"There is no doubt in my mind when history was written, the final page will say: Victory was achieved by the United States of America for the good of the world," Mr. Bush recently asserted to some of the troops he put in harm's way, apparently unaware that the history of our Iraq War has yet to be written... Or perhaps he was confusing that history with the bible, or the Project for the New American Century. Speaking of which, neoconservative William Kristol made his New York Times debut. In true fashion, he espoused his Anyone But Hillary -- except Barack -- view and his fear of a liberal and/or Democratic president who will surely plunge us into defeat in Iraq; tentatively praised Mike Huckabee; and warned of the danger of a third-party spoiler (Michael Bloomberg). The "lesser evil" strategy is apparently as relevant among the Reactionaries as it is among the Revolutionaries!
As for the latter, the so-called Revolutionaries have drifted so far from their roots that they've practically merged with the opposition. Gilles d'Aymery tells the amusing tale of unlikely -- but not so surprising -- 2008 bedfellows, which Jan Baughman illustrates with her usual sense of humor. Continuing for a moment with humor, Peter Byrne's dialogue examines another unlikely duo, Texas Ranger Chuck and Baptist Minister Huck. And in all seriousness, with candidates attempting to out-change each other's nuanced differences, Michael Doliner digs into Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama's respective positions on Iran and energy sources, specifically biofuels.
Though many are disheartened by the electoral process and any hope for real change, octogenarian political activist Philip Greenspan gives some sage advice, and environmental activist Martin Murie reminds us that caring for the Habitats and The Others is essential for reversing destructive policies. This brings us back to Iraq, and Mr. Bush's long-overdue acknowledgement that the troops will remain well beyond his presidency. Michael Doliner explains why, though what Bush attributes to success Doliner attributes to Empire, a beast that is perpetuated in the presence of a fearful and civil-rights-bankrupt populace, as Gerard Donnelly Smith and Carol Warner Christen explain, respectively.
Finally, in the culture corner, Charles Marowitz rejoices the rebellious spirit of the Marx Brothers and his wayward interview with hero Groucho; Guido Monte peregrinates old forgotten ways; and our Martian Blips contemplate real-life activists vs. Revolutionaries for Democrats, the new, green military, the "New Direction Congress," unmodulated answered prayers, and more about life in the boonies.
As always, please form your OWN opinion, and let your friends (and foes) know about Swans. It's your voice that makes ours grow.
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Gilles d'Aymery: The Zoology Of Pwogs And Pwogrevs
With every presidential election, the so-called progressives stray further and further from their roots, now to the point of joining the opposition. See just who is endorsing whom in the 2008 presidential election. More...
Jan Baughman: Spoiler Today, Rebel Tomorrow
Editorial cartoon: Lo and behold, this is a cool revolutionary life! Having failed to end the war on Iraq by supporting the Democrats in 2006, "pwogrevs" (progressive revolutionaries) such as Stan Goff are advocating an antiwar vote for Ron Paul in the 2008 presidential election -- they'll take on his anti-feminist, anti-environment, anti-immigrant, and racist agenda tomorrow. More...
Peter Byrne: Buy Now And Lighten Up
Texas Ranger meets Baptist Minister: a humorous look at the unlikely alliance of actor Chuck Norris and presidential candidate Mike Huckabee. More...
Michael Doliner: Clinton And Obama On Iran And Biofuels
America's imperialist policies are doomed to fail and create global catastrophe, and neither Hillary Clinton nor Barack Obama present a stance on Iran and oil dependence that would end these failed policies. More...
Philip Greenspan: The Secret Ingredient Of Activism: Mutual Support
As veteran protestor George Houser stated, mutual support among antiwar activists, in the face of government and media obstruction, is key to the movement's success. More...
Martin Murie: One Minute To Midnight
It's maybe too late, but we have to act now, do the right thing. If we can't retrain ourselves to treat other living beings with a modicum of respect and give them generously of earthly habitats, they will die out, and so will we. More...
Michael Doliner: End The Empire: A Polemic
We must raise the realities of American Empire to the level of discourse before we can end its destructive policies and avoid further, more catastrophic, results. More...
Gerard Donnelly Smith: The Insurgent Word: Fear
Will future historians characterize the zeitgeist of 21st century America as fear, or phobia, to explain its irrational behavior? More...
Carol Warner Christen: Lest We Overlook The Obvious
We the People need to peel back the propaganda and see clearly the liberties being usurped by government and corporations, and not rely on the next government insider to lead on our behalf come 2009. More...
Charles Marowitz: Groucho, Chico, & Harpo
The Marx Brothers exemplified the spirit of social rebellion in an age when conformity was both the prevailing virtue and the asphyxiating evil. More...
Guido Monte: Porte
Monte continues to peregrinate to old symbolic myths, of old forgotten ways. More...
Gilles d'Aymery: Blips #63
A few selected issues that landed on the editor's desk, from the contrasts between octogenarian agitators to Revolutionaries for Democrats; biofuels and the greening military; poppycock in the New Direction Congress; the trials of typos and tribulations of animal traps; to life in the boonies, with downpours, and more. More...
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