Since the ascendancy of George W. Bush, I have been pushed farther and farther to the left. Not that I am ready to give up the mantle of "conservative", but it is to say that I am less likely to blame social ills on the "mainstream" media, limousine liberals, or various libertines. In fact, nowadays I don't care about ideology. I just care about what is common sense, effective, and will bring people together. I want my government to build public roads, maintain my healthcare system, and encourage kids to get an education.
But this music video reminds me very clearly why the "radical" left pisses me off so much. These girls seem more intent on provoking "outrage" then engaging in intelligent discourse — and so they run around with their shirts off, beat up some fundies, and carry around signs. It seems to me that their primary interest is in not being viewed as Republican. In fact, they only come across as trashy to me — with no coherent or intelligible message.
If I were to talk to these ladies, I would ask them how they would improve my life. I would want clear, pragmatic steps in which my life would be better through their political philosophy. How would walking around with stiletto shoes and outrageous make-up make me a much happier human being? I'm serious. I want to know.
Of course, if they claim no interest in making my life better, then I guess there's no sense in having a discussion in the first place.
5 comments:
Er, I could be wrong, but it seems to me that the video's intended to be cheesy and over the top, and not at all serious.
I just want to say I very much agree with your comments on the video. Yeah, trashy ... but I just want to let you know not every "hardcore" liberal is like that, so please do not assume we all act in that particular trashy angry way.
thanks,
alyssa
hehe... First of all, I really dig your blog. Some crazy stuff on here.
That having been said, do you seriously expect everyone who is interested in "political discourse" to tell you how they would improve YOUR life? I think the people who made this video are far more likely interested in improving their own lives, and the lives of their peers, and (assuming for a moment here that you are a stereotypical conservative--i.e., white, heterosexual, male) not interested in YOU at all.
I'm glad you're not pro-bush, but seriously, get a grip. I know next to nothing about you, but I'm having a hard time not making some pretty nasty assumptions based on this blog post.
To the last anonymous person, thank you for being respectful in your criticism. The last two comments were deleted precisely because they engaged in name-calling.
Now to address your concerns. I seriously expect anyone who wants to engages me in any political discussion to tell me how their beliefs will not only improve my life but the lives of others. If you can't tell me how I'd be better off listening to you don't expect me to listen to you at all.
As for not being interested in me, this I find hard to believe as the "white, heterosexual, male" seems to be the archetype they've set themselves up to oppose. Never mind, of course, that this archetype is mostly based off a stereotype. It is also based upon an "us vs. them" mentality. That, funny enough is what I most oppose.
And I'm glad you admit you know nothing about me. Fact of the matter is you don't know the life I experienced and why I have arrived at the beliefs I have now. I have my beliefs because I've seen too many circumstances where radicalism and mass social engineering create unimaginable damage on a person's psyche. Frankly, what I mostly care about is sanity and social stability.
One other thing: I'm not anti-Bush to impress you or anyone else who comes to read this blog. I am against Bush because of the culture of fear that has overcome America, how this fear sows tension with the rest of the world, and how group paranoia has led Americans to do reckless things. In short, I treat Bush the same way I treat any radicalism.
In fact, if I was to label myself politically, it would be as a progressive conservative — a term that is a misnomer in America but has a long, respected tradition here in Canada.
Okay, So clearly you misunderstand the Spit N Glitter video. Let me enlighten you.
First of all, Scream Club is a sex positive, gender queer inclusive, electrofeminist punk group. They do not speak for the "radical left" but rather for themselves, their exerience, and the experience of their friends.
Second, Spit N GLitter is a power anthem. It clearly illustrates the anger and desperation that exists within a subset of the queer and womyn communities. I for one, who have seen my queer friends sent to hospitol after being beat up by neo-Nazi's, after having a preacher punch my friend in the face once discovering he was gay, after squatting in an abandoned building with 5 other disowned queer persons and eating out of the trash for 6 months am very very very pissed off, and very very glad to know that others are equally pissed. Not that I'm ready to beat someone with a chromium steel dildo or anything, but the thought of fighting for my freedom with symbols of female oppression and enslavement(aka stilletos, fishnets, eyelash glue, and glitter) really speaks to me.
Third, as to what the video "brings to your life" and the "message". Its is this...when a system of government no longer meets the needs of its people it is the responsibility of the people to rise up, revolt, and restructure the system. Music is a tool of revolution. Scream club are revolutionaries who are beinging to bring positive visions to those who see injustice and seek change. With that said, What are YOU doing?
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