[lbo-talk] Re: Agamben: I Won't Go to USA

[Chuck Grimes]

``...I would like to explain the reasons for this refusal here, that
is, why, in spite of the sympathy that has connected me to my American
colleagues and their students for many years, I consider that this
decision is at once necessary and without appeal and would hope that
it will be shared by other European intellectuals and teachers...''

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It would help us a lot for Europeans and others to openly set up an
international boycott of the US, much like those against South Africa
in the 80s. Not just because of the absurd travel routines, but also
against the US foreign policy of endless war, bullying of the entire
world, and its completely unchecked unilateral militarism. Boycott
travel, boycott goods, boycott US staged events and conferences,
etc...

Soros was on Charlie Rose last night and was very articulate in
arguing with Rose and saying much the same thing---US has gone out of
bounds. Certainly not news to me, but it was good to finally hear it
said well, calmly, and with a great deal of convincing authority.

Of course such a boycott would be unconvincing to the righwing and its
brain dead popular support, but it would provide anyone in the US who
seriously objects to this whole nightmare with something external to
point to and say, see, the rest of the world thinks so too. Not much,
but certainly better than US demos that can always be ignored as
marginal.

Chuck Grimes