We also have to grasp that art proves its value by still mattering to people who have been deprived of every other freedom: indeed instead of mattering less, it matters more. Very true – the willingness of people in repressed regimes to risk their lives in the name of artistic expression is telling.
Entries Tagged as 'Literature'
Art and the Hierarchy of Needs – “Cultural Amnesia” – Clive James
September 28th, 2011 · No Comments · Art, Civilisation, Culture, History, Humanism, Literature, Totalitarianism
We Are The People You’re Talking About – “Revolutionary Road” – Richard Yates
September 22nd, 2011 · No Comments · American, Criticism, Culture, Elitism, Literature
I remember looking at you and thinking ‘God, if only he’d stop talking.’ Because everything you said was based on this great premise of ours that we’re somehow very special and superior to the whole thing, and I wanted to say ‘But we’re not! Look at us! We’re just like the people you’re talking about! [...]
Tags:elitism·superiority
“Goodbye Babylon: Further Journeys in Time and Politics” – Bob Ellis It’s worth noting here that Chifley’s motives here weren’t Imperial, he was motivated by fraternal solidarity with the reforming Labour government then in power in the UK.
September 17th, 2011 · No Comments · Australian, Australiana, Campaigning, History, Policy, Politics, Progressive Politics, Uncategorized
(Chifley’s) most fatal flaw, I think, was his (and Curtin’s) belief that the frugal way of living they both had endured through all their years of battling childhoods and union struggle was all the Australian people should reasonably and properly hope for, and happily, obediently vote for, and they would cop food-rationing, and petrol-rationing, and [...]
Tags:Aspirational Voters·Australia·Australian History·Campaigning·History·policy·Politics·progressive politics
On Labor Leadership – “Goodbye Babylon: Further Journeys in Time and Politics” – Bob Ellis
September 16th, 2011 · No Comments · Australian, Australian Labor Party, Australiana, History, Leadership, Politics, Quotes
A woman a Chifley’s funeral asserted “I know Mr Chifley’s in Heaven, because Labor Leaders have their hell on earth.
Tags:ALP·Australia·Australian History·Ben Chifley·Labor·leadership·Politics·Quotes
I Have Seen the Past – “Goodbye Babylon: Further Journeys in Time and Politics” – Bob Ellis
September 15th, 2011 · No Comments · Australian, Australiana, History, Policy, Politics, Quotes
I have seen that past, as Gore Vidal said of Australia once, and it works.
Architecture and Democracy – “Goodbye Babylon: Further Journeys in Time and Politics” – Bob Ellis
September 15th, 2011 · No Comments · Architecture, Australian, Australiana, Democracy, History, Politics
(The Constitutional Convention on an Australian Republic) certainly proves, and proves without a doubt, that great architecture gives rise to great democracy, and bad architecture stifles or distorts it. In (Old Parliament House) you differ amiably, riposte, take lordly insult in good part. In the pharaonic tomb on the hill you yell, threaten, launch vendettas, [...]
Tags:Architecture·Australian History·Canberra·New Parliament House·Old Parliament House·Politics
A Story About Jack Curtin – “Goodbye Jerusalem: Night Thoughts of a Labor Outsider” – Bob Ellis
September 14th, 2011 · No Comments · Australian, Australian Labor Party, Australiana, History, Politics, Progressive Politics
Jack Curtin lived in Cottesloe and one day he gave his driver a day off. Then he found he needed to go to Perth, so he went out on the road and hitchhiked. And a truck pulled up. ‘Can you give me a lift into Perth?’ ‘Sure,’ said the driver, then looked at him startled. [...]
Tags:ALP·Australia·Australian History·John Curtin·Labor·Politics·progressive politics
The Courage of his Platitudes - “Goodbye Jerusalem: Night Thoughts of a Labor Outsider” – Bob Ellis
September 13th, 2011 · No Comments · Australian, Australiana, Politics, Quotes
After much good food Malcolm McGregor found the words he wanted. “John Howard,” he said “has the courage of his platitudes.
“Goodbye Jerusalem: Night Thoughts of a Labor Outsider” – Bob EllisJack Lang to Paul Keating, 1969
September 13th, 2011 · No Comments · Australian, Australian Labor Party, Australiana, History, Politics, Quotes
Jack Lang to a young Paul Keating: “Let me tell you, son, there’s not time left. Run, boy, run”
An Unusual Experiment - “Goodbye Jerusalem: Night Thoughts of a Labor Outsider” – Bob Ellis
September 12th, 2011 · No Comments · Australian, Australian Labor Party, Australiana, History, Politics, Quotes
‘It was an unusual experiment,’ Gore Vidal once said (of the Whitlam Government), ‘for Australia to choose as its Prime Minister its most intelligent man. It will not, I fear, be repeated.’
