Open Thread

8 Comments

1. 

   BostonJoe on May 18, 2006 at 8:08 pm

   I am not sleeping tonight.  I’m individually buttering popcorn kernels so that I can have a snack ready for the press conference that may not materialize.

2. 

   NG on May 18, 2006 at 8:17 pm

   For some reason, this is what is strongly on my mind today. What would/should a progressive political thinker/believer have done politically if he/she lived in Germany in 1938?????? Is there a similarity to that situation today for progressives in America?

   • 

     Indianadem on May 18, 2006 at 8:48 pm

     Along those lines, the words of Pastor Martin Niemoeller often come to my mind these days:

     Original Translation

     Als die Nazis die Kommunisten holten,
     habe ich geschwiegen;
     ich war ja kein Kommunist.

     Als sie die Sozialdemokraten einsperrten,
     habe ich geschwiegen;
     ich war ja kein Sozialdemokrat.

     Als sie die Gewerkschafter holten,
     habe ich nicht protestiert;
     ich war ja kein Gewerkschafter.

     Als sie die Juden holten,
     habe ich nicht protestiert;
     ich war ja kein Jude.

     Als sie mich holten,
     gab es keinen mehr, der protestieren konnte.

     When the Nazis came for the communists,
     I remained silent;
     I was not a communist.

     When they locked up the social democrats,
     I remained silent;
     I was not a social democrat.

     When they came for the trade unionists,
     I did not speak out;
     I was not a trade unionist.

     When they came for the Jews,
     I did not speak out;
     I was not a Jew.

     When they came for me,
     there was no one left to speak out.

3. 

   Omir the Storyteller on May 18, 2006 at 8:56 pm

   It’s all Fitzmas over here from the neck up.

4. 

   Renee in Ohio on May 18, 2006 at 9:41 pm

   Paul Hackett interview

   From Plunderbund’s latest podcast–transcript here.

5. 

   sbj on May 18, 2006 at 10:44 pm

   This article in the NYT gives a pretty succinct perspective on the reality of the Bush regime’s Iraq.

6. 

   wilderness wench on May 18, 2006 at 11:31 pm

   Of current personal & regional community concern: Canada-based NYRI (New York Regional Interconnect), Inc. proposes to cut a 200 mile swath through the Catskills/Upper Delaware River region, for the construction of at least 100 120′ towers to support aerial power lines.

   This is in order to help deliver electrical power to the downstate/NY metro area, with no  benefit whatsoever to impacted rural communities.

   One proposed route for the lines takes it directly adjacent to the upper Delaware River, one of our most prized natural resources.

   In terms of the wealth of our rural communities, these resources are simply all we have.

   As I understand it, there is no actual practical need for the project; existing power-generation capacities are already sufficient.  This is a strictly money-making venture that will significantly impact one of the most beautiful & environmentally sensitive areas in the Northeast, while our communities bear the entire brunt of any defecit.

   State & local reps on both sides of the aisle are joining forces in opposition to the proposals now put forward. In the meantime, NYRI is looking to bypass state & community opposition by appealing directly to the feds.
   Senators Clinton & Schumer so far have absolutely no comment.

   Interested folks can check out the situation here.

7. 

   ignorant bystander on May 19, 2006 at 7:14 am

   I’m not holding my breath.  Today is a normal day just like any other day.  I’ll go to work and focus on my job.  I will not check the nets every thirty minutes to see if there’s any news.  OK, maybe I’ll check in a few times just in  case, but I’m not going to let it get to me.  Really, I can quit any time I want.  It’s just, you know, sometimes you have a little down time.  What am I supposed to do, just sit there with my hands in my lap?  Really, I’m just keeping myself informed like any good employee would.  Really.