But of course the causal relation suggested does not exist, given the
present weakness of the left in the u.s. and our inability to have a
material impact on almost anything at all.
That weakness seems to me the primary political fact in the u.s. today.
Carrol
This reminds me a little bit of Doug and Liza's article on
"activistism", as if the sole purpose of the American left was to
fight with the pigs in the streets. What is wrong with expressing
one's opinion about other countries? Where does this kind of
parochialism come from? I mean if somebody in East Jesus, Nebraska
wants to analyze Lula's performance in office, I say more power to
her. I think that Carrol doesn't really object to opining about other
countries, as long as that opining is of the rah-rah variety. I
myself have the rather perverse idea that since we all live on the
same planet, there is nothing wrong with decrying the situation on
another part of the planet besides Manhattan. I mean, what's the real
difference between New Jersey and Brazil. I am as likely to spend
time in Bayonne as I am in Brasilia. If the entrance fee to
discussing Brazil is a knowledge of Portuguese, I guess I should keep
my mouth shut. But then again I have trouble understanding people
from New Jersey sometimes...
