Swans Commentary
http://www.swans.com/
November 3, 2008
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Note from the Editors: Two. More. Days. Finally, the longest and most
expensive US presidential campaign in history will be behind us... But no
matter the outcome, the victor will once again be corporate America. Will we
ever reject its overt control of our lives? As our wages shrink and the
income disparity (wealth redistribution, as it's called in some circles)
widens, as our power of the vote becomes increasingly deflated, it becomes
evident that money is in fact power. Thus we're further manipulated into
feeling good about changing the world by giving our discretionary dollars
away to a charitable cause. Yet, in an excellent and eye-opening exposé,
Michael Barker demonstrates how corporate elites and liberal philanthropic
foundations such as the World Wildlife Fund co-opted the environmental
movement to shape public policy and protect corporations. Jan Baughman will
certainly think twice before making a contribution to such a foundation to
save the polar bears. As she illustrates, laws are already in place requiring
that their habitat be protected given their status as "threatened," and the
next White House resident ought to read the Endangered Species Act before
sending out invitations to the oil-drilling orgy.
The 24/7 election watch is certain to be replaced by economy gazing, and as
the statistics grow more frightening so too does the reactionary rhetoric.
Aleksandar Jokic responds to Professors Radhika Balakrishnan and Diane
Elson's spurious allegation that the US economic crisis is a human rights
violation and asks, where has their outrage been all this time? Michael
Doliner reaches back to his studies with Hannah Arendt and proposes a
Socratic solution to the current crisis in authority that just might save
what remains of the American foundation, and Gilles d'Aymery has already
moved on to 2012 and the next-generation president who will address the real
issues with integrity. The new president will be relieved not to have a
Shakespearean playwright draft his legislation, but just in case, Charles
Marowitz offers his sardonic and ever-creative crimes and punishments for the
first 100 days that will atone for the last eight-plus years.
From the culture club, Peter Byrne bids a fond farewell to fellow Chicagoan
and much-admired writer Studs Terkel; Raju Peddada shares his travels to
Morocco, where American brands reign supreme; and Byrne also reviews The Fire
This Time, an homage to writer James Baldwin. R. Scott Porter recommends that
people become part of the solution somewhere in the muddy middle, while Guido
Monte and Alison Phipps seek a new way of world comedy through blending of
words. Finally, in response to one of your letters and more, we're
republishing a July 2002 article in which Swans economist warned us that the
S & L crisis was child's play compared to what was in store for the economy.
As always, please form your OWN opinion, and let your friends (and foes) know
about Swans. It's your voice that makes ours grow.
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http://www.swans.com/library/art14/barker07.html
The Philanthropic Roots Of Corporate Environmentalism - Michael Barker
http://www.swans.com/library/art14/jeb200.html
Threatened But Not Protected - Cartoon by Jan Baughman
http://www.swans.com/library/art14/ajokic04.html
The Alleged Relevance Of Human Rights For The US Economic Crisis
- Aleksandar Jokic
http://www.swans.com/library/art14/mdolin39.html
What Is Authority? - Michael Doliner
http://www.swans.com/library/art14/ga260.html
The Charade Is Finally Over - Gilles d'Aymery
http://www.swans.com/library/art14/cmarow120.html
The First Hundred Days - Charles Marowitz
http://www.swans.com/library/art14/pbyrne85.html
R.I.P. Louis "Studs" Terkel - Peter Byrne
http://www.swans.com/library/art14/rajup03.html
Travels In Morocco: Our Brands are our Goodwill Ambassadors - Raju Peddada
http://www.swans.com/library/art14/pbyrne84.html
A Slow Burn - Book Review by Peter Byrne
http://www.swans.com/library/art8/ga133.html
The Tribulations Of The Toads - Gilles d'Aymery
(Note: Written over 6 years ago (July 2002) this piece is a tangible proof
that the author had a clear analysis of the financial and economic crises
that have finally, and as predicted, hit us. Swans thanks the reader who
reminded us of that little gem.)
http://www.swans.com/library/art14/porter08.html
The Middle Ground - R. Scott Porter
http://www.swans.com/library/art14/gmonte54.html
Mondana Commedia n.6: "Bayta" (Home) - Poem by Guido Monte & Alison Phipps
http://www.swans.com/library/art14/letter151.html
Letters to the Editor
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Gilles d'Aymery--
Swans
"Hungry man, reach for the book: It is a weapon." B. Brecht
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