http://www.swans.com/ October 4, 2004 -- In this issue:
Note from the Editor: Handicapping the horse race in Punditland...Bush frowned, he looked confused, even angry at times; Kerry looked relaxed and presidential...great one-liners, "I'll hunt down and kill the terrorists wherever they are," "it's one thing to be certain, but you can be certain and be wrong," "I have a plan," (Kerry), "OBL doesn't get to decide," "we are winning in Iraq," "we've climbed the mighty mountain," "People out there listening know what I believe, and that's how best it is to keep the peace," (Bush). Is this the extent to which we're going to be treated till November 2? Keep It Simple Stupid? This is not just Dumbocracy, it's fast becoming a Childocracy, back to mummy's womb... What's next, fetusocracy, lobotomocracy?
Real issues may not be covered in 90 minutes but it sure would have been salutary to hear the candidates address, say, 10 percent of the questions Guy Burneko dissects in his far-ranging essay, from re-examining 9/11 in light of history, to pondering the unipolarity of our system of thoughts as well as government -- the single vision-single goal duality of our governing elites. But, then, as Louis Proyect makes obvious, you can't expect much change from a crowd that is not worth a dime of difference. If Proyect does not convince you and you need more data regarding the remarkable continuity and collusion of the bicephalous uni-party system, take a look at the Martian blips (you'll also get a short backgrounder on the Darfur "crisis," as well as additional tidbits).
Actually, the entire content of this edition has to do with items that are not even debated in Punditland -- forget the campaign trail. Phil Rockstroh makes the connection between our navel gazing consumerism and the rise of fundamentalist beliefs -- another bipartisan trend -- and Richard Macintosh shows the "danger of believing your own s***," with the help of several historical references. Michael Doliner reinforces the theme by analyzing the free-market ideology -- another set of beliefs with Milton Friedman as its Grand Priest. Garc�a takes a look at the world and the USA from out there in space and what he finds seems eerily close to what the Bush/Kerry team is fostering; not a pretty report.
Since rating the president and his contender is so important (we are told), to choose the next great US leader, Philip Greenspan went through an intriguing exercise in which he dug into the rating of former presidents. Lincoln practically always comes out on top of the various lists. Why's that? And was Lincoln such a great president? You'll be surprised by what he unearthed. As to the coming elections, if the Hawaiian case study that Milo Clark and his wife are observing from very close is generalized around the U.S., soon enough (a few election cycles?), we won't even have to bother going to the polls, or to even vote...
Ah yes, both Bush and Kerry mentioned Israel and her security, but not a word about Palestine and her security... Yet, the current and deadly incursion in Gaza by the IDF should exemplify once again that those in need of being defended are first and foremost the Palestinians. Where in the world is a 20+- foot concrete wall called a fence or a barrier? Where in the world are people being dispossessed, stolen, beaten, humiliated, poco a poco cleansed, all in the name of an ideology? How long will the famed International Community and the Humanitarian Brigades keep their heads buried in the sand? Justice and Palestine -- is it really an oxymoron? People, speak out, raise your voice! Finally, Gerard Donnelly Smith offers another poem and John Steppling has his usual say on our last issue (among a few other letters to the editor). As always, please form your OWN opinion, and let your friends (and foes) know about Swans.
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Here are the links to all the pieces:
http://www.swans.com/library/art10/guyb001.html Collapse - by Guy Burneko
http://www.swans.com/library/art10/lproy18.html Jeffrey St. Clair & Alexander Cockburn: "Dime's Worth of Difference" - Book Review by Louis Proyect
http://www.swans.com/library/art10/procks35.html The War in Iraq -- The Consumer's Crusade - by Phil Rockstroh
http://www.swans.com/library/art10/rmac29.html Singin' The Blues With Vichy On My Mind - by Richard Macintosh
http://www.swans.com/library/art10/ga183.html Justice and Palestine: "An Oxymoron?" - by Gilles d'Aymery
http://www.swans.com/library/art10/mgc138.html A Day As Observer - by Milo Clark
http://www.swans.com/library/art10/pgreen51.html Transforming Reality Into Mythology - by Philip Greenspan
http://www.swans.com/library/art10/mdolin04.html Free Trade Ideology And The Constitution - by Michael Doliner
http://www.swans.com/library/art10/mgarci23.html Report From An Outpost - by Manuel Garc�a, Jr.
http://www.swans.com/library/art10/gsmith27.html The Cult Protection Act - by Gerard Donnelly Smith
http://www.swans.com/library/art10/desk003.html Blips #3 - by Gilles d'Aymery
http://www.swans.com/library/art10/letter51.html - Letters to the Editor
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