March 2008
Drum Solos
Gene Krupa, Lionel Hampton, & Chico Hamilton.
The Punditry of the Times
A great, albeit short, analysis of New York Times op-ed absurdity.
366 Songs: February EP
Now that March is winding to an end, I’m putting out my best of February EP from 366 Songs. I’ve remastered the songs, which makes this a good chance for you to catch up if you haven’t heard any of them yet.
Does Liberalism Have a Usable Past?
Something of a “part two” to the earlier piece on the Short History of American Liberalism. Eric over at the Edge of the American West has written a really brilliant post that outlines not only liberalism’s best accomplishments, but also its failures, and suggests what may be “usable” from its legacy (as the title suggests).
In 1918, Van Wyck Brooks challenged his readers to see American history as non-Americans see it. “Go to England and you will discover that in English eyes ‘American [history]’ has become, while quite as complete an entity as it is with us, an altogether different one.” I can say from personal experience it is true today. In England the history of the United States is the Revolution, the Crisis of Slavery, the New Deal, and the Civil Rights movement—the fulfillment, over time, of the liberal promises written in 1776, made good at last even to a people once considered chattels. And a nation of pasty young white people like it. Because it is a story of collective action in the name of justice, of triumph over obstacles, of right making might. A history of liberalism.
And it is a history that inspires young white people in America today, people young and unprepared to hedge and qualify. This generation unmarred as yet by such disappointments as accrued to the youth of the 1960s, is a generation prepared to believe and make use of that story, a generation who think it offers them hope.
It seems to me that liberalism’s biggest problem is that it concentrates too much on formal equality, on relying upon institutions to secure the “empty space” in which people have the ability to work out their conflicts in a non-violent way, rather than actual equality. There seems to be two underlying problems to this approach: (1) as Zizek argues, this empty space is never truly “empty,” it is always stained by some form of enjoyment, such as nationalism or consumerism; (2) and as Schmitt argues, these institutions are moreover depoliticizing in that they attempt to conceal the fundamental political antagonism within society.
I wonder, then, if there is some way to salvage liberalisms’ attitude of “collective action in the name of justice” and its sympathetic focus on those who are “Excluded” towards an “ethics of the Real” that does not attempt to gloss over either the ‘stain of enjoyment’ or political antagonism. Perhaps some kind of politics of aletheia, of unconcealment, in which pre-symbolic structures of society undergo a process of disclosure.
“Dooooddddddd!”
Chris Dodd unleashes his fury, demanding that the Democratic presidential race come to an end! I, for one, agree with him.
Is This The Big One?
The question asked by The Nation. I’m not so sure it is and neither are they, but Jeff Faux does a pretty great job of recapping all of the major issues at stake for people interested in the economic situation.
Ricky Gervais Blogs
I’ve been reading the new Ricky Gervais blogs quite frequently. One is on his new film This Side of the Truth, and the second is on Karl Pilkington (see our linked list.)
As you would expect they’re hilarious so far, but I have to ask, what’s going on with his web design? Does he make it himself?
Actually it’s by a company called Plumplard, which seems to be capable of vector art and DVD packaging… why not throw in a redesign for Ricky?
On Empirical Science
In fact, the investigation has been the no doubt crude, but fundamental element in the constitution of the empirical sciences; it has been the juridico-political matrix of this experimental knowledge, which, as we know, was very rapidly released at the end of the Middle Ages… The great empirical knowledge that covered the things of the world and transcribed them into the ordering of an indefinite discourse that observes, describes and establishes the ‘facts’ (at a time when the western world was beginning the economic and political conquest of this same world) had its operating model no doubt in the Inquisition — that immense invention that our recent mildness has placed in the dark recesses of our memory.
Skiing with TSA
The worst government agency in the world, TSA (Thousands Standing Around, ‘Take your Shoes off, Asshole,’ etc., etc.), may be bringing its new skiing-based theme to an airport near you. Be afraid, be very afraid. (Via The Consumerist.)
Short History of American Liberalism
Where did American liberalism come from? American liberalism, as we knew it in the twentieth century, developed from the wide acceptance of an observation that capitalism, while wonderfully creative, does not regulate itself satisfactorily. Neat theories notwithstanding, capitalist economies, left to themselves, quite often idle at equilibria that a substantial minority, if not a majority, of citizens find unpleasant or even unendurable.
A summary for those who are a little behind. Is American liberalism just defined by managed capitalism? Now that I think about it, (or rather, now that the Edge of the American West thinks about it for me) there might actually be something to claims from people like John Kerry and Hillary Clinton who always prefer to call themselves “Progressives” when questioned about their liberalism.
See here– Progressivism as defined by wikipedia.
According to John Halpin, senior advisor on the staff of the Center for American Progress, “Progressivism is an orientation towards politics, It’s not a long-standing ideology like liberalism, but an historically-grounded concept… that accepts the world as dynamic.” Progressives see progressivism as an attitude towards the world of politics that is broader than conservatism vs. liberalism, and as an attempt to break free from what they consider to be a false and divisive dichotomy.
Of course if the “Original Observation” from the Edge of the American West was never accepted by the conservative movement, you essentially cannot come together to agree on social progress, because you essentially disagree on the concept of social progress. The dichotomy is concrete. One reason “Hope” might have a little trouble getting started…
Taming the Beast
A decent piece by Krugman on the “economy.” He makes an important point about politicizing the issue of regulation this upcoming election, although I’m not so sure his other point about Iraq War spending benefiting the economy is all that true. I don’t have statistics either way, so I guess I’ll put it aside for now. I also liked this:
In truth, I don’t expect much from John McCain, who has both admitted not knowing much about economics and denied having ever said that.
Zing! Take that, Bill Kristol!
Errol Morris’ “Standard Operating Procedure”
A new documentary about the Abu Ghraib prison scandal. Looks really good, and you can never really go wrong with Errol Morris. (Via Mike Soron, again!)
Gap in Life Expectancy Widens Between Rich and Poor Americans
Troubling. You can view the graph here. (Via Mike Soron.)
GEO Members Authorize Two-Day Work Stoppage
On Tuesday and Wednesday here at the University of Michigan there is going to be a two-day work stoppage for all GEO-affiliated graduate student instructors. You can read the PDF of the press release here. Students are encouraged to not cross the picket line. If you support GEO and live in Ann Arbor, you should also consider signing up for a picket shift here.
Not David Lynch
I just found a video from this series on the front page of youtube. It’s not just funny, it has a lesson to teach us.
Have you been to youtube yet? It’s this great site with videos. I’m going to link to as many of these youtube videos as I can find.
Only Obama is Obama-sistible!
The Key to Reserva, you have a competitor. (Although maybe you already did in The McCain Girls. I can’t decide if that was a parody.)
The HC
Man, this video is just amazing. I wish someone would make a TV movie about Hillary scored to hipster OC-esque music. This guy is better than Wes Anderson at scoring scenes.
Whatever happened to Janet Reno? I liked Janet Reno.
Bowie’s Heroes
I realized today that it’s been about 5 years since the last Bowie album came out. That’s a long time with no new Bowie.
Also, I’d like you to note that the wind is blowing only Bowie’s hair. Is that because he has a wind machine? No, it’s because air is drawn to his face.
I’m Time to Get Absolutely John McCain!
The best political ad since Viva Obama, since the Gravel Rock ad.
Schadenfreude
Lenin’s Tomb:
The owners of the owners, the elite of the rentier capitalist class, the ultra-neoliberal wing of the ruling class, are begging for money. One minute it’s privatise this, downsize the welfare state, supersize my debt, and don’t you dare mention socialism. Now it’s gimme gimme gimme.
Hillary’s NAFTA Lie
Surprise, surprise.
The Crazy Black Preacher!
Really great post.
The basic point I extracted from Obama’s speech is simple: black resentment (including that of Jeremiah Wright) is based in reality, whereas white resentment is based in misrecognition (and even willful ignorance) of the real source of their problems. In terms of this basic rubric, I think that it’s fair to say that even the conspiracy theories of the black community point to an actual historical grievance. It is absolutely impossible to line them up as equivalent to anti-Semitic conspiracy theories, JFK assassination theories, 9/11 truthers, etc., etc., just as it is absolutely impossible to claim that black resentment toward whites is equivalent to white racism against blacks.
Graduate Employees’ Organization (GEO) Rally
Although I don’t normally post about local news, perhaps this will be changing. Today at 2:30PM (here in Ann Arbor) there is going to be a GEO rally on the campus diag. If you live in Ann Arbor, I highly suggest reading the strike platform and coming out in support of the GSIs, who are grossly underpaid by an institution hardly pressed for cash. More info about the rally can be found here and here.
If the university fails to meet the GEO’s demands, a “sit out” against the university will begin next Tuesday.
Mozart: Advanced?
After reading this, the answer seems obvious.
Proposal: Shopping Cart Stroll
Visit your local grocery store and take out a shopping cart. Make sure the wheels don’t squeak and that the stability of the cart’s turning is in order. Experience the freedom of pushing a cart around the store with no agenda, and no excess groceries to weigh you down. Do not purchase anything– you must be resolved to enjoy this as an experience, not as an errand.
Nefarious, Oppressive… Questionnaires
That battle by China to reassert control over its restive Tibetan population has now drawn in students attending schools and universities in Beijing.
They are required to provide four answers, Tibetan sources told The Times. First, they must write a reply to the question “What position does the Dalai Lama occupy in your heart?” Second, they must provide the address and place of work of their parents. Third, they must give details of their own identity card. Finally, they must guarantee not to take part in any political activities.
I’m willing to bet that if you’re a Lama supporter, you’re not going to be very likely to reveal that in a questionnaire to the government, so what exactly is the point of this exercise?
CNN: The Worst Fucking News Ever
I got this from Digg’s Obama agit-prop section (the entire website in this tepid post-Ron Paul era). It is a screenshot taken earlier today of CNN.com following Obama’s speech. To make it clear, I consider myself a mild Obama supporter. There are a number of issues I disagree with him on, but this is just completely absurd. It is time for CNN, that dastardly enemy of the people, to be ruthlessly struggled against.
Barack Obama’s Speech on Race
Let’s hope that this puts an end to the “Reverend Wright debacle,” followed by an Obama victory in Pennsylvania and lastly Hillary’s concession. Then we won’t have to ever hear about primaries for another 4 years, thank god.
(Via The Weblog.)
Cryptomundo covers “el Duende”
I’ve been waiting for their coverage, as they’re the best at these things. Obviously it’s not technically a cryptid…
Multi-Platform Raconteur Release
Just got this in the newsletter:
The Raconteurs are happy to announce that in one week’s time their second album, entitled “Consolers Of The Lonely”, will be available EVERYWHERE Tuesday, March 25th.
“Album” meaning: full length vinyl, CD and digital formats; and “everywhere” meaning: local mom and pop Indie retailers, corporate superstores, supermarkets, iTunes, Amazon, the band’s own website and any other location that could get the record up and going this quickly (some places couldn’t move this fast, so they will join in as soon as they can).
The purpose: to get the album to the fans as soon as possible and as we promised. We wanted to get this record to fans, the press, radio, etc., all at the EXACT SAME TIME so that no one has an upper hand on anyone else regarding it’s availability, reception or perception.
A very cool idea, and dare I say that this is how releases should always have been done, and hopefully will be done in the future. None of that Wal-Mart, iTunes prerelease stuff.
I have high hopes, the Conquest EP was an amazing release.
Tom Waits’ Chocolate Jesus
The man has amazing stage presence.
It’s the Economy, Stupid
Larry Elliott writing for the Guardian:
Ultimately, though, action will be taken because there will be political pressure for it. Indeed, it is somewhat surprising that there is not already rioting in the streets, given the gigantic fraud perpetrated by the financial elite at the expense of ordinary Americans.
Just another reason why America should return to the gold standard!
No Offense, but You Don’t Deserve Your Salary
Chris Colin in the SF Gate:
So what if our work ethic is better than that of the guy down the hall? Any talents, work ethic, intelligence or ambition strike me as qualities we inherited or learned along the way — or else cultivated thanks to other qualities we inherited or learned… So given the capricious and arbitrary nature of this arrangement, isn’t it capricious and arbitrary whatever rewards we get?
(Via I Cite.)
Personally, My Answer to the Link is “No”
To the Editor:
Harold Ickes, a senior adviser to Hillary Rodham Clinton, claims, “Obama’s supporters are going to support whoever is leading our ticket.”
I disagree.
If Barack Obama goes into the convention with more delegates and more of the popular vote and doesn’t come out as the nominee, you cannot expect his supporters — many of whom are first-time voters — to simply “get over” a system that does not acknowledge their vote.
Tim Rehwaldt, Kerhonkson, N.Y., March 12, 2008
Even though I think Obama’s too conservative on many issues, I agree with the sentiment of Mr. Rehwaldt, and… drumroll… will be voting for Nader if Hillary is the candidate! Take that disgusting campaign tactics. You’ll have one less left-elitist college student to push around.
Let’s face it, if I’m voting for Nader I’m basically voting for McCain. Even if I decide not to throw away my vote, this list would still be relevant if Hillary was the candidate…
- I would not be engaged with the election in any radical way.
- I like Jon McCain as a person more than Hillary.
- I don’t see a big difference between Hillary and McCain politically.
- How many elections has Jon McCain won using race baiting?
- There’s always this strategy.
The War and the Working Class
This is somewhat of an old topic of discussion, but Michael Zweig’s recent article in The Nation does an excellent job at fleshing out in detail all of the problems associated with it.
New Left vs. Psychedelic Left
Please forgive the long quote… but how else am I supposed to get you to read it?
So I wrote “An Open Letter to John Lennon” which was published in the October 27 issue of the Black Dwarf… In my letter I pompously pronounced: “Perhaps now you’ll see what it is you’re (we’re) up against. Not nasty people. Not even neurosis, or spiritual under-nourishment. What we’re confronted with is a repressive, vicious, authoritarian system.” …
To our utter amazement at the Black Dwarf, Lennon wrote back… “[I] don’t remember saying that Revolution was revolutionary - fuck Mrs Dale… You say: ‘In order to change the world we’ve got to understand what’s wrong with the world. And then - destroy it. Ruthlessly.’ You’re obviously on a destruction kick I’ll tell you what’s wrong with the world - people - so do you want to destroy them?” …
These letters were syndicated round the world and were described by Richard Neville, the editor of the hippy magazine Oz, as “a classic New Left/psychedelic left dialogue”. They summed up a tension between two tendencies in the counterculture - the hippy strand that had come to the fore in the mid-60s and embraced self-expression, spirituality and “love”, and the leftwing radicalism that was sweeping the world in 1968 and was concerned with changing structures. These weren’t necessarily exclusive positions; they were more a question of emphasis and a lot of people had a foot in both camps. But there was still a tension between them, and the “Dear John” letters epitomised that tension.
Interesting article, save the obligatory blog-age autobiography that leads up to the important parts. I’d say the argument certainly still has some relevancy
Proposal: The Tyrrany of the Fork is Over
You now have no need for cutlery. If you cannot eat it with your hands, you are no longer interested. A straw should still be acceptable, but you don’t really need it, do you?
Ugly Jacket
Has J. Crew surpassed it’s ugly pants? This is the ugliest jacket in the world.
Only $350. Snatch it up, while you still can!
White Out
K-punk has written a great analysis of the BBC’s new show, White:
Ethnicization spirits away class in favour of categories that are made to appear natural. The Far Right have profited from this, but New Labour has had its own reasons to collude with it. In addition to fitting New Labour’s intrinsic suspicion of working class cultures, ethnicizing the working class has clear strategic benefits. It obstructs the possibility of class solidarity between indigenous British workers and immigrant labour by positing the two groups as competitors for resources whilst deflecting attention from the reasons that resources are scarce in the first place.
What Eliot Spitzer Teaches Us
One of the big themes in Vonnegut’s Cat’s Cradle is his skepticism of science (and we shouldn’t forget that Vonnegut studied mechanical engineering). There is a very telling passage (it would be even more telling if I could find it) when the main character is sitting in a bar and overhears a discussion about the recent discovery of DNA, yet no one reacts to the news. No one cares, because it hasn’t altered their lives in any inexorable manner. I had always been a strong supporter of the so-called “Enlightenment,” whatever the hell that means (and after all, who wants to call themselves “unenlightened”?), and I’ve always enjoyed Vonnegut’s books, but was nonetheless skeptical of his Neo-Luddism. Yet, as is clear to me now, I could only appreciate his insight in retrospect.
Zizek on Democracy Now!
Slavoj Zizek:
This may amuse you. It’s going to—when I was asked by a academic journal to say if I were to hold the power for one day as president, what—and I would have kind of absolute power to introduce a law, what law that would have been? My immediate answer was not as some humanist suggested, since United States at least thinks they are a global empire, so let every adult in the world be allowed to vote; my advice would be the opposite one: let’s everybody in the world, except US citizens, be allowed to vote and elect the American government. I think it would have been much better for you, even, because we all outside the United States would project our desires into how you should be.
(Via I Cite.)
Media Overlook Fed Bailout in Plain View
Dean Baker, writing for The American Prospect:
Can’t the media find any economists who don’t think that handing hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars to the big banks and the incredibly rich people who own and manage them is a good idea? Apparently not, given the coverage so far to the Fed’s proposal to lend $200 billion to the banks using mortgage backed securities as collateral.
(Via A Tiny Revolution.)
Can the People Speak?
Jodi Dean:
Perhaps paradoxically division best appears under compulsion to choose when there are no grounds for choice. Clinton and Obama have similar plans, programs, voting records. What appears in the contest between them is the fact of division, just like in the past two elections, elections that nearly perfectly captured divide because there were no differences that mattered.
Saving Spitzer
After today’s revelation that Senator Eliot Spitzer, who built his career on the platform of ethics reform, is implicated in a prostitution ring, it would appear that his political career is, by and large, over. But I think one thing could ‘save’ Spitzer: convert to Christianity. He could then run as a born-again Republican, a “compassionate conservative,” if you will, to show everyone just how much the touch of Christ has changed his life. After all, you gotta sin to be saved.
On Humanity
Carl Schmitt, The Concept of the Political, p. 54:
The concept of humanity excludes the concept of the enemy, because the enemy does not cease to be a human being—and hence there is no specific differentiation in that concept. That wars are waged in the name of humanity is not a contradiction of this simple truth; quite on the contrary, it has an especially intensive political meaning. When a state fights its political enemy in the name of humanity, it is not a war for the sake of humanity, but a war wherein a particular state seeks to usurp a universal concept against its military opponent… The concept of humanity is an especially useful ideological instrument of imperialist expansion, and in its ethical-humanitarian form it is a specific vehicle of economic imperialism.
Obama: The Price of Hope
Lenin’s Tomb:
There are many differences between the Iraq and Vietnam Wars. One of the most striking differences is this: the Vietnam War compelled many Americans, especially young people, to question the nature of liberalism in general and the Democratic Party in particular, whereas the Iraq War, far from disillusioning them, has renewed their hope for both.
Medieval Carnival
Check out Bum Lee’s Medieval Carnival, which you can print and read online in a PDF. He’s always an interesting poet, and this project seems especially interesting.
Man in the Arena
Remember it’s time for a man in the arena. So by use of extremely complicated deduction… not a “woman” and not a “boy”. It’s both sexist and racist without being explicitly either. Hurrah.
Proposal: Lighter Pockets
Refuse to accept small denominations of currency. Reject them as inconsequential. Start with pennies, work your way up.
Let me know if you attempt this.
Bush, Colombia & Narco-Politics
For all of the MSM’s criticism of Chávez’s government as being hypothetically violent, it’s strange how little we hear about the actual violence perpetrated by the right-wing Colombian government, which is unsurprisingly backed by the Bush administration. At the very least, it’ll be interested to see how the row over FARC will play itself out in the coming weeks.
(Via A Tiny Revolution.)
German Abstract Expressionism Consumes Folk Hero Max Larkin
Max Larkin is a twenty year old folk musician whose first and latest album, The Relations, is premiering this year. He has granted the Howler the distinguished honor of an exclusive interview in preparation for its release. His MySpace page, which includes a number of tracks from the album, can be found here. If you’re interested in obtaining a copy of the album, you can contact Max through MySpace or shoot him an e-mail at maxlarkintunes@gmail.com.
Read more on German Abstract Expressionism Consumes Folk Hero Max Larkin…
Ecology: A New Opium for the Masses
Article versions of this Zizek lecture were released on Lacan.com about a month ago (with a bit of a kerfluffle over at I cite), but for those interested in the video lectures (aka lazy bastards), the Lacan.com blog just posted them today, broken down into a four part series. They come highly recommended. The other amazing part is that Zizek admits (at 1:00m in Video II) that they’re working on “The Pervert’s Guide to Ideology.” Needless to say, I’m really excited about it.
Hillary and Font Choice
Wonkette has some great (and perhaps Advanced) remarks about Hillary’s new attack ad:
Now this is a peculiar strategy for the Clinton campaign. They seem to be eschewing their central Obama attacks — his kindergarten record, horrific plagiarism, being a Negro — for a criticism of his foreign policy judgment, and they’re using “solid evidence” from his Senate career to support it. Isn’t that mean and unfair of Hillary Clinton?
You can view the ad for yourself here. It’s still pretty reprehensible, but what political attack ad isn’t? Nevertheless, a lot has been written about Obama’s excellent taste in fonts, but one thing that stuck out for me was that this new ad uses a fairly popular Web 2.0 font called Interstate, and it doesn’t look half bad. How this will play it for the crucial “typographer” swing vote, nobody really knows.
On Micturition
It is as though primal man had the habit, when he came in contact with fire, of satisfying an infantile desire connected with it, by putting it out with a stream of his urine… Putting out fire by micturating… was therefore a kind of sexual act with a male, an enjoyment of sexual potency in a homosexual competition. The first person to renounce this desire and spare the fire was able to carry it off with him and subdue it to his own use… Further, it is as though woman had been appointed guardian of the fire which was held captive on the domestic hearth, because her anatomy made it impossible for her to yield to the temptation of this desire.
Proposal: Personalized Grocery Shopping
When in a grocery store, ask one of the stock-persons what item they recommend for the informed consumer. If they seem hesitant to make a recommendation, tell them about your self and explain your current mood. If you do not find their suggestion satisfactory, ask for a second opinion.
366 Songs: January EP
I’m releasing a “best of January” compilation today from my project 366 Songs. If you haven’t listened yet, give this a shot and see what you think.
The month of January was about 30 days ago so I took some time to pick out my favorite tracks. Hopefully some time passing has allowed me to be more objective.