[Marxism] [Fwd: Swans' Release: July 5, 2004]

[Louis Proyect <lnp3@xxxxxxxxx>]

http://www.swans.com/
July 5, 2004 -- In this Issue:

Note from the Editor:  Since its inception some eight years ago,
Swans has been a commercial-free zone; no annoying pop-ups to
support our efforts, no advertisements to feed the corporate
machine...until today, that is. Yes, in honor of The Fourth of July; in
recognition of the lofty ideals of Freedom and Democracy made in the
USA for all the world to share, we have agreed to run a special ad for
America's Independence Day Sale. Great opportunities for American
shoppers... God bless, etc. But this little wink aside, once again, we
are saddened by the disappearance of another icon, a shining light of
American culture -- one week Ray; the next, Marlon. In a tribute,
playwright and screenwriter John Steppling explores the Brando
genius and tragedy.

As advised in the June 21 edition, we carry on with the presentation
of varying opinions on the coming US presidential election. In short,
the question is: Does the urgency to vote Bush out of office -- to
which he wasn't elected -- justify the Anyone But Bush position and
the swallowing of the lesser-evil bitter pill? Don't be surprised by the
differing analyses expounded here. Each side has something to say
and presents its argument without acrimony or getting at each other's
throat. They reflect the fact that Swans is a non-sectarian publication,
not a party or a chapel... Don't just criticize -- analyze. You'll see 
the result, with a range of thoughtful essays from Phil Rockstroh, John
Steppling, Joel Wedland, Phil Greenspan, and Bill Eger. More to
come...

For his part, Milo Clark revisits the thinking behind the White House
occupant and his henchmen with an analysis of Leo Strauss's political
philosophy, who "twisted Plato's Republic into Rove's America."
Richard Macintosh shows that this "Rove America" -- à la tautology,
propaganda, censorship and the Patriot Act -- holds startling
similarities with Nazi Germany; and Manuel García posits that it will
be up to the Jonathan Swifts of the world to rally against the 
injustices of our time. Perhaps these words of Adlai Stevenson 
illustrate their thinking: "Freedom is not an ideal, it is not even a 
protection, if it means nothing more than freedom to stagnate, to live 
without dreams, to have no greater aim than a second car and another 
television set."

Now here's a quiz: What do Jesuzzy Lib-Labs, angry VPs and bland
politicians have in common, and how common is the F word in the
American lingua franca? You'll find the answer therein.

Finally, a poetic offering by Gerard Donnelly Smith, a political 
allegory of humanity and the natural world where animals model their 
egos and power struggles after our fine human example, and an 
interesting assortment of Letters to the Editor complete this issue. Enjoy!

As always, please form your OWN opinion, and let your friends (and
foes) know about Swans.

                                            *****

Here are the links to all the pieces:

http://www.swans.com/library/art10/jeb133.html
Independence Day Sale
- Cartoon by Jan Baughman

http://www.swans.com/library/art10/johns02.html
The Genius Of Marlon Brando
- by John Steppling

http://www.swans.com/library/art10/procks30.html
Election 2004: A Plebiscite In Bedlam
- by Phil Rockstroh

http://www.swans.com/library/art10/johns01.html
Kerry And Electoral Illusions
- by John Steppling

http://www.swans.com/library/art10/joelw04.html
Regime Change Starts With Bush
- by Joel Wendland

http://www.swans.com/library/art10/pgreen45.html
ABB a.k.a. America's Bizarre Bunko
- by Philip Greenspan

http://www.swans.com/library/art10/beger02.html
The Fine Art And Accomplished Magic Of Liking Everything
- by Bill Eger

http://www.swans.com/library/art10/mgc132.html
Leo Strauss
- by Milo Clark

http://www.swans.com/library/art10/rmac24.html
Rubicon 9/11
- by Richard Macintosh

http://www.swans.com/library/art10/mgarci17.html
Swiftian Overload
- by Manuel Garcia, Jr.

http://www.swans.com/library/art10/gsmith20.html
Ipse Dixit
- Poem by Gerard Donnelly Smith

http://www.swans.com/library/art10/ga181.html
Plaisirs d'Amour: Jesuzzy Lib-Labs Meet Dick Cheney
- by Gilles d'Aymery

http://www.swans.com/library/art10/hpelif01.html
Animal Park
- by Henry Pelifian

http://www.swans.com/library/art10/letter45.html
Letters to the Editor

                                            #####

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Thank you for reading Swans.

Gilles d'Aymery
--
Swans

"Hungry man, rush for the book: It is a weapon."  B. Brecht

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