A guest contribution by Hannes Hofbauer (because he nailed it, hence I don't have to pen yet another such essay), originally appearing over at TKP.at on 23 April 2023
To virtually claim that a writer or any speaker of his or hers mind is to be judged by who reads or listens to them, is to immediately disqualify oneself. I refer to the quoted parts about what german wikipedia says about Hofbauer.
Let's say John Wayne Gacy or Josef Fritz or Andrej Tjikatilo had read [insert favourite holy scripture], are we then to infer that said scripture is a staple among serial killers?
Perhaps whoever is editing his article on german wikipedia doesn't even realise what an error they made. They might actually think for real, that an author is to be judged by who reads his or hers works.
Imagine, if you'd like, that 'context' trumps (pun intended) authorship--with one exception: you guessed it correctly: Hitler. Fail #1.
Imagine, if you're still with me at this point, that--in addition to your comment--you're not only 'judged' by what others write about you; Hofbauer's Wikipedia entry is devoid of any specifics, too ('content'). Literally all there is--is the allegation of him espousing 'conspiracy theory'. Fail #2.
Adding insult to injury, though, is the fact that the premier German Old Labour webzine, Nachdenkseiten.de (which itself was co-founded by one Albrecht Müller who once served as a strategic advisor to Willy Brandt), last published anything written by Hofbauer in April 2022 (source: https://www.nachdenkseiten.de/?page_id=47542).
I guess what my post is trying to convey is this: the (Old) Left used to be more open to self-criticism; it ain't no more.
Thus, I suspect that the régime will be very firmly 'right-wing', if only what passes for 'the Left' these days is devoid of any consistency, values, or self-respect; and, no, virtue-signalling about any of these doesn't count.
The telltale sign is the relentlessness with which they accuse others of being right-wing extremists. Just like they accused the unvaccinated of "breeding out variants" or "spreading disease".
Thanks for the interesting read that explain, among other things, why the german Greens in the EU Parliament refused to accept with their group, the neo elected italian "Movimento 5 stelle" around 2013/4 because they were not tuned with the Green principles.... of course from their neo fascist point of view the Movement 5S, very strong at that time; was commonly labelled "as against the System" Movement, so not convenient for their fascist Green/White/Black System.... ah, ah, ah...
Again, and again, whatever you want call them in Germany, or picture'em to the right or to the left, one thing is as clear as spring water: Germans did bend 90 degree naked to the US as never in the history, with the Nord Stream affair.
So the new question is: how many Germans of any political color are prostituting for the US today? And how much they are "paid", not in terms of money, for every service?
As to your last paragraph, I would think that there is now a disconnect--really: a chasm--between 'politicians' and their fellow travellers in 'media' and (vs.) 'the people' that's becoming increasingly hard to bridge or paper over.
In terms of payment, well, I doubt that you'd actually need a whole lot of money: some 'awards' and an invitation to the White House here, a visiting fellowship there, peppered with the prospect of lucrative future employment at, say, Raytheon or the like. (Former Austro-Covidian chancellor Sebastian Kurz is now working for Peter Thiel's Palantir in Silicon Valley, even though Mr. Kurz' educational attainment is: a high school diploma…)
I suppose that most politicians are 'o.k.' with 'looking good doing someone else's bidding'. (And, yes, sometimes I do long for 'the good ol' days of the 1990s when, say, Silvio Berlusconi was a force: sure, he's many things, and this isn't about me liking him or not--but say what you will, he had both a distinct personal style and you could never be sure what he'd be doing next, at least not a 110% as with, say, the current crop of politicos…)
But I remember the head of the first Green italian party, that once they took part of the Government in 1996, a christian, ex socialist, green coalition, after few years some investigative journalist discovered that he was using official state planes, to go around for private use or for political speeches during the following Elections.
This was one of the reasons progressive italians stopped voting more and more, because you couldn't see any difference in behavior from the right/conservative and we finally ended up last year with a real fascist Government. Ops!
They may be fascist. But being right wing to me means a lot of things of which they are the exact opposite. If your concept is right-wing = totalitarian a**hole, then they are right-wing. But then your concept of right-wing is incorrect and you have succumbed to the brainwash that everyone is a Nazi who wants to live peacefully in a generally sustainable yet dignified way, including a good life for present and coming generations, so, importantly also in the present time". Or the cited author has that incorrect concept, not you.
I found the piece interesting--hence: share-worthy--because it's another indicator of our times: not long ago, Mr. Hofbauer would be able to get published with, say, Nachdenkseiten (another Old Labour webzine), but these days, it's not that easy.
Not much to add, no, but this:
To virtually claim that a writer or any speaker of his or hers mind is to be judged by who reads or listens to them, is to immediately disqualify oneself. I refer to the quoted parts about what german wikipedia says about Hofbauer.
Let's say John Wayne Gacy or Josef Fritz or Andrej Tjikatilo had read [insert favourite holy scripture], are we then to infer that said scripture is a staple among serial killers?
Perhaps whoever is editing his article on german wikipedia doesn't even realise what an error they made. They might actually think for real, that an author is to be judged by who reads his or hers works.
Kinda turns 'postmodernism' around, eh?
Imagine, if you'd like, that 'context' trumps (pun intended) authorship--with one exception: you guessed it correctly: Hitler. Fail #1.
Imagine, if you're still with me at this point, that--in addition to your comment--you're not only 'judged' by what others write about you; Hofbauer's Wikipedia entry is devoid of any specifics, too ('content'). Literally all there is--is the allegation of him espousing 'conspiracy theory'. Fail #2.
Adding insult to injury, though, is the fact that the premier German Old Labour webzine, Nachdenkseiten.de (which itself was co-founded by one Albrecht Müller who once served as a strategic advisor to Willy Brandt), last published anything written by Hofbauer in April 2022 (source: https://www.nachdenkseiten.de/?page_id=47542).
I guess what my post is trying to convey is this: the (Old) Left used to be more open to self-criticism; it ain't no more.
Thus, I suspect that the régime will be very firmly 'right-wing', if only what passes for 'the Left' these days is devoid of any consistency, values, or self-respect; and, no, virtue-signalling about any of these doesn't count.
Sigh.
Couldn't agree more.
The telltale sign is the relentlessness with which they accuse others of being right-wing extremists. Just like they accused the unvaccinated of "breeding out variants" or "spreading disease".
My reply bothered me throughout the day.
I do have a habit of calling this new movement "fascist", because two things really stand out:
- The union of industry and government
- The insanity that ensues among the population
Thanks for the interesting read that explain, among other things, why the german Greens in the EU Parliament refused to accept with their group, the neo elected italian "Movimento 5 stelle" around 2013/4 because they were not tuned with the Green principles.... of course from their neo fascist point of view the Movement 5S, very strong at that time; was commonly labelled "as against the System" Movement, so not convenient for their fascist Green/White/Black System.... ah, ah, ah...
Again, and again, whatever you want call them in Germany, or picture'em to the right or to the left, one thing is as clear as spring water: Germans did bend 90 degree naked to the US as never in the history, with the Nord Stream affair.
So the new question is: how many Germans of any political color are prostituting for the US today? And how much they are "paid", not in terms of money, for every service?
As to your last paragraph, I would think that there is now a disconnect--really: a chasm--between 'politicians' and their fellow travellers in 'media' and (vs.) 'the people' that's becoming increasingly hard to bridge or paper over.
In terms of payment, well, I doubt that you'd actually need a whole lot of money: some 'awards' and an invitation to the White House here, a visiting fellowship there, peppered with the prospect of lucrative future employment at, say, Raytheon or the like. (Former Austro-Covidian chancellor Sebastian Kurz is now working for Peter Thiel's Palantir in Silicon Valley, even though Mr. Kurz' educational attainment is: a high school diploma…)
I suppose that most politicians are 'o.k.' with 'looking good doing someone else's bidding'. (And, yes, sometimes I do long for 'the good ol' days of the 1990s when, say, Silvio Berlusconi was a force: sure, he's many things, and this isn't about me liking him or not--but say what you will, he had both a distinct personal style and you could never be sure what he'd be doing next, at least not a 110% as with, say, the current crop of politicos…)
Sigh.
There is an interesting book about this, Green Tyranny from Rupert Darwall.
Nice article I'll comment later.
But I remember the head of the first Green italian party, that once they took part of the Government in 1996, a christian, ex socialist, green coalition, after few years some investigative journalist discovered that he was using official state planes, to go around for private use or for political speeches during the following Elections.
This was one of the reasons progressive italians stopped voting more and more, because you couldn't see any difference in behavior from the right/conservative and we finally ended up last year with a real fascist Government. Ops!
They may be fascist. But being right wing to me means a lot of things of which they are the exact opposite. If your concept is right-wing = totalitarian a**hole, then they are right-wing. But then your concept of right-wing is incorrect and you have succumbed to the brainwash that everyone is a Nazi who wants to live peacefully in a generally sustainable yet dignified way, including a good life for present and coming generations, so, importantly also in the present time". Or the cited author has that incorrect concept, not you.
Well, I'm unable to object to what you said.
I found the piece interesting--hence: share-worthy--because it's another indicator of our times: not long ago, Mr. Hofbauer would be able to get published with, say, Nachdenkseiten (another Old Labour webzine), but these days, it's not that easy.
👍