http://www.swans.com/
July 18, 2005 -- In this issue:
Note from the Editor: It takes more and more effort these days to
decipher the real news from the spin. Though Mr. Bush recently
admitted his proclivity (not the word *he* used) to say things
repeatedly to catapult his propaganda, he certainly didn't invent the
practice that he has perfected. Case in point, the recent anniversary of
the Srebrenica "massacre," invoking the repetition of the mythic
casualty figures that have been catapulted into reality and are
continually used to demonize the Serbs. We'll likely be ostracized for
daring to poke holes in the conventional narrative.
Among other myths being bandied about is the White House's
rundown of the G-8 Summit (whitehouse.gov/g8/). "The leaders took
significant steps to make the world better and safer and improve
human life, in contrast to the terrorists who seek to destroy it."
*Slightly* different perspectives on the G-8's noble accomplishments -
- as well as those of the Live 8 lovefests -- are presented by
Raymond Garcia and Joe Davison.
Sadly, that safer world the Empire has created was rocked by
London's July 7 suicide attacks, and a dramatic increase in the
intensity of bombings in the last throes of Iraq. Tim Keane reflects
somberly on his memories of Tavistock Square, while Deck Deckert's
no-holds barred voice returns to Swans, asking "What if terrorism in
Iraq were treated the same way as terrorism in London?" One can
only hope to live to see the day; in actuality, any similarity in treatment
would only occur if the U.S. declared war on the U.K., not if the U.S.
started doing body counts in Iraq. As Michael Brooks explains in his
must-read article, Iraq is merely the latest chapter in the sordid history
of the imperial "corporatocracy" known as America, as she seeks new
labor markets and resources to exploit. Just who comprises that cast
of empire-building characters is outlined by Philip Greenspan. Milo
Clark has his own (short) take on the "people of the lie," and Gerard
Donnelly Smith considers the 1798 Sedition Laws, the USA Patriot
Act, and the limitation of journalistic freedom to protect those people
and their lies.
Finally, Charles Marowitz shares his appreciation of British verse
drama playwright Christopher Fry, who died last week at the age of
97; and our editor adds his take on most of the above and, of course,
the *real* news behind the *Rovegate* spin...
As always, please form your *OWN* opinion, and let your friends
(and foes) know about Swans.
*****
Here are the links to the articles:
http://www.swans.com/library/art11/ga195.html
Srebrenica, Mon Amour: An Ostracized Narrative
- Gilles d'Aymery
http://www.swans.com/library/art11/rgarci01.html
Live 8, Gleneagles, And The Fight Against African Poverty
- Raymond Garcia
http://www.swans.com/library/art11/joedav12.html
Reflections On The G-8
- Joe Davison
http://www.swans.com/library/art11/tkeane02.html
Heading Home To Tavistock Square
- Tim Keane
http://www.swans.com/library/art11/rdeck049.html
What if?
- Deck Deckert
http://www.swans.com/library/art11/brooks01.html
Imperial Revolutions
- Michael Brooks
http://www.swans.com/library/art11/pgreen69.html
An Iconoclast's View How It All Works
- Philip Greenspan
http://www.swans.com/library/art11/gsmith52.html
The Insurgent Word: Sedition
- Gerard Donnelly Smith
http://www.swans.com/library/art11/mgc162.html
People Of The Lie
- Milo Clark
http://www.swans.com/library/art11/cmarow23.html
An Appreciation Of Christopher Fry: 1907-2005
- Charles Marowitz
http://www.swans.com/library/art11/desk023.html
Blips #23
- From the Editor's desk
#####
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