[lbo-talk] Uncritical Exuberance?

[wrobert at uci.edu]

Charles, I had forgotten about your ability to make a strong argument by
ignoring any contrary evidence.  I would note that the very act of
worrying indicates that Butler sees possibility in the election (keeping
in mind that hope is, in the Spinozist sense, an oscillation between joy
and fear)  You'll notice that Dennis isn't particularly worried about what
will occur in the future, which is a result precisely because of his
absence of hope.  I think this oscillation is extremely rational,
especially after the Clinton administration.  Ultimately, the tenor of the
administration will be defined by the amount of popular pressure put on it
through social movements.  What will occur in that realm can't really be
predicted.  robert wood


>>>> Dennis Claxton
>
>>CB: Does Butler have Reverse Schadenfreude ?
>
>
> A friend I sent this to asked a similar question.  I asked him, and
> now I'm asking you, did you miss this part?
>
>
>>Very few of us are immune to the exhilaration of this time. My
>>friends on the left write to me that they feel something akin to
>>"redemption" or that "the country has been returned to us" or that
>>"we finally have one of us in the White House." Of course, like
>>them, I discover myself feeling overwhelmed with disbelief and
>>excitement throughout the day, since the thought of having the
>>regime of George W. Bush over and gone is an enormous relief. And
>>the thought of Obama, a thoughtful and progressive black candidate,
>>shifts the historical ground, and we feel that cataclysm as it
>>produces a new terrain.
>
> ^^^^
> CB: No , and I didn't miss the part where she attributes contradictory
> emotions or attitudes to others :
>
> "I know that Obama is a Muslim and a Terrorist, but I will vote for him
> anyway; he is probably better for the economy." Such voters got to keep
> their racism and vote for Obama, sheltering their split beliefs without
> having to resolve them. "
>
> ^^
> So, applying her concept of "split beliefs" to her , we might surmise
> that she is both relieved and anxious about Obama's win. For example ,
> this passage:
>
> "If a consequential and dramatic disappointment is to be averted, he
> will have to act quickly and well. Perhaps the only way to avert a
> "crash" – a disappointment of serious proportions that would turn
> political will against him – will be to take decisive actions within
> the first two months of his presidency. "
>
> She's so worried.  If he doesn't quickly do what she says he should do,
> he will "crash".   Maybe, maybe not, but she's not the one I would look
> to for predictions, 'cause as far as I know she didn't predict his
> winning or the enthusiastic response he got in the campaign.  She should
> probably be more in a listening mode, and less in one of making
> pronouncements.
>
> Of course , it's not just Butler. Reverse Schadenfreude  on Obama is
> rife in certain parts of the left today.
>
>
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