What's Left?
"The left is not a word that you mention in polite company here" Karen Rothmeyer, editor of the Nation, quoted in “Left over?” a piece by Gary Younge in yesterday’s Guardian.
“The left in America was once a powerful force that fought for civil rights and helped to end the Vietnam war. But today, with the US poised to attack Iraq, where are the voices of dissent?
“You can tell a lot about what is on a nation's mind from what is on its bookshelves. And in America that makes for sobering news. The top five non-fiction titles on the New York Times bestsellers list at the end of last month were: 1) Bush at War; 2) The Right Man (Bush's former speechwriter relives his first year in the White House); 3) Portrait of a Killer (Patricia Cornwell on Jack the Ripper); 4) The Savage Nation (A rightwing radio talk show host saves America from "the liberal assault on our borders, language and culture); and 5) Leadership, by former Republican New York mayor, Rudolph Giuliani.”
Depressing.
Is Canada any better off? The Globe’s top five non-fiction titles at the moment are:
1. Stupid White Men by Michael Moore
2. Paris 1919 by Margaret MacMillan
3. Journals by Kurt Cobain (!)
4. Leadership by Rudolph W. Giuliani
5. 9-11 by Noam Chomsky
Which seems promising – Moore and Chomsky (and Cobain!) beating out Frum’s “The Right Man” (at #7) and Woodward’s “Bush at War” (#9). And Naomi’s globalization piece in at #10.
But where are our strong left voices? And leaders?
Jack Layton...?
“We believe a war in Iraq is wrong and on Saturday, will stand with the world’s growing peace movement,” said Layton. “To George Bush, I say read our lips: Your daddy was wrong on Iraq and you are, too.”
Fighting words. Certainly not something one can ever imagine Chretien saying. So, maybe it’s Jack...but I’m finding it hard to convince myself. What am I missing?
Could be worse, mind you. At times like this I find solace in the thought that if we'd stayed in the UK instead of moving here, we'd probably be feeling really guilty right now about having voted for Blair and his Third Way...
"The left is not a word that you mention in polite company here" Karen Rothmeyer, editor of the Nation, quoted in “Left over?” a piece by Gary Younge in yesterday’s Guardian.
“The left in America was once a powerful force that fought for civil rights and helped to end the Vietnam war. But today, with the US poised to attack Iraq, where are the voices of dissent?
“You can tell a lot about what is on a nation's mind from what is on its bookshelves. And in America that makes for sobering news. The top five non-fiction titles on the New York Times bestsellers list at the end of last month were: 1) Bush at War; 2) The Right Man (Bush's former speechwriter relives his first year in the White House); 3) Portrait of a Killer (Patricia Cornwell on Jack the Ripper); 4) The Savage Nation (A rightwing radio talk show host saves America from "the liberal assault on our borders, language and culture); and 5) Leadership, by former Republican New York mayor, Rudolph Giuliani.”
Depressing.
Is Canada any better off? The Globe’s top five non-fiction titles at the moment are:
1. Stupid White Men by Michael Moore
2. Paris 1919 by Margaret MacMillan
3. Journals by Kurt Cobain (!)
4. Leadership by Rudolph W. Giuliani
5. 9-11 by Noam Chomsky
Which seems promising – Moore and Chomsky (and Cobain!) beating out Frum’s “The Right Man” (at #7) and Woodward’s “Bush at War” (#9). And Naomi’s globalization piece in at #10.
But where are our strong left voices? And leaders?
Jack Layton...?
“We believe a war in Iraq is wrong and on Saturday, will stand with the world’s growing peace movement,” said Layton. “To George Bush, I say read our lips: Your daddy was wrong on Iraq and you are, too.”
Fighting words. Certainly not something one can ever imagine Chretien saying. So, maybe it’s Jack...but I’m finding it hard to convince myself. What am I missing?
Could be worse, mind you. At times like this I find solace in the thought that if we'd stayed in the UK instead of moving here, we'd probably be feeling really guilty right now about having voted for Blair and his Third Way...
