"Generation of Swine", Dr. Gonzo vs. Reagan

Generation of Swine. Tales of Shame and Degradation in the 80's. The Gonzo Papers Vol. 2- Hunter S. Thompson

Of course, I couldn't go the States and not read Dr. Gonzo. It's a MUST DO thing for me. This collection of articles, his weekly columns for the San Francisco Examiner have a bit of everything, but what makes this book recommendable is clearly Hunter's analysis of American politics, covering the last years of Reagan's presidency, and the pre-campaign for the 88's elections.

Luckily, the political chronicle occupies by far the biggest part of the book. In pure Hunter's style. His trademark's fire-powered prose, fierce sarcasm and relentless will to shake readers minds by saying, without any fear, things "by its name". That, in the 80's, meant shouting out loud how miserable and despicable were Reagan and his cohort of politicians, aka as The Generation of Swine.

These Generation was evil indeed. Along with the equally abject Margaret Thatcher in UK, under Reagan's presidency the United States of America wrote some of their more shameful pages: the Iran-Gate, Nicaragua, their friendship with Saudi Arabia or the Afghan Talibans, and the spread of the worst form of capitalism, on its wildest, merciless and stupid version, the one that destroys millions of jobs, ruins lives everyday, mortgages the future... all in the name of privatization, speculation and the "holy" market (umm, how familiar). I have no doubt about it: is thanks to the "Reaganomics" and its British counterpart that economy ate politics, and as a consequence, we have a world that today is a chaotic jungle.

Hunter reveals himself as a surprisingly accurate political analyst and a noteworthy social commentator (his attack to TV preachers and the role of the media is brilliant). Behind all the hallucinated vision (but don't expect "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas", nothing like that here) there's a devoted journalist to his task, give his thoughts about was going on in the States, foremost with regards to politics, always with his unique way of writing, but with a very clear message: Republicans are terrible beasts, but don't expect that much of Democrats, either. Politics in America are depressing. Yet there is space for cynicism and laughing in front of the doomed situation (from Oliver North's trial to Bush I run to presidency to how the democrat candidates keep self-destroying themselves) but even Hunter can't hide a feeling of defeat and disappointed resignation. The defeat of the American Dream, replaced by the greed of a few.

Unfortunately, there are two important "issues" that make the book rating lower that what it should for me. Well, the first is really my fault, because "Generation of Swine" demand you to know quite a bit of American politics, many secondary political actors appear or discussed about so the non-expert reader could feel a bit lost sometimes. The second one has to do with the "other" articles, that in my opinion aren't that interesting, working simply as random thoughts and very personal adventures, but lacking the punch our favourite Doctor used to have.

In any case, another remarkable work of the Doctor. How much do we need (in America, in Spain, in every part of the world) more Gonzo journalism, brave enough to reveal how ugly is the truth! We miss you badly.

SCORE: 6,75/10

"Capitalism: A Love Story", the criminals of today are ruling corporations

Capitalism: A Love Story

First, the flaws. "Capitalism" is the longest movie to date from Michael Moore, and in what regards to rythym and dynamism is probably his weakest, something that is partially understandable considering he is trying to explain world and American finances, and the consequences for the regular citizens. Besides, I wasn't particularly fond of some mixtures between some jokes or funny/cynical comments just a frame after or before he puts us in front of a dramatic personal story. I know he is trying to create an effect, but goes too far a couple of times in the film.

Having said that, let's move to the triumphs. I don't need anyone to tell me America, as it is Europe, and of course Spain, is wildly corrupted, and that we are all serving a system devoted to create a ridiculous amount of richness among the ones that are already rich. But I praise Moore for having the guts of pointing the names of the criminals and the amount of their crimes so openly in here. Osama Bin Laden might be dead, but I don't think the world has lost its most dangerous enemy yet. Greed is the enemy, and it usually has the form of a suit-and-tie, highly educated and trained CEO financial expert, or a highly incompetent or vile politician.

In a way, the idea of the film is far from being original. "Capitalism" goes back to the desolate territory he explored 20 years ago with the poignant and compelling "Roger & Me" and that he has been examining throughout his career. How corporate America dominates the country (and the world) and ruins it systematically. But now he takes the issue globally.

There are many horrifying scenes and information on the film that makes you wonder why Americans still believe they live in a democracy. Then you look at what the European Union is doing with migrants, or better say, with political refugees from Tunisia, or what Spain and Catalonia is doing with banks/corporations instead of investing public health or education and you can easily ask the same question to you. "Dead Peasants" insurance policies, wild evictions, atrocious juvenile detentions just for the sake of making more money, while tax reductions and increasing benefits for CEOs and corrupted politicians are common practices. But they want more, their greediness is so huge they go too far and the bubble explodes, so they ask the State they are ruining for a rescue. And they succeed. Oh by the way, does it sound you, European Union? Does it sound you, Valencia, Andalusia, Madrid, Mr. Millet, Santa Coloma, and a long, depressing etc.?

But while "Roger & Me" left you in complete desolation, Moore wants the Americans (and the rest of the world please) to raise against it. To say no. And he does it by explaining them the turning point towards disaster dates from a concrete period, the Reagan era, not so long ago. And he does it showing us that with political will (the speech of Marcy Kaptur, the Ohio Congresswoman, against the bank rescue of 2008 at the House of Representatives should be seen by every American and every person who has lost his/her belief in politics), with knowledge, and with union (the strikes, the cooperative examples are compelling), there are options.

I just wish we could find someone comparable to Moore in Spain. We definitely need someone like him. We need to get indignant, to react, to reclaim our rights, to revolt, that's his message. I couldn't agree more. It might not be the most perfect of documentaries, but can't imagine of a more necessary one.

SCORE: 7/10