Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Of Summer Movies and Pay Phones

It's been awhile since last I sat in a movie theater. I blame bedbugs and a total lack of funds. Back in the day, plays were the expensive thing that I rarely enjoyed, now it is movies. Although the prices haven't really gone up all that much. My absence has more to do with a crushing desire to avoid people. Not that I'm a misanthrope, although that seems to be in the mail. It's more about how the world has become idiosyncratic and odd in my absence. While electro-convulsive therapy, hospitalizations, pressured navel-gazing, and a barrage of drugs put me in my own little cosmic zip-lock bag, the world moved ahead (or something). And it is all very strange to me. Everyone is on a cell phone...every last person. When did that happen? It must have been between the time I was eating an English muffin at McLean's Hospital and the time I was eating a graham cracker in Cahill 4.

Look upon me! The countenance you see is not one of confusion, but instead a poker face that disguises nostalgic wonderment and white-hot irritation. If one more cell phone grasping boob sails into me at the market, it's going to be a wild scene. Enough is enough. Technology has given such weight to our worthless opinions (like blogs). A tool for paranoid parents to check in on annoyed children, busy sending pictures of their genitals to friends, strangers, potential employers, and possible lovers.

Enough of that. Age 39 is too young (isn't it?) to slap on rose-colored glasses and paen for things former and forgotten. And the modern world isn't all that bad. Pornography and cat videos are amply supplied, and Colbert has a really good show. Besides, the day will come (perhaps) when I will have to get a cell phone. Coin operated pay phones are disappearing, and their empty shells are mocking me with vigor. Not too long ago, my car sputtered and died, and I set out to find a pay phone. Every time one emerged on the road ahead, it was found to be mere post and glass case, with wires hanging out where a phone used to be. A voice upon the wind spoke to me, it said, "Get a fucking cell phone." Nuts.

Movies. Friends keep telling me about movies that I have not seen. Hollywood has squatted over the American landscape and pooped a rabid peacock of colorful, exciting films. The latest is Captain America, which everyone tells me is a fine diversion to mincing around the apartment. Unlike other summer movies, my disinclination to see Captain America is interpreted as some sort of political statement. One online friend asked if I would have rushed out to see Captain Comrade or Red Man, or something. Probably not, although Eugene V. Debs with laser vision would be so cool; Alien & Sedition Act, my ass!

The other movies I haven't seen: Super 8, Harry Potter & The Pile of Money, Horrible Bosses, Larry Crowne (I want to punch Tom Hanks in those fucking commercials), Transformers, Bad Teacher, et al. Nor have I seen the more "intellectual" cinema that my educated, somewhat narcissistic friends have recommended; Another Earth and Sarah's Key, for example.

Most upsetting to the fat bastard writing this nonsense is that I didn't see Double Indemnity, which was playing at the Somerville Theatre. Fudge-knuckles. Not that I haven't seen it 100 times before, but I wanted to see Fred McMurry and Edward G. Robinson on the big screen.

Happily, Nancy and I had our own little film festival; Adam's Rib, Long Day's Journey into Night, Treasure of the Sierra Madre, East of Eden, Woman of the Year, The Blob, All About Eve, Shanghai Express and a bunch of other old flicks. The price is right (NetFlix), and the company is superb. Not ringing cellphones. No babies (besides me).

My brother has invited me to see a movie this weekend, so I'll put on my fanciest jeans and cleanest shirt and step out into the magical world of sticky floors, mooks and diversion. And if someone answers a cell phone in the theater, he can bail me out of jail.

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Of Rick Perry and Christian "Victims"

A portion of Christopher Hitchens' letter to American atheists, written as he struggles with terminal cancer.

"As the heirs of a secular revolution, American atheists have a special responsibility to defend and uphold the Constitution that patrols the boundary between Church and State. This, too, is an honor and a privilege. Believe me when I say that I am present with you, even if not corporeally (and only metaphorically in spirit...) Resolve to build up Mr Jefferson's wall of separation. And don't keep the faith."

Christians in America are playing the victim to, what they claim, is a secular wave that is turning theists into second class citizens. This is, of course, ridiculous. The Right is ascendant in America, with Evangelicals loudly asserting that there is an impending apocalypse, and that we must put god "back into government" to avoid a disaster of (literally) Biblical proportions; that god is watching us through a microscope, like germs, and considering the use of Lysol if we don't get our moral house in order. Consider these quotes from the increasing popular Rick Perry, Republican Governor and Christian Caliph of Texas:

"Do not tell me that we cannot enforce laws against profanity, laws against blasphemy, law against misusing the Lord’s name. If we can punish somebody for using ‘F’ word, then you can punish somebody for taking the name of God in vain!"

Sweet, Fancy Moses! Here's another,

"I am convinced that the number one group, the number one class of people who are committing hate-crimes today are homosexual activists."

Can these wayward gays be reformed? Perry finds hope in the Good Book,

"The Bible teaches us that a change in sexual orientation is possible. This is a biblical principle. It is a biblical proclamation. It is a biblical assertion.”

My personal favorite of this, or any, election cycle,

"God has set boundaries for nations. These borders are not random, they’re set by God. In fact, we discovered that in American history. We tried a number of times to invade Canada and we couldn’t do it!"

As amusing as these comments are, we need to remember that this pilgrim is a popular newcomer to the field of Republican presidential candidates. I'm not going to waste your time with Palin and Bachmann quotes to bolster my case that religious fascism is a concept with growing appeal to many Americans. You don't need that, just Google their names. It's kind of fun and sad at the same time, like listening to a Tourette's sufferer order dinner. You'll laugh at first, but the more you think about it, the more depressed you will get.

A little Sinclair Lewis quote to close:

When fascism comes to America, it will come wrapped in the flag and waving a cross.

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Radical Notions

Socialist Party USA: Statement of Principles:

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THE SOCIALIST PARTY strives to establish a radical democracy that places people's lives under their own control -- a non-racist, classless, feminist, socialist society in which people cooperate at work, at home, and in the community.

Socialism is not mere government ownership, a welfare state, or a repressive bureaucracy. Socialism is a new social and economic order in which workers and consumers control production and community residents control their neighborhoods, homes, and schools.

The production of society is used for the benefit of all humanity, not for the private profit of a few. Socialism produces a constantly renewed future by not plundering the resources of the earth.


Under capitalist and authoritarian "Communist" states, people have little control over fundamental areas of their lives. The capitalist system forces workers to sell their abilities and skills to the few who own the workplaces, profit from these workers' labor, and use the government to maintain their privileged position. Under authoritarian "Communist" states, decisions are made by Communist Party officials, the bureaucracy and the military. The inevitable product of each system is a class society with gross inequality of privileges, a draining of the productive wealth and goods of the society into military purposes, environmental pollution, and war in which workers are compelled to fight other workers.

People across the world need to cast off the systems which oppress them, and build a new world fit for all humanity. Democratic revolutions are needed to dissolve the power now exercised by the few who control great wealth and the government. By revolution we mean a radical and fundamental change in the structure and quality of economic, political, and personal relations. The building of socialism requires widespread understanding and participation, and will not be achieved by an elite working "on behalf of" the people. The working class is in a key and central position to fight back against the ruling capitalist class and its power. The working class is the major force worldwide that can lead the way to a socialist future – to a real radical democracy from below.


Radical democracy is the cornerstone not only of our socialism, but also of our strategy. Here are the main features of each:


Socialist Society

Freedom & Equality

Democratic socialism is a political and economic system with freedom and equality for all, so that people may develop to their fullest potential in harmony with others. The Socialist Party is committed to full freedom of speech, assembly, press, and religion, and to a multi-party system. We are dedicated to the abolition of male supremacy and class society, and to the elimination of all forms of oppression, including those based on race, national origin, age, sexual preferences, and disabling conditions.

Production For Use, Not For Profit

In a socialist system the people own and control the means of production and distribution through democratically controlled public agencies, cooperatives, or other collective groups. The primary goal of economic activity is to provide the necessities of life, including food, shelter, health care, education, child care, cultural opportunities, and social services.

These social services include care for the chronically ill, persons with mental disabilities, the infirm and the aging. Planning takes place at the community, regional, and national levels, and is determined democratically with the input of workers, consumers, and the public to be served.

Full Employment

Under welfare capitalism, a reserve pool of people is kept undereducated, under-skilled and unemployed, largely along racial and gender lines, to exert pressure on those who are employed and on organized labor. The employed pay for this knife that capitalism holds to their throats by being taxed to fund welfare programs to maintain the unemployed and their children. In this way the working class is divided against itself; those with jobs and those without are separated by resentment and fear. In socialism, full employment is realized for everyone who wants to work.

Worker & Community Control

Democracy in daily life is the core of our socialism. Public ownership becomes a fraud if decisions are made by distant bureaucrats or authoritarian managers. In socialist society power resides in worker-managed and cooperative enterprises. Community-based cooperatives help provide the flexibility and innovation required in a dynamic socialist economy. Workers have the right to form unions freely, and to strike and engage in other forms of job actions. Worker and community control make it possible to combine life at work, home and in the community into a meaningful whole for adults and children. Girls and boys are encouraged to grow up able to choose freely the shape of their lives and work without gender and racial stereotyping. Children are provided with the care, goods and services, and support that they need, and are protected from abuse.


Ecological Harmony

A socialist society carefully plans its way of life and technology to be a harmonious part of our natural environment. This planning takes place on regional, national, and international levels and covers the production of energy, the use of scarce resources, land-use planning, the prevention of pollution and the preservation of wildlife. The cleanup of the contaminated environment and the creation of a nuclear-free world are among the first tasks of a socialist society.

Socialist Strategy

Socialist Feminism and Women's Liberation


Socialist feminism confronts the common root of sexism, racism and classism: the determination of a life of oppression or privilege based on accidents of birth or circumstances. Socialist feminism is an inclusive way of creating social change. We value synthesis and cooperation rather than conflict and competition.

We work against the exploitation and oppression of women who live with lower wages, inferior working conditions and subordination in the home, in society and in politics. Socialists struggle for the full freedom of women and men to control their own bodies and reproductive systems and to determine their own sexual orientation. We stand for the right of women to choose to have a safe and legal abortion, at no cost, regardless of age, race, or circumstance.

Women’s independent organizations and caucuses are essential to full liberation, both before and after the transformation to socialism. Women will define their own liberation.

Liberation of Oppressed People

Bigotry and discrimination help the ruling class divide, exploit, and abuse workers here and in the Third World. The Socialist Party works to eliminate prejudice and discrimination in all its forms. We recognize the right of self-defense in the face of attacks; we also support non-violent direct action in combating oppression. We fully support strong and expanded affirmative action programs to help combat the entrenched inertia of a racist and sexist system which profits from discrimination and social division.

People of color, lesbians and gays, and other oppressed groups need independent organization to fight oppression. Racism will not be eliminated merely by eliminating capitalism.

International Solidarity & Peace

People around the world have more in common with each other than with their rulers. We condemn war, preparation for war, and the militaristic culture because they play havoc with people's lives and divert resources from constructive social projects. Militarism also concentrates even greater power in the hands of the few, the powerful and the violent. We align with no nation, but only with working people throughout the world.


Internal Democracy

Socialism and democracy are one and indivisible. The Socialist Party is democratic, with its structure and practices visible and accessible to all members. We reject dogma and promote internal debate. The Socialist Party is a "multi-tendency" organization. We orient ourselves around our principles and develop a common program, but our members have various underlying philosophies and views of the world. Solidarity within the party comes from the ability of those with divergent views on some issues to engage in a collective struggle towards social revolution. We strive to develop feminist practice within the party.


Cultural Freedom

Art is an integral part of daily life. It should not be treated as just a commodity. Socialists work to create opportunities for participation in art and cultural activities. We work for the restoration and preservation of the history and culture of working people, women, and oppressed minorities.


The Personal as Political

Living under domination and struggling against it exact a personal toll. Socialists regard the distortion of personal life and interpersonal relations under capitalism as a political matter. Socialism must ultimately improve life; this cannot be accomplished by demanding that personal lives be sacrificed for the movement. We cherish the right of personal privacy and the enrichment of culture through diversity.


Electoral Action

Socialists participate in the electoral process to present socialist alternatives. The Socialist Party does not divorce electoral politics from other strategies for basic change. While a minority, we fight for progressive changes compatible with a socialist future. When a majority we will rapidly introduce those changes, which constitute socialism, with priority to the elimination of the power of big business through public ownership and workers' control.

By participating in local government, socialists can support movements of working people and make improvements that illustrate the potential of public ownership. We advocate electoral action independent of the capitalist-controlled two-party system.

Democratic Revolution From Below

No oppressed group has ever been liberated except by its own organized efforts to overthrow its oppressors. A society based on radical democracy, with power exercised through people's organizations, requires a socialist transformation from below. People's organizations cannot be created by legislation, nor can they spring into being only on the eve of a revolution.

They can grow only in the course of popular struggles, especially those of women, labor, and minority groups. The Socialist Party works to build these organizations democratically.

The process of struggle profoundly shapes the ends achieved. Our tactics in the struggle for radical democratic change reflect our ultimate goal of a society founded on principles of egalitarian, non-exploitative and non-violent relations among all people and between all peoples.

To be free we must create new patterns for our lives and live in new ways in the midst of a society that does not understand and is often hostile to new, better modes of life. Our aim is the creation of a new social order, a society in which the commanding value is the infinite preciousness of every woman, man and child.

If you agree with these principles, then we would encourage you to join the Socialist Party.