Political metaphors (was Re: on ann coulter

[Terrance]

http://www.thelaborers.net/news/new_left_takes_over_unions.htm

http://www.nytimes.com/books/first/a/aronowitz-ashes.html



Paul Mackin wrote:
> 
> 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.