First off, this:
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=5165435
Yay. I’m getting psyched now — my friends’ wedding is in less than two weeks!
Better finish that poem, eh?
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Went out to the Asylum last night — packed house. I had to go outside for big blocks of time because of heat, lightheadedness, and general unease in the crowd.
A good open. Heard some good stuff. Read “News Conferences” and “Political Art” — drew some disapproval from the crowd when I said I’ve become convinced that political poems don’t change the world. Oh well…
If only we’d stop preaching to the converted I might believe otherwise. But I see poetry readings as being so lefty-crunchy these days, it’s hard for me to see the utility of getting the approval from the already approving.
Oh well. I got to punch George Bush in the face, anyway.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Alixa and Naima were pretty good, in retrospect. I’ve always loved Alixa’s stuff and there were moments I thought were excellent — the poem about the shootings that included the Liberty Bell imagery was especially good, I thought.
I hadn’t heard Naima before. She was a good performer, but I felt less than enthused by her work — not sure why; I’ve heard a lot of it before, I think. Mayhap I’m just jaded.
One catty note I’ll probably regret: can someone please write a poem about a Nubian mechanic? Please? Someone’s got to keep all those princes and princesses moving.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
peragrin_fogin‘s post is up regarding John Kerry’s position on the Patriot Act. (Thanks for posting it, R.)
You know what? It is a perfect example of why so many people are pissed off about Kerry’s candidacy.
He promises to have a plan to adjust the Patriot Act within 100 days of assuming office.
How about offering the ideas NOW? How about showing us something more than a promise to think about it once he’s in? This isn’t rocket science. Civil Libertarians have all sorts of ideas for getting information on terrorism without compromising civil liberties. How about supporting some of them NOW?
This is the characteristic that will likely cost Kerry the Presidency: the unwillingess to commit. The perpetual belief that saying he’ll be better than Bush is enough to get folks to vote for him. You’ve got to give em a sense of how, John. Got to.
Otherwise, there’s no good reason for undecided voters to upset the applecart in a time of fear and indecision.
I hate George Bush, personally and deeply; I won’t be voting for him. But I have yet to find a compelling reason to vote for John Kerry.
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What this country needs is a few left wing gun nuts, just to break up the political logjam.
If there was a more visible radical left, it would go a long way toward mobilizing reasonable lefties to action…much as radical rightists have managed to swing agendas toward their end of the spectrum.
Where’s my copy of “Rules for Radicals?”
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I need coffee. Good coffee.
This cafeteria at work just swung over to Starbucks.
To paraphrase the Martian Ambassador: “Ack. ACK ACK.”
Dark Matter 
May 17th, 2004 at 2:00 pm
don’t get me started
i suffered through a night of slam cliches. Orlando doesn’t get tricked by them, and i like that.
also, you are right, political poetry will not change the world.
and i liked the Nubian mechanic line 🙂
May 17th, 2004 at 2:00 pm
don’t get me started
i suffered through a night of slam cliches. Orlando doesn’t get tricked by them, and i like that.
also, you are right, political poetry will not change the world.
and i liked the Nubian mechanic line 🙂
May 17th, 2004 at 2:00 pm
don’t get me started
i suffered through a night of slam cliches. Orlando doesn’t get tricked by them, and i like that.
also, you are right, political poetry will not change the world.
and i liked the Nubian mechanic line 🙂
May 17th, 2004 at 12:46 pm
Re: I understand what you’re saying…
The thing is in Massachusetts what we need is to take a drive over to New Hampshire and work real hard. The Dean people have really let us down there. We need people to go down to Boston and get trained on the phones, we do need you to take a bumper-sticker and a yard sign, and draw your line in the sand.
I’ll try and forward that Gephardt thing.
Have a good afternoon/evening.
May 17th, 2004 at 12:46 pm
Re: I understand what you’re saying…
The thing is in Massachusetts what we need is to take a drive over to New Hampshire and work real hard. The Dean people have really let us down there. We need people to go down to Boston and get trained on the phones, we do need you to take a bumper-sticker and a yard sign, and draw your line in the sand.
I’ll try and forward that Gephardt thing.
Have a good afternoon/evening.
May 17th, 2004 at 12:46 pm
Re: I understand what you’re saying…
The thing is in Massachusetts what we need is to take a drive over to New Hampshire and work real hard. The Dean people have really let us down there. We need people to go down to Boston and get trained on the phones, we do need you to take a bumper-sticker and a yard sign, and draw your line in the sand.
I’ll try and forward that Gephardt thing.
Have a good afternoon/evening.
May 17th, 2004 at 12:37 pm
Re: How I See It
Not in Massachusetts it’s not.
Since this state’s electoral votes are going for Kerry anyway — because he’s from here, and because it’s a state of Pavlov Democrats — I have that luxury — the luxury to do what some people think is throwing away a vote.
I don’t care. My conscience is clear. Every time I can keep the Greens above 5% on the final tally in this state, I do it. It keeps them on the ballot without having to run expensive write in campaigns.
If I were in a contested state, I might vote differently.
As for your comments regarding Kerry and the gay marriage strategy: If I was ever inclined to vote for Kerry, that pretty much sealed it off. I consider that issue — like the death penalty and access to abortion — deal breakers in any election.
Period.
And why would I disapprove of Gephardt’s Christmas card? That’s unfair.
Don’t mistake this opposition as being about a knee-jerk reaction — it’s not. Over the years, I’ve become convinced that the two party system is a problem. I refuse, in general, to succumb to it…but I will if it makes sense.
And Kerry makes no sense yet.
May 17th, 2004 at 12:37 pm
Re: How I See It
Not in Massachusetts it’s not.
Since this state’s electoral votes are going for Kerry anyway — because he’s from here, and because it’s a state of Pavlov Democrats — I have that luxury — the luxury to do what some people think is throwing away a vote.
I don’t care. My conscience is clear. Every time I can keep the Greens above 5% on the final tally in this state, I do it. It keeps them on the ballot without having to run expensive write in campaigns.
If I were in a contested state, I might vote differently.
As for your comments regarding Kerry and the gay marriage strategy: If I was ever inclined to vote for Kerry, that pretty much sealed it off. I consider that issue — like the death penalty and access to abortion — deal breakers in any election.
Period.
And why would I disapprove of Gephardt’s Christmas card? That’s unfair.
Don’t mistake this opposition as being about a knee-jerk reaction — it’s not. Over the years, I’ve become convinced that the two party system is a problem. I refuse, in general, to succumb to it…but I will if it makes sense.
And Kerry makes no sense yet.
May 17th, 2004 at 12:37 pm
Re: How I See It
Not in Massachusetts it’s not.
Since this state’s electoral votes are going for Kerry anyway — because he’s from here, and because it’s a state of Pavlov Democrats — I have that luxury — the luxury to do what some people think is throwing away a vote.
I don’t care. My conscience is clear. Every time I can keep the Greens above 5% on the final tally in this state, I do it. It keeps them on the ballot without having to run expensive write in campaigns.
If I were in a contested state, I might vote differently.
As for your comments regarding Kerry and the gay marriage strategy: If I was ever inclined to vote for Kerry, that pretty much sealed it off. I consider that issue — like the death penalty and access to abortion — deal breakers in any election.
Period.
And why would I disapprove of Gephardt’s Christmas card? That’s unfair.
Don’t mistake this opposition as being about a knee-jerk reaction — it’s not. Over the years, I’ve become convinced that the two party system is a problem. I refuse, in general, to succumb to it…but I will if it makes sense.
And Kerry makes no sense yet.
May 17th, 2004 at 12:16 pm
Re: How I See It
You know you have to keep being Tony, and I have to keep being me.
What we both can ask people to do is to register to vote if they haven’t already.
As far as gay marriage I think that Senator Kerry is with Dick Gephardt, it’s a strategy. I can forward you the Gephardt family greeting card, but you will probably find fault with that as well.
As I said, I do respect Dennis Kucinich, and I think he wants to speak at the convention, and we need to hear what he has to say. I think we have a real rainbow in our party as far as the spectrum of colors and tones go, and I know we’re going to do really good things and I’m going to be part of it. I’m officially on duty, again.
Keep writing, keep talking, do what you have to do for the sake of your party, but know that a Green vote for who, is it a write-in?, is in fact another vote for George W. Bush.
May 17th, 2004 at 12:16 pm
Re: How I See It
You know you have to keep being Tony, and I have to keep being me.
What we both can ask people to do is to register to vote if they haven’t already.
As far as gay marriage I think that Senator Kerry is with Dick Gephardt, it’s a strategy. I can forward you the Gephardt family greeting card, but you will probably find fault with that as well.
As I said, I do respect Dennis Kucinich, and I think he wants to speak at the convention, and we need to hear what he has to say. I think we have a real rainbow in our party as far as the spectrum of colors and tones go, and I know we’re going to do really good things and I’m going to be part of it. I’m officially on duty, again.
Keep writing, keep talking, do what you have to do for the sake of your party, but know that a Green vote for who, is it a write-in?, is in fact another vote for George W. Bush.
May 17th, 2004 at 12:16 pm
Re: How I See It
You know you have to keep being Tony, and I have to keep being me.
What we both can ask people to do is to register to vote if they haven’t already.
As far as gay marriage I think that Senator Kerry is with Dick Gephardt, it’s a strategy. I can forward you the Gephardt family greeting card, but you will probably find fault with that as well.
As I said, I do respect Dennis Kucinich, and I think he wants to speak at the convention, and we need to hear what he has to say. I think we have a real rainbow in our party as far as the spectrum of colors and tones go, and I know we’re going to do really good things and I’m going to be part of it. I’m officially on duty, again.
Keep writing, keep talking, do what you have to do for the sake of your party, but know that a Green vote for who, is it a write-in?, is in fact another vote for George W. Bush.
May 17th, 2004 at 10:56 am
The use of the imagery of Nubian royalty is an affirmation, I know. And I have no real objection to it.
I’m just tired of it as a cliche. I am tired of slam cliches in general, these days.
I want stories of real people doing real things, or unreal people doing real things, or real people doing unreal things, or spoons doing Milk Duds. I don’t care.
Just surprise me some.
May 17th, 2004 at 10:56 am
The use of the imagery of Nubian royalty is an affirmation, I know. And I have no real objection to it.
I’m just tired of it as a cliche. I am tired of slam cliches in general, these days.
I want stories of real people doing real things, or unreal people doing real things, or real people doing unreal things, or spoons doing Milk Duds. I don’t care.
Just surprise me some.
May 17th, 2004 at 10:56 am
The use of the imagery of Nubian royalty is an affirmation, I know. And I have no real objection to it.
I’m just tired of it as a cliche. I am tired of slam cliches in general, these days.
I want stories of real people doing real things, or unreal people doing real things, or real people doing unreal things, or spoons doing Milk Duds. I don’t care.
Just surprise me some.
May 17th, 2004 at 10:46 am
“One catty note I’ll probably regret: can someone please write a poem about a Nubian mechanic? Please? Someone’s got to keep all those princes and princesses moving”
Please don’t regret that at ALL. Totally with you on that score.
“What this country needs is a few left wing gun nuts, just to break up the political logjam.”
So Glad you said this.
“To paraphrase the Martian Ambassador: “Ack. ACK ACK.””
-from imdb:
[Watching an alien on TV]
First Lady: I’m not allowing that thing in my house.
President Dale: Sweetie, we may have to. The people expect me to meet with them.
First Lady: Well they’re not going to eat off the Van Buren china.
May 17th, 2004 at 10:46 am
“One catty note I’ll probably regret: can someone please write a poem about a Nubian mechanic? Please? Someone’s got to keep all those princes and princesses moving”
Please don’t regret that at ALL. Totally with you on that score.
“What this country needs is a few left wing gun nuts, just to break up the political logjam.”
So Glad you said this.
“To paraphrase the Martian Ambassador: “Ack. ACK ACK.””
-from imdb:
[Watching an alien on TV]
First Lady: I’m not allowing that thing in my house.
President Dale: Sweetie, we may have to. The people expect me to meet with them.
First Lady: Well they’re not going to eat off the Van Buren china.
May 17th, 2004 at 10:46 am
“One catty note I’ll probably regret: can someone please write a poem about a Nubian mechanic? Please? Someone’s got to keep all those princes and princesses moving”
Please don’t regret that at ALL. Totally with you on that score.
“What this country needs is a few left wing gun nuts, just to break up the political logjam.”
So Glad you said this.
“To paraphrase the Martian Ambassador: “Ack. ACK ACK.””
-from imdb:
[Watching an alien on TV]
First Lady: I’m not allowing that thing in my house.
President Dale: Sweetie, we may have to. The people expect me to meet with them.
First Lady: Well they’re not going to eat off the Van Buren china.
May 17th, 2004 at 10:18 am
Re: How I See It
Well, ok.
But it’s hardly either/or. My own feeling is, Kerry would leave the Patriot Act in place and simply modify it.
I’ve been on the receiving end of government surveillance. I don’t like it. I don’t trust this government regardless of which Demopublican is at the head.
AND he’s opposed to gay marriage. Yuck.
I will likely vote Green, again. (Not NADER — Green.)
May 17th, 2004 at 10:18 am
Re: How I See It
Well, ok.
But it’s hardly either/or. My own feeling is, Kerry would leave the Patriot Act in place and simply modify it.
I’ve been on the receiving end of government surveillance. I don’t like it. I don’t trust this government regardless of which Demopublican is at the head.
AND he’s opposed to gay marriage. Yuck.
I will likely vote Green, again. (Not NADER — Green.)
May 17th, 2004 at 10:18 am
Re: How I See It
Well, ok.
But it’s hardly either/or. My own feeling is, Kerry would leave the Patriot Act in place and simply modify it.
I’ve been on the receiving end of government surveillance. I don’t like it. I don’t trust this government regardless of which Demopublican is at the head.
AND he’s opposed to gay marriage. Yuck.
I will likely vote Green, again. (Not NADER — Green.)
May 17th, 2004 at 10:12 am
How I See It
There’s enough there for me.
I think it would be foolish to say any more at this time.
I feel he was quite specific, get the F.B.I.
out of the libraries, etc.
Bottom line for me: the guy is a doer, he’s stand-up,
was stand-up, did stand-up, and will keep standing up.
This man has a brain and a heart on board.
Those colors fly from the inside.
Every one must decide for themselves.
It’s not a given that the Bush team will be out in November.
If that’s what you want, come on board and do something concrete to help, or else if things turn out the wrong way, live with yourself, knowing you did nothing.
May 17th, 2004 at 10:12 am
How I See It
There’s enough there for me.
I think it would be foolish to say any more at this time.
I feel he was quite specific, get the F.B.I.
out of the libraries, etc.
Bottom line for me: the guy is a doer, he’s stand-up,
was stand-up, did stand-up, and will keep standing up.
This man has a brain and a heart on board.
Those colors fly from the inside.
Every one must decide for themselves.
It’s not a given that the Bush team will be out in November.
If that’s what you want, come on board and do something concrete to help, or else if things turn out the wrong way, live with yourself, knowing you did nothing.
May 17th, 2004 at 10:12 am
How I See It
There’s enough there for me.
I think it would be foolish to say any more at this time.
I feel he was quite specific, get the F.B.I.
out of the libraries, etc.
Bottom line for me: the guy is a doer, he’s stand-up,
was stand-up, did stand-up, and will keep standing up.
This man has a brain and a heart on board.
Those colors fly from the inside.
Every one must decide for themselves.
It’s not a given that the Bush team will be out in November.
If that’s what you want, come on board and do something concrete to help, or else if things turn out the wrong way, live with yourself, knowing you did nothing.
May 17th, 2004 at 9:35 am
So much for the filibuster. Unless…Maybe we can start to call it the “bowerbuster”, in honor of the longest poem ever performed at Nats.
May 17th, 2004 at 9:35 am
So much for the filibuster. Unless…Maybe we can start to call it the “bowerbuster”, in honor of the longest poem ever performed at Nats.
May 17th, 2004 at 9:35 am
So much for the filibuster. Unless…Maybe we can start to call it the “bowerbuster”, in honor of the longest poem ever performed at Nats.
May 17th, 2004 at 9:28 am
I don’t know. I think Orin Hatch can be convinced.
May 17th, 2004 at 9:28 am
I don’t know. I think Orin Hatch can be convinced.
May 17th, 2004 at 9:28 am
I don’t know. I think Orin Hatch can be convinced.
May 17th, 2004 at 9:07 am
political poems will change the world when congress and the senate start holding slams.
May 17th, 2004 at 9:07 am
political poems will change the world when congress and the senate start holding slams.
May 17th, 2004 at 9:07 am
political poems will change the world when congress and the senate start holding slams.
May 17th, 2004 at 8:52 am
I’ll take it.
May 17th, 2004 at 8:52 am
I’ll take it.
May 17th, 2004 at 8:52 am
I’ll take it.
May 17th, 2004 at 8:48 am
>What this country needs is a few left wing gun nuts, just to break up the political logjam.
I’m… tolerant and sympathetic to gun rights. Does that help?
May 17th, 2004 at 8:48 am
>What this country needs is a few left wing gun nuts, just to break up the political logjam.
I’m… tolerant and sympathetic to gun rights. Does that help?
May 17th, 2004 at 8:48 am
>What this country needs is a few left wing gun nuts, just to break up the political logjam.
I’m… tolerant and sympathetic to gun rights. Does that help?
May 17th, 2004 at 8:11 am
Thanks. Lea gets first pass with the red pen, before anybody else sees it.
May 17th, 2004 at 8:11 am
Thanks. Lea gets first pass with the red pen, before anybody else sees it.
May 17th, 2004 at 8:11 am
Thanks. Lea gets first pass with the red pen, before anybody else sees it.
May 17th, 2004 at 7:55 am
So I saw. Congratulations.
I want a read when you’re ready and it’s in print…
May 17th, 2004 at 7:55 am
So I saw. Congratulations.
I want a read when you’re ready and it’s in print…
May 17th, 2004 at 7:55 am
So I saw. Congratulations.
I want a read when you’re ready and it’s in print…
May 17th, 2004 at 7:50 am
>A good open. Heard some good stuff. Read “News Conferences” and “Political Art” — drew some disapproval from the crowd when I said I’ve become convinced that political poems don’t change the world. Oh well…
To paraphrase W.H. Auden: poetry makes nothing happen, but rather, it is a way of happening. A mouth.
Or, to put it another way: you’re right. They’ll learn. (:
Sorry I missed you last night. I wasn’t up to going out, and hey, I finished the novel!
May 17th, 2004 at 7:50 am
>A good open. Heard some good stuff. Read “News Conferences” and “Political Art” — drew some disapproval from the crowd when I said I’ve become convinced that political poems don’t change the world. Oh well…
To paraphrase W.H. Auden: poetry makes nothing happen, but rather, it is a way of happening. A mouth.
Or, to put it another way: you’re right. They’ll learn. (:
Sorry I missed you last night. I wasn’t up to going out, and hey, I finished the novel!
May 17th, 2004 at 7:50 am
>A good open. Heard some good stuff. Read “News Conferences” and “Political Art” — drew some disapproval from the crowd when I said I’ve become convinced that political poems don’t change the world. Oh well…
To paraphrase W.H. Auden: poetry makes nothing happen, but rather, it is a way of happening. A mouth.
Or, to put it another way: you’re right. They’ll learn. (:
Sorry I missed you last night. I wasn’t up to going out, and hey, I finished the novel!