Twist of Fate
As fate would have it, I'm trying to write a novel whose center of action is Israel/Palestine 2007 and the task is made more difficult by the current events. Though I cannot close my ears, I am trying not to let "Knowing the future" influence the narrative to much. Certain characters could end up less nuanced or objective by my having too much information, as it were.
The novel encompasses broader themes, de-constructions of the "War on Terror" and "clash of civilizations" as well as explorations of language and the effects of technology and modernity in general. It is overtly political (but not radical) and it may suffer from being too contemporary, but I lack the imagination for some journey into the future, or the time needed for research to treat some historical past in decent fashion.
As to current events, they are in keeping with the modern "change in the structure of experience", such as the "War on Terror"or"Road Map to Peace" perfectly exemplify. What do those thing really mean? Nothing of course, but we are able to put Israel's Right to Exist or Victory in Iraq or Iran's Nuclear Weapon Program in this meaningless context and come up with a meaningless debate about meaningless policy. Which perfectly suits the Suits, arms manufacturers, oil companies, casket producers etc. and the hegemonists they fund: think tanks, councils on this or that, pundits, media.Status remains quo.
We will also find out a lot about Obama and Hillary as they are faced with some fairly stark choices. It is one thing to talk theoretical scenarios in campaign debates and quite another to make life or death decisions on a world stage. The foreign policy failures of Bush and Rice turn into an inheritance of tragic proportions not only for the new administration but for all of us. Listen to the language: "we must teach them a lesson", "we must demonstrate..", "they must learn..." The language of the Great White Father as he moved into Indian territory or, later, hunted down those who refused the reservation.
posted by troutsky @ 10:03 AM
16 comments
16 Comments:
Troutsky
As you are a simpleton might I suggest coloring or pop up books.
Beakerkin has read his share of popup books.
Troutsky: I wouldn't have the novel center around Israel and Palestine. In terms of the Middle East and world politics in general, it's a sideshow. One state or ten state solutions don't matter. Israel faces zero threats as a nation. The world is divided up. Small nations have nothing to gain from nationalism or national liberation. Kosovo is independent. Its economy is tied about 80% to Serbian trade, but it is a nation now. Big deal.
What does matter is a socialist Egypt. It would abolish its border to Gaza, provide free healthcare, schooling etc. Israel can be inspired to return to its socialist roots. A revolution in Iran matters as well. It could spread it to Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan etc.
The bookends of Bush's Iraq policy is like this. Bush's first trip to Iraq, was to sneak into Iraq secretely and pass out Thanksgiving turkeys to soldiers, and sneak away. His last visit, was to show how the security situation improved by having a news conference with the Iraqi press. All he got was a shoe for his efforts.
Capitalism has offered the end of history, the end of ideology and the end of philosophy (postmodernism). The great thinkers as Adam Smith and Ricardo, thrived at the start of capitalism. Now its in decay, and doesn't have even adaquate economists or theoreticians.
The economy is having a cycle. The surface of the earth has its cycles, and earthquakes are the residual damage. No bourgeoise economist has answers. This is the second longest recession since the depression already. Keynesianism didn't work in the first depression. At that time the US had an isolated national economy. The US was saved by WWII and rebuilding Europe. The Financial Times has had several stories, about after the euphoria for Obama is over, that peoples rage will turn against capitalists.
The US never won a major war in my lifetime.
Just a few things to bounce off you for your book.
Yes I have communist genocide in pop up version. Would you care to peruse
the dead starting with Lenin. We also
have the Ice pick messiah scene.
Trotsky was a war criminal who deserved to die.
Can anything useful be done about the Israeli/Palestinian situation?
Well, do our best to keep the casualties down and try to improve the standard of living in Gaza, but I think that's about it.
If there is going to be any reform in our foreign policy it will be in Afghanistan. If Obama is going to continue to move in troops then he has learned nothing. Afghanistan ain't Iraq.
So we pound it out just like the Israelis and Palestinians playing idiots delight.
The arms trade is good for both the American and Israeli economy however.
Beak, one thing I like about this board is the lack of ad hominems. Would you please try to make a few substantive statements that don't involve Trotsky or the Rosenbergs?
Socialist Egypt? Nice thought, Rem.
I don't know how our bout Mubarak can be dislodged.
Keynesianism didn't work in the first depression.
-------------------------
Some think that Sweden, which got out of the depression first, was an example of successful Keynsianism.
Now it might have also just been partially good fortune.
I see the Beak is trolling here. Go away little boy. And Troutsky has more brains in his finger nail parings than you will ever have.
That should read "more brains in his finger nail parings than you will ever have in your head."
I also note how successful your hero Guiliani was in his run for POTUS. You are a sharp political analyst Beak.
Ducky: Sweden is not raising taxes or cutting spending, because of central planning beforehand. They didn't have Bush. Still the effects of the world economy is hitting them, as in auto.
Last year there was a big, militant strike wave in Egypt. The biggest obstacle, is The Muslim Brotherhood. Israel and Palestine is a sideshow overall. Revolution in Egypt and Iran is the key to all the Middle East.
I don't have to remind you, it wasn't the New Deal, but WWII and rebuilding Europe, what helped America.
It might be that Israels "centrality" is more perception that substantive but perception matters.Jerusalem as a symbol and metaphor for clash of culture and religion, colonialism, oil wars, etc is hard to beat.I agree that struggles for national liberation are not crucial (I compare the stupidity of both )As to Israels socialist roots, this will always conflict with Balfour and Jewish Zionism,the contradictions require a subsumption of religion.A problem in Egypt as well?
I touch on a few of those themes (and several more), thanks for ideas.
I agree with Ducky about the Afghan question.It will be defining.Maybe the inauguration speech will be telling.
rem, I meant Sweden in the 1930's. They were Keynesian in their policy during the Great Depression.
They'll take it on the chin with everyone else now that it's one big world party.
Thoughts on Obama's potential bailout package.
Looks like he's putting a lot of faith in tax cuts. Whenever I hear that I assume someone's trying to make nice with Republicans.
I suppose it will be called Keynesian but if it were the investment would be made in physical assets that improve efficiency.
Just giving folks a check to start the consumption cycle again is not going to be anything but a temporary spurt, if that.
Myself, I think a work force that is healthy and not worrying about how to afford medical treatment is a hell of a lot more productive and until there is talk of serious revision in health care delivery in this country their are just blowing smoke.
Just repeating the same old mistakes is not even a modest repudiation of the laissez-faire hell.
One question we have to wait to have answered is whether this useless push against Hamas is something Israel has undertaken because they truly think this is the end of carte blanche.
Or is the timing more a matter of effecting the Israeli elections and getting the Likud base voting?
Even with money infused in the economy, it'll be used unproductively as paying rent and bills. If something is revived, all the manufacturing moved to other countries.
Ducky
Communists are criminals and can't deal with facts.
Larry
You are the dumbest person on the internet. Anarchists are too stupid to be evil. They are the political equivalent of stupid pet tricks.
Obviously the Duck hasn't learned that Egypt's standard of living went down when Communist puppet
N ASSer messed with the economy.
The quickest way to make people suffer is to add a touch of Marx.
Suharto himself could not have put it better ,Beak.
Post a Comment
<< Home