This is great, with one exception: Peaceman would not be fighting at the end. I've been thinking a lot about violence being so pervasive a paradigm that most people assume that it is the natural solution to problems, while nonviolence seems weird, quaint and/or unattainable. They picture the vegetarian Gandhi in a diaper and think ,"That would never fly today" just like they think, "Kucinich? Department of Peace? He'll never get elected." How to break out of that, without resorting to images or suggestions of violence? That's a challenge that is crying out to be explored … or all we'll continue to get is people like the supposedly anti-war Obama (who prominent African-American Friends I know support) calling for preemptive military strikes on Pakistan.
Mark Kurlansky's Nonviolence: The History of a Dangerous Idea. An outstanding book which should be read by everyone who would like to see wars and everyday violence become obsolete.
That's a very fair criticism. Somehow, the fighting scene didn't even occur to me as violent when it clearly is. Though the old Batman series had a unique, cartoonish perspective on violence which I like to think was critical of the media's glorification of it. In any case, the fight was meant to be symbolic, and we didn’t mean to suggest that Dennis would ever actually fight anyone.
More importantly, I share your concerns about both the major Democratic candidates and the ubiquity of violence in our society. And it pains me to see pragmatic and potentially transformative ideas like the Department of Peace written off as hippy daydreams. Hopefully through getting the word out on Kucinich we can help to shift perspectives on these critical issues.
So you all know, this video has been posted and linked to on several pages of Dennis's official web site. You have to create an account to access the "Action Center" to see it, but it's there.
Dennis the K spoke at my former church once, Unity on The River in Amesbury, MA--maybe a year and a half ago. I was struck by two things--
1.) He was not nuts or even mildly wild-eyed.
2.) He used about 8 minutes of his 20+ minute allotment to say a few things and then said if folks wanted the politics they'd have to come back for the afternoon workshop. He had me from there.
I think he stands a snowball's chance in hell of beating the yummy, unctuous, deliberately evasive Liespeak of the major candidates like Hillary and ,unfortunately, Barak (did he hire his campaign director from ReptilicanfuckheadsRUs or what?). I think he and John Edwards are, nfortunately, not going to survive the primaries, but one of them will get my vote if they're still in it
Dennis K has been demonized by the right and marginalized by RightLite (the Hillary dems), that alone would make me want to vote for him. Having actually met him, shook his hand and looked into his eyes I cannot say, like Bushit did of Czar Vladimir that I could see into his heart, but at least I know he has one--and, as well, a soul.
First saw this over at PhydeauxSpeaks and laughed my ass off! Brilliant once again, Gang O' Blue!
Being of the Batman-On-Television generation (I know, I fart dust!) I was amused by the camp/cartoon violence of the TV clip. Having just listened to a lecture by Arun Gandhi, grandson of Guess Who, I've embraced both the quest for release from the paradigm of violence-as-solution and the understanding that, as M. Gandhi taught, there are times when the violence being visited upon one is so egregious and unceasing that the response may well have to be physical, powerful and decisive.
I think the key to not becoming the monster against which we struggle is to see violence as the absolute last resort, and to return to peace and forgiveness as soon as the violence being done to us has been stopped.
BTW, isn't "Be the Change" part of a Gandhi quote? It's beautiful and powerful regardless.
This is great, with one exception: Peaceman would not be fighting at the end. I've been thinking a lot about violence being so pervasive a paradigm that most people assume that it is the natural solution to problems, while nonviolence seems weird, quaint and/or unattainable. They picture the vegetarian Gandhi in a diaper and think ,"That would never fly today" just like they think, "Kucinich? Department of Peace? He'll never get elected." How to break out of that, without resorting to images or suggestions of violence? That's a challenge that is crying out to be explored … or all we'll continue to get is people like the supposedly anti-war Obama (who prominent African-American Friends I know support) calling for preemptive military strikes on Pakistan.
ReplyDeleteMark Kurlansky's Nonviolence: The History of a Dangerous Idea. An outstanding book which should be read by everyone who would like to see wars and everyday violence become obsolete.
Off Topic. I think you would enjoy these.
ReplyDeleteJesus & Mo
ReplyDeletePanties
Suzy,
ReplyDeleteThat's a very fair criticism. Somehow, the fighting scene didn't even occur to me as violent when it clearly is. Though the old Batman series had a unique, cartoonish perspective on violence which I like to think was critical of the media's glorification of it. In any case, the fight was meant to be symbolic, and we didn’t mean to suggest that Dennis would ever actually fight anyone.
More importantly, I share your concerns about both the major Democratic candidates and the ubiquity of violence in our society. And it pains me to see pragmatic and potentially transformative ideas like the Department of Peace written off as hippy daydreams. Hopefully through getting the word out on Kucinich we can help to shift perspectives on these critical issues.
Absolutely effin' brilliant.
ReplyDeleteBut, yeah, Dennis is a pacifist. He wouldn't raise a sword to Cheney like that. Even on a bad day.
Outstanding- made my day. But Dennis is indeed Peaceman..., so no swords.
ReplyDeleteThat is a beautiful thing!
So you all know, this video has been posted and linked to on several pages of Dennis's official web site. You have to create an account to access the "Action Center" to see it, but it's there.
ReplyDeleteExcellent ... good job!
ReplyDeleteBAC
If Dennis Kucinich remains in come primary time, I'm switching from Green to Democrat to vote for him. (And I've never voted for Nader.)
ReplyDeleteMrs. Tim
Far freakin' out (oh, and well done). Kucinich for (your) president, in 2008.
ReplyDeleteDennis the K spoke at my former church once, Unity on The River in Amesbury, MA--maybe a year and a half ago. I was struck by two things--
ReplyDelete1.) He was not nuts or even mildly wild-eyed.
2.) He used about 8 minutes of his 20+ minute allotment to say a few things and then said if folks wanted the politics they'd have to come back for the afternoon workshop. He had me from there.
I think he stands a snowball's chance in hell of beating the yummy, unctuous, deliberately evasive Liespeak of the major candidates like Hillary and ,unfortunately, Barak (did he hire his campaign director from ReptilicanfuckheadsRUs or what?). I think he and John Edwards are, nfortunately, not going to survive the primaries, but one of them will get my vote if they're still in it
Dennis K has been demonized by the right and marginalized by RightLite (the Hillary dems), that alone would make me want to vote for him. Having actually met him, shook his hand and looked into his eyes I cannot say, like Bushit did of Czar Vladimir that I could see into his heart, but at least I know he has one--and, as well, a soul.
democommie
First saw this over at PhydeauxSpeaks and laughed my ass off! Brilliant once again, Gang O' Blue!
ReplyDeleteBeing of the Batman-On-Television generation (I know, I fart dust!) I was amused by the camp/cartoon violence of the TV clip. Having just listened to a lecture by Arun Gandhi, grandson of Guess Who, I've embraced both the quest for release from the paradigm of violence-as-solution and the understanding that, as M. Gandhi taught, there are times when the violence being visited upon one is so egregious and unceasing that the response may well have to be physical, powerful and decisive.
I think the key to not becoming the monster against which we struggle is to see violence as the absolute last resort, and to return to peace and forgiveness as soon as the violence being done to us has been stopped.
BTW, isn't "Be the Change" part of a Gandhi quote? It's beautiful and powerful regardless.
Yes.
ReplyDelete"Be the change you wish to see in the world."
Hyuh,I looked it up after asking, as is my usual bass-ackward style :lol: !
ReplyDelete