Village Pillage

[MASCARO at HUMnet.UCLA.EDU]

Just a note of appreciation for the presence of steelmonger; your posts are food for 
the grist mill, or something.  I completely concur w/ your political analyses.  I am 
struck by your noting how Environmentalism has been co-opted:

>But you have to admit that environmentalism has succombed to too
>many wu-wu/new age notions; it's world view is dogmatic, elitist, and
>usually quite wrong. Look at the awful Malthusian roots of contemporary
>environmentalism, policies that advocate trading Norplant implants for food
>in countries like Haiti and Somalia.
>This smug brand of elitism is one of the principle reasons that despite
>widespread popular support for the environment (upwards of 70 percent in
>most polls), the corporations continue pounding the hell out of the planet.
>Go re-read Vineland. It's got a lot to say on this subject.

Reminding me that the first Earth Day, which I attended as a hookying high school 
senior  (may 1970, philadelphia) was a small, be-in type of wonderful gathering, 
with old Mommy/Daddy Ginsburg chanting away on his harmonium and peace 
and love (even though it was all already over by then) in the air--but now EARTH 
DAY is sponsored--yes, that's sponsored--by folks like Monsanto and Dow.  BTW, 
In 1989 Gore Vidal wrote a little piece in the Nation ("Cue the Green God, Ted" 
August7/14 1989) which presciently noted how much hay the  State could make by 
jumping on the Green wagon.

On the Left/Right complexities putting bedfellows together in weird new ways, 
right on again.  You remark, re:TRP:

>I believe TRP to be basically libertarian in his politics. I can't think of
>one instance in TRP's writings were the State has acted with benevolence.
>It always seems to be one Brock Vond or another dropping out of the sky.

Somehow rthe line "There is a hand to turn the time"  keeps echoing as I ponder 
your observation.  No economist I, but the libertarian faith in the Great and Good 
Free Market always struck me as the weakness of their otherwise tempting 
philosophy.  Do you think TRP believes in Smith's Invisible Hand?  Doesn't he 
explore this notion repeatedly?  No time to make that a concrete, example-laden 
remark--gotta go cross a picket line as UCLA's TAs (boy, you just missed this one, 
Diana, now that you've got a job and all) go  on strike this week to get university 
recognition of their collective bargaining rights.  Guess what the University's 
position is? I'm a lecturer bound by a no-strike clause contract, but trust me, I ain't 
crossing no picket line.  I've got an idea or two that this undoubtedly monitored 
e-mail won't give away.

Today, Tuesday 19 November is National Have a Bad Day DAy.  Soemhow, as 
always, it all seems to fit.

john m