Chris,
See below
----- Original Message -----
From: "Christoph Reuss" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Thursday, July 24, 2003 1:41 PM
Subject: Re: [Futurework] Army as "Equal Opportunity Employer" ??
>I said :
> > I spoke of your attitude not your politics.
> Chris answered
> You're wrong on that account too. Berlusconi's attitude was that of
> trying to silence a valid critic of his policies by throwing an
> inappropriate "catch-all" insult at the critic (inappropriate both
> for the arguments and the ethnic context of the recipient).
I answered:
First of all Judenrat is about Europe and has nothing to do with us. In
fact I
had to look up what you meant. Your comment is crazy.
Chris wrote:
> Anyway, as non-NYC residents may have learned in Logic 101: The fact
> that Berlusconi's "Judenrat" comparison was totally off the mark
> doesn't mean that every such comparison is totally off the mark.
My answer:
That was what I meant when I said if it "quacks and walks like a duck then
it most likely is."
Chris wrote:
> Coming back to the issue: You still didn't specify why an
> oversized killing machine should be a required background for
> teaching opera singers with tax money.
My answer:
You obviously didn't read what I said and have said for six years on the
list about the arts.
1. The government didn't pay for my training, unlike in Europe, I did,
including my training in the Arts. Over $150,000 in 1960s dollars which are
six to one and on a teacher's poverty salary. Americans put the arts back
on their feet in Europe after WW II and then screwed us here. The only
place where American tax dollars went to the arts was in Europe. There is
no tax money that goes to opera singers or any other kind here. You are
operating in a fool's paradise in Switzerland where you support your arts.
That is irrelevant to Americans.
2. As for killing machines that is a different issue than whether the
military is an equal opportunity hirer or trainer sending our poorest people
to good colleges and raising their cultural standards. We could take pot
shots at you as a violent people for all of that artillery you have in your
home, but it would be wrong. I have no idea of your circumstance and to
make judgements long distance would be stupid. It is so for you as well.
Chris wrote:
>It seems a background
> that is not only counter-productive (less content per buck) but
> also quite unsuitable, compared to a civilian endeavor. Art suits
> to (and thrives with) life & pleasure, not death & destruction.
My answer:
No, pleasure is one of the by-products for art , like for sex, but its
intent is identity, personal growth and the development of human
consciousness. Also like the biological reason for sex. But I do enjoy
it if I'm smart enough to understand it. I don't if I'm not. I also enjoy
sex more if I like children and plan well for them. Otherwise it can be a
twenty year hell for an hour of pleasure.
Chris, you seem to be a nice fellow and I don't want to go back to the
"right/wrong" stuff that got me into trouble with Keith but this was "off
the wall". "Beside the point." It seemed you were trying to pick a
fight. I too am against the abuse of the military in such places as Iraq.
I also find it disturbing when people claim to love America more and get tax
breaks (thus giving less) while poor folks give their children in wars they
don't believe in and are put down for protesting.
I have found an increasing cynicism on the part of the American wealthy
that I believe has a lot to do with owning property in Europe and affecting
"airs" in European languages. It seems that the people who support
American poetry and music the least are the ones who have someplace to run
if it gets unpleasant for them. I have never had that option.
However, I would not associate such attitudes with people who are truly
American so much as people who are more European American and need I say,
Swiss-American as well. I'm not happy with the response that the world's
greatest Art Song composer, who happens to be American "Ned Rorem" gets from
these folks. In short they could care less about Art generally and about
American Art in specific.
At least the military uses American Art to stir the troops. They spend
several million dollars on the finest Men's chorus in the world and at least
that little socialist venture does a tiny amount. I wouldn't blame them
for the one thing that they get right. And if your answer is to have
"nothing right" because it is a bigger military than yours then I find that
no answer at all.
You guys could have made peace years ago and cultivated the American
propensity for islationism. But instead you constantly bickered, started
two world wars and are still bickering. Europe has had a war almost as
often as we have a recession. America is a sleeping dark Jaguar that once
riled cares little but carries the rage of all of the people you have kicked
out and discarded. The elite may consider Europe to be home since they are
wealthy enough for you now but the average "walking wounded" American
doesn't and they would like nothing better than to, as Donald Trump says
"get even." You should pay more attention when you are a little mountain
country with few resources other than fine people and a nice view.
I will be gone for the next four days renewing what the European Americans
made illegal for us until 25 years ago. Our religion. I will be back on
Monday but am spending my time talking to rich European Americans who
believe they are mistreated and owe nothing to America. Unfortunately
their attitude is catching and the minorities who "strike it rich" are
beginning to act like them. I consider them all to be regressive and they
have all of the money.
Best to you in your mountain kingdom. I too would love to live in the
Rockies.
Ray Evans Harrell
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