Open Left

I'd put it a bit differently (0.00 / 0)

I think the progressive movement needs some people to fit the stereotype of left-wing wackjob.  I'm almost disappointed that there aren't groups running around reminiscent of the Weathermen or the Black Liberation Army to allow mainstream progressivism to disavow them and look normal by comparison.  On the other hand, some progressives still need to maintain engagement with non-progressives.

What's really needed is a progressive good cop, bad cop routine from the left that gets coordinated behind the scenes.


Things You Don't Talk About in Polite Company: Religion, Politics, the Occasional Intersection of Both

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by: Anthony de Jesus @ Mon Jun 29, 2009 at 09:37:05 AM CDT

yes, because having the weathermen led to such progressive (0.00 / 0)

national political outcomes in the 70s and 80s.  

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by: seabrook @ Mon Jun 29, 2009 at 10:12:07 AM CDT

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I didn't say I agreed with them (0.00 / 0)

But the lack of the existence of such groups makes me wonder why there aren't people on the left who were driven that crazy by the Bush years.

Things You Don't Talk About in Polite Company: Religion, Politics, the Occasional Intersection of Both

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by: Anthony de Jesus @ Mon Jun 29, 2009 at 10:41:04 AM CDT

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you said they had a salutary effect on national politics. (0.00 / 0)

i think that is poor analysis, considering how effective the right's backlash-based politics was in the 70s and 80s.  

the idea that the weather underground was simply 'driven crazy' by vietnam is, in my opinion, seriously misguided.  sure, it was a trying time, and a lot of people felt helpless and outraged at what their government was doing.  but people were still making considered decisions.  the weather underground thought that their approach made the most sense, considering their analysis of US domestic politics.  i think most would now say that they were dead wrong.  

many of us were outraged at bush.  we just chose to resist in ways that had more likelihood of actually succeeding (not to say that more shouldn't have been done).  

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by: seabrook @ Mon Jun 29, 2009 at 11:24:52 AM CDT

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No, I said we need more lefty wackjobs (0.00 / 0)

I'm thinking more of Kucinich types.  What I really think about the absence of leftist groups like the Weather Underground is that the lack of such groups to rise up makes me worry that the seemingly more progressive tilt of the electorate is superficial and will fade when the specter of George W. Bush isn't there to kick around anymore.  

My comment was really meant to be a semi-humorous aside inspired by my legitimate concern that a progressive movement lacks steam because there aren't people outraged enough to the point of irrationally lashing out.  I don't really want to think about extremists killing people but sometimes I think it's funny to think about.

You know what would make a great idea for a movie that captures the spirit of the times? A serial killer somewhat like Michael Douglas in Falling Down who is completely fed up with this nation and starts targeting prominent bankers.  A liberal cop who feels empathy for the killer tracks him down.

Yeah, don't mind me.  I'm just feeling empathy for violence because I'm pissed off at some non-political things right now.

Things You Don't Talk About in Polite Company: Religion, Politics, the Occasional Intersection of Both

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by: Anthony de Jesus @ Mon Jun 29, 2009 at 12:05:26 PM CDT

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