'Fahrenheit 9/11' Due
On DVD Oct. 5
Gary Susman, Entertainment Weekly
Just as he promised, Michael Moore will get ''Fahrenheit 9/11'' into video stores well in time for Election Day. Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment announced Monday that it will release ''Fahrenheit'' on DVD on Oct. 5, just 102 days after its theatrical release but nearly a month before the Nov. 2 election.
The disc, which will retail for a suggested $28.95, will contain such extras as deleted footage (including sequences involving homeland security and Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison), a featurette documenting the controversy leading up to "Fahrenheit's" release, footage of the movie's gold-star mom Lila Lipscomb at the film's Washington premiere, a featurette about Arab-American comedians in the aftermath of 9/11, and footage from the 9/11 commission hearings this past spring, including the testimony of national security adviser Condoleezza Rice and a press conference held by President Bush after his closed-door testimony. Of course, with the film's video debut coming less than four months after its theatrical opening, it may still be playing in a few theaters. At this writing, according to Box Office Mojo, it's still on 716 screens and has earned $115 million to date in America.
Copyright 2004 Entertainment Weekly
Internet muse.
Daring, bold, never sold.
My daily weblog of politics, humor, philosophy...and a constant and nagging reminder of the existence of universal love....
Saturday, August 21, 2004
The Tank: Republican National Convention Blog
The Tank:
Republican National Convention Blog
Information on activities during the Republican National Convention at the Tank, 432 West 42nd St, and around New York City.
A summary of the latest blogposts from RNC bloggers.
Organizations in NYC
Counter GOP Concention events.
The UnConvention.
Imagine Festival
Drinking Liberally.
Republican National Convention Blog
Information on activities during the Republican National Convention at the Tank, 432 West 42nd St, and around New York City.
A summary of the latest blogposts from RNC bloggers.
Organizations in NYC
Counter GOP Concention events.
The UnConvention.
Imagine Festival
Drinking Liberally.
Beauty rises from dust
Beauty rises from dust
How can beauty arise from bitterly distressed circumstances, as in Afghanistan?
Perhaps only through art.
AP photo
This week, I was invited into another's world by seeing the film 'Osama'. By chance, I happened to find this N.Y. Times article by John Rockwell about the messages we receive of beauty delivered to us through the arts.
I'm also reading a cultural history book I recently picked up at the Plimoth Plantation about leisure and recreation during the Puritan colonial times in New England.
Finding this article..and then realizing that the article weaved both topics in such a way that leads me to believe that, from a personal standpoint, there are meaningful coincidences which lead us to change the world. Our eyes and ears are naturally attracted to the beautiful, and more than a distraction, beauty can be a healing and transforming force.
A repressive, judgmental streak in Western culture, from Plato to the Inquisition to the Puritans to hard-core Marxists to the political correctness of today, remains stubbornly suspicious of beauty. Moralists fear that beautiful church music can distract from the worship of God, that beautiful painting can hide cruel social realities, that beautiful films can sugarcoat contemporary cruelty.
I thought of the recent Afghan film "Osama" (and all the remarkable Iranian films to which it is so clearly indebted). A girl disguises herself as a boy named Osama to support her female family in the harsh years of the Taliban. (All the men have been killed fighting.) Eventually she is exposed, and her punishment, dispatch into sexual slavery to a lecherous imam with a harem, is harsh and cruel; there is no happy ending. The film shows a human and physical landscape stripped of nearly all human warmth or natural richness. And yet nearly every shot is colored and framed and imagined to be breathtakingly beautiful.
Is the beauty of "Osama" a delusion? Does it serve as a mere lure to get us to confront horrors we might otherwise avoid? Or is there no inherent contradiction between beauty and the full range of human experience?
How can beauty arise from bitterly distressed circumstances, as in Afghanistan?
Perhaps only through art.
AP photo
This week, I was invited into another's world by seeing the film 'Osama'. By chance, I happened to find this N.Y. Times article by John Rockwell about the messages we receive of beauty delivered to us through the arts.
I'm also reading a cultural history book I recently picked up at the Plimoth Plantation about leisure and recreation during the Puritan colonial times in New England.
Finding this article..and then realizing that the article weaved both topics in such a way that leads me to believe that, from a personal standpoint, there are meaningful coincidences which lead us to change the world. Our eyes and ears are naturally attracted to the beautiful, and more than a distraction, beauty can be a healing and transforming force.
A repressive, judgmental streak in Western culture, from Plato to the Inquisition to the Puritans to hard-core Marxists to the political correctness of today, remains stubbornly suspicious of beauty. Moralists fear that beautiful church music can distract from the worship of God, that beautiful painting can hide cruel social realities, that beautiful films can sugarcoat contemporary cruelty.
I thought of the recent Afghan film "Osama" (and all the remarkable Iranian films to which it is so clearly indebted). A girl disguises herself as a boy named Osama to support her female family in the harsh years of the Taliban. (All the men have been killed fighting.) Eventually she is exposed, and her punishment, dispatch into sexual slavery to a lecherous imam with a harem, is harsh and cruel; there is no happy ending. The film shows a human and physical landscape stripped of nearly all human warmth or natural richness. And yet nearly every shot is colored and framed and imagined to be breathtakingly beautiful.
Is the beauty of "Osama" a delusion? Does it serve as a mere lure to get us to confront horrors we might otherwise avoid? Or is there no inherent contradiction between beauty and the full range of human experience?
Stooping to indignity with George
Stooping to indignity with George
Seen out in the blogosphere:
"To go to a Bush rally today, I'd have to tell lies that I support the man, and I'm not going to stoop to that indignity just to see a president. This used to be a free country. I miss it. I hope we can get back to that America after November."
Seen out in the blogosphere:
"To go to a Bush rally today, I'd have to tell lies that I support the man, and I'm not going to stoop to that indignity just to see a president. This used to be a free country. I miss it. I hope we can get back to that America after November."
Washington Post Slams Swift Boat Vets
Washington Post Slams Swift Boat Vets
Green and gangly trumps the Old Liars' Club.
"For Kerry, then a green and gangly Navy lieutenant........"
Here's a good question:
Will 'green and gangly' trump
'yellow-belly'?
Green and gangly trumps the Old Liars' Club.
"For Kerry, then a green and gangly Navy lieutenant........"
Here's a good question:
Will 'green and gangly' trump
'yellow-belly'?
Friday, August 20, 2004
The Grampy Patrol
The Grampy Patrol
I had great fun reading about Juice's Walt Mart adventure at Tales from the Liberry.
Thanks to Juice, I was blissfully led to the Horribly True Tales of the Drunken Trucker .
A prehistoric blog. *wink*
I had great fun reading about Juice's Walt Mart adventure at Tales from the Liberry.
Thanks to Juice, I was blissfully led to the Horribly True Tales of the Drunken Trucker .
"They warn me that I can't distribute thisHave you seen the Most Mentally Ill Job Resume?
resume in Tempe".
A prehistoric blog. *wink*
Kerry and the Iraq Votes
Kerry and the Iraq Votes
Can Kerry Just Be Himself?
By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor Berkeley Daily Planet
This isn't going to be easy.
In a post-9/11 world, Mr. Allen-Taylor states that progressives (ie: Robert Scheer) should not look to the election of 2004 as a reprisal of 1968.
The U.S. military presence in Iraq that is exacerbating the problems we face in the Middle East. Most Americans now believe that we never should have invaded. They also believe that a precipitous U.S. withdrawal would make things worse. These are legitimate yet opposing views.
John Kerry became the Democratic Party nominee precisely because he fudged his positions on Iraqi withdrawal, straddling the great American divide (yes, we shouldn't have gone in, but how we should leave is a matter yet to be determined). Turning from that course in either direction would now tip the balance and lose Kerry one wing of the Democratic Party or the other, dumping all of us into the abyss.
The only way the nation will have a chance – within the next four years – of pulling itself out of this Middle East mess, is to let Kerry BE Kerry. If Bush wins, we go in deeper, without a doubt. If Mr. Kerry wins, we may not.
Mr. Allen-Taylor makes the observation that it's not the best of choices. But it's the best choice we're going to get.
Allen-Taylor's article sounds like what we've come to know as "Anyone But Bush".
Is that a negative thing? I don't think so.
Is it a "Bush-hate" thing? Sure, I think it is.
We all know what hating Bush means.
Why deny it?
Many people believe he's the worst president this country has ever had.
If you love your country, why on earth wouldn't you hate a person who you firmly believed was destroying it?
What do you think?
Can Kerry Just Be Himself?
By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor Berkeley Daily Planet
This isn't going to be easy.
In a post-9/11 world, Mr. Allen-Taylor states that progressives (ie: Robert Scheer) should not look to the election of 2004 as a reprisal of 1968.
The U.S. military presence in Iraq that is exacerbating the problems we face in the Middle East. Most Americans now believe that we never should have invaded. They also believe that a precipitous U.S. withdrawal would make things worse. These are legitimate yet opposing views.
John Kerry became the Democratic Party nominee precisely because he fudged his positions on Iraqi withdrawal, straddling the great American divide (yes, we shouldn't have gone in, but how we should leave is a matter yet to be determined). Turning from that course in either direction would now tip the balance and lose Kerry one wing of the Democratic Party or the other, dumping all of us into the abyss.
The only way the nation will have a chance – within the next four years – of pulling itself out of this Middle East mess, is to let Kerry BE Kerry. If Bush wins, we go in deeper, without a doubt. If Mr. Kerry wins, we may not.
Mr. Allen-Taylor makes the observation that it's not the best of choices. But it's the best choice we're going to get.
If you love your country, why on earth wouldn't you hate a person who you firmly believed was destroying it?
Allen-Taylor's article sounds like what we've come to know as "Anyone But Bush".
Is that a negative thing? I don't think so.
Is it a "Bush-hate" thing? Sure, I think it is.
We all know what hating Bush means.
Why deny it?
Many people believe he's the worst president this country has ever had.
If you love your country, why on earth wouldn't you hate a person who you firmly believed was destroying it?
What do you think?
Iraqi soccer players angered by Bush campaign ads
Iraqi soccer players angered by Bush campaign ads
Sports Illustrated
Recently, Daniel Pearl's family asked Cheney and the entire Bush administration to immediately stop using Daniel's name for their political campaign.
Now, members of Iraq's olympic soccer team are angrily saying that they have been made unwilling participants in a new political campaign ad for Bush.
Sports Illustrated
Recently, Daniel Pearl's family asked Cheney and the entire Bush administration to immediately stop using Daniel's name for their political campaign.
Now, members of Iraq's olympic soccer team are angrily saying that they have been made unwilling participants in a new political campaign ad for Bush.
What Went Wrong in Iraq
What Went Wrong in Iraq
ForeignAffairs.org
Larry Diamond is Co-editor of the Journal of Democracy and Senior Fellow at Stanford University's Hoover Institution. From January to April 2004, he served as a Senior Adviser to the Coalition Provisional Authority in Baghdad.
In summary, Mr. Diamond has written an article about the consequences of early U.S. blunders in the occupation of Iraq. The Bush administration was never willing to commit the resources necessary to secure the country and did not make the most of the resources it had. U.S. officials did get a number of things right, but they never understood-or even listened to-the country they were seeking to rebuild. As a result, the democratic future of Iraq now hangs in the balance.
ForeignAffairs.org
Larry Diamond is Co-editor of the Journal of Democracy and Senior Fellow at Stanford University's Hoover Institution. From January to April 2004, he served as a Senior Adviser to the Coalition Provisional Authority in Baghdad.
In summary, Mr. Diamond has written an article about the consequences of early U.S. blunders in the occupation of Iraq. The Bush administration was never willing to commit the resources necessary to secure the country and did not make the most of the resources it had. U.S. officials did get a number of things right, but they never understood-or even listened to-the country they were seeking to rebuild. As a result, the democratic future of Iraq now hangs in the balance.
Anti-Kerry Swift Boat Vet Denies Vietnam War Ever Took Place
Anti-Kerry Swift Boat Vet Denies Vietnam War Ever Took Place
It must be true! I read it at Tom Burka's blog!
It must be true! I read it at Tom Burka's blog!
An Attack on Democracy
An Attack on Democracy
By Dr. Robert Abele, professor of philosophy; author of "A User's Guide to the USA PATRIOT Act", published by University Press of America, due out in November
These are very serious charges and very serious issues, including unconstitutional acts by the Bush administration and at least four particularly horrific ways in which they have circumvented democracy (well-detailed).
By Dr. Robert Abele, professor of philosophy; author of "A User's Guide to the USA PATRIOT Act", published by University Press of America, due out in November
These are very serious charges and very serious issues, including unconstitutional acts by the Bush administration and at least four particularly horrific ways in which they have circumvented democracy (well-detailed).
Slice of life from the Kerry campaign trail
Slice of life from the Kerry campaign trail
August 20, 2004
Charlotte, N.C.
--Of the 15 odd folks that appeared there, one was a woman carrying a Kerry sign, and several firemen carrying Bush signs.
"Hey you were the guys who put the fire out at my house!", the woman said, as she recognized the firemen.
"When it comes to work, politics doesn't matter", one of the firemen said, exemplifying what is best about government work.--
[LINK-Anonymoses]
August 20, 2004
Charlotte, N.C.
--Of the 15 odd folks that appeared there, one was a woman carrying a Kerry sign, and several firemen carrying Bush signs.
"Hey you were the guys who put the fire out at my house!", the woman said, as she recognized the firemen.
"When it comes to work, politics doesn't matter", one of the firemen said, exemplifying what is best about government work.--
[LINK-Anonymoses]
Feith: Military advice from a dubious character
Feith: Military advice from a dubious character
They have faith. The Bush administration destroys that faith more and more every day.
General Tommy Franks on Douglas Feith:
"I have to deal with the f*cking stupidest guy on the face of the earth almost every day."
From Bob Woodward's book "Plan of Attack"
________
Douglas Feith? You're not sure who he is, you say? I think you should get yourself acquainted with him before you even consider his take on the state of the military.
Start by reading this.
The hack that equipped the Bush administration with the PR-fodder they desired to make the unnecessary Iraq invasion politically palatable is now trying to sell you on the idea that removing a significant presence in South Korea is smart.
Douglas Feith has it ass-backwards when he says:
1. In any season, we went headlong into a unilateral action (whether or not Tony Blair killed his political career by following).
2. Political season? In any season, politics is the only priority that has driven the Bush agenda.
3. The Bush administration has already crushed our international alliances with his macho-bully (who gives a sh*t about you?) policies. What does it matter that our allies are "capable" if they don't respect us enough to deal with us in the first place?
4. Bush has already doomed a good part of our defense partnerships, and Douglas Feith himself was part of the machinery that destroyed America's stature and credibility.
Why the hell would anyone believe Douglas Feith now?
He should have been ousted from his dubious position long ago.
They have faith. The Bush administration destroys that faith more and more every day.
General Tommy Franks on Douglas Feith:
"I have to deal with the f*cking stupidest guy on the face of the earth almost every day."
From Bob Woodward's book "Plan of Attack"
________
Douglas Feith? You're not sure who he is, you say? I think you should get yourself acquainted with him before you even consider his take on the state of the military.
Start by reading this.
The hack that equipped the Bush administration with the PR-fodder they desired to make the unnecessary Iraq invasion politically palatable is now trying to sell you on the idea that removing a significant presence in South Korea is smart.
Douglas Feith has it ass-backwards when he says:
In this political season, it was inevitable that some critics would charge us with "unilateralism." But the charge gets the matter backward. The posture changes will make U.S. alliances capable and usable well into the future. The failure to make such changes could doom our defense partnerships to irrelevance.
1. In any season, we went headlong into a unilateral action (whether or not Tony Blair killed his political career by following).
2. Political season? In any season, politics is the only priority that has driven the Bush agenda.
3. The Bush administration has already crushed our international alliances with his macho-bully (who gives a sh*t about you?) policies. What does it matter that our allies are "capable" if they don't respect us enough to deal with us in the first place?
4. Bush has already doomed a good part of our defense partnerships, and Douglas Feith himself was part of the machinery that destroyed America's stature and credibility.
Why the hell would anyone believe Douglas Feith now?
He should have been ousted from his dubious position long ago.
Mahdi Army Departs Shrine
Mahdi Army Departs Shrine
It appears that the Mahdi army has departed the Imam Ali shrine in Najaf. I'm relieved there was no bloodbath there in that holy place. The Mahdi militia has not laid down its arms to date. Juan Cole states that what the US military has done to Najaf in the past two weeks while fighting the militiamen has already deeply hurt the reputation of America in southern Iraq and indeed in much of the Muslim world.
It appears that the Mahdi army has departed the Imam Ali shrine in Najaf. I'm relieved there was no bloodbath there in that holy place. The Mahdi militia has not laid down its arms to date. Juan Cole states that what the US military has done to Najaf in the past two weeks while fighting the militiamen has already deeply hurt the reputation of America in southern Iraq and indeed in much of the Muslim world.
Kerry stands proudly by his wartime record
Kerry stands proudly by his wartime record
I'm so glad that Senator Kerry has stood up for his wartime service record proudly and boldly.
Open Secrets website here.
What these swift boat defamers are doing is putting a blue-dress-style stain on the proud and glorious sheen of of serving our country during wartime.
Be all that you can be----only to have your bravery and effort diminished and smeared by irresponsible lies while you watch the Armed Forces' commander in chief smirk.
Go get 'em, John.
I'm so glad that Senator Kerry has stood up for his wartime service record proudly and boldly.
Open Secrets website here.
What these swift boat defamers are doing is putting a blue-dress-style stain on the proud and glorious sheen of of serving our country during wartime.
Be all that you can be----only to have your bravery and effort diminished and smeared by irresponsible lies while you watch the Armed Forces' commander in chief smirk.
Go get 'em, John.
Thursday, August 19, 2004
Zell Miller keynote speaker at GOP Convention
Zell Miller keynote speaker at GOP Convention
He's no Democrat!
The same Zell Miller who was chief of staff for the unrepentant racist Lester Maddox will be the keynote speaker at the GOP convention.
Yes, Zell Miller was right-hand man to Lester Maddox who, in 1964, smashed in the roof of a black minister's car. Maddox also publically pushed defiance of federal civil rights legislation calling for desegregation of restaurants and other public places--he pushed his racist agenda so strongly that he passed out axe handles to white customers at his eatery to prevent its integration. Later in the year, Zell Miller's boss Maddox closed the Pickrick establishment rather than be forced to serve African Americans.
Yes, my friends. Lester's ex-chief of staff Zell Miller says that today's democrats are too liberal--and maybe he thinks they should be like his old buddy. The same old buddy, Lester, who picked up a pistol and chased black protesters from the Pickrick fried chicken restaurant the day after the Civil Rights Act was signed into law.
Was that the kind of Democrat for whom Zell waxes nostalgic and for whom he has the true respect?
This lone little traitor, Zell Miller, will be staring down the rolling thunder of the unified Democratic party when he delivers the keynote speech.
How pathetic for the RNC.
The Democratic convention convinced an ex-president's (a Republican's) son to come and speak about an issue that will benefit mankind--steam cell research.
The Republicans get a man who was connected with an era of ugly violence against the black race and whose poor character would lead him to be a political traitor to his party because his fellow party members (including the North Carolianian who has been chosen to be the VP Dem candidate) did not choose to be part of his washed-up conservative Dixiecrat circle.
Hey, GOP--we saw Bush snub the NAACP this year. Your popularity poll numbers with African Americans have never been lower. You disenfranchised more black voters in 2000 than Lester Maddox bopped in the head with his axe handle in '64.
The smell of voter suppression coming out of Florida is getting stronger.
A great moment in liberalism was Lyndon Johnson signing the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
GOP, keep going backward--you can have Zell!
He's no Democrat!
The same Zell Miller who was chief of staff for the unrepentant racist Lester Maddox will be the keynote speaker at the GOP convention.
Yes, Zell Miller was right-hand man to Lester Maddox who, in 1964, smashed in the roof of a black minister's car. Maddox also publically pushed defiance of federal civil rights legislation calling for desegregation of restaurants and other public places--he pushed his racist agenda so strongly that he passed out axe handles to white customers at his eatery to prevent its integration. Later in the year, Zell Miller's boss Maddox closed the Pickrick establishment rather than be forced to serve African Americans.
Yes, my friends. Lester's ex-chief of staff Zell Miller says that today's democrats are too liberal--and maybe he thinks they should be like his old buddy. The same old buddy, Lester, who picked up a pistol and chased black protesters from the Pickrick fried chicken restaurant the day after the Civil Rights Act was signed into law.
Was that the kind of Democrat for whom Zell waxes nostalgic and for whom he has the true respect?
This lone little traitor, Zell Miller, will be staring down the rolling thunder of the unified Democratic party when he delivers the keynote speech.
How pathetic for the RNC.
The Democratic convention convinced an ex-president's (a Republican's) son to come and speak about an issue that will benefit mankind--steam cell research.
The Republicans get a man who was connected with an era of ugly violence against the black race and whose poor character would lead him to be a political traitor to his party because his fellow party members (including the North Carolianian who has been chosen to be the VP Dem candidate) did not choose to be part of his washed-up conservative Dixiecrat circle.
Hey, GOP--we saw Bush snub the NAACP this year. Your popularity poll numbers with African Americans have never been lower. You disenfranchised more black voters in 2000 than Lester Maddox bopped in the head with his axe handle in '64.
The smell of voter suppression coming out of Florida is getting stronger.
A great moment in liberalism was Lyndon Johnson signing the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
GOP, keep going backward--you can have Zell!
Nick Cohen has lost the left
Nick Cohen lost the left
If he took a rational view of modern political science, he might see where it went
Part One- He blames commies and a film.
Nick Cohen begins his diabtribe against the left titled "Where Have All the Children of the Left Gone?" by blaming a movie. Why such emphasis on a piece of entertainment? I think you have to ask yourself that question because it colors much of his complaint.
Cohen imagines the millions of people who viewed 'Fahrenheit 9/11' as those who would see Iraqis as "comrades". I really think that's pushing the envelope....no...ripping the envelope.
Most of the people who viewed the movie had no strong political or ideological motivation whatsoever. I would say the major force driving them to the theater was sheer curiosity.
Just wait for the book.
Curiosity will also lead people to read Michael Moore's upcoming book of letters from Iraq war soldiers.
After 9/11, we're told that we're leaving cold war thinking behind....but are we? When will our ideas catch up with our bombs?
Cohen writes as if Marxism was still a major threat to modern societies. The Cold War ended some time ago and I think we've all seen political progress and mutation borne by the mere passing of time.
The problem with the hard right is that they cling to old ideas, therefore thay cannot imagine how the left may have evolved. Perhaps that is why they are called conservative...and perhaps that is why many of them have to be careful about what they choose to conserve. Antiquated thought is seldom a healthy thing to be clinging onto. History can be used to make a better future rather than used as a tool for division. The world has changed drastically over time and the fact that 9/11 occurred and we were shocked and unprepared was proof-positive that many of us simply didn't "get it".
So, I ask you---when will we get it? We aren't going to win any wars against terror in a divided global state.
Right/left? How utterly simplistic.
I believe Mr Cohen is far too simplistic in his analysis. If we examine the world through the eyes of a political scientist, we would see that it's full of myriad systems and movements that are vying with each other for power.
We need imagination (as the 9/11 Commission pointed out to America). We need to see fewer of our differences and more of our common decency.
Our world troubles shouldn't be posed in the tired frames of right-world vs. left-world any longer. If we use our intelligent imagination, we would see how American-style corporate capitalism and statist liberalism can work successfully together to beat terror. (The folly of Iraq exposed a gigantic crack between the two, however, and we need to mend those fences with intelligent leadership).
When are we going to learn?
This incessant mistrust and teeth-baring at the left is going to kill us--and I mean that literally.
We need to be decent and civil world vs. indecent and uncivil world.
It isn't complicated and it doesn't take a genius to understand.
To his credit, I think George W. Bush believes this in its black-and-white terms, but has never had a clue how to make it a political reality.
He's a beautiful fool who should never have been allowed to run powerfully amok. I believe he was ill-advised by those he trusted.
I do not believe he was ever a capable leader.
If Cohen can't see the left anymore, he may need to take that log out of his own eyeball and put down that old crutch of left/right division (which should have died along with the cold war).
The right has shifted backward surely as the left has progressed
If we must talk in terms of left and right (bored sigh), let's state what is real and what is true.
In reality, what was once the "left" (and is still "the left" to Cohen's rather antiquated way of thinking) is now being replaced by what we know as the radical right. Think of the NeoConservative movement and the totalitarian-leaning activities by the Ashcroft Justice department and you may begin to understand what I mean.
The Bush effect
The Bush administration has contributed to this political upheaval and unrest in our world. They've practically ruined Tony Blair by his association with them.
Until the Iraq war, I'd wager most of the world saw Blair as a rational, intelligent, and decent leader.
He got into bed with a fool--albeit a beautiful fool.
The road to hell is paved with the best of intentions.
Cohen says honorable traditions have been forgotten by 'the left'. I think Cohen needs to sift through the cobwebs in his mind and think anew. All good people desire honorable and decent goals. There are good people on the old left and on the right and in all ideological spaces in between.
If we don't seek the common angels of our better nature, the civil world will go to hell.
If he took a rational view of modern political science, he might see where it went
Part One- He blames commies and a film.
Nick Cohen begins his diabtribe against the left titled "Where Have All the Children of the Left Gone?" by blaming a movie. Why such emphasis on a piece of entertainment? I think you have to ask yourself that question because it colors much of his complaint.
Cohen imagines the millions of people who viewed 'Fahrenheit 9/11' as those who would see Iraqis as "comrades". I really think that's pushing the envelope....no...ripping the envelope.
Most of the people who viewed the movie had no strong political or ideological motivation whatsoever. I would say the major force driving them to the theater was sheer curiosity.
Just wait for the book.
Curiosity will also lead people to read Michael Moore's upcoming book of letters from Iraq war soldiers.
After 9/11, we're told that we're leaving cold war thinking behind....but are we? When will our ideas catch up with our bombs?
Cohen writes as if Marxism was still a major threat to modern societies. The Cold War ended some time ago and I think we've all seen political progress and mutation borne by the mere passing of time.
The problem with the hard right is that they cling to old ideas, therefore thay cannot imagine how the left may have evolved. Perhaps that is why they are called conservative...and perhaps that is why many of them have to be careful about what they choose to conserve. Antiquated thought is seldom a healthy thing to be clinging onto. History can be used to make a better future rather than used as a tool for division. The world has changed drastically over time and the fact that 9/11 occurred and we were shocked and unprepared was proof-positive that many of us simply didn't "get it".
So, I ask you---when will we get it? We aren't going to win any wars against terror in a divided global state.
Our world troubles shouldn't be posed in the tired frames of right-world vs. left-world any longer.
Right/left? How utterly simplistic.
I believe Mr Cohen is far too simplistic in his analysis. If we examine the world through the eyes of a political scientist, we would see that it's full of myriad systems and movements that are vying with each other for power.
We need imagination (as the 9/11 Commission pointed out to America). We need to see fewer of our differences and more of our common decency.
Our world troubles shouldn't be posed in the tired frames of right-world vs. left-world any longer. If we use our intelligent imagination, we would see how American-style corporate capitalism and statist liberalism can work successfully together to beat terror. (The folly of Iraq exposed a gigantic crack between the two, however, and we need to mend those fences with intelligent leadership).
When are we going to learn?
This incessant mistrust and teeth-baring at the left is going to kill us--and I mean that literally.
We need to be decent and civil world vs. indecent and uncivil world.
It isn't complicated and it doesn't take a genius to understand.
To his credit, I think George W. Bush believes this in its black-and-white terms, but has never had a clue how to make it a political reality.
He's a beautiful fool who should never have been allowed to run powerfully amok. I believe he was ill-advised by those he trusted.
I do not believe he was ever a capable leader.
If Cohen can't see the left anymore, he may need to take that log out of his own eyeball and put down that old crutch of left/right division (which should have died along with the cold war).
The right has shifted backward surely as the left has progressed
If we must talk in terms of left and right (bored sigh), let's state what is real and what is true.
In reality, what was once the "left" (and is still "the left" to Cohen's rather antiquated way of thinking) is now being replaced by what we know as the radical right. Think of the NeoConservative movement and the totalitarian-leaning activities by the Ashcroft Justice department and you may begin to understand what I mean.
The Bush effect
The Bush administration has contributed to this political upheaval and unrest in our world. They've practically ruined Tony Blair by his association with them.
Until the Iraq war, I'd wager most of the world saw Blair as a rational, intelligent, and decent leader.
He got into bed with a fool--albeit a beautiful fool.
The road to hell is paved with the best of intentions.
Cohen says honorable traditions have been forgotten by 'the left'. I think Cohen needs to sift through the cobwebs in his mind and think anew. All good people desire honorable and decent goals. There are good people on the old left and on the right and in all ideological spaces in between.
If we don't seek the common angels of our better nature, the civil world will go to hell.
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