Sep 26 2007

Hieronymous Bush

Hieronymus Bush:

With the theme being psychedelia in all it’s glorious forms I was reminded of one of my favorite artists who really wrote the book on psychedelic visions.  Hieronymus Bosch 1450-1516 created the piece to the right which I then bastardized in the fine tradition of other masters.

My favorite professor told me a story about a young artist that wanted to become a great artist.  He went to a master painter and asked him for a sketch.  The master painter agreed and handed over a study for an existing painting.  The young artist went to his studio and erased each one of the master’s lines.  Then, as if to say no no no, crossed out each of the erased lines of the master with his own lines in black charcoal.

full size image

The lesson?  Well there are several but the most direct one is sometimes to become a big dog you have to attack a big dog. 

I noticed this on DailyKOS, one day I decided to go after a top poster on there, not because I disagreed with her but because I had an important issue that needed a spark. The disagreement on KOS got a lot of attention and people were directed to the issue as a result.  I explained in an email and was forgiven.

Lesson 2 – this is a more esoteric lesson, unlearning your own knowledge is one thing, unlearning someone else’s is a whole new ball of wax.  Picasso told school children that he spent his entire life learning to draw like they do.  Much of being able to learn new things is being able to let go of old things, past experiences, works, etc.  Imagine being able to let go of a Picasso or Rembrandt in this same manner, and then putting your own marks on that page.

I see the netroots in the light of Lesson 2.  No one gave us permission to do what we are doing.  We took a look at what was out there and said no no no.  We erased the talking heads and put up our own marks instead.  But that was most likely the easy part because now the spotlight is on and everyone is a critic.  Will we be wallflowers or strong proud animals?

 

Sep 26 2007

Why Should a Black Woman Support the Party?

(This essay asks some good questions, and not just about the I/P issue. Promoted at 11:47 EST by Nightprowlkitty. srkp’s just bumbling around! – promoted by srkp23)

Ban me after this if you feel the need, but in truth, this really isn’t about this site. It is, in the end, about my support of the Democratic party.

I/P is banned. Why? Because the subject offends sensitivities. It is the suppression of a legitimate concern, a humanitarian issue. Why? Because some do not wish for the nation causing the suffering to receive the blame it deserves. Because some find the ‘toxicity’ more offensive than human suffering. Though Dkos did not ban I/P, Dkos banned many Palestinian advocates though they had done no wrong. Same difference.

Now, I don’t know for sure the demographics of this site, but it’s a safe bet that the demographics are majority White. Same as Dkos.

I’m not White. So, perhaps it is my race that effects my position. Or maybe it was the Democrats’ response to New Orleans that crystallized it for me. Or it could have been the Democrats’ silence on Jena 6. Then again, it could be the Democrats’ platform that brought me to this question. Why should a Black woman support the Democratic party?

I came to this site not only because of mattes, but because I believed the Zen had a vision. (“Dictator” I can not do.)  I was impressed by the Zen during the impeachment wars on Dkos. The  abuse, the lies, the smears he endured all because he supported another’s call to do the right thing. Justice. Freedom of expression. This impressed me.

I didn’t post much about my thoughts on impeachment. In my opinion, it’s not going to happen. Not just because of the votes, but there is a lack of will in our representatives. But I’ll be damn if I stand by and watch a man get flayed for having the nerve to demand impeachment, to demand justice. Who dares to have objections? Who dares to demand that one shouldn’t freely express himself? Why would I ever want such people on my side, watching my back, standing next to me in ANY fight?  If one’s values can be flipped so easily to suit an end, then that person becomes a liability to any Just Cause. This is where I’m coming from…

Two uncles lost everything in New Orleans, stranded on the roof of their homes. One has given up returning. The other can think of nothing else. And I read of Jefferson(D)who used the National Guard to pick up his shit while women were raped in hell-holes made into a spectacle by the media. How many children were snatched by predators during this time? I read a story of a little girl who grabbed the hand of a stranger. She’d gotten seperated from her family. This girl lucked up. I watched a Democrat governor who prefered to kiss Bush’s ass than help her own people. I swallowed bitterness on realizing that Democrats would allow Joe Lieberman to sweep away investigations into this tragedy with barely a protest. HRC graces Black churches and the NAACP and yet uses none of her power to bear pressure for justice for of the young men of Jena. Only after threat of votes did she utter words.

I know the worth of Palestinians to the Democratic party. I read what Democrats think:

The Middle East. The Democratic Party is fundamentally committed to the security of our ally Israel
and the creation of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace between Israel and her neighbors. Our
special relationship with Israel is based on the unshakable foundation of shared values and a mutual
commitment to democracy, and we will ensure that under all circumstances, Israel retains the qualitative
edge for its national security and its right to self-defense. Jerusalem is the capital of Israel and should
remain an undivided city accessible to people of all faiths.

Under a Democratic Administration, the United States will demonstrate the kind of resolve to end
the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that President Clinton showed. We will work to transform the Palestinian
Authority by promoting new and responsible leadership, committed to fighting terror and promoting
democracy. We support the creation of a democratic Palestinian state dedicated to living in peace and
security side by side with the Jewish State of Israel. The creation of a Palestinian state should resolve
the issue of Palestinian refugees by allowing them to settle there, rather than in Israel. Furthermore, all
understand that it is unrealistic to expect that the outcome of final status negotiations will be a full and
complete return to the armistice lines of 1949. And we understand that all final status negotiations must
be mutually agreed.

This platform decides for Palestinians what is Just. This platform never acknowledges what Palestinians have had stolen. This platform gives away lands belonging to Palestinians without Palestinians’ consent. Democrats ignore the abuses, the crimes, the humanitarian crisis. Democrats say nothing about Israel’s threats to cut off electricity to all of Gaza. People hear ‘cut the electricity’ and think it’s similar to a power outage where the only harm is no TV and no computer to blog. They don’t think about the hospitals. They don’t think about the water.

So, I ask myself, “If Democrats are willing to sell out their values – compassion, acknowledgement and justice – when the matter involves Palestinians, what would they do to me, to Blacks (or any minority) if it became politically expedient to do so? Then again, I may already have the answer to that.

The denial of Palestinians’ humanity is within the Democratic party. The denial results in with the banning of I/P diaries. The denial results is the suppression of Palestinian advocates.

I’m told the reason for this suppression of expression, the suppression of humanitarian issues, is due to “toxicity” arising from I/P diaries.  At what point did liberals back away from justice and compassion because of ‘toxicity’ and sensitivities. Is there anyone here who remembers how Blacks were “advised” to speak softly else they may offend? It’s the same g-damn shit. Offend who? And who the f’ck cares??  What the hell is the worth of ‘toxicity’ or ‘offense’ next to justice and compassion?

And this is the party on which I’m suppose to depend? Are you actually trying to convince a Black woman that suppression of expression is the right thing to do, the best thing to do? That ignoring crimes and abuses is the best thing?  All because somebody gets their feelings hurt?  It’s funny.  9/11 conspiracies are allowed but not actual events, humanitarian cries (not a typo).

No other people today, nowhere, are treated as Palestinians are by my own party.

But you want some suggestions on how to conduct I/P? How ’bout these for a start:

1. If I call someone a Zionist troll or an AIPAC tool, then ban my Black ass. No appeals. I can bitch about it at PFF. No loss to you. BUT, the same punishment must be enforced against those who charge me as an apologist for terrorism, a basher of Jews. No appeals.

2. Select people to debate this issue. Not admins. Members of this community and dkos’. I’ve got a few names: Heathlander, Christopher Day, MickT for Palestinian advocates. For Israeli advocates: blueness, anotherAmerican, NPK (If I understand correctly, she isn’t an admin). And let THEM set the tone and the topics. No interference on the selection of topics from admins. This list is a starter which can be increased over time – on both sides.

3. Make it a rule to back up assertions when asked.

4. Agree on acceptable sources. Start small, work your way to increasing the list.

5. Respond to what you actually see, not what you think you see.

6. Recognize that legitimate arguments are legitimate arguments.

Just a start…

Freedom of expression is important to Black woman. Justice is important to a Black woman. Acknowledgment of a wrong is important to Black woman.  These inconsistencies are troubling. And it is disturbing to see them repeated here and other Left blogs. Where does a liberal fit into a party that denies the humanity of a people? That can not bear to even discuss it?

It is forbidden to speak of one people – Palestinians. For a Black woman, it is enough. That is one people too many…

I believe I found the appropriate word I was looking for: Cynicism.

Update: Well Hell. Thanks!!

Sep 26 2007

Best anti-Creationist argument ever

If they keep handing out tracts like this, I imagine Creationism will be dead in a matter of months.

There Go the Dinosaurs

Cracked my shit up!

Sep 26 2007

Who Are Progressives, and How Do We Come Together?

I’ve been drawn over here by buhdy’s diary at Daily Kos introducing the Manifesto Project, which is a laudable and long-overdue project.  I look forward to participating in that effort.  But who will the Manifesto address?

The conservative movement, which has been dominant in American politics for almost three decades, is dying before our eyes.  This will create a vacuum in our politics which will be filled, but with what?  Recycled, rancid corporatism from the usual suspects?  Nativist racism and fundamentalist hatred?  Progressivism is the only visible, sane alternative to become the next dominant philosophy of American politics, but we’ll have to be ready or else lose the chance.

So I have another question to raise along similar lines beside the Manifesto Project:  How do we build a progressive movement?  We in the Netroots are but one part of the progressive movement.  Who are the others?  How do we come together to build a coherent, strong, mature movement to inherit politics in the post-Bush era?  Come below the fold if you’re interested in exploring further.

Traditional Democratic constituencies are the most obvious groups to include in a progressive movement.  African Americans and Latinos, single women (and to a slightly lesser extent married women), the elderly and blue-collar workers are the heart of the residual New Deal coalition.  Republicans have made inroads in these groups to greater or lesser extents, so we have to win them back with the power of our ideas and values.

Organized labor is a potent ingredient in a progressive movement.  Labor leaders have their own agendas, but building the middle class, universal health care, labor rights and workplace safety, and retirement security form a foundation on which we can build a strong alliance.  We saw James Hoffa make overtures to the Netroots in Chicago in August; we need to reciprocate.

Public interest groups in Washington and state capitals form a ready-made lobbying infrastructure for progressives.  Organizations like the ACLU, Common Cause, Public Citizen, or CREW already exist and have lawyers, experts, connections with politicians and networks of donors already created.  They tend to observe their own institutional imperatives, so stovepiping of efforts and territorial instincts must be overcome to bring them into a larger progressive effort.  But they have many of the skills and connections we need to help our movement mature.

Elected officials cannot be overlooked.  Not all Democrats are spineless cowards or sell-outs.  Many fine progressive heroes are already in Congress, governorships and state houses.  Many share most if not all of our views.  They need to be nurtured, encouraged and supported.  Above all, they need to be multiplied.  But we must help them realize that they will be more successful as part of a larger movement than as individual actors in the Democratic party.  Strength in numbers is an almost foreign concept in the “herding cats” party.  This needs to change, and we have to make that change happen.

Lastly, Republicans should be recruited wherever possible.  Groups like “sportsmen” (hunters and fishermen) share many of our environmental views, and can be attracted by health care and economic appeals.  Christian voters have to be spoken to in the language of Jesus, not that of Dobson.  Small business owners can be invited in with appeals to their interests with universal health care, trade and tax policy.

In order to create a strong, mature progressive movement we will need to identify all its components, identify the strengths of each, chart common ground and resolve differences, and learn how to use our strengths in coordinated ways to become powerful.  The future of our country depends on the success of these efforts.

Your thoughts?

Sep 26 2007

Gore Wins Another Award, Seeks Regular Environmental Summits