Episodes
Sunday Aug 26, 2018
Ep. 27: Eric Draitser on Counterpunch Radio & the Dangerous Age of Trumpism
Sunday Aug 26, 2018
Sunday Aug 26, 2018
On this edition of Parallax Views I speak with Counterpunch Radio's Eric Draitser about clearing up misconception around Counterpunch, his own evolving political views, internet censorship, Counterpunch Radio's recent interview with former Anonymous hacker Barrett Brown about the increasingly problematic nature of Wikileaks' Julian Assange, Trump's talk of isolationism vs. his hawkish actions, and how the movement of "Trumpism" may be more dangerous than Donald Trump himself.
The conversation begins with Eric discussing how he became involved with activism and commentary on issues related to war and imperialism leading up to his becoming host of Counterpunch Radio. From there we delve into some of the contrversies that have surrounded Counterpunch over the years including the publication's late founder Alexander Cockburn and his often rabble-rousing views. Eric defends Counterpunch and clears up some misconceptions about the publication as well as how he believes Cockburn's views would have changed in the age of Trump. This leads us to discuss Eric's own evolving political perspectives, particularly in regards to Syria and Assad.
This leads us to a discussion of internet censorship and the challenges of activism in an era of social media controlled by Silicon Valley. From there we delve into Eric's recent interview with Barrett Brown, former Anonymous hacker, on Julian Assange and Wikileaks. We unpack some of the problems with Assange and how he has turned Wikileaks into a "Cult of Personality" as well as how Assange portrays his "revolutionary" image.
Listen to Counterpunch Radio's
Barrett Brown Interview
HERE
Then we transition into some of Eric Draitser's recent writings, specifically "The Curious Case of Pro-Trump Leftism" and "Trumpism: The Real Danger of Donald Trump". We delve into the mythology of Trump as an anti-interventionist or isolationist and how his actions, specifically involving Ukraine and NATO, actually undermine that mythology. From there we delve into Eric's belief that Trumpism is a bigger problem than Trump himself. Eric believes that Trump has unleashed a moment of energy for crude far-right populism that is propelling a dangerous movement into the mainstream. During this part of the conversation we take a deep dive into the nature of fascism and the ways in which it works off of myth, romanticism, conspiratorial paranoia, and a sort of "liquid" ideology that seeks to ensare both rightists and leftists who don't have their guard up.
Finally, we attempt to end the discussion on a positive note by talking about what we can do as citizens in the age of Trump and the possibilities for activism in this moment.
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