Bono and the Rebel Jesus

"To the question whether I am a pessimist or an optimist, I answer that my knowledge is pessimistic, but my willing and hoping are optimistic." -- Albert Schweitzer

I got a great Christmas gift yesterday, the DVD of U2's 2001 Slane Castle show in Ireland -- the concerts performed just after Bono's dad died and just before 9-11. U2 has long been one of my favorite bands, and in this contentious political season, I love seeing them show how it's possible to be both angry and hopeful, both pissed and optimistic. Many wise souls, paraphrasing Albert Schweitzer, have said "We must have pessimism of the intellect and optimism of the will," and it occurs to me that many of the things I feel most connected to -- U2's music, the Dean campaign, Hope magazine (you haven't heard of it? click here for info), the writings of Paul Krugman (see an archive here), Unitarian Universalism -- are grounded by exactly that principle.

And then there's a great song by Jackson Browne, showcased on the Chieftains' Bells of Dublin CD a few years back. In The Rebel Jesus, Browne had this to say:

We guard our world with locks and guns
And we guard our fine possessions
And once a year when Christmas comes
We give to our relations
And perhaps we give a little to the poor
If the generosity should seize us
But if any one of us should interfere
In the business of why there are poor
They get the same as the rebel Jesus

Click here to read all the lyrics.

Pessimism of the intellect means knowing America under George W. Bush has gone off track with its siege mentality, environmental plundering, and bitter class divisions. Optimism of the will means knowing there's a better way: a way of reconciliation and cooperation, a way of governing as if everyone has a place at the table.

Comments

[Serephin]

Optimism is exactly right. The Dean campaign is all about hope, and as I think I said somewhere before, optimism linked to positive action is the catalyst for hope.

(At least, I said something to that effect. That's the trouble with writing stuff to a dozen different blogs -- trying to remember where you hid the Easter eggs gets more difficult.)

From what I've read the last couple of days, the wingnut fruitcakes and their mighty Wurlitzer is ramping up the meme that Governor Dean is "pessimistic." Apparently, this is their word of the week, and they plan on pushing it hard. Pay attention to the no-freaking-way-is-it-liberal media and you'll probably hear and read it a lot.

We Dean supporters are the shields that can head off these Rethug darts before they penetrate and stick to the good Doctor. Unlike the 2000 election, we know to expect these kinds of attacks, and must be prepared to fight back against them. Write emails against the media whores who lie about Howard Dean, call the TV and radio stations, write letters to the editors of our local and national newspapers. Most of all, talk, talk, talk to everyone we meet about why Dean is fighting for us, and we for him.

No more will we roll over for the Rethuglicans and their bootlicking media -- we've got a battle worth fighting, and it's going to be the political version of hand-to-hand combat before November 2004 arrives. Just remember that fighting for something you believe in, beside others who feel as you do, is a hell of a great reason for getting up every morning. Our opponents' cause is in the service of the Right-wingers -- but ours is truly a righteous cause. I'll take that any day.

[TimothyL]

You said...
a way of governing as if everyone has a place at the table.

Serephin then said...
We Dean supporters are the shields that can head off these Rethug darts
and then...
No more will we roll over for the Rethuglicans

Nothing like sane, responsible and coherent discourse, huh?

[Serephin]

Timothyl --

The responsibility to prove they can hold a "sane, responsible and coherent discourse" is on the Right, not the Left. So far, they've (you've?) shown that they can't. Example:

-------------

"We are trying to change the tones in the state capitals - and turn them toward bitter nastiness and partisanship," said Grover Norquist, a leading Republican strategist, who heads a group called Americans for Tax Reform.

"Bipartisanship is another name for date rape," Norquist, a onetime adviser to former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, said, citing an axiom of House conservatives.

-------------

Perhaps you believe it's alright for those who aren't wingnuts to be bent over by the neocons -- just take it and smile. I do not. We don't need to apologize to these clowns, and I sure as hell don't need to apologize to you.

I can, and will, work with moderate Republicans. The one's who control the GOP, those to the right of Genghis Khan, I've got no use for. I understand the ground rules they've set -- no quarter asked, none given. In 2004, there are a lot of us, more every day -- Democrats, Independents, Greens, even anti-Bush Administration Republicans -- willing to play that game. And play to win.

Is that coherent enough for you, Bucky?

[TimothyL]

Is that coherent enough for you, Bucky?

Yes, it is, buckaroo. Sane, responsible and coherent discourse has no place whatsoever at your table.

[Serephin]

TimothyL --

You've yet to put up any discourse at all. Do you have any argument to put up? Please, by all means, explain what I've written that is -- to you -- insane, irresponsible, or incoherent.

Do you have anything to back up what you've written here? Do you have an argument to put forth? Let's have some details, if you have the ability to do so.

The ball's in your court, Tim.