Monday, September 07, 2009

Bullshit or Not: Eugene Debs Edition

There's an old sketch film called Amazon Women on the Moon and one of the bits is a parody of the old Leonard Nimoy show, "In Search Of..." called, "Bullshit or Not?" with the tagline "Bullshit or not? You decide." It's a line I like so much that I've stolen it for an irregular series of posts.

In honor of Labor Day, let's look at a quotation from Eugene Debs.

"Ten thousand times has the labor movement stumbled and bruised itself. We have been enjoined by the courts, assaulted by thugs, charged by the militia, traduced by the press, frowned upon in public opinion, and deceived by politicians. 'But notwithstanding all this and all these, labor is today the most vital and potential power this planet has ever known, and its historic mission is as certain of ultimate realization as is the setting of the sun."
So, is it still true that labor today the most vital and potential power this planet has ever known? Is it at least one of the more vital and potential powers?

So, bullshit or not? You decide. As usual feel free to leave anything from a single word to a dissertation.