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SHOP FOR AMERICA
INTERVIEWS BY MICHAEL McCUSKER
There is no nonsense so errant it cannot be
made the creed of the vast majority through adequate
governmental action.
-BERTRAND RUSSELL
The new patriotism calls for Americans
to spend themselves into poverty to support the
national economy and the War on Terrorism.
The crass commercialism of Christmas has been
raised to high patriotism. A public radio commen
tator says this red, white and blue Christmas is
more like July 4th in December. Uncle Sam is
Santa Claus. The Christmas villain is not the usual
Grinch or Scrooge but Osama bin Laden.
The Times Eagle has interviewed a few
Oregon coastal folk, asking the question:
What do you think of the emphasis
placed on Christmas shopping as a
patriotic act?
DRAWINGS BY MICHAEL MILLER (aka SASHA)
JIM HANSEN
Nobody can convince me that the capitalist system isn’t
wonderful.
Christmas shopping is a good way of letting Jesus know
we love him. Jesus would really like that.
MICHAEL MILLER
The Japanese who bombed Pearl Harbor sixty years
ago were doing their patriotic duty. The German soldiers who
marched on Poland were doing their patriotic duty. The Confed
erates defending slavery were doing their proud patriotic duty.
The U.S. cavalry soldiers who massacred entire villages of
Native Americans were doing their patriotic duty. I think God
will forgive me for not doing my patriotic duty.
Jesus never commanded anyone to love their nation,
but he did command them to love their enemies.
None of my behaviors are based upon a love for this
nation, but a love for all mankind. My patriotic duty, then (to
mankind) is to spend wisely: to support those companies who
guard civil liberties and environmental health; to support those
companies and people who do not amass vast fortunes when
32,000 children die daily from hunger.
I will not shop for my country. I will be glad though to
share whatever I have with those in need.
KENDEMPS
l‘m not spending. I don’t know where people are getting
the money. We’re in a recession.
I went to Fred Meyer's the other day and smelled every-
thing but I couldn’t afford to buy anything.
I am leaning toward shoplifting for Christmas, which I
plan to do early.
know the true meaning of Christmas? All it seems to mean
anymore is the dread of how many months it will take to pay
off the Christmas bills.
JOHN LINDHOUT
JENNIFER BAKKE
Am I going to send money in the name of patriotism?
No I am not going to.
I would not purposely buy something in the name of
patriotism. I might go into a store owned by a friend to help him
or her out.
That doesn't mean I don’t love my country.
I notice people aren’t giving as much to charity this year.
They’re giving to the victims of September 11, but not to the
local needy.
Would I buy a Christmas present to bolster the economy
or because I love somebody?
I'm not even going to comment on that.
Basically I think it's a sign of how pampered we are that
we are not asked to sacrifice anything except our civil liberties
for the conflict — I refuse to call it a war.
Also we seem to forget our spending equates with using
up the world's resources faster. We are spending the world into
Earthruptcy.
CYNDYLEE
LISA STOMPRUD
I would rather have people addicted to impulse shopping
rather than to a fanatical religion.
My mother is addicted to both.
People are addicts by nature.
I think it’s unfortunate our capitalist society is going to
support all the flag sellers in the name of patriotism instead of
the people who need our support. You also see this in fashion
and a lot of designers coming out with red, white and blue depict
it as glamour and chic.
JIM FURNISH
TAYLOR DURKEE
I saw a cartoon in the New Yorker of a kid sitting on
Santa Claus’ lap saying “Give me everything I want or the
terrorists win."
I don’t think our spending should have much to do with
9/11 or the spirit of Christmas. It’s so diluted — does anybody
PERIPHERAL SIMILARITY
One month after September 11
Like monstrous bare bones
flayed clean and waiting
exposed to wind and sun,
they stand or lie at ground zero —
run out of time, sifted ash-gray
alone
Some seep striations of rust
as if first bloodied before
the dust flakes and corrodes
membranes to a crust that peels,
so insects dart and hide in the insides
still fibrous.
Like sculpted pewter shining,
the outer skin streaks veins white
in cloudy morning light
revealing tendons bulged and twisted,
extending fists with protruded knuckles
buckled under, as if bound in spasms of bursted
anger.
And separate sliced feet splay out,
display claws of rooted grasping,
cling on to glassy mounds
as if reaching for one more grip
of life.
They are the remains
cut away, severed from natural time
to leave testimony
in the stumps and decay of once living
trees
-CLAUDIA HARPER
LARRY BARROWS
NORTH COAST
TIMES EAGLE
A JOURNAL OF ART & OPINION
PUBLISHED IN ASTORIA, OREGON
757 27TH STREET 97103
MICHAEL PAUL McCUSKER
EDITOR & PUBLISHER
ELIZABETH A. BALDWIN
Is pleased to announce the relocation
of her office for the practice of law to
536 BOND STREET
ASTORIA OREGON 97103
Across the street from her old office
(503) 325-5137
Telephone number remains the same
SIX WEEKS AFTERMATH
Collateral damage was minimum: Associated Press
We are children
traveling from dream
to nightmare
watching crystal cashes
explode in dragon fire,
searching for a prince
to save us.
We are children
bent to instant tears,
flag-waving in the dark,
singing the old chants
that used to bring the magic,
wanting someone
to make it all go away.
We are children
finger-pointing
at warlocks and demons,
covering our eyes and ears and mouths
like the perennial three monkeys,
hiding from the pain,
hungry for the perfect ending.
We are children
willing to vow blind loyalty
to the one who rides the biggest horse
armored and bannered
in righteous indignation,
the one who clamors loudest
for revenge.
The mirror warns,
Children,
don’t believe everything you read,
don't believe everything promised
Beware of false prophets.
Grow up.
-CLAUDIA HARPER