Journaling

I am not a fashion connossiuer, at least now now. When I was growing up, everyone in my family--and indeed the entire community put so much emphasis on dress and possessions(lets not even talk about church politics) that I grew to lack a passion or a care in the world for beauty, style, or fashion. It was stale and hegemonic with a driving brutality behind it all and I wanted no part of it.

I just saw MJB's "Take Me As I Am" video. What a compelling story!

The End of Excess

Kurt Andersen's assessment of America's current state of crisis and how it has gotten here is very good. He does a wonderful timeline of America's growing cynicism and excess from the end of WWII to Reagan to now, when it all ends. However, I think he is too optimistic. I don't think Americans are as good, moral, or as full of potential for living in more humane ways as he makes them out to be. I hope they do. But perhaps he has more trust in this country than I do. My favorite part of this essay, however, is when he says

"But at least as much of the new America of the 2010s and beyond will be the result of transformed sensibility, changes in our understanding of what's important and sensible and attractive, and what feels hollow or silly or nuts."

Yes, my hope is there.

From Paul Begala and the DNC

First they counted the votes. Then they recounted them. Then they painstakingly went over every disputed ballot by hand. It was the most thorough and exhaustive recount process Minnesota has ever seen.


First the bipartisan canvassing board declared Al Franken the winner of the U.S. Senate race in Minnesota.

But Norm Coleman didn't like that result, so he took it to court. And now when even his own lawyers are predicting he'll lose, Coleman's threatening to keep appealing to more and more courts.

How many more recounts does Norm Coleman want? How many more delays? How much longer will the Republican Party hold Minnesota's Senate seat hostage?

Coleman can end it today and give Minnesota the two Senators it's entitled to. But he's not going to give up unless we convince him to act. So let's speak with one voice and tell Norm Coleman it's time to go.

Tell Norm Coleman to pack it in, give up the endless court battles, and concede the race so Minnesota has its full representation in Congress.

On election night, Norm had a small lead. He said then that if he were behind, he wouldn't bother with a recount. "I would step back," he claimed. "I just think the need for the healing process is so important."

But the moment he fell behind is the moment he stopped caring about the "healing process." Al Franken came out ahead after a bipartisan recount that took place in front of live cameras, and Norm decided the best place to nurse his wounds was in court.

And that's where this election has been stuck ever since, as Coleman's legal team brings one obscure challenge after another.

Enough is enough. The people of Minnesota need their fair share of representation in Congress now, and President Obama needs Al Franken working with him in the Senate. We're debating the very survival of our economy, and Minnesotans deserve a voice!

So let's tell him nicely. Let's remind him that all the legal experts say he's done. Let's ask him not to drag this out just for the sake of dragging it out.

Let's speak with one voice and tell Norm Coleman to drop the legal challenges and concede this race!

Tell Norm Coleman to concede his Senate race for the good of Minnesota.

This has gone on long enough. But maybe if Norm hears from enough of us, he'll get the message. Thanks for your help.

Sincerely,


Paul Begala

Today's Oprah

Much love to Star Jones....

Bob Marley-Redemption Song

Redemption Song by Bob Marley
Old pirates, yes, they rob i;
Sold I to the merchant ships,
Minutes after they took i
From the bottomless pit.
But my hand was made strong
By the and of the almighty.
We forward in this generation
Triumphantly.
Wont you help to sing
These songs of freedom? -
cause all I ever have:
Redemption songs;
Redemption songs.

Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery;
None but ourselves can free our minds.
Have no fear for atomic energy,
cause none of them can stop the time.
How long shall they kill our prophets,
While we stand aside and look? ooh!
Some say its just a part of it:
Weve got to fulfil de book.

Wont you help to sing
These songs of freedom? -
cause all I ever have:
Redemption songs;
Redemption songs;
Redemption songs.
---
/guitar break/
---
Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery;
None but ourselves can free our mind.
Wo! have no fear for atomic energy,
cause none of them-a can-a stop-a the time.
How long shall they kill our prophets,
While we stand aside and look?
Yes, some say its just a part of it:
Weve got to fulfil de book.
Wont you help to sing
Dese songs of freedom? -
cause all I ever had:
Redemption songs -
All I ever had:
Redemption songs:
These songs of freedom,
Songs of freedom.

Reposts On the Economy From A Year and A Half Ago-Visit These Links

Here and here.

The World of Publishing Needs a Bailout, Not a Question.

Read two very good articles on the subject here and here.