Willie Nelson sings about a hobo riding West on a mail train called City of New Orleans: " Good Morning America, How are ya?" At 11:30 this morning my answer is poorly, Willie, poorly. The health care bill, to begin with, has been prepped, spiced, stuffed, sewed and browned to a perfection calculated to make progressives ill if the Senate passes it and ill if the Senate kills it. The Israel lobby and its extensions at Universities successfully browbeat us into giving Israel a pass on destroying Gaza and on defying Obama's request that it stop more settlements in the West Bank, and with ease, censor speeches on the Middle East. Homeland Security head Napolitano continues the reactionary immigration policy of past administrations. Obama has yielded US policy in South Asia to the Military. Obama's overall score on changing this country for the better is negative. He cannot be expected to change much? He could at least have tried. It's hard to pick Obama's most serious failed opportunity, but it's probably staying... Read More »
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Yesterday Stanley W. Rogouski reported via IndyMedia: "Black radicals protest Barack Obama. After a marathon rally in Malcolm X Park lasting over 5 hours, the Black Is Back Coalition led a march to the White House. " Elaborate photo coverage came with some text: "Speaker after speaker lambasted Barack Obama (as well as other members of the black political elite) as nothing more than a new black face on the same old white capitalist imperialism. And this: A number of issues were addressed in addition to the Obama administration. The connection between attacks on Muslim immigrants and racism against African Americans was a constant theme, and a poster of Imam Luqman Ameen Abdullah was in prominent display at the front of the rally. Speakers stressed the continued need for reparations for slavery as well as for solidarity with the Palestinians against the Israeli State. Obama’s refusal to support Durban II was mentioned briefly as well as gentrification, the sub-prime housing crisis and the difficulty... Read More »
Upon reading the Nov 4 Issue, the followint went to the Beachcomber today: The euphemism “dancing” is addressed this week by Dillon, the Hudsons, and the School. Dillon is frivolous, the Hudsons are right on the mark, and the School speaks of autocratic dictum. In shaping my impassioned response I’m reminded of the TV show “Dancing with the Stars”. Now, that’s grinding with style. Here we go. First, you will refrain from trying to “teach” good behavior. Second, you will teach dancing. You dig? How dancing is taught begins with the music. A good tune, a charming partner, some ambience, hey, this is the stuff of dreams. This can get you a high that is just as sweet next morning. Just one detail, and I’ll shut up. Dancing starts with the feet, and is amplified with the knees. Above the knees you let imagination do its thing. Read More »