Fw: Pynchon, the Beats & "conservative American Values"

[Terrance]

Jerky wrote:
> 
> Perhaps it would help bolster your claim that Pynchon is a "conservative" if
> you were to define, exactly, what it is you mean by "conservative." Then we
> could base our individual conclusions as to whether or not your analysis is
> correct based on an understanding of what it is you mean, exactly, by
> "conservative."
> 
> Do you think TRP, for instance, supports the Bush administration and its
> current efforts in Iraq?

No. 

> 
> Do you think TRP is a neoconservative hawk?

No. 
> 
> Do you think he supports the Bush/Cheney tax policy? Or is Pynchon a
> flat-tax conservative? Or a "taxation-is-theft" right-wing libertarian?

No. 
> 
> Do you think he supports the enshrinement of a specifically discriminatory,
> anti-gay amendment to the American Constitution?

No. 

> 
> Do you think he's anti-choice?

It's possible. 

> 
> Because frankly, I could name you any number of fathers, husbands and
> respected members of the community who would laugh out loud if you dared
> call them "conservative."

Yeah, because what conservative means to you and to them is Bush
supporter and they don't support Bush. 


> 
> By calling him "conservative", could you really be meaning to say that
> Pynchon is (shudder) "bourgeois"?

No, I've defined my terms. You all just can't get around the idea that a
conservative is not a Republican. You watch too much TV, perhaps.