posted by Robert B. Livingston on from San Francisco, California 04/01 at 10:03 PMHi Robert
I know what you mean ... but actions and words, you know. Based on his policy decisions as outlined by Mickey in his article I’ve got to say that Obama is not a decent person.
A lot of the posts and articles that are ‘progressives for ...’ talk about hope.
If we agree that the ‘system’ is brutal and inadequate and that its players are corporate warmongers playing games with us, then to think our best chance for change is to play their game and pray that one of them will make some minor benevolent changes is to abandon hope.
To reject them and campaign for a different way of life is to keep hope alive.
Do we think the French Resistance should have given in and hoped that the Nazi run Vichy government decided to go moderate one day?
Maybe that’s a bad example ... but the answer is , of course, no f*ck*ng way.
Posted by Andy on from Shanghai 04/01 at 10:59 PMWHEN IN DOUBT --- check with Rosie --- where is she now ??
...........she was the queen of daytime talk media—and now—DONAHUE—is back—the old becomes new and REV WRIGHT retires to his 1.4 million dollar Chi-Town mansion ---
incredible… captcha sez free
richie
Posted by richie on from st cloud / n ft myers, FL 04/02 at 12:46 AMRON PAUL..........??????????? SLIP OF A LETTER IN TINYURL…
here’ssssssssss rosie— http://tinyurl.com/2j8srb—
Posted by richie on from st cloud / n ft myers, FL 04/02 at 12:50 AMROSIE CAN BE HUMAN WHEN SHE TALKS ONE ON ONE
http://tinyurl.com/2fgddhw --- O’Reiley --- &—Rosie
Posted by richie on from st cloud / n ft myers, FL 04/02 at 01:02 AM........late nite .. mis-steps—http://tinyurl.com/2uclhd --
rosie melts o’reiley ... or??
Posted by richie on from st cloud / n ft myers, FL 04/02 at 01:09 AM
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