Will the World Recognize the Libyan Opposition? Will the World Recognize the Libyan Opposition?
That could trump the stalemate, delegitimize Qaddafi and provide a legal basis for the United Nations to welcome a new Libyan government into the world community.
Mar 10, 2011 / Bob Dreyfuss
Washington Wonders What to Say About Arab Freedom Washington Wonders What to Say About Arab Freedom
The administration constantly spoke of an “orderly transition,” unsure of how to support Egyptian demonstrators while not offending Mubarak. As Egypt’s example sp...
Mar 10, 2011 / David Bromwich
Scott Walker Puts Out Fire With Gasoline Scott Walker Puts Out Fire With Gasoline
Scott Walker has taken Wisconsin, a state so chock-full of “Midwestern nice,” you need insulin after talking to the locals, and turned it into a place where people are ...
Mar 10, 2011 / Dave Zirin
A Tea Party for Europe? A Tea Party for Europe?
The more Europe's conservatives woo far-right groups, the likelier they are to learn to play nicely together.
Mar 10, 2011 / Maria Margaronis
‘Shame!’ Legislators Approve Wisconsin Governor’s Anti-Worker Agenda ‘Shame!’ Legislators Approve Wisconsin Governor’s Anti-Worker Agenda
As Republicans game the system to pass Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker's anti-union legislation, the senior member of the state senate says: “They have not just bent the law....
Mar 10, 2011 / John Nichols
Without His Nurse Without His Nurse
Galyna Kolotnytska, described in diplomatic cables as the “voluptuous blond” nurse who accompanies Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi everywhere, has returned to Ukraine. —News reports While everybody says, “Just go!” His countrymen all surely know Adversity seems more adverse Without his nurse. “He’s bonkers,” people say. “That might Be why he rants into the night.” His talks get further still from terse Without his nurse. The body count is now quite large; He’s killed a lot to stay in charge. And all this killing must seem worse Without his nurse. It has to bring this man much pain To bear the crumbling of his reign And see his fortunes in reverse Without his nurse. Yes, Muammar now has to face This hatred from the human race And angry crowds that won’t disperse Without his nurse. The banks freeze billions of his loot. His people sorely want to boot Him out, or put him in a hearse Without his nurse. Could Allah show a bit of mercy And send poor Mu-Mu back his nursie?
Mar 10, 2011 / Column / Calvin Trillin
Letters Letters
David—1, Goliath—0 La Jolla, Calif. Congratulations on your February 21 issue—most stimulating! Egypt, a left-wing Tea Party, feminism in Iceland and Marshall Ganz teaching us David sometimes wins! TANJA WINTER Vacaville, Calif. The Egyptian protester shown carrying a cellphone instead of a gun?—it worked! ROCCO J. COLELLA Corporate Citizens: Pay Your Taxes! Port Townsend, Wash. Johann Hari’s “The UK’s Left-Wing Tea Party” [Feb. 21] is huge. Has anyone picked a target corporation and commenced action that we here in Washington can join? Let’s get it going! MARK STEVENSON Brooklyn, N.Y. Johann Hari’s article on protests against tax dodgers in England presents a great example of creative tactics largely using social media. What Hari does not present, however, is a credible organizing model for a progressive equivalent to the Tea Party. First, the Tea Party may be odious and destructive, but it has a comprehensive political vision—eliminate social programs, shrink government, deregulate big business and let individual Americans do whatever the heck they want. Because of this clear vision, the Tea Party not only cast doubt on healthcare reform but pushed both parties to attack deficit spending, shifting the terms of debate. The British protesters Hari describes are against corporations and the rich dodging taxes. But what are they for? Do they represent a pro-tax “movement”? Do they defend taxes for everyone, or even call on the government to raise taxes? Unlike conservatives, US progressives have long been hobbled by their lack of a vision on this and other issues. Organizing protests on Twitter doesn’t change this. Second, there is a fundamental difference between mobilizing and organizing. “Mobilizing” means inspiring or provoking people to participate in an action. “Organizing” is a more sustained process that builds individual and group power to identify goals and engage in sustained action to achieve them. Mobilizing is thin and narrow. Organizing is thick and transformational. Both are important, but to suggest that some oppositional protests—albeit creative tactically—are the same as a more sustained ideological movement is like suggesting that going to a McDonald’s is equivalent to cultivating a farm. Empty calories can feel satisfying, but… Mobilizations can become transformational movements—but that takes deep organizing and a positive long-term vision. SALLY KOHN, founder, chief education officer Movement Vision Lab Hari Replies London Mark Stevenson: you can find a map of all planned US Uncut protests at usuncut.org/actions/list. If there isn’t one in your area yet, it’s very easy to arrange one and add it to the map. Let me know how it goes! Sally Kohn: UK Uncut has a very clear vision. The British government says every day that the only way to deal with its budget deficit is to dismantle public services and make the middle class and poor pay. UK Uncut says that the government should instead collect the £120 billion the superrich are currently avoiding and evading in taxes every year. What could be clearer? Make the people who caused this crisis pay for it—starting by collecting the taxes they already owe, and by (yes) increasing them. Kohn asks, the protesters “are against corporations and the rich dodging taxes. But what are they for?” It’s there in my article and in everything UK Uncut says: preserving and extending the welfare state that has been built up by centuries of activism and preserving all the things we value about our country—from publicly owned forests to good schools—by making the people who crashed and trashed our economy finally pay their share. Isn’t that a positive vision? She also asks, “Do they represent a pro-tax ‘movement’? Do they defend taxes for everyone, or even call on the government to raise taxes?” Yes, yes and yes, as she could have seen if she’d looked at UK Uncut’s website before insultingly comparing the group to a political Happy Meal. If the UK Uncut agenda—which commands majority support, according to polling—succeeds, hundreds of thousands of people being forced out of their homes, and millions of public workers being fired, will see their terrible suffering vanish. I think you’d find it hard to tell those people this amounts only to “empty calories.” I agree that “‘organizing’ is a more sustained process that builds individual and group power to identify goals and engage in sustained action to achieve them.” If Kohn wants an inspiring model of that, she’s welcome at a UK or US Uncut meeting anytime. JOHANN HARI Clarification Gary Younge’s March 7/14 “Beneath the Radar” column, titled “Selling History Short in Mississippi” stated that “[Diane] Nash and other original freedom fighters will not be attending” a reception honoring Freedom Riders being hosted by Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour. To clarify: some Freedom Riders, including John Lewis and Bob Filner, will be in attendance.
Mar 10, 2011 / Our Readers and Johann Hari
Five Vie for Puzzler’s Mantle Five Vie for Puzzler’s Mantle
Voting for the next Nation puzzler has now closed. Stay tuned for the announcement of the winner of our Crossword Puzzle Contest!
Mar 9, 2011 / The Nation
Naomi Klein: Environmental Destruction Thrives in a Free-Trade World Naomi Klein: Environmental Destruction Thrives in a Free-Trade World
To confront climate change we need to completely restructure our economic system.
Mar 9, 2011 / Press Room
Naomi Klein: Environmental Destruction Thrives in a Free-Trade World Naomi Klein: Environmental Destruction Thrives in a Free-Trade World
To confront climate change we need to completely restructure our economic system.
Mar 9, 2011 / Democracy Now!