AMERICA'S PATHETIC LIBERALS

Printed on Friday, December 20, 2002 ( print.php?sid=942print.php?sid=942)

By John Chuckman
YellowTimes.org Columnist (Canada)

(YellowTimes.org) – You might think from the way the progressive press laments Al Gore's decision not to run for President again that there had been a genuine loss to liberalism in America.

But that's not quite the way I see it. Although few candidates ever came better groomed for high office than Mr. Gore, it is his performance in the 2000 presidential election that must be lamented.

Yes, he won the popular vote - teaching a new generation of Americans that being elected is no guarantee of winning under the arcane and anti-democratic provisions of America's 18th century Constitution. But with an opponent like George Bush, Mr. Gore should have won that vote by a large enough margin to make the entire business of Florida and the Supreme Court irrelevant. He should have, as they used to say, "mopped the floor with" an opponent as inarticulate, unimaginative, and with such a questionable background as Mr. Bush. But he didn't.

I remember, once or twice, hearing some tough words from Mr. Gore and thinking perhaps he had found his voice, only to be quickly disillusioned over the next day or two. Well, what could you expect from someone who chose to open his campaign by speaking about family values?

My God, we'd had an earful of that tired, insincere, and exploitative theme from Republicans over the previous couple of decades. You might say Mr. Clinton's impeachment was the family values impeachment, spearheaded, as it was, by a Republican leader who was sleeping with a staff member and a gross, pompous old phony who used to go nightclubbing with someone else's wife.

I know some will say the impeachment was about honesty, but, please, where is there recorded a single honest word from Gingrich, Hyde, Thurmond, Helms, Armey, DeLay, or Gramm?

Of course, apart from being the phony family values impeachment, it was an embarrassing demonstration of incompetence. All that massive effort and expense without so much as having taken a head count on the likelihood of success?

Mr. Gore's ineffectual campaign never touched this claptrap and hypocrisy. He was afraid to do so, even though he had a record as one of the straightest arrows in Washington. He simply ignored a massive, steaming heap of garbage that had been left on America's front lawn in Washington. Yet, he managed to blame Mr. Clinton for his loss.

It is with no regret whatever that I wave goodbye to Mr. Gore, not that I believe there is another at-all-likely candidate of any real merit waiting for his or her chance. (Note: I include her despite knowing that over vast stretches of America this is as grievous an error as denying the self-evident truth that all women should wear frilly aprons and bake cookies, a la Tipper. She won't be missed either. Is there not something hopeless in that ridiculous nickname for a middle-aged person?)

Now we have Mr. Lott's remarks about Strom Thurmond. Suddenly, there is a deluge of articles and comments about how terrible his words were, about how Republicans are in bed with racists. Well, Mr. Lott has a very long record, and Mr. Thurmond has an even longer one. The greatest disgrace concerning these men is that a large body of Americans has voted repeatedly over decades to keep them in high office. Perhaps, most ridiculous of all, American liberals seem to forget that Mr. Thurmond started as a Southern Democrat.

In the 1930s, Eleanor Roosevelt prodded the great Franklin to speak against the horrible lynchings of black people in the South, but the President felt that politics would not permit this. Southern Democrats were a key part of his political coalition, and Southern Democrats were segregationists, and far worse in a number of cases. So Franklin kept quiet on lynching, and, in some southern states, lynchings continued to be occasions for family picnics. I can't resist pointing out the historic family values connection here.

The evolution of the contemporary "southern strategy" in American presidential elections is based on little more than the fact that the same people who used to be Southern Democrats (the Republican party having become anathema in the south for more than a century after Mr. Lincoln's "evil" Civil War) switched to being Republicans after the Civil Rights movement and Mr. Johnson's "evil" voting rights legislation of the 1960s. Such is the slow path of progress.

Poor Trent forgot himself and will now likely pay the price. Neanderthal Republican hacks like columnist Jeff Jacoby already have the kettle to the boil for rendering Lott's hide, a fact which should alert us that some deeper political reason lies behind these rare Republican chest thumping displays over principles of decency. Again, I will wave goodbye with not a twinge of regret, although sure in the knowledge that no better person waits to take his place. I can't help feeling scorn over American liberals' satisfaction at Lott's pathetic statement - pathetic, that is, when weighed in a balance against a lifetime's work in the cause of backwardness and stupidity.

Of course, thanks in part to Mr. Gore, we now have a President for whom competence is not even an issue. He is the first Disney World-diorama President, capable only of looking as though his plastic coated, mechanical jaw actually makes the sounds coming from his computer chips. He has earned a place in history though, having demonstrated that the presidency itself is now a Constitutional institution of questionable relevance. The druid-priests to imperial plutocracy who scurry around the White House keeping his servomotors running and downloading new sound bites onto his chips - the creatures actually now running America - could do just as well or badly if the Bush display were packed up and stored away in the Smithsonian's basement.

Perhaps most pathetic is American liberals' constant looking to the Democratic Party as savior. Many progressive sites on the Internet display counters with the number of days remaining in Bush's term. "Excuse me!" as many Americans annoyingly say when making a rude point, but are we talking about the same Democratic Party that has not said a word about mistreatment of prisoners, torture, and murder since 9/11?

Mr. Clinton's foreign policy, while lacking the Appalachian-throwback character of Mr. Bush's, was often belligerent, often badly conceived, and largely reflected the same set of interests. Dare I also mention Mr. Johnson launching into what was to become the holocaust of Vietnam? Or the charming Mr. Kennedy trying repeatedly to assassinate Mr. Castro, beginning the flow of troops to Vietnam, creating the corps of professional thugs called the Green Berets, and nearly engulfing the world in nuclear war? Or Mr. Truman's dangerous fiasco in Korea? The same jingoistic, imperialist impulse remains dominant.

But I suppose there is relief in longing for a friendlier face like Mr. Clinton's. That way you can feel a whole lot better about what is going on. And it still will go on, no matter whether Bush remains or not.

From the world's point of view, there is actually some painful merit in Bush's holding office. I believe already, without the President's crowd fully realizing what they've done, forces have been set in motion for historic realignments in international affairs. Bush's Texas-barbecue-and-lethal-injection crowd is driving all civilized nations on the planet to reconsider aspects of their relationship with the United States, something that likely will have profound consequences over the next few decades.

John Chuckman encourages your comments: jchuckman@YellowTimes.org

YellowTimes.org is an international news and opinion publication. YellowTimes.org encourages its material to be reproduced, reprinted, or broadcast provided that any such reproduction identifies the original source, http://www.YellowTimes.org. Internet web links to http://www.YellowTimes.org are appreciated.

Neo-Liberalism is promoted by Democrats and Republicans. George Bush Jr. and Sr. are both advocates of neo-liberalism. Every head of state in the capitalist nations support neo-liberal economic polices.

a little more than a month from now....

issue already created

BA: "It's a great time to be a Republican. Think about joining the winning team."

'Don't be shtupid, be a shmarty,
Come and join the Nazi Party"

- "The Producers" (1968) by Mel Brooks.

"Engaging in an obsessive campaign of domestic spying, assassinating American citizens,
provoking baseless wars and furiously unraveling civil protections and rights that we hold dear,
"George W. Bush's ersatz presidency is working hard to transform the United States from a law-abiding republic into a postmodern blend of late Soviet totalitarianism and Gold Rush-era company town...Years after Bush is gone, we'll be paying off the debts he ran up and the lawsuits brought by those whose rights he violated."
-- Ted Rall

I would add, if we still have a functioning judiciary, as opposed to the rubber stamp body that put this clown into power.

Bush Admirer posts to the site are in the hundreds.

He abuses the Indymedia Project’s community open publishing by pistol whipping anybody that’s not a “right wing whacko”. His actions are designed to disrupt or divert the flow of information by making B. A. the center of attention.

In open publishing jargon he is know as a TROLL!

perhaps indymedia needs an ignore user feature.

but that would require logging in, which would create accounts that could be used against activists when files are seized by govt.

I use the Cap. Peachfuzz rule with our resident robot parrots, but I’m certain most readers do. When a fool statement occurs without any possibility of support, or is so
idiotic like quoting something on Fox or that
silly twit Ann Coultare( and I hope I misspelled it ), we know some money
is changing hands as this dedicated lunacy
continues. We know why they are here. But I wonder why the resources are spent unless
there is a perceived threat to the policy of
information containment now used to validate the current system..
It could be a round up of dissenters by IP
tracking (You mean that you don’t believe that all of us are ALREADY on a Subversive Watch List?)
Sorry, I’m being seasonal.
Whew. Talk about dreaming at the wheel as
the cops go by.

i dont see why someone would be concerned about the government knowing who the activists are who write on indymedia $$ if theres any box thats being tapped by the government its indymedias and others who tout such propaghanda $$ they know every person whos written on here, they know who i am $$ they take pictures at demonstrations and know who every person is there, where they live, where they work, all those things $$ youre either brave enough to speak your mind regardless of the consequences or youre worthless $$ people fighting for a cause who are afraid to die for that cause, or believe they have done their part already, or who sit idly in their home and pretend to be an organizer or a writer or a great thinker and think they take an active part because of that are just bodies taking up space

$

The article by Mr. Chuckman seems to show little regard with either major potical party. He in fact seems to have few good things to say about the about the Constitutional process in this country. Unfortunately he is long on criticism and short on ideas.

The article laments the electoral college in the electoral process as anti democratic however, it could be said that democracy is not only about one person one vote but balancing the needs and concerns of groups of individuals. We in this country are divided into 50 states. Each state has different needs concerns and population densities. The Electoral College ensures that any one demagogic group does not have undue influence in the selection of the President. Presidential campaigns are not one national election but 50 individual elections taking place simutaniousley.

Mr. Chuckman also lambastes Al Gore for his inability to “Mop the floor” with the former Governor of Texas and launches in to a predictable diatribe of George Bush’s Intellect. While everyone is making fun of him about being a C and B Student at university they need to remember that the university was Yale not some run of the mill State school. He also takes cositrable aim at both Party’s beliefs and motives in a bitter tatribe.

What is missing is any form of constructive solution, advice or ideas. His premise seems to be I hate them all and that is all. One thing he needs to keep in mind is that I it is revolution he wants he needs to offer the working class something better than what they have now. For there will be no revolution with out them. Mr. Chuckman for his part has nothing to offer them other than worn out rhetoric

Some solutions are better for the majority than others. But there are always solutions. The real question is who implements the solution for whom. Dissecting the real problems are a good start thus we inform through debate and arrive at perhaps new viewpoints or ideas. First you do the diagnosis then you plan a treatment. At least you do if you want the patient to survive.
Activism doesn’t start with a bang but with a growl of anger at the
injustice. My perceptions only (cause what else is there?) and others may have arrived where they are at for different reasons.
Some times a turn can be caused by not being in fear of speaking
up at the right time with information.
Not doing even this is lethal folly.
The world WILL change in a direction we either influence or don’t and the time is long past to be in fear with what is coming, now is the time to link up and survive. Forget the ‘leaders’, that’s death.
There are many tactics still available for the ones who care. We just
need to find the ones which work.

Sheepdog I read your submission four times to make sure I understood your point. Unfortunately I don’t think you have one. You say some solutions are better for the majority than others, well then it is the majority that determines the direction we go within Constitutional limits. We must always recognize the rights of all people.

You ask implements the solution for whom? We have a process for that, it is a political process and you are free to participate in it. You must have more than incoherent rambling if you wish to have anyone take you seriously It is your right to criticize all you wish. You would have more credibility if you had more than just complaints. An idea would be nice. I said this of Mr.Chuckman and I restate it about you. You are long on criticism and short on ideas.

Mr. Traveler:
First of all my solutions are not always right for others. Mine consist of first not being afraid to speak out. Or criticize when I may not have an answer that immediately solves a problem. I don’t have all the answers and I know this. The idea is to achieve resonance with
people who haven’t thought about alternatives to the media programming and propaganda. It’s surprising what a few questions or comments will bring up at a group. Sometimes it’s very gratifying. It’s always slow to try and push against the barrage of lies and forgotten truth but it does produce results in orientation about the situation we all share.
On a direct action front I Insinuate myself at my kids school during
forums that give me a chance to address issues such as channel one and bilingual education issues.
I put up posters in the dead of night at high pedestrian traffic areas
and hang signs at freeway overpasses. I place flyers in laundry mats and on bulletin boards. I try to get on public access TV and
comment when ever possible and go to any city counsel meetings
I can, to speak up about homelessness and infrastructure repair.
Generally I make myself a pest. That’s just me.
I’m certain others have ideas to wake up the people better than mine. I just do what I can.
I do know that following someone else has never been a solution
as the ways of compromising the people at the top of an organization are legion.
I start with my neighbors and work outwards. My main theme is
helping and watching each other. Picking up trash on my street
for instance allows me to get to meet the people who I would want
to come to my assistance in times of challenge. I Always strive to
counter the isolation and defeatism that is the highest wall that
separates us.

Mr. Sheepdog
I appreciate your acknowledgement that you do not have all the answers I like to think of myself like the Greek philosopher Diogenes of Sinope searching with my lantern for an honest person. That is one of my reasons for even coming to this site. I have no problems with asking the questions; all to often all I see is a torrent of criticize the system with no effort to present an alternative that can survive the light of the lamp. Thare are problems and I in my own way am trying to address them from inside the system because I believe that the system does work. If more people would participate in the process then their views would be better heard if you do not participate in the process then they have no need to be concerned about you.

The fact of the mater is that for me a conservative Republican you checking out of the system are beneficial to my party. However it is not the idea that the country was founded on. All voices can and do count. Just assuming that all your contribution boils down to is asking questions at the PTA (A noble thing to do keep that up) and hanging posters in the dead of night (questionable but if you enjoy it…) you are selling your self short.

Mr. Traveler:
I did try the overt route and found myself out of job with health care and a pension. All done illegally but the facility I worked at
didn’t allow any recording devises. That and the fact that most people didn’t want to follow my example in a shoulder to shoulder front, allowed the overlords to put me out like day old fish dispite the high quality labor I provided.
So I became self employed in a service occupation.
You don’t go very far working within the ‘system’ that’s for sure
because if you engage in questions or disagreements you become a target. You know this. The system sure does work; to protect itself not you.
And stealth provides many advantages.

If you aren't a good weasel or suck up, it
doesn't matter how good a job you do or how much money you make or save for them. They always have the admirers
or the simple ones to fall back on while the hatchet comes down. The company that got rid of me only lasted another year before they 'rightsized' to 5% of their former workforce. So much
for hiding under your desk. Something to think about when the
entity you give your time and energy to no longer requires the
burden of weight you represent and you are in the way of someone's bonus.

Mr. Sheepdog
I a sorry for the set backs you have experienced. I do not know the circumstances that you were under, and that you now find your self in. One thing that I do know is that regardless of the circumstance there is not another country that will provide you the opportunities that you find here. I hope this does not come across as condescending but I have also faced setbacks and have had to start over. You only lose when you lose hope.

Mr B.A.
It is not always necessary to poke a stick in someone’s eye. In political discourse there are many tools you can use some of which are Persuasion, humor, personal example, Satire, and insult. One who has class knows to use the later sparingly and the first four liberally

Thank you Mr. Traveler.
I’m doing well working for myself and I appreciate your good wishes. Giving up is not an option for me because of my kids.
It’s for them that I feel so strongly about working for a world that will allow them to use their wits and character to better the life and the world they‘ve inherited. I teach them that the world may not be fair but our family will always try to be. Now I work for a
wide variety of folk and no one person can put me in the unemployment line except myself. And my business is growing
through honest endeavor that brings good to the world.
I’m no longer commuting or having to deal with incompetent
‘superiors’. Life is getting brighter all the time as I do my real
job ( kids ) and my serious hobby, this and related activitys.