Shanghaiist: Gore Vidal: "Mandate of heaven" returns to China

David

Wed, 28 Mar 2007 02:40:24 +0800

I suggest that some folks need to read Chalmers Johnson, another Washington insider and CFR member, as he backs up many of Vidal's pointed criticisms of the US. Ignore these cassandras at your own risk. As to Vidal's sinophillism, he plainly stated that the impetus of the human animal is toward more and more light. That is a fact of nature. That China is not changing as quickly as some want does not mean they will not. It will happen faster than you think. Totalitarianissm was not recognised in the Unitd States until years after it occurred. Now we are trying to put that genie back in it's bottle.

wlw

Mon, 12 Mar 2007 22:58:44 +0800

Vidal certainly has a minority view, but I wouldn't quite put him on the same stage with the Dixie Chicks. Generally, there's a lot of merit in what he says, but his view is very moralistic and parochial. Indeed, it would be interesting if the US didn't bother with the Cold War or WWII, as Vidal would have it. I'd like to hear an alternative fiction on that one.

Philbert

Mon, 12 Mar 2007 14:53:32 +0800

It's slightly more challenging to write convincing and cutting political analysis of US foreign policy and actually have people purchase it. I think you might be slightly misinformed about Mr. Vidal's 'celebrity' status, Holger.

Holger

Mon, 12 Mar 2007 14:18:47 +0800

It's easy for American celebrities to criticize America when abroad, since there are so many people who hate the US and even those who don't hate it enjoy the occasional pot-shot. Go anywhere and drop a few insults at the US and you get agreement from at least half the audience.

WLW

Mon, 12 Mar 2007 12:46:59 +0800

Sorry folks, Bob Carr was window dressing -- just there to prop-up Vidal (Sassoon) in case he tipped over. My deepest apologies for the whales gaffe and any other typos, and I wholeheartedly thank the community for its good efforts in copy editing.

nanheyangrouchuan

Mon, 12 Mar 2007 12:12:17 +0800

We should all boycott his hair care products immediately!

Jeff

Mon, 12 Mar 2007 11:54:14 +0800

Funny, Gore Vidal used to describe the Cultural Revolution in nearly the exact same terms, as a tremendous burst of national energy with many positive effects - he later withdrew all the fawning. While I admire Gore Vidal in many regards, you think he'd learn to shut the fuck up when he's about to praise a Communist regime.

Gwen from Tempe

Mon, 12 Mar 2007 11:49:46 +0800

I think you mean "former premier of New South Wales, Bob Carr"

Dan

Mon, 12 Mar 2007 09:43:03 +0800

Now fixed to "Wales." Sorry about that.

Benny Elias

Mon, 12 Mar 2007 09:05:22 +0800

> If one has been to NSW, you could be forgiven for wanting to name it after the biggest mammal on earth. Oh dear. Don't tell me we have a Victorian in our midst. Or worse yet - a Queenslander ...

T

Mon, 12 Mar 2007 08:49:10 +0800

If one has been to NSW, you could be forgiven for wanting to name it after the biggest mammal on earth.

SocialB

Mon, 12 Mar 2007 08:07:04 +0800

That's New South Wales...the state is not named after a large mammal.

nanheyangrouchuan

Mon, 12 Mar 2007 02:00:59 +0800

what a shameless commie shill.