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John Edwards on Now...talking about poverty and interconnectedness
July 27, 2008
I had to show this video to all of my friends, and now I am sharing it with you. I can't remember the last time I have seen a politician addressing not only poverty with such absolute understanding of the issue, but also the interconnectedness of people and all of the issues we face as a nation and a world.
This quote made me cry:
"One of the greatest responsibilities of the next president is to convince americans that we are completely linked to one another, both as americans, AND we're completely linked to the people in the rest of the world. In fact, we are all ENTIRELY connected." -John Edwards
Here's the link. Watch it all. It's amazing.
Brancaccio: What is it about now...that gives you any hope?
Edwards: That we're faced with great challenges that can not be dealt with, except together.
Ana Sisnet
March 27, 2006
The first time I met Ana Sisnet, she was holding court at the CTCnet conference here in Austin several years ago. A few people I work with introduced me to her, and I just thought she was way too cool for me. Imagine my surprise when, a year later, I volunteered to assist her in a blogging class and discovered that she knew about my blog, and considered herself a fan. I was so...honored.
Ana is one of the most talented, wise, kind and open-hearted people I have ever had the pleasure to meet. Versatile, too. Her artwork is phenomenal, her poetry is stunning, and she herself is absolutely amazing. I wish her and her family the best in her recovery.
Happy Blog-o-versary to the Badge
March 24, 2006
All doubts and inadequacies aside, over the past year, blogging has made me part of a community that I cherish. While both dissertating and grieving are incredibly isolating experiences, the blog has helped me feel less alone in both endeavors. The support that the readers of Badgerings have given me has helped keep me afloat – emotionally and intellectually and financially.
I love your spirit, your honesty, your humor, and your humanity. Thank YOU for your courage, and for sharing your experiences.
Oh, and then there's THAT.
January 12, 2006
Dru Blood - I believe in the inherent goodness of all beings: Happy Birthday, Aaron.
Which actually might explain a lot more than the post prior.
Look what the winter elf brought for you!
December 26, 2005
I have these posters to give you. I am currently having them printed on 11x17 glossy cardstock at Kinko's for 3 bux a pop, and they look absolutely gorgeous. I'm linking to the small size here, but if you would like me to send you a high-resolution image, I can do that.
My plan is to write a short bio of each person and have an "inspiring agitator" of the month thing going on at our house.
(click to make them bigger)
Vine Deloria, Jr: (1933-2005)
November 14, 2005
I have no words, so I will let him speak for himself:
"Ideological leverage is always superior to violence....The problems of Indians have always been ideological rather than social, political or economic....[I]t is vitally important that the Indian people pick the intellectual arena as the one in which to wage war. Past events have shown that the Indian people have always been fooled by the intentions of the white man. Always we have discussed irrelevant issues while he has taken our land. Never have we taken the time to examine the premises upon which he operates so that we could manipulate him as he has us." -- "Custer Died for Your Sins: An Indian Manifesto," (1969) pp.251-252
[bad news relayed by bad ger.]
The Dalai Lama on KUT.org
September 20, 2005
KUT: Listener Supported Public Radio from UT Austin
The Dalai Lama KUT.org will present our first-ever streaming event Tuesday, September 20th at 4 p.m. as we carry The Dalai Lama’s address from the Frank Erwin Center. This will not be on the radio, it is a web-only event — and KUT is the only broadcaster given permission by the The Office of Tibet to carry the speech. The stream will be in MP3 format and will be available after the broadcast for download.
"I have nothing to offer to you. Nothing. Except...some of my own experience, which is somewhat useful in my daily life. That I want to share with you."
His father is tall, and his mother is short.
September 7, 2005
He Held Their Lives in His Tiny Hands - Los Angeles Times
In the chaos that was Causeway Boulevard, this group of refugees stood out: a 6-year-old boy walking down the road, holding a 5-month-old, surrounded by five toddlers who followed him around as if he were their leader.They were holding hands. Three of the children were about 2 years old, and one was wearing only diapers. A 3-year-old girl, who wore colorful barrettes on the ends of her braids, had her 14-month-old brother in tow. The 6-year-old spoke for all of them, and he told rescuers his name was Deamonte Love.
You know...whenever I start to get all freaked out and worked up about all this shit. I just sigh and say to myself "Deamonte Love."
I want to pinch that child's cheeks, and hug his mama.
Chief Justice Rehnquist has died.
September 3, 2005
Chief Justice Rehnquist dies at home - Boston.com
Mayor Nagin is PISSED
September 2, 2005
CNN.com - Mayor to feds: 'Get off your asses' - Sep 2, 2005.
Now, I will tell you this -- and I give the president some credit on this -- he sent one John Wayne dude down here that can get some stuff done, and his name is [Lt.] Gen. [Russel] Honore.And he came off the doggone chopper, and he started cussing and people started moving. And he's getting some stuff done.
They ought to give that guy -- if they don't want to give it to me, give him full authority to get the job done, and we can save some people.
Can you blame him?
Where the fuck is the help?
We're getting reports and calls that are breaking my heart, from people saying, "I've been in my attic. I can't take it anymore. The water is up to my neck. I don't think I can hold out." And that's happening as we speak.
Pissed off yet?
I flew over that thing yesterday, and it's in the same shape that it was after the storm hit. There is nothing happening. And they're feeding the public a line of bull and they're spinning, and people are dying down here.
And, the crux of it?
WWL: Well, you and I must be in the minority. Because apparently there's a section of our citizenry out there that thinks because of a law that says the federal government can't come in unless requested by the proper people, that everything that's going on to this point has been done as good as it can possibly be.NAGIN: Really?
WWL: I know you don't feel that way.
NAGIN: Well, did the tsunami victims request? Did it go through a formal process to request?
You know, did the Iraqi people request that we go in there? Did they ask us to go in there? What is more important?
And I'll tell you, man, I'm probably going get in a whole bunch of trouble. I'm probably going to get in so much trouble it ain't even funny. You probably won't even want to deal with me after this interview is over.
WWL: You and I will be in the funny place together.
NAGIN: But we authorized $8 billion to go to Iraq lickety-quick. After 9/11, we gave the president unprecedented powers lickety-quick to take care of New York and other places.
Now, you mean to tell me that a place where most of your oil is coming through, a place that is so unique when you mention New Orleans anywhere around the world, everybody's eyes light up -- you mean to tell me that a place where you probably have thousands of people that have died and thousands more that are dying every day, that we can't figure out a way to authorize the resources that we need? Come on, man.
You know, I'm not one of those drug addicts. I am thinking very clearly.
And I don't know whose problem it is. I don't know whether it's the governor's problem. I don't know whether it's the president's problem, but somebody needs to get their ass on a plane and sit down, the two of them, and figure this out right now.
You need to listen to the audio. The man is sincere. More sincere than I've ever heard any politician. And they are both crying in the end.
Oh, and...the fucking military ad before the interview. Nice touch.
In Memorium
August 30, 2005
I've been debating with myself all day about whether or not I should write this post, not knowing whether or not it is any of my business as a mere acquaintance in spite of deep admiration. But The Badger family has been in my thoughts all day, and this blog is about my thoughts, so I guess that answers my dilemma.
My very deepest sympathies go out to Ms. Badge and her son. I can't even imagine what they are going through right now...what they've been through...what's to come. I wish I had more to offer than my words, and my tears.
If you have something more to offer, here is where you can go.
If there is a heaven
January 17, 2005
[link via jason]
In Honor of a Life
September 14, 2004
RED HERRING | Bloggers mourn a lost brother
On Thursday, news of a pioneering blogger’s death sent a shock through the blogosphere, an online world of private reflection in a public arena.Since 2000, Aaron Hawkins, 34, used his weblog, Uppity-Negro.com, to defy and lampoon societal norms, challenging common perceptions of race and ethnicity. One of the Internet’s first black bloggers, he wielded a lean wit and a keen sense of satire in his writing. He urged his readers to question conventional ideas in politics, pop culture, and the media.
Any Road Up, indeed.
I miss you, Aaron.
Gone. Never Forgotten.
September 9, 2004
no.
Small Hands on Reagan
June 8, 2004
It’s interesting to me, the problem with eternal damnation. Because it’s never a problem when conservative Christians predict eternal damnation for everyone from gay people, to adulterers, to women who have had abortions, to people who are not Born-Again (i.e.,Catholics, Jews, Buddists, Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs).
There's more...go read.
Tish Remembers Reagan
June 7, 2004
There's a lot of sentimental musing on what a nice guy Ray-gun was. Perhaps. People are complex. No one is all good, or all bad.
Patriotboy Remembers Reagan
June 7, 2004
I'm sure that the thirty-two women who, in May of 1982, were tortured, raped, and then thrown from helicopters by the Honduran Secret Police are sitting at Ronnie's feet as he spins his yarns. Certainly they're grateful that the Gipper's Ambassador, John Negraponte, lied to investigators about his knowledge of the incident, thereby sparing their families the heartache of knowing their wives and daughters were dead.
Your MLK Reading list.
January 19, 2004
I haven't been able to muster any original thoughts, so are some links about MLK, Jr. It's late in the day, I know, but I'm finally getting a chance to read and reflect.
Jason weaves a host of links in with his usual touching eloquence.
Atrios points out how close we are to history.
There's an inventory on the state of the dream 2004 at Negrophile. And more of that report at znet. And at The Black Commentator.
Misquoting King at CounterPunch...and more in this post at uppity-negro...and more at LiP Magazine.
Another excellent article about the latter years of MLK, Jr. from the archives of LiP Magazine, and more from the archives of The Black Commentator.
Just My Thoughts links up the Martin Luther King, Jr. Paper Project.
Republic of T posts a couple of links to various articles.
Roni and United for Peace and Justice ask us to honor the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Junior by getting active.
Ms. Lauren contributes some salient observations to the occasion.
And I'm going to have to come back to this post at Talk Left when monk and I do our bedtime lesson this evening.
UPDATE: Aldahlia tells a story.
I'd love to link and read more, but my time here is up. I hope you enjoyed your day, and are energized to take on tomorrow, next week, next year...
all together now!
June 22, 2003
Everyone send your very best VBAC-having thoughts out to milkmey right now!
Howard Dean.
June 10, 2003
Yes, I went to the Howard Dean rally yesterday. I have no idea what to say about it, though. He seems like a fairly decent person, but I have a difficult time throwing my support behind any political candidate, and as I witnessed the spectacle - the smiling face, the "we NEED your money"s, the platform, the soapbox, the cheering crowd. I just felt more alienated than ever from the process of election.
Howard Dean seems to represent much of what I feel is important. I am totally impressed that 96% of the children in Vermont are health-insured. I love that he gives very vocal support to people who are GLBand/orT. I love that he understands grassroots organizing. I am, however, so jaded by the system that it all seems so eerily...intentional. I dunno. I even had thoughts last night that the democratic party has spent the last 2 years rolling over to the repubs JUST SO THAT a candidate like Dean would be appealing.
Argh. I would love to say that Howard Dean will solve all of our problems and make the trains run on time. But I"m afraid no politician can do that. Only the citizenry can. And it's only when we are free to rule ourselves (and evolved enough to do so peacefully) that I will truly feel comfortable.
That said, there were OVER 3000 people there last night. In fact, I thought the estimate was 3600. In the middle of Texas. TWELVE MONTHS before the primaries. The fundraising crew raised over 15k (I turned to Chris at one point and told him we really needed to start pickpocketing or something). It was an impressive show of support for what I had previously considered to be the least popular candidate. I'm not sure if he's just touched a more vocal and enthusiastic group, or if he actually has a chance at winning.
And I'm pretty sure he has my vote.
Howard Dean in Austin...tonight
June 9, 2003
I have to work, and I would never even THINK about sneaking out early to see Howard Dean speak. So, if you see me there, it's not really me. It's just someone who LOOKS like me.
Malcolm X
May 19, 2003
I was going to post the lyrics to the Beatnigs' song Malcolm X, in honor of his birthday...but a)They are not online anywhere and b) I got kind of discouraged when I did a google search for "malcolm x"+beatnigs, and google retorted "Did you mean: "malcolm x" beatings"
So, anyway, it's Malcolm's birthday today. Or would have been. And I really don't have any words about it right now. Go read someone who has something intelligent to say.