Talking At Cross Purposes About Unknown Knowns and Known Unknowns.

C@tmomma Uncategorized,

Jersey Boys

I was reading one of the ‘Best Longform Articles from 2012’, brought to our attention by Leroy Lynch and Magickle. Specifically, ‘Jersey Boys’ by Jeffrey Goldberg, from ‘The Atlantic’ magazine:

href=”http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2012/07/jersey-boys/309019/”

It’s basically an investigation about 2 of New Jersey’s most famous sons, Governor Chris Christie, a Republican and self-confessed ‘biggest fan’ of Bruce Springsteen, and ‘The Boss’ himself, Bruce Springsteen.

The article describes how one, the Republican, can’t understand how the other, a wealthy Democrat supporter, can be that way, when, as he sees it, Bruce Springsteen is the embodiment of the Republican ideal, a self-made man.

So, I thought I would give the Springsteen ‘Right of Reply’, from the Progressive Left perspective, if I may be so bold. As ‘The Boss’ is busy touring the world right now, and coming to Wayne Swan’s home town of Brisbane pretty soon too I believe. At which event I’m guessing Wayne swan will be in the front row!

So here I go.

Now, the article starts out by making an interesting point:

‘…most politicians-certainly most politicians of national stature-are either too dull, or too monomaniacally careerist to maintain fervent emotional relationships with artists. And when they do, the objects of their affection often resemble them ideologically or dispositionally-‘

Take the lyrics of the Springsteen song that is quoted in the article:

“Workin’ in the fields / Till you get your back burned / Workin’ ’neath the wheel / Till you get your facts learned / Baby, I got my facts / Learned real good right now.” He screams the song’s immortal lines: “Poor man wanna be rich / Rich man wanna be king / And a king ain’t satisfied till he rules everything / I wanna go out tonight / I wanna find out what I got.”

Now, it’s interesting to note the dichotomy of political belief as it relates to these 2 men & how they take different meanings out of the words of this song.

Chris Christie believes it exemplifies “The American Dream”, of starting at the bottom and working your way to the top. And no party enables the American Dream better than the Republican Party. That is, that the poor man working in the field aspires to be rich, that’s what motivates him to keep working in the field until his back burns. So that one day he might climb to the top of the greasy pole, and that he may become the rich man.

Then, as a rich man, he will keep aspiring to be more than that. He will aspire to be ‘king’. As in, in modern parlance, a CEO, PM or President. And that is fine and admirable according to Christie, and most modern Conservatives.

However, where I think Springsteen differs, is in the kicker in the tail told in that song, via the line:

‘And a king ain’t satisfied till he rules everything.’

Springsteen is saying the ‘king’ wants to keep the man in the field, workin’ neath the wheel, till his burnt back is broken.

Chris Christie doesn’t question the ‘Power at all costs as you rise to the top’ mentality. Springsteen does.

In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if Springsteen had a few modern media moguls and politicians, like Rupert Murdoch & Silvio Berlusconi, in mind, when he wrote that line.

Men mainly. Though mannish women, like Margaret Thatcher probably would qualify also, whose sole aim in life has been to seek to rule as much of everything as they can, and destroy, denigrate, divide and conquer, those who try and get in their way.

Chris Christie, and most Conservatives, see nothing wrong with this at all. It is the purest manifestation of their ethos, which basically amounts to bare-knuckle Social Darwinism.

However, I believe, as most Social Democrats do, that Springsteen questions this mentality, and what’s more, disdains it utterley and completely.

For what does it benefit a man, if he does not benefit the greater good? The Common Weal. And that he cannot bring relief to his fellow man with good deeds?

Such as paying your fair share of tax, which then provides public services for the needy, and allows government to give them opportunities they cannot afford to provide for themselves, in order to better themselves?

As opposed to Christie’s idea that you only get what you take, or break your back to get.

That’s why Chris Christie doesn’t get why Bruce Springsteen stoically refuses to join the ‘Club of Kings’, even though Christie thinks he can explain it, when he says, “You want to know what he’s saying?”, Christie asks. “He’s telling us that rich people like him are fucking over us poor people in the audience, except that us in the audience aren’t poor, because we can afford to pay 98 bucks to him to see his show. That’s what he’s saying.”

Well, where do I start with that lot?

For a start, I don’t think Bruce Springsteen would take too kindly to a Republican Governor, who has slashed taxes for the rich & services for the poor, and who seeks to smash the Working Man & Woman’s collective voice, the Union, in their joint Home State of New Jersey, paraphrasing what Bruce Springsteen means with his lyrics, or how he manifests a hypocrisy with them by his actions in being a wealthy person, who sings songs about the poor’s struggles. By telling others, who can afford ~$100 for a ticket that they are poor, and downtrodden by ‘The Man’, as manifest by Christie and his plutocratic mates in the Republican Party.

No mention, of course, about how it may well be the case that a lot of the ticket purchasers could have put aside the equivalent of $2/week from their Minimum Wage jobs, for a year, just so they could afford to see Bruce Springsteen play live.

No, simply because they can still afford a ticket, that means they are not as badly off as Bruce Springsteen makes them out to be, according to Christie. A telling, and common, current Conservative mindset.

Maybe Bruce Springsteen understands better than Chris Christie exactly how these people came by the money for the tickets, and he expresses his sympathy and empathy in his songs?

Also, what Chris Christie, and most modern Conservative politicians, doesn’t understand, is that a wealthy individual does not have to abandon his principles and beliefs, nor empathy for the plight of the poorly-paid worker or the indigent who have fallen on hard times, or the disabled…just because he is a wealthy individual himself.

I mean, that’s the core difference between these 2 men. One believes that being a high-wealth individual disqualifies you from sympathy for the poor devils, and you are a hypocrite, therefore, if you seek to speak to that.
And then there is the other one, who believes in the eternal struggle against the wealthy in society, in order to get a better deal for those who don’t have as much, due to whatever circumstance, and so sees it as his duty to campaign to force the wealthy to share a little bit of their fortunes with those less fortunate. Even if you are one of ‘The 1%’ yourself.

Therefore, maybe, because Springsteen knows that Christie will never be able to comprehend this basic fact, is why he has no time for him. And never will.

I mean, Chris Christie is the living, breathing embodiment of the (fat) kid who never wanted to share, and thus is the walking, trash-talking epitome of today’s global Conservative Manifesto:

‘I got mine. You can go fuck yourself!’

1,043 thoughts on “Talking At Cross Purposes About Unknown Knowns and Known Unknowns.”

  1. It was many years ago – I did ring the radio station, which didn’t put me through.

    I had a fun one like that last election – the radio station had asked me to contact them the minute some news came through. I got the email with the required info and bounced it straight to them (to both the producer & announcer) and followed this up with a phone call – both within minutes of receipt.

    Sat patiently through the rest of the program (at least half an hour, where far less pressing issues were discussed). No mention.

    The next day, the presenter had a go at me for failing to get the info out.

    I let rip! He apologised on air, then followed this up with an apologetic phone call and email.

    His producer went on to work as media officer for one of the local Lib MPs…..

    …but my dressing down of the presenter was met with universal praise – I had people stopping me in the street to say it was well deserved!

  2. The Publican,

    For tonight all tips are yours.
    And all tips from now on but you must share with Fiona.

    I’ll have you know I was made a very tempting offer to spend the next 2 weeks working the bar at the Tennis. But I declined, to keep working here. 😀

    I shall, on occasion, be inexplicably absent from work over the next 2 weeks. 😉

  3. I think Nick Economou just takes a more Machiavellean view to politics, possibly from being surrounded by it for so long. He used to be an organiser or something for the Missos Union, and has a background in the ALP but seems to have distanced himself from them these days.He gives very blunt assessments of things, and is a bit of a showman. Engage him in longer conversations and you get more out of him. He has some kind of facination with the National Party though, especially good old Joh. As my research essay was on the Nationals’ decline, it was quite a useful at the time (he actually directed me to William’s blog as part of that research).

    I’ve also heard him declare, based on a 51/49 Newspoll (to the Lib/Nats), that Baillieu was screwed. I think he takes the view that making a prediction and being wrong is more interesting than not making one at all. I wouldn’t ascribe him to either side, its more that he’s a wanker at times.

  4. BK,
    Because, Ben Affleck. 😉

    Hollywood darling, married to daughter of Hollywood royalty. Democrat, who just helped Obama’s re-election. Give the man a prize! Just not an Academy Award. 😀

  6. Greyhound,
    😀

    Yeah, I thought Economou had a Union background. I still think he knows which side his bread is buttered on and panders accordingly. Besides, who wouldn’t say that Baillieu is stuffed? He’s got a one seat majority, and the guy that holds it is actually deserving of being booted out of parliament.

    Maybe, he has been immersed in it all for too long, however, if he thinks that the sort of malfeasance concocted by Abbott, Brough et al., is just the regular argy bargy of politics.

  10. http://www.abc.net.au/local/audio/2013/01/14/3669471.htm

    4 January, 2013 6:08PM AEDT
    A look at the world in 2013 with the foreign minister
    In studio today with Richard Glover on 702 Drive was Senator Bob Carr the Foreign Minister of Australia to talk about the challenges ahead in foreign affairs and the potential of Australia’s seat on the United Nations Security Council. Listen back to the full interview here.

  13. C@t, he went to a boarding school when he moved to Melbourne from Tasmania I believe, and encountered Young Libs there. I don’t think he had much time for them then. I’m not sure how he lived while on the Apple Isle or in Greece though. It may just be some admiration gained by John Howard’s status as an unflushable turd, that he managed to stay on so long they had to change their views. I’ve seen Possum Comitatus make similar comments, the power of the so-called “battlers”, and how lefties can’t possibly understand. I always found that view a little perplexing considering the ALP holds nearly every outer suburban seat at a state and federal level in Melbourne.

  14. Sorry, the first tweet he sent before Schnappi’s reply…

  16. Ashby’s basis for appealing is on the Federal Court record. And it’s as weak as piss, in my opinion.

    Ashby’s first three counts of appeal are that Rares erred in law …

    well, d’oh.

    Count 4 whinges that the abuse of process finding denied Ashby the right to have his case heard…

    well yes, of course. That’s what abuse of process findings are all about.

    It goes on to complain that costs shouldn’t have been awarded as FWA cases don’t involve substantial awards of costs.

    Ashby wants to take a minor matter that should have been handled in a meeting room over a cup of tea and, after forcing everyone to spend millions defending themselves, when the case is found to be an abuse, avoid having to pay for all the trouble he’s caused.

    Count 5 says “important” matters are at stake.

    EVERY applicant reckons his case involves important matters, so pffft.

    Count 6 says its a “serious” matter of “public interest” …

    but it wouldn’t have been if Ashby hadn’t blown it up into a Federal case.

    In short… Ashby has bootstrapped his own case into something far more important than it should ever have been – by getting it into the newspapers by colluding with Lewis, by going straight to court instead of mediation, by employing $500 per hour public relations consultants and so on – and now seeks to use this inappropriate amplification to impress the Federal Court into letting him appeal (and for everyone else to pay up big to join in the fun).

    Click to access 11-Jan-2013-Applcn-Leave-Appeal.pdf

  19. Joe6Pack,
    Ben Affleck was always the more handsome, but less talented one. 🙂

    I thought he was brilliant in Shakespeare In Love, though.

  20. Leroy

    @davrosz I won’t ask who…but give us a hint!! I want to luxuriate in anticipation.

    And reply

    @BigBadWolf1950 The usual suspect.

  22. Ben Affleck can leave his pantaloons under my bed any time 😀

    PS Good evening, Publicans! 😀

  23. You across this development Bill?

    http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/sydney-confidential/dicko-and-sarah-take-on-jones/story-e6frewz0-1226553099916

    Dicko and Sarah take on Jones
    The Daily Telegraph January 14, 2013 12:00AM

    ONE of the final pieces in 2UE’s announcer puzzle has been clicked in place with Fairfax Media’s AM radio network backing a virtual unknown to co-helm its breakfast program.

    ……………

    Morice and Dickson will replace the slot’s previous host, conservative pundit Jason Morrison who was moved to drive as the network looks to break “un-contested” middle ground between right and left-wing audiences.The changes have been described by 2UE boss Chris Parker as “not seismic but necessary” and have already caused some feather-ruffling at the once-super conservative network with David Oldfield ending his association with the network earlier this month.

    2UE banks on Dicko and unknown young gun to take on Jones

    2UE banks on Dicko and unknown young gun to take on Jones
    MATTHEW KNOTT | JAN 11, 2013 5:25PM

    Management at 2UE has opted for the team of Ian “Dicko” Dickson and young reporter Sarah Morice to take on Alan Jones in the Sydney breakfast slot.

  25. Bushfire Bill,
    A couple of points about Ashby et al.

    1. You have made me realise what the PR Manual they are using is:
    ‘Alice Through the Looking Glass’.
    The cause for Appeal is based upon that which it should have been, but wasn’t! So now I, Ashby, shall Appeal because I did not do what I should have by coming to Court…now that I realise that it was wrong in Law…therefore it was wrong…therefore I am Appealing!

    2. I forget who it was who brought it to our attention the other day, wrt this case, but it seems that there are some ‘Resource-ful’ types and their lawyers associated in the shadows with Ashby. No doubt they see this case as an exercise of the extent of the Law and it’s parameters, and how far you can stretch them before they break. Also, just how much you can get away with. They have the time on their hands and the inclination to do lots of ‘Stretching Exercises’, as their time is being well-remunerated by the backers of the whole affair.

    Hence, the malarkey they have come up with wrt the Appeal.

    Now, Ashby is Appealing against the Judgement AND Slipper, or just Slipper because he didn’t like the Judgement? (I’ve never quite gotten that straight in my head before).

    And Slipper is being represented by Russo. Who got Dr Haneef off the hook.

    OK, so how long do we have to wait now before the Appeal Judge(s) are named, and a date is set for the Appeal? Or, Leave to Appeal is Not Granted?

  26. Victoria: Been working harder than a one-legged man at an arse-kicking party.

    Apart from that, life’s fab 😉

  27. You across this development Bill?

    I was aware that 2UE was going more “middle-of-the-road” but not of the details.

    Could be a good move.

    There are plenty of Abbott jokes around… he is mocked up and down the land…

  28. LOL. I’m am loving all the Abbott piss-taking. Even my Liberal-voting friends are embarrassed to be seen supporting him.

    Augurs well for the election, I reckon 😀

  33. 350
    James J
    Posted Monday, January 14, 2013 at 10:16 pm | PERMALINK
    Newspoll

    51-49 2PP to the coalition

    Primaries: ALP 38, LNP 44, Greens 9.

    Gillard: satisfied 38, dissatisfied 49
    Abbott: satisfied 29, dissatisfied 58

    Better PM: Gillard 45, Abbott 33

    Jan 11-13, 1152 sample

  34. For those who might have missed some Abbott piss-taking I put up over the road at PB earlier on-
    Firefighter Tony, the Musical.

  35. Someone at AAP (or Fairfax) hit the “go live” button too early I reckon. The Oz will be pissed off.

    http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/labor-winning-back-lost-ground-newspoll-20130114-2cq2p.html

    Labor winning back lost ground: Newspoll
    Date
    January 14, 2013 – 10:12PM

    AAP

    Labor has recorded a jump in support at the start of an election year but its resurgence appears to have come at a cost to the Greens and other parties, rather than the Coalition.

    The first Newspoll of 2013 in The Australian newspaper on Tuesday shows Labor’s support has risen six points to 38 per cent while the Coalition has dropped just two points to 44 per cent since the previous poll in December.

    The Greens retreated two points to nine per cent as did the amalgamation of other smaller parties.

    Despite the big recovery in its primary vote there were only marginal changes in personal satisfaction ratings for Julia Gillard as prime minister.

  37. This really is brilliant. The drunk passes every test the lady deputy gives him… then blows it…

  38. Political Animal – hard to know. Possum pointed out a while back that while Newspoll follows the overall trend, it bounces around either side of the average more often in recent times. Nielsen is relatively sedate, moving one or two points at a time.

  39. So the firefighting stunt and Peta’s IVF failed to win back the votes. Quelle surprise!

    I would so love to be a fly on the wall at tomorrow’s Liberal Party strategy meeting. The gnashing of capped teeth and rending of designer garments (while Tony is still wearing them) should be spectacular.

  42. well i dont remember what the last newspoll of the year was.

    does any one

    no one said news poll was doing a survey

  47. so the stories and all the other stuff was about a poll

    i thought they said they where not having one till february

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