Fair questions and thank you for asking. My rubric is "Does this imply I should hate my neighbor?" That's my read on what I assume is a divide-and-conquer strategy employed by the Establishment against us poors, to keep us fighting over retarded bullshit instead of focusing our efforts against them in the technocracy. What I think you're wrong about is taking part in this divisive strategy, abetting the cause of (one faction of) the elites versus the rest of us. You're siding with the "NPR tells me I am virtuous" side of the division. You should seek the MAGA element, and try to understand that..
Ok, thanks for the clarification. A couple of responses
- I can understand that the piece you are commenting on might read as some "normie" liberal stuff. I understood that was a risk I was taking. I decided to take it b/c my assessment is that mass public action is one key tactic in an overall strategy that might rid us not only of the Trump administration, but of its priorities and policy efforts. It is simply one of many needed tactics. Any people's movement toward disestablishing American empire is going to require wine moms and book clubs and raging grannies alongside more radical groups. There's good history that shows that such alliances work, even if they feel a bit awkward.
- I'm unconvinced that being "divisive" or not is a useful heuristic. Division can clarify. It is not necessarily bad. I would instead say that we live at a moment where you have to choose, as in the old union song "Which side are you on"? I hope to be on the side of the poor, the worker, the oppressed. I guess with a piece like this, I hope to bring some others I to the fold, working against their own class interests.
- I further think that corporate Dems, who rightly deserve your scorn and mine, have generally shown themselves to be allied against the interests of working class people, Black people, other people of color, the environment, and so on. They have not been up to the task of challenging this administration, or past ones, b/c they profit from the current order. I think that the right use of a mass movement is to work to marginalize those leaders and to bring to prominence others who will work in a different direction.
- Lastly, for now, I appreciate you reading and commenting. I have a publication history of hundreds of thousands of words across books and essays. I don't believe your reactions to these past two really reflect that published history. Perhaps I'm wrong and I'm just some liberal shill, but you're the first reader who has responded with that particular charge.
OK buddy, thanks for the thoughtful response. All I can say is keep going. As William James said, "A fool who persists in his folly will become wise." You're going to have to keep trying all this stuff that you're doing and failing over and over and over again so that you can see for yourself that your way of thinking is retarded, and then figure out how to change course. I'm not going to be able to persuade you to take any shortcuts. You should just know that there are people out there who know all this stuff way better than you, and have for much longer than you, and accordingly have jumped ahead many levels and begun to take action from that advanced position. You'll thank us later. We'll be here when you are ready to level up. It will probly involve an existential crisis on your side when your whole world view falls apart but don't worry we'll be here with the hugs.
Do you have advice for those who want to get bussed into protests and paid by NGOs and political parties/action committees for these rent-a-crowd astroturf events? People need to be compensated for their time. Also, a map to drop points for mass pre-printed protest signs and other activist swag for the peaceful types, as well as where to find convenient pallets of bricks dropped off for the antifa types, would be helpful.
Glad you have paused to reconsider your position....
Greg what does it take for you to admit you're on the wrong side of a lot of this?
I'm unclear what "this" is in your question.
I'm also unclear what you think I'm wrong about, and how my thinking and/or communication is incorrect.
Fair questions and thank you for asking. My rubric is "Does this imply I should hate my neighbor?" That's my read on what I assume is a divide-and-conquer strategy employed by the Establishment against us poors, to keep us fighting over retarded bullshit instead of focusing our efforts against them in the technocracy. What I think you're wrong about is taking part in this divisive strategy, abetting the cause of (one faction of) the elites versus the rest of us. You're siding with the "NPR tells me I am virtuous" side of the division. You should seek the MAGA element, and try to understand that..
.
Ok, thanks for the clarification. A couple of responses
- I can understand that the piece you are commenting on might read as some "normie" liberal stuff. I understood that was a risk I was taking. I decided to take it b/c my assessment is that mass public action is one key tactic in an overall strategy that might rid us not only of the Trump administration, but of its priorities and policy efforts. It is simply one of many needed tactics. Any people's movement toward disestablishing American empire is going to require wine moms and book clubs and raging grannies alongside more radical groups. There's good history that shows that such alliances work, even if they feel a bit awkward.
- I'm unconvinced that being "divisive" or not is a useful heuristic. Division can clarify. It is not necessarily bad. I would instead say that we live at a moment where you have to choose, as in the old union song "Which side are you on"? I hope to be on the side of the poor, the worker, the oppressed. I guess with a piece like this, I hope to bring some others I to the fold, working against their own class interests.
- I further think that corporate Dems, who rightly deserve your scorn and mine, have generally shown themselves to be allied against the interests of working class people, Black people, other people of color, the environment, and so on. They have not been up to the task of challenging this administration, or past ones, b/c they profit from the current order. I think that the right use of a mass movement is to work to marginalize those leaders and to bring to prominence others who will work in a different direction.
- Lastly, for now, I appreciate you reading and commenting. I have a publication history of hundreds of thousands of words across books and essays. I don't believe your reactions to these past two really reflect that published history. Perhaps I'm wrong and I'm just some liberal shill, but you're the first reader who has responded with that particular charge.
Peace
OK buddy, thanks for the thoughtful response. All I can say is keep going. As William James said, "A fool who persists in his folly will become wise." You're going to have to keep trying all this stuff that you're doing and failing over and over and over again so that you can see for yourself that your way of thinking is retarded, and then figure out how to change course. I'm not going to be able to persuade you to take any shortcuts. You should just know that there are people out there who know all this stuff way better than you, and have for much longer than you, and accordingly have jumped ahead many levels and begun to take action from that advanced position. You'll thank us later. We'll be here when you are ready to level up. It will probly involve an existential crisis on your side when your whole world view falls apart but don't worry we'll be here with the hugs.
Forgive me for failing to recognize your brilliance. It was shrouded by your words.
Do you have advice for those who want to get bussed into protests and paid by NGOs and political parties/action committees for these rent-a-crowd astroturf events? People need to be compensated for their time. Also, a map to drop points for mass pre-printed protest signs and other activist swag for the peaceful types, as well as where to find convenient pallets of bricks dropped off for the antifa types, would be helpful.