> But marches and protests and
> demonstrations do seem to me to involve an at least (and not always
> only) implicit assertion that you have to listen to us because there
> are a lot of us and we're taking up a lot of space and making a lot of
> noise. They are rather ineluctably a demonstration of physical oomph,
> even if they are impeccably nonviolent in their conduct and consist of
> nothing more agitated than a bunch of people sitting down in the
> middle of a public square and singing.
Dominic - the disdain here is - it seems to me - impeccable! I guess it
irritates the more so because it makes the Right - at least, here in Karl
Rove land - no doubt sweetly satisfied not to have to contend with the
nuisance of televised images, loud noise, etc. of public demonstrations in
protest of any sort. It keeps the public's optical/audio attention right on
FOX - the Network that knows how to keep the public in the mold of a quiet
mob - domesticated and nursing itself on the Tube.
Yes, I suggest we look at the Tube as not much different than the recent
infamous Schiavo "Feeding Tube." Indeed, at least in this country, the
alleged Center of a Global Empire, the public is currently comatose - unable
to rally, forge dissent or much else - and minimally thriving on whatever
Mr. Fox (qua Rove's) media feeding tube.
Unless I have your focus all wrong, Dominic, I am sure what or whose
interests your current lens is out to serve. More reasons to remain
comatose? Or, are you proposing an alternative kind of wedge.
Most of my friends confide that we in the US are now living in a country
that is dying. And it's pretty scary.
Stephen Vincent
Blog: http://stephenvincent.durationpress.com
|