Those in the Know Say the United States is Looking for War With Iran

The University of Flordia Won't Give Jeb Bush an Honorary Degree!

Hip Hip Hooray!!

The rally today was both Student organized and student attended.

A Turning Point

Today's rally on Monument Circle in Indianapolis was quite encouraging. There were between 3 and 4 hundred people there and the astounding part was that 90 percent of them were under the age of 20! This war is on its last legs.

Queen Latifah's new movie, Life Support is absolutely powerful. Ive watched it twice in the past two days.

Papillion

Chaka Khan (My Song for Charles)

A faded photograph i mailed to you
With feelings i don't want to face
And a long song of surrender in blue
I remember when you took my breath away

Chorus:

Chanson papillon, we were very young
Like butterflies, like hot butterfly
Chanson papillon, we had just begun
We let it slide on by
We didn't realize

All our memories are burning in time
Like a bittersweet perfume


Can you tell me how a love that's so fine
Could have climaxed in a single afternoon

Gone are the days of instant romance
And the nights of slow goodbyes
That was a time of life when foxy was the dance
But then you got wise to all my lies

Chorus

Chanson papillon, chanson
Chanson papillon, chanson
Chanson papillon, chanson
Chanson papillon, chanson

A Little Ditty My Mother Taught Me

"That's tough!"
"What's tough?"
"Life."
"What's life?"
"A magazine."
"Where d'you get it?"
"Drugstore."
"What's it cost?"
"A dime."
"shucks, I only got a nickel."
"That's tough.
"What's tough?"
"Life."
"What's life?"
"A magazine."

What's With This New Incident With Iran?

Those in the know say that the U.S. is searching for war with Iran. Britain, The lapdog, has just created an incident with the Iranian government. We ask what is going on?

Ahmadinejad Should Come to the United States

Ahmadinejad should come to New York and address the U.N! He shouldh't change his plans.

I had a mint julep at Mary Mac's Tea Room in Atlanta. It was divine.

Mame

You coax the blues right out of the horn, Mame,
You charm the husk right off of the corn, Mame,
You've got that banjoes strummin'
And plunkin' out a tune to beat the band,
The whole plantation's hummin'
Since you brought Dixie back to Dixie land.
You make the cotton easy to pick, Mame,
You give my old mint julep a kick, Mame,
Who ever thought a Yankee would put
A little Dixie mouse to shame.
You've made us feel alive again,
You've given us the drive again,
To make the South revive again, Mame.
Beauregard Burnside:
You've brought the cake-walk back into style, Mame
You make the weepin' willow tree smile, Mame,
Your skin is Dixie satin,
There's rebel in your manner and your speech,
You may be from Manhattan,
But Georgia never had a sweeter peach.
All:
You make our black-eyed peas and our grits, Mame,
Seem like the bill of fare at the Ritz, Mame,
You came, you saw, you conquered
And absolutely nothing is the same.
You're special fascination'll prove to be inspirational,
We think you're just sensational, Mame.
Since you brought Dixie back to Dixie land.
Since you brought Dixie back to Dixie land.
You coax the blues right out of the horn, Mame,
You charm the husk right off of the corn, Mame,
You've got that banjoes strummin'
And plunkin' out a tune to beat the band,
The whole plantation's hummin'
Since you brought Dixie back to Dixie land.
You make the cotton easy to pick, Mame,
You give my old mint julep a kick, Mame,
Who ever thought a Yankee would put
A little Dixie mouse to shame.
You've made us feel alive again,
You've given us the drive again,
To make the South revive again, Mame.
Mame! Mame! Mame! Mame!

Stop all funding for the war on Drugs. No more money to fund CIA operations in Columbia. Stop the murder of teachers and union organizers in Columbia. Not one more dime!

I feel very sad for Woody Harrelson.

Jacob's Ladder --Paul Robeson

We are climbing Jacob's ladder
We are climbing Jacob's ladder
We are climbing Jacob's ladder
Brothers, sisters, all

Every rung goes higher and higher
Every rung goes higher and higher
Every rung goes higher and higher
Brothers, sisters, all

We are dancing Sarah's circle
We are dancing Sarah's circle
We are dancing Sarah's circle
Sisters, brothers, all

Every round a generation
Every round a generation
Every round a generation
Sisters, brothers, all

We are climbing Jacob's ladder
We are climbing Jacob's ladder
We are climbing Jacob's ladder
Brothers, sisters, all

Open a New Window, Open a New Door-- From Mame

Open a new window,
Open a new door,
Travel a new highway,
That's never been tried before;
Before you find you're a dull fellow,
Punching the same clock,
Walking the same tight rope
As everyone on the block.
The fellow you ought to be is three dimensional,
Soaking up life down to your toes,
Whenever they say you're slightly unconventional,
Just put your thumb up to your nose.
And show 'em how to dance to a new rhythm,
Whistle a new song,
Toast with a new vintage,
The fizz doesn't fizz too long.
There's only one way to make the bubbles stay,
Simply travel a new high way,
Dance to a new rhythm,
Open a new window ev'ry day!
If you follow your Auntie Mame
I'll make this vow, my little love,
That on the last day of your life
You'll be smiling the same young smile
You're smiling now, my little love,
If you wake up ev'ry mornin'
And you pull aside the shutter,
And you promise me that these'll be
The first words that you utter
Open a new window,
Open a new door,
Travel a new highway,
That's never been tried before;
Before you find you're a dull fellow,
Punching the same clock,
Walking the same tight rope
As everyone on the block.
The fellow you ought to be is three dimensional,
Soaking up life down to your toes,
Mame and Agnes:
Whenever they say you're slightly unconventional,
Patrick:
Just put your thumb up to your nose.
Mame and All:
And show 'em how to dance to a new rhythm,
Whistle a new song,
Toast with a new vintage,
The fizz doesn't fizz too long.
There's only one way to make the bubbles stay,
Simply travel a new high way,
Dance to a new rhythm,
Open a new window ev'ry day!
All:
Open a new window,
Open a new door,
Travel a new highway,
That's never been tried before;
Before you find you're a dull fellow,
Punching the same clock,
Walking the same tight rope
As everyone on the block.
The fellow you ought to be is three dimensional,
Soaking up life down to your toes,
Whenever they say you're slightly unconventional,
Just put your thumb up to your nose.
And show 'em how to dance to a new rhythm,
Whistle a new song,
Toast with a new vintage,
The fizz doesn't fizz too long.
There's only one way to make the bubbles stay,
Simply travel a new high way,
Dance to a new rhythm,
Whistle a new love song,
Toast with a new vintage,
Open a new window ev'ry day!

Rove and Others Must Testify Under Oath

Castrate that son of a bitch Bush if he tries to have it any other way!

Rove Has to Go Before Congress!

Yea! They forced that bastard to go before congress! Next step is the removal of Alberto Gonzales!

The Ten Boom Legacy

This is a drawing of the Ten Boom family home, Barteljorisstraat 19, Haarlem, Holland. The drawing looks very much like the house does today. In 1837 Willem ten Boom opened a watch shop in this house. His family lived in the rooms above the shop. The home was later passed down to Willem’s son, Casper, and then to Casper’s daughter, Corrie. In 1987 the Corrie ten Boom House Foundation purchased the building. To continue this family’s witness, in 1988 the Foundation opened this home as a museum. It is often called the Hiding Place. It has become a symbol that surpasses national boundaries. Let us share the inspiring story of the Ten Booms and the Hiding Place with you!

The Ten Boom family were devoted Christians who dedicated their lives in service to their fellow man. Their home was always an "open house" for anyone in need. Through the decades the Ten Booms were very active in social work in Haarlem, and their faith inspired them to serve the religious community and society at large.

During the Second World War, the Ten Boom home became a refuge, a hiding place, for fugitives and those hunted by the Nazis. By protecting these people, Casper and his daughters, Corrie and Betsie, risked their lives. This non-violent resistance against the Nazi-oppressors was the Ten Booms' way of living out their Christian faith. This faith led them to hide Jews, students who refused to cooperate with the Nazis, and members of the Dutch underground resistance movement.

During 1943 and into 1944, there were usually 6-7 people illegally living in this home: 4 Jews and 2 or 3 members of the Dutch underground. Additional refugees would stay with the Ten Booms for a few hours or a few days until another "safe house" could be located for them. Corrie became a ringleader within the network of the Haarlem underground. Corrie and "the Beje group" would search for courageous Dutch families who would take in refugees, and much of Corrie's time was spent caring for these people once they were in hiding. Through these activities, the Ten Boom family and their many friends saved the lives of an estimated 800 Jews, and protected many Dutch underground workers.

On February 28, 1944, this family was betrayed and the Gestapo (the Nazi secret police) raided their home. The Gestapo set a trap and waited throughout the day, seizing everyone who came to the house. By evening about 30 people had been taken into custody! Casper, Corrie and Betsie were all arrested. Corrie’s brother Willem, sister Nollie, and nephew Peter were at the house that day, and were also taken to prison.

Although the Gestapo systematically searched the house, they could not find what they sought most. They suspected Jews were in the house, but the Jews were safely hidden behind a false wall in Corrie’s bedroom. In this "hiding place" were two Jewish men, two Jewish women and two members of the Dutch underground. Although the house remained under guard, the Resistance was able to liberate the refugees 47 hours later. The six people had managed to stay quiet in their cramped, dark hiding place for all that time, even though they had no water and very little food. The four Jews were taken to new "safe houses," and three survived the war. One of the underground workers was killed during the war years, but the other survived.

Because underground materials and extra ration cards were found in their home, the Ten Boom family was imprisoned. Casper (84 years old) died after only 10 days in Scheveningen Prison. When Casper was asked if he knew he could die for helping Jews, he replied, "It would be an honor to give my life for God's ancient people." Corrie and Betsie spent 10 months in three different prisons, the last was the infamous Ravensbruck Concentration Camp located near Berlin, Germany. Life in the camp was almost unbearable, but Corrie and Betsie spent their time sharing Jesus' love with their fellow prisoners. Many women became Christians in that terrible place because of Corrie and Betsie's witness to them. Betsie (59) died in Ravensbruck, but Corrie survived. Corrie’s nephew, Christiaan (24), had been sent to Bergen Belsen for his work in the underground, and never returned. Corrie’s brother, Willem (60), was also a ring leader in the Dutch underground. While in prison for this "crime," he contracted spinal tuberculosis and died shortly after the war.

Four Ten Booms gave their lives for this family’s commitment, but Corrie came home from the death camp. She realized her life was a gift from God, and she needed to share what she and Betsy had learned in Ravensbruck: "There is no pit so deep that God’s love is not deeper still" and "God will give us the love to be able to forgive our enemies." At age 53, Corrie began a world-wide ministry which took her into more than 60 countries in the next 33 years! She testified to God’s love and encouraged all she met with the message that "Jesus is Victor."

Corrie received many tributes. Corrie was knighted by the Queen of Holland. In 1968, the Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem (Yad Vashem) asked Corrie to plant a tree in the Garden of Righteousness, in honor of the many Jewish lives her family saved. Corrie’s tree stands there today. In the early 1970’s Corrie’s book THE HIDING PLACE became a best seller and World Wide Pictures released the major motion picture "The Hiding Place." Corrie went on to write many other inspiring books and make several evangelical videos.

Corrie was a woman who was faithful to God. She died on her 91st birthday, April 15, 1983. It is interesting that Corrie's passing occurred on her birthday. In the Jewish tradition, it is only very blessed people who are allowed the special privilege of dying on their birthday!

Corrie's story is recounted in her books THE HIDING PLACE and TRAMP FOR THE LORD. These, and many other books and videos about this family are available from the Book Shop on this web site.

My mother described to me a couple of nights ago my great-great grandparent's home, Mattie and Morgan's. She said when you pulled up intothe yard there was a huge arbor full of scuffonongs and you walked underneath it up some very high steps to the porch of the house. She said when you walked in there was an expansive living room and off from it were the bedrooms and the kitchen, dining room, etc. She said the rooms in the house were large rooms with high ceilings and it had magnificent wood floors(many of my uncles, Mattie Roper's sons, were carpenters--and reputable carpenters in their era and place). She said that when Mattie Roper lived in it the kitchen was off separate from the house and you had to walk down a little runway to get to it. It was later added to the house. I would have loved to have seen that house.

Abbey Lincoln could definitely be one of my aunts. She looks a lot like my Aunt Betty. She has the style and glamour of my Aunt Sadie.

Michael Knight rocked on Rip The Runway . His clothes were absolutely chic. I was envisioning J.Lo, Jennifer Hudson, and Halle Berry as they were modeled across the stage. Much love to Steve Harvey and Monie C as well!

Sweet, Sweet Spirit

There's a sweet sweet spirit in this place
And I know that it's the spirit of the Lord
There are sweet expressions on each face
And I know that it's the presence of the Lord
Sweet Holy Spirit
Sweet heavenly dove
Stay right here with us
Filling us with your love
And for these blessings
We lift our hearts in praise (hearts in praise)
Without a doubt we'll know that we have been revived
When we shall leave this place

Something I Just Learned-- A Lesson in Deconstruction

The Greek word for what we now know as Iran(formerly Persia) is Persis, from which we derive the word Persistant. The Greeks used the word Persis with fear.

Why Scooter Libby's Pardon is a Slam Dunk by Frank Rich from Truthout.org Via The NYT

Everyone should read this article. Frank Rich delivers a stirring assessment of the cause and effects of Scooter Libby's trial and the entire underhanded effort of the White House et al to 1. Get us into war with Iraq and 2. Cover up its mistakes and messes after the fact. Rich alerts us to the creation of the White House Iraq Group(WHIG) composed of Dick Cheney, Karl Rove, Scooter Libby, and others, whose task it was to concoct lies and a sexy credible story to sell to the all-too consumeristic American public as a great reason to go to war with Iraq.(Lesson: Stop Buying Everybody's bullshit and stop this wreckage which is our consumer culture). With this effort in their hands Libby, Rove, et al played the nuclear war game, invoking the fear of nuclear war and nuclear holocaust if Saddam Hussein wasn't removed (oh, the same as if all the Communist weren't imprisoned, the Negroes quelled, and the Welfare mothers kicked off of the dole).

This effort worked until actually put into effect when America LOST THE WAR IN IRAQ and all the shit started to fall apart. Then it was time to lie and do other bullshit stuff. When Valerie Plame's husband, Joseph Wilson came out and refuted George Bush's claim that Iraq was buying depleted uranium from Libya and was therefore destroying Bush's entire reason for war, WHIG--and Mr. Scooter Libby most incriminatingly, decided it was time to use some tried and true practices from Nixon and Mr. J. Edgar Hoover by blowing Valerie Plame's CIA cover and trying to discredit her and her husband in any way they could( anyone remember the actress Jean Seberg who was active with the Black Panther Party and how J. Edgar Hoover decided to leak to the press that the child that Seberg was carrying was fathered by a Black Panther and not by her husband, which caused her to go into early labor and have a stillborn child? Anyone remember her suicide about a decade later?) So this little underhanded effort on the part of Cheney, Rove, Libby, et al would have worked had it not been for whatever brave journalists who still have their integrity intact who forced the question which has now resulted in Libby being convicted of perjury. Now, what Rich does here is also interesting in that he ties all of this (because it is all connected) into the scandals of this new escalation of the war (with a "surge" and then several other calls for additional troops after that) and the horrific treatment of the veterans who come back here maimed and otherwise injured at a poorly funded Walter Reed Hospital or a Bethesda, Maryland because Bush, Cheney, et al have spent a billion dollars on a warplane and not on healthcare. And with this poor treatment of the recent veterans (not to mention the old ones) we also have the Bush Administration trying to tidy up it's shit and make everything "look" rosy and using all of its power to do so. Selling this war, make it smell good, and deliver it in the most capitalistically effecient way possible(sex, greed, and violence). Rich talks about the trumped up stories of Jessica Lynch and Pat Tillman that were put front and center on the White House's banner.

And this is how the Bush administration is attempting to cover up the mess which is spilling out of Iraq. Firstly, it banned all photographs of the dead coming back from Iraq in any news media and secondly, it shut up the solders; when this mess known as the war in iraq first started you could hear soldiers voicing their complaints and disagreements all over NPR--then there was nothing, and there still nothing to be heard. Then, the Bush administration has started to censor coverage and depictions of veterans in the media-- they don't show the wounded in military hospitals at all, the wounded only arrive at these hospitals at night. Also, Bush has decided and made it his policy not to attend U.S. military funerals for fear that media attention might come to all of it. Alas, there was incident in which Bush was honoring an amputee from this current war with a medal and another soldier was told he was not welcome to the ceremony when he announced that he would be wearing short pants and not long pants(which would cover his amputated leg) to the ceremony. You even had General Kiley, the Sergeant General of the army, blaming the presence of rats and roaches in the veteran's rooms at Walter Reed Hospital on "the well-feed, well taken care of" soldiers bring food into their rooms. All of this is boiling to a head. People are taking notice (Rich talks about Cher's frantic phone call to CSPAN in October of 2003--I watched that program on television as it happened--where she was asking why the wounded veterans were not being seen or talked about in the media) and people are beginning to demand accountability.

I hope this glass house is broken. I hope we can finish off this most wicked administration and the most wicked system for which it works( capitalism, patriarchy, the militery industrial complex, whatever you call it). We need to bring about a just peace in the world where the lives of the vulnerable and the ordinary are not at the mercy of the vile and the inhumane. We need to envision a new world.

Something I Wrote a Long Time Ago in a Book on the Nth Time of Watching Bowling for Columbine

"Lockheed Martin makes war, bombs, and poverty." Isn't that the trend for all of capitalism?

Mary Matalin ought to be ashamed of herself. How can she be married to James Carville and still have so little integrity as to stand with the people that she stands with?