From the description: 'Jordan Chariton interviewed American political scientist Norman Finkelstein on May 21st, 2024 at a presidential campaign rally for Dr. Cornel West in Harlem, NY.'
Thought those empty stands looked familiar. Here's Jimmy Dore's scathing (and somewhat repetitive) report of the sparsely-attended event. I expect he would take issue with the Fink's description of C.West as 'a mile wide and a mile deep':
In spite of that, decent response from NF to the ICC announcement. Seems like quite a big deal, if they follow through with it, precisely because of the reluctance to indict western/white leaders that Norm identifies.
Its tragic that Norman still holds out a candle for Cornell West, but Finkelstein is known to be loyal to those he respects, among them the author of the article, Chomsky.
As some on these boards may be aware, I had extensive correspondence with Norman over six months - March - late September, and Cornel did crop, i.e., both personally and on his then Substack page Norman was gung-oh for Cornel, as was Chris Hedges, who actually had arranged with Jill Stein that Cornel would be the Green Party Candidate for the US Presedential Election and would appear on most ballots in the Federal Republic - all was well until a Political Organiser had been put in place, one who once worked for Obama's presidential runs.
Now, I should fill in what me and Finkelstein were discussing at length following negative reviews of his book, I'll Burn that Bridge, from the Woke Left/Democrat Left - we began focusing on one issue that was causing mayhem within Leftist circles, namely, this Transgender stuff that neither of us had much knowledge of, that soon changed after much reading, including a review of the original Cass Provisional Report - Norm was neither impressed by the actual dire research available, or the philosophy behind it, indeed, Norm thought Judith Butler a huckster at best and no intellect of serious consideration.
Further, during this research and numerous exchanges it came to our attention that an actual Nazi Legal expert and many of his musing had been embraced by segments of the Woke Left, despite knowing full well the history of this Nazi legal scholar. Norm was in the process of reading several books by this Nazi scholar when October 7 happened, since then its been quiet and difficult to contact Norman.
One points all the above out because I have the utmost respect for Norm, but his blind spot about Cornel is rather telling. First, and having accepted to run for the Greens, Cornel then broke with Jill Stein and made some serious charges. His interview with Jimmy Dore was also a train wreck, i.e., far from taking issue with the faux, Woke left or denouncing Biden, Cornel did the reverse - and here's the crux, Norman has zero sympathy for the faux Left or Woke SJW's but failed to offer counsel it seems to Cornel on this fact - don't know why because he's often very quick minded, so this issue is genuine loyalty to an old friend given the balls up Cornel has made and his inability to break with the Democrats.
Thanks Chris, sounds like an interesting dialogue. I was slightly disappointed that Norm didn't really address the trans issue in 'I'll Burn That Bridge', although the general IDPol underpinnings of it were thoroughly pulled to pieces in a satisfying way. Probably bigger fish for him to fry at the moment as you say, but I imagine him making some priceless comments on the whole debacle.
re: Cornel, maybe you're right about loyalty. He was still singing Bernie's praises years after it was clear he was acting as a stooge for the dems, and only recently did his 'innards' start to 'writhe' over his Israel stance (I think).
Who was the nazi legal expert, if you're allowed to say?
Norman was actually in the process of reading the foundation books underscoring much of the present Gender Ideology fad and critiques of these books and alleged philosophy behind, prior to getting on to the scientific material - he don't half kick around with some renowned Scientists and doctors. However, and, under advice from his publisher, his original manuscript was already unwieldy and in want of some serious love and attention from a sub-editor - given Verso Books rejected the manuscript, it went to Sublation Media, they did not have the resources at hand. It really was a hard slog to get the book published Norman stated but he's proud of it and his opposition to liberal progressive woke crap, which to Norman certainly is not of the Left or associated in anyway to Marx and Leftist traditions - he's very much a no nonsense man and a very tough cookie, probably, with the exception of Chomsky, the most intelligent person I've have had the pleasure to engage with. And, no I ain't blowing smoke, I'm a child with a child brain compared to Norm!
Hmm, interesting. Hopefully his work on the trans ideology sees the light of day in some for or other. Agreed on the strength of his character and intelligence - generally I've been more impressed the more I read or see of him, and have learned a lot from his example - especially the insistence on engaging with opposing arguments on their own terms and not relying on glib, tribal dismissals. It would be a better world if more people made that effort.
on May 26, 2024, 1:03 pm