2008 Music Democracy
posted by on August 27 at 14:10 PM
Though the Rage Against the Machine show is pretty packed, it’s still lacks any sense of magic or joy. The security for this show, organized by Tent City, and happening at the 10,500-seat Denver Coliseum, is striving to be as tight as the one at Pepsi Center.
As for the Common Market/Blue Scholars show last night at Cuernavaca Park, they dropped out of it because of poor organization. Anything to do with the radical left is in a state of confusion. A depressing state of confusion. And in a moment, the Rage Against the Machine show will end and possibly thousands of young people led by 60 anti-war veterans are going to march into downtown Denver (3 miles from here) without a fucking permit! The cops are gathering on the street across the coliseum. The press is waiting. A loud helicopter is in the sky. Something might happen.
But something special did happen last night at the Sherman Event Center. Two members of Death Cab for Cutie, Ben Gibbard and Chris Walla, played a wonderful acoustic set for the DNC. The audience loved the two musicians, and the two musicians loved their audience. The whole business was a happy one. And it made me feel that the radical left is not only outside of politics, but not there at all. If you are on the left, you are either in the party or you are nothing.
The far left is disorganized? You need a strongman to take over the reigns of the revolution?
The radical leftists I met in college seemed to find joy in nothing. They take themselves far too seriously and I find it supremely ironic that they act more miserable than the truly poor and downtrodden.
Sadly, @2 is right.
Anyone that claims to be a radical leftist in college most likely didn't ever have a to work a job to get there.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, Charles, the far left is disorganized because of itscondescending tone. Look at you sniffing away at everyone who doesn't agree with you!
Joe: "I'm going to have a hot dog."
Lefty: "You don't want a hot dog, you just think you want a hot dog."
Joe: "No, I want a hot dog."
Lefty: "The corporations made you believe you want a hot dog with advertising."
Joe: "I want it with bright green relish and yellowy-yellow mustard."
Lefty: "Hot dogs are the product of corporate exploitation of the workers and your capitalist pig condiments are chemical perversions of the slave-picked mustard and cucumber plants. Eating that hot dog perpetuates the subjugation of millions all for your selfish gratification."
Joe: "Mmmmmm... delicious."
Lefty: "Traitor."
You're a communist, Charles? Get organizing and Slog about how many workers you've unionized. Organize a militia and drill.
It's a lifestyle movement whose prestige is wrapped up in consumer choices and empty risk (think the protesters will do more than just "disturb the peace" [ie taunting police] or minor property damage? me neither), not a political one, and you're the proof.
But it sure is a fun lifestyle.
Oops... "the far left is disorganized because of its inability to demonstrate accomplishment and repels leaders with its condescending tone."
Not sure how I did that.
The far left doens't have a sense of humor because some things aren't funny. The irony and self-awareness of liberals isn't going to deliver anything because they can't be authentically serious about anything. The state of the world can be funny, but the core problems- ignored by the mainstream left- are not simply laughed off. So laugh at the far left all you want; you're not doing anyone any favores.
doens't = doesn't
favores = favors
im to the left of most, but hardly an extreme left guy ( whatever that means). what passess for extreme left in this country is a wee laughable.
truly, they are disorganized, they are directionless and have no clue what the hell their objective may be. to not recognize the huge gain and the historical importance of electing a liberal progressive like senator obama is beyond nuts. save your energy for the republicans!
with that said, i will take rage against the motherfucking machine over death (mopey white guy) cab for cutie any day of the week and im sure mr mudede would too, but his assigment from his bossess is simple: go find ways to ridicule the easily ridiculed left, which is the easiest thing to do. and forget all your progressive leanings and objectivity.
But, to be fair, "joy" and "magic" aren't exactly the first sensations I think RATM is trying to inspire.
At first glance I thought the picture showed devotees circling the Kaaba in Mecca.
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