Political metaphors (was Re: on ann coulter

[Paul Mackin]

jbor wrote:

>
> All that the "Left" seems capable of nowadays, if its advocates here are
> anything to go by, is weaving together ad hominem attacks on anyone who
> "dissents" with some of the stupidest conspiracy theories I've seen. It's
> just empty posturing. History (and Orwell) have demonstrated the truth in
> the metaphor which Otto used.

The left vaies by country. American lefties seem in a sorrier state than those
in Europe and other countries, where there may at least be an outside chance for
those of like persuasion gaining at least some partial political power. In the
U.S. there is no chance of this. Is there a workingman's left in the U.S? I
haven't heard much about one. And no one thinks there is one abuilding. All the
left inclined workers I ever knew are dead. Of course I don't live in New York
or any place where such things might still be imaginable.  In my experience, in
the U.S., unless you are an academic in some far out discipline where a Marxian
orientation is useful you will be pretty lonely. The only likely candidates are
young people--students or recent students. These well meaning citizens recogize
and would naturally like to fix problems in 'the system,' so where else is there
but the left.  Plus there are some eternal youth  who are able to  thrive
teaching and ministering to the chronological still young.. .Mostly I imagine
the young people minister to themselves. And they don't last very long at their
ideal. . Most lose interest with marriage and children.

I have to agree to some extent with Rob's experience with American p-listers of
the left. However, the nonAmerican ones seem not very different from American
middle of the roaders.They live in the real world I mean.

P.