Thanksgiving piece, including Hawthorne, Emerson and 'when American liberty also meant an obligation to the common good'

[rich]

On Thu, Nov 25, 2010 at 1:12 PM, Ian Livingston <igrlivingston at gmail.com> wrote:
>> i fear i've outgrown Pynchon
>
> I once thought that. Then I reread the work with some other insights
> on the side and found that I had merely been blinded to Pynchon by
> having bought my own delusions. I guess you've just graduated a phase
> and may learn more about P and the world.
______
its possible I suppose. wouldn't be the first time.

>
> American ideals? That's one of those phrases my neocon stepdad pulls
> out along with his third beer. Once a Kennedy supporter, he now abhors
> both Kennedy and all that has become of America. Thinks America is all
> about shooting pigs for Thanksgiving and mounting snouts on the wall.
> Drives a Volvo with an American flag on the bumper. Thinks he's a
> great former warrior for having served 6 years in peacetime, and that
> everyone who joins the army to go kill towelheads is a true American
> patriot.
________
every country including the US will have to confront the myths about
themselves, that the country in 50 yrs team will not be white,
christian or recognizable to those plugged into those myths. I fear we
are only seeing the heralds of that counter counterforce through the
tea partyers. all they need is a leader. scary

rich