Comments for america adrift

Comment on Drug use at the academy by Robert Gibbons

Robert Gibbons — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 13:08:30 +0000

You nailed it, Stuart. Using the word “elite” to describe the Power holding reins here nails it, but the word is so elusive. It’s an invisible elite, which I use to spy on only in the “Engagements” pages of the NYT, where the debutantes listed their lineage of which pair of grandparents owned which stock/bond house or factory, & the parents of the soon-to-be grooms couldn’t keep their riches secret this one Time. The word is rough on the ears though, isn’t it? Who can fathom through the brainwash of democracy a hidden entity pulling electoral & economic strings? Joe Bageant in his recent post http://www.joebageant.com/joe/ points out that the Time was right in the Sixties for real change, & that it’s now lost forever, unable to break the stranglehold. But I suspect that the nostalgia that things could have changed even back then for good, is merely that, nostalgia. The assassinations in 1968 were not anomalies, but symbolic of the lengths to which this invisible “elite” [ouch, the cacophony of the word!] will go to hold power. -rg

Comment on Drug use at the academy by Stuart

Stuart — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 09:41:50 +0000

Thanks Robert. And I envy your history to some degree. Though my first trip abroad to Europe in the early 90s, beginning with two months in Dublin and traveling the Irish country side was magical for me even though the social and political ground had already shifted so much to the right. There was less sex, drugs and rock and roll, no doubt. I read lots of Yeats of course, and had the fortune of meeting Seamus Heaney once at Trinity. At the time I would have preferred the sex, drugs and rock and roll!

“it’s hard to fathom how my generation represented by two presidents of my same age have not led America out of its return to dark age fear of pleasure, but rather into new age waging of perpetual war.”

I don’t know Robert, everyone’s got their baby boomer political theory. I think it just boils down to class warfare. The elite have been waging a war on the middle class ever since the New Deal created one. Class solidarity works!

Comment on Drug use at the academy by Robert Gibbons

Robert Gibbons — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 16:37:02 +0000

Just caught up to this Stuart, & dig your broaching folks’ different takes on drugs as medicine or pleasure or poison. As someone who grew up (3 months traveling in Europe in the Summer of Love at 20) at the height of the sexual & drug revolutions, it’s hard to fathom how my generation represented by two presidents of my same age have not led America out of its return to dark age fear of pleasure, but rather into new age waging of perpetual war. It’s impossible to carry a generation on one’s back, whether one is a leader, teacher, or poet. In fact, our contemporaries may prove to be our greatest hurdles, other than perhaps out own repressions. I hope you are feeling better by now. I don’t use Tylenol because it wrecks the liver in combination with wine. Twenty-nine minutes to noon, here, where’s the wine? Where’s the woman? Where’s the song? Oh, ya, I’m stuck in America. But I don’t let it get me down. That often. I’m not in jail, nor in the military, nor homeless. I think I’ll write a poem about the Joys of the Inquisition during Goya’s Time!!

Stay Well, Friend!!

-rg

Comment on a late winter return by DLogan

DLogan — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 10:34:13 +0000

Awesome. Congratulations. I’ll stop by when I get a chance

Comment on a late winter return by Stuart Noble

Stuart Noble — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 04:33:36 +0000

It was the most demanding and thankless role I’ve ever played. See, I sound like mom! But I get it now, mothers are way undervalued.

Comment on a late winter return by Sean Paul Kelley

Sean Paul Kelley — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 21:34:33 +0000

It’s about time you came back! What, playing Mr. Mom get old? I think it really wreaked havoc on your internet addiction, myself!

Comment on a late winter return by Stuart Noble

Stuart Noble — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 05:17:56 +0000

Daniel, the ‘gig’ is a PhD fellowship at the Transnational and Migration Studies Program (TRAMS). Stop by my office Thursday, 24.4.42.

Robert, thanks for the link. Genius, that’s all you baby.

Comment on a late winter return by Robert Gibbons

Robert Gibbons — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 11:38:32 +0000

Welcome back out, Stuart!

Glad to hear about the three-year collaboration in København!

Coincidentally, regarding our winter moods, got this link sent to me
this morning from David Anfam in London:
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/you-dont-have-to-be-bipolar-to-be-a-genius-ndash-but-it-helps-1887646.html

All Best!

-rg

Comment on a late winter return by DLogan

DLogan — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 18:09:36 +0000

Awesome. Will probably see you around KUA. I only have classes on thursdays but let’s meet up over a beer. What kind of research gig?

Comment on Barbie Death Camp by marthafines

marthafines — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 06:32:25 +0000

Merry Christmas to all… and to all a good night.