I have listened to Chomsky speak and while he hits some keys points he totally dismisses or downplays others but it is his opinion on it. Obviously, I feel differently than him and others on certain issues. My initial and following post were clearly being somewhat facetious and simplistic because the posters who said he is gonna miss him or sometime to that affect had me laughing over that statement. And since Chomsky often opines ignoring certain issues for other more important ones, I figure, I'll do the same thing to him. When Chomsky dies, I will say it again...."Who Cares?" It is my overlygeneralized opinion, can I have one? Thank you.
Glittering generalities perhaps? This kind of comment is indicative of the fact that you have an extremely limited experience with Chomsky. You haven't READ anything that he has to say about a wide variety of issues. You have listened to him speak, rather briefly, on conspiracism, which he dismisses as a waste of time unless it is warranted. If you actually READ the things that he writes, he will admit that conspiracies happen all the time, however that doesn't mean that the theories regarding JFK or 9/11 are worthwhile academic pursuits. I don't even know why I am wasting my breath here, because you don't have A SINGLE SPECIFIC EXAMPLE or speech or even a reference point.
I went to dictionary.com the website you cited to define politics. I didn't see the meaning that says politics is everything...(I will cover that later) but I did find this very telling note:
That's because you can't read, or at least you can't read well:
Political attitudes and positions: His politics on that issue is his own business. Your politics are clearly more liberal than mine.
IS FROM DICTIONARY.COM
I said that politics is everything, NOT DICTIONARY.COM
Can you not SEE the quote box?
Usage Note: Politics, although plural in form, takes a singular verb when used to refer to the art or science of governing or to political science: Politics has been a concern of philosophers since Plato. But in its other senses politics can take either a singular or plural verb. Many other nouns that end in -ics behave similarly, and the user is advised to consult specific entries for precise information.
Do you see the bolded sentence? It appears that for dictionary.com politics or the issue of addressing politics from a philosophical standpoint began with Plato, who we know to have been a Greek, in other words white!! It suggests that either there were no politics before the Greeks or that if there was people were not philosophying (sp?) over it...WTF??!
For real dude, you have to understand something. THE BOLDED SENTENCE IS AN EXAMPLE of the verb taking a SINGULAR FORM!! It is not a definition. Politics has been a concern of philosophers BEFORE Plato. Man, I can't believe that you do not understand that that particular example is MERELY and EXAMPLE of a grammatical distinction on usage. This is amazing...truly amazing. You're so quick to jump on the "GoS is Eurocentric" wagon that you don't even TRY TO UNDERSTAND THE DEFINITIONS!
Now for the meat of your ignorance:
This is what I mean by white supremacy and how it is all bullshit. Current politics addresses the issues from a white point of view exclusively. It is made to appear as if the model began with Greece, which we know it did not. I can go on with that but hopefully you get my point.
You don't get the definition:
1. (used with a sing. verb)
1. The art or science of government or governing, especially the governing of a political entity, such as a nation, and the administration and control of its internal and external affairs.
2. Political science.
3. The activities or affairs engaged in by a government, politician, or political party: "All politics is local" (Thomas P. O'Neill, Jr.) "Politics have appealed to me since I was at Oxford because they are exciting morning, noon, and night" (Jeffrey Archer).
4. The methods or tactics involved in managing a state or government: The politics of the former regime were rejected by the new government leadership. If the politics of the conservative government now borders on the repressive, what can be expected when the economy falters?
2. (used with a sing. or pl. verb)
1. The activities or affairs engaged in by a government, politician, or political party: "All politics is local" (Thomas P. O'Neill, Jr.) "Politics have appealed to me since I was at Oxford because they are exciting morning, noon, and night" (Jeffrey Archer).
2. The methods or tactics involved in managing a state or government: The politics of the former regime were rejected by the new government leadership. If the politics of the conservative government now borders on the repressive, what can be expected when the economy falters?
3. (used with a sing. or pl. verb) Political life: studied law with a view to going into politics; felt that politics was a worthwhile career.
4. (used with a sing. or pl. verb) Intrigue or maneuvering within a political unit or group in order to gain control or power: Partisan politics is often an obstruction to good government. Office politics are often debilitating and counterproductive.
5. (used with a sing. or pl. verb) Political attitudes and positions: His politics on that issue is his own business. Your politics are clearly more liberal than mine.
6. (used with a sing. or pl. verb) The often internally conflicting interrelationships among people in a society.
You see the last one? Do you see any mention of Greek ANYTHING in any of the actual definitions? Man, you really did yourself in on this one hommie, because you clearly understand what you're talking about or what we're talking about.
But, keep that last one, the bolded one in mind as the rest of your tripe is dissected.
Of course there is black politics on the block but the current system of politics does not address that. Maybe you can 'teach' me how Chomsky addresses the people of color situation. Please, I am here to learn also, not just argue over the issues.
There are many systems of politics. There is the government and its politics and then there are people and THEIR politics. The last definition is the politics that I am talking about. You don't get that because you aren't trying to get that. Politics is the way we interact with each other and the forces that shape our decision making. That is politics just as much as government. But if you would have taken the time to look at ALL of the definitions, you would see that. Hood politics is a real thing. The hood deals with its own according to its own politics!
How does Chomsky's stuff apply to the black community? He's about destroying and dismantling power structures. He is about democratic control of local communities. I can give you a list of a couple books that have very good lessons that are easily applicable to the black community, Understanding Power is one. Manufacturing Consent is another.
Well until I see political leaders (not puppets) take a proactive stance to combat white supremacy which is prevalent throughout those regions I will remain with that 'reductionist' attitude. Shit, it seems as if those so-called politics are doing the same thing when it comes to most issues as well.
I love how you think that the politics of the current political leadership is the only politics. Why do you rely on leaders? That mentality is part of the problem. You aren't expecting mass popular organizations that have no leaders to change things, you are expecting people who have tons of political power to change things. But that's what I am talking about. Your political consciousness is limited to this "we must have a leader" frame, which is beyond basic. We don't need leaders, we need democratic movements in which all participants have an equal say. Which is something that, if you read Chomsky, he openly advocates over and over and over. Look at his responses here in this article, which you don't even specifically address.
As I stated before I was being facetious but you took it too literal.
I know you weren't being literal, but it was a pointless analogy. If you ain't going to be precise in your language in these discussions then it ain't my fault if people take what you say the wrong way.
The question now is what constitutes everything? Please elaborate becaue clearly, curent politics, does not include EVERY-THING.
Let me refer you back to definition number six. All of your choices are informed by your political commitments. All of your decisions reflect your own personal politics. Everything you do is political on some level as are your interactions with everyone you meet. The way you view the world is political. But since you misunderstand what the word politics means you don't get this. Your religious views inform your politics and vice versa. Your dietary choices. All of it. All of your decisions reflect your politics...
To think that the current political climate is the same as politics shows where you are at.
