Socialism Conference 2010
I spent last weekend in Chicago, where while I was attending a theater-related conference—I work for a publishing company, Smith and Kraus, that’s known for printing theater-related books—I came across a spectacle that might make for a fun tale at Ricochet.
On the third floor of this incredibly elegant hotel in Chicago’s downtown shopping area was, of all things, the 2010 Socialism Conference—which of course, I just couldn't miss while killing some time with my employer, Marisa Smith-Kraus. Ironically, on the fourth floor, a group of investment bankers were conferencing about private equity. When Marisa asked a young man we met in the elevator if he was with the socialists, he remarked wryly, “No. We’re the capitalists downstairs." The "capitalist downstairs" was of course wearing pin-stripes...we should have known.
But back to the socialism conference: what I saw was a poor caricature of a caricature. It was cheap theater—with people playing artificial roles, not unlike a Star Trek convention in Reno. Some 1,800 unwashed proletariat (seriously, the stench of body odor was as repellent as it was predictable) were dialecting about Arizona's immigration bill, sporting t-shirts with slogans like “Another Jew Against Zionism,” and “Israel Commits War Crimes,” perusing books like Trotsky’s On The Jewish Question, and bandying pins that read “By any means necessary.” To the Finland Station—again!
Other highlights from the conference included a talk on the “ABCs of Marxism,” “Is Human Nature a Barrier to Socialism,” and a keynote address from Wallace Shawn, of Princess Bride-fame.
To quote Shawn’s Princess Bride character, Vizzini—inconceivable!
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Feb '10
Re: Socialism Conference 2010
As much of a caricature as are the people, topics and talks at the 2010 Socialism Conference, they need to be met and defeated in the battlefield of ideas.
In Latin America, the Foro de São Paulo is a much greater threat to freedom because its leaders are in power. The Foro is an annual conference of Latin American socialists/marxists that is largely behind the resurgence in far-left governments and leaders such as Chávez in Venezuela, Morales in Bolivia, Lula in Brazil, Ortega in Nicaragua, and the failed Zelaya in Honduras. Deploying strategies devised by Castro, they have abused democracy to undermine democracy bit by bit in their home countries, rather than through violent revolutions and coups.
As David Rieff says in this piece linked by our James Poulos on Ricochet.com, Latin America does matter a lot to our foreign policy. But we've been largely ignoring these developments because they've been going on behind the scenes and in small increments. I'm against a hegemonistic approach towards our neighbors, but there is a lot more we could have done to support our allies in Latin America.
May '10
Re: Socialism Conference 2010
I knew I should have waited until after dinner to read this. I've met enough of that crowd to have a wonderful visual. Actually, I think you stimulated my olfactory system, too.
Feb '10
Re: Socialism Conference 2010
The name of one talk you mentioned really targets the key matter: "Is Human Nature a Barrier to Socialism." I'm sure they think they've found a convincing answer in the negative, but they are deluding themselves as usual.
May '10
Re: Socialism Conference 2010
Can't believe Vizzini is a socialist! Darn! This knowledge has spoiled that flawless movie ever so slightly.
May '10
Re: Socialism Conference 2010
Emily Esfahani Smith:
To quote Shawn’s Princess Bride character, Vizzini—inconceivable! ·
I thought it even before you said it. :)
Now if only we could get a reenactment with Obama as the kid and Klavan as the grandpa:
"Yes, you're very smart. Shut up."
Re: Socialism Conference 2010
Scott, I had the same thought about Vizzini, especially because his character in the Princess Bride was an unbridled capitalist, willing to kidnap people and start wars for one ambition: money! Who knew he was a socialist. What a great actor.
Jun '10
Re: Socialism Conference 2010
Let's connect the dots. Old Chicago socialists have now moved to the West Wing of the White House and are sprinkled among the administration and its various czardoms. Could it be that the Chicago convention is the equivalent of one of those regional auditions for American Idol? Tryiung to recruit new people ro replace those who are forced to resign (even good socialists understand the profit motive when in power). Hmmmmm.
May '10
Re: Socialism Conference 2010
"Is Human Nature a Barrier to Socialism?"
Yes. Game over. I'm going downstairs.