Even I can't believe I wasn't in GR for Edwards' endorsement Wednesday night. We found out Obama was going to be in town the day before and I kept saying I didn't care I had to work as I am sure he'll be back this fall. Most local stations carried the speech (I hear Edwards was quite VP-like), but alas I missed the whole thing. I'm still a little stunned a "liberal" Democrat sold out Van Andel and then some. It was reported over 1,000 people were turned away or had to stand outside and listen. Daaaaang. The next day McCain announced he'd be swinging through west Michigan sometime soon for a fundraiser which is a slightly lame counter to Obama's 12,000 plus people who showed up and got to see him for free. I was an Edwards fan first. And my heart skips a beat every time I think of the possibility that a young-white-man-from-the-south will run alongside a young-black-man-from-the-midwest.
My job Wednesday night consisted of sitting in the basement of the library watching King Corn with 40 adults. Good movie, by the way. HFCS has always been one of those things I kinda pushed to the back of my mind as it's in freaking EVERYTHING, but no more. Goodbye, Heintz ketchup! Goodbye Starbucks Frappachinos! So long, just about every single cereal from Kelloggs! Anyway, it was a great group of diverse people. We had a woman from a local CSA there to talk about small organic farming vs big bad industrial farming and someone from the county health department to talk about the effects of HFCS on diets. Next we're showing Crude Awakening.
My bike is officially back on the road as of this morning, speaking of unnecessary oil consumption. Man, I love my bike. I totally overcompensated for the time it would take and ended up at work 20 minutes early. My only problem now? I went to the market during my morning break and ended up with 2 pounds of asparagus, some leftover potatoes from last year, a dozen eggs, a tomato, some green onions and some good local cheese (hello, frittata for supper tonight!). I was sad to get there too late to snag another pint of strawberries, but thankfully my parents sent me a huge edible bouquet of fruit today at work which is amazing! Unfortunately, I'm going to be a little loaded down on my ride home unless Peter makes an appearance at the library soon.
Christina and I are starting to get ridiculously psyched about our trip next week. Everyone keeps asking us what we're going to do and we're just not sure yet. Burlington multiple times, I'm sure. Maybe a trip to Stowe. Definitely a trip to Boyden Valley winery. Hopefully a trip to Castleton so I can finally meet Kris and covet her sweet life I always thought I'd end up living. Trips to huge barns filled with used books. Probably some trips to sweet yarn stores. Lots of porch sitting. Lots of cooking good food. Lots of hanging out with the parents. I have no doubt once again I will have that "Why exactly am I not living here" feeling.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Thursday, May 15, 2008
it's official
I've been published online.
Ironically? Peter is published in the same issue.
I'm not going to lie. I'm pretty psyched.
Ironically? Peter is published in the same issue.
I'm not going to lie. I'm pretty psyched.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
"birth and copulation and death, that's all the facts when you get to brass tacks" t.s. eliot
I took a nap. I'm lame.
BUT I also got 2 lights and a portable pump for my bike. AND made an impromptu trip to The Corner Record Shop with the record player in hand. A new needle, a new cartridge, and a mere $12.00 later the record player is working. It sounds better than ever. The first song played was Fanfare for the Common Man which was oddly appropriate. We got some Odetta, some Woody Guthrie, some Sesame Street, and my all time favorite if only for the best liner notes I have ever read: Marvin Gaye's Let's Get It On:
I CAN'T SEE ANYTHING WRONG WITH SEX BETWEEN CONSENTING ANYBODIES. I THINK WE MAKE FAR TOO MUCH OF IT. AFTER ALL, ONE'S GENITALS ARE JUST ONE IMPORTANT PART OF THE MAGNIFICENT HUMAN BODY. I HAVE NO ARGUMENT WITH THE ESSENTIAL PART THEY PLAY IN THE REPRODUCTION OF THE SPECIES; HOWEVER, THE REPRODUCTIVE PROCESS HAS BEEN ASSURED BY THE PLEASURE BOTH PARTIES RECEIVE WHEN THEY ENGAGE IN IT. I CONTEND THAT SEX IS SEX AND LOVE IS LOVE. WHEN COMBINED, THEY WORK WELL TOGETHER, IF TWO PEOPLE ARE OF ABOUT THE SAME MIND. BUT, THEY ARE REALLY TWO DISCRETE NEEDS AND SHOULD BE TREATED AS SUCH. TIME AND SPACE WILL NOT PERMIT ME TO EXPOUND FURTHER, ESPECIALLY IN THE AREA OF THE PSYCHE. I DON'T BELIEVE IN OVERLY MORALISTIC PHILOSOPHIES. HAVE YOUR SEX, IT CAN BE VERY EXCITING, IF YOU'RE LUCKY. I HOPE THE MUSIC THAT I PRESENT HERE MAKES YOU LUCKY.
Sorry for the caps. I'm too lazy to actually type all that out. But you get the idea. We are in vinyl heaven. We have I'm Not There to listen to. There's some Bonnie "Prince" Billy, some Devendra Banhart, some Wilco...If you don't hear from us anytime soon just come over and listen to some records with us.
So I may or may not have Thursday off. It seems the city will be shutting our water off downtown. In the past, when this has occurred, we just shut down for the day. This time the powers that be think it would be best to send some or all of us to the branch for some or part of the day. This.would.be.HILARIOUS. First of all, the branch is teeny. Teeny tiny teeny. I mean, there isn't enough room for all the people who actually WORK at the branch to fit comfortably in the space. Now add a bunch of angry, disgruntled, overweight downtown employees who don't really like to work. There are soooo many rumors flying around. Not everyone will go only union employees and only the union employees with the lowest seniority. No union employees will go only pages will go. It will be based on what area you work so if you're from AV you'll be cleaning cds and dvds (where? I know not. There is no room for such an operation) and if you're from circ you'll be working the desk (where? I know not. There are only 3 stations and the entire branch staff will be working) or some of you will be working for a few hours in the garden. It's a hoot. A hoot and a half. I can't wait.
I might have had too much coffee today.
BUT I also got 2 lights and a portable pump for my bike. AND made an impromptu trip to The Corner Record Shop with the record player in hand. A new needle, a new cartridge, and a mere $12.00 later the record player is working. It sounds better than ever. The first song played was Fanfare for the Common Man which was oddly appropriate. We got some Odetta, some Woody Guthrie, some Sesame Street, and my all time favorite if only for the best liner notes I have ever read: Marvin Gaye's Let's Get It On:
I CAN'T SEE ANYTHING WRONG WITH SEX BETWEEN CONSENTING ANYBODIES. I THINK WE MAKE FAR TOO MUCH OF IT. AFTER ALL, ONE'S GENITALS ARE JUST ONE IMPORTANT PART OF THE MAGNIFICENT HUMAN BODY. I HAVE NO ARGUMENT WITH THE ESSENTIAL PART THEY PLAY IN THE REPRODUCTION OF THE SPECIES; HOWEVER, THE REPRODUCTIVE PROCESS HAS BEEN ASSURED BY THE PLEASURE BOTH PARTIES RECEIVE WHEN THEY ENGAGE IN IT. I CONTEND THAT SEX IS SEX AND LOVE IS LOVE. WHEN COMBINED, THEY WORK WELL TOGETHER, IF TWO PEOPLE ARE OF ABOUT THE SAME MIND. BUT, THEY ARE REALLY TWO DISCRETE NEEDS AND SHOULD BE TREATED AS SUCH. TIME AND SPACE WILL NOT PERMIT ME TO EXPOUND FURTHER, ESPECIALLY IN THE AREA OF THE PSYCHE. I DON'T BELIEVE IN OVERLY MORALISTIC PHILOSOPHIES. HAVE YOUR SEX, IT CAN BE VERY EXCITING, IF YOU'RE LUCKY. I HOPE THE MUSIC THAT I PRESENT HERE MAKES YOU LUCKY.
Sorry for the caps. I'm too lazy to actually type all that out. But you get the idea. We are in vinyl heaven. We have I'm Not There to listen to. There's some Bonnie "Prince" Billy, some Devendra Banhart, some Wilco...If you don't hear from us anytime soon just come over and listen to some records with us.
So I may or may not have Thursday off. It seems the city will be shutting our water off downtown. In the past, when this has occurred, we just shut down for the day. This time the powers that be think it would be best to send some or all of us to the branch for some or part of the day. This.would.be.HILARIOUS. First of all, the branch is teeny. Teeny tiny teeny. I mean, there isn't enough room for all the people who actually WORK at the branch to fit comfortably in the space. Now add a bunch of angry, disgruntled, overweight downtown employees who don't really like to work. There are soooo many rumors flying around. Not everyone will go only union employees and only the union employees with the lowest seniority. No union employees will go only pages will go. It will be based on what area you work so if you're from AV you'll be cleaning cds and dvds (where? I know not. There is no room for such an operation) and if you're from circ you'll be working the desk (where? I know not. There are only 3 stations and the entire branch staff will be working) or some of you will be working for a few hours in the garden. It's a hoot. A hoot and a half. I can't wait.
I might have had too much coffee today.
Monday, May 12, 2008
i cut the neck off a duck. there are pictures.
I got up at 5:30am this morning. If that isn't a sign of illness, I don't know what is. Actually I'm considering becoming an early riser. There is something incredibly peaceful about being up before the sun. I was a little worried about feeling claustrophobic in my apartment when the leaves came in this spring, but it's actually something else to be up there with those windows when the sun rises.
Friday night we "did" Tulip Time. There is something very bizarre eating food on the street and watching other people eat food on the street. We chose to eat the messiest food possible: gyros. It was absolutely vile watching Peter's beard get filled with cucumber sauce and feta cheese, but satisfying to slop food all over the steps of the Ladies Literary Club. I think the highlight of the whole thing was the Bicycle and Brew which appeared to be some sort of bar contraption steered by one person whilst 8 others sat around the bar and pedaled. No one was actually consuming alcohol which was the only disappointment. Actually the highlight of Tulip Time was randomly running into Joel and Joan and hanging out at the Brewery talking about science fiction and art and financial planning and real jobs and our overwhelming feeling we should be living in Portland all while the Dutch Dancers were right outside.
Saturday I did get to the market. I had been warned it was primarily flowers and that was indeed the case. I did buy some yukon golds from a 9 year old boy who told me he liked to "fry 'em up with some salt." He also hoodwinked me into buying a fresh tomato which I believe cost me $2.00. Saturday night was duck night at Dan's. Good. Times. There are actual pictures of this blessed event on Peter's flickr account. I'm especially proud of the one showing me chopping the neck off the duck. I'm still not convinced it wasn't my fault, but the actual duck was not quite as tender as I had hoped. It was a mallard. It was out of season. These are reasons I was told why it didn't fall off the bone as I had hoped. The pear/pearl onion/potato hash was aMAzing, however, and may I just say I can make a perfect glaze (fig balsamic and stock). We had some fresh tasty asparagus and some kind of seedy bread that was out of this world. And the wine? Holy mother of GOD we drank some gooood wine. And just had a good time. Excellent conversation. Next up might be paella. Or sushi.
And last night I went to Christina's for supper. I made a basic garlic kale soup that just tasted like health and she made a really good red cabbage stir fry. We're starting to get really psyched about our trip. I'm so glad we decided to drive as she and I are extremely fond of the road trip. Unfortunately, I missed out on hanging out with Budde and Glick and maybe Veldman as I had to go to bed early.
Which brings us back to me getting up at 5:30am. My plan for the afternoon involves NOT taking a nap so as to ensure I get to bed at a decent hour. I'm meeting Molly for lunch at Nature's Market and after that I'm thinking of getting the old bike out of the basement. Kevin's rides are sounding like too much fun. Plus I think last night I convinced Christina we should definitely bike to Saugatuck this summer. Many times. I have some running clothes laundry to do at home. I should probably go grocery shopping at some point. The bathroom needs to be cleaned. And I'd like to make it over to Laketown after supper to do the stairs for the first time this season.
No napping.
Friday night we "did" Tulip Time. There is something very bizarre eating food on the street and watching other people eat food on the street. We chose to eat the messiest food possible: gyros. It was absolutely vile watching Peter's beard get filled with cucumber sauce and feta cheese, but satisfying to slop food all over the steps of the Ladies Literary Club. I think the highlight of the whole thing was the Bicycle and Brew which appeared to be some sort of bar contraption steered by one person whilst 8 others sat around the bar and pedaled. No one was actually consuming alcohol which was the only disappointment. Actually the highlight of Tulip Time was randomly running into Joel and Joan and hanging out at the Brewery talking about science fiction and art and financial planning and real jobs and our overwhelming feeling we should be living in Portland all while the Dutch Dancers were right outside.
Saturday I did get to the market. I had been warned it was primarily flowers and that was indeed the case. I did buy some yukon golds from a 9 year old boy who told me he liked to "fry 'em up with some salt." He also hoodwinked me into buying a fresh tomato which I believe cost me $2.00. Saturday night was duck night at Dan's. Good. Times. There are actual pictures of this blessed event on Peter's flickr account. I'm especially proud of the one showing me chopping the neck off the duck. I'm still not convinced it wasn't my fault, but the actual duck was not quite as tender as I had hoped. It was a mallard. It was out of season. These are reasons I was told why it didn't fall off the bone as I had hoped. The pear/pearl onion/potato hash was aMAzing, however, and may I just say I can make a perfect glaze (fig balsamic and stock). We had some fresh tasty asparagus and some kind of seedy bread that was out of this world. And the wine? Holy mother of GOD we drank some gooood wine. And just had a good time. Excellent conversation. Next up might be paella. Or sushi.
And last night I went to Christina's for supper. I made a basic garlic kale soup that just tasted like health and she made a really good red cabbage stir fry. We're starting to get really psyched about our trip. I'm so glad we decided to drive as she and I are extremely fond of the road trip. Unfortunately, I missed out on hanging out with Budde and Glick and maybe Veldman as I had to go to bed early.
Which brings us back to me getting up at 5:30am. My plan for the afternoon involves NOT taking a nap so as to ensure I get to bed at a decent hour. I'm meeting Molly for lunch at Nature's Market and after that I'm thinking of getting the old bike out of the basement. Kevin's rides are sounding like too much fun. Plus I think last night I convinced Christina we should definitely bike to Saugatuck this summer. Many times. I have some running clothes laundry to do at home. I should probably go grocery shopping at some point. The bathroom needs to be cleaned. And I'd like to make it over to Laketown after supper to do the stairs for the first time this season.
No napping.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
maybe i'm just lacking perspective
I don't get sick very often and when I do I'm usually functional within a day. Tuesday morning I woke up with a head full of nastiness. I managed to drive myself around to pick up necessities and, of course, I voted. I spent the afternoon lying on the futon reading and sleeping. I said if things weren't better by Wednesday morning I'd go to the doctor. Overnight I developed a cough. I called in sick a second day and went to the doctor who, despite my pleas of no-really-give-me-the-antibiotics as I haven't been on them in over 5 years, denied me the good drugs and sent me off with a prescription for some sort of super duper decongestant and a saline nasal spray. I may have been sobbing by the time I got home. Okay, I was sobbing. I blame the fever of 101. By 9pm last night I was down to 99.5 and thanks to Tylenol PM slept well for the first time since Monday.
I still have a fever and I get chills and my head is pretty nasty but I am back at work. On the wise advice of my mother I'm going to make some chicken soup tonight for supper. I've already tried Amy's Organic No Chicken Noodle Soup, but I suspect there's something to the whole dead animal thing that is necessary for proper recovery.
I've watched aLOT of movies this week. Alien, Pulp Fiction, I'm Not There, Friends With Money, Funny Face...It's been something else. I also finished The Stone Gods which was an extra special read with a fever. I don't usually read science fiction. It's just not my gig, but this book was something else. Enjoyably mindbending. I started the new Joyce Carol Oates last night but it just didn't click. I did just pick up Chronicles, but I need to get on Goodreads to find me some fiction.
And as far as listening goes, we're now in possession of She and Him which is just delightful. That we both have a crush on Zooey Deschanel might have something to do our enjoyment. It's all retro and pretty. We also, uh, got a copy, of the, um, new Silver Jews album, which so far I really really like. David Berman done got himself some confidence and you can totally tell on this album. The next big thing on the radar is the Beck/Danger Mouse/Cat Power extravaganza. I can't wait. He's touring Europe this summer, but I'd bet this fall he'll be touring here and I'm in.
Tim Russert got out his dry erase boards last night on NBC Nightly News. It is statistically impossible for Hillary to get enough delegates to even come close to getting the nomination. So, what exactly is her deal? Is she trying to destroy Obama, throwing the election to McCain thereby allowing her to come back in 2012 when McCain would be waaay too old to run for reelection? Or is she delusional? Does she honestly think the American people will stand for her winning by strong-arming the superdelegates (which of course they will as we stood for a stolen election, an illegal war, and a crumbling of our civil liberties)? I don't get it. I really don't.
Locally, the airport milage somehow managed to pass everywhere but Holland Twp. For those of you not familiar with this issue--Holland has a private airport in town and this year they asked for taxpayers to pony up to pay for a new terminal and some new positions. The supporters claimed it would "bring jobs to Holland." How? Who knows. It's a private airport. It shouldn't be subsidized with taxpayer money. Now that it passed, I hope they're right. I honestly never thought that it had a chance in hell of passing which only goes to show how insular I tend to be.
Thankfully, Peter has recently introduced me to the beauty of local AM talk radio. It's like the anti-NPR.
I still have a fever and I get chills and my head is pretty nasty but I am back at work. On the wise advice of my mother I'm going to make some chicken soup tonight for supper. I've already tried Amy's Organic No Chicken Noodle Soup, but I suspect there's something to the whole dead animal thing that is necessary for proper recovery.
I've watched aLOT of movies this week. Alien, Pulp Fiction, I'm Not There, Friends With Money, Funny Face...It's been something else. I also finished The Stone Gods which was an extra special read with a fever. I don't usually read science fiction. It's just not my gig, but this book was something else. Enjoyably mindbending. I started the new Joyce Carol Oates last night but it just didn't click. I did just pick up Chronicles, but I need to get on Goodreads to find me some fiction.
And as far as listening goes, we're now in possession of She and Him which is just delightful. That we both have a crush on Zooey Deschanel might have something to do our enjoyment. It's all retro and pretty. We also, uh, got a copy, of the, um, new Silver Jews album, which so far I really really like. David Berman done got himself some confidence and you can totally tell on this album. The next big thing on the radar is the Beck/Danger Mouse/Cat Power extravaganza. I can't wait. He's touring Europe this summer, but I'd bet this fall he'll be touring here and I'm in.
Tim Russert got out his dry erase boards last night on NBC Nightly News. It is statistically impossible for Hillary to get enough delegates to even come close to getting the nomination. So, what exactly is her deal? Is she trying to destroy Obama, throwing the election to McCain thereby allowing her to come back in 2012 when McCain would be waaay too old to run for reelection? Or is she delusional? Does she honestly think the American people will stand for her winning by strong-arming the superdelegates (which of course they will as we stood for a stolen election, an illegal war, and a crumbling of our civil liberties)? I don't get it. I really don't.
Locally, the airport milage somehow managed to pass everywhere but Holland Twp. For those of you not familiar with this issue--Holland has a private airport in town and this year they asked for taxpayers to pony up to pay for a new terminal and some new positions. The supporters claimed it would "bring jobs to Holland." How? Who knows. It's a private airport. It shouldn't be subsidized with taxpayer money. Now that it passed, I hope they're right. I honestly never thought that it had a chance in hell of passing which only goes to show how insular I tend to be.
Thankfully, Peter has recently introduced me to the beauty of local AM talk radio. It's like the anti-NPR.
Friday, May 2, 2008
farmers market tomorrow in washington square!
I seem to have come into contact with individuals today who blow my mind with their ability to appear to be productive members of society. How is it possible you drove a vehicle to get here and yet are incapable of comprehending simple directions? How can you possibly be caring for a young child with another on the way and yet are unable to dress yourself?
Oy.
Because we are the lamest of the lame we watched two movies last night. The Savages. Meh. Philip Seymour Hoffman and Laura Linney are genius but it wasn't nothing special. Lars and the Real Girl was definitely more interesting. It was weird and funny and oddly heartwarming all at once. Plus Ryan Gosling is dreamy.
I've been consuming books at an alarming rate again. This does really great things for my head. I finished this book recommended by a Mr. Peter Berghoef and it was a satisfying though twisted read. That was right after I finished reading this David Mitchell book. My love for the young boy coming of age story is starting to even creep me out, but nevertheless this book was a great tight read. I'm also finally almost finished with this Tate book of prose poems which will be a relief as that man can get into my brain in a very permanent way. Next up is the new Jeanette Winterson which is so sci-fi I can't believe I'm going to read it. We're talking spaceships, here, people. A post apocalyptic love story. I'll let you know how it goes.
I'm in possession of something I shouldn't be and normally I would feel really bad about it, but for some reason I don't. We have a copy of the new My Morning Jacket cd that hasn't been released yet. I think I don't feel bad because, well, it's not very good. There's a truly horrific song on there called Librarian which is so painful to listen to I actually want to blush when I hear it. I won't give up entirely as I'm always a fan of bands changing it up and doing something different, but I'd think long and hard before I'd shell out cash for that puppy.
Sunday I have to go to a baby shower. Thankfully it's going to be a cool baby shower which will not include any games other than Loteria and though I don't know the expectant mother very well I will have friends there. I, of course, have not yet purchased a gift. Right now I'm thinking a book--Olivia or Where the Wild Things Are or something--and a handmade fleece stuffed animal to accompany said book. I'm oddly excited at the prospect of what kind of freakish stuffed animal I'll come up with.
Tonight we're supposed to get some wicked storms which probably won't happen but would be fun for a number of reasons:
1. Our apartment is a kickass place during thunderstorms. No. Really. It can get kinda scary up there.
2. We need rain. Badly. We got a ton of snow this winter, but our spring has been painfully dry.
3. For the first time in years there will be tulips for Tulip Time unless there's a big storm tonight and they get blown to hell.
Muwhahahahahahaha!
Oy.
Because we are the lamest of the lame we watched two movies last night. The Savages. Meh. Philip Seymour Hoffman and Laura Linney are genius but it wasn't nothing special. Lars and the Real Girl was definitely more interesting. It was weird and funny and oddly heartwarming all at once. Plus Ryan Gosling is dreamy.
I've been consuming books at an alarming rate again. This does really great things for my head. I finished this book recommended by a Mr. Peter Berghoef and it was a satisfying though twisted read. That was right after I finished reading this David Mitchell book. My love for the young boy coming of age story is starting to even creep me out, but nevertheless this book was a great tight read. I'm also finally almost finished with this Tate book of prose poems which will be a relief as that man can get into my brain in a very permanent way. Next up is the new Jeanette Winterson which is so sci-fi I can't believe I'm going to read it. We're talking spaceships, here, people. A post apocalyptic love story. I'll let you know how it goes.
I'm in possession of something I shouldn't be and normally I would feel really bad about it, but for some reason I don't. We have a copy of the new My Morning Jacket cd that hasn't been released yet. I think I don't feel bad because, well, it's not very good. There's a truly horrific song on there called Librarian which is so painful to listen to I actually want to blush when I hear it. I won't give up entirely as I'm always a fan of bands changing it up and doing something different, but I'd think long and hard before I'd shell out cash for that puppy.
Sunday I have to go to a baby shower. Thankfully it's going to be a cool baby shower which will not include any games other than Loteria and though I don't know the expectant mother very well I will have friends there. I, of course, have not yet purchased a gift. Right now I'm thinking a book--Olivia or Where the Wild Things Are or something--and a handmade fleece stuffed animal to accompany said book. I'm oddly excited at the prospect of what kind of freakish stuffed animal I'll come up with.
Tonight we're supposed to get some wicked storms which probably won't happen but would be fun for a number of reasons:
1. Our apartment is a kickass place during thunderstorms. No. Really. It can get kinda scary up there.
2. We need rain. Badly. We got a ton of snow this winter, but our spring has been painfully dry.
3. For the first time in years there will be tulips for Tulip Time unless there's a big storm tonight and they get blown to hell.
Muwhahahahahahaha!
Thursday, May 1, 2008
is this how she'll do it?
Well how's about that. Obama's down a point in the national polls and Hillary's on the rise and it's all thanks to Jeremiah Wright, a campaign gaffe, and some Roveinian tactics.
The Clintons are behind this Wright business. The story was done. Remember? The historic race speech where he spoke poignantly about how complicated the issue is in America and how important it was for our country to face it? It was the first Obama speech where I dared to think he was the real deal: A man who is going to lead us away from politics as usual, a man who was not going to be afraid to talk about issues honestly and intelligently, a man with integrity.
And then Wright comes back. And says some inflammatory things. And instead of reacting with poise and grace and rising above dirty politics, Obama denounces Wright and acts just like every other politician would. It made him look weak and indecisive and disloyal. This was an opportunity to acknowledge not only Wright's right (ha!) to say whatever he wants thanks to this wonderful system of government we call a democracy, but to also acknowledge that some of what Wright is saying important. Anyone who doesn't think our relationship with Israel deserves some scrutiny is delusional. Anyone who can't understand why the African-American community might be angry enough to believe the US used AIDS as a means of genocide against them is lacking a basic understanding of the history of eugenics in our country. Anyone who won't stand behind a man who says "different does not mean deficient" might not be someone I'm willing to vote for.
Jeremiah Wright was an opportunity for Obama to rise above politics and engage this country in a much needed conversation about community, our responsibility to each other, and bringing people together. Instead he pussed out. And I'm not sure how I feel about that.
I know people are angry with Wright and with the Clintons' about how this is all unfolding and they blame them for Obama's perilous position. Blame the Clintons for playing the game as it has been played since the beginning of time. Blame the American people for being incapable of evaluating what's truly an issue and what's the media whipping the electorate into a frenzy for the sake of a story.
Blame Obama for getting down in the mud and tarnishing the perfect image we created for him.
The Clintons are behind this Wright business. The story was done. Remember? The historic race speech where he spoke poignantly about how complicated the issue is in America and how important it was for our country to face it? It was the first Obama speech where I dared to think he was the real deal: A man who is going to lead us away from politics as usual, a man who was not going to be afraid to talk about issues honestly and intelligently, a man with integrity.
And then Wright comes back. And says some inflammatory things. And instead of reacting with poise and grace and rising above dirty politics, Obama denounces Wright and acts just like every other politician would. It made him look weak and indecisive and disloyal. This was an opportunity to acknowledge not only Wright's right (ha!) to say whatever he wants thanks to this wonderful system of government we call a democracy, but to also acknowledge that some of what Wright is saying important. Anyone who doesn't think our relationship with Israel deserves some scrutiny is delusional. Anyone who can't understand why the African-American community might be angry enough to believe the US used AIDS as a means of genocide against them is lacking a basic understanding of the history of eugenics in our country. Anyone who won't stand behind a man who says "different does not mean deficient" might not be someone I'm willing to vote for.
Jeremiah Wright was an opportunity for Obama to rise above politics and engage this country in a much needed conversation about community, our responsibility to each other, and bringing people together. Instead he pussed out. And I'm not sure how I feel about that.
I know people are angry with Wright and with the Clintons' about how this is all unfolding and they blame them for Obama's perilous position. Blame the Clintons for playing the game as it has been played since the beginning of time. Blame the American people for being incapable of evaluating what's truly an issue and what's the media whipping the electorate into a frenzy for the sake of a story.
Blame Obama for getting down in the mud and tarnishing the perfect image we created for him.
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