Jaded with the New McCarthyism
The Senator | 02.02.2007 15:17 | Analysis
Without wishing to revive Old Hat, I preferred to wait to see how the hulabaloo over the tactless Jade Goody played out. It seems more sinister than anyone has yet remarked.
Modern Britain sees a case of the State Supreme. Unlike other attempts in this field, it has mananged to portray itself as the relatively Good Guy, by waiting and taking a firm National Moral Purpose, to coin the phrase used by Mr Blair a few years ago.
In the 1950s, the USA saw the advent and, fortunately the demise of a phenomenon instgated by Senator Joseph Mccarthy, who destroyed the careers of many leftists, liberals and most chillingly those who had no connection with activism except by the slightest association. (perhaps studying alongside someone at university)
Knowing leftists or expressing any opinion contrary to what was McCarthy's definiiton of True Americanism would wreak the dread of Thoughtcrime, a term coined by Orwell in 1984, which neatly brings us back to the woeful subject of Jade Goody in Big Brother (of all names!)
Ms Goody in my own opinion has been found guilty of nothing except stupidity and tactlessness; the nation has not suddenly unearthed a hidden Bunker of the IV Reich, but a rather overpromoted woman who played the 'celeb' scene quite lucratively- up to now, anyway. (If the plug is about to be pulled on this scene, it is some relief i suppose!)
Already, the tabloid yellow press has performed a volte face, proclaiming themselves the enemies of racialism, conveniently forgetting that for years they were the prime suppliers of racialist attitudes to the working class. (I recall another secene in 1984, where the banners of protest were changed halfway along a march).
In the meantime, still yet in 1984 fashion, a squaild war rages against a real East Asia, serving no purpose except to squander resources. Independent civil life has been broken up and any definition of nationhood is in the hands of the politicians and the Home Office (o my god!). Modern leftists are in peril too. Multiculturalism Is Diversity we are told, and tomorrow itll be something else. But isnt the correct term for multiculturalism actually Communalism ? What the hell we may legitimately ask, is going on?
It is one thing to go after bad thoughts and bad people; but it wont be long before these sentiments are extended to more serious figures, such as Karl Marx himself. Marx was a known tactless person himself, and in his letters you will without doubt find all kinds of nasty remarks about people he didnt like, usuing epithets and insults which would make Jade blush for one. I personally recall in the 1980s, that Marx was accused by the Dworkinist wing of feminism for doing what Bill Clinton was found to have done in his office hours, and suddenly those anti-Marxists found themselves defending Clinton ! How Orwell would have laughed (did he ever laugh, I wonder. rather po-faced sort of chap, but still) .
The future looks grim indeed.
Discuss.
In the 1950s, the USA saw the advent and, fortunately the demise of a phenomenon instgated by Senator Joseph Mccarthy, who destroyed the careers of many leftists, liberals and most chillingly those who had no connection with activism except by the slightest association. (perhaps studying alongside someone at university)
Knowing leftists or expressing any opinion contrary to what was McCarthy's definiiton of True Americanism would wreak the dread of Thoughtcrime, a term coined by Orwell in 1984, which neatly brings us back to the woeful subject of Jade Goody in Big Brother (of all names!)
Ms Goody in my own opinion has been found guilty of nothing except stupidity and tactlessness; the nation has not suddenly unearthed a hidden Bunker of the IV Reich, but a rather overpromoted woman who played the 'celeb' scene quite lucratively- up to now, anyway. (If the plug is about to be pulled on this scene, it is some relief i suppose!)
Already, the tabloid yellow press has performed a volte face, proclaiming themselves the enemies of racialism, conveniently forgetting that for years they were the prime suppliers of racialist attitudes to the working class. (I recall another secene in 1984, where the banners of protest were changed halfway along a march).
In the meantime, still yet in 1984 fashion, a squaild war rages against a real East Asia, serving no purpose except to squander resources. Independent civil life has been broken up and any definition of nationhood is in the hands of the politicians and the Home Office (o my god!). Modern leftists are in peril too. Multiculturalism Is Diversity we are told, and tomorrow itll be something else. But isnt the correct term for multiculturalism actually Communalism ? What the hell we may legitimately ask, is going on?
It is one thing to go after bad thoughts and bad people; but it wont be long before these sentiments are extended to more serious figures, such as Karl Marx himself. Marx was a known tactless person himself, and in his letters you will without doubt find all kinds of nasty remarks about people he didnt like, usuing epithets and insults which would make Jade blush for one. I personally recall in the 1980s, that Marx was accused by the Dworkinist wing of feminism for doing what Bill Clinton was found to have done in his office hours, and suddenly those anti-Marxists found themselves defending Clinton ! How Orwell would have laughed (did he ever laugh, I wonder. rather po-faced sort of chap, but still) .
The future looks grim indeed.
Discuss.
The Senator