Thursday, June 22, 2006

Following up on this, why did so many of the people on the "Townhouse" e-mail list follow Kos's orders to stay silent about the Armstrong story and the Kosola allegations? Part of it, I'm sure, has to do with their political allegiances to Kos. But let's not underestimate their financial allegiances.

"If there's a theme that attracts me, it's pieces that are somewhat sad; I much prefer to write in sorrow than in anger. I don't like to rail. But I'll rail when I have to."

The modern progressive movement—which is founded upon loyalty to established narratives and which defines its members by that loyalty—has nearly completed its transformation from a coalition group interested in guiding policy to an identity group, where membership is thought of in ontological terms. Which is why Kos doesn’t allow that TNR could be comprised of liberals/progressives who disagree with his tactics and/or strategies; instead, they are now essentially right wingers. Which is to say, they are defined by their Otherness.