Thanks, ackack, I agree with you. Chomsky is correct, though, when he says one should go for the lesser of two evils because that means less evil. Basic rationality. The question is what’s the lesser evil? Imho, the real evil is perpetuating this 1%er two party system that will simply NOT EVER do anything other [...]

thanks for the link. btw, I note the same provocateur crew haunting my own recent post. I’ve never been a huge RP fan and philosophically have always found libertarianism HUGELY problematic. But “bigoted,” “insane,” “moron,” “dumb,” etc? Really? How’s that constructive? RP has plenty of interest to say, esp. on his core issues of the [...]

Great analysis. I’ve been guilty of ‘leastworsting’ for sure. In principle, leastworsting is actually quite rational–at least, as you indicate, in the short term. From a utilitarian cost/benefit point of view the leastworst option IS actually the best. W rgd to Obama, though, I’m ready to break out of that finally. The tipping point for [...]

Evidence, please?

If I had any evidence AJ were a “vicious bigot” I would not have written what I did. I have outlined where imho he’s problematic. “Vicious bigot” is just way over the top. But I think you know that, don’t you?

WTF? Are these serious comments? So provocateurish…

Right back at you, pal. I’d suggest you’re the one lacking awareness of who your “enemies” are. Or maybe not. Your main “enemies” seem to be other leftists.

It’s said but I think you’re correct. Why, we have several charming live examples right here in this discussion! Fundamentally, from a political point of view, I’d say that if one is a “progressive” and one is not interested in alliances, then one simply is not serious enough (yet). Insisting on that level of purity [...]

That’s just false. He spends considerable time making fun of those apocalyptic types. More, he has a pretty thoughtful critique of why he rejects that kind of eschatological narrative while retaining his own religious faith.

agreed

nice

And another thing. This little colloquy is a nice microcosm of the agonies of the left over the last generation. Agonies that I have LIVED. And I’m just so sick of it. Losing sight of class issues in order to wallow in internecine and by definition unending identity-based grievances. The destructive hyperbole and “denunciation” style [...]

I’m just astonished that everyone doesn’t see that. When I ask myself, ‘what would they actually fear?’ I think something like the 20-25% that would be possible via a left-right convergence of some sort. Apart from that the left is a little gnat to swat and the libertarian right is easily cooptable. A thousand thanks, [...]

Agreed. “Embrace” was too strong. How about “appreciate”? On the whole positive but not “embracing” everything. Certainly not.

No it doesn’t. I quite explicitly defined “real left” as the anti-Obama left. I also quite clearly outlined areas where I DO find AJ objectionable. When’s the last time you talked to someone who disagreed with you, Margaret? I’d like to take you to the area where I live. I’d like to see you try [...]

Interesting. Thanks. All I know is the radio persona. I’d think of is as a pedagogical matter. What I think some don’t get is the pedagogical aspect of all this. I live on a farm near a small town. The people in my area might start questioning because of someone like AJ. Then that will [...]

If I had only the two, of course I’d take Hedges in a second. Every word CH has to say is wortwhile, while for AJ it’s more like half or two-thirds. Just to be clear on that. Logic isn’t AJ’s specialty, agreed.

thanks! I agree about Kucinich, btw.