Mickey Z
Cool Observer
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
Radical zombies, Supreme Court choices, Johnny Rotten speaks, and my "sold out" July talk
Just thought you should know the link says the conference is sold out…
Posted by James on from NYC 07/05 at 05:26 AMThanks, James...I’ll change the post.
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 07/05 at 05:28 AMJohnny Rotten, lovable?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/friday_review/story/0,3605,716445,00.html
How about his appearance on the reality TV show, “I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here”?
Great example of yet another person who would complain about something that was fashionable to complain about. Rotten’s best contribution to political discourse is that he shows people who are also “against everything”, exactly the type of pathetic place it leads to.
Just to continue a bit with the Live 8 discussion, Mickey. I don’t understand why you would request that a millionaire rock star should donate charity to causes. I think it’s a counterproductive goal. If they do, great. However, hoping for it is not a viable option, at least in my opinion.
So, rather than your suggestion of “why shouldn’t we ask him to spend some of his money”, why not view it as “let’s ask ourselves what we can do to reach the people that Bono might have brought into the situation with his millions of dollars”. This would not produce any reliance on Bono’s crumbs, instead it would try to develop a strategy to best play what hand has been dealt.
And, I still don’t see what the main objection with Bono and Geldof’s actions are. I don’t view it through a “if the world was a better place, this is how it should be done” lens. Instead, I view their actions through what can be made from their results. I think those campaigning for issues related to Africa, as well as other global issues, have been given a great opportunity. Either make use of it, or just be cynical about it.
Posted by mike on from dublin 07/05 at 06:43 AMPro-torture and limited pro-choice are the new centrist politics, Mickey. Gonzales has his back covered with the pro-torture Democrats as long as he’s able to be viewed as vaguely pro-abortion and pro-contraception. The Dems’ major donors and big league media supporters are mostly concerned with keeping some shreds of Roe and Griswold. Torturing people doesn’t worry them too much provided they’re not wearing the electrodes.
Posted by Harry on from 07/05 at 01:32 PMThanks for clearing that up, Harry.
Mike: I was replying to you when I made that comment. I’m not talking “charity,” I’m talking strategy and none of this is mutually exclusive. We can do our work, push stars like Bono to dig deeper, offer shortterm relief, and aim for longterm change. All are important, in my view.
As for Johnny Rotten, I was obviously kidding with the “lovable” remark...but I loved him in the Sex Pistols years. If you haven’t see the doc “Filth and Fury,” check it out.
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 07/05 at 02:01 PMMickey, here I am back at your site after a few days’ absence - and it looks so much better! Congratulations on the new design!
Like you, I was wondering when Gonzales turned into a ‘moderate’.
How is your Mum? Well, I hope ..
Posted by Helga Fremlin on from Daylesford, Australia 07/05 at 07:38 PMOh, and I LOVE the description of yourself under the heading ‘About’ in the sidebar. Do I discover some changes there?
Especially like the fact that you act as if you were still in your 20’s ..Posted by Helga Fremlin on from Daylesford, Australia 07/05 at 07:42 PMWelcome back, Helga...and thanks for noticing all the changes.
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 07/05 at 08:25 PMNot sure if I sent this you already, Mike...but here’s an example of direct relief without a longterm plan:
http://www.counterpunch.org/mickey12222004.htmlPosted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 07/05 at 08:59 PMThat What Is Not is one of the best albums ever.
There! I said it! I YAM WHAT I YAM!!!!
Posted by Dan Coyle on from 07/05 at 11:26 PM
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