Let's begin with something totally different, something like a French Corner (un coin français) that is all in French, but for the introduction written by Gilles d'Aymery, courteously translated by Marie Rennard. It's a new feature and experiment that will include the sagacity of Simone Alié-Daram among others, and it will feature a few famous texts. It might make little sense, but nowadays what makes sense, really? So we start with Marie's polésie, André Malraux's sober words, and the humor of Simone and that of socialist critical-utopian Charles Fourier. Le coin français will appear on a monthly basis. Vive la France! Vive la différence!
Back to the Anglo-Saxon world, Michael Barker, using the non-existing, fast-dying notion of a Palestinian state as a prime example, offers a long but fascinating article about the ongoing co-option of progressive human rights groups. Aymery, having looked into the real numbers that no one wants to acknowledge, follows up with a different kind of dying, the ongoing financial meltdown that keeps benefiting those who created the mayhem. This piece ought to be read by all, including our dear "leaders," as well as the commentariat and gatekeepers. He then adds in his unheralded "Blips" a few more realities about our oligarchs that are coming to the fore in the shape of a Catch-22. Whether your optimism is up to par should be verified with his own take. Far away, and yet next door, our "man in Africa," Femi Akomolafe, adds to the chorus. Who are the real pilferers? he asks before providing the answer. Martin Murie, as always, calls upon our better selves. Shall we heed his words?
We move on to the cultural epicenter of Swans with Peter Byrne's keen study of the radical chic interpretations of Che Guevara that have reduced the revolutionary's reality into commercial mythology. Charles Marowitz, in his movie review, digs into yesteryears when Frost and Nixon had a go at power and sycophancy. Guido Monte, at long last, invites us into his classroom for a first-hand look at the process by which he creates his exceptional multilingual work. Raju Peddada rummages through one of America's favorite pastimes, baseball, and our undying love for the underdog. We conclude with a poem by Scott Porter and your letters.
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: Introduction To The French Corner
Swans Commentary presents Le Coin Français (the French Corner), from which one can choose from a menu of essays, poems, news, humor, and famous text in French. Please join us for a baguette and camembert, a glass of wine, and an exchange of ideas. Une baguette, un camembert, un verre de vin, et quelques idées... (traduction par Marie Rennard) More...
Marie Rennard: Vérification
Marie Rennard voyage au bout du monde, une introduction poétique au coin frnaçais de Swans. More...
Simone Alié-Daram: Le Marché
Simone Alié-Daram débute le coin français de Swans avec un brin d'humour que nos voisins du monde anglo-saxon -- ceux qui visitent la "vieille" France -- vont certainement apprécier. More...
André Malraux: Du fond de la nuit
André Malraux parle de la souffrance des femmes françaises durant la deuxième guerre mondiale -- les femmes qui sans elles nous ne serions pas... La date: 10 mai 1975. More...
Charles Fourier: Tableau analytique du cocuage
Charles Fourier shows that socialism has little to do with capitalism, even in the realm of you know what. More...
Michael Barker: Who Wants A One World Government?
A thorough investigation of the ongoing co-option of progressive human rights groups in Palestine. More...
Gilles d'Aymery: The Dirty Little Financial Secret
In light of the sheer magnitude of numbers involved in this worldwide financial crisis, over a quadrillion dollars worth of derivative debts alone, the chances that the US bailout and the decisions taken by the G-20 will succeed are close to nil... A closer look at reality, from someone who is not a member of the oligarchy. More...
Gilles d'Aymery: Blips #84
A few selected issues that landed on the Editor's desk, from Wall Street's infiltration of K-Street as it tries to fix Wall Street; AIG and Lehman Brothers' special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan; Jake DeSantis's public resignation and defense of his AIG bonus; counterparties and the real AIG scandal; to the billionaires shorting the market and the regressive tax system that rewards them and more, on argentocracy, oligarchy, and financial malarkey. More...
Femi Akomolafe: Feeling Sorry For Nigerian Scammers
The financial scammers in Nigeria are demonized, while the Western media ignores the white-collar scammers that steal, loot, plunder, and expropriate the resources of others, from the invasion of Iraq to steal her oil and profit from the so-called reconstruction, to the financial scandals from which the world is reeling and for which no solution is near. More...
Martin Murie: Power To The Planet's Peoples!
How can America get out of this trap of our manufacturing economy, away from cars and back into municipal transport systems, and reduce greenhouse gases? There is much to learn -- from the infrastructure of Europe to the lessons of the march from Selma. More...
Peter Byrne: I Am Che Guevara
The radical chic interpretations of Che Guevarra, as portrayed through T-shirts, posters, film, and books, have reduced the revolutionary's reality into commercial mythology. More...
Charles Marowitz: Frost/Nixon
The film "Frost/Nixon" presents two bravura performances by two talented actors who captured the real-life intensity of both of the film's subjects, thought it let its protagonist off the hook. More...
Guido Monte: Linguistic Blending And Multilingual Education: Innovative Ways
Guido Monte describes his personal way along linguistic blending in multilingual education: to remember and rewrite the only world Book ever written. Translated by Giusy Chirco. More...
Raju Peddada: Take It With A Grin Of Salt
Raju Peddada dismisses the perpetually-losing Chicago Cubs, their loyal fans, and America's love of baseball, a ridiculous sport that was even ridiculed by its legend, Yogi Berra. More...
R. Scott Porter: The Fighter
A poem on a fighting spirit, determination, and optimism, such as those of a boxer. More...
On the digital Canyon Country Zephyr and the demise of dead-trees publications; change -- or more of the same corporate-controlled domination of the populace; the fleecing of the ignoramus imbeciles; and extending Medicare to all. More...
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