I've been enjoying your careful curation and sources for quite awhile now, even though I also listen to a majority of the interviews you excerpt. Your concern and integrity shows, in how you parse the data, and your own unusual courage.
Johnson is also passionate and courageous, but like many who cultivate boldness, clearly doesn't understand when to just say "I don't know what this is, but it really bugs me!" Of course, he would be still more credible, if he could reliably make that distinction - but it isn't as shocking as it should be - we westerners haven't been great at simple modesty for awhile. Flail wildly and rant, far too often.
I can't contribute anything on the history front (though as you say, I appreciate that your commenters are generally going after information in a civil way also).
However, growing up on the left, and thinking myself a 'radical' (way back in the early eighties, mind you), I was myself really taken aback by the attitude of Trotskyists (or "Trots" as we called them) even when compared with other self-styled "revolutionaries". And yes - a preponderance of neocons do come from that "school" (though whether it's a school of thought or psychopathy, is hard to say).
Trots would do stuff like show up to someone else's parade with huge banners, get to the front and get a pile of photographs for their (street sold) newspaper, so they could pretend the entire march was for them (which it NEVER was).
I was also disgusted by the ease with which they could use an abstraction as a foul enabler (for example, stealing from mom and pop stores "Because Capitalism" - almost punched a good friend for that - he wasn't hungry - thought it was "bold").
Hitchens has to be the most famous modern Trotskyist who many have read, and while trying to understand his weird support for the War in Iraq, I realized the connection between far right and far left really is extremely strong.
But I think the clear distinction is about methods and will (psychopathy) rather than the actual program. To me, their neurotic obsessive resentment of Russia (not ignoring the history or persecution, just noticing the calendar - it has been awhile) is empowered and given dangerous force by the mindset/techniques of Trotskyism, rather than sourced from it. Give a crazy a howitzer, sort of thing.
Anyhow - just wanted to add that bit of tone-colour (despite the swelling of fake-leftist ranks of modern years, Trots are not a noticeable faction anymore, so many will not have met one themselves).
Thanks sincerely for what you do. Your hard work and determination are hugely appreciated.
Speaking of Larry, he doesn't seem to moderate his commenters. It's the wild west and I can't stomach a lot of the personal attacks. We don't see too much discord or rancor due to your efforts at reasoned discussion.
It's a difficult decision, to moderate or not, because at some point it becomes too time consuming when it's a one man operation. I like that people here seem to get along.
The jews were in Poland, and to a somewhat lessor degree in Germany because those countries were among the last to develop, coalesce around a strong centralized govenment. The jews had been driven out of virtually all countries with strong central governments, mostly monarchies, going back to the late middle ages to early modern times. They migrated into areas of a more localized feudal lords system. Whole books have been written about this phenomenon, usually blaming the peripheral countries for deliberately weakening the center, but irrespective, lithuania poland and germany were areas unable to purge the jews as was the case in other European countries. That doesn't make them morally better, just weaker. Hitler seized power, strengthened the center and set out to accomplish that which other countries had succeeded in doing; ridding themselves of the jews. The last western European country to purge before Germany was France at the beginning of the 20th century. The Germans saw what they believed to be an unending problem, hence, "the final solution". Many modern historians scapegoat the Germans for what was a universal Europe issue, hatred of jews. Even the holocaust was actually carried out by non-Germans under the heavy hand of small German SS units. Ukraine banderites are but one example. Every occupied country under the 3d Reich had local SS auxiliaries to do most of the dirty work, including jews themselves.
If I let all of the historical religious, ethnic and racial grievances of my ancestors get the better of me, I suppose that suicide would be the only solution. Having Lutherans & Catholics on my German/Scandinavian mother's side and Evangelicals on my 90% Scot/British/Tuscan Italian father's side, lots of potential for conflicts. My father had "interesting" genetics in the remaining 10%, Iberian, Native American, Bengali & Punjabi Indian, Han Chinese & Japanese as recently as 4 generations prior, his paternal grandfather was an orphan of unknown origins.
If I let all of the historical religious, ethnic and racial grievances of my ancestors get the better of me, I suppose that suicide would be the only solution. Having Lutherans & Catholics on my German/Scandinavian mother's side and Evangelicals on my 90% Scot/British/Tuscan Italian father's side, lots of potential for conflicts. My father had "interesting" genetics making up the remaining 10%, Iberian, Native American, Bengali & Punjabi Indian, Han Chinese & Japanese as recently as 4 generations prior. Dad's paternal grandfather was an orphan of unknown origin, likely where much of the unexpected heritage was derived from.
SCT, like so many of us in the U.S. you are a "mongrel," as Bill Murray put it in the movie "Stripes" with his appeal to "Old Yeller" as the prototype for the typical American soldier (no offense intended). For me it is French, Bavarian/Austrian, Danish, Swedish, and a smattering of Irish and English. How does that affect our particular racial allegiances? I would say it pretty much decimates them and puts more emphasis on our current geographical location and situation and current culture and nation (or at least it should).
Oh, yeah. And few are aware of any of this history. Each group has their own national narrative and cherished grievances. I give Putin credit for having tried to move beyond much of that, both with regard to Poles as well as Jews.
Thank you sincerely for this one, Mark.
I've been enjoying your careful curation and sources for quite awhile now, even though I also listen to a majority of the interviews you excerpt. Your concern and integrity shows, in how you parse the data, and your own unusual courage.
Johnson is also passionate and courageous, but like many who cultivate boldness, clearly doesn't understand when to just say "I don't know what this is, but it really bugs me!" Of course, he would be still more credible, if he could reliably make that distinction - but it isn't as shocking as it should be - we westerners haven't been great at simple modesty for awhile. Flail wildly and rant, far too often.
I can't contribute anything on the history front (though as you say, I appreciate that your commenters are generally going after information in a civil way also).
However, growing up on the left, and thinking myself a 'radical' (way back in the early eighties, mind you), I was myself really taken aback by the attitude of Trotskyists (or "Trots" as we called them) even when compared with other self-styled "revolutionaries". And yes - a preponderance of neocons do come from that "school" (though whether it's a school of thought or psychopathy, is hard to say).
Trots would do stuff like show up to someone else's parade with huge banners, get to the front and get a pile of photographs for their (street sold) newspaper, so they could pretend the entire march was for them (which it NEVER was).
I was also disgusted by the ease with which they could use an abstraction as a foul enabler (for example, stealing from mom and pop stores "Because Capitalism" - almost punched a good friend for that - he wasn't hungry - thought it was "bold").
Hitchens has to be the most famous modern Trotskyist who many have read, and while trying to understand his weird support for the War in Iraq, I realized the connection between far right and far left really is extremely strong.
But I think the clear distinction is about methods and will (psychopathy) rather than the actual program. To me, their neurotic obsessive resentment of Russia (not ignoring the history or persecution, just noticing the calendar - it has been awhile) is empowered and given dangerous force by the mindset/techniques of Trotskyism, rather than sourced from it. Give a crazy a howitzer, sort of thing.
Anyhow - just wanted to add that bit of tone-colour (despite the swelling of fake-leftist ranks of modern years, Trots are not a noticeable faction anymore, so many will not have met one themselves).
Thanks sincerely for what you do. Your hard work and determination are hugely appreciated.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
You're very welcome!
Speaking of Larry, he doesn't seem to moderate his commenters. It's the wild west and I can't stomach a lot of the personal attacks. We don't see too much discord or rancor due to your efforts at reasoned discussion.
It's a difficult decision, to moderate or not, because at some point it becomes too time consuming when it's a one man operation. I like that people here seem to get along.
The jews were in Poland, and to a somewhat lessor degree in Germany because those countries were among the last to develop, coalesce around a strong centralized govenment. The jews had been driven out of virtually all countries with strong central governments, mostly monarchies, going back to the late middle ages to early modern times. They migrated into areas of a more localized feudal lords system. Whole books have been written about this phenomenon, usually blaming the peripheral countries for deliberately weakening the center, but irrespective, lithuania poland and germany were areas unable to purge the jews as was the case in other European countries. That doesn't make them morally better, just weaker. Hitler seized power, strengthened the center and set out to accomplish that which other countries had succeeded in doing; ridding themselves of the jews. The last western European country to purge before Germany was France at the beginning of the 20th century. The Germans saw what they believed to be an unending problem, hence, "the final solution". Many modern historians scapegoat the Germans for what was a universal Europe issue, hatred of jews. Even the holocaust was actually carried out by non-Germans under the heavy hand of small German SS units. Ukraine banderites are but one example. Every occupied country under the 3d Reich had local SS auxiliaries to do most of the dirty work, including jews themselves.
1) existing feuds exist
2) they all have multi-level back stories
3) yet every new generation constitutes a new set of Romeos & Juliets.
4) so the past, while instructive, doesn't matter enough to continue as-is; find a way to make peace
5) past debts are always insignificant compared to future options, and are eventually written off
As I've said in the past (yesterday), I give Putin a lot of credit for attempting what you outline--specifically with regard to Poles and Jews.
“…although the topics involved would require a major book to do anything like full justice to them…” Methinks one may be in your future Mark!
Very important essay! For those who want to dive deeper, read Nikolai Gogol's book Taras Bulba.
Very impressive response and history lesson. Thank you.
If I let all of the historical religious, ethnic and racial grievances of my ancestors get the better of me, I suppose that suicide would be the only solution. Having Lutherans & Catholics on my German/Scandinavian mother's side and Evangelicals on my 90% Scot/British/Tuscan Italian father's side, lots of potential for conflicts. My father had "interesting" genetics in the remaining 10%, Iberian, Native American, Bengali & Punjabi Indian, Han Chinese & Japanese as recently as 4 generations prior, his paternal grandfather was an orphan of unknown origins.
If I let all of the historical religious, ethnic and racial grievances of my ancestors get the better of me, I suppose that suicide would be the only solution. Having Lutherans & Catholics on my German/Scandinavian mother's side and Evangelicals on my 90% Scot/British/Tuscan Italian father's side, lots of potential for conflicts. My father had "interesting" genetics making up the remaining 10%, Iberian, Native American, Bengali & Punjabi Indian, Han Chinese & Japanese as recently as 4 generations prior. Dad's paternal grandfather was an orphan of unknown origin, likely where much of the unexpected heritage was derived from.
SCT, like so many of us in the U.S. you are a "mongrel," as Bill Murray put it in the movie "Stripes" with his appeal to "Old Yeller" as the prototype for the typical American soldier (no offense intended). For me it is French, Bavarian/Austrian, Danish, Swedish, and a smattering of Irish and English. How does that affect our particular racial allegiances? I would say it pretty much decimates them and puts more emphasis on our current geographical location and situation and current culture and nation (or at least it should).
Mongrels are the best, both dogs and humans !!!
I learn so much from your writing Mark, it’s an unbelievably complex part of the world with layers of grievances stretching back for centuries
Oh, yeah. And few are aware of any of this history. Each group has their own national narrative and cherished grievances. I give Putin credit for having tried to move beyond much of that, both with regard to Poles as well as Jews.