Washington Post arts writer Sarah Kaufman, who just two weeks ago celebrated the new ballet where George W. Bush assaults women and kills them, mentioned that and other "anti-war" (not "Bush-hating") dance works as her highlights of 2006 in the Sunday Arts section:
In the past year dancers have given the term "antiwar movement" new meaning. One legacy of the bloody, intractable Iraq war may well be its role as an artistic inspiration.
Starting with American Ballet Theatre's revival of Kurt Jooss's "The Green Table" at the Kennedy Center last February, protest works have made an impact, as company directors have put uneasy -- even brutal -- views of war onstage.
Two of the works felt especially political. ABT performed Jooss's 1932 treatise on bureaucrats with blood on their hands the very night that President Bush was delivering his State of the Union address. A coincidence, probably, but a particularly delicious Washington moment nonetheless.
It was artistically rich as well. This work, a historical treasure of enduring relevance, is full of drama and outsize characterizations: the stuffed-shirt politicians who drive the conflict but remain at a safe distance, soldiers in battle, mourning women and the magnetic figure of Death, which dancer David Hallberg injected with arrogance, charisma, menace and seductiveness. He was a stalker and a lover: the ultimate predator. This work makes its point with eloquent economy: What begins at a conference table ends in hell.
They also followed that party line in Kansas City. But Googling also found that Sarah Kaufman also whacked at Bush and the oblivious people who voted for him on December 9 in telling readers what to go out and see:
IF THE SEASON IS getting too predictable -- too many Sugarplum Fairies, too much "Messiah" -- the Paul Taylor Dance Company offers a tempting antidote. Never sweet, sometimes sour, often sardonic, Taylor puts a refreshingly clear-eyed spin on things in his upcoming program of four works. His 2005 work, "Banquet of Vultures," takes on the cruelties of war, dogmatic leadership and an oblivious populace. (Hmm, what could have inspired that?)
—Tim Graham is Director of Media Analysis at the Media Research Center
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
All that ink and paper wasted
January 1, 2007 - 10:15 ET by Andrew H.All that ink and paper wasted by Kauffman on a dance product not worth taking for free--boggles the mind. Indeed those who are oblivious spend time watching this nonsense. Ms. Kauffman, you earn my award for the most oblivious of them all! Congratulations.
Liberalism is a convenient lie.
"ABT performed Jooss's 1
January 1, 2007 - 10:25 ET by Indiana Joe"ABT performed Jooss's 1932 treatise on bureaucrats with blood on their hands the very night that President Bush was delivering his State of the Union address. A coincidence, probably, but a particularly delicious Washington moment nonetheless."
A "coincidence?" Considering how far ahead plays are scheduled, and how traditional the date of the President's State of the Union Address? "Coincidence?"
<Jon Lovitz voice> Yeah, a "coincidence," that's what it was, sure, a "coincidence," yeah, that's the ticket!
LMAO!!!
IJ
Compulsive Liar / Jonny Flanagan
January 1, 2007 - 10:31 ET by Free StinkerI believe you were thinking of his "Compulsive Liar" character "Jonny Flanagan"
<compulsive liar on>
"Yeah, the MSM is completely unbiased, as I just told my wife . . . .Morgan Fairchild . . . whom I've slept with"
<compulsive liar off>
Does this stuff make any mone
January 1, 2007 - 10:32 ET by acaiguanaDoes this stuff make any money? 'Cause if so then here is the Acaiguana Dance Company Review...
Al (Impose tyranny over the mind's of Children) Gore wielding a chain saw tearing down World Capitalism to save a baby seal while singing "I'm a Lumberjack and I'm OK..."; Keith (I know I have a brain somewhere) Olbermann doing the happy dance whenever another Republican Politican dies; Katie (Please don't peek under the sheet) Curic with eyes finally popping out while searching for another flaxen haired word and doing the 'swim' while standing in a shallow pool of water constantly searching for depth; John (The Wooden Faced self-declared Hero in a Suit) Kerry doing a street style 'break' dance while searching for lost medals and honor; John (don't throw dirt on me - I'm still breathing) Murtha waltzing his way through a company of Marines in San Diego with Teflon Tights; Hillary (I'm not the Scarecrow in OZ) Clinton -
um...
We gotta keep some things from the children in Public Advertising.
And a host of really serious stuff. A cast of thousands (well, maybe dozens) of supporters.
Tickets are available at your local Public Bath with a free shower after the show.
ACA
...
Acaiguana says: "Which city is next?"
lol
January 1, 2007 - 11:49 ET by iveseenitallLOL. Wonderful! Theatre Of The Absurd! Bravo! Bravo! Take another bow,AC!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
NEVER,NEVER trust a liberal
Liberals like to pride themse
January 1, 2007 - 11:44 ET by Dave659Liberals like to pride themselves on being more intelligent than conservatives, but it's interesting to note that their artistic representations of political issues are inevitably simple-minded and obvious. Critics in the major media fail to note this, acting instead as cheerleaders.
If Liberals understood Math, they would figure it out.
January 1, 2007 - 11:51 ET by acaiguanaIf Liberals understood Math, they would figure it out.
The odds are 50/50 that their little elite group falls between 80-100 IQ points rather than above in the 100/120 range.
There is an interesting phenomonon among the mentally challenged (defined as retarded in the old days) where they concentrate on appearing normal or better than normal in intelligence.
This is not borne out in their behavior.
It makes for a Law and Order issue as it is really hard sometimes to figure out if the person understands what is happening.
ACA
...
Acaiguana says: "Which city is next?"
Liberals' superior intelligen
January 1, 2007 - 12:07 ET by Chris NormanLiberals' superior intelligence, morality, and sophistication. It's all so much silly pretense and would be humorous, if the consequences weren't so great. On second thought, a lot of this foolish pretense is very humorous. I mean, it's so stereotypical and predictable.
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
Intelligent or no, Liberals c
January 1, 2007 - 15:17 ET by Ten7sIntelligent or no, Liberals certainly lack character.
"Much of a man’s character will be found betokened in his backbone. I would rather feel your spine than your skull, whoever you are. A thin joist of a spine never yet upheld a full and noble soul." ~Herman Melville
This is the kind of scintilla
January 1, 2007 - 15:28 ET by balboaThis is the kind of scintillating, wildly intelligent posturing I've come to love on this site...
Scintillating!
January 1, 2007 - 15:39 ET by UnsaneSort of like how Leftists crow constantly about how they "think for themselves" while conservatives are programmed drones waiting for their marching orders from Rush, Bush or other authority figures?
"Socialism is the philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance and the gospel of envy." -Sir Winston Churchill, British statesman (1874-1965)
Just because someone on the l
January 1, 2007 - 15:47 ET by balboaJust because someone on the left makes an outlandish generalization doesn't make it OK for people on the right to do the same thing.
And I've never made that assertion about the right as a whole. You can argue that the left is more likely to question authority, which can appear as "thinking for themselves," while the right has more respect and by extension are less inclined to think for themselves, but you can't make a definitive statement for the whole group.
I would argue the exact oppos
January 1, 2007 - 15:51 ET by UnsaneI would argue the exact opposite: the Left loves authority and cannot get enough. The Leftist dream is to put government in charge of as much of everyday life as possible. The Right may respect authority, but it constantly questions how much authority there should actually be. (Do we really need, for instance, to have the government take over whole industries, as the Left so desperately wants?)
"Socialism is the philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance and the gospel of envy." -Sir Winston Churchill, British statesman (1874-1965)
I disagree. It's not that the
January 1, 2007 - 16:01 ET by balboaI disagree. It's not that the left loves authority, it's that they believe a critical function of the government is to serve the people, to serve the common good. The right believes the same thing, sure, but not to in terms of social issues.
Government = authority. Lef
January 1, 2007 - 16:05 ET by UnsaneGovernment = authority. Leftists believe government exists to spoil, coddle, nanny, spoonfeed, and babysit - oh, I am sorry, "serve" - the people. What is government if not authority.
Thus Leftists LOVE authority, are addicted to it, and cannot get enough. They also frown with unbelievable disdain on individual initiative serving the common good, instead demanding the government usurp the role of "charity".
"Socialism is the philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance and the gospel of envy." -Sir Winston Churchill, British statesman (1874-1965)
Can't disagree more. The left
January 1, 2007 - 16:24 ET by balboaCan't disagree more. The left is for government that serves the people. You see it as coddling and spoiling, they see it as serving.
Govt Serving the People?
January 1, 2007 - 16:33 ET by BlondeBal,
I am truly flabbergasted by that one.
The left is for a government that serves the people.
The left's idea of government "serving" the people is like one supreme horror show of a condominium association. Here in Florida we call them Condo Commandos.
You can have your condo....I'm keeping my house.
There's no denying that this
January 1, 2007 - 17:11 ET by balboaThere's no denying that this goal gets perverted, but that's I think the underlying theme to a liberal view of the government's role.
Bal
January 1, 2007 - 18:14 ET by BlondeNot to mention redistributing the wealth of the citizenry.
You really ought to read Milton Friedman, Bal, for a better understanding of what the role of government should be.
It might really open your eyes.
Blonde,Apt comparison and fun
January 1, 2007 - 17:34 ET by Chris NormanBlonde,
Apt comparison and funny, too. The first day, when I moved into a condo years ago, an old double knit - clad codger introduced himself as "Treasurer of the Association" and demanded to know if I was going to keep the small six inch pot of ivy I had placed on my patio - he said it would attract rats. Ah, my first taste of life under the heavy thumb of association authoritarianism...
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
blonde condo
January 1, 2007 - 17:38 ET by misterbill"he said it would attract rats" Apparently it did, else how did he get there...??
LOL
Bill,LOL. Shhhh. Speak not of
January 1, 2007 - 17:45 ET by Chris NormanBill,
LOL. Shhhh. Speak not of "The Treasurer of the Association" or any condo association officer in such an insolent way. It's punishable by notices stuck to your front door. :) Actually, you shoulda seen his place. It had so many tacky lawn ornaments on the patio, it looked like a miniature golf course. But, that was in accordance with rules and covenants (written by the board, of course)...
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
condo assoc---HOA different??
January 1, 2007 - 17:50 ET by misterbillI am in a home owners association. Fortunately, they, so far, seem to be very reasonable. They are adamant about outside decoration, but if you follow the basic rules they are prompt and friendly in their acceptance of your change requests. I got lucky!!!!
bill,I suppose it varies. But
January 1, 2007 - 17:56 ET by Chris Normanbill,
I suppose it varies. But frequently, when a small group of people are given a little bit of power - and they have the free time on their hands that the others don't - plus, they're pre-disposed to being busy bodies, anyway - well - you know the rest...
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
Poor Chris,The condo commando
January 1, 2007 - 17:57 ET by BlondePoor Chris,
The condo commandos are legendary....and just like the liberals.
They want to tell you how to do every little thing.
Pay your assessments so they can figure out how to spend your money. And oops, when they overspend, they'll levy a special assessment to make up for it.
For Balboa.....that means raise your taxes.
Blonde,It's their little utop
January 1, 2007 - 17:59 ET by Chris NormanBlonde,
It's their little utopia...
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
Condos are contra-property right thingies.
January 1, 2007 - 18:06 ET by acaiguanaCondos are contra-property right thingies.
Why anyone would pay good money for zero property rights is a little too nuanced for my silly brain.
ACA
...
Acaiguana says: "Which city is next?"
You'd not to well in a condo,
January 1, 2007 - 18:08 ET by BlondeYou'd not to well in a condo, ACA.
They'd not allow you to have the boyz, for one.
I know people who bought condos and their dues are higher than
January 1, 2007 - 18:12 ET by acaiguanaI know people who bought condos and their dues are higher than their mortgage payments.
Go figure.
And the dues will increase forever.
Go figure.
And to move out they gotta find someone just as smart as they were when they bought it.
Go figure.
And pay the real estate agent a commission to sell it.
Go figure.
:-)
ACA
...
Acaiguana says: "Which city is next?"
I respect my neighbors and pr
January 1, 2007 - 18:12 ET by Chris NormanI respect my neighbors and property values without the guidance of a governing board. Blonde, the more I think about this, the more relevant your comparison becomes. It works on several levels...
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
Thanks, Chris.It seemed rathe
January 1, 2007 - 18:18 ET by BlondeThanks, Chris.
It seemed rather apropos to me as well, when doing a compare and contrast between the left and right's view of governance.
How a condo board "serves" the needs of its residents is exactly the way a leftist government "serves" its citizens, IMO.
Blonde,and in conclusion, I d
January 1, 2007 - 18:24 ET by Chris NormanBlonde,
and in conclusion, I don't want to live under either, ever again...
Happy New Year - by the way, it's warm and pouring rain here, in NC. What, is Florida exporting your weather now?
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
Chris
January 1, 2007 - 18:29 ET by BlondeSorry about derailing this thread....and for the weather too.
It's hot as Hades here....I am seriously considering closing the house up and turning the A.C. back on.
Don't blame me....thank manbearpig.
Thought you were on your way to a drier clime?
You bums ... it's 35 degree
January 1, 2007 - 18:31 ET by lnthompYou bums ... it's 35 degrees (2 Celsius) and raining, here in Oregon :-(
LNTHOMP previously posting as LEENT. U.S. Navy (ret.)
I have enough money to last me the rest of my life. Unless I buy something.
Lee,Sorry about that....light
January 1, 2007 - 18:34 ET by BlondeLee,
Sorry about that....light a fire? That sounds cozy.
No fireplace, more's the pi
January 1, 2007 - 18:39 ET by lnthompNo fireplace, more's the pity. Hoping to move into a place with one, sometime in the spring.
It was rather funny, watching TV last night with my wife, with a little logo in the corner of the screen saying "live" as the ball dropped in Times Square at midnight Pacific time! And a REALLY annoying hostess with an odd "European" accent on the Fox network program.
LNTHOMP previously posting as LEENT. U.S. Navy (ret.)
I have enough money to last me the rest of my life. Unless I buy something.
Blonde,The Great Migration W
January 1, 2007 - 18:46 ET by Chris NormanBlonde,
No need to apologize. These threads tend to wander on their own. I love it -from an anti-Bush ballet to condo associations to a discussion of the works of Tom Wolfe - only here. The Great Migration West occurs later this month. However, I'll be returning to this warm and damp clime frequently. It's not that I have anything against warm weather, it's just that I like definite seasons - as long as we're not talking shoveling through a six foot snow bank to get to my truck each morning...
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
Chris,Wishing you every succe
January 1, 2007 - 18:58 ET by BlondeChris,
Wishing you every success in your new home.
I like the desert in small doses. I'm going to Vegas for the first time in a couple of weeks (for business...not gambling, which I don't do). I'm really looking forward to it. I've never been to NM, but it's high on my list of places to see.
Best of everything to you.
latest news from san diego
January 1, 2007 - 18:05 ET by tumbler_2007My sister-in-law in San Diego owns and rents a condo. She told us the Treasurer of this place absconded with the entire treasury. Just vanished with the cash. Now the creeps want an assessment on each owner, to cover for the associations' obligations.
Let me guess - the condo as
January 1, 2007 - 18:08 ET by lnthompLet me guess - the condo assoc. has no insurance or bond to cover the assets they collected from the residents. Bet they keep a closer watch on the next treasurer - the missing one is probably in Cabo San Lucas about now.
LNTHOMP previously posting as LEENT. U.S. Navy (ret.)
I have enough money to last me the rest of my life. Unless I buy something.
Hey you Blonde thing - Happy NY.
January 1, 2007 - 17:39 ET by acaiguanaHey you Blonde thing - Happy NY.
ACA
...
Acaiguana says: "Which city is next?"
Same oh, ACA.
January 1, 2007 - 17:58 ET by BlondeSame oh, ACA.
left love authority
January 1, 2007 - 17:12 ET by misterbillThe position of beadle will be recreated by the dems now.
good call, unsane
January 1, 2007 - 16:03 ET by tumbler_2007You said it; and the mystery is how Balboa can even contemplate this:
You can argue that the left is more likely to question authority, which can appear as "thinking for themselves," while the right has more respect and by extension are less inclined to think for themselves, --but you can't make a definitive statement for the whole group.
Just why can you argue what the left is most likely to do and the right doesn't? Slogans like "Question Authority" are cute on bumper stickers, but really not very wise. In fact, posing as "able to think for yourself," is really just false pride. There are millions on the left who never think at all. If only they would, once in a while. So many of them live life as enablers.
Orthodoxy
January 1, 2007 - 16:09 ET by UnsaneThe Left has an orthodoxy that CANNOT at ANY cost be called into question. The Right has no such thing (for instance, my most bitter political arguments have been with those on the Right who hate my idea of a 17% across the board income tax, who instead think it is a great idea to attack consumers and consumer spending with a national sales tax). In fact, I would argue that the Right has the most interesting political debate going on about now.
"Socialism is the philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance and the gospel of envy." -Sir Winston Churchill, British statesman (1874-1965)
Don't worry bal, you're a c
January 1, 2007 - 15:43 ET by Jack BauerDon't worry bal, you're a character all on your own. Probably from a Tom Wolfe novel.
Proud member of the all-powerful and vast militarist/industrialist/capitalist/zionist-bagelist complex
Lol. Thanks...?
January 1, 2007 - 15:48 ET by balboaLol.
Thanks...?
Well you choose. But you'll
January 1, 2007 - 15:59 ET by Jack BauerWell you choose. But you'll note I left out non-fiction, so The Right Stuff boys are out.
I cannot agree with your generalized assertion "the left is more likely to question authority"
Unfortunately we are lumbered with a 1791 paradigm for left and right.
But what we have come to define as "left" as a collectivist political answer to social problems, is most definitley authoritarian, unlike the "conservative/classical liberal" emphasis on liberty and freedom.
Collectivism has to be, by it very nature, authoritarian as it compels people to act in certain way for what those in authority have decided is the public good.
Fair enough when you have general principles of law: theft is wrong and must be punished. Murder is wrong, etc.
They are universal expressions of our civilization. However when you get the state deciding that someone cannot smoke in public, well...?
And I'm a non-smoker, who hates smoke.
Proud member of the all-powerful and vast militarist/industrialist/capitalist/zionist-bagelist complex
Well you choose. But you'll
January 1, 2007 - 16:04 ET by balboaWell you choose. But you'll note I left out non-fiction, so The Right Stuff boys are out.
Nuts. I was a big fan of Dennis Quaid's portrayal of Gordo Cooper. Still love that movie.
That does it!
January 1, 2007 - 12:49 ET by misterbillThat does it! Now they are messing with dance to discredit the President. I am going to give all my attention to the Falcons cheerleaders from now on!
Bill,Only would a pretentious
January 1, 2007 - 12:55 ET by Chris NormanBill,
Only a pretentious Liberal would use a ballet to demonize the President. The pas de deuxs, the pirouettes and the jetes can be such powerful weapons in the right hands - er - feet.
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
more nasty, petty from me!
January 1, 2007 - 12:56 ET by misterbill"Dance Mocking Bush With Blood on Hands"
Won't the blood make them slide down the pole when they are dancing??