Fugitive Days

What a great, inspiring book.

I mean it.

I don't think I'll make it through all of the books in one year but the point is that I'll just keep reading them as long as it takes. Next up was Fugitive Days: Memoirs of an Anti-War Activist by one Bill Ayers. The whole reason I had so much interest in this book in the first place was the smear campaign in the 2008 election when ol' Sarah Palin would talk about Obama palling around with terrorists. I' was glad Obama got through that whole load of bullshit and managed to win the election, but I was concerned about Ayers' fate. I figured at least i could be part of any increase in book sales resulting in the publicity of the situation.

After reading this book, I now wish Obama had actually been influenced by Ayers' ideology, that they were actually close and his policies would reflect that. Maybe then we wouldn't be undergoing all this expansion/reinforcement of Bush's Patriot Act and wars. At least the wars are kind of winding down now...

In this book, Ayers repeatedly talks about his motivations, how it felt like even they didn't do enough. Is there anything that could have been done to stop the war? The Weather Underground is considered extremist but even they couldn't do enough. Although hearts-and-minds are theoretically the way to get things changed in this country as it is something resembling a democracy. And then when a president goes to war AGAINST the will of the people, what does that mean for democracy? Well, he managed to win hearts and minds enough to get a second term despite doing something that despicable.

I'm getting off track. What track are we even talking about?

Motivations. Obligations in an unjust world. Are we not obligated to do EVERYTHING WE CAN POSSIBLY DO when we see injustice? Is Occupy Wall Street winning hearts and minds? Are they shaping policy? To "get this country back" it seems like some big things have to be done. First, a constitutional amendment declaring that corporations are not people so elections are no longer run by corporations. Then maybe the real will of the people can come through. Maybe. At least then there is a chance. Which is kind of why I think Colbert is one of the most important figures in the political scene right now. He's doing everything he can with his stature to spread word and expose how ridiculous that Citizens United ruling has made our political system. Am I back on track? Is this just one long rant?

I keep just avoiding the topic I know I have to hit. I'm not doing anything really. I comment every once in awhile about stuff, I vote, I donate to HRC and other causes, but I don't really take action. I don't win hearts and minds to the cause. How are we supposed to affect change when a significant portion of the population repeatedly votes against its own best interest and seem to be in the pocket of corporate America? It seems so obvious but people are not easily swayed to the truth. Occupy is our chance. But people seem to prefer to turn a blind eye or focus on the idiots within the OWS movement rather than the now clear message it is sending.

This is the least focused entry I've ever posted, isn't it? Am I supposed to be talking about the book? Read the book. Try to figure out how it applies to today. Read Bill Ayers' blog. And do something. And get me to do something as well. Whatever can be done.

change is coming.

obama is the future.  i have no doubt about that.  he has cleared a hurtle, and he is ready to bring about real  change in this country.

i am very excited tonight.

super! tuesday

so not only is it TUESDAY TOMORROW (see what i did there? not that i like the title, but still!), but it's SUPER TUESDAY!

if you are affiliated with a party, there's a good chance you should be caucusing tomorrow.  so do it!

I'm not saying who to vote for, obviously you know where I align myself (see previous post), but do it!  I really want who I want to win to win.  wow.  what a sentence.

***ALSO:

The Mountain Goats wrote a song about super tuesday:

if the embedded clip doesn't work, go here to check out the song.

I have seen the future.

This is just a small sample of the line yesterday morning at the Barack Obama rally.  Estimates on the news said 13,000 people were there.  Sounds about right.  The line wrapped around the block and around another block and on and on...

There were too many people to fit in the Magness auditorium.  So there was overflow into a gym.  And more overflow onto a lacrosse field outside (mind you, it is January and Denver).

People must've been dedicated, because they were there for the full speech.  I was in the gym.

Just based on that, things are looking good, for Colorado at least.  So many young people, so much passion and energy, just seeing such a huge crowd so enthusiastic about the political process, it's something I've never seen before.  Not that I'm old enough to know better.  But there was so much energy on that sidewalk, in that auditorium, on that lacrosse field.  I don't imagine Hilary could inspire so much excitement.  

And before he took the podium at Magness Auditorium, Mr. Obama took the time to talk to the crowd out on the lacrosse field (which must have had VERY minimal security), and then to us in the gym (which did have minimal security.  I didn't get patted down, go through a metal detector, or anything).  So I was very close to this man.  I saw him kiss a baby (of course all politicians have to do this) and pose with it for a picture while the mom took a picture with her camera phone.  He shook hands all over the place, and then spoke to us.  

And his speech...wow.  He was super eloquent and likable and inspiring.  This man can win.  He should win.

Nothing too obscure with this mp3 selection but they can't all be.

Aretha Franklin - A Change Is Gonna Come

This track was taken off the album I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You, which can be purchased at amazon here.  It is also a Sam Cooke cover.