An open letter to President Bush

Dear Mr. President:
Though I wildly disagree with most of your policies and positions, I don’t specifically blame you for the poor economy. I sincerely hope that your tax cut efforts will help turn the economy around.
On the other hand, I must point out that I’ve been working since before I was old enough to vote, and I’ve – thankfully – only experienced enough adverse job actions to be counted on the fingers of one hand.
Unfortunately, four have occurred during your administration, including my hours (and salary) being cut in half this afternoon.
Please consider that at the same time you’re planning another adventure in a mideast country.
Thank you.
Jeremy Saperstein

A joke for Whit

A first grade teacher in the Midwest is explaining to her class that she is a Republican and how nice it is that a new Republican president has taken office.
She asks her students to raise their hands if they, too, are Republicans and support George Bush.
Everyone in class raises their hands except one little boy.
“Whit,” says the teacher with surprise, “why didn’t you raise your hand?”
“Because I’m not a Republican,” says Whit.
“Well, what are you?” asks the teacher.
“I’m a Democrat and proud of it,” replies the little boy.
The teacher cannot believe her ears. “My goodness, Whit, why are you a Democrat?” she asks.
?Well, my momma and papa are Democrats, so I’m a Democrat, too.”
“Well,” says the teacher in an annoyed tone, “that’s no reason for you to be a Democrat. You don’t always have to be like your parents. What if your momma was a criminal and your papa was a criminal, too, what would you be then?”
“Then,” Whit smiled, “then we’d be Republicans.”

Yes, Chandra Levy’s body has been found, but…

American Politics Journal — A Death in the Congressman’s Office

The difference between the two stories? First, in the Klausutis case as not in the Levy case, there is a real body, very dead. Second, the Klausutis case involves a Republican.

Gee, I hadn’t heard about this before, had you?

New Stuff

Over to the left, I’ve added a sort-of current playlist (current when I remember to update it, that is).

Oppose extremist judicial nominations!

Dear MoveOn member,
With our support and encouragement, Democrats in the Senate are
standing up and digging in to fight extremist judicial nominations.
We must continue to support these Senators when they take up such
an important cause. They must not stand alone.
The Democratic National Committee has now joined the fight with
a “Supreme Court Countdown” and online petition, and we think it’s
important to support them too. We’ve spoken to chairman McAuliffe
and he’s agreed to deliver our petition comments personally to Senate
Minority Leader Tom Daschle. He’ll ask Sen. Daschle to get your
comments to his colleagues in the Democratic caucus as well.
To sign the DNC petition and send your comment, just go to:
http://www.democrats.org/scotus/petition.html?s=moveon

In the name of equal opportunity, I must present the column of Nat Hentoff (whose opinion I usually respect and agree with) on the constitutionality of filibustering.
I also note the editorial of the Chicago Tribune in favor of filibustering (or at least the right to do so).

Absolute proof the media ain’t liberal

This Modern World by Tom Tomorrow: May 18, 2003 – May 24, 2003 Archives
(the last two links courtesy of Cursor)

Welcome back, Neil

Guardian Unlimited | Arts features | ‘Will I be deported?’

It is difficult to find supportive things to say about George Bush unless your construction company is rebuilding Iraq, but it would be a droll irony if it was him we have to thank for Neil Young’s latest creative renaissance.

In an old notebook, there’s a pained essay I wrote, bemoaning Neil’s turn to the Republicans back in the 80s. It was intended half-heartedly for our high school underground newspaper, and I’ve been thinking about it lately because that was a time when I could write easily (if not eloquently) on nearly any topic and it was the last time I was as politically engaged as I am now.

Tom Millard

Suddenly I thought: did Tom Millard know (or find out) why we bestowed the nickname “Vine” on him, back in the college days?

Cock-a-doodle-doo

I should have posted at 5:30am this morning, just to prove that I was up.
I was, though. And still am.

Baby Guide

This should probably go in the baby blog, but…
Early this morning, while acting as a parental comfort unit, I thought of an entry for my guide to parenting.

Week 8: Baby is growing increasingly aware of his surroundings, and may redecorate his room as you sleep. You can help by leaving paint and supplies in his room, and dad can help by looking through swatch books for a color that’s attractive to baby.

Maybe there really is a lack of sleep thing going on here…