Keen Incite

Grow Up!

WATERLOO

Obama-Wan Kenobi

John Boner: AGENT ORANGE

Christian Nation? Islamic Republic? Jewish State?

I write this with some trepidation and great love for my Jewish brothers and sisters. While I support the right of Jews to live as first-class citizens in the land of their ancestors, I’m beginning to conclude that the concept of a “Jewish state” is not only a flawed concept in terms of sustainability but I am also troubled that a nation-state based on ethnicity and/or religion is morally indefensible. I cannot abide the concept of a Christian nation or an Islamic republic. Why, then, is a Jewish state acceptable? How are efforts to drive Palestinians out of East Jerusalem not an example of ethnic cleansing?

I don’t know the answers but I think that we’ve got to get out of the boxes we’ve been thinking in for the last 60+ years. The will be no lasting peace until all parties can buy into the bargain that is finally struck. Is it crazy to envision a secular democracy in which human rights and religious freedom are zealously guaranteed? I just don’t think the present model will ever produce anything other than a repetition of the endless cycle of bloodshed and heartbreak.

From the Archives

Nobody Loves You

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsrA2fMn0sk

Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out
by Jimmie Cox
(performance by B.B. King)

I once lived the life of a millionaire
Spending my money I didn’t care
Always taking my friends out for a good time
Buying champagne, gin and wine.

But just as soon as my dough got low
I couldn’t find a friend, no place I go
If I ever get my hands on a dollar again
I’m gonna squeeze it, and squeeze it
Till the eagle grins.

Nobody knows you when you’re down and out
In your pocket, not one penny
And your friends, you haven’t any
And as soon as you get on your feet again
Everybody is your long lost friend
It’s mighty strange, without a doubt, but
Nobody wants you when you’re down and out.

You know folks, I once had a mansion
Way up on the side of a hill.
I’d give champagne and caviar parties
Just for fun and get a thrill.
But you know things they just can’t stay like that forever.
And now I can’t hustle up enough money
To buy a shot of gin.

But you know, if I ever get my hands on a dollar again,
I’m gonna squeeze it, and squeeze it till the eagle grins.
It’s mighty strange, without a doubt.
Nobody wants you.
Nobody needs you.
Nobody wants you.
When you’re down and out.

IT'S A STINKING PILE OF ROTTEN SAUSAGE; Pass it Anyway

Scrapping the present HCR bill does not mean that we will get a better bill. It means that we get no bill at all. The bad actors in this ugly little year-long drama are those of both parties who diluted or otherwise perverted the legislation to suit their parochial interests and their corporate sponsors in the healthcare industry. Worst of all are the solid phalanx of Republicans who, while pretending to be interested in negotiating, were determined to break the president by handing him a major legislative defeat.

Until our leaders spend the majority of their time and energy on governance instead of fundraising and posturing for the next election, the little bit of progress we manage to eke out will be flawed and very incremental. We need deep, systemic transformation of our election process before we can hope for the rest of the reform we desperately need. I am hopeful that the Coffee Party movement can move the national conversation in that direction.

Coffee Party II

Coffee Party I

I am hopeful and excited about the Coffee Party. Here's one contribution: