What does Pynchon do?

[pynchonoid]

Pynchon writes novels and essays that -- apart from
serving many other functions -- call into question
racism, imperialism, war profiteers, power-mad
government officials, the role of science and industry
in supporting genocide, and the role of
institutionalized religion in supporting all of the
above. 


Powell Sees Mideast Reshaped After Iraq War 
Thu February 6, 2003 03:13 PM ET 
 By Jonathan Wright and Vicki Allen
<http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=politicsNews&storyID=2184071>

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Secretary of State Colin Powell
said on Thursday overthrowing the Iraqi government
could reshape the Middle East in ways that enhance
U.S. interests, and that the confrontation with Iraq
should start to come to a head in a matter of days.
[...] "I think there is also the possibility that
success could fundamentally reshape that region in a
powerful, positive way that will enhance U.S.
interests, especially if in the aftermath of such a
conflict, we are also able to achieve progress on the
Middle East peace."  [...] 

...meanwhile back at the ranch:

PRAYERS OFFERED

[...] "This is a testing time for our country," Bush
said at the 51st annual National Prayer Breakfast,
which brings together lawmakers, foreign leaders and
spiritual leaders in prayer.

[...]  CIA Director George Tenet told the breakfast,
"God teaches us to be resolute in the face of evil,
using all of the weapons and armor that the word of
God supplies."


"the chaplan, the doctor, your mother hoping to hang
that Gold Star, the vapid soprano last night on the
Home Service programme, let's not forget Mr. Noel
Coward so stylish and cute about death and the
afterlife, packin them into the Duchess for the fourth
year running, the lads in Hollywood telling us how
grand it all is over here how much fun. Walt Disney
causing Dumbo the elephant to clutch to that feather
like how many carcasses under the snow tonight among
the waite-painted tanks, how many hands each frozen
around a Miraculous Medal, lucky pieceof worn bone,
half-dollar with the grinning sun peering up under
Liberty's wispy gown, clutching, dumb, when the 88
fell--what do you think, it's a children's story? 
There aren't any. The children are away dreaming, but
the Empire has no place for dreams and it's Adults
Only in here tonight"
Gravity's Rainbow, pp. 134-135

__________________________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now.
http://mailplus.yahoo.com