From My Perspective

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8/11/01...Fair Use of Copyright

"Fair Use" standards for using copyrighted material for educational purposes generally includes the ability to either supply the class with one copy each or for the students to copy the article themselves. Either way, it is available to teachers and students alike...for educational usage. If I were to put something on closed reserve in a library...the students could get their copy of it without any violations. There is no reselling of anything...no plagerism...simply the use of a written piece for the course being taught. If I passed out one copy per student in class, no violations would occur either. It is with this in mind I1d like to discuss something I1ve been doing lately regarding existing copyrighted materials.

To the point, I1ve been scanning various materials...as images (and thus, not editable)...and posting them online in The Sociology Shop. I haven1t sought the permission of the authors nor the publishers. I really don1t think I need to do so, either. What am I doing that1s any different than that described above? I1m not reselling anything...not making one thin dime from it...nor am I taking credit for the material, each is clearly labeled as to the author(s). I1m putting them in TSS as educational resources for the students in my classes as well as anyone else who might want to use them. Far from plagerizing or making money from these posts, I1m actually promoting the author(s) and their ideas. Its the same as if I were handing them out or having them available for the student to copy in the library. I1m probably breaking the copyright laws, but I don1t care...I know what I1m doing and why I1m doing it. If there is anyone offended by my practice, they should contact me. Otherwise, in all honesty and "from my perspective" they should be thanking me for giving their ideas and words exposure and use.

I plan on continuing to do this more and more. The capitalist copyright laws aren1t important to me. What is important is that the use of such material be done with openness, full disclosure, and without financial gain. I meet all these criteria and will continue to do so...despite any "legal" claim to the contrary. Any of my material in TSS is available to anyone who wants to use it...all I ask is that credit be given where credit is due...and that no charge be imposed for access to the material...just like in TSS itself.

As a recent example of the use of my material without abiding by these standards, I found almost by accident an essay written called "What is Sociology?" The first paragraph of this essay was the definition of sociology I created and use...as published in the Sociology Room of TSS. However, in this case no identification of the actual author of these words was given. It was passed off as being written by the person who submitted the essay...anonymously, of course. While my material isn1t copyrighted, I do insist that credit be given where its due...in this case, to me. It wasn1t. So I contacted the site webmaster and pointed this out and I received an apology and the essay was removed from online. I appreciated this very much and thanked the webmaster accordingly. Again, if the "writer" of this essay had just indicated that I was the author of the words, I1d have no problem at all.

I1ve no doubt that to some people my words here will simply be seen as rationalization for illegal activity. If so, so be it. If that is so and the author or publisher contacts me and asks or demands that I remove the offending piece, I will...I think....probably so. But I will not take or waste my time contacting each and every person or organization prior to copying something and posting it...not as long as I continue to use the material in the way I do and for the reasons I do. The Internet opens up a whole new reality when it comes to using other people1s material. Creating a link to someone else1s site or writings isn1t a violation of anything, so why should copying it as an image and providing free of charge over the Internet be a violation?

Of course, all of this is "from my perspective"...but I happen to think its a fairly reasoned and reasonable perspective.

































9/11/01...The Attack

Am I the only one who thinks its JUST as likely that this attack was perpetrated by an American group? I remember the hysteria about arabs and foreign terrorists before the dust even settled in OK City and it turned out that a white Veteran from Michigan did it. Is it so implausible that even militia type groups could hijack a mere 4 planes...even learning how to fly them...that intelligent people can't even consider it?

To be even more outrageous (to some), gee...could our government itself be behind it? Don't we know at least a little bit what they're capable of by now? Again, "follow the money", so to speak. Who benefits? Who benefits in an already existing climate of coups, usurption, open and blatant service to the corporate wealthy in our country? Hey, I'm just thinking...not concluding here.

Hey, I'm frustrated like many others. I've resisted writing this today because I wanted to give myself time to think and consider...as well as feel. But as this horrible day...this anomic day...comes to an end in the Northwest, I guess I had to get it out. I certainly don't know who did this any more than anyone else. But considering all we know about how things work in this world, I think we ought to consider some other possibilities.

And by the way, if it was "America" that was attacked today...then America got what it deserves. Since the beginning of this whole thing today, the thought that "you reap what you sow" has constantly been on my mind. No, individuals didn't necessarily deserve this horror...but then again, maybe some did, afterall, we're not talking about a daycare getting attacked, it was the center of national and international capitalism and the fucking Pentagon that were attacked. Are you ready to say, really ready, that there were only "nice" people in those buildings?

I agree...this carnage of humans must stop...but realistically, preaching that won't get us anywhere. I think I'm being realistically Marxist by saying that. Afterall, Marx's revolutionary thesis, the part involving violence, was about what we might have to do AFTER all else failed. It's sometimes difficult to remember that Marx acknowledged that the America of his day had a "democratic" system, somewhat, in place. But he observed that it was already controlled by the powerful and thus, didn't think hope resided in the ballot...and when it would fail, as it has election after election, then unfortunately, violence might be necessay. So to condemn violence by anyone is nice, in this very real world, ruling groups still resist giving up power without a fight.

One last thought while I'm at it...either enlightening all or simply making a fool of myself...I could care less what the judgments are...critical and radical people should watch their backs these days. Its call Fascism...yes, indeed its already in the air and I for one will watch my back very carefully these days. The pretense for roundups and repression is in place...

David H. Kessel























9/14/01...There's a Chill in the Air

I've not felt this "chill" since the so-called Desert Storm debacle. During the Nato bombings of Yugoslavia, it wasn't like this...too many people were just too unsure of that action. But, today, in the aftermath of the destruction of the World Trade Towers and part of the Pentagon...with thousands killed, wounded, or still missing with little hope for their survival, the "chill" is back. And just what is that "chill"? It's the chill of the call for conformity, for thinking the same thoughts, for being "patriotic" on someone else's terms and assumptions. It's the call for all to support a man pretending to be president no matter what he and others decide to do in reponse to the terrible realities of September 11, 2001...even, it seems, if he decides to unleash the full military might of the U.S. on someone. Its the call to be quiet if you disagree with the view that the dominant ideology of America dictates...to pray, to light candles, to not analyze anything. This latter demand comes even from those who might well agree with a critical analysis of this country and its policies and behaviors...now that's really a chill. It's the chill of knowing that if you let your critical views be known that just about anybody, in any car or truck might take some kind of action against you. It's the chill of knowing that no one even wants to try to understand that you care deeply about the loss of life, about the people grieving for their personal loss or uncertainty, especially if you express that care in ways different from them...and thus appear cold and heartless according to their definition of sensitivity.

But, its especially evident, the chill, that is...in the rabid climate of revenge and the speaking of war that is being whipped up minute by minute in this country...the demand to goosestep your way with the herd toward more death, destruction, revenge, retaliation and utlimately, ones own loss of individuality. The chill is in the flocking to easy answers and solutions...to ANY answer as long as it satisfies the nationalistic lust for superiority and revenge over real and perceived damages.

You will know the chill if you dare to be different in these times. Yes, for those of us who are liberated from the mockery of national pride, from the blind acceptance of authority and its "legitimate" views, and from alligence to symbols and lies, we live with it every day...not just in times of emergencies. But that happens without the winds of myopic thinking and "belief-is-equal-to-truth" blowing directly in our faces. But now, a scant few days from the attack, its not only in our faces, its everywhere...its evil, its scary, its unnerving, to say the least. You will know the chill if you dare to be different in these days...and to vocalize that difference.

The Pretender has called for a day of prayer tomorrow, Friday the 14th...with the added word of "remembrance" tacked on...whatever that means. The "call" is to go to church, your synagogue, your mosque, whatever religious shrine you needlessly humble yourself in...and to pray to a fiction, a fiction who if real, allowed this tragedy to happen 2 days ago. Yeah, sure. This Pretender has already gone on record in the past as saying he believes that anyone who doesn't believe in a god isn't really an American. And with his proclamation about tomorrow, he excludes all of us who don't believe in one...he doesn't seem to even consider that we might feel bad about these events. No, just go pray and "remember"...well fuck you George.

Tomorrow night we're suppose to light candles at 7:00 PM...stopping whatever we're doing...step out our doors, stop our cars, and light a fucking candle. Why? To show the world, supposedly, that America says no to terrorism and won't give into it. I'd suggest that if we really wanted to show the world something, we'd do more than light candles, we'd pledge to stop the terrorism we reak on the world and its millions of people who suffer daily from our self-righteous activities. Know what I plan to do at 7 tomorrow night? Darken my house in honor of the countless people we harm and have harmed...including by extension the victims in NY and DC. Light a candle for your demented and hypocritical jingoism, George? Fuck you.

Oh damn...I got so wound up there, I forgot for a moment about the chill. Well, I feel it again now...just who will read this and what might they do? Probably no one and probably nothing...but the chill still feels real. But getting back to the "remembrance" thing...yeah, probably a good idea...but what should we remember? How about the policies and actions taken by this country...through countless presidents (and now a pretender of presidency) over countless decades which created the conditions in which such brutal revenge as the indiscrimate killings of thousands seems reasonable to the perpetrators? No, of course not...that's what the rulers and the power people who run this country want us to NOT remember...silly me.

The chill...never leaves my mind for long, for sure...involves knowing that in the present climate of salivating lust for revenge and the destruction of anyone "different"...that the "justification" for rounding up those of us who are called "leftists," has a greater foundation than ever before in the United States. The pretext of national security looms like a dark bird over us...and if and when it happens, there will be no appeal to "law" or "justice" , much less understanding, no....the lynch mob never listens to any kind of authentic reasoning. Just ask anyone who has managed to survive a lynch mob... a jew in Germany, a black in the Deep South, a "communist" in America during McCarthy's reign, any human who managed to avoid Stalin's purges, or anyone surviving the madness of any dictator in any country...just ask them if reason worked against the mob who came for them!!!

Am I afraid? Fucking right I am. Will the chill stop me? No fucking way. But its here and its going to get worse. Just think and speak differently than the approved way these days...and in the days to come...you'll feel it. Am I paranoid? Well, you're only paranoid IF nobody is "following" you and you think there is. I'm not paranoid. The irony is that this is the exact time NOT to be silent...as countless people in countless ages could tell you if they were still alive. Cowards don't live, they exist...that's why the cowards of America don't know when they're being dehumanized and turned into sheep which can be summoned to do the bidding of the warlords and overlords any time...they think mere existence is enough. I don't...and neither do many other people who think similar thoughts.

So, yes, the chill is here...but so am I...I will not be silent and I will not join their herd just to exist. How about you. dear imaginary reader? What will you do when they come for your neighbor? What will you do when they come for you?

From my perspective,

David H. Kessel























9/17/01---Does he even Listen?

A few weeks ago a story circulated on the Internet about Dubya telling someone who told him he didn't like his policies...Who cares what you think? Some doubted the accuracy of this story, but does it matter? Whether the Pretender said it or not, it is clear to many that it aptly describes his approach...he doesn't care what we think...unless, of course, you're one of "his group." The question today is does he even listen, much less care? Does a dictator have to listen to anyone who thinks differently? Hardly. Does a dictator have to care what others think...or even that they DO think? Again, hardly. Well, for a man who was appointed and anointed to be president, is it that much different? It's not that hard to imagine Georgeboy telling someone "who cares what you think"...is it?

Well, 6 days after the horrifying events in NY and DC, George still isn't listening and quite apparently he doesn't care what many of us are thinking about his plans to wage war...in our collective name. You know, one can grieve about the death and destruction AND oppose the revengeful and paradigmatic plans being prepared by this Pretender and his yes-men. The violence was terrible, but it wasn't senseless. It was tragic for the people involved and those who were close to them and the rest of us, but it wasn't unthinkable. And although it must be answered in some way...war isn't the only answer we could give. But this man isn't listening to these kind of voices and this message. No, he's listening to the self-created message in his own head...one he and others know so well and are unfortunately limited to...given their premises and assumptions.

To be totally honest, it looks like he's having fun...he's actually got something to do besides nay-saying every international agreement made prior to his usurption of the office of president. I'd even bet he's not taking many naps these days. He looks vital, full of life and enthusiasm, not to mention resolve. This is Georgie at his best...or worst, as it were. He finally feels like a "MAN" again...he's going to kill somebody!! Gee, it must bring tears to his eyes to finally get to plan the execution of someone again...just like in Texas!! No, he's far too busy to listen to anything than what he wants to...much less to actually care that there are people out here who disagree with his simpleton policy.

But we've got to MAKE him listen...to MAKE him CARE that sincere and honest people can actually think different from him...and that their thinking might just make more sense than his does. Pretender or not...he's the Pretender of all Americans!! It's fairly certain he isn't surfing the Net for alternative views...although they are quite plentiful if he'd care to look. Rather, he's busy altercasting those alternative views as "unpatriotic" (or words to that effect). He's too busy deciding FOR all of us what we're thinking...an automatic reflection of his own so-called thought. He's too busy instructing others, like Ashcroft, to clamp down on dissent by sending messages of repression and suspension of civil rights. What a guy! What a pretender! What a idiot!

Would Gore or Clinton be any better...probably not. It's just that they have brains to waste, George doesn't have one in the first place. All he has is his shit-eaten grin and evil looks thrown at those who dare to challenge him. Yeah, I don't like him...I don't respect him...I don't acknowledge his authority...and I won't blindly "support" him about ANYTHING, unless, of course, by some quirk of luck...he actually steps back and allows someone to say something to him that doesn't rubber-stamp what he already believes.

On September 29 we will get a massive chance to make him pay attention...protests will be everywhere. Now that the IMF/World Bank has postponed their DC meetings, protesters in DC and elsewhere can focus on the real villain in all this...the Shrub!! We MUST make him pay attention...WAR IS NOT A SOLUTION...and we won't accept it as such. You can rest assured, so to speak, that violence will occur on the 29th...from the law enforcement agencies AND from your neighbor, probably. But our voices must ring out, they must be loud, constant, and uncompromising. We, the U.S., are part of the PROBLEM, not the solution. Our failure and unwillingness to acknowledge any complicity in bringing about the horrific events of 9/11...for engaging in JUST AS horrific actions since WW II...gives us NO moral ground to stand on. We must make this message as loud and clear as possible. Hypocrisy negates the moral ground from which to point a finger at those who also do terrible things. But since the "patriots" of America are actually moral, mental, and physical cowards, we stick our noses in the air and pretend that we have "god" on our side and thereby make fools of ourselves in the eyes of the rest of the world. Whatever good will and sympathy we have had directed at us since last week, it won't last forever or even for very long...especially after we start indiscriminately killing and maiming everyone and anyone in our way...just watch!!

George W. Bush is a coward. He's afraid to be wrong and insulates himself from anything which might raise the specter of that possibility. He's a "small" man in a big mans position...and I'd tell him this to his face if I ever got the chance. His only real ability is the ability to smirk real well...he really DOES do that well!! Let's wipe that smirk off his face...peacefully and legally...we have that right in this country.

George W. Bush is also self-righteous and hypocritical. He lives in the same country with the rest of us and acts as if he stands on "higher ground." Let's remind him that we're a very diverse country (and world)...far more diverse than he thinks. How diverse? Well, diverse enough to include people who CAN actually think and reason and remember the conditions which produce present realities.

Shame on you Mr. Bush...you try to impress with sincerity and all that comes across is opportunism. You try to impress with bravado, and all that comes across is a scared little man. You try to impress with displays of power, and all that comes across is a sheep in wolves clothing. Hey, George...I'm NOT impressed.

From My Perspective,

David H. Kessel























10/5/01---A Nation United? Yeah, Sure!!

Merely experiencing something that seems "in common" doesnıt mean we're united...IF united means feeling the same, understanding in the same way, agreement on what happened, with the same interests affected, and responses agreed upon. But yes, most of us in this country (lets limit it to citizens of) had a common shared reaction to the events of 9/11...horror, surprise, shock...and other similar words to describe it. I say "most" because its hard to tell just what went through the mind of every single individual...and thus we should be careful about generalizations...but clearly, the horror was there for many. In addition, concern for the victims in the planes and buildings and possible survivors was a likely common reaction too. Finally, undoubtedly grief was a numerically common reaction...although the expression of that grief certainly differed among people. Not everyone grieves the same way...not everyone expresses sensitivity to tragedy the same way, either. Ok, I suppose one could say there was a "unity" immediately after these events...involving the things I just mentioned.

But its from here that it becomes far more difficult to maintain that the "nation" or country is united...measured by the qualities I mentioned at the beginning of this essay. Iım not at all sure that everyone felt the same or has continued to do so. I doubt that everyone understands these events in the same way, nor if there is even an agreement on what happened (beyond, of course, the physical events), either. It seems certain to me that not all interests affected were or are the same and I can almost guarantee that appropriate responses to be given arenıt the same. So where's the unity?

Many people will speak of this so-called unity in numerical terms...i.e. because they believe that more people think like themselves (i.e. grieving for individuals and "America") than donıt...their calculus is that the population is "united." Maybe they're correct, it's hard to tell...beyond the surface level of horror, etc. But even if that's so, does that constitute "unity?" When you add the dimension of the innumerable details of how people reacted and what they think (again, beyond the surface) even a numerical majority must be critically doubted.

But, of course, this all submerged under the weight of "nationalism," that phenomena which has been the source of so many human battles. All the details which diminish our ability to call us a united country are ignored (and ultimately, by some, labeled un-American) under the guise of national interest and allegiance...with the flag beings it's most prominent symbol. Fly that flag and all difference is gone...we're united. Fly that flag and spew out all the ideals we like to think we actually embody...and we're united. Of course, the greatest of these ideals is "freedom" and there's no need to define it...no, it's simply equated with America and that's that! Thus, magically we're united...indivisible, even. Imagine that, a population...a society...so sorely divided by every imaginable standard (race, gender, age, economics, and politics) is now "indivisible"..."one nation" and of course...one nation "under God," too. Of course.

This, then, is the ultimate...we're ALL religious again. Never mind the millions who donıt believe in supernatural beings. Never mind the endless and countless variations of "belief." Never mind the millions who "behave" AS IF there IS a god but who harbor thoughts ranging from doubt to silent denial. No, never mind all this diversity, we're now all "under" God, presumably the same one. And, of course, what's more, this God sympathizes with "America's" plight and is "on our side"...the side of goodness, honesty, and all thatıs wonderful. Presumably, also, this God doesn't sympathize with any others, just Americans and those who "support" America...yeah, right!! We had a national day of prayer, a national worship service in our national cathedral...all in a country without a state-imposed religion, yeah, right!! It was ecumenical even...supposedly signifying the unity of all religions. Those variations I mentioned above were left out...but hey, we're a united and indivisible people, I forgot...damn, what hypocrisy!

Oh, and we shouldnıt forget or leave out that we're all "united" in "support" for our leaders...with George W. Bush, the wannabe president, right at the top of the list. We're supposed to be "loyal" Americans, following this man's lead...and his perspectives...and his values...right into any mode of response his limited paradigmatic perspective wants. Weıre suppose to "close ranks" behind him and "be" Americans who want America to "stand tall"...to stop our independent thinking and to follow the group decision as reflected by his policies. Ah, unity is such a glorious thing, isn't it?

Well, in addition to making me almost physically ill, all this "unity" and "indivisibility" stuff reeks of what this country is really all about...self-righteousness and hypocrisy. The voices of this hypocrisy are alive and well and speaking up more and more each day. Hell, even Rush Limbaugh is being allowed to write editorials for the Wall Street Journal...the Wall Street Journal, for goodness sake!! Most of these voices are the result of externally conditioned responses, which have been internalized and thus, feel like real thoughts to these people. They are, however, based on narrow paradigmatic assumptions which are then paraded before us (and thrown at some of us) as informed reasoning. Altercasting (automatically labeling of anyone who disagrees with this unified party line as anti-american and worse...i.e. the supposed opposite of what they assume they are) is everywhere. Entire stereotypically-conceived groups are targeted...leftists, in particular. Those like myself who dare to disagree, to see a larger picture...both current and historical...are being called traitors and terrorist sympathizers. Liberals (in-system people who like to fool themselves into believing you can be "loyal" to an illegitimate government and "supportive" of mass-murdering policies) are silenced everywhere, lest they be lumped into the "other" category. Remember...all this in the name of national unity...sounds familiar, doesn't it?

The "dogs of war" are on the loose...along with their handmaids who do their bidding. The "sheep" dimly perceive an unease in the air, but go on grazing anyway. As Pink Floyd has said (in a song called "Dogs of War"), they don't negotiate. They belittle anyone and anything which dares to question them and their message (called "unity"), all the while preparing to sacrifice anyone and anything for their goals.

I will not join in with the "unity" movement and I will not "support" the policies of the U.S. (at least, as they are now constituted). I didn't before 9/11 and I won't now, either. I wonıt lend credibility to hypocrisy. I won't be silent and I won't forget a process of reasoning, which incorporates the premise that all things, especially historical events, are interrelated. I won't ignore what I know...especially that everything...all events...occur in conditions giving rise to them, necessarily. I won't crumble under to the reliance on a fictional Supreme Being to sooth my grief and to "bless" America's endeavors. I won't be hypocritical by forgetting what this country has done to millions and millions of people over the years. And I certainly wonıt forget that millions hate our guts for how we have treated them. No, our actions don't excuse or even justify the brutal slaughter of 1000's of lives on 9/11...and that's not the point anyway...but grasping the history of it all and the likely responses to it by people all over the world...grasping these things makes it understandable. To those who equate understanding with condoning or simply not caring, I say to them that you need an education...you've had too much schooling for your own good...a critical education. They confuse two very different things and then arrogantly act as if their confusion constitutes reasoning...and accurate reasoning, at that. What ignor...ance!!

In short, IF "loyalty" means blindly accepting the "unity" now being paraded around this country, I guess I'll just have to be unloyal...disloyal...and downright contrary. But...IF loyalty is broadened to include a critical concern for our hypocrisy, to include an attempt to help our society's people confront the truth about ourselves (and our relations with the world), and to include the increase in justice in the world...not merely in America and certainly not FOR America, then my loyalty should be unquestioned. but of course, some won't be willing or even capable of understanding or grasping what I've just said...and that's too bad.

Elsewhere in The Sociology Shop I've detailed and explained many of the ideas and concepts Iıve used to write this "From My Perspective." If you care to...or for some, even dare to...take a look and think about them. My purpose is not only to spout off, but to educate...that's what I am, despite what else may be thought about me.

I welcome your response and dialogue

From My Perspective

David H. Kessel