Boston Globe, front page, 1/30

I first met him a few months after moving to Massachusetts; Howard was supposed to talk about what was then his latest book, Three Strikes, but seeing as how the event at the BPL took place in mid September 2001, the conversation quickly moved to,uh, more timely subjects. Having finally got around A People’s History, I wanted to see the man; I was not disappointed.

Nor was I disappointed on the several occasions he joined us on Boston Common as we fulminated against the Iraq War; when he spoke at First Parish, along with Patti Smith, on behalf of Ralph Nader; or when I last saw him, Spring ’08, at Old South Church, where he did a benefit for Spare Change newspaper.

autographing a pic for Cate

at Old South Church, Spring 2008)

Because that what was Howard did–whatever was needed at  the time. Whether it meant signing on in World War II to fight fascists, teaching (and organizing) at a black college in the fifties, putting his job on the line (again) to protest against the Viet Nam war in the sixties, he was there. Physically. He knew the importance of getting out of the libraries and away from the computer screens, of putting theory on the backburner and putting your reputation, your livelihood, and your physical well-being on the line.  

Web site and press release here.

Former Labor Sec and MA gubernatorial candidate Robert Reich adds his name to those of Cornell West (video) & NYT pundits Bob Herbert and Paul Krugman among this week’s enrollees in the Legions of the Disaffected, Disappointed, and Disenfranchised.

And what with this crap, they’re only gonna get madder.

Reich’s ultimate paragraph serves as both a caveat and, I think, a genuine sign of hope for the Green Party in MA and across the republic:

If the Mad-as-hell Party helps get money out of politics it will do a world of good. I might even join up. But if it just fulminates against the establishment, forget it. Wrecking balls are easy to wield. Rescuing our democracy is hard work.

It’s a growing movement, and they’re looking for the folks with the constructive solutions.

This is a good start:

How the story in today’s Globe should have read:

Kerry, Brown Announce Agreement on Pelt-Trading Iniative, Coal-Drilling-Nuclear Subsidies

(WASHINGTON Jan 23, 2010-Michael Horan)–Senator John Kerry announced yesterday that in the wake of Scott Brown’s election as junior Senator from Massachusetts, he’d be withdrawing his support from the Kerry-Boxer climate bill and, instead, promote a raft of new legislation “which will constitute a comprehensive, long-term plan capable of supplying America with its energy  needs well into June.”

Kerry called for “The re-vitalization of the centuries-old trade in animal pelts–that’s an industry which shows real growth potential. Oh, yeah, and subsidizing of coal mining, drilling for offshore oil, and building the most expensive nuclear power generators the world has ever seen–because we stand second to no one when it comes to cost-overruns. No more shall we allow self-centered concerns with the survival of the planet to get in the way of the will of the American people. Mining, drilling, and generating radioactive waste–that’s what makes this country great.”

Surrounded by the CEO’s of various companies including Exxon, ShellOil, and BPL and flanked by Newt Gingrich, Sarah Palin, and James Inhofe, Kerry went on to declare that “no more shall the American people be held hostage by the chains of the past or the arrogant claims of `science.’ The election of Mr. Brown has made it clear that the weak legislation we were jerking around with needs to be watered down further so as to ensure that the fine corporate citizens with whom I stand here today can top the record-breaking profits they showed last year. Americans have spoken: science is hard. Money is easy.” At that, he was interrupted by the assorted dignitaries, who uncorked champagne and broke into applause and cries of “hear, hear!”

Now, Paul Krugman still feels the House Bill is better than nothing–I know that not everyone agrees. But still, more evidence of The Flood of Dissatisfaction on Krugman’s NYT Blog. Glad to hear him say that ““I’m pretty close to giving up on Mr. Obama, who seems determined to confirm every doubt I and others ever had about whether he was ready to fight for what his supporters believed in.”

Avalanche.

Now, Paul Krugman still feels the House Bill is better than nothing–I know that not everyone agrees. But still, more evidence of The Flood of Dissatisfaction on Krugman’s NYT Blog. Glad to hear him say, ““But I have to say, I’m pretty close to giving up on Mr. Obama, who seems determined to confirm every doubt I and others ever had about whether he was ready to fight for what his supporters believed in.”

The following is a press release from the Green-Rainbow Party of Massachusetts, 21 January 2010

GREEN-RAINBOW PARTY:BROWN VICTORY REFLECTS NEW POWER OF BREAK-AWAY PROGRESSIVES,NOT A REPUBLICAN SURGE

With the surprise victory of Scott Brown over Martha Coakley in Tuesday’s special Senate election, the conventional wisdom regarding the dominance of the Democratic Party in Obama-era Massachusetts has been shattered.  But in the scramble to understand what the voters said on Tuesday a fundamental lesson is being missed. This was a revolt of progressives against a hijacked Democratic Party – not a sudden conversion of Ted Kennedy supporters to Republican ranks.  

Weeks like this are hog heaven for political junkies, and a downright paradise for the punditocrary, who’ll get at least two weeks’ paychecks for spinning out the endless whys and hows of the decline and fall we witnessed tonight. No reason we can’t play at What It All Means.

Me, … I’m not sure. And we’ve doubtless all drawn different lessons. My guess is that they all have some value as Greens switch into election gear, and I’m interested in what conclusions you’ve drawn.

I don’t yet have a cogent argument to advance, so consider these ramblings and an invitation to a response.

What’s the Matter With Kans–err, Massachusetts?

The election was a mandate…

Weeks like this are hog heaven for political junkies, and a downright paradise for the Punditry, who’ll get at least two weeks’ paychecks for spinning out the endless whys and hows of the decline and fall we witnessed tonight. No reason we can’t play. Though I think, as Mike Heichmann points out in a comment appended to the post below, we’re probably going to be more interested in figuring out What It All Means. For us.

Me, I’m not sure. And…

It sure wasn’t easy for a nine year old kid to make sense of the world in 1968. I was getting one version of reality at home, in school, and at church, and a comforting version it was, as it taught me my place (on top), and my country’s place (on top), and pretty much  everyone else in the world’s place in the cosmic and global hierarchy. But … there was an alternate version, and that one arrived weekly via LIFE Magazine, which I read religiously. And I can still remember the photos and the confusion they spawned, especially in 1968. Photos of American troops reeling in retreat during Tet. Huh? Athletes giving the black power salute at the Olympics. Furious kids in the streets of Chicago and the offices of the President of Columbia University. Bobby Kennedy lying on the floor of a hotel kitchen.

And, of course, a balcony in Memphis.

It all didn’t add up.