Hari's Place
Harry Steele examines the future prospects of the Stop the War movement, now that the war has, at long last, lumbered into the category "situation: unstoppable." Excellent observations as usual.
The springboard consists of Eve of War columns by three well-blogged British lefty columnists: aged socialist irrelevancy Paul Foot, sometime Road to Damascus visitor Jonathon Freedland, and the invaluable Johann Hari. Hari, of course, has the right idea: they should devote the tremendous energy once dedicated to spreading the word that Bush is a Moron to the cause of promoting democracy in Iraq.
Will they? Perhaps I have too jaundiced a view, but I can't see it. At its core the current anti-war "movement," despite many decent and sincere elements among the moved, has always seemed to me to be more concerned with aesthetics than politics. I doubt many in the Socialist Workers Popular Judean Peoples Front (or whatever they may be calling themselves) will be able summon much enthusiasm for an endeavor that doesn't involve drawing little mustaches on portraits of Bush, Blair, et al. Especially if, as Hari urges, it means supporting the position of Paul Wolfowitz. Go neocon? Erase the mustaches? Not bloody likely.
I hope I'm wrong. And if I am, maybe I'd even join up.
Posted by Dr. Frank at March 19, 2003 07:26 AM | TrackBack