IP: RE: We need the courage to look beyond abstractions

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

> From: "Baker, Stewart" <SBaker () steptoe com>
> To: "'farber () cis upenn edu'" <farber () cis upenn edu>
> cc: "Albertazzie, Sally" <SAlbertazzie () steptoe com>
> Subject: RE: We need the courage to look beyond abstractions
> Date: Thu, 13 Sep 2001 18:26:11 -0400
>
>
> I didn't respond to the Chomsky piece, which seems to say that blowing up
> the WTC is pretty bad but nowhere near as bad as sending a cruise missile or
> two into a Sudanese factory after the workers have gone home.  Chomsky's
> such a notorious crank that no response is needed.  But Andy Oram is not
> such a notorious crank (at least not yet).  So I feel compelled to respond.
>
> The short version of Andy Oram's screed is that there's not that much
> difference between the people who attacked the WTC and people who doubt the
> value of increasing the minimum wage. Both see abstractions instead of real
> people.
>
> I suppose a Republican could say that Andy is just like the WTC attackers
> because he can't get beyond the abstract ideology of the minimum wage and
> instead see the reality of people who lose their jobs when the price of
> their labor is increased beyond its market value.
>
> But the real problem with his message is more fundamental: trying to turn
> this tragedy into a petty partisan appeal is obscene.  Andy, you should be
> ashamed of yourself.



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