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Since so much of what's on the Internet and the news of late is criticism of the left and internecine, dogmatic fighting, we thought we'd project this edition from a different angle (actually, nothing out of the ordinary for Swans) -- it's still political, mind you, but with literary, historical, and cultural influences that bring richness and new perspectives to the issues of the day. We start in Bulgaria, itself no stranger to both culture and revolution, where Peter Byrne gives us a tour through the writing of the immortal Ivan Vazov. Paul Buhle places us in the middle of the silver-screen battlefield, with a review of the upcoming Copperhead, a rare movie that portrays a Peace Democrat as a sympathetic character even though he refused to choose between two of the vilest institutions of human invention, war and slavery. Writing from a philosophical perspective, Gilles d'Aymery reflects on the age of globalization and technology, power and ignorance, conveying cogent lessons from William Styron and Jacques Austruy. And given the myriad consequences of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, Glenn Reed ponders the disasters he's escaped and those we could prevent had we the will or the power.
As pertains to power, Michael Barker transmits us into the magical world of the ruling class in Part II of his series on influential systems theorist and all-round power broker Ervin Laszlo. Raju Peddada continues his pro-vegetarian prose, this time considering meat-eating and slaughter from a religious perspective and looking to religions to use their influence to shift people away from a carnivorous diet. David Francis's poem contrasts the peaceful seas that transport the means of war, and Guido Monte searches his inner thoughts in a prayer for a universal regeneration. We close with Peter Byrnes's letter on Gilles d'Aymery's Establishment Journalism, reflecting his sour mood from London, the former newspaper capital of the world.
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Peter Byrne: Sofia And The Bulgaria Of Ivan Vazov
A look at Sofia, Bulgaria, through the author's eyes and those of the immortal writer Ivan Vazov. More...
Paul Buhle & Dave Wagner: Copperhead
A review of Copperhead, the rare movie (maybe even the only one) that portrays a Peace Democrat as a sympathetic character even though he refused to choose between two of the vilest institutions of human invention, war and slavery. More...
Gilles d'Aymery: The Non-Drumbeaters And Non-Axe-Grinders
A few lessons -- in the age of globalization and technology, power and ignorance -- from William Styron and Jacques Austruy. More...
Genn Reed: Blindly Creating "The Wrong Place At The Wrong Time"
The recent bridge collapse in Washington State offers lesson on our society's priorities. More...
Michael Barker: The Mystical Genius of Ervin Laszlo (Part II of II)
Part II of a review of Ervin Laszlo's magical life. More...
Raju Peddada: Religious Slaughter & Rotten News!
A look at meat eating and slaughter from a religious perspective. More...
David Francis: The Sea Is Peaceful
A poem for the peaceful sea, only violent for the armies it carries. More...
Guido Monte: Prayer
Guido Monte searches for his inner thoughts in a prayer for a universal regeneration. More...
On Gilles d'Aymery's Establishment Journalism: A sour mood from London, the former newspaper capital of the world. More...
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