Look Here's America Part Two
Haruki Murakami on Salinger, The Great Gatsby, and why American readers sometimes miss the point.
Interview by: Roland Kelts
RK: When you first talked to me about translating The Catcher in the Rye, one of the things you mentioned was a tension in the book, between an open world--democratic and free and pluralistic--and a closed world, controlled and manipulated and oppressive.
HM: Yes. And these days, the closed worlds are getting stronger in many places. You have fundamentalists, cults, and militaries. But you can't destroy closed worlds with arms. Their systems will still survive. For example, you could kill all the al Qaeda soldiers, but the closed system itself, the ideas, would survive. They'll just move it somewhere else. The best thing you can do is just show and tell: Show the good side of the open world. It takes a long time, but in the long term, those open circuits of the open world will outlast the closed worlds.
This was taken from A Public Space, a brand spanking new literary journal that is more than worth checking out.
Friday, April 28, 2006
Thursday, April 27, 2006
who needs gas when you can buy $100 sandals?
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
perspective
Well, it's official. Tony Snow got the job. Can you get more transparent than hiring a talking head from a right-wing "news" organization? Bill Kristol gets my quote of the day award for this: "It'll be nice to have a fair and balanced press secretary." It'd be funnier if he wasn't being serious. I'm taking suggestions on possible countries to move to. Right now I'm leaning towards Ireland--they love the Josh Ritter as much as I do it seems. Plus, you know, there's that whole heritage thing I've got going on.
It only took about 3 years, but the U.N. has imposed sanctions on 4 men accused of being involved in the Darfur genocide. 3 years, possibly hundreds of thousands dead, and millions forced from their homes. I go back and forth on my feelings towards the U.N. It's one of those good-in-theory organizations. Unfortunately, the U.S. has a tendency to make the U.N. irrelevant thereby taking away any power it could have. That and we haven't paid our dues to the U.N. in forever in a masterful attempt at strongarming the U.N. into doing what we want. To say that Darfur has been woefully underreported is an understatement. Here's a report from last July about it. In 2004--at the height of the violence--the 3 major news networks aired a combined total of 26 minutes on the situation. The Katie Holmes/Tom Cruise engagement received 12 times more coverage and the Michael Jackson trial got 50 times more coverage. I consider myself to be a fairly informed citizen and yet I think I'm woefully undereducated about the situation. I stumbled across this blog that has a ton of links. I strongly urge you to educate yourself about Darfur. Don't wait for it to hit the front page of your newspaper because it won't. If you even remotely consider yourself to be a compassionate person, you'll start doing everything you can to bring this issue to the forefront. While the U.S. sits back and bemoans our high gas prices, there are families being driven from their homes, women being raped, and people being slaughtered.
$3.00 a gallon doesn't seem so tragic anymore now does it?
It only took about 3 years, but the U.N. has imposed sanctions on 4 men accused of being involved in the Darfur genocide. 3 years, possibly hundreds of thousands dead, and millions forced from their homes. I go back and forth on my feelings towards the U.N. It's one of those good-in-theory organizations. Unfortunately, the U.S. has a tendency to make the U.N. irrelevant thereby taking away any power it could have. That and we haven't paid our dues to the U.N. in forever in a masterful attempt at strongarming the U.N. into doing what we want. To say that Darfur has been woefully underreported is an understatement. Here's a report from last July about it. In 2004--at the height of the violence--the 3 major news networks aired a combined total of 26 minutes on the situation. The Katie Holmes/Tom Cruise engagement received 12 times more coverage and the Michael Jackson trial got 50 times more coverage. I consider myself to be a fairly informed citizen and yet I think I'm woefully undereducated about the situation. I stumbled across this blog that has a ton of links. I strongly urge you to educate yourself about Darfur. Don't wait for it to hit the front page of your newspaper because it won't. If you even remotely consider yourself to be a compassionate person, you'll start doing everything you can to bring this issue to the forefront. While the U.S. sits back and bemoans our high gas prices, there are families being driven from their homes, women being raped, and people being slaughtered.
$3.00 a gallon doesn't seem so tragic anymore now does it?
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Monday, April 24, 2006
you always say the sweetest things
This is actually from Monday.
Blast Blogger and it's unreliability!
Oh wait.
It's free.
Bin Laden released a new audiotape this weekend. It sounds pretty unfocused and even a little desperate in it's attempt to remain relevant in the world of terrorism. Since the war in Iraq, al-Zarqawi has been stealing al-Qaeda's spotlight forcing Bin Laden to comment on issues they haven't actually been involved it including Sudan and Hamas. Pete Hoekstra weighed in Sunday morning on Fox:
"Appearing Sunday on Fox News, Rep. Peter Hoekstra (R-Mich.), chairman of the House intelligence committee, said bin Laden's most recent tape was part of al-Qaeda's "ongoing and very sophisticated communications effort" and that the terrorists realize much of today's fighting "is about winning the hearts and minds of moderate Islam, and they are focused on that."
Hoekstra said his committee was planning hearings on al-Qaeda's Internet activities shortly after Congress returns from its Easter recess. "They use the right words," Hoekstra said. "They use instantaneous response. They are quick in getting new messages up on the net."
I'm just wondering how very sophisticated the whole operation actually is given that Bin Laden and Co. are hiding out in the mountains of Pakistan. Plus, they're still releasing audiotapes. 5 weeks after having been recorded. Wow. That sounds super-sophisticated. It shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone that the most powerful country in the world with the best technology, best trained military and most intelligent people calling the shots is unable to find a man with a microphone and a tape player hiding out in a very small country.
Hamas is turning out to be a shining example of why political parties are better at running governments than terrorist organizations. It's not surprising that they're in as much trouble as they are given that the West cut off virtually all foreign aid to them. Hamas is taking the "we don't want your stinkin' money" approach, but way to ensure they're able to continue recruiting suicide bombers. Nothing like abject poverty to breed martyrs. I just read that Abbas is claiming he has constitutional authority to remove Hamas from power. Hamas is saying they won't go quietly and will ignore the truce with Israel. And the winner is: nobody! The U.S. will support Abbas, the Muslim world will rally behind Hamas, the divide between the West and the Muslim world will only worsen and everything will dissolve into violence.
Is it just me or does the president of Iran continue to say completely bizarre and crazy things? Today's gem:
"We say that this fake regime [Israel] cannot ... logically continue to live," he said, according to a translator for The Associated Press."
I don't know if he realized just how insane he sounded and that's why he followed up with this:
"We believe that Jews like any other human beings have the right to live in happiness and prosperity and to benefit from security," he said, according to a CNN translator. "Allow them to go back to their own fatherlands and countries."
I'm so glad we're bringing peace and prosperity to the Middle East. That war in Iraq has accomplished so much. Israel is safer, the Palestinians finally have their own government, Iran has been shown that creating a nuclear program is not in their best interest, and Iraq...just look at Iraq! Mission accomplished indeed.
Blast Blogger and it's unreliability!
Oh wait.
It's free.
Bin Laden released a new audiotape this weekend. It sounds pretty unfocused and even a little desperate in it's attempt to remain relevant in the world of terrorism. Since the war in Iraq, al-Zarqawi has been stealing al-Qaeda's spotlight forcing Bin Laden to comment on issues they haven't actually been involved it including Sudan and Hamas. Pete Hoekstra weighed in Sunday morning on Fox:
"Appearing Sunday on Fox News, Rep. Peter Hoekstra (R-Mich.), chairman of the House intelligence committee, said bin Laden's most recent tape was part of al-Qaeda's "ongoing and very sophisticated communications effort" and that the terrorists realize much of today's fighting "is about winning the hearts and minds of moderate Islam, and they are focused on that."
Hoekstra said his committee was planning hearings on al-Qaeda's Internet activities shortly after Congress returns from its Easter recess. "They use the right words," Hoekstra said. "They use instantaneous response. They are quick in getting new messages up on the net."
I'm just wondering how very sophisticated the whole operation actually is given that Bin Laden and Co. are hiding out in the mountains of Pakistan. Plus, they're still releasing audiotapes. 5 weeks after having been recorded. Wow. That sounds super-sophisticated. It shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone that the most powerful country in the world with the best technology, best trained military and most intelligent people calling the shots is unable to find a man with a microphone and a tape player hiding out in a very small country.
Hamas is turning out to be a shining example of why political parties are better at running governments than terrorist organizations. It's not surprising that they're in as much trouble as they are given that the West cut off virtually all foreign aid to them. Hamas is taking the "we don't want your stinkin' money" approach, but way to ensure they're able to continue recruiting suicide bombers. Nothing like abject poverty to breed martyrs. I just read that Abbas is claiming he has constitutional authority to remove Hamas from power. Hamas is saying they won't go quietly and will ignore the truce with Israel. And the winner is: nobody! The U.S. will support Abbas, the Muslim world will rally behind Hamas, the divide between the West and the Muslim world will only worsen and everything will dissolve into violence.
Is it just me or does the president of Iran continue to say completely bizarre and crazy things? Today's gem:
"We say that this fake regime [Israel] cannot ... logically continue to live," he said, according to a translator for The Associated Press."
I don't know if he realized just how insane he sounded and that's why he followed up with this:
"We believe that Jews like any other human beings have the right to live in happiness and prosperity and to benefit from security," he said, according to a CNN translator. "Allow them to go back to their own fatherlands and countries."
I'm so glad we're bringing peace and prosperity to the Middle East. That war in Iraq has accomplished so much. Israel is safer, the Palestinians finally have their own government, Iran has been shown that creating a nuclear program is not in their best interest, and Iraq...just look at Iraq! Mission accomplished indeed.
Saturday, April 22, 2006
i have a new mythological boyfriend
September 22, 2005: Beck at the State Theater in Detroit--illness
November 10, 2005: Jeff Tweedy at Calvin--illness
March 25, 2006: Silver Jews at The Blind Pig in Ann Arbor--confusion regarding start time of concert, parking dilemmas, overwhelmingly oppressive smoky and hot venue
Thursday night's concert was sort of a last chance for Peter and Erin to attend a show without mishap. Despite having only gotten 5 hours of sleep the night before, despite being told we were going to hit rush hour in Detroit, despite not having an idea as to where we were going to eat, and despite neither of us having any real idea where the venue was I am going to say that the entire experience was as close to perfection as one can get.
And to all of you concerned McDonald's was going to be my dining event, fear not.
We ate at the Novi Denny's.
And it was go-od.
Our timing ended up being impeccable. We did breeze past the Magic Stick initially though the mistake was quickly rectified by merely turning around and driving back the way we came. There was no discussion as to where we should park. We just turned down the side-street right past the majestic and found a safe and secure FREE parking space. Though the doors opened at 7pm, we arrived at around 7:45ish. There was no line snaking around the corner. There was no line to get up the stairs. We just walked up to the bored looking young man taking tickets and waltzed into one of the coolest venues I have been to in awhile. High ceilings, wood floors, big open windows along one side and 8 pool tables along the other. I walked up to the bar to asses my options and was immediately talked through the beer prices by a kickass bartender. Had he not stepped in to educatate me, we would have spent $5.00 a piece for Bells. Instead we stuck with the $3.00 PBRs eventually intending to work our way down to the Beast for $1.50 or $2.00 (Thank the Lord things never got that desperate). We sat at the bar for about 20 minutes taking in the atmosphere and marveling at how empty the place was and then all of sudden, without introduction, Hem took the stage.
I stood about 10 feet from the stage amongst maybe 50 people and listened to a band I have really enjoyed for about 5 years. Sally Ellyson has the most ethereal voice I have heard and live she was just amazing. I am horrific at remembering song titles and orders, but I know the majority of what they played was off Eveningland--The Fire Thief, My Father's Waltz, Hollow, and Jackson. Only 2 from Rabbit Songs, much to my disappointment--When I was drinking (a personal fav) and Halfacre. They also played 2 from the new album they're recording right now--Resevoir (which is on the sampler I picked up for free) and another song that they'd never performed live before. It was actually a pretty short set, though I might have fallen asleep had they gone on much longer as most everything they played had a lullaby quality to it. A little kid actually fell asleep in his mom's lap while sitting on the floor in the front row. Awwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!!
We headed back to the bar to wait for the next set and as we walked up to a table I saw a much younger-looking-than-I-ever-expected gentleman animatedly talking to couple of guys. I thought for sure Peter had seen him, so I didn't say anything at first assuming that if it was indeed Josh Ritter he'd say something. I finally couldn't take it any longer and pointed him out. Yeah, he was standing about 5 feet away from us just hanging out and talking to a bunch of fans (an aside: much like my former mythological boyfriend, Jeff Tweedy, there seemed to be an abundance of young bearded, glasses-wearing, sensitive-looking men traveling in packs at this concert) before the show. Blushy. I got a little blushy. Kind of like the way I get blushy when all of a sudden I notice just how attractive someone's dad is...ahem.
It was a pretty quick turnover and soon we were about 10 or 15 feet away from the stage now surrounded by a whopping--what--150 people maybe? And when I say "surrounded" I mean we had more than ample room to move, breathe, and even get closer had we so desired. He started solo with Idaho and I was a little worried that I was in for more chilled out, sleepy music. Ah, no. Though he eased into it, Josh Ritter rocked out. Lots of rocking out. Tons. Of. Rocking. Out. I was not a huge fan of Animal Years when I first heard it. It felt over-produced and less rambling than Golden Age of Radio or even Hello Starling. I am now happy to say that I love that gosh darn album. The look of joy on his face while he plays live is infectious. I had the sense on more than one occasion that he was singing directly to me--thank you ridiculously small crowd!!!--so sincerely and intently. He's a big fan of throwing out the dedications: Thin Blue Flame was for the earthquake victims in Pakistan; You Don't Make it Easy Babe for Dick Cheney (heh heh!); Lawrence, KS (Can't leave this world behind) for Muriel Sparks--played sans electric enhancements...Other highlights for me included Me and Jiggs, Girl in the War, Kathleen (of course), Wings, Golden Age of Radio, Snow is Gone (which naturally got a huge response from the Michigan crowd), Good Man, Best for the Best, and Roll On.
Post- show I scurried up to the merchandise table to sign up for Hem's mailing list and get my free sampler (I wasn't able to go up previously in the evening as Sally Ellyson herself was manning the table and I was incapable of handling the potential interaction. I mean, honestly, what does one say?!? "Hey. I love you. Seriously. And I have. For, like, 5 years. I, uh, heard about you from my friend Amy who lives in Minnesota now. Well actually she's moving to Colorado, but anyway, she heard you on NPR and then I heard you and ever since then I've loved you. Your voice is angelic. Rabbit Songs is my favorite album. Not that I don't like Eveningland and after tonight I'll definitely give it another listen. And I really can't wait to hear your new, uh, stuff. Thanks for, um, playing. Here. In Detroit. Yeah." Tempest in a teapot, indeed!) and then headed back to the bar for one last beer. The long drive back was surprisingly not too awful thanks to some Green Mountain Coffee purchased at a gas station. It was also thanks to that fantastic feeling one gets after going to see a really great show: revitalized, reenergized, and excited about music again.
Rumor has it Hem may be playing at Calvin during the next academic year and Mr. Ritter himself mentioned a return to Michigan sometime this fall. I have a feeling by the time these events take place, their ticket prices will be a tad higher than the $10.00 we paid, but trust me seeing either of them is well worth it.
I will no longer be making fun of Dylan fanatics. I just posted a ridiculously long review of a concert that only about 150 people saw. Look what has happened to me in one very short year.
Berghoef, you outta be proud.
November 10, 2005: Jeff Tweedy at Calvin--illness
March 25, 2006: Silver Jews at The Blind Pig in Ann Arbor--confusion regarding start time of concert, parking dilemmas, overwhelmingly oppressive smoky and hot venue
Thursday night's concert was sort of a last chance for Peter and Erin to attend a show without mishap. Despite having only gotten 5 hours of sleep the night before, despite being told we were going to hit rush hour in Detroit, despite not having an idea as to where we were going to eat, and despite neither of us having any real idea where the venue was I am going to say that the entire experience was as close to perfection as one can get.
And to all of you concerned McDonald's was going to be my dining event, fear not.
We ate at the Novi Denny's.
And it was go-od.
Our timing ended up being impeccable. We did breeze past the Magic Stick initially though the mistake was quickly rectified by merely turning around and driving back the way we came. There was no discussion as to where we should park. We just turned down the side-street right past the majestic and found a safe and secure FREE parking space. Though the doors opened at 7pm, we arrived at around 7:45ish. There was no line snaking around the corner. There was no line to get up the stairs. We just walked up to the bored looking young man taking tickets and waltzed into one of the coolest venues I have been to in awhile. High ceilings, wood floors, big open windows along one side and 8 pool tables along the other. I walked up to the bar to asses my options and was immediately talked through the beer prices by a kickass bartender. Had he not stepped in to educatate me, we would have spent $5.00 a piece for Bells. Instead we stuck with the $3.00 PBRs eventually intending to work our way down to the Beast for $1.50 or $2.00 (Thank the Lord things never got that desperate). We sat at the bar for about 20 minutes taking in the atmosphere and marveling at how empty the place was and then all of sudden, without introduction, Hem took the stage.
I stood about 10 feet from the stage amongst maybe 50 people and listened to a band I have really enjoyed for about 5 years. Sally Ellyson has the most ethereal voice I have heard and live she was just amazing. I am horrific at remembering song titles and orders, but I know the majority of what they played was off Eveningland--The Fire Thief, My Father's Waltz, Hollow, and Jackson. Only 2 from Rabbit Songs, much to my disappointment--When I was drinking (a personal fav) and Halfacre. They also played 2 from the new album they're recording right now--Resevoir (which is on the sampler I picked up for free) and another song that they'd never performed live before. It was actually a pretty short set, though I might have fallen asleep had they gone on much longer as most everything they played had a lullaby quality to it. A little kid actually fell asleep in his mom's lap while sitting on the floor in the front row. Awwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!!
We headed back to the bar to wait for the next set and as we walked up to a table I saw a much younger-looking-than-I-ever-expected gentleman animatedly talking to couple of guys. I thought for sure Peter had seen him, so I didn't say anything at first assuming that if it was indeed Josh Ritter he'd say something. I finally couldn't take it any longer and pointed him out. Yeah, he was standing about 5 feet away from us just hanging out and talking to a bunch of fans (an aside: much like my former mythological boyfriend, Jeff Tweedy, there seemed to be an abundance of young bearded, glasses-wearing, sensitive-looking men traveling in packs at this concert) before the show. Blushy. I got a little blushy. Kind of like the way I get blushy when all of a sudden I notice just how attractive someone's dad is...ahem.
It was a pretty quick turnover and soon we were about 10 or 15 feet away from the stage now surrounded by a whopping--what--150 people maybe? And when I say "surrounded" I mean we had more than ample room to move, breathe, and even get closer had we so desired. He started solo with Idaho and I was a little worried that I was in for more chilled out, sleepy music. Ah, no. Though he eased into it, Josh Ritter rocked out. Lots of rocking out. Tons. Of. Rocking. Out. I was not a huge fan of Animal Years when I first heard it. It felt over-produced and less rambling than Golden Age of Radio or even Hello Starling. I am now happy to say that I love that gosh darn album. The look of joy on his face while he plays live is infectious. I had the sense on more than one occasion that he was singing directly to me--thank you ridiculously small crowd!!!--so sincerely and intently. He's a big fan of throwing out the dedications: Thin Blue Flame was for the earthquake victims in Pakistan; You Don't Make it Easy Babe for Dick Cheney (heh heh!); Lawrence, KS (Can't leave this world behind) for Muriel Sparks--played sans electric enhancements...Other highlights for me included Me and Jiggs, Girl in the War, Kathleen (of course), Wings, Golden Age of Radio, Snow is Gone (which naturally got a huge response from the Michigan crowd), Good Man, Best for the Best, and Roll On.
Post- show I scurried up to the merchandise table to sign up for Hem's mailing list and get my free sampler (I wasn't able to go up previously in the evening as Sally Ellyson herself was manning the table and I was incapable of handling the potential interaction. I mean, honestly, what does one say?!? "Hey. I love you. Seriously. And I have. For, like, 5 years. I, uh, heard about you from my friend Amy who lives in Minnesota now. Well actually she's moving to Colorado, but anyway, she heard you on NPR and then I heard you and ever since then I've loved you. Your voice is angelic. Rabbit Songs is my favorite album. Not that I don't like Eveningland and after tonight I'll definitely give it another listen. And I really can't wait to hear your new, uh, stuff. Thanks for, um, playing. Here. In Detroit. Yeah." Tempest in a teapot, indeed!) and then headed back to the bar for one last beer. The long drive back was surprisingly not too awful thanks to some Green Mountain Coffee purchased at a gas station. It was also thanks to that fantastic feeling one gets after going to see a really great show: revitalized, reenergized, and excited about music again.
Rumor has it Hem may be playing at Calvin during the next academic year and Mr. Ritter himself mentioned a return to Michigan sometime this fall. I have a feeling by the time these events take place, their ticket prices will be a tad higher than the $10.00 we paid, but trust me seeing either of them is well worth it.
I will no longer be making fun of Dylan fanatics. I just posted a ridiculously long review of a concert that only about 150 people saw. Look what has happened to me in one very short year.
Berghoef, you outta be proud.
Thursday, April 20, 2006
dripping with drama
Not to be dramatic or anything, but if Tony Snow gets the press secretary job I might have to move to another country. I despise that man with passion that burns so hot and bright it's a miracle I have yet to spontaneously combust. I can not and will not take a Fox "news" anchor seriously as the spokesperson for the White House. Daily press briefings bring moments of joy into my life. I shall be forced to live a joyless existence if Tony Snow is at the podium.
I don't believe anyone will be surprised to learn that the spending on our noble Iraq/Afghanistan wars continues to be far more expensive than anyone thought. In 2003 we spent $48 billion. We're slated to spend $94 billion in 2006. It looks like no one anticipated having to spend money on the maintenance of insignificant items like guns, tanks, helicopters, and the like:
"...(they) have required more maintenance than we planned for," said Gary Motsek, director of support operations at the Army Materiel Command. "We're working them to death."
If anyone feels like getting really geeky about it you should check out this nonpartisan site that prompted the Post piece. There are some really good articles tucked away in there.
This afternoon I am traveling across this great state of Michigan to see Josh Ritter and Hem in Detroit. Originally I was pretty excited about the prospect of some good eating on this trip, but the realization that we're going to be hitting rush hour combined with me having to attend a really really stupid meeting (during which I get to point out that not only have I been doing the work of the PR guy, but he's also been taking credit for my fine writing skills) before being able to get the heck out of Holland has left us with little choice but to eat at that fine dining establishment known intimately and casually as the Golden Arches.
Do you think I'll be able to resist eating the best fries in the world even though I know full well that the only reason they taste so good is a result of the beef flavoring added?
Will I turn my nose at the faint memory I have of the deliciousness of the Quarter Pounder with cheese without onions?
We'll just have to see...
I don't believe anyone will be surprised to learn that the spending on our noble Iraq/Afghanistan wars continues to be far more expensive than anyone thought. In 2003 we spent $48 billion. We're slated to spend $94 billion in 2006. It looks like no one anticipated having to spend money on the maintenance of insignificant items like guns, tanks, helicopters, and the like:
"...(they) have required more maintenance than we planned for," said Gary Motsek, director of support operations at the Army Materiel Command. "We're working them to death."
If anyone feels like getting really geeky about it you should check out this nonpartisan site that prompted the Post piece. There are some really good articles tucked away in there.
This afternoon I am traveling across this great state of Michigan to see Josh Ritter and Hem in Detroit. Originally I was pretty excited about the prospect of some good eating on this trip, but the realization that we're going to be hitting rush hour combined with me having to attend a really really stupid meeting (during which I get to point out that not only have I been doing the work of the PR guy, but he's also been taking credit for my fine writing skills) before being able to get the heck out of Holland has left us with little choice but to eat at that fine dining establishment known intimately and casually as the Golden Arches.
Do you think I'll be able to resist eating the best fries in the world even though I know full well that the only reason they taste so good is a result of the beef flavoring added?
Will I turn my nose at the faint memory I have of the deliciousness of the Quarter Pounder with cheese without onions?
We'll just have to see...
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
how might i serve you?
"...Rove will no longer focus on policy but will be involved in long-term strategic planning as a deputy chief of staff and a senior adviser."
Or one could say that Rove will continue to do exactly what he's always done, but he's going to have a different job title and will start focusing more attention on the fact that the Republicans are going to be fucked in the mid-terms unless he starts working campaigns now.
That's my interpretation anyway.
I'm sad about McClellen though. I kind of liked him. He was no Mike McCurry--God, that man was good--but at least he managed to be the mouthpiece for one of the biggest PR coups in American political history. That'll look good on his resume.
It's another gorgeous day here in western Michigan. And, as usual, I am trapped inside sitting in a windowless corner. High points of my day included finding a Modern Library hardcover copy of Winesburg, Ohio at the Friends of the Library booksale for $2.00 and being called beautiful by a few library regulars who were loitering in the park during my all too brief break.
I should probably get out more.
This is clearly indicative of the current baroque American canon.
Or one could say that Rove will continue to do exactly what he's always done, but he's going to have a different job title and will start focusing more attention on the fact that the Republicans are going to be fucked in the mid-terms unless he starts working campaigns now.
That's my interpretation anyway.
I'm sad about McClellen though. I kind of liked him. He was no Mike McCurry--God, that man was good--but at least he managed to be the mouthpiece for one of the biggest PR coups in American political history. That'll look good on his resume.
It's another gorgeous day here in western Michigan. And, as usual, I am trapped inside sitting in a windowless corner. High points of my day included finding a Modern Library hardcover copy of Winesburg, Ohio at the Friends of the Library booksale for $2.00 and being called beautiful by a few library regulars who were loitering in the park during my all too brief break.
I should probably get out more.
This is clearly indicative of the current baroque American canon.
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
nyt book reviews of poetry anthologies...genre fiction...slave narratives...prayers before meals...
Being a wee bit of a literary geek, I look forward to Pulitzer Prize announcement day the way 5 year olds look forward to Christmas. I was surprised that Geraldine Brooks came out on top in the fiction category with March, a Civil War novel using Alcott's absent father from Little Women as the main character, especially given that she was up against Doctorow's The March-yet another Civil War book that got quite a bit of attention post-National Book Award nomination time. The third nominee was Lee Martin for The Bright Forever--an author and book I am completely unfamiliar with. And fiction is just the beginning! Check out the poets, playwrights, various authors of nonfiction, and journalists for a nice jumping off place for some food for the mind.
Iran keeps poking the big dog with a little stick. Since the U.S. and Europe are withholding direct funding and Israel is not transferring the taxes and fees it usually collects for the Palestinian government, Hamas had little choice but to look for help elsewhere. And who better to go with than our new favorite enemy! Adding fuel to the fire was the suicide bombing in Israel that Hamas approved of, though the president of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, strongly condemned the attack. And we think the Iraq situation is complicated and messy? Oy!
And G.W.B. comes out with a silly statement: "I'm the decider" referring to Rumsfeld and calls for him to step down. You're the decider? Yeah, see, no one really believes that. Plus, it's such a typical response for the administration. In the face of criticism be arrogant. It's worked for them in the past so many times (WMD's anyone?) of course they're going to stand by their man. But unlike previous instances, I don't think G.W.B. has the poll numbers to pull this one off. Whaddya think? 2 to 1 odds he resigns for something completely unrelated to the war?
Yee-haw for the Boston Marathon! 5 U.S. men in the top 10 is outstanding and virtually unprecedented. I only need to run a 3 hr and 40 minute marathon to qualify for next year. I can confidently say that there is no way in hell that is going to happen. Once again, I'm looking at being really really really really happy that I'll just be alive and not puking my guts out at the end of Hartford this year. A 4:30 finish would be swell, but being conscious would be acceptable too.
And this is something I enjoy doing....why, exactly?
Iran keeps poking the big dog with a little stick. Since the U.S. and Europe are withholding direct funding and Israel is not transferring the taxes and fees it usually collects for the Palestinian government, Hamas had little choice but to look for help elsewhere. And who better to go with than our new favorite enemy! Adding fuel to the fire was the suicide bombing in Israel that Hamas approved of, though the president of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, strongly condemned the attack. And we think the Iraq situation is complicated and messy? Oy!
And G.W.B. comes out with a silly statement: "I'm the decider" referring to Rumsfeld and calls for him to step down. You're the decider? Yeah, see, no one really believes that. Plus, it's such a typical response for the administration. In the face of criticism be arrogant. It's worked for them in the past so many times (WMD's anyone?) of course they're going to stand by their man. But unlike previous instances, I don't think G.W.B. has the poll numbers to pull this one off. Whaddya think? 2 to 1 odds he resigns for something completely unrelated to the war?
Yee-haw for the Boston Marathon! 5 U.S. men in the top 10 is outstanding and virtually unprecedented. I only need to run a 3 hr and 40 minute marathon to qualify for next year. I can confidently say that there is no way in hell that is going to happen. Once again, I'm looking at being really really really really happy that I'll just be alive and not puking my guts out at the end of Hartford this year. A 4:30 finish would be swell, but being conscious would be acceptable too.
And this is something I enjoy doing....why, exactly?
Monday, April 17, 2006
happy boston marathon day!
The Squid and the Whale is one of the best movies I have seen in ages. It is Anderson-esque (he's actually one of the producers of the film) but, in my humble opinion, it's better than most of his work. If I had to compare it to one of his films I'd go with Rushmore--The Royal Tenenbaums was more self-conscious and insincere--only in that it's an unusual film that is tightly written and character driven. It only had a 1.5 million dollar budget and was shot in 23 days leaving very little time to screw around with much which was the best thing that could have happened to this little film that could. I love films that are chockfull of flawed characters that somehow manage to come off as likeable--Jeff Daniels' character really was a bastard and yet I could not help but wish I could sit down with a couple of bottles of wine and bullshit incessantly with him about Kafka and Dickens. Despite the depressing set-up of a family breaking up, the movie really is funny. And the music is worth checking out especially given the inclusion of an old School House Rock song.
It turned out to be a delightful Easter weekend, for the most part. It started off Friday night with the first major hike of the season at the Dunes. It really was spectacular even with the, uh, "planned detour" my guide decided to go with. Dinner at the Boathouse was next (they have PBR on tap!!) followed by an unexpected visit from Ms. Minnesota (soon to be Ms. Colorado) at the Sandbar. Saturday was spent biking about town running errands. Saturday night found us indecisive as usual and, in fact, it wasn't until we were on the road that Cambridge House was decided upon. Kevdek, Xtina, Shadetree, Nick and Brooke, and Fatty all came out for some adult beverages and conversation. How.I.love.the.Stella.Artois. Sunday was spent with the Berghoef clan for a relaxing lunch followed by Chinese for supper and the above mentioned film. All in all, I'd say I had a pretty stellar weekend.
I finally finished Kindred--it was the first time I knowingly chose to read a science fiction book. I found myself highly critical of the writing, but pretty interested in overall concepts of the book. It was written in first person and I never really got a sense of the main characters. They lacked depth-a major problem for me as I dig on character-driven novels. Butler also had this irritating need to spell out the obvious. Despite all of that, I still managed to get some enjoyment out of it. And I think I finally grasp the reason sci fi is such a popular and specific genre--it's all about experiencing realities from different perspectives. It's the concepts that make the novels interesting. I'm bypassing Lonesome Dove for now as I've got my hands on a copy of A Confederacy of Dunces (a book I have started so many times, I've lost count) and I just started--after being granted permission from the author--a first novel that hasn't been published yet. It's the first time I'm reading something straight off a computer and I'm finding myself missing the tactile experience of paper and binding, but thus far I'm thoroughly enjoying the story.
I think I'm going to go to Reader's World after work (mostly because I need to mail my tax forms on 8th and River--yeah, they've technically been finished since mid-February, but in typical Erin fashion, I've waited until the last possible moment to send them out) where I'll contemplate purchasing my own copy of Dunces and peruse the poetry journals. I figure I'll probably be famished by that point which leaves me little choice but to eat at the Windmill.
Poor me.
It turned out to be a delightful Easter weekend, for the most part. It started off Friday night with the first major hike of the season at the Dunes. It really was spectacular even with the, uh, "planned detour" my guide decided to go with. Dinner at the Boathouse was next (they have PBR on tap!!) followed by an unexpected visit from Ms. Minnesota (soon to be Ms. Colorado) at the Sandbar. Saturday was spent biking about town running errands. Saturday night found us indecisive as usual and, in fact, it wasn't until we were on the road that Cambridge House was decided upon. Kevdek, Xtina, Shadetree, Nick and Brooke, and Fatty all came out for some adult beverages and conversation. How.I.love.the.Stella.Artois. Sunday was spent with the Berghoef clan for a relaxing lunch followed by Chinese for supper and the above mentioned film. All in all, I'd say I had a pretty stellar weekend.
I finally finished Kindred--it was the first time I knowingly chose to read a science fiction book. I found myself highly critical of the writing, but pretty interested in overall concepts of the book. It was written in first person and I never really got a sense of the main characters. They lacked depth-a major problem for me as I dig on character-driven novels. Butler also had this irritating need to spell out the obvious. Despite all of that, I still managed to get some enjoyment out of it. And I think I finally grasp the reason sci fi is such a popular and specific genre--it's all about experiencing realities from different perspectives. It's the concepts that make the novels interesting. I'm bypassing Lonesome Dove for now as I've got my hands on a copy of A Confederacy of Dunces (a book I have started so many times, I've lost count) and I just started--after being granted permission from the author--a first novel that hasn't been published yet. It's the first time I'm reading something straight off a computer and I'm finding myself missing the tactile experience of paper and binding, but thus far I'm thoroughly enjoying the story.
I think I'm going to go to Reader's World after work (mostly because I need to mail my tax forms on 8th and River--yeah, they've technically been finished since mid-February, but in typical Erin fashion, I've waited until the last possible moment to send them out) where I'll contemplate purchasing my own copy of Dunces and peruse the poetry journals. I figure I'll probably be famished by that point which leaves me little choice but to eat at the Windmill.
Poor me.
Thursday, April 13, 2006
see? i can be champion for the right
The stupidity of FEMA continues to amaze me. What sort of lunatic thinks that raising the houses 3 feet, when water was clearly higher than that, is a good idea? I understand that the cost is significantly less than if they went with the expected 9 or 10 feet, but what is the point of rebuilding if this is just going to happen again? 3 feet just seems so arbitrary. And easy. And cheap. I get it: everyone wants everyone to be able to go home, but the practicality of that just don't seem to make sense. There were 2 different articles I read about this. This one is from the NYT and this one is from USA Today. Check out the differences in the tone of the stories.
As I was sitting here checking out my library and information science news listserv, I came across this really fantastic case involving a head reference librarian an Ohio State University. He volunteered to be on a committee to pick a book that all incoming freshmen would read-sort of a One Book, One City thing. There were no real guidelines other than asking committee members to suggest books that could relate to a variety of issues and create discussion. The librarian, whose last name--ironically--is Savage, suggested that many of the books that were being offered up were “ideologically or politically or religiously polarizing.” He was referring to books other members brought up by authors such as that politically polarizing bastard Jimmy Carter. He then suggested a nonideological book: Freakanomics. However, his comments about picking a nonideological group struck a nerve with some committee members. One individual said the university “can afford to polarize, and in fact has an obligation to, on certain issues.” Armed with that statement, Savage then suggested the following books: The Marketing of Evil by David Kupelian, The Professors by David Horowitz, Eurabia: The Euro-Arab Axis by Bat YeÂ’or, and It Takes a Family by Senator Rick Santorum.
I bet you'll never guess what happened next in The Liberal Land of Academia...
Two professors are suing Savage for harassment based on sexual orientation. It seems The Marketing of Evil has some things to say about the gay community. This is copied and pasted from this site:
"While the book has many targets, gay people rank high as a source of problems, with frequent implications of a gay conspiracy hurting society. Publicity material for the book blasts the gay civil-rights movement for changing “America’s former view of homosexuals as self-destructive human beings into their current status as victims and cultural heroes” and says that this transformation campaign “faithfully followed an in-depth, phased plan laid out by professional Harvard-trained marketers.”
Adding to the hilarity? Savage is a member of a conservative Quaker group known as "plain Christians" (so I guess I was wrong about all those Quakers being a bunch of pinkocommiebastards, Peter). He avoids modern technology and uses a horse and buggy for transportation. He does, however, use email in order to do his job.
Okay, it's more than a little odd that the head of reference eschews all modern technology given that the field of library and information science is supposed to be ahead of the curve on most of that, but GIVE ME A FREAKING BREAK! They asked for books that would generate discussion. I don't know, doesn't it look like any one of those books would have done just that? When is the left going to grow up and stop whining whenever we get our feelings hurt. There is very little merit to the lawsuit. What will happen is that once again the left comes out looking stupid and petty. Way to go, higher education. Way to go.
I'm wondering if I should become a bookie and start taking bets on when and/or if Rumsfeld is going to resign..
As I was sitting here checking out my library and information science news listserv, I came across this really fantastic case involving a head reference librarian an Ohio State University. He volunteered to be on a committee to pick a book that all incoming freshmen would read-sort of a One Book, One City thing. There were no real guidelines other than asking committee members to suggest books that could relate to a variety of issues and create discussion. The librarian, whose last name--ironically--is Savage, suggested that many of the books that were being offered up were “ideologically or politically or religiously polarizing.” He was referring to books other members brought up by authors such as that politically polarizing bastard Jimmy Carter. He then suggested a nonideological book: Freakanomics. However, his comments about picking a nonideological group struck a nerve with some committee members. One individual said the university “can afford to polarize, and in fact has an obligation to, on certain issues.” Armed with that statement, Savage then suggested the following books: The Marketing of Evil by David Kupelian, The Professors by David Horowitz, Eurabia: The Euro-Arab Axis by Bat YeÂ’or, and It Takes a Family by Senator Rick Santorum.
I bet you'll never guess what happened next in The Liberal Land of Academia...
Two professors are suing Savage for harassment based on sexual orientation. It seems The Marketing of Evil has some things to say about the gay community. This is copied and pasted from this site:
"While the book has many targets, gay people rank high as a source of problems, with frequent implications of a gay conspiracy hurting society. Publicity material for the book blasts the gay civil-rights movement for changing “America’s former view of homosexuals as self-destructive human beings into their current status as victims and cultural heroes” and says that this transformation campaign “faithfully followed an in-depth, phased plan laid out by professional Harvard-trained marketers.”
Adding to the hilarity? Savage is a member of a conservative Quaker group known as "plain Christians" (so I guess I was wrong about all those Quakers being a bunch of pinkocommiebastards, Peter). He avoids modern technology and uses a horse and buggy for transportation. He does, however, use email in order to do his job.
Okay, it's more than a little odd that the head of reference eschews all modern technology given that the field of library and information science is supposed to be ahead of the curve on most of that, but GIVE ME A FREAKING BREAK! They asked for books that would generate discussion. I don't know, doesn't it look like any one of those books would have done just that? When is the left going to grow up and stop whining whenever we get our feelings hurt. There is very little merit to the lawsuit. What will happen is that once again the left comes out looking stupid and petty. Way to go, higher education. Way to go.
I'm wondering if I should become a bookie and start taking bets on when and/or if Rumsfeld is going to resign..
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
time to start looking for a new career path
I was wondering how long it would be before gas prices hit the news. There was actually a story on the cover of the Sentinel today too. It's funny how not having a car really makes this all seem less immediate for me, though it has affected my social plans. Why, just last night there was a brief discussion of going to Saugatuck, but us environmentally-conscious peeps decided not to (or rather us cheap bastards decided against it).
In other local news, JCI--Holland's largest employer--is cutting 300 jobs this week. This one hits home as a co-worker of mine's husband has worked there for 17 or 18 years and just found out today that he is indeed out of work. Is it just me or does it feel like Holland is everyone's bitch these days? No wonder I know so many people out of work. At least we have Tulip Time revenue to look forward to. Who's willing to help out Holland and head down here for the Jars of Clay concert?!?!
And speaking of jobs, can anyone explain how in the name of bleeding Jesus it's possible that writer is listed as the #25 best job in America and librarian is nowhere to be found?
In other local news, JCI--Holland's largest employer--is cutting 300 jobs this week. This one hits home as a co-worker of mine's husband has worked there for 17 or 18 years and just found out today that he is indeed out of work. Is it just me or does it feel like Holland is everyone's bitch these days? No wonder I know so many people out of work. At least we have Tulip Time revenue to look forward to. Who's willing to help out Holland and head down here for the Jars of Clay concert?!?!
And speaking of jobs, can anyone explain how in the name of bleeding Jesus it's possible that writer is listed as the #25 best job in America and librarian is nowhere to be found?
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
how anyone can not love bikeshopboys is beyond me
I was filled with the glory of a perfect Western Michigan spring day yesterday. Thanks to the weather, I was able to bike to work relatively comfortably (and be reminded just how different biking is from running). I also got to hike Sanctuary Woods for the first time which was really cool and fun despite me refusing to scramble up the dune to explore the abandoned water tower--I'm pretty certain I'll be talked into this little adventure sometime this summer. I then spent about 2 hours raking my lawn leaving me with a sense of accomplishment and blisters. The night was capped off with a late-night trip to the Saloon with the neighborfolk. I had grand plans of getting up early this morning for a quick trip to Saugatuck to climb Mount Baldhead before work, but I sensed some reluctance from Berghoef. I'd like to climb that bad boy sometime tonight, but I know I'm not up for the 25 mile bike ride yet. Soon...soon...
Monday, April 10, 2006
let springtime officially begin
I just had a conversation with a co-worker about immigration that left me pondering the whole mess. She and I usually have very similar political views and yet on this issue she's of the "the operative word is ILLEGAL--they should be fined and deported. Amnesty in any form should not be an option" mindset. This morning on the news I heard a quote from a man who said that 'mericans should be outraged 'cause we dunno who's here and what diseases they got. I finished reading "The Grapes of Wrath" last night. It was the first time I had read it and given the current debate over immigration I'd say I read it at the right time. I don't have any solutions to this issue, but I refuse to believe that deportation is the answer. I refuse to believe that fining people is a deterrent for jumping the border. I don't care that "you can't have country without borders." We live in a global community and as the richest and most powerful country in the world it is shameful that we are debating an immigration law that is inhumane. Read the Declaration of Independence (okay, you can just read the preamble) and then go and read "The Grapes of Wrath." And then let's start coming up with some real comprehensive and compassionate solutions to this problem. Repealing NAFTA might be a good start.
As if immigration isn't enough to drive my mind into overdrive, military strikes against Iran are looking like a real possibility and this time we're talking nuclear:
"One of the military’s initial option plans, as presented to the White House by the Pentagon this winter, calls for the use of a bunker-buster tactical nuclear weapon, such as the B61-11, against underground nuclear sites."
That's from a really good article in the New Yorker. This whole thing makes me nervous in the service. First, how serious is this threat? The administration repeatedly telling me that it is ain't gonna cut it this time (not that it really did last time either, but now I get to say I told you so alot). And I'm not entirely sure how smart a move military intervention would be without allies and it looks like (again!) no one's up for a big battle scene:
“Everyone is on the same page about the Iranian bomb, but the United States wants regime change,” a European diplomatic adviser told me. He added, “The Europeans have a role to play as long as they don’t have to choose between going along with the Russians and the Chinese or going along with Washington on something they don’t want. Their policy is to keep the Americans engaged in something the Europeans can live with. It may be untenable."(from the same article)
I have dubbed this summer the Summer of 20th Century American Literature that I have overlooked. I'm currently looking for a Hemingway I can stand to read, but after Grapes of Wrath I'm needing a breather. On tap: Octavia Butler's "Kindred" or "Lonesome Dove." In addition one of those, I'm going to start "Democracy Matters" by Cornel West for some nonfiction because I obviously need to think more.
As if immigration isn't enough to drive my mind into overdrive, military strikes against Iran are looking like a real possibility and this time we're talking nuclear:
"One of the military’s initial option plans, as presented to the White House by the Pentagon this winter, calls for the use of a bunker-buster tactical nuclear weapon, such as the B61-11, against underground nuclear sites."
That's from a really good article in the New Yorker. This whole thing makes me nervous in the service. First, how serious is this threat? The administration repeatedly telling me that it is ain't gonna cut it this time (not that it really did last time either, but now I get to say I told you so alot). And I'm not entirely sure how smart a move military intervention would be without allies and it looks like (again!) no one's up for a big battle scene:
“Everyone is on the same page about the Iranian bomb, but the United States wants regime change,” a European diplomatic adviser told me. He added, “The Europeans have a role to play as long as they don’t have to choose between going along with the Russians and the Chinese or going along with Washington on something they don’t want. Their policy is to keep the Americans engaged in something the Europeans can live with. It may be untenable."(from the same article)
I have dubbed this summer the Summer of 20th Century American Literature that I have overlooked. I'm currently looking for a Hemingway I can stand to read, but after Grapes of Wrath I'm needing a breather. On tap: Octavia Butler's "Kindred" or "Lonesome Dove." In addition one of those, I'm going to start "Democracy Matters" by Cornel West for some nonfiction because I obviously need to think more.
Saturday, April 08, 2006
i must be a robot
Fiveish hours of sleep since Thursday and yet I'm still functioning on some level. I can't possibly be human.
I'm obviously at work where today's theme is staff development. Technically, all staff is allowed 2 hours a week for work-related educational purposes. My topic today is Library 2.0. Here's a good pro-Library 2.0 article and here's a nay. I have a ton o'stuff saved on my del.icio.us account (which is a disaster, by the way. I have a tendency to save a bunch of stuff and then never really organize it) that I managed to tag, but not really delve into to form an opinion. The last time I got all into a library concept was when I discovered folksonomies which really does relate back to Library 2.0. I think there can be little doubt that the inclusion of user-based social tagging sites (such as my beloved del.icio.us, flickr, and technorati) are having a huge impact on how information is catalogued and created. And that literally makes me hot just thinking about it.
I'm obviously at work where today's theme is staff development. Technically, all staff is allowed 2 hours a week for work-related educational purposes. My topic today is Library 2.0. Here's a good pro-Library 2.0 article and here's a nay. I have a ton o'stuff saved on my del.icio.us account (which is a disaster, by the way. I have a tendency to save a bunch of stuff and then never really organize it) that I managed to tag, but not really delve into to form an opinion. The last time I got all into a library concept was when I discovered folksonomies which really does relate back to Library 2.0. I think there can be little doubt that the inclusion of user-based social tagging sites (such as my beloved del.icio.us, flickr, and technorati) are having a huge impact on how information is catalogued and created. And that literally makes me hot just thinking about it.
Thursday, April 06, 2006
not enough sleep makes erin extra bitchy but it's all her own fault so she's going to stop complaining about it.
An unusually busy work week and an unusually bitchy mood has left me uninspired to post this week despite DeLay, a creepy Homeland Security aide, and an impending immigration bill.
Ah well.
Tuesday night found me in Narninian Hell otherwise known as a DVD release party of The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. Despite being told that "no one ever shows up for programming during spring break week" we managed to get a 2 show high of 450 people. I was only fortunate enough to work the night show (230) where I spent my time being a parent as the actual parents in attendance didn't seem to want the job. It was super fun to repeatedly tell children to not eat popcorn off the floor and no they couldn't sit on the stage and please don't run to the bathroom and others are trying to enjoy the movie so please keep your voice down. It's also National Library Week during which I get to pass on really fun "Stump the Reference Librarian" questions like "Does God exist?" REFERENCE questions, people, we're looking for REFERENCE questions.
Michael, I think you're going to like this one.
It's a creationist smackdown!
In 9 minutes I'll be on my way to Skiles where I'll sit at the bar, have a drink, and read The Grapes of Wrath until I'm eventually joined by my lovely former roommate for some pizza.
Don't you wish you could have Skiles pizza too?
Ah well.
Tuesday night found me in Narninian Hell otherwise known as a DVD release party of The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. Despite being told that "no one ever shows up for programming during spring break week" we managed to get a 2 show high of 450 people. I was only fortunate enough to work the night show (230) where I spent my time being a parent as the actual parents in attendance didn't seem to want the job. It was super fun to repeatedly tell children to not eat popcorn off the floor and no they couldn't sit on the stage and please don't run to the bathroom and others are trying to enjoy the movie so please keep your voice down. It's also National Library Week during which I get to pass on really fun "Stump the Reference Librarian" questions like "Does God exist?" REFERENCE questions, people, we're looking for REFERENCE questions.
Michael, I think you're going to like this one.
It's a creationist smackdown!
In 9 minutes I'll be on my way to Skiles where I'll sit at the bar, have a drink, and read The Grapes of Wrath until I'm eventually joined by my lovely former roommate for some pizza.
Don't you wish you could have Skiles pizza too?
Monday, April 03, 2006
calculated cold-hearted democratic bitch vs warm and fuzzy liberal
If I had to take a guess, I'd say that the rumors flying out of the White House about more possible staff changes has to do with the Republican Party's dissatisfaction with Bolten being named Chief of Staff: G.W.B. didn't go far enough outside...it was all just for show...blah, blah blah...I'll be surprised if McClellan is replaced as press secretary given the history between he and G.W.B. Plus, I really, really dislike Dan Bartlett for no good reason other than that he irritates me when he's the talking head on Sunday mornings. He's got this fake jolly thing going on that always comes off as smug and condescending. Slate has got a nice Slated-Out article on Bolten shaking things up.
It's been really fun watching the Republican Party come apart at the seams. They're all acting like a bunch of Democrats with their lack of cohesive message and fighting amongst themselves. I say go ahead Bill Frist and force a vote on immigration this week. That should prove to be entertaining and completely pointless. Unfortunately I fear most of us have been sitting back and enjoying the show as opposed to exploiting this moment of weakness for our political gain.
It's nice to think that we can just stick to issues and push an agenda (though that would require us to get our act together and start being proactive as opposed to scrambling on defense), but the reality is that it's time to start playing the game.
And because I'm duplicitous by nature, it came to my attention this weekend after a spirited discussion that the hot-button issues frequently trotted out to remind us just how far apart we all are deal with such small minorities of people. Take the death penalty, for example (and check out that amazing wikipedia entry on the capital punishment debate!). The amount of people actually affected by death penalty cases in this country are minute compared to the amount of people affected by nonviolent drug offenders being imprisoned. This little gem is going to take a little while and a lot of research to sort out in my brain, but it struck me the other night that we always end up focusing on the issues that divide us. And given the state of the 2 major parties, maybe it's time to start looking for some common ground.
Can you believe I just wrote that?
It's been really fun watching the Republican Party come apart at the seams. They're all acting like a bunch of Democrats with their lack of cohesive message and fighting amongst themselves. I say go ahead Bill Frist and force a vote on immigration this week. That should prove to be entertaining and completely pointless. Unfortunately I fear most of us have been sitting back and enjoying the show as opposed to exploiting this moment of weakness for our political gain.
It's nice to think that we can just stick to issues and push an agenda (though that would require us to get our act together and start being proactive as opposed to scrambling on defense), but the reality is that it's time to start playing the game.
And because I'm duplicitous by nature, it came to my attention this weekend after a spirited discussion that the hot-button issues frequently trotted out to remind us just how far apart we all are deal with such small minorities of people. Take the death penalty, for example (and check out that amazing wikipedia entry on the capital punishment debate!). The amount of people actually affected by death penalty cases in this country are minute compared to the amount of people affected by nonviolent drug offenders being imprisoned. This little gem is going to take a little while and a lot of research to sort out in my brain, but it struck me the other night that we always end up focusing on the issues that divide us. And given the state of the 2 major parties, maybe it's time to start looking for some common ground.
Can you believe I just wrote that?
Sunday, April 02, 2006
time warp!
There was a rough start to the weekend, but things picked up nicely. Highlights include 2 free mistakes compliments of Mel, an unexpected evening of hanging out with my neighbor, a tasty vegetarian shepherd's pie, the cutest baby in the world with the largest brain humanly possible (most likely the reason behind her ginormous noggin), napping on Saturday in the sunshine, and getting up for breakfast only to discover that there was time to crawl back into bed for a spell.
This Hem song has been permanently parked out in my brain
(the live version from No Word From Tom is especially good):
All That I'm Good For
(Dan Messe)
Leave my station where I stood
To lay for a while with you
I got shadows snapping at my tail
Who say I'm no damn good
But that's just halfway true
All that I'm good for is you
You know I play with all those strays
Prowling outside your door
It's the scraps of love you throw my way
That have got me on all fours
It's only fair you knew
All that I'm good for is you
But I'll leave it behind
To lay down with you
I'll stop running wild
And doing what I used to do
My whole wide world is out of hand
So crooked it leaves me cryin'
But your love is straight and narrow and
It's keeping me in line
This love will see me through
All that I'm good for is you
And I'll leave it behind
To lay down with you
I'll stop running wild
And doing what I used to do
All that I'm good for is you
This Hem song has been permanently parked out in my brain
(the live version from No Word From Tom is especially good):
All That I'm Good For
(Dan Messe)
Leave my station where I stood
To lay for a while with you
I got shadows snapping at my tail
Who say I'm no damn good
But that's just halfway true
All that I'm good for is you
You know I play with all those strays
Prowling outside your door
It's the scraps of love you throw my way
That have got me on all fours
It's only fair you knew
All that I'm good for is you
But I'll leave it behind
To lay down with you
I'll stop running wild
And doing what I used to do
My whole wide world is out of hand
So crooked it leaves me cryin'
But your love is straight and narrow and
It's keeping me in line
This love will see me through
All that I'm good for is you
And I'll leave it behind
To lay down with you
I'll stop running wild
And doing what I used to do
All that I'm good for is you
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