[Marxism] Swans Release: June 30, 2008

[Louis Proyect <lnp3@xxxxxxxxx>]

Swans Commentary
http://www.swans.com/
June 30, 2008

Note from the Editors:  A week ago Friday, in the afternoon skies surrounding
Swans headquarters, dramatic cloud formations developed followed that night
by a dry storm with lightning bolts exploding through the sky, illuminating
the surrounding hills, and rumbling through the valley in thunderous roars.
The following day, smoke began to appear in a dense, noxious fog and the
extent of the storm's impact, over 130 fires and 36,000 acres burned so far
in Mendocino County alone, slowly immerged (over 8,000 lightning strikes,
1,100 fires, and 250,000 acres in the entire state). Fire season has yet to
begin, Mr. Bush has declared a state of emergency in northern California, and
FEMA help is on the way... Mostly, we're grateful to the local firefighters
and myriad volunteers that are working tirelessly to keep us safe and
minimize the destruction. We thought it would bring a breath of fresh air to
start this edition with the wit and photography of Art Shay, who shares his
humorous experience capturing the likeness of conductor George Szell for the
cover of Time magazine; and the thoughts of one Maestro of Language, Charles
Marowitz, on the passing of another whose social commentary will be sorely
missed, George Carlin.

Despite having enough natural disasters to tap our resources and drain our
coffers, man can't help but making a few of his own. Carol Warner Christen
has some suggestions on how the money we borrowed to finance the theft of
Iraq could be better spent; Charles Pearson asks forgiveness for the economic
terrorism unleashed by our debt-based capitalist system; Michael Pravica
predicts our collision course with reality as oil rises, the dollar sinks,
and alternative energy sources are not being seriously pursued; and if these
analyses don't resonate, perhaps Michael Doliner's cat Mitzie will help you
understand what is happening with our economy, in which profits are
privatized but losses are socialized. Do not count on the so-called liberal
think tanks for a paradigm shift -- Michael Barker follows the money trail
from their coffers back to the wallets of the elites, nor to the candidates
of the duopoly -- Gilles d'Aymery outlines the pressing issues that will help
you determine who best represents your views. (Speaking of Ralph Nader, we've
updated our dossier on ways to help his campaign.)

In the meantime, we just learned that John McCain met with evangelist Billy
Graham today -- will he soon declare himself Born Again, digging himself
deeper into Mr. Bush's footsteps? And what will become of his beer-soaked
wife and all her helpful money that's been tithed to his campaign? Questions
to ponder before taking in Peter Byrne's book review of Gang Leader For A
Day; Charles Marowitz's first-hand look at what's hot and what's dross on
Broadway, from Hitchcock to Mamet; Guido Monte's ethereal poetry; and your
letters, from fans to flames, with a touch of je ne sais quoi in between.

As always, please form your OWN opinion, and let your friends (and foes) know
about Swans. It's your voice that makes ours grow.

                                               # # # # #

http://www.swans.com/library/art14/ashay02.html
Shooting Szell In Cleveland  -  Art Shay

http://www.swans.com/library/art14/cmarow111.html
George Carlin: 1937-2008  -  Charles Marowitz

http://www.swans.com/library/art14/carenc39.html
Theft: Our National Pastime  -  Carol Warner Christen

http://www.swans.com/library/art14/cpears01.html
Forgive Us Our Debts  -  Charles Pearson

http://www.swans.com/library/art14/pravic02.html
The Insatiable Quest For "Cheap" Energy  -  Michael Pravica

http://www.swans.com/library/art14/mdolin35.html
My Bailout  -  Michael Doliner

http://www.swans.com/library/art14/barker01.html
Sharp Reflection Warranted: Nonviolence in the Service of Imperialism
  - Michael Barker

http://www.swans.com/library/art14/ga254.html
Want To Waste Your Vote?  -  Gilles d'Aymery

http://www.swans.com/library/art14/nader08.html
How To Help The Nader-Gonzalez '08 Campaign
- Gilles d'Aymery & Jan Baughman

http://www.swans.com/library/art14/pbyrne74.html
PR Man For The Black Kings  -  Book Review by Peter Byrne

http://www.swans.com/library/art14/cmarow110.html
High & Low Comedy On Broadway  -  Theatre Review by Charles Marowitz

http://www.swans.com/library/art14/gmonte46.html
Ramo d'Oro  -  Poem by Guido Monte

http://www.swans.com/library/art14/letter142.html
Letters to the Editor

                                            # # # # #

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Cordially,
Gilles d'Aymery
--
Swans

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


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