http://www.swans.com/ December 4, 2006 -- In this issue:
Note from the Editor: It's that shopping time of year for many, but in this space it's time to take inventory at Swans. In summary, we are full of ideas and words, well-stocked with talented contributors, but low on financial contributions that will allow us to continue to 1) pay for operations, 2) grow the project, and 3) be able to make a modest living. It will make a world of a difference to us if our readers can respond to this pledge break (see http://www.swans.com/about/donate.html) and put Swans on your holiday giving list -- even the price of a DVD will help keep us going -- thank you! Now on to the elections -- in preparation for the already-underway 2008 presidential campaign, one should heed the 2006 reflections by Michael DeLang and not continue to support the system of Corporate Checks and Corporate Balances that the "two" major parties represent. We'll have much to say about political change in the coming year, and Michael's article is an excellent overview of how it can, or won't, come about. By the way, while you're working on that giving list that supports change, we have three wonderful books to recommend, each of which embodies peace and nature -- read our review and order the books by Martin Murie, Bruce Patterson, and John Bart Gerald; you won't be disappointed. If you're not familiar with Murie's writing, read his essay herein on rewilding. Endangered species can't wait much longer for us to act humanely, intelligently, and responsibly... For that matter, neither can those countries ravaged by America's meddling and manipulation, which creates misery for them and secures commodities for her. See Milo Clark's and Philip Greenspan's respective analyses; then take a chilling, poetic interlude on god's unremorseful propaganda by Gerard Donnelly Smith. Tony Blair may benefit from a touch of propaganda in the new film "The Queen" for his portrayed role in saving Her Majesty's face after the death of Princess Diana. While Charles Marowitz describes the movie's subtle characterization of the royal family, he leaves no doubt as to his opinion of the British Monarchy and its behavior. Charles also provides an inside look at the work of Harold Pinter as influenced by Samuel Beckett, two men who shared a similar view of the human condition and a view also captured by Peter Byrne in his short story, "People." While you're out shopping, you may not even recognize the Christmas carols piped through the stores, as George Beres laments; so here's an alternative: If you live in the San Francisco Bay Area, forget the Mall, read our Blips about a non-traditional Thanksgiving, and visit the Ruth Asawa sculpture exhibit at the de Young Museum, which we review. Finally, catch up on the Letters to the Editor, with thoughts from two antiwar veterans; more on Israel/Palestine; support for third-party candidates; some advice on progressives in a survivalist system, and more. As always, please form your OWN opinion, and let your friends (and foes) know about Swans. ***** http://www.swans.com/library/art12/delang06.html Election Reflections - Michael DeLang http://www.swans.com/library/art12/ga220.html Peace & Nature: Holiday Reading - Book Review by Gilles d'Aymery http://www.swans.com/library/art12/murie15.html Rewilding - Martin Murie http://www.swans.com/library/art12/mgc197.html The Middle Scenario - Milo Clark http://www.swans.com/library/art12/pgreen100.html A Complex Education For Misery - Philip Greenspan http://www.swans.com/library/art12/gsmith77.html Lucifer's Lament - Poem by Gerard Donnelly Smith http://www.swans.com/library/art12/cmarow62.html "The Queen" - Film Review by Charles Marowitz http://www.swans.com/library/art12/cmarow61.html The Coronation Of Harold Pinter - Charles Marowitz http://www.swans.com/library/art12/pbyrne22.html People - Short Story by Peter Byrne http://www.swans.com/library/art12/gberes17.html Bring The Old Christmas Carols Back - George Beres http://www.swans.com/library/art12/desk045.html Blips #45 - From the Martian desk - Gilles d'Aymery http://www.swans.com/library/art12/letter105.html Your Letters ##### Please, consider supporting our co-operative work financially. See http://www.swans.com/about/donate.html Swans (aka Swans Commentary), ISSN: 1554-4915, is a bi-weekly non- commercial ad-free Web-only magazine which provides original content to its readers. We encourage pulp publications to republish Swans' Work in print format. Please contact the publisher at <aymery AT ix.netcom.com>. Please, do not repost Swans' Work on the Web and other mailing lists: "Hypertext" links to any pages of Swans.com are authorized; however, republication of any part of this site, inlining, mirroring, and framing are expressly prohibited. We welcome your comments and suggestions. When writing to Swans, please indicate your first and last name as well as your city and state (country) of residence. You are receiving this E-mail notification for you have expressed your interest in Swans and the work of its team, or someone suggested that we include you in our distribution list. 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