10-Point Plan for Rebuilding the United States after Bush's Destruction

[rec_report]

10-Point Plan for Rebuilding the United States after Bush's Destruction ----The Rec Report --By Michael Rectenwald 15 Mar 2007 I say, resist and tell it like it is. The war and the domestic crisis are the messes that Georgie made. Here are the steps I suggest to remedy this terrible situation.

1. Tell the people that George Bush and his friends are killers, liars, and thieves and that not only shouldn't they listen to him and them, but that they all belong in jail.

<snip>

[Sammy Pepys]

1. "Michael D. Rectenwald, Ph.D."

What's his Ph.D. in?

[silverweb]

4. Here's his CV:

http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~mdr2/Curriculum%20Vitae.pdf

[Solo_in_MD]

5. Phrenology perhaps...he seems that out to lunch

[rec_report]

6. Literary and Cultural studies.

n/t

[Solo_in_MD]

2. With sites like that no wonder some people think progressives are wingnuts

Ban and jail those who oppose us, remove judges...real progressive site

[rec_report]

7. Well, how many people does this regime have to murder before...

you *would* support removal and imprisonment of the offenders?
It seems to me, 100K + deaths (directly attributed to the Bush regime) should be a good starting point for 'removal and imprisonment.'

[The Doctor.]

13. "Ban and jail those who oppose us"???

I guess I'll have to check out the site, but I think the 'banning and jailing' is for more serious crimes than mere political opposition.

[Hippo_Tron]

31. The people in power are criminals, unfortunately they are impossible to prosecute

[TankLV]

47. yeah - war crimes and unconstitutional crimes are just so last century, aren't they!

God forbid we should UPHOLD the rule of LAW!!!

[Terran]

3. A truly thoughtful

and well-considered plan. :eyes:

How does Mr. Ph.D propose that we "remove" the Supreme COurt Justices that we presumably don't like?

[rec_report]

The High Whore Court is just as guilty as the key members of...

the Bush dictatorship - they are enforcing his illegitimate regime from installation to Military tribunals.

[Solo_in_MD]

9. By removing a large percentage of the electorate to insure his candidates get elected

5. After cooling the Republicans by arresting most of them and shutting their stupid mouths forever...

9. ...Consider making the Republican Party illegal.

10. ...makes the Republican Party a detestable relic of the past akin to the slave-holding Southern rebels.


His basic approach smacks of brown shirts. Maybe if he had focused on more recent history he would understand the dangers of the path he espouses. Armed revolution would be more honest.

Clearly he is on the extreme fringe, which means that those who oppose progressives will hold him up as the poster boy for our movement. Our reply should be to agree and laugh at him

[rec_report]

10. The Brown Shirts are in the White House. n/t

[Solo_in_MD]

16. How did your commitees pass you with such a distressing lack of historical knowledge

[rec_report]

19. I think he's one of the top scholars in UK science history, so...

I'm really not sure you want to 'go there' in terms of his (alleged) 'lack of historical knowledge.'

[unblock]

20. methinks solo_in_md meant political history

obviously a snarky comment, as any doctoral committee by nature has an extremely narrow focus.

then again, i'm guessing that "rec_report" may have a certain bias in boasting about dr. rec's credentials, so there are a number of fallacies here....

[Solo_in_MD]

21. I aware of what commitees are like...I've been down that path myself

One of the things I look for in post graduate candidates is a broadness in perspecitve and a clear vision of how their work fits into it. I have found that clarity much more in technical candidates than liberal arts majors. I find that scary since the common wisdom in education is that the techies are schooled while the liberal arts candidates are educated/

[rec_report]

22. Political history intersects with science:

The Publics of Science: Periodicals and the Making of British Science, 1820-1860 <--That's his.

Abstract

This dissertation examines what I call the "publics of science," from early to mid-nineteenth-century Britain. It is an account of new and emerging sites for the production, dissemination, and appropriation of knowledge amongst various participants—authors, publishers, editors, reviewers, critics, readers, and others—as they vied for (and against) cultural authority on the basis of beliefs claimed as "scientific." Drawing on theoretical frameworks from the sociology of scientific knowledge (SSK), actor-network theory, periodical studies, the history of the book—and operating under the broad tent of cultural studies—I introduce to the cultural history of science the kind of revisionism that has been directed at the Habermasian "public sphere" in cultural history and critical theory. I argue that during the period that I consider—roughly 1820 to 1860—the landscape of science in culture should be revised to account for multiple, distinct, yet overlapping publics of science. In the first two chapters, I consider how a scientific culture spread vis-à-vis radical science, gentlemanly education reform, and the new "useful knowledge" industry that they helped to spawn.

<snip>

A course summary of his:
76-236 Course Description:
This course explores the relations of culture, literature, the sciences and technology, focusing in particular on narratives of evolution (and creation) from the late 18th and into the 21st century. Beginning with a brief look at late 18th century texts dealing with questions of perfectibility and evolution, we launch into the 19 th century, reading Mary Shelley's Frankenstein in the context of the materialism-vitalism debate. We then look at William Paley's classic text of Natural Theology and continue by examining selections from the evolutionary writings of Jean Baptiste Lamarck, Robert Chambers, Charles Darwin, and others. We continue to explore themes of origin and genealogy in fiction by Charles Kingsley, Robert Louis Stevenson, H.G. Wells, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and examine fin de siècle literature of decadence and retrogression. Given our deepened historical framing of these narrative themes, we end with a consideration of the contemporary debates over creationism (or intelligent design) and evolution and the arguments and implications surrounding recent developments in Genetics, Nanotechnology and Robotics (hereafter "GNR").

<snip>

He's published and appeared on MSNBC many times... really, no one needs to boost his credentials. :)

[rec_report]

38. BTW, you keep referring to me as if I am Dr. Rectenwald, when I am his assistant...

Michael Rectenwald is a tenure-track professor - the online CV is a bit outdated.

[Solo_in_MD]

40. That was not clear from the context

I assume his aware of your activities and its potential impacts?

[Solo_in_MD]

23. Top scholars? He is only a post doc in a mid scale university in a non major field

I think any of the top schools in the UK could easily make hash of your assertion.

[rec_report]

24. LOL, are you jealous of him? n/t

[Solo_in_MD]

26. Not at all, just debunking your claims

[rec_report]

42. No, he was a post-doc in a top-twenty university (CMU) and now is on...

tenure track at another university.
Sorry you never got tenure, btw.

Ok, back to our job of fighting the Bush regime - for some reason, you have nothing do do - we are busy, though.

[Solo_in_MD]

43. CMU is considered a specialty school, though a good one in fine arts and Comp Sci

Eldest is seriously looking at going there, which is one of the reasons I am working where I am. I keep telling her the weather is better in Pasadena, and that may be the deciding point.

I never sought tenure since I consider academia a hobby and not a career. I finished one masters part time from Pensacola, the Phd when I was stationed in the LA area.

We all fight in many ways, some more effectively and constructively than others.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

29. Great line from last Sunday's Simpsons episode:

Bart is being swarmed by guys from a delivery service with brown trucks called "American Shipping Service - A.S.S. Not Affiliated With the Human Ass"
which is what it says on the trucks.

Bart: "Whoever thought guys in brown shirts could cause so much trouble?"

:rofl:

[sam sarrha]

8. tell the Chinese we will adjust the debt 27% for their unfair monetary valuation and impose tariffs

tell business any company outsourcing jobs will lost all tax cuts, any company not making their products here lose all tax cuts, repeal NAFTA and GAT and stop the big road from mexico with the first customs office in KANSAS!!...etc etc

start the nationalized solar project and wind projects, free us from forign oil and the oil robber barons, and funding of alternate energy education and research

if we dont use toughlove economics we can kiss our ass's good-by

[shield20]

11. might as well start saving ammo, because a revolution

is the only way any of this BS will happen. Does he really think something as simple as a different politician in the white house will allow old cronies to suffer - even those from the other side of the isle?

[cascadiance]

12. He's recreating the mistakes of why communism failed...

Instead of trying to go for a truly more socialistic approach and less draconian and more democratically structured society of decision making, the communists followed the same "simplicity" of mandating authoritarian rule that Bush and his fascists seem to be leaning towards.

This guy should take seriously the message from the Who's song "Won't Get Fooled Again!" which some wingnuts false claim as a "conservative" theme song!

[CGowen]

14. If you let Bush score with his nuclear football. nt

[cassiepriam]

15. This is fabulous. I love it.......nt

[Solo_in_MD]

17. It is funny, in a low brow humor kind of way...

[cassiepriam]

18. My my...........

[rec_report]

25. This Rec Report was meant as tongue-in-cheek...

...to push the rhetorical boundaries.

Of course this is an ironic statement--meant to illustrate the depths of our dilemma, not a practical plan for action. He means to push the rhetorical boundaries in ways that Repukes have done in order to make otherwise extreme statements to appear mainstream.

It's meant to be funny and it's meant to allow less extreme statements to be made to appear more centrist by virtue of having pushed the rhetorical boundaries--like the Repukes have done to us.

[Solo_in_MD]

27. Good face saving maneuver

its worthy of Rove

[rec_report]

28. 'its worthy of Rove' -with such personal attacks, I'd say you should know. :)

For everyone who *isn't* So_low, here are the other Rec Reports (This Rec Report was intentionally over the top.)

[Solo_in_MD]

30. When such nonsense is put forth, expect nothing less than mocking and derision

Tripe like that gives ammunition to the enemies of the progressive movement to paint us all as nut job extremists. Then to push mediocre academic credentials on top of while claiming to be a top scholar, it makes it even sillier to those of us who know what they represent.

When you play the fool, expect to be laughed at.

[rec_report]

32. 'enemies. . . to paint us all as nut jobs'

'enemies of the progressive movement to paint us all as nut jobs' --You do a fine job painting yourself, without needing anyone else's help.

The following comments (below) should have eliminated any confusion about the essay. Moreover, if you took the time to read any of the previous Rec Reports, you would see that this one was indeed provoking rhetorical boundaries.

'Of course this is an ironic statement--meant to illustrate the depths of our dilemma, not a practical plan for action. He means to push the rhetorical boundaries in ways that Repukes have done in order to make otherwise extreme statements to appear mainstream.

It's meant to be funny and it's meant to allow less extreme statements to be made to appear more centrist by virtue of having pushed the rhetorical boundaries--like the Repukes have done to us.'

Why are you personally attacking Dr. Rectenwald?
I am guessing that since you don't know a thing about him - it's just jealousy.

[rec_report]

33. BTW, I saw teaching in your profile... where did you get your Ph.D.?

n/t

[Solo_in_MD]

34. UCLA on the order of 20 years ago

I hold a mix of technical and liberal arts degrees. I find grad school recreational and I had the time to indulge. Its not really all that hard and I do enjoy campus life. I will return to it when I tire of what I am currently doing and I can take the pay cut. Because of the time taken in academia and other area, I still have children to get through college. I am currently teaching on an adjunct basis in addition to working full time. Pay is lousy, but I love the work.

I don't deal well with academic egos and generally respond to their self aggrandizement with derision. Hasn't made me popular at faculty teas, but then again, I was never interested in tenure. I bring to my students practical experience as well as academic background. My main teaching interest is technical at the 200 level where students are trying to determine if that is what they want to do. I also teach courses on the interaction of technology and society, an area that should be familiar to you. I publish about once a year in professional as much as academic journals, not all of which are accessible to the public.

As a pragmatic progressive I am cautious about us being perceived as wing nuts. The right wing has successfully painted us as totalitarian socialists out to destroy America etc. Over the top pieces like yours diminish our credibility in amounts more than you realize, particularly in a non academic setting. To excuse it as a centering effort is specious. Since its not that farther out that the rest of the site it would seem to the average reader to be a supported position. Thats bad for the cause, its bad for progress, and it devalues the rest of positions you take, some of which I agree with. I understand your attempt to redefine the span of the debate but its not how the real world looks at things. iI you don't pull it from the website, the next time you are on MSNBC or engage in a public debate, it will most likely be brought up, espcially if it is an adversarial format. The time will spent trying to explain it away rather than making your points. Not real swift there doc...

My libertarian side says you should feel free to shoot yourself in the foot, just don't wound the rest of us in the process.

[rec_report]

36. 'My libertarian side' -- 'my rightwing side?'

Regardless, the essay was meant to provoke thought and intellectual discourse; too bad it fell outside of your learning curve.
As I stated three times, a cursory overview of other Rec Reports would lead one to conclude that the '10-point' post was meant as tongue-in-cheek to push rhetorical boundaries.
I think what's sticking in your craw is the fact that if you were born all over again, you wouldn't be capable of writing on Dr. Rec's level.
Oh, btw: Good luck w. the adjunct teaching and 'full time' (other) job.

[Solo_in_MD]

39. Not at all

I am a large beleiver in personal choice and personal responsibility. Some call that small l libertarian. Under that view, you are free to damage yourself to your heart's content, just don't frag the rest of us in your self destruction. Its also one of many facets of my overall personal and political philosopjy. Those with single views of all things tend to pretty shallow.

I disagree with your assertion that a non-academic would clearly see the parody in your 10 points. Its not a style of argument that they would recognize. Many academics do not recognize it, and some won't tolerate it, particularly if they are doctrinaire or teach high school. I have some great stories on that. Its clear that many here on DU do not *understand* it. Authors and artists do not get to control how their work is perceived, somthing you should take into consideration.

Elsewhere I have discussed by personal life. To recap, after we were in MD for my wifes sabatical work at Hopkins, I found myself in a consulting job. No benefits, great money, and it could be cancelled tomorrow. We as a family decided to have them return to CA while I plus up the college and retirement accounts. I teach for the love of it, its the best way. When this gig finally peters out, which may not happen until the change of administrations, I plan to return to teaching in the Bay Area, maybe UC, maybe private. Its still TBD.

As for writing, its what I get paid for...

[rec_report]

49. I realize that the Reichwing failed to see the 'tongue-in-cheek' quality...

of the essay, but once I stated that that was his intent, it would have been nice if DUers ('our side') at least gave me/us the benefit of the doubt. :)
Again, please see previous Rec Reports - I think you would enjoy at least some of them.

Best of luck in your endeavors in CA,
--Polar Bear, enjoying today's snow!

[Thothmes]

35. 10 Point Plan

Well, so much for the Constitution of the United States. Lets see, just what we need is a one party system. Didn't they have that that in the USSR, Germany, PRC, N. Korea. Think about it, If this was a Republican proposal about a Democratic administration, what would the reaction on this forum.

[rec_report]

37. Hi, it was meant as tongue-in-cheek to push rhetorical boundaries.

n/t

[Solo_in_MD]

41. Has it occured to you yet that if DU members can not see your intent

than the vast majority of others will similarly fail?

[rec_report]

44. Ok, I understand the point you're making. I just think you should have....

phrased it sans accusations and attacks on MDR.
Peace,
Polar Bear (MDR's assistant)

[gravity]

45. There are so many crazy people on the internet

it's hard to see if something is satire or not

[TankLV]

46. I like it - every single item.

My favorite - a true, viable, large "left leaning" party to oppose the Democratic Party.

I hope I live long enough to see it...

[rec_report]

48. Thanks! BTW, seeing key members of the Bush regime imprisoned -

that's got to be a reasonable goal, correct?

[rec_report]

50. 10-Point Plan to Rebuild the US after Bush's Destruction: Redux and Explanation

10-Point Plan to Rebuild the US after Bush's Destruction: Redux and Explanation ----The Rec Report --By Michael Rectenwald Saturday, 17 Mar 2007

The Republican Party avows and holds positions that are anathema to the lives of millions, if not billions. The Republican Party, officially or unofficially, declaims the reality of Global Warming. The Republican Party disavows the science of Global Warming because its corporate sponsors in the oil and automotive industries are powerful forces within the party. These latter hire apologists to produce counter-, junk science to stand in opposition to credible science-to the detriment of our species' survival. They are bent on denial at all costs and must be removed from power, because their power imperils human life on the planet.

Secondly, the Republican Party, at least in its current neoconservative configuration, is hell-bent on War. The basic principle seems to be to incite whatever ideological opposition there is against the US into militaristic confrontation. Such an approach is anathema to the interests not only of the US citizens, but of the world's population. The situation in Iraq is a prime example, but the current confrontational mode with Iran is also apiece with this posture. Rather than "fighting terrorism," the Republican Party is mass-producing it, as numerous studies have made clear. Rather than negotiation with those who differ with them ideologically and politically, they try to stir them into taking some action that will then justify a military attack. The Republican Party is doing more for terrorism than all of the Al Qaida and other radical Islamic propaganda combined. One may speculate on whether or not the Republican Party, tied so intimately in economic collusion with the military industrial complex, actually wants permanent, military-promoting war at all costs, or not. Regardless, that appears to be the effect.

<snip>

[NDP]

51. One thing that I would like to see is the Bush Presidency erased and all of his

appointments retroactively eliminated, including his Supreme Court appointments. This guy is an enemy of the Constitution, which he referred to as just a "piece of paper," so why should his signature or appointments have any legitimacy whatsoever?

[rec_report]

52. Yes, and then the treason trials for Bush and key members of...

his Reichwing regime need to begin... with all possible penalties for treason on the plate.
Polar Bear