Re: Re: Re: pro Bono

[Louis Proyect <lnp3@xxxxxxxxx>]

On Mon, 20 May 2002 07:40:24 +0100, Chris Burford wrote:
>I thought that like me, you are in favour of
>reparations for Africa.

I have no idea what you are talking about. I am favor of reparations
to African-Americans. Randall Robinson is spearheading this campaign.

>So any aid to oppressed and exploited people may
>be mistaken since they,  after all, should break
>with capitalism altogether?

Bono is not oppressed or exploited. He is a self-appointed savior who
makes very good money as a rock singer.

>I too dislike the charity angle, but if it is a
>way of recognising the  common humanity of the
>people of the world is that not a step in the
>right  direction.

Not when he tacitly legitimizes the US ruling class by wearing a
jacket with a stars-and-stripe lining. This would be equivalent to
campaigning for hunger in the relief in the 1930s while wearing a
swastika t-shirt.

>As for patriotism, Dan Rather's leak to the BBC
>shows the extremely  difficult conditions that
>progressive people are facing in the USA. In the
> first place it is necessary to get a hearing.
>And to show symbolically that  there should be
>ultimately no contradiction between your own
>patriotism and  your own internationalism, is it
>so treacherous to display the flag on the
>inside of your waistcoat?

Yes. That Stupor Bowl half-time rally was a Nuremberg type effort to
whip people into a pro-war frenzy and blind support for the cretinous
George W. Bush.

>Besides even I think that the the Declaration of
>Independence was  progressive, and I am English.

What does the Declaration of Independence have to do with a bunch of
rock and roll musicians prostrating themselves before the temple of
war.

>My expectation is that progressive citizens of
>the USA will oppose US  hegemonism not that they
>will oppose US patriotism. It is a crucial part
>of  that task to win a hearing and make the
>distinction.

A US patriot, or a British friend, would never have performed at a
jingoist war rally.

--
Louis Proyect, lnp3@xxxxxxxxx on 05/20/2002

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