Plague Journal, Gangster Morality Revived
The Growing Omnipotence Of The State
All modern revolutions have ended in a reinforcement of the power of the State. 1789 brings Napoleon;1848, Napoleon III; 1917, Stalin; the Italian disturbances of the twenties, Mussolini; the Weimar Republic, Hitler. These revolutions, particularly after the First World War had liquidated the vestiges of divine right, still proposed, with increasing audacity, to build the city of humanity and of authentic freedom. The growing omnipotence of the State sanctioned this ambition on each occasion. It would be erroneous to say that this was bound to happen. But it is possible to examine how it did happen; and perhaps the lesson will follow. p. 177
Everything is Meaningless
Mussolini makes use of Hegel, and Hitler of Nietzsche; and both illustrate, historically, some of the prophecies of German ideology. In this respect they belong to the history of rebellion and of nihilism. They were the first to construct a State on the concept that everything is meaningless and that history is only written in terms of the hazards of force. p. 178
Gangster Morality
There was no longer any standard of values, both common to and superior to all these men, in the name of which it would have been possible for them to judge one another. The Germany of 1933 thus agreed to adopt the degraded values of a mere handful of men and tried to impose them on an entire civilization. Deprived of the morality of Goethe, Germany chose, and submitted to, the ethics of the gang. Gangster morality is an inexhaustible round of triumph and revenge, defeat and resentment. p. 179
— Excerpts, The Rebel by Albert Camus, State Terrorism and Irrational Terror
You may wonder about my rationale for including these quotes.
Simply the American Presidential election of 2016 was that of a revolution, an overthrow of the old order by a tea party-libertarian insurgency that found a candidate of convenience in the television personality, Donald J. Trump. Trump is ensconced in the White House, and the nation is enmeshed in the covid-19 onslaught. He is willing to do what is necessary to ensure another four years in power.
3 thoughts on “Plague Journal, Gangster Morality Revived”
Hi kids !
I disagree with Albert’s assessment of Hegel here. Hegel, as my drug addled mind recalls, deepest beliefs were in consciousness and it’s evolution (development, which perhaps requires a little work on the owners part). My own political awareness was awakened by the 1968 Democratic election. I had graduated Lane Tech in Jan. ’65 (second to the last Jan. graduating classes). What a time for a fellow such as myself to become integrated with society (actually as a part of the most significant decade of the ending of the Piscean age – NOT as is often mistaken, the dawn of the Aquarian age – I gave it my best shot to give it a good send off ; call it, a big going away party). Regardless of what followed, such as Earth shoes and massage parlors, I do believe that the biggest following cultural event that remains is the advent of the Woman / I recall, early on being a participant in the formation of an SDS chapter. When a copy of some thing was needed, why you just handed it to the nearest girl and politely (or not) asked for a copy (or 100). And of course, Men, needed in the coming revolution, couldn’t be bothered making the coffee. Anyone see the first great music documentary; ‘Monterey Pop’? At the beginning you see one of the ‘Papas’ of the ‘Mamas and Papas’ making a call to Dionne Warwick, and being put on hold; quite naturally he handed the phone to Michelle (16 then, sigh) and said; “Hold this for me and let me know when Dionne is on”. In a few short years he might have gotten hit over the head with the phone. Ah ! the good old days, just sitting here thinking about it reminds me of the time of ‘free love’. Sex just wasn’t carnal, it was a political statement as well. I digress – by the time of the convention, as mentioned, I gained my political awareness. By that time I, as many others of my ilk, had too many times been the guest of the city of Chicago, my invitation being given to me by its fine police dep’t. Disorderly conduct was the standard roust. One time I was given a ‘civics’ lesson in how communication with constables was to be conducted; me and my smart mouth were conducted to the backroom of the old ‘Summerdale’ police station where I was handcuffed to a chair and beaten rather enthusiastically by two detectives. One of them actually pulled out his service revolver, stuck the barrel to my forehead, COCKED the trigger and said; “Go ahead, run. I haven’t killed a hippy in a couple of months”. Both arms being handcuffed to the arms of an old wooden chair, I didn’t think I would get very far but I declined to point out the obvious – I’m a quick learner. They had used, what was fashion at the time, a telephone book; perhaps a quick learner but always appreciative of a good laugh, when the blue (uniformed) cop that had busted me and was writing the report came in and asked if anyone knew how to spell ‘marijuana’ I let out a chortle. Sensing I was perhaps delinquent in my education they resumed, now forgetting the phone book. I had a few visible bruises and phoned the ACLU the following day. Explaining what occurred, I was informed I could be put on that months list….#287. I
gave it a pass.
Now, the political awakening that started this old Chautauqua and became crystal clear to me, going downtown with a buddy to see the revolution unfold (and rhetoric aside, perhaps even getting laid), here were the throngs of Truth and social change seekers, shouting out their protestations and cries for Freedom. I doubt that not too many of the crowd had grown up in ‘blue collar’ Chicago – my buddy and I knew what was forthcoming so we split. An amazing example of how government should work had occurred earlier that day: a Special Meeting of the city council was called resulting in an 11pm curfew being passed. By 7 to 8pm that evening, the Dep’t of Streets and Sanitation had fresh curfew signs posted on the street lamps. A job well done!
My buddy and I having ample time, moseyed North and at Lincoln Pk. saw A. Ginsberg sitting in a lotus, with a compliment of young boys surrounding him. As we passed we heard him say: “If they get aggressive, we’ll chant Om’s”. Not yet having discovered the peace and the metaphysical to be experienced in such activity, and realizing the hands of time and history were passing rapidly by, with buddy in tow we continued on our merry way back to blue collar Chicago.
At last! The punchline > all the protesters, as well as other funny, useless things to shout, shouted to the very heavens: “Dump the Hump. Dump the Hump!” My epiphany ? Humphrey at the time had the most liberal record in the Senate, hailing from a state that had elected a Socialist as the mayor of its capital. Well, Success! The Hump was indeed dumped and R. Nixon oversaw our pathway through the darkness. If I hadn’t a political agenda before then, I did realize one. Anarchy !
Now I’m just another isolated mutt, sitting at my window, watching a heron, steady and motionless waiting for a tasty tadpole to swim by. I wonder how they taste?
Blessings
Al, are we not all mutts? We are a “mixed breed” of past generations, and ways of thought, — which through forgotten, nevertheless form the creature that we’ve become. Welcome all to the party!
Indeed
Blessings