http://www.swans.com/
November 20, 2006 -- In this issue:
Note from the Editor: For those of us who've not been in combat, the
actualities on the ground are incomprehensible; conveniently kept that
way by the censorship of photos and news stories that would expose the
horrors, not progress, in the misadventure in Mesopotamia. Yet
occasionally one encounters a voice that resonates to the core, and you
can begin to imagine the sheer depravity experienced by the troops on the
front lines, whether in the cities of Iraq or the jungles of Vietnam. One
such voice belongs to a neighbor, Bruce Patterson, whose columns we've
followed for many years in the Anderson Valley Advertiser but whom we
only met last week. He is a talented, powerful, and sensitive writer --
whether on war, politics, or weed-whacking -- and his debut article, "The
Grind," will make you recoil at the thought of Donald Rumsfeld's quip,
"you go to war with the army you have..."
Many who oppose war hope and/or believe that the Democratic victory sent
a mandate to Washington; we're not holding our breath. To put it another
way, see Jan Baughman's second cartoon on "Revolutionaries for
Democrats." It's not voting party line that will make change, it's voting
on issues (case in point, Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island, the lone
Republican who voted against the war on Iraq, was voted right out of
power; while Bernie Sanders, a pro-war Socialist, was voted in). What we
need is a change of paradigm, and we are publishing a call for practical
input on defining the issues on which we should focus our efforts. For
example, we cannot affect change when neither Democrats nor Republicans
will admit that we do not want to exit Iraq; we have built permanent
bases there, as Philip Greenspan explains. Robert Wrubel saw the
elections as more of an "intervention" than a mandate against
Republicans, yet George Beres thinks that Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld
impeachments are the natural next step. In the final analysis (for the
time being) Charles Marowitz eloquently sums all of this up -- it is
neither elections nor politicians that will improve society; rather, it
is a changed consciousness in the populace.
One good start might be reconnecting with nature. Martin Murie's
satirical play captures just how far from the natural world the corporate
material one has sucked us when a few inner-peace seekers find themselves
alone in an Old Growth forest. First-time contributor Troy Headrick -- an
American expat in Turkey -- shares his culture shock upon returning to
the land of the sacred Car. One invention America can be proud of is the
Blues -- Peter Byrne reviews a book and a film about Chess Records and
the birth of the music genre in 1950s Chicago. Finally, Guido Monte's
colorful experimental poetry; our editor's blips with more about Bruce
Patterson, some inspirational words by another Boonville neighbor, Alice
Walker, and some patterns related to our non-negotiable way of life,
venture philanthropy and hunger, redefined. We close with your letters on
genocidalism, fascism, Zionism, criticism -- the usual mix.
As always, please form your OWN opinion, and let your friends (and foes)
know about Swans.
*****
http://www.swans.com/library/art12/brucep01.html
The Grind - Bruce Patterson
http://www.swans.com/library/art12/jeb165.html
Viva La Revolución - Cartoon by Jan Baughman
http://www.swans.com/library/art12/ga219.html
It's The Issues, Stupid! A Call for Practical Input - Gilles d'Aymery
http://www.swans.com/library/art12/pgreen99.html
Consequences Of A Domestic And A Foreign Election - Philip Greenspan
http://www.swans.com/library/art12/wrubel11.html
Election 2006: Turning Point Or Charade? - Robert Wrubel
http://www.swans.com/library/art12/gberes16.html
Terrorism? Impeach The Bums - George Beres
http://www.swans.com/library/art12/cmarow60.html
"Lives Of Quiet Desperation" - Charles Marowitz
http://www.swans.com/library/art12/murie14.html
Inner Essence - Short Play by Martin Murie
http://www.swans.com/library/art12/troyh01.html
No Longer Looking For Good Hands - Troy Headrick
http://www.swans.com/library/art12/pbyrne21.html
The Birth Of The Blues - Book & Film Review by Peter Byrne
http://www.swans.com/library/art12/gmonte08.html
Two Poems - by Guido Monte
http://www.swans.com/library/art12/desk044.html
Blips #44 - From the Martian desk - Gilles d'Aymery
http://www.swans.com/library/art12/letter104.html
Your Letters
#####
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--
Swans
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