The Dalai Lama and other good dudes
It’s Dude Day here at the Reclusive Leftist, wherein we acknowledge the work of various dudes who are more or less on the side of The Good. This is a totally new thing which I just now came up with mostly because I need a theme for this post. Arthur Silber Link + Hilarious Dalai Lama Quote = Dude Day. I’m telling you, folks: blogging at this level is not for candy asses. There’s a reason I am where I am.
First off, His Holiness The Dalai Lama:
His Holiness the Dalai Lama at a press conference in Dharamsala on March 18, 2008.
Manan VATSYAYANA/AFP/Getty Images.
The Dalai Lama is a great guy. Seriously. Read his books. Anyway, he’s in the news today because of his remarks on Obama’s Nobel Peace Prize:
DALAI LAMA: I think if you are realistic, it may have been a little early but it doesn’t matter, I know Obama is a very able person, sometimes these individual persons rely on different advice from different people so like former President Bush junior, as a human being I really love him, really wonderful person, very honest, very truthful but I think due to his advisors views, some of his policies have been a disaster, so it happens.
Do you not love the stinger in that tail? Obama is a wonderful person; too bad his policies have been a disaster.
Now for the Arthur Silber link: Gutter Politics, with Tomatoes and Other Garbage. Arthur takes on the Sarah Palin tomato-throwing incident and the paroxysm of online misogyny it sparked. He refers back to a post by Vast Left (who is also a dude — see how the theme is pulling together nicely?) on the same topic: “Progressive” citizens united, not timid, in cheering violence against Sarah Palin. Read them both.
Meanwhile, lambert is having a snort-laugh at Markos’s belated epiphany in Kos joins the PUMAs, only a year late. The post in question over at Daily Kos is—HOLY SHIT WHAT IS UP WITH THE GIANT BACKGROUND IMAGE? What the fuck is that over there? I feel like those goddamn windmills are gonna come swooshing out of my computer screen and poke my eye out. How long has this been going on? Does Siemens, like, own Daily Kos now?
You know, I totally take back what I said a few months ago about keeping this blog resolutely ad-free. Fuck that. I’m gonna shop this thing out for the biggest-ass background-image advertisement I can find. Viagra! They like to advertise. Unfortunately, their ads are completely shitty. Aren’t you sick of those little sidebar things with old white-haired dudes shaking hands with their doctors? I mean, come the fuck on. How about a big field of green grass like the Seimens ad at Daily Kos, but instead of windmills sticking up…
Okay, I totally lost my train of thought. Something about dudes.
*****
UPDATE: Speak of the devil! Good Dude lambert needs help.
41 Responses to “The Dalai Lama and other good dudes”
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Donald W. Paulus says:
Some of Barrackstan Obombya’s appointments have been a disaster also: to wit, Larry Summers, Timothy Geithner and those military bopsy twins Generals Petraeus and McChrystal. Looks like we have an articulate black Bush in the White House. Whom the Gods would destroy, they first make mad.
December 10th, 2009 at 8:27 am EST -
Violet says:
But who’s being driven mad?
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lambert strether says:
[submissive head tilt] ;-)
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Don’t ever change! Keep the discourse strong!
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Violet says:
Another dude we’re liking today: Jesse Jackson.
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Nessum says:
Violet, Dude Day or not, I must admit to tearing up watching the Nobel Prize (the ones you have to accomplish something to receive!) Ceremony, with 5 women seated in the receiving front row!
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Violet says:
And here’s a dude we’re definitely not liking today:
If I told you America has a president determined to pass large amounts of Keynesian stimulus spending (that’s particularly concentrated in impoverished areas), a near-universal health-care plan, and a bill addressing climate change, you’d say liberals had recaptured the White House.
No, I’d say, “Quick, Ezra — check if Spock has a goatee. Because I think we’re in the wrong universe.”
When I first read that paragraph I thought Ezra was setting up to explain that Obama hasn’t done any of those things. But no. He’s apparently serious.
“A near-universal health-care plan.” WHAT?
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Violet says:
Hi, Nessum! It’s okay, we can be happy about non-dudely things too.
That reminds me: I wonder if the Finnish spies who watch the blog have been following the Nobel ceremonies today? They’re right over there in that general snowy northern area. The President of Finland is a huge fan of the blog, as you recall.
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sam says:
Today Patrick Stewart rocked my universe with a bold statement for Amnesty International regarding violence against women. His description of what it feels like to grow up with violence is so raw with the truth I’m compelled to post a trigger warning.
Patrick Stewart on violence against women
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xi_27bpIb30 -
votermom says:
Ezra Klein seems to be auditioning for cheerleader in chief. Maybe he wants to be the next EWH press sec.
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Alison says:
Yes! Patrick Stewart. It takes courage to speak up about the personal and violence against women so often exists in the world of the personal. So many actors speak on behalf of global warming while enjoying private jets and mansions. But the statements by Stewart on behalf of women ring true.
I can’t imagine it’s easy to tell the whole world that your family life pretty much sucked due to an abusive father. I mean, Stewart really goes into detail stating that as a child he would have been happier if his father were killed. Tough stuff.
So not only is Stewart a hot bald dude but he also speaks with honesty and courage on behalf of women. Love him.
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taggles says:
lambert, i MIGHT be able to help lower your families cable bill. have violet give you my email and we can discuss..
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scott says:
Yeah, I’m not a big fan of Ezra’s post either. What was particularly gob-smacking is him approvingly quoting Rahm Emanuel to the effect of “nothing is non-negotiable but success,” the meaning of success being left deliberately undefined. I guess if you pass anything but call it reform, then it’s a success. I don’t call that kind of empty, principle-free, pseudo-macho posturing to be liberal, but wevs.
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Sandra S. says:
Watch out if you visit the Patrick Stewart YouTube link. One of the related videos is by “TheHappyMisogynist” and is basically abuse apologism. Or rather, not even apologism. It’s pretty fucking appalling. I clicked knowing what I was getting into (the name makes it pretty clear), but even so…
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cellocat says:
Wow, that’s a pretty powerful statement by Patrick Stewart. I remember reading in college that the biggest predictor of violence against a partner was not abuse of oneself, but abuse of one’s parent; that what we see modeled is most significant. For him to be sufficiently self-aware and self-moderating to avoid situations in which he felt in danger of going down that path is impressive and respect-worthy. And also, so simple and true. It is a choice. Men can choose not to be violent. I am glad he chose to speak out about it.
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sam says:
cellocat, that was my favorite line from the 13-minute speech; “Violence is a choice, and it’s a choice that a man makes.”
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Honora says:
Funny thing how the Dalia Lama has to be male, but no one here seems to see that as an issue. I guess it is only wrong when the Catholic Church does that kinda thing.
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Violet says:
No, the Dalai Lama doesn’t have to be male, per the current Dalai Lama. He keeps saying that he thinks the next one could be female and that this would be a good thing. Yes, everybody is well aware that Buddhism has its own sexist history.
Do you have any idea how childish you sound?
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Violet says:
It is truly astounding that adherents of the most powerful religion in the world for the past however many centuries can nevertheless manage to feel colossally sorry for themselves. Poor, poor Christians! Poor, poor you.
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Cyn says:
Violet, that Daily Kos post with poor Markos berating O and the windmills in the background is enough to make a woman weep and pee her pants. It is priceless and I want to buy stock on your company.
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lambert strether says:
Taggles, thanks.
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votermom @9 on Ezra. +100
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And if Siemens owns Kos now, does that mean that the contract with Axelrod expired?
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a little night musing says:
sam, I loved this also:
“Violence is a choice, and it’s a choice that a man makes.”
It reminds me, there is a new subway ad series here in NYC against sexual groping on the subway, which says “A crowded train is no excuse for an improper touch. So [...]” – I always want to see it finish with “DON’T DO IT!”
The actual ad is here.
(Yeah, I know. Signs telling them not to do it won’t work, either.)
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Donald W. Paulus says:
Who is mad in America? Practically, the entire political leadership and all members of the Republican party. Anyone who thinks that her/his actions will have no consequences and that individual and collective karma does not exist.
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RKMK says:
It is truly astounding that adherents of the most powerful religion in the world for the past however many centuries can nevertheless manage to feel colossally sorry for themselves. Poor, poor Christians! Poor, poor you.
You’d think you(/we) were earnestly advocating feeding them to the lions, or something, instead of saying, “Oh, the wine transmogrifies into… blood? Of someone who died millenia ago? And you drink it? OK then. So, how ’bout that Coakley lady, she’s pretty neat, eh?”
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la-t-da says:
“Poor, poor Christians! Poor, poor you.”
Perhaps they have PTSD about being thrown to the lions. I on the other hand finally overcame my low self esteem for being burned as a witch.
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Feminist Friday: It’s A Porny, Porny World! « The Widdershins says:
[...] of the same porn mentality is our obsession with, and justification of, violence against women. Via Violet in comments, here is one man who gets it, and gets it well. I don’t think I can say it any better than he [...]
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tinfoil hattie says:
RKMK, ZOMG HOW DARE YOU MAKE FUN OF RELIGION?
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RKMK says:
Perhaps they have PTSD about being thrown to the lions. I on the other hand finally overcame my low self esteem for being burned as a witch.
Which, ironically, was done by Christians, amirite? ;)
Tinfoil – I’d pit the powers of the Holy Kitten against some old white dude anyway. SMITE ME I DARE THEE!
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anniethena says:
Actually, Violet, ’bout that Dalai Lama quote – are you sure he wasn’t talking about Bush Jr. in the latter half? He(DL) says he loves him and describes his good qualities as a human being; Obama refused to meet with him while Bush did. Seems he might be talking about someone he actually knows as opposed to “knows of”.
I have a T-shirt in my closet, never worn, that says “So many right-wing Christians, not enough lions.” I get a giggle out of it but I’m leery of offending people, even if I find right-wing Christians offensive.
Funny thing about early Christianity – so many martyrs from the days before it became the official state religion. Like they were in a hurry to die for the cause and get to heaven. A millenium after that, the leaders were torturers-in-chief. Confess/convert or die – although that was sometimes confess and die anyway. -
Violet says:
Actually, Violet, ’bout that Dalai Lama quote – are you sure he wasn’t talking about Bush Jr. in the latter half?
Now that you mention it, yeah, maybe he meant Jr. Not sure.
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Adrienne in CA says:
That’s how I read it.
…so like former President Bush junior, as a human being I really love him, really wonderful person, very honest, very truthful…
He’s totally calling Obama Bush III. The whole thing just drips with sarcasm. Wish someone had a video link.
*****A
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Foxx says:
In keeping with the sexist patriarchal religion that he heads, the Dalai Lama is against abortion. BEcause every fetus is a soul wanting to reincarnate.
In other words, If I want your body, you have nothing to say about it!
In fact, if one believed in this stuff, a soul wishing to reincarnate would humbly ask a woman’s permission, and, if she said no, thank her for considering the request.
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Violet says:
In other words, If I want your body, you have nothing to say about it!
Well, not quite, since the Dalai Lama says that abortion is acceptable if the individual’s circumstances or medical issues warrant it.
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Linden says:
I’m willing to bet that Tibetan women experience the unhappiness of living a second-class status just as women do the world over and the Dalai Lama himself is probably unaware of this, just like any other privileged d00d.
Just because the Dalai Lama thinks his successor could be a woman doesn’t mean she will be. He’s the 14th in an unbroken line of men, chosen by men in a process that dictates only men are eligible, and he won’t be doing the choosing the next time either. A lot like the pope, really. Tenzin Gyatso’s purpose in life is basically a conservative one — to preserve the Tibetan culture. And people who want to preserve “traditional” ways of life don’t tend to be feminists. I’m sure the Dalai Lama’s exposure to other schools of thought influences his personal outlook, but does that mean he’ll bring those views into Tibetan culture itself? I doubt it.
Also, let’s not forget he thinks homosexuality is wrong. This is consistent with Buddhist teachings, so it’s not surprising, but it’s not exactly inspiring, either. Being a feminist, I don’t see a lot to love in any of the world’s large religions, no matter how kind and enlightened some of their practitioners may be.
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Foxx says:
Violet:
Well, not quite, since the Dalai Lama says that abortion is acceptable if the individual’s circumstances or medical issues warrant it.Gee that’s nice of him.
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fortherecord says:
And people who want to preserve “traditional” ways of life don’t tend to be feminists.
Actually, that’s a Western misconception. For many women in developing countries, resisting colonization (which some do characterize as “preserving” traditional lifeways, as though tradition is static) is a central tenet OF feminism.
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fortherecord says:
resisting colonization (which some do characterize as “preserving” traditional lifeways, as though tradition is static)
I wasn’t clear. The “some” who frame the debate as between “tradition” vs. “progress” (as opposed to self-rule vs. colonization) are Westerners who find terms like colonialism inconvenient and unpleasant. (And are therefore preserving their own traditions.)
It’s not nonwestern feminists who are responsible for that framing.
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Linden says:
I’m not certain resistance to colonization can always be characterized as feminist in the long run. Men are quite happy to enlist the aid of women in resisting colonization or foreign occupation (and this happens in the West, also — see Ireland, Poland, and many other examples). Women are often treated as equals in this struggle, or more as equals than they have previously been accustomed to be treated. Women come to expect that when the crisis is over, this state of affairs will continue. When it is, however, they are sent back to their “traditional” roles. This is not to say that resistance isn’t positive for those societies, but it doesn’t result in progress for women unless women push back hard.
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fortherecord says:
I’m not certain resistance to colonization can always be characterized as feminist in the long run.
I am not certain anyone suggested that.
I am fairly certain that you don’t have any solid information on the status of women in Tibet under either Chinese or Tibetan rule. Nor do you know the perspective of feminist women’s groups in Tibet.
Nor do you, without this information, have any specific reason to post about co-optation, the inference being that you know more about what’s really going on than do women you don’t know anything about.
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Linden says:
So were Tibetan women treated as equals to men in their society prior to Chinese rule? Do tell, since you are certain I am ignorant. Lesson us all.
And yes, you said that resistance to colonialism “is a central tenet OF feminism” for these women. To me, ignorant Westerner as I am, it sounds like more of the same kind of co-optation feminists get the world over: support the fight against [colonialism, racism, Republicanism, the neighboring tribe, fill-in-the-blank] and eventually the menz will get around to supporting your women’s issues. Except once the first fight is over, the support for the second doesn’t come.
I can see value in specifically feminist struggle against colonialism in the short-term, because women suffer more from it. But once the first layer of oppression from outsiders is over, the second layer of oppression from their own society still remains, and is much harder to fight because it’s more personal.
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fortherecord says:
So were Tibetan women treated as equals to men in their society prior to Chinese rule?
Um, no. Wow.
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Rich says:
“Well, not quite, since the Dalai Lama says that abortion is acceptable if the individual’s circumstances or medical issues warrant it.”
He pretty much feels entitled to have it both ways; same way with his homophobia: “people of my faith definitely shouldn’t do it, it’s unnatural, but you white people who pay my bills can do whatever the hell you want, I don’t really give a shit and I don’t want to piss you off.”
