It applies perfectly to the airbrushed reality used by media and advertisers to stimulate envy and consumption in the West.

There is no doubt that this sort of “kitsch”-based communication has been used to mold society – which until recently was in the captive thrall of one-way mass media such as TV and print.

I speak as a member of the American generation trained to hold liberal opinions by the TV shows like:

Courtship of Eddie’s Father
Julia
All in the Family
Maude
One Day at A Time
Kate and Allie
Three’s Company

… and the beat goes one with Ellen DeGeneris and that new show about polygamy…

So: obviously totalitarian regimes do not in any way have an exclusive claim on politically motivated kitsch (although it’s interesting that American political kitsch has been largely the product of the Left).

“As for my own ‘suffering’ I wouldn’t claim it’s anything worth talking about.”
Thanks. Then why did you bring it up?

“My political beliefs never cost me anything…”
We already knew that, didn’t we.

“…and my Jewishness has luckily never come into contact with the masses of ‘Red America’ who claim to love Israel and have never met a Jew.”
Thank God for that. Please stay safely ensconced in Manhattan, or West L.A. or whichever liberal enclave you are in. I’d hate to have those lowly red staters think you represented all Jews.

“I guess people tend to get riled up so much by these internet discussion because there’s nothing at stake.”
???If there’s nothing at stake, what is there to get riled up about? And exactly who is it that’s riled up? Seems to be you mainly.
I think there’s a great deal at stake, debate of ideas is everything we are, in the end. We are not animals only interested in a meal and a safe place to rest.

A bit?

I doubt historians will ever catch on, but if you’re ever curious about why the U.S. didn’t follow Europe down the road to late 20th century ruin, you’d do worse than to study the twin impact of Graham and King.

Evangelicals still pack a pretty substantial influence, but to the average joe who’s actually paying attention, they’re a lot less scary these days because:

A. The politics of the Evangelicals themselves has changed substantially (and is continuing to do so, mostly in a liberal direction, but recently turning left like the mainline denominations before them).

B. The “left” that once allied to with the liberals to take over American institutions has become a lot more scary itself, especially to liberals.

I have to ask whether L.A. lived through the late 70s-early 80s when Pat Robertson and the Christian Coalition were at the top of their game. It was extremely creepy, especially if you lived, as I did, in the Virginia Beach area where Robertson built his palatial headquarters. That place was intended to dominate and overawe people with the apparent power and wealth of Christian evangelicism. If I recall correctly, Robertson’s influence on local politics was pernicious. Compared to that time, evangelicals’ influence today is negligible.

I don’t think the Republicans are dominated by evangelicals any more than the Democrats are dominated by Communists. There’s influence, yes, and the fringies on the left and right get lots of press because they’re so outrageous. We would be wise to keep an eye on them. But cries of “theocracy” and “welfare state” seem a bit premature.

Personally, I would be happier if the Republicans and Democrats would openly distance themselves from the fringe. That is, stronger denunciations of Pat Robertsons stupid press statements and no more seating Michael Moore next to former presidents at the national convention. Is it too hard to say “These people are welcome to their opinions, but their views do not represent those of our party?” I guess…

Back to Art…

I followed Grackle’s link to check out Jerub-Baal’s homepage. Again, I’m not an art expert but I found J-B’s paintings both beautiful and thought-provoking. I hope this is proof that an artist can succeed in stimulating the viewer without being puerile or offensive.

All conscientious propagandists seek the ideal Catch 22 dilemma. I’m not saying they are conscientious propagandists, however, but they do seek and have accomplished a Catch 22.