Over at The American Prospect former Fugazi-fan Kevin Mattson has a rather lengthy piece on why protest politics are not a recipie for success these days. I've got a few responses.

First of all -- here's your snark -- Mike and I wrote this about two years ago:

1. Protest had become an impotent act in today's political arena.

Protesters tend to be reactionary and turn more people off of politics than they turn on, and this administration has shown that no matter how large an outcry is heard from the people, it will pursue its own agenda. Millions of people, many of us politically active for the first time, took to the streets on February 15th, 2003, yet the administration, and the media, dismissed us as a "focus group. Protest may still be a necessary activity, but it is no longer an effective means of producing political change.

I don't mind being ahead of the pack, but it would be nice if there were any signs that the professionals were making headway up the learning curve here.

Digby has a more substantive rebuttal to the piece's implicit anti-60s thesis which I suggest reading also, but I have to say I agree with a lot of what Mattson has to say. He's dead-on about not mistaking the times, and very correct in his evaluation of "expressive anti-politics" which "bursts like a flame and then burns out, to be felt only in the heart of the participant while the ruling class, unperturbed, goes on its merry way." Ain't that the truth. I also give a heartfelt second to his call for the development of a new "publc philosophy" on which to base the return of liberalism to America.

However, the rhetorical strategy of attacking modern-day (or 1960s) protest movements without bothering to examine the reasons for their existence or the record of their accomplishments is frankly a cowardly analytical tactic, one far too often employed by centrist "liberals" who for one reason or another seem to feel defensive. I could go into some suppositions as to why this is -- most insiders and think-tankers realize that they are uncool and out of touch and need to justify themselves vis-a-vis groups and individuals who are more popular or culturally resonant -- but that would be missing the point. The point is that you are welcome bash the Yippies for the spectacle of '68, but to do so in good faith you have to admit they were right about Vietnam, and that the Democratic establishment was wrong. Likewise, you're free to quibble with the methods of the Yes Men, but to do so while ignoring the issues they seek to address is intellectually dishonest.

Establishment organs like the Prospect -- who have resources and influence to spare -- and intelligent academic writers like Mattson -- who have the time and knowledge to bring to bear -- need to take the next step. They need to begin concretely engaging with the issues themselves rather than deriding those who are already, albiet hamfistedly, attempting to do so. It's a lot more frightening that critiquing the Yippies and saying we should take a look at what Goldwater's kids have done over the past 40 years (no shit, Sherlock), but at some point you have to take a real step forward from your expressive anti-anti-politics and start making the kind of statements that aren't 100% safe, certain and correct. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

When was the last time you let it all go and thought on the planetary scale? It's big, this world, and full of life. Sometimes it's too much, but sometimes it can be a liberating perspective. On the other end of the spectrum, when was the last time you let it all go and thought on the spiritual scale? Not about the minutae that are stressing you out, but about the personal state that your mind is in, where your soul is at, what your heart is feeling?

I'm not arguing for global consciousness or self-actualization, but I am advocating for depth on some level. For humanity and passion and if you feel up to it even a little wisdom.

Things have been jammed-up for me on that level. I've been focusing again on working, on grinding it all out. It hasn't been an easy time. I miss the comforts and luxuries of my past and I'm anticipating the adventures of my future. The present is getting a little shorted; not so "in the moment" lately.

It's not exactly writers block or anything, just a paucity of connection. I'm adrift on the skym, just sort of gliding along. There's plenty of labors to accomplish in the mean time.

So I'm going to chalk the lack of depth up to the times, and they're a-changin', so that should pretty much work itself out. In the mean time, I'll let you know if anything really exciting happens to me. I'm off to take a shower.

I'm starting to get strong and tight and good. Mentally and physically. I should still cut back on the brewskies, but that's more about getting things just right (adhering to medical ideals and flattening my paunch) rather than a matter of pressing concern. My legs don't jiggle anymore, my shoulders are starting to regain their topography and while my human belly remains -- as I expect it more or less always will -- my other formerly saggy parts are notibly more taut. At the same time, I'm starting to feel the mental engine really getting it's sheen back on.

Morally I'm doing well too. Last night I did another dodge on a tallish blonde comedianne at Wes' birthday extraviganza, which was wise and good to practice at. Today I had a interview chat with a different tallish blonde lady who's writing a book about youth types on the left. She was pretty cute (cue my superficial attraction to academic intelligence) too. I'm gonna go see her documentary film later this week I think. Might be innaresting.

I also saw Frank in Suburbia (directed by Laura) on Saturday, which was pretty good. The text is a good one and the production was heartfelt and intense, if a bit loose at points. I reall like Bogosian as a writer, but at the same time, I was was surprised to find the language feeling strangely... dated. The crowd laughed a lot more than I did, so maybe it's me. I still enjoyed it, but I was struck by how familiar it all felt, almost remedial. I distinctly remember being kind of amazed with this text four or five years ago, so it was kind of interesting to fell like I was one step ahead of the script. It's still a tight piece of writing, and the cast put a lot of energy into it; causing some mishaps, yes, but overall carrying it off with style. Anyway it was a fun time in the theater, and I'm always down with that.

Overall a good weekend. Starting to feel like I live in this city or something. Yeehaw.