pynchon-l-digest V2 #2191

[The Great Quail]

First of all, Doug, there's a lot here that I disagree with, but as I 
promised, I am not going to argue about the same ol' same ol'.

>One of the most powerful
>Senators, Joe Biden, spoke one of the first truthful sentences I've heard
>recently, saying that the U.S. is beginning to look like a high-tech bully
>with this air attack.

Believe it or not, I agree with him. I am beginning to lose my own 
faith in this aspect of the campaign. While I still support the 
initial bombing, and while I still support the bombing of Taliban 
troops and equipment, it seems less and less information about 
targets is coming through. How much more can there be? When are we 
going to commit ground troops in force? Perhaps there are answers, 
but without having them, I am beginning to think that we may have 
gone on far enough. There needs to be a point where we weigh the risk 
of surviving Taliban supplies with the increased risk of more Red 
Cross debacles and civilians killed. I would like more reputable 
information, something balanced between CNN propaganda and 
Alterna-Z-Net-Eat-the-State hyperbole.

>Here's a more humane solution:  stop the bombing, start trucking in the aid
>in amounts that will prevent the humanitarian tragedy that is now in the
>making, send in peace-keepers as necessary to protect the refugees, foster
>a dialogue between the various parties in Afghanistan that want to form a
>new government, continue investigation and police action as necessary to
>bring to justice (and not the summary execution in the field that the Bush
>Administration is said to favor) the perpetrators of the Sep 11 attacks and
>the perpetrators of the anthrax terrorism.

Wow, ok, hey! Some ideas and possible solutions! Believe it or not, I 
think that's mostly sound advice; but the "police actions" you speak 
of I cannot agree with. I think we must continue are "summary 
execution" of the Taliban, as long as they continue to wield power 
and refuse to capitulate.

And, hey, that Anthrax stuff! Looking more and more like Saddam. This 
is going to get even more "interesting."

>Good point, but the continuity of life after death is seen throughout P's
>work -- Mason communing with the spirit of his dead wife in M&D;  the
>Thanatoids in Vineland and the transition, at the end of the novel, of
>Brock Vond to the after-life; the seance in GR.

Oh my God, Doug! I just posted almost the same thing!!!!! And here I 
am actually agreeing with some of your political ideas. Jesus, maybe 
*I* am one of your alter-egos, too.... Just a very thorny one....

Off to see U2 at the Garden,

--Quailie