Norman Mailer Brawled With Bush to the Bitter End
There is much, much to be said of Norman Mailer, the Pulitzer-prize winning author and world-class rabble-rouser who has died at age 84.
But the pugilistic pensman would perhaps be most pleased to have it known that he went down swinging. The chronicler of our politics and protests in the 1960s with two of the era’s definitional books - 1968’s Armies of the Night and Miami and the Siege of Chicago, did not rest on the laurels - and they were legion — earned for exposing the dark undersides of the presidencies of Lyndon Johnson and Richard Nixon.
He went after George Bush with a fury, and a precision, that was born of his faith that all politicians - including 1969 New York City mayoral candidate Norman Mailer - had to be viewed skeptically. And, when found to be lacking, had to be dealt with using all tools available to a writer pocketed two Pulitzers, a National Book Award, a George Polk Award, a Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters from the National Book Foundation and a global prominence rarely accorded the pushers of pens.
Mailer did not hesitate to suggest that Bush and his compatriots were setting up “a pre-fascistic atmosphere in America” and he saw the war in Iraq as an imperialistic endeavor destined — as all such attempts are — to diminish democracy at home.
“Iraq is the excuse for moving in an imperial direction,” Mailer wrote on the eve of the conflict. “War with Iraq, as they originally conceived it, would be a quick, dramatic step that would enable them to control the Near East as a powerful base — not least because of the oil there, as well as the water supplies from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers — to build a world empire.”
Mailer recognized in the president’s schoolboy militarism the most dangerous of instincts. So it was that, when Bush made his 2003 appearance in flight-suit drag before a sign declaring “Mission Accomplished” as part of the first - though certainly not the last — celebration of the fantasy of “victory” in Iraq, Mailer responded with a critique that remains the most damning assessment of a president who has known more than his share of damnation.
“Democracy, more than any other political system, depends on a modicum of honesty. Ultimately, it is much at the mercy of a leader who has never been embarrassed by himself,” Mailer, who as a young Harvard graduate had served in the South Pacific during World War II, wrote of Bush at the close of a brilliant piece for The New York Review of Books. “What is to be said of a man who spent two years in the Air Force of the National Guard (as a way of not having to go to Vietnam) and proceeded–like many another spoiled and wealthy father’s son–not to bother to show up for duty in his second year of service? Most of us have episodes in our youth that can cause us shame on reflection. It is a mark of maturation that we do not try to profit from our early lacks and vices but do our best to learn from them. Bush proceeded, however, to turn his declaration of the Iraqi campaign’s end into a mighty fashion show. He chose–this overnight clone of Honest Abe–to arrive on the deck of the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln on an S-3B Viking jet that came in with a dramatic tail-hook landing. The carrier was easily within helicopter range of San Diego but G.W. would not have been able to show himself in flight regalia, and so would not have been able to demonstrate how well he wore the uniform he had not honored. Jack Kennedy, a war hero, was always in civvies while he was commander in chief. So was General Eisenhower. George W. Bush, who might, if he had been entirely on his own, have made a world-class male model (since he never takes an awkward photograph), proceeded to tote the flight helmet and sport the flight suit. There he was for the photo-op looking like one more great guy among the great guys. Let us hope that our democracy will survive these nonstop foulings of the nest.”
Mailer would continue protesting the foulings of the nest, on the streets of New York during the 2004 Republican National Coronation and with a pugilistic pen that pummeled the empire builders and their lesser stooges — asking pointedly in final years that paralleled Bush’s “Patriot Acts” and an endless “war on terror”: “What does it profit us if we gain extreme security and lose our democracy?” — until it was finally laid to rest on Saturday.
Copyright © 2007 The Nation
We need a lot more political brawlers and pugilists like Norman Mailer. Still going strong in his eighties!
RIP, Mr. Mailer. May your spirit survive among us.
We can honor Mailer’s legacy by kicking pendejo junior’s ass for as long as the sun shines on it.
Mr. Mailer’s take is right. Posturing and puff. Bush is without morals; and, lacking a moral compass he has turned randomly to the destruction of all that he perceives as good.
His handlers need vetting as well; and, all the turdlings must be tossed out with the bathwater.
Norman Mailer was the supreme carmudgeon. He found fault with much that he saw in life, and thus was an equal opportunity gadfly. He will be missed, not just for his literary talent, but also for his (dare I say)character.
People like Mailer are needed. But they can not be effective until the voting poplace becomes sufficiently informed and astute to recognize the right wing rhetoric and pseudo science.
To get an even better perspective on America read Gore Vidal.
Hoa binh
Rest in Peace, Norman. We continue the battle
Once again the clear voice of an elder is stopped. As the circle is to remain unbroken, we must as each generation learn anew, speak out with honesty and a certain saterical humility, that includes ones self, that we are all in this together, and democracy is the best thing going for making it better for all, not just the few, who give monetary blowjobs to the highest bidder, donater, and bribe/lobby, the revolving door of government and military officials has to stop, if we are to maintain our democracy, having a paid professional military is the first step towards dictatorship. and one the Constitutionalist fought and wrote against. To the point of making it a LAW-there shall be no standing armies in peacetime,,,given the perpetual War on what ever flavor of the month, stands to reason we are in the grips of the Controllers, who want fear to rule your lives and taxes and continue to make a mockery of democracy.
Gore Vidal made Mailer look timid, and weak on homework too—
Vidal is good - I just wish he would come home rather than hiding in Italy.
“Vidal is good - I just wish he would come home rather than hiding in Italy.”
GV returned to the US following the death of his partner a couple of years ago.
As elegant and precise as Vidal is, Mailer always plunged in, and there are passages of purely American lyricism in his books that stay fresh after years — and give one reason for pride in the country that produced him . . ..
first Kurt, and now Norman
2 giants stilled when we need them most.
“first Kurt, and now Norman
2 giants stilled when we need them most.”
Yeah, but it’s up to us to pick up the torch and march on.
Let’s do.
Vidal is like a surgeon, skilled and precise with the scalpel of his wit, Mailer was rash and reckless, rushing into the fray without regard for the danger, a man wanting to be heroic, risking looking like a fool, sometimes succeeding in that endeavor, but always much more exciting and interesting.
Unfortunately words like these fall on the ears of bleating sheep and clones as they wonder if they should buy a new T.V or curtains while women and children are raped then murdered by their own countrymen….
AmeriKKKa the real threat to world peace
ALOHA !!
GOVERNMENT IS ONLY AS HONEST AS ITS MONEY …
Now who will take up Mailer’s mighty pen?
Norman Mailer was a real dichotomy.
He was rough and tough and seemed to thrive on brawling, whether in the ring with boxing gloves or with his fists at a bar
But beneath that course gruff exterior was a kind and gentle man.
Anyone who has read his books knows that he always sided with the underdog, and despised bullies.
He used his literary talent to champion the cause of the downtrodden.
Despite his controversial outspoken brusque personality he managed to effectively use his incredible wit and enormous writing skills to fiercely combat hypocrites with his most effective tool, his pen.
Someone truly needs to grab the people in the White House by the “scruff of their necks,” and throw their sorry rear-ends out of office! Throw the bums out! Period!
My short list of “good guys” is sadly shorter by one.
Liberty & Justice,
SJ
www.spartacusjones.com
Although I think Norman Mailer’s significant legacy is much more likely to be literary than political, since you brought it up, it is worth asking–John Nichols, did Mailer have anything to say about the Democratic Party’s complicity in the dangerous drift of the US under Bush?
Societal transformation is difficult and full of pain. Those gifted with words know that their words have lasting power, and any rewards are far in the future, yet they continue. Sacrificing oneself for future generations with an intangible hope for a better future is the stuff honor is made of. Mailer was such a man.
Those of US Who Truly Love America _ we know who we are _ have had some of our strength leave the world. We’ll have to try to work out a little harder in a naive, optimisic, loving and passionate way _ as is the character of our country, pump some iron hard now to make up for the loss _ we all need to speak up more. Push our courage a little harder on our envelope of fear and safety. At least that much we can do to honor the spirit of the strength of American compassion mixed with bravery Norman tried to tell.
Dichterfreund wrote: GV returned to the US following the death of his partner a couple of years ago.
Thanks for that - I did not know.
While we fret the passing of NM and KV, let’s also not forget HST.
We need another Mailer. He was a grand spokesman for the 60’s and always spoke and wrote the truth. Perhaps we also need another 60’s as well with new blood. However, Mailer will be sorely missed.
For those that like the “White Man Unburdened” article referenced by a link at “a critique” in the text above, they may also like the irreverent one by Ben Tripp back in 2003 in Counterpunch:
http://www.counterpunch.org/tripp05082003.html
passing it to you norman..
The great writers go where freedom is, outside the box on Green Island - http://www.rudemacedon.ca/lgi/ogi-home.html
The Norman Mailers, Molly Ivins and Gore Vidals of the world are so valuable, even after death, because of their forthright, courageous writing and concise intellects. Let’s encourage all to read, read, read their books (even portions)…while we are still a somewhat free country!
So sad to lose a great person who knew how words can educate as well as deceive. I liked the comment he made that George W wore a uniform to demonstrate to the American people that the Mission was Accomplished, when JFK wore civilian clothing to establish his hero image. “George W. should follow his admonition to Musharraf: First you have to remove your uniform.”
“There he was for the photo-op looking like one more great guy among the great guys. Let us hope that our democracy will survive these nonstop foulings of the nest.”
I just read an article in the NYTimes about insults by the high and mighty. With this example, Mr. Mailer shows that he is equal to the best. Good on him.
I never read anything he wrote, except for some magazine articles. But I was a big fan of his tawdry lifestyle. He will be missed.