Mickey Z
Cool Observer
Friday, November 16, 2007
"We remain passively receptive to the overall design"
Haven’t got time to fully comment, MZ, but thought I’d break the blog-ice. Situationism is: anyone who made that K. Marx art, or who approaches institutions like G. Marx.
Marx caption: “Whatever works, baby, and leftie activism isn’t makin’ the cut!”
Posted by Zen Prole on from Urth 11/16 at 12:03 PMThat sure seems like a full comment to me, Zen. Thanks.
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 11/16 at 12:05 PMone needs to go beyond the spectacle and tolerated opposition to something that truly makes change---situationism is often just a cover for selfish cynicism...that does even less than “leftie activism.”
Posted by ron on from asheville 11/16 at 02:05 PMAs I observe the battle from afar,
I am aware of my inner war, in my
mind, in my body, the silent turmoil
Which battle should I take on first
How should I go into this fight
Who are my alliesG.I.K.
Posted by joe of maine on from 11/16 at 02:25 PMGreat post—couldn’t agree more.
Call it hegemony (Gramsci) or manufactured consent (Chomsky-Herman) but the ruling class’s mechanism(s) of control have been incredibly effective. How can we subvert or shatter the spectacle? Ideas?Posted by GiorgioNYC on from Long Island City, NY 11/16 at 04:42 PMHi Zen, Mickey, ron, joe, Giorgio, and all…
Had our first white stuff of the year falling from the sky today. How many days till Spring?I have no words of wisdom, but for me there are 2 battle fronts - local, to help on a local and personal face to face level an elderly or a young person in need… and the big global battle that no one seems to have a strategy for. For me, that means being armed with as much information as possible. Yes, I watch FOX, listen to the right-wing hate radio etc. The information about how they have twisted the common global view in this country is important to me. I can’t neutralize erroneous views without understanding how, where, and when those views were created. Sort of in keeping with the idea of keeping friends close, and enemies closer.
Last night another so-called debate was aired. The most important thing that happened was that the amount of time allotted to each candidate was very different. (Chris Dodd has a graphic up on his web site.) As expected, Kucinich was given the least air time. He made the most important statement of the night and the Press did not cover it, as far as I can see. In answer to the question to all candidates, which was, “Would you support the Democratic winner of the Primary no matter who it was?” All answered YES, except Kucinich who said that he would only support the winner if he/she was anti-war. IF he maintains that position, that is a slight step forward for all of us.
Posted by RMJ on from Mickey Z 4 Prez Hdqts 11/16 at 06:10 PMJust to set the record straight for any newcomers here - I AM NOT A DEMOCRAT. For the past 20+ years I have written in “Nader” during presidential elections. Also, I know that voting does not bring about change. If it did, they wouldn’t let us do it. ( This year, I will write in “Mickey”.) Stephen Colbert was high on my list. Too bad he was knocked off the ballot by the Democrats, BUT he’s a good choice for the Primary.
Posted by RMJ on from Mickey Z 4 Prez Hdqts 11/16 at 06:20 PMHello Expendables and guests. Welcome Ron and Giorgio.
RMJ: Didn’t Dennis K. say the same exact thing before selling out in 2004?
As for the cynicism charge above, I am reminded of George Bernard Shaw: "The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who have not got it."
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 11/16 at 06:55 PMMickey #8...I don’t remember him saying it, but we all DO remember how he caved in to the dems in the end. A lot of people are taking bets on which way he will go this time. I am trying to keep an open mind and give him benefit of the doubt. Standing alone in Washington must be very difficult. We sent a Socialist to Congress and got back a Democrat.
Posted by RMJ on from Mickey Z 4 Prez Hdqts 11/16 at 07:32 PMOK, I can’t take it anymore. I’m having separation anxiety from not seeing this here for a while.
“...What I want is for civilization to stop killing my people’s children. If that can be accomplished peacefully, I will be glad. If signing a petition will get those in power to stop killing...I will put my name at the top of the list. If marching in a protest will do it, I’ll walk as far as you want. If holding a candle will do it, I’ll hold two. If singing protest songs will do it, I’ll sing whatever songs you want me to sing. If living simply will do it, I’ll live extremely simply. If voting will do it, I’ll vote. But all of those things are allowed by those in power, and none of those things will ever stop those in power from killing...They never have, and they never will. Given that my people’s children are being killed, you have no grounds to complain at whatever means I use to protect the lives of my people’s children. And I will do whatever it takes...” Ward ChurchillI feel better now!
Posted by RMJ on from Mickey Z 4 Prez Hdqts 11/16 at 07:45 PMRMJ, as they say in South Florida: Bingo
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 11/16 at 08:14 PMMickey, RMJ and everyone......I too am not seduced by kucinich or any other politician, no matter what they say...If I hear a politician say “to hell with patriarchal hierarchies, too hell with the pope, too hell with the highest generals and admirals, to hell with the presidency, to hell with the country of exxon/mobile......I might listen for simply the entertainment value, especially if they want to discuss the form of religion, similar to Christianity, long before the days of J. Christ and the gas company.
Posted by joe of maine on from 11/16 at 08:22 PMjoe...I agree with what you say BUT there is something good about supporting anyone who is in a situation where they are the victim of bullying. Kucinich has been in that position for a while now. One of the big problems with the anti-war movement (such as it is) is that there is so little mutual support from those who are on the same side of the battle. Remember what happened to Cindy Sheehan? I don’t think that it is necessary to agree with everything that someone says or does in order to support them. Kucinich said the right thing last night and I applaud him for that. If he says the wrong thing tomorrow, I will criticize him but in the meantime all activists are hurt when any one of us is hung out to face attacks alone.
Ward Churchill received death threats and those who oppose the government were silent. What’s with that????Posted by RMJ on from Mickey Z 4 Prez Hdqts 11/16 at 08:45 PMI won’t claim to be an expert on Situationist thinking. I’ve read a bit and do know the name Guy Debord, but that’s about it.
I feel the war resistance is thriving, yet nonexistent at the same time.
Maybe that is the Controlled Spectacle at work.
It simply is not covered by the MSM. Therefore for many in America, it does not exist.I’m too young to remember Vietnam protests. My first Presidential election was Dukakis in 88.
Yet there seems to be tons of archival footage.
And I’m under the impression that people like Cronkite paid attention.
One thing I do remember is the lack of media quantity back then.
Today, when you would think that the sheer magnitude of media would allow infiltration by the resistance, the opposite is true.
People look at media and technology as aspects of their comfort and prosperity and thus retreat into the cocoon of safety they afford.
On some ironic level, many bloggers probably fall into this trap. Present company excluded of course!Wow, I’m rambling. Sorry, still new here.
I’m trying to escape the spectacle and take the next step. Perhaps that is why I am here.
You guys give me hope.
Thanks
Posted by Tommy on from I live by the River 11/16 at 10:24 PMI don’t know what situationism is. Really. I do know that I agree with some of the quotes provided by Mickey Z. The dilemma of choosing between immediate demands and long term goals has been resolved, as far as I can see. The immediate demand and the long term goal have reached a co-joining point. I think, the time for rising up and struggling for that long term goal (as an immediate demand)--the abolition of capitalism and the establishment of socialism--is staring at us right in the face. I’m reminded of the words of one of America’s greatest jounalists. He said, “Give us a truce with your reforms! There is a sickening air of moral mediocrity in all such petty movements and childish aspirations at times like these when great man-issues are knocking at everyone’s door demanding admission and solution!”
Posted by Chris on from Miami, FL 11/17 at 02:33 AMGood afternoon...quiet today, sunny and cool in Maine...the war goes on, we continue to be perplexed about what to do to stop the criminals and war-mongers in Washington and Israel, The Vatican and every state capital...much to do while trying to find our next meal…
Northeastern Univ. of Chicago was the spot, recently for a rip-snorting lecture by Ali Baghdadi...all you need for a search if interested. We need more of these speeches! We need more of many things in the land of crime, nothingness and decay.
Posted by joe of maine on from 11/17 at 02:59 PMTommy...rambling is good. That’s what we do a lot of here.
Chris...the abolition of Capitalism would solve a lot of problems. I don’t think it will happen any time soon but it interesting watching the dollar and its inevitable devaluation. The worse is yet to come as the Empire dies.
joe...is Ali as good as Ward Churchill? I’ll check him out.Posted by RMJ on from Mickey Z 4 Prez Hdqts 11/17 at 07:42 PMRMJ..17..I love you...If I call Terrorist Bush a war monger, and you call him a war criminal..are you as good as me..am I as good as you?...I’m teasing you.
Well, damn it..I’m going to start talking about AROD...and I don’t know anything about basketball!
I never could play basketball...tall, but not the correct coordination. Whenever I did manage to make a basket, it was always my teams basket! And that’s okay...because if we would have won, they would have lost…
Posted by joe of maine on from 11/17 at 07:54 PMHere’s a very nice comment by Thomas H Naylor from article, ‘New Acadia’
Some proponents of Vermont independence would like to see it become and remain a stand-alone nation, completely independent of either the United States or Canada. Others have proposed that it join Canada or an independent Quebec. My own favorite fantasy would be for Vermont to join Maine, New Hampshire, and the four Atlantic provinces of Canada to create a new nation I would call New Acadia.
Posted by joe of maine on from 11/17 at 08:43 PM
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