Politics, Sex, God, Boxing, Morality, Myth, Poker CSPAN2 11PM

[Viva_La_Revolution]

The Big Empty: Dialogues on Politics, Sex, God, Boxing, Morality, Myth, Poker and Bad Conscience in America
Norman Mailer & John Buffalo Mailer

Author Norman Mailer and his son, John Buffalo Mailer, former editor of High Times magazine, sit down for an intergenerational discussion about their new book "The Big Empty: A Dialogue on Politics, Sex, God, Boxing, Morality, Myth, Poker and Bad Conscience in America." The book is an exchange of ideas between them over issues including the Bush administration; 9/11; Iraq; fascism; and popular culture. During this event, the Mailers discuss the power of corporations in America, the Bush administration and its war on terror, and the role of Christianity in our society. The conversation is moderated by author Dotson Rader.

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Norman Mailer is the author of many books, including "The Naked and the Dead," "Armies of the Night," and "Why Are We at War?" John Buffalo Mailer is the author of the novella "The Reading Room, Vol. 1" and "High Times Activist's Guide to the RNC." He is co-founder of the Back House Productions in New York City and the former editor of High Times magazine.

:popcorn:

[Viva_La_Revolution]

1. My goodness! Mailers gettin old. nt

[Viva_La_Revolution]

2. Karl Rove praying to God!

"dear god, please keep 52% of the American people stupid, cause without that, we're lost!"

:rofl:

[Viva_La_Revolution]

3. "isn't it the epitimy of stupidity to believe this country can be

destroyed by terrorists?! 40,000 people die every year in car accidents. Why does no one stand up and say that?"

[Viva_La_Revolution]

4. "language is immensly important, and bush destroys it every time

he opens his mouth."

the opposite of Democracy is ALWAYS facism

[Viva_La_Revolution]

5. "Democracy is not something you inject into a sick country and

make it well."

Iraq was one of the worst countries to try and bring democracy to.

"'democracy' is a language they are using to 'feather their nest'. it makes the American people feel good to hear it. It makes 52% of the people feel really good."

[Viva_La_Revolution]

6. Too bad I'm the only one watching this... It's GOOD!

[Viva_La_Revolution]

7. "I wish I could take a vacation from my fundimental stance...

but I can't."

This man still cracks me up! He may have lost his hearing, but no means his faculties. :)

[eleny]

8. I'm here

Mailer is great. But I think that the interviewer is being a twat.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

9. well, tell us how you really feel about him!

lol! I was thinking approximately the same thing... then I just started ignoring him.

Norman is speaking now about the article he wrote for Parade about a year ago, how commercials are part of the reason for the 'dumbing down' of the public, and the reason no-one can concentrate for more than 10 minutes anymore. I loved that article, it made so much sense!

[eleny]

10. Well, it struck me when he balked at Mailer wanting to read the questions

I mean, jeez! It's obvious why he needed to read them - he can't hear well. Thanks for putting up with my observation.

About the article on commercials. It struck such a chord. I remember when I was a kid and we could only watch tv at night as a family. I spent hours of uninterrupted reading. All this multitasking is great for machines but may be too frenetic for people. Or as he noted, it's disjunctive.

Btw, John Mailer has great diction.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

11. and he's awfully cute!

hubba hubba! :)

[Kurovski]

18. I thought so too...

but I kept getting that "he's high-maintenance" vibe. Maybe it's just the sins of the father, but I dunno.

Very sexy boots he had on. (see, when you call me a PERVERT--as is your want-- it's a seal of approval and positive reinforcement.):-)

[EFerrari]

12. I found the thread too late! And I want to see this segment

again. Mailer has shrunk to 3/4 of his size but his mind is sharp and clear.

He used to make me so angry. I see his youngest son is looking to follow in the same vein. It must be very hard to have a genius for a father.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

13. I loved his jabs at b*sh!

I was afeared you were missing it. :hug:

[EFerrari]

14. Don't you love the way Mailer handles B* like any dirty chore?

Lol! I hafta see this again. :)

[eleny]

15. I thought it was going to be on tomorrow

I saw the whole discussion and want to see it again. I'd pay to get some DVDs of Mailer in discussions and lectures over the years.

He sure has gone downhill in recent years. But he's 83. I'm just so used to him being vigorous. That dates me!

[EFerrari]

16. I know. It was shocking to me to see him so aged.

But, and, he more than held his own.

He has a peculiar smile that seems to have mellowed over the years -- as if he's smiling at the whole problem of being human. I've never liked him as much as I did this evening. :)

[eleny]

17. Same here

He has confidence in what we need to be. And he's so articulate. A real contrast with *.

[Ksec]

19. The big empty all right

I missed it .

I didnt know Mailers son was a former editor of High Times.
Ill bet that was an interesting discussion.