Title: RE: [PEN-L:32210] Aesopian Language on Maillists
cbcox writes:
Back in the early '70s I read extensively in the exchange of polemics
between the USSR and PRC (actually between the Central Committees of the
two parties). In the earlier stages (before a formal break occurred),
the USSR focused its criticisms on _Albania_, not China; the PRC focused
its criticisms on _Yugoslavia_, not the USSR. It was of course an open
secret: Albania equals China; Yugoslavia equals USSR.
This debate gets confused because similar Aesopian language
exists both here and on LBO. The result is that innumerable issues that
ought to be and could be debate with minimal rancor can't be, on either list.
Science (or sometimes cbcox) gets vulgarized on LBO so it
(he) can stand in for LNP. The _Nation_ gets heroized on Pen-L so it can stand for
Satan. (Our two combatants lack the sophistication, however, of the
Central Committees of the respective CPs of PRC USSR, so
they descend much more quickly into naming each other.)
Now Pinker=Nation=DH=Jd, and there is no way principled debate can
emerge from that mass of identities. (Apparently now CJ=LPN=Satan as
well, thus adding further confusion.)
the comment on Aesopian language is right on target. I tend to respond only to the text in front of me and to the author of it, unconscious or perhaps semi-concious of the stormy controversies swirling about, partly _because_ they are in Aesopian language. (For one thing, I don't know at all what's happening on LBO.) Part of the problem is that I don't understand all of the controversies going on, so I shut them out.
For the record: from what I've read, I don't like Pinker. I am ambivalent about the NATION. I like most of what Doug Henwood says (in his magazine and on pen-l). But I should not be equated to him.
If CJ is Charles Januzzi (sp?), I don't equate him with Louis (LPN?) at all. As for Satan, he doesn't exist.
JD
