SLPAD - 28

[Michael Bailey]

He returns to the subject of “apocalyptic showdown” -

“ Except for that succession of the criminally insane who have enjoyed
power since 1945, including the power to do something about it, most of the
rest of us poor sheep have always been stuck with simple, standard fear.”

Once in awhile there’s a Pynchon passage which takes an unmistakable
stance. (Like the one about “that useful substance”)

We’re focused on how his evolving attitudes affected the stories, but this
offhanded characterization of the power elite is strikingly candid. So,
yeah to that. I just backspaced over a whole screed I wrote in order to
elaborate on it - I’d be surprised if any P-lister couldn’t write a better
one, for one thing. Also, like, light one candle, eh?

It’s his interjecting the phrase “including the power to do something about
it,” that makes this brief passage shine.
There are passages in Machiavelli, aren’t there, about how all the
loathsome machinations are in service to stable governance? Like Hobbes and
his fucking Leviathan state, he’s got a point.
You can “self-organize,” Small is beautiful,” and “think globally, act
locally” all you want, but there are levers of power & we should support
those “lever brothers, and sisters” who are marginally less insane,
sometimes even much less - Joe Biden sometimes shares a lovely lucid moment
& deserves a bit of applause…

Anyhoo, that’s the sidelight I think the Intro means to be shining there.
Thotz?


I’m not a huge fan of Sting (though who hasn’t indulged in a singalong or
two with “Roxanne”?)

But his song “Russians” always moves me:
https://youtu.be/wHylQRVN2Qs