My email from Noam Chomsky

[eridani]

I had written to him asking him to endorse Kucinich in November 2003. He essentially said that we don't yet have the kind of political culture that could put someone like him over the top, but that working on such campaigns is an important part of getting to that place.

Appreciate your letter and sentiments about Dennis Kucinich, very much. I agree with them too. The problem for me is that there are conflicting commitments. I very much fear that if the radical statist reactionaries who now have a narrow grasp on power can extend their mandate, the future will be very grim. Dennis would really have a chance, if we could reconstruct a live, functioning, democratic culture, and what you are all doing in his campaign is contributing to that necessary end. But it will be a long struggle.

[Douglas Carpenter]

1. a very reasonable understanding of the importance of Mr. Kucinich's campaign

recommended

[DemBones DemBones]

2. Supporting Kucinich and making sure he's taken seriously by the media

are things we must do if we're ever to have "a live, functioning, democratic culture." We can already see that we're going to have to struggle against an awful lot of naysayers at DU. Unless, of course, we just ignore them and work on the media and the American people, who do want a change. I think that's the best course; forget the DUers who want to diss Dennis.

[demnan]

4. Yes forget them

I don't support Kucinich but I believe having him campaign and articulate the issues makes it a better campaign for all of us.

Work hard for Dennis. Then when the primaries decide our front runner, let us all work hard for that person.

[ms liberty]

3. K&R: I like Kucinich, and I love Chomsky...

I agree that he is almost certain to NOT become the nominee, and he's not my favorite at this point (I want Gore) but I think it's important that he run and get his viewpoint out there, and his candidacy can put a spotlight on the issues we need to face and discuss.

I like Kucinich a lot, and I think he had an impact in the last election. It can only be a good thing for us to hear what he has to say, and his candidacy can wake up people to some truths they don't even know they don't know.

[Gregorian]

5. In a perfect world, Dennis Kucinich would be a perfect president.

Behind the scenes are corporations and money grubbing power grabbers. They'll stop at nothing to survive and get their way. Up until now, we have only seen the surface. Only a few, like Noam, have worked to see what is below that veneer. In a way we're fighting ourselves. It's the benefits we get from corporations that have enabled them to become so powerful.

It's frightening to see how big everything has become. Bigger corporations. Bigger campaigns.

Good for you to communicate with him.

[Vidar]

6. This speaks very well of both Kucinich & Chomsky. Thank you.

[mzmolly]

7. Sounds like he's saying he wants to support someone with a chance of winning?

I very much fear that if the radical statist reactionaries who now have a narrow grasp on power can extend their mandate, the future will be very grim.

I agree with Mr. Chomsky, glad he's coming around to the pragmatic side. I say that with humility and a bit o tongue and cheek. ;)

[eridani]

9. He has never supported anybody for president, but said elsewhere--

--that he would support Kucinich if Kucinich won the Dem nomination. In other words, if his grassroots support had managed to have enough of an effect on the political culture to get him nominated, that would be ipso fatso proof that he'd have a chance in the general election. We didn't then, and we may very well not have it now, but if we don't back his campaign, then we have essentially given up on having an active political culture where public participation is valued. We can move forward by backing Kucinich now.

You can't always get what you wa-aant
You can't always get what you wa-aant

But if you never ask for it, you have flat out GUARANTEED that you'll never get it, ever.

[mzmolly]

12. He supported Kerry in the last election as well,

and good for him for doing so!

[eridani]

13. I meant other than generic support for the Democrat, whoever it is

He sees the difference between the parties as small, but nonetheless as having huge effects on peoples' real lives anyway.

[mzmolly]

16. Yep, that's how he sees it these days.

Though, I don't think he realized that until 2004 did he?
I know Paul Wellstone argued that "the differences make a difference," but some didn't heed his warning. *sigh*

[Radical Activist]

8. If we always believe a true progressive can't win

then a true progressive never will.

[DemBones DemBones]

10. Truer words were never spoken.

We must ignore the nay-sayers and work for Dennis. See you in the Kucinich Forum! :ciao:

[Bjorn Against]

11. Could not have said it any better n/t

[mzmolly]

17. I consider Gore a "true progressive"

and I think he can win.

[AJ9000]

14. The only thing that can create the political culture he refers to is a "progressive" media.

When we create that, we'll have a progressive government. I know from reading Chomsky he'd agree with me.

[eridani]

15. That among other things

We also need well organized on the ground networks of issue and community activists linked with strong local Dem organizations.