Subscribe to Print Edition | Fri., February 22, 2008 Adar1 16, 5768 | | Israel Time: 20:30 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Last update - 12:42 21/02/2008 An American change, perhaps By Avirama Golan Tags: Barack Obama, Israel It's a pity that commentators in Israel and the United States (Jews, of course) are so preoccupied with the question of whether Barack Obama is good or bad for the Jews and Israel. In any case it is all speculation. A scan of U.S. newspapers reveals worries that while the charismatic Democratic candidate is very eloquent, there is nothing behind the words he bandies about. Either way, the Israeli question stems from another matter concerning Obama, which has more to do with the cultural arena than the political one. This is the question of "change" that the younger Obama, who is neck-and-neck in the primary race with Hillary Clinton, heralds for the Democratic Party in particular and for American society in general. What is this change, which Obama radiates with all his being? Anyone seeking to understand what the American people - or at least its vibrant and creative parts - wish to change, are advised to look at several cinematic and literary works of the past few years, through which a certain trend might be decipherable. Advertisement For example, "There Will Be Blood," the latest film by the brilliant director Paul Thomas Anderson, which compels the viewer to reexamine the bluntly masculine American ethos, which is made up of money, a rugged struggle in an unknown land and a self-righteous, preachifying church. Everyone is linked together through a convoluted and destructive connection, which leads to violence and turns society into a collection of poor, ignorant and scared individuals. The same goes for the Coen brothers' "No Country for Old Men." Even though the film is based on a book by a conservative author, who specializes in epic documentation of the Wild West, it does not necessarily represent the conservative masculine approach, but rather gives it a humanistic and sad expression, precisely by means of the cruel violence it contains. Both films are based on relatively old works. Nevertheless it is clear that they are a product of the end of the Bush era, and that their creators are offering the American viewer a reexamination of the ethos, which this era raised to an absurdity. Many American stand-up comedians, leftist op-ed writers and intellectuals, authors and filmmakers feel that the linkage between capital, power, and religion has pushed American society into dark corners. Michael Moore's documentary film "Sicko," which describes the disintegration of the American health system, strongly reflects this mood. There is widespread discomfort, mainly in Democrat circles. The subprime crisis and the Iraqi quagmire have sharpened it and increased the desire for change. That might explain Clinton's surprising weakening in the face of Obama. Clinton, who earned the moniker "Billary," symbolizes for many the old establishment. There is talk in the U.S. about the old establishment "dynasty," and people question whether America is condemned to be governed by rich families who alternate administrations among themselves: Bush Sr., Bill Clinton, Bush Jr., Hillary Clinton. It is this disquiet that gave birth to Obama's distinction: so different, other, unconnected and unestablished. He drops vague hints about sympathy for the weak, and The Economist - a serious publication - categorically declares him to be "a radical leftist." The longing for change, which seeks to violate the old order, defy the connection between capital, power, religion, and government and to create a new administration, ought to interest Israel - because of the adulation for the American ethos that our cultureand society blindly imitate. The Americans are fed up with their old browbeating, in its neoconservative incarnation. In Israel it remains a hit. Maybe change will happen in the U.S. and maybe not. It is possible that Obama's inexperience, skin color and origin will work against him, and that the longing for change will wind up being exploited by the conservative right. Such things have happened before. But in the meantime the need for a new order is coalescing into a fascinating cultural-political expression. If we are such fine mimics, then perhaps we can at least watch and learn something. Bookmark to del.icio.us   The black sheep The U.S. freezes Assad's cousin's assets for trying to weaken Iraq and Lebanon. Pristina, Ramallah Yasser Abed Rabbo called on the West Bank to declare independence like Kosovo.   1.   Avirama Golan, terrific article. 14:10  |  Dror 21/02/08   2.   Obama USAs first muslim prez. 15:49  |  Petra 21/02/08   3.   Israel`s Distorted Norms 16:51  |  TimothyL 21/02/08   4.   Haaretz, you put on adds regarding the truth about 17:01  |  Mark B. 21/02/08   5.   Brezhinski, Malley, Kucineh, Amira Golan Tilting against Israel 17:44  |  Shalom Freedman 21/02/08   6.   The Clintons came from 18:20  |  GPS 21/02/08   7.   Who is benefiting? 18:21  |  Atoo Landarv 21/02/08   8.   Obama is not a Muslim! 18:23  |  GPS 21/02/08   9.   What is the essence of change that Obama and Avirama are offering 20:06  |  Genuine Tosefta 21/02/08   10.   Barack Hussein Osama is a Muslim no matter how one slices it 20:19  |  GPS2 21/02/08   11.   The black revolution begins without firing a shot 20:36  |  digg itt 21/02/08   12.   Liberation from Bondage 20:36  |  Moshe Davis 21/02/08   13.   Stupidity is infectious 20:48  |  Israel 21/02/08   14.   Great article: But McCain is still a nice Guy 21:11  |  Simeon 21/02/08   15.   Good stuff 21:35  |  Jonathan 21/02/08   16.   Davis, the offspring of Ralph D. Abernathy is a drug dealer 21:54  |  Genuine Tosefta 21/02/08   17.   Why Obama will not be President 22:00  |  Genuine Tosefta 21/02/08   18.   #10 GPS2 22:07  |  Hassan 21/02/08   19.   Anyone who thinks of Hillary Clinton as "old establishment" 22:13  |  Global Citizen 21/02/08   20.   Hassan from Eurabia, please point out what is exactly racist 22:54  |  GPS2 21/02/08   21.   Change? 23:30  |  P. J. Casey 21/02/08   22.   The real pity 00:38  |  David Hoffman 22/02/08   23.   Avirama obviously never read No Country For Old Men 05:24  |  B.S. Detector 22/02/08   24.   Hiliray is very nice to Jews 17:59  |  Simeon 22/02/08

Today Online Bradley Burston: This November, I'm voting christian Responses: 32 Monopoly voting site drops country names after row over J'lem ownership Responses: 38 Ari Shavit: Time for Israel to show generosity toward Syria Responses: 26 Daniel Levy: Obama's change could be good for Israel Responses: 33 Iron Dome system found to be helpless against Qassams Responses: 116 McCain, a supporter of Israel with a 'Judeophile' brother Responses: 38 More Headlines 19:55 Nasrallah: We're preparing for war with Israel within months 19:34 IAEA: Iran not complying with nuclear program inspection 19:03 Hamas: We won't rule out any bid for cease-fire with Israel 18:06 Turkish army launches ground offensive into northern Iraq 14:59 McCain, a supporter of Israel with a 'Judeophile' brother 18:01 U.S. to announce new aid plan for West Bank, Gaza Strip 17:52 Iraqi Shiites rally against Danish reprint of Muhammad cartoon 14:52 Thousands show solidarity with Qassam-stricken Sderot 08:47 Iron Dome system found to be helpless against Qassams 14:58 Actor Will Smith receives damages over alleged praise for Hitler Previous Editions Select Day 21 feb 20 feb 19 feb 18 feb 17 feb 15 feb 14 feb 13 feb 12 feb 11 feb 10 feb 08 feb

Special Offers Advertisement 7589 rockets fired so far HELP US TO HELP THEM Marina Royale Herzelia Pituach Your Luxurious Suite While Staying in Israel Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th Dead Sea Salt Beauty and skin care from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 10% off! Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved