Ruby K's Riot Act

Super Bowl XLVI pregame thoughts

2012-02-05T14:14:00.003-05:00

I don't want this to be a good game, I want the Giants to destroy the Patriots. I want Eli to hang 4 TD passes on the Pats D in the first half alone. I want JPP, Tuck and Osi to hit Brady so many times Giselle loses her modeling contracts. I don't want a close game or an exciting game, only a game where my team is so victorious, professional sports writers who picked the Pats to win are handing in their resignations and going off to teach journalism someplace.

Why?

Simple, really. I'm a New Yorker first, and thus, the Giants trump regular sportsfandom for me.

Let me explain- like a lot of people, there are a lot of reasons I enjoy sports: it's a distraction, a hobby that doesn't involve the fate of the world. yet it's interesting and powerful- the grace of athletes performing the amazing, the chessboard on a field strategy of matchups, the poker game of knowing when the odds are in your favor to mix it up just a little bit, and the excitement of a back and forth, close game, decided by 90 feet/6 inches/a last second kick save.

Yet- my loyalties are never in question or up for grabs. NY, all the way, with some of my strong love of new orleans in the rest of my life seeping in to create second favorite teams. Yankees, Rangers, Giants, Knicks, Liberty, Red Bulls. Having teams to root for take it beyond having a classic contest- it means the thing matters. And when you really care about a sports team, the rewards of an exciting finish are amazing, but the stress, even just the stress of a semi-committed sports fan (admission: i didn't get to see all 16 Giants regular season games this year, probably caught about half of them), make it not worth it.

So, on amateur night (aka the superbowl) when most people are finally tuning in and companies i couldn't give two shits about are spending 5 million dollars for 30 seconds of my attention, what I really want is to watch a lopsided contest where my team crushes the other team and the outcome is never in doubt, and watch it with people who care about the game from slightly less to slightly more than me.

Being in a room of people who don't care about the game is stupid and a bad idea for me. But then again, so is expecting me to want "a good game" today- I want the Giants to win, by so much Joe Montana ponders coming out of retirement.

Angel's Share

2011-09-20T23:44:00.000-04:00

the sun drenches

my city

with light

and yet

there's no place as bright

as the space

in front of your face

when you smile. it is

ambrosia and amnesia

yet i remember

what i'm fighting for.

the joy that

escapes your lips

when i say, yes,

i'm coming to

snuggle with you

could put Pappy

out of business

intoxicating sweetness

I never want

to stop drinking.

and as the angel's share

rises to shamayim,

i hold the love

you've blessed me

with here,

and laugh

because the sun

doesn't know from warmth.

untitled

2011-09-11T10:17:00.001-04:00

The soot still stains me,

Clings to my skin

Never lets go.

I can still feel it

In the cracks where

Fingers meet hand

Or break apart from another,

Stretching towards their own suns.

Still feel it

Where my arms and legs bend,

Where my neck extends

From torso

To connect head to chest

Brain to blood pump metronome

Two structures keeping each other alive

As best they can.

It defies fingernails

Dares soap to come get it,

It laughs at Lady MacBeth,

Saying you don’t KNOW

from spots.

It splits atoms and seeps

Below skin,

Drops into veins and

Visits blood cells,

Passes time with amino acids

In the stomach

makes itself

Permanent parts of us

Inside and out.

The soot is still in the air

Still landing on cars I no longer own

Still forming a crust

On everything I touch

Still invading conversations,

Extending invitations

To unwanted thoughts

To stay long past their non-welcome.

Its still being made into ink,

Printed and shipped

To other countries,

Still fresh on the bombs we drop

On others.

We’re still importing it

Everywhere we go

Wearing it

Like sheriff stars we had

No business brandishing

And should never have forged.

we’re still crafting bars from it

still hurling it like epithets at each other.

Still clutching it

Like pressure and heat and time

Will reverse clocks

Or at least turn the soot

Back to bone flesh steel glass

Heart brain hope skyline

Like our September will just be given back to us.

Surprise! The election isn't over yet!

2008-11-29T00:43:00.002-05:00

Who: You
What: Phonebank for Jim Martin from your house via my.barackobama.com or at a phonebank
When: Over the next 4 days
Why: HUGELY IMPORTANT Senate Runoff in Georgia on 12/2.

I'd love to see you this week, NYers, but I'm leaving town again. But I was away for four months, right? Why am I leaving again?

Because the election ain't over.

There's a critical Senate runoff happening in Georgia on Tuesday between Democratic challenger Jim Martin and Republican incumbent Saxby Chambliss.

And the results of all the hard work that you and I have put in the last weeks, months, years, could be severely hampered if Jim Martin loses

civics recap: a group in the Senate that wants to pass a bill generally needs 60 votes to limit debate. (enacting cloture)

Jim Martin puts the Democrats one seat closer to having that critical number. If you actually want President-elect Obama to actually enact all that policy he's been talking about, the Dems need to get to that number in the Senate. The economic stimulus package, health care reform, making it easier for people to organize unions, investing in our infrastructure, bettering education, all of those policy goals need the votes in the Senate to do it.

Runoffs come down to turnout. And even if you're not in Georgia, you can help. Go to a live phonebank in Greenwich Village, plenty of times available.

Or better yet, get yourself an account at my.barackobama.com, log in, and follow the links for the virtual phonebank.

Any time you can give in the next four days, give it to this. I know you're busy, but even an hour will make a difference. I'm going down to knock on doors, but we need everyone helping with this, so please, get on the phones and help Jim Martin win that Senate seat in Georgia!

GOTV and E-day highlights

2008-11-07T07:53:00.002-05:00

Four years ago, I woke up in shock, thining somehow, I was just having a really vivid dream and was going to wake up, it was going to be E-Day, and we'd have a chance at victory. The last couple of days, my body has woken up early, ready to get everything together, do trainings, make sure the walk packs are right, scout stuff, everything. And I still am waking up, thinking I'm dreaming. Thinking that this is all a vivid dream I'm going to wake up from any moment.

And yet, possibly my favorite moment of the night, and winner of the JEJ honorary best motivation communication for 2008 was a text from Zappy reminding me that we've got to organize for the Employee Free Choice Act. Not to be Baron von Buzzkill, but while it's absolutely amazing we helped elect Barack Obama president, we still have a ton of work to do to actually get the change we really need.

Here are some of the highlights of the last week:

Schedule1, WvonW, Kungfujew, and KS showing up, with bagels and s&s cheesecake, at 1230am Saturday... and then Schedule1, WvonW and KFJ labelled campaign literature (lit) with me till 3am.

Sitting at the Strange Brew, a place I spent many nights the last three months, with some of the most important people in the world over two nights.

SC, BZ, DD, ABW, and SL singing the election fight song to me.

One Purple vol with a bad foot getting a ridiculous amount of knocks.

MK and SC going from new canvassers to team leads and trainers in a matter of weeks.

One Purple Team staying out till last knock of 7:45 on Eday. Hardcore and as it should be. The AP had called NH for Obama and Shaheen BEFORE THEY GOT BACK FROM THE FIELD!

After a week or managing logistics and being absolutely furious, getting to canvass on E-day with two of my new favorite organizers.

Getting to sit across the room from some amazing sisters from PP.

A lot of it is a blur, especially b/c this is the third day in a row i'm up way before i want to be. Joyous chants of "SWEEP! SWEEP! SWEEP! SWEEP!" when we found out that not only had Obama taken New Hampshire, but all of our federal races were victorious!

Sobbing like a little kid for a half hour when the race was called.

more soon.

Four years, two days.

2008-11-05T02:03:00.003-05:00

"I'm exhausted and going to bed, and I cannot help but feel that I failed you." ---November 3rd, 2004, 3am or som.

I'm exhausted and going to bed. And I cannot help but feel a little more hopeful today. Stories tomorrow.

One Day More!

2008-11-04T11:40:00.002-05:00

After a week of doing prep and logistics (ie running a bunch of the field stuff) I finally am loose on the streets of New Hampshire one last time, with two great purple siblings I've gotten to work with over the past few weekends.

What are you doing reading my blog? go phonebank! go knock on doors! NOW!

Remember, Remember

2008-11-04T00:50:00.001-05:00

It's November.

It is time.

Bed for a brief nap, then off for one day more.

hope to have something good to say this time tomorrow.

Bad Horror Movie

2008-10-24T01:17:00.002-04:00

Remember those scenes in the bad horror movie? The one where two characters (not ones who survive, usually) think they've escaped from whatever evil thing is chasing them, they make it out, they're in a room, and it's quiet, like, okay this storm has passed, and then... BAM! MONSTERS EAT THEM ALIVE!

Despite an awesome week, despite the fact that I've got at least ten volunteers coming this sunday, I have that bad feeling in my stomach. People are getting complacent. My guess is if you're reading this blog, this invective is not directed at you. You've probably been up here twice or phonebanked several hours several times in the last couple weeks.

But a friend went from having a carload of people and a car to needing a ride. One is doing another campaign related thing, but the other two... she doesn't know why they dropped out. Maybe something serious happened. Maybe they're just tired. Maybe (this one scares me the most) they looked at today's polls and said, you know what? I don't need to go up there. They'll be fine without me. Obama's up by 10, it's a cinch, I'm going to just chill out.

Sigh. Cue monster.

that's usually the point where the Republicans snatch victory and Democrats snatch defeat. Because they're always fighting to win. They don't let up. They're down what could be an insurmountable deficit and they're still throwing everything they can at Obama. Making shit up. robocalls. and I can tell you from the doors i knock every day seven days (sigh) a week that it's working on some folks.

I'm torn. I don't want to be the boy who cried wolf. Or an insuferable self righteous jerk, because no one likes them. But at the same time, I gave up my life for four months so we could have a vaguely sane person at the helm for the next four years, and doing this work every single day makes it hard for me to be sympathetic to someone cancelling on a friend's caravan b/c they suddenly have to train for a marathon.

If McCain wins, we're all going to need to be able to run.

It's probably not right for me to be this frustrated, but it's challenging for me to think about people not having priorities like, "save the country and the world from a lunatic with a worse temper than bush's" and it's not even enough for Obama to win, he needs to have a congress that will work with him.

I know folks are tired from chaggim, I know many many people are doing all they can. Even EI borrowed SS's car and took her mom up here to canvass today. But there are some folks thinking it's january 21st when we haven't even hit November.

I've missed my first wedding anniversary, the birthdays of my wife, dad, niece, and many close friends, the birth of one nephew and the pending birth of a niece/nephew, my brother's brief return to ny for his birthday, rough times for my friends, high holidays with my family, the staged premiere of a close friend's really great play, simchas torah at hadar, sukkos anywhere, summer in NYC, san gennaro, waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too many concerts to count, the waterfalls, the last home game at Yankee Stadium, the beginnings of the Giants and Rangers' seasons, a two week trip to Africa with my family, and that's just the stuff I can think of off the dome at nearly two am.

I cannot have missed all that in vain. Thank you for what you've done. If you can't get here in NH, VA, or even PA, give a few shekels so someone else can. Get on the phone. Lest you need a reminder of why we can't sit back and enjoy a "lead" this is the electoral-vote projection map I looked at before I went to bed for an hour nap between 3 and 4 am on 11/2/2004, before I got up to work my first real E-Day:

Electoral Vote Projection Map, 11/2/04

My Dad, the mensch.

2008-10-08T20:41:00.002-04:00

It's post Kol Nidre, and being on an organizer's schedule, my body thinks it's two hours before dinnertime and at least four hours before bed. Being that my body almost always feels this way around this time year, and being that, more often than not, this time of year involves me busting my butt for a campaign and not getting to see that much of, well, anyone, I've developed the minhag (practice or custom) using Yom Kippur downtime to email folks, call folks, reflect on the blog or in other ways as a way to reach out to people i love and to keep them gates open. Plus, if i'm trying to reconnect with the folks I love, i'm not obsessing over work, i'm not getting caught up in the daily, i'm trying to connect with the people and the things in this life that matter.

Of course, I also connect this time of year with family. I'm with them for at least some part of the Chaggim usually, and more often than not for most of them. This year, add Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur to the list of birthdays, anniversaries, children being born, parties, events, rough times I have missed in the lives of the people I care about up here. For the most part, I'm pretty stone-faced about it, but all it usually takes to change that is one song about New York, or someone asking if I miss people and then it gets pretty hard.

Anyway, services tonight made me think of my Dad. I was at a conservative shul downtown(oddly enough about three blocks from my office) and I had several reminds of my Dad. First, was the rough one, when I wasn't sitting between him and Knucklehead. And while I've had the blessing of davenning next to Knucklehead many times, I still think of him as the person I've prayed next to the most. Second, there was the exhortation of the President of the shul that "This is your Temple" the push to get people to not feel like guests, but like residents, like people that belonged. This also made me think a little of BZ and other folks who I've had framing discussion with you and made me smile. The third thing was the biggest one, and I think I should start backwards with that one.

Many Jews, perhaps because they really only go to one shul/synagogue/temple regularly, think of the way things are done at their shul, the way things are in their Jewish community, as "The Way Things Are Done in THE Jewish community" Until Knucklehead brought me through to Kol Zimrah and then Kehilat Hadar, I really felt unconnected to a community of people in my age group that really was interested and involved in Judaism. Schedule1 and I did some things at the apartment; it was important to us. But it wasn't a big group of knowledgeable young Jews doing stuff. That was also in part because I was suffering from TWTADITJC. From my experience at home, I thought small conservative shuls/conservative minyanim in reform synagogues were the way to go. Why?

Because at our service, women and men (mostly men, but women too) my dad's age and old enough to be his parent went out of their way to pass knowledge to me. They went out of their way to make me feel welcome. This could have been happening only because I was the son of one of their own. But they didn't stop there. They went out of their way to make EVERYONE who attended feel at home. A small cadre of volunteers were running the davenning, making sure there were torah/haftarah readers, would also make sure that kids who weren't bnai mitzvah age would get to do things, whether lead songs, polish the kiddish cup or open the Ark. They'd make sure to say Gut Shabbos, get the names of people they didn't recognize before they sat down, and would hand them a siddur with the page that the Sh'Tz' was on. And most likely, those folks got an aliyah that day.

No one was a bigger proponent, more active in this kind of welcoming space creation than my Dad. Making a key effort to strike up conversations with people at Kiddish to see what brought them there, whether they needed anything around town, working hard to make them at home. Both him and Momma K were always pretty incredible about making folks feel welcome in the house growing up, but it was especially in shul, in helping get someone to feel comfortable and home in a space so they could open up to prayer and be a part of a community, that my Dad really shined. It's funny, because my Dad can be a little formal (he still mocks me for not carrying a hankerchef at all times, looks for reasons to wear bow-ties and cufflinks) but he's always so welcoming in his presence at shul.

Over the years, i've found places like this. The shul in Ithaca NY, and the shul in Norwich, Ct were both pretty great about making me feel welcome. Unfortunately, tonight's shul really didn't. I walked slowly, gingerly by the greeters, a little lost and no one said boo to me. When services finished, no one said Gut Yontiff or Lshana Tovah until I saw the rabbi n the way out and said Yasher Koach to him. One the way out, one gentleman finally struck up a very brief convo with me. But in those moments, in going in, walking past greeters, ushers, sitting down near folks who didn't say hello, or people walked by me afterwards, etc. I felt the absense of my Dad.

Now, I'm not trying to put down this particular shul. I've been in some places that have a more welcoming atmosphere, and others that haven't. People could've just been in their own place. I don't want to start the year with an LH. But instead, I do want to say that my Dad is a mensch. He really goes above and beyond on this stuff. And I don't tell him that enough, which is why I'm broadcasting it to the world, and going to tell him when I speak to him tomorrow.

Hope you're all having a meaningful fast, and using this time of open gates to break down the walls between you and the things that matter most.

1 out of 1 Rubys agree...

2008-09-19T20:40:00.000-04:00

Shabbos alone kinda sucks.

Miss you all.

A Letter Home.

2008-09-11T00:12:00.003-04:00

Dear New York,

Make no mistake, I'm always thinking of you. Hell, even when I'm with you, i'm thinking of you. But being on the road for the last two months, knowing I'm away for another two months, makes me think about you alot. Dinner at any time is nice, as is breakfast at any time. But this is a more visceral people, places and things feeling.

Mostly the people.

Every time I fly home, when i see the familiar landmarks on the approach (hey, that's New Jersey! or hey, that's Long Island!) I get misty eyed. And I usually play every single New York song I have on my ipod, and sing the ones I don't have on here.

It's not just the people. I mean, I don't get nostalgic to the point of near tears for Franklin Pierce college itself. Random memories of places, things. When I proudly tell people I was part of the inspiration for the "City of Blinding Light" by U2:

I read an interview with Bono when he describes how he came up with the City of Blinding Light. On October 24th, 2001, U2 played a show at Madison Square Garden. At one point, the lights went up (actually, several times the lights went up) and he saw the crowd, rocking out, crying, being there and dealing with all of it, and he was inspired by the beauty of it. I was there. Crying, rocking out, being there and wrestling with it all.

Four times in the last seven years, on this day, I've been working on political campaigns. Only one of them was actually in New York City itself. Michigan in 2004, New York City in 2005, Upstate New York in 2006, and now in New Hampshire this year. Each and every time, I'm working to make a better world for all of us, including and especially all of us in the boroughs. Watching how this government has turned the suffering of my city into a thoughtless punchline is just one of the many reasons I work to get the people of the US better elected officials in government.

But when I wake up this morning, away from you all, it won't be easy. I mean, it's never easy to be away from you all. But the memories of this day remind me of all the reasons I'm here, and of all the reasons I wish I was with you right now.

"Dear New York, this is love letter."--- Mike D.

Community organizers do have responsibilities...

2008-09-05T09:02:00.006-04:00

Sorry. I'm sure about two hundred other community organizers have written rants about this, but well, I was leading a team of canvassers knocking on doors in rural new england yesterday, so i was busy with my responbilities until now.

The Republicans have used "community organizers" as a punchline and a punching bag these last few days. It's not often I hear something I've been doing, in one form or another, for more than a decade, get laughed at by a room (well, half a room) full of people on national television. And so I wanted to spend a little time today on my blog talking about what community organizers are, even if it's preaching to the choir, or the converted, because community organizers play a critical role in the world, and in our country.

Community organizing is what it says it is, that is to say, it is organizing communities, and organizing within communities. Think about that for a minute. Ever put together a neighborhood watch? Start a parent music boosters or sports boosters organization? Find a place and set up a structure for a bunch of people to pray together because they don't have a priest/rabbi/cantor/pastor/building? Set up a communal day care plan? School carpools? Get a group of people to put a stop sign/stop light in an intersection you thought was unsafe? Reach out to your friends and neighbors to vote for a school budget? Work with people to put together an afterschool program, or an intramural sports program? Asked a store to not carry particular items because they were unsafe?

Have you ever joined a union? Registered someone to vote as part of a larger effort? Worked with a group of people in your building to get the heat turned on, the rent not raised, the building fixed? Circulated a petition? Demanded justice for yourselves? For your families? For your friends? For people you don't know?

Put another way, community organizing is about working together with people to empower yourselves and help fill the needs of the community and make things better. Whether its organizing something for a few people, or working with communities around the country or world, it is about taking action to fill a void and/or make something right.

What certain people who have been knocking community organizing need to understand is that often times, community organizing happens _because_ of needs that aren't being met, _because_ of rights that aren't being granted/respected, _because_ of injustices that aren't being addressed. And many times, at the end of each of those phrases, you could add "by the government." Let me give you an example.

Right now, women have the right to vote. It didn't always used to be this way. Messed up, right? I mean, they should've been able to from the beginning. But no. And so, a bunch of people, primarily women, fought like hell for 50 years, doing everything from handing out leaflets to reaching out to other organizations, to setting up meetings everywhere to pushing for hearings with Congress (and got one every year for 50 years) and finally, they did enough organizing in their communities to push Congress to move a Constitutional amendement (something I'm not sure I'll ever see in my lifetime) honoring the right to vote for women.

Put in another, short hand perspective: Child labor laws? Right to form a union? The weekend? the minimum wage? the Montgomery Bus Boycott? the Civil Rights movement? From critical things in individual lives to larger, broad social justice movements, all can thank community organizing for that. Concerned people standing up for themselves and what they believe in, and fighting for that. Pretty important, no?

Maybe former mayors of town great and small have a problem with community organizers because they are a particular thorn in their side? Because they bring up needs that the city/town/hamlet/sleepy village of 5000 isn't addressing? Because they bring up responsibilities that the local/city/state/national government AREN'T LIVING UP TO OR MEETING? Another example:

You may have heard there was this storm a couple years ago that hit the Gulf region of the country, called Katrina. Well, while Brownie was doing a heckuva job and the government apparati were failing the people of the gulf, organizations like Common Ground were doing the work the government was supposed to be doing, on a shoestring budget and hundred hour weeks from its staff and volunteers. Think about that for a moment. A small non profit doing the work the government was supposed to be doing. Working fast to clean up and tear down houses, get rid of mold, get drinking water, food, shelter and other needs to people. Functioning where the government failed. Maybe these people hate community organizers because we remind them of their own shortcomings?

So maybe their problem is that community organizing is also a profession. There's a cadre of paid community organizers out there. No one can argue that. I mean, the hours are insanely long and the pay is usually shit, but its true that people get paid to do this work. Now, leaving aside for a moment the idea that they are attacking a profession who's main purpose is to help people empower themselves to fight for their needs and for justice, let's talk about responsibilities. Community organizers, volunteer or paid, do have responsibilities. The biggest one is helping people educate andempower themselves to have agency in their lives and fight for theirown interests and for a better world. They have responsibilities to themselves, to the social justice organizations that hire them, and the member donations that pay their salary. To the people that contribute money to hire them to help them fight, to help organize more voices, more people to stand up and speak. To the people in the communities they are helping to organize. To the town/city/state/country/world that is not helping people meet their needs and to do everything in their power to make this world more just, more fair, more equitable, more responsive, the world it can be.

Some people leave everything to do this work, their families, their friends, everything they know and everyone they love to try to make the world a place it can be. Other people do this work IN ADDITION to working hard at their jobs, raising families and living their lives. Whether volunteering from home, teaching their children how to take agency in their lives, or working 60-90 hour weeks to help people take action, whether building community run schools or lay lead prayer communities, standing up for people with autism, organizing rent strikes or union strikes, whether speaking for themselves or speaking for themselves and for people halfway around the world that need to be heard here in America, all are critical contributions to making this world a better place.

Susan B. Anthony. Martin Luther King Jr. Gandhi. Harriet Tubman. Abraham Joshua Heschel. Mother Jones. Malcom X. Cesar Chavez. Jesus. Saul Alinsky. John L. Lewis. Fannie Lou Hamer.

You.

Community Organizers. We have responsibilities. To ourselves. To each other. To the world.

Achas Shaalti meh-es Adonai, osah avakesh

2008-08-31T23:57:00.003-04:00

I've had some great canvassing moments. I was floored by Obama's acceptance speech. Shocked by McCain's VP pick. And got to spend an incredible weekend with Knucklehead. But I can't think of any of that right now.

I can't, because 12 of the happiest days of my life were spent in New Orleans, Louisiana. 6 as a college senior with WA. And 6 with onmyway88 and mD this past May at Fess. And now, I watch in horror from hundreds of miles away, as Hurricane Gustav slowly makes its devastating way towards the Gulf Coast. Barely three years later, after herculean efforts by volunteers and non profit organizations to stand up do what our government was SUPPOSED to do, which is begin to rebuild a fallen region, and a fallen city, that work threatens to be washed away.

I'm terrified.

Terrified that this crossroads of history and culture will be so devastated. And terrified that we won't have the strength or resolve to rebuild this city. This American city. I say American because its history is that of America: African, English, French, Indigenous, Spanish all rolled into one. The birthplace of American music, of Jazz, R&B, and Funk. The home of one of the strongest African American labor unions in the first half of the 20th century.

Its home for a lot of people. For me, it's just a place I really love.

I'm terrified for the whole Gulf region, but I'm most worried for New Orleans because of my own attachments to it.

After Katrina, I saw New Orleans as a kindred city to New York in a new way. More could have been done to stop my city from being attacked. And more could have been done to help prepare New Orleans for Katrina and help rebuild in its aftermath. I saw in these moments, a government that did not respond to its capability.

I was on a City Council primary when Katrina hit. Several of us talked about leaving and heading straight for New Orleans to volunteer, constantly. We all stuck out the race, but sent money, resources, spread the word, and did what we could from afar. My first reaction is to find a plane that would fly me down there and go, right now. You can't catch a hurricane for a city like you could catch a bullet for another person. But if I could, I would.

It is Elul, the last month of the Jewish year, and the beginning of the spiritual buildup to Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, the High Holidays. The title of tonight's post is from Psalm 27, said every day of Elul, and on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur as well. The translation I have handy reads: One thing I ask of G-d, this I seek: to dwell in G-d's house all the days of my life, to behld G-d's beauty, and to frequent the Temple.

But today, the one thing I ask of G-d is this: to do Your best to lessen the strength of the storms, to help all of Your people get out safely, and to give us the strength, resources, and resolve to rebuild the right way.

Please not again.

2008-08-27T23:50:00.002-04:00

Holy shit. it's almost Katrina's third birthday, and the last thing New Orleans, the Gulf, the Southern US needs is to meet a brother of hers. So not good...

The mansions of Camelot Circle, Random Road, and Olde English (800) Lane...

2008-08-27T23:30:00.002-04:00

Yesterday, we were in a very wealthy neighborhood. Extremely wealthy. Some of the biggest houses I've seen, and we were walking five minutes up a hill to get to a door. Some of the doors, to be honest, I had to stop and catch my breath before I rang the doorbell. But as I tell my canvassers, go to each door with an open mind. Sometimes, the nicest people in any given day are at the biggest house. Yesterday, my favorite door belonged to a local government official who's a Republican. This person, after telling me he couldn't answer any questions about who he was supporting, told me that I didn't have to worry about that household, and wished me luck as the person thought 'this might be a rough neighborhood, but we're rooting for you. go get em!"

Live Free or Die Hard

2008-08-19T05:05:00.002-04:00

Well, dear readers, I'm sure you've noticed a pattern where if crazy ish is going on, chances are I'm not blogging nearly as much. So, a week plus later finds me in a new state, with a new team and a new focus.

I wasn't happy to leave buckeye territory, and don't want to get into gory details on a blog, b/c at the end of the day, everyone's out trying to get the good Senator from Illinois elected. But I had a difficult time with some of the people out there; we had differences of opinion. The difference was they thought my opinions didn't really matter, even though I brought several campaigns worth of experience, and my canvass team was the most productive out there.

But G-d works in funny ways. After a crazy month, and having a hard time accepting that I would be missing it and not one but two incredible weddings, I found myself arriving in New Hampshire for the final days of the National Havurah Committee's Summer Institute. This is particularly fitting because next year, Knucklehead and I are co-chairs. WOO! But the amazing outpouring of love from the community was just what the doctor ordered. After several shabboses by myself, one hosted by Aschill's parents, to go from an hour drive from shul to many of my favorite yidden in the same place was just plain amazing. And Saturday evening, after an extremely rough two days of travel, Knucklehead beat Havdalah to Tute by about a half hour. It was so great to see her after a month apart and two weeks of nearly no communication. After a brief cameo at the closing program, and fielding several great requests and ideas about 2009, Knucklehead and I, along with a few friends, headed to a wedding! Incredible wonderful celebration! The loving partners were both so joyous and made a day that was truly their ownm from the thoughtful words in the ceremony to the fair trade chocolates on the tables. Outstanding, inspiring, life affirming. The loving partners even told Knucklehead and I that they were inspired by our use of Rachel Adler's Bris Ahuvim, so always nice to get props there. :-D The simcha dancing was absolutely amazing, and a little too much so as we had three injuries! i started telling this particular Jew-crew that we need mandatory stretching before the simcha dancing.

Knucklehead then worked it out so she could drive me to my new place in the Granite State. We had dinner and then, both of us totally exhausted, collapsed into bed. But the amazing thing about this transfer to NH is now I get to see Knucklehead three weekends in a row! Craziness! And, I also get to nag you beantown area readers to come volunteer with me. COME VOLUNTEER WITH ME! In fact, if you're in the northeast, come volunteer with me. Pennsylvania will be okay, and NH not only has the Presidency, but a critical challenge in the Senate if we want to get to 61 votes (Lieberman proof) and two first term House Dems that need a hand as well.

Alright, going to try to get some sleep. And one last thing about G-d working in funny ways. It wasn't my decision to leave Ohio. But I've got major downticket races, people that know how to use new technology, technology that makes canvassing easier, and a pool at my new long term hotel. Most importantly, I get to go to two weddings, see more friends and family that I love, and be closer to Knucklehead. Maybe this really is all for the best.

Day 2 in Granite is in a few hours. Wish me luck!

knock knock knockin on George Eliot's door...

2008-08-06T00:53:00.002-04:00

Hey Dear readers,

so i know it's been a week or so since you last heard from me. And what a week it has been. Another training. Attempts at working together with the folks where we are. And communication breakdowns and little piddly things are adding up in a hurry.

I'd love to tell you stories about folks I met out here. Actually, let me try to tell you a few of today's, maybe that will help me focus on the good and the interesting.

Met an African American Korean war vet who doesn't vote. He seemed really angry about the Iraq war but wasn't sure about voting. Had a five minute conversation with him or so, and he seemed like he was thinking about voting. His friend was helping me work on him, but he wasn't convinced so i just left the registration. I feel like I maybe got a small child in trouble today, too. I knocked on one door, and a little African American kid, maybe 3, ran up to me on the outside, and said, "nobody's home!" i said "really little man, you're hear all by yourself?" and with this loud exasperated sigh, he said "i'm just playin, they home." He goes inside, and holds the door open for me to come in. I don't go in, though I do hold the screen door open. Large African American guy looks down at him and says, "Did you just let in this muthafucka you don't know?!?!" Needless to say, a woman and a young man in the house registered, and i'm not entirely clear how they were related to the baby, but man, i felt bad.

Just trying to stay positive. Seems that some people are really happy to have us there, and others like to make trouble for the folks who have given up everything and moved away for 4 months to do it. Let's see how this all goes.

Introduction of being a campaign lead...

2008-07-28T06:06:00.002-04:00

when folks don't have all the information they need, they WILL call you at six am.

Wel-come to Brooklyn

2008-07-23T23:22:00.002-04:00

Bet y'all didn't think I'd be back so soon!

Alright, so actually, I'm in Brooklyn, Ohio. In Cuyahoga County. One of the towns that makes up the greater Cleveland area. And already I've had a few funny moments in the BtothaKOhai!

1) I've already nearly been escorted off a supermarket premises and been arrested. Seriously.

Ok, so it wasn't about registering folks or picketting. It was about my propensity to not use plastic bags at the supermarket. I picked up three small items at the giant supermarket. I paid. I walk out. Then a woman, with a security guard, another cashier, and a member of Brooklyn's finest following behind her, demanded to see my receipt. I was really tired, and grumpy, but i managed to be very chill and calm, and said, oh, you mean this receipt? They were sufficiently embarassed and apologetic. I laughed to myself, "wait till i bring ten rowdy organizers here to register folks to vote, then you'll really be mad."

2) I'm out here in Ohio working with a social justice organization on the election. I got offered two gigs, in New Hampshire and in Georgia with the Obama campaign that I didn't take. And while i'm walking away from my incident with the supermarket folks, my phone rings. It's an ohio number, not sure who. I pick up. It's the Obama campaign in Ohio. Do I want to come on board? I laugh, and tell them you'll never guess where I am...

Welcome to Brooklyn.

Day 2 wrapup

2008-07-21T07:56:00.002-04:00

The morning sessions were fantastic, and should've been made part of organizing 101 for every union and progressive non profit in history. The first was on leadership development, how to help build new leaders through making sure they're invested in the work, finding their passions, talents and treating them like human beings. The second was an intense, powerful, 40 year political history of how the conservative movement made political strides and what are things progressives have to do to take the country back, with the biggest piece being accountability and support for leaders after election day. Gotta head to breakfast now, but incredibly power stuff yesteday morning. didn't need coffee till the afternoon.

A real life (brief) canvass today. As a dry run. putting together our packets was a trip. Saw several members of the on the ground team from 04 and they yelled at me wanting to know why i wasn't coming back to Michigan. Sigh. More later!

the power of positive thinking...

2008-07-20T07:05:00.002-04:00

I sleep like crap in new places. Had some strange dreams and was up at 4:30. Went back to sleep and I was walking around the 91fo with the Full Boat and Schedule1. We were going to my childhood home for a birthday dinner and quiet victory party. I thought to myself, wow, that went by quick... and then the alarm went off.

Gettin in the shower.

First day...

2008-07-19T22:10:00.002-04:00

Knucklehead takes me to the airport, where we have a sad goodbye. I promptly bump into several members of the purple crew, on the same flight as me. everyone's clowning, it's nice to be back in the saddle. Flight is on a 32 seater. DG gives me crap b/c i kinda get nervous about the small planes. Smooth flight, but then the shuttle that's supposed to take us to our hotel (where we're staying for the first night) only takes to the conference hotel (where we're staying the rest of the week). And instead of an hour to sleep, another half hour/hour to shower and shave, we remain at the conference site, grumpy and defeated. Tempers are soothed by the emergence of some tasty corn and crab chowder. Dayum, that shit was dope.

Conference today is primarily some rah rah and some general lay of the land. Appreciate the info, but still not 100 percent clear on what the program is, though I know voter registration is definitely part of it. Ran into an old friend from Michigan, who wanted to know why I wasn't coming back. Man, is it weird that I miss Detroit? Seems like the plan is being put together as I type, and i'm excited to be part of that, being on the fly and whatnot, but it also feels a likkel chaotic.

Tomorrow, I think we really start to get into the details of it all. Now, for either a drink or an early bed time.

New York says goodbye with love...

2008-07-19T07:16:00.002-04:00

barely asleep, and then...

"ROCK ROCK, ROCKAWAY BEACH!
ROCK ROCK, ROCKAWAY BEACH!
ROCK ROCK, ROCKAWAY BEACH!
WE CAN GET TO ROCK TO ROCKAWAY BEACH!"

I love our city too.

I'll be home soon, boroughs.

misadventures in packing

2008-07-19T03:54:00.002-04:00

Last time, I took my car out to where I was, so if I wasn't sure whether or not i wanted to take something, screw it, I just took it. :-)

But now, I've got a bag and a carry on. Kinda puts things in perspective. Non essentials can be purchased. Clothes, books, and music are going now. Oh hey! Speaking of music, if you've got suggestions of good tunes out there, something you're really digging as you listen to it, send the suggestions my way.

Gonna go nap before the flight. This should be fun!

The Last Supper...

2008-07-18T19:41:00.002-04:00

... well, of course it should be on Arthur Avenue. :-D

Knucklehead and I grabbing a bite of some of the best Italian food on this island called North America before I she drives me to the airport tomorrow morning. I'm still pretty much in denial, i think, that i'm going to be gone for four months. Wow.

Initiate countdown sequence...

2008-07-16T23:44:00.002-04:00

Hello all!

So, maybe a little birdie told you this blog might be updated more regularly, hrm? Well, if you were interested in hearing what I'm doing over the next several months as part of an election effort, you've come to the right place. Know that I'm keeping the blog semi-nonymous, which means I'll be using intials, abbreviations, and nicknames in my descriptions. Right now, I'm still in the boroughs, and still in shock. I haven't even begun to vaguely pack. Knucklehead may not be pleased when I call her to ask to send me stuff (note to folks new to the Riot Act: Knucklehead, my partner, was a nickname of her choosing and she likes it).

Saturday I leave for training in Columbus, then it's deployment. Wow. the clock is ticking.

Welcome back to the Riot Act.

Flashback! "Young and Depressionable"

2008-03-11T20:02:00.002-04:00

Hey All. So the General quoted me back to me tonight when considering one of my new pieces. I reminded her of the rest of the quote that follows, then realized that many of you may not know Young and Depressionable. I'm not supposed to have favorites. But Young and Depressionable is one of my favorites. One of my favorites to write. One of my favorites to perform. Hope you like it.

Young and Depressionable

I
AM
ILL!

Mentally.

I’m sorry.
Y’all must’ve thought I meant I’m ill,
Like
Sometimes
I’m so nasty on a mic
That numerous manufacturers warranties
specifically exclude me.
Right here, in article 10, section A, it says
“Do not sell this mic to Ruby K,
he shattered 12 of those yesterday.”

And I guess I am that, sometimes.

But I am also ill.
Mentally.

Everyday.

It still has yet to go away,
Outlasting lovers, friendships
And at least fifteen birthdays. Way
Back when I was ten,
I took up the pen
To try to make sense
Of all this, I mean
I just thought they were right.
I was this fat, ugly, dumb nerd
Who deserved daily eruptions of tears
By the time fifth grade rolled around,
This was tradition for six years.

I was too smart for the jocks
Too middle class for the rich kids
And too Jewish for the Christians,
Getting anonymous Heil Hitler cards
From cowardly bastards who knew Print Shop
Could be used for racism and anti-semitism
I thought it was just for funny looking cards
You made for mother’s day.

It’s funny how being different on the playground
Gives you
a birds eye view
of future battles
Lost and found
In hearts and minds around the globe
Capitalism starts training early,
Teaching those who loudly speak
to prey on the different and meek.
Taking civilization out of humanity
Leaving sapien cubs to fend for themselves
On the concrete junglegyms and swings
And I, too weak to speak for me
Believing the names they call me
Till the point of weeping.

Instead of fists outward
I tried turning knives inside
Considered taking swan dives off
Elementary school rooftops
Compacting my skull
And leaving my brain to fry
On the black top.

I’m ill,
Mentally.
Might have
Killed more kids
Than Bush, Harris and Kleibold
Combined
The way they tormented me.
If my ten year old self
Wielded a gun
Instead of a pen,
Maybe Columbine kids
Would’ve stayed in perfect health,
Because no one would’ve wanted
to
Another Morse Elementary
And I’m not trying to justify
What those racist fools did,
But you don’t have many
Options
When you’re an outsider kid.
You might not understand
Why Dylan and Eric broke
But being the butt
Of many playground jokes,
I’ll give you folks clues
That’ll make your ears smoke.
Fuck all that bullshit about stones and sticks
Because people who claim
Words don’t hurt can suck this dick.
Our young think its fun
To push a geek till he cries
Gang up 10 on 1
until hates in his eyes,
Well, it’s all fun and games
Till the shells start to fly
The geek gets a gat
And the bullies get to die.

When the popular kids
Turned Columbine around
Made it another sly joke
To put the different kids down
It was the kids getting bullied
Who were suspended and expelled
Not the bastards who made school life
A dozen years of hell.

Our society teaches us
That might makes right
That you’ll feel better
When you mock another’s plight
The rich folks on top
Deserve credit and envy
Different thoughts, looks, or skin
Is clearly the enemy
Legal channels don’t work
Your voice doesn’t count
Uniqueness is weakness
Enough’s an amount
That doesn’t exist
Use your fist
To get what you want
Respect only those
With the same stature and goals
Step on anyone,
EVERYONE
To grab what’s
RIGHTFULLY
Yours.

And they say
I’m ill, mentally?
Who bears responsibility?
School violence
Only concerns
White society
Because it visited
Them personally.

What did they expect
Was gonna happen?
The way they
Encourage violence
And shun individuality,
They guaranteed this reality.

Eventually, they’d single out
A kid who wasn’t ill like me
A kid filled with lots of anger
He’d NEVER aim inwardly
Then watch the tables turn swiftly.

I’m ill
Mentally
Surprised I haven’t swung violently
When I spy those I despise
Violating others worse than me.

At least they
Didn’t tie my hands behind my back
Before hanging me from a tree
Or Work me 100 hours a week
In a factory where I can’t breathe
Beat and verbally mistreat me
And still not pay me enough to eat
Or Dismember members of my family
In front of me
Scaring me into shunning the truth I see
They haven’t tried to take my health care
Or kick me out of this country
Even though immigrants
To the Oval Office
Got there illegally.

I’m ill
Mentally
Don’t know how I maintained
A frame
Of stability.
Steadfastly
Refusing to admit
I had a malady
Until damn near 23

Never thought a beast
Would arise from inside
Trying to destroy me
While other girls and boys
Kept their childhood pace leisurely
I could never face sleeping
Or waking up easily

Sam Cooke
Must’ve dreamed of me
Years before I was born
I could’ve sworn
I was the only one
Who thought
It’s been too hard living
But I’m afraid to die.

Lost my faith in G-d
And humanity.
pretty fucked up way to be,
2 decades of life
nearly bereft of serenity.
Expended my energy
To endure pain
Increasing exponentially
Advice falling wretchedly
Short of useful to me.

Couldn’t find the joy
In what makes young girls and boys
Smile normally.
Don’t even know
If I could show
You something
That garners a grin
Regularly

Well, except
For being on this stage
Pouring wrathful pages
Into amplified rage
Firing soul shells
Through my tenor saxophone bell
Twelve gauge,

Smashing doubts
Like helicopters,
Knowing I’m the
Baddest Monkey
On this skyscraper
And so what if I
Read from paper

Foreclosing
On your sly caper
Make me try
To meet YOUR maker?
My words
Smack you so hard
You’d rather
Fuck the fry-o-lator
Than try to divide
This remainder

This mathematical anomaly
Reshaping history
Stepping forward sans mystery.

I’m ill
Mentally.
I expect some of you
may choose to view me
judgmentally
or dare question
my resiliency.
But now,
I’m lacking insanity
Presently defying calamities
Defeating society’s take
With every stride I make
Forsake expectations
Make infants smile in my wake
It’ll be a while, child
Before I break
This cycle
But make no mistake,
I’ll shake n bake depression
Like Walt Frazier
Smoke its ass
Like Joe Frazier
And drop it in the ocean
Like a lifesaver
Living well
Is the best revenge,
What better way
To impress with success
those who, say
chose to, hey
taunt you, they
throw you gaily
to wolves and lions.
Slay you with words
Surround you- fucking herbs
Always needed a posse
To roll up on me.
If you look back on me fondly
As your sax playing buddy
I doubt you really recall me.

Maybe instead of success,
Impress upon you
The pain you caused
By using your skull
As my coffee mug,
Your skin
As my draws

Maybe I’ll just do it
In a poem
Not concerned with applause,
Breaking neither bones nor laws
But simply because
I still fight for the soul
You tried to take away.

So I’m ill.
Mentally
And I take my meds
Nearly every day.
I was born with this beast
Within my skin.
I may be funny looking
And sure as fuck ain’t thin,
But this mind swats rhymes
Down to the page
Knocking syllables around
When I step to the stage.

So when all 9 billion of us
Live right for a change,

Maybe Ruby K will release his rage.

Flashback! "Neighbors make great lovers!"

2008-02-14T10:48:00.002-05:00

The punkasaurus asks, and she receives. Hell, it's almost her birthday, so I'll do the request. From so far back, i'm not actually sure when I wrote it...

Neighbors Make Great Lovers

Neighbors
really make great lovers.

They're friendly, concerned for
your wellbeing

and so damn attractive!

Clearly, they care about the
Community,

so they won't besmerch your good name
Or sully you with
A drunken row
or dispute.

Since they live near you,
they know where you're going
for dinner,

and won't take nearly as long to order.

They have a card for your
Blockbuster,

and if either one of you
has the embarassment of late fees,
the other can use their card to
save face.

You don't have to allow
an hour for the damn
SUBWAY
that's under construction.

Also, picking who's place
to relax at

carries not nearly as many
implications.

They are a lot easier to surprise visit.

You can easily bring groceries
for dinner to their house.

A booty call can materialize
in Minutes.

If you need alone time,
or get into a fight,
home is just a short walk away,
and you don't have to spend money
on cabfare.

You can be publicly affectionate,
OR be klandestine
in your tryst
by greeting your Luscious partner
with a suuaavve

"Whaddya SAY, neighbor?"
and a hearty pat on the back.

They won't litter,
they won't disrespect your
favorite diner,
claiming their's is much better.
AND

If you both have single roommates,
it's a fantastic way
to give them a hand, and
get them a neighbor lover
of their own.

If you cannot find
a succulent neighbor
to be your lover,
you are clearly at fault.

Please move immediately,

so some fine women will move in
next door to me.

Flashback: St. Valentine's Revenge...

2008-02-14T02:16:00.004-05:00

since it's not new, i'm not putting it up at 365... but since today is thursday and all, thought it was appropriate. Enjoy!

WORD Broadcasting

Interrupts this classic poetry event

For a important commercial announcement

When you care enough

To give the best.

Why do you think so many babies

Are born

In November?

Appease the goddess and maybe she’ll

Let you live

One more year,

Because diamonds

Are

A girl’s best friend.

So go on

Give her something.

Anything.

What kind of man would you be

If you didn’t rob your

Momma blind

Just to pay for an exquisite date

This valentine’s day.

And Ladies,

When he doesn’t lovingly lavish you

With his presence every day?

Valentine’s day

Is your day to collect

As he lavishes you with presents

Big.

Expensive.

Presents.

Isn’t that what love is really all about?

Romance is

Chocolate made from cocoa beans

Picked by African and South American Slave children.

Romance is

Diamonds

Berthed from the tyrannous unforgiving womb

Of a mine

In Johannesburg.

Nothing says love like a clear cut forest

For that extra special

Lovey Dovey

Card

Which will promptly go in a drawer somewhere

For later examination and termination

When your relationship ends

Friends, I want to give you something special this

Valentine’s day, see

I know you’re good hearted people,

And most people don’t equate romance

With the destruction it can cause.

And I’m not just talking about some

He said, she said love triangle baby momma

my ex just got back into town I’m gay I’m straight I’m a lesbian I’m horny I’m gonna lie to get you into bed and not call you later complain about how you dumped me to my coworkers men are from mars women are from some other planet we don’t know about, crazy, deranged, need therapy to cope with how wack your lover was, need a vibrator to cope with how wack your lover was every day shit.

I’m talking about liberating you from a vicious curse,

OH YES!

You may think its funny,

But Valentine’s Revenge?

Is No. Laughing. Matter.

The man was beaten to death with clubs

And had his head chopped off

Just for marrying couples in secret

Now, doesn’t that sound romantic?

He gave his life

Just to bring people together.

Doesn’t that sound wonderful?

But really, doesn’t that sound

Like one PISSED OFF Ghost?

Doesn’t that sound like a spirit

Ready to turn his back on his life’s work

And avenge his murder,

Making people forget

What love is really all about

On a day dedicated to his memory?

And believe you me,

This angry specter has done

EVERYTHING

His

Power,

Turning the sanctity of love

Into a one day

commercialistic, imperialistic festival

Now,

I know its us Jews that are supposed to be materialist,

But St. Valentine,

He picked you Christians off like

Clementines,

And now the good name of romance

Is splattered

With the blood of children

that make Your Russell Stover’s Chocolates,

sew your Gund stuffed bears

and pick the vegetables for your

scrumptious 500 dollar meal,

bringing new meaning to the phrase “it hurts so good”

We have been lead to believe

That the expression of love

Cannot be achived

Without a shopping spree,

The price tag of which could feed a country.

You really want to show him or her you care?

Buy some organic vegetables,

some free range meat if you’re an omnivore,

and get cooking with a feast galore

you could probably pay for

with a Jackson

or a little bit more.

Get some equal exchange cocoa,

Some fair trade troys,

If a little gift would put a smile

On your girl or boy

Because gifts of love

Shouldn’t cost the people of the world

Buckets of blood.

Lend a hand to organizations that make the world better,

And for G-d sakes,

Use recycled paper

For your recycled, plagiarized love letter,

And if you really mean love

When you say it

Then demonstrate it daily,

You don’t need a festival

To purvey it.

Shit,

I buy my Dulcinea flowers because its Tuesday,

Cook her a sumptuous breakfast

Because its Thursday,

Shower her with love everyday

because any day my heart beats is

her day.

So don’t take your date out

Because its valentine’s day,

Take em out because its Monday,

And any day is better

When your lover knows you care.

Where it's at...

2008-02-07T00:24:00.000-05:00

Hello Dear Readers,

so, you may have wondered, after two posts in a couple of months, where the heck have i been?

I'm glad you asked. Beginning January 1st, I have embarked on a poetry year. Specifically, I'm writing 365 (and may even go to 366) poems this year. And you can find them all here. The Riot Act will still be there, and I'll probably make some kind of announcement when I return here in earnest. But if you want to know what I'm writing, well, here it is.

Please, stop by, take a look, and let me know what you think of the poems!

much love,
RtothaK

And now, a sports post: It's not Romo's fault

2008-01-13T22:08:00.000-05:00

... or at least, it's not the trip to Mexico's fault.

I can't tell you how happy I am the Giants won this evening. Especially their defeat of the inter division rivals Dallas Cowboys, a team my in laws, a good friend, and my cousin all root for. I heard a lot about how great the Cowboys were over Thanksgiving this year. And I'm ecstatic to have ammunition for the next 12 months in that war of words.

That said.

there are going to be a lot of articles written about Dallas QB Tony Romo's relationship with singer Jessica Simpson. Hell, there already have been. But save us all the trees, the ink, and pixels you're going to spend on that, it's not the fault of his trip. He had an off week, to rest and recharge. And he took his playbook and his girlfriend to Mexico, along with some of the guys, to relax. This wasn't against the rules. This wasn't against what his coach said. They were given clearance to do it, and took advantage.

Don't get me wrong, I hold athletes to high standards. I want to know where they get their sneaker money from, is it from sweatshops (most certainly). But hating on him for being the smiley kid who gets to play football and has the (by american beauty standards) "hot girlfriend"? The guy was given a perfectly legal weekend off, and he chose to take his work with him, and spend with his girl and some of his buddies. No harm there.

Stupid penalties? Absolutely. But many of the penalties were not his fault. Two poor decisions in the pocket about when to hold the ball and when to throw it away? Yes. But how about the Giants showed up and played well? Can you really blame Jessica Simpson for the Dallas loss? You can if you want. You'd be wrong, though.

a thankless job

2007-09-19T23:29:00.001-04:00

"Fuck my life, I want the credit" -- "Wag the Dog"

I know, dear readers, it's been about 6 weeks since I last posted, and a lot has happened since then, both in my life and in the world... but I want to talk about something from the end of July and now.

I left my previous job at the end of July. Because of the nature of the job, the nature of the blogosphere and my semi-nonimity, I decided to keep a lid on it here. Because of my work on Jewschool and the fact that I worked for a Jewish org, I didn't want their to be any conflict of interest, any appearance of conflict of interest, or even any damage to this organization because of my fairly large sized frustrations with it.

I left at the end of July; it was kinda like playing job no-limit holdem. I want to go to grad school and work 3/4 or half time. I raise your half time down to 1/5th time. I raise your 1/5 time to 2/5 time during the summer and 1/5th time starting in september. Oh, and raise you recruiting a professional with a serious degree, much higher payscale to begin asap and introducing him as such during a key conference happening while you're still full time. Fine, I raise another job that fell in my lap and starts beginning of august.

While this wasn't fought out with bitterness or yelling, perhaps because my boss sensed that we hadn't quite clicked as a unit, it was kind of tense. And I was asked, by my boss, to not let folks know that I was moving on just yet, to wait until things were in place with the new person. Okay, fine. my final act of not voicing my own position.

I left. No announcement of my departure. A week. No announcement. Two weeks. No Announcement. A month. No announcement, and not even a "good luck" on my new life. When do I finally hear from my boss? when he's upset that I haven't connected with my replacement.. except my replacement wants to meet in person during Tishrei while I work part time and take three grad classes. I'm not sleeping enough, already falling behind on the reading, and these guys want two hours of my time. I barely give Knucklehead two hours of my time at a time these days.

So on the left, we say our resource is the people. The right may have the money, but we have the people. I didn't sign up for social justice work to get rich. I just wanted to make a decent living that allows me to support my family and occasionally do something sweet. Now I don't quite feel how the Dustin Hoffman character from Wag the Dog felt, and besides, that sentiment got him killed. But some kind of recognition, a thank you, a something, would have been nice. We're supposed to be the people movement, and we don't even say thank you before we part ways.

maybe that's one of the reasons I'm shifting careers.

As Shabbos draws to a close in Rindge...

2007-08-11T20:34:00.000-04:00

Live, from right next to the undisclosed location I'm watching the sun slowly creep behind the mountains and feeling my mind drift back towards my new home, my new job, and all of my friends I haven't been seeing for the past week.

But I'm trying to stay focused on the friends here, some of whom I won't see for a long time, and on Shabbos, as it wanes, something to take with me and something I'll DEFINITELY need over these next three weeks.

NHC Summer Institute 2007 has been a good one, although I have felt stretched a little thin, taking responsibility for three of the evening programs (including the fairly time intensive Night of Entertainment) and having new Board responsibilities. It's been difficult, having a lot of responsibility without the power to do something immediately about it (something I kinda had last year as de-facto co vice chair). And I'm sad I'm most likely going to miss next year's institute with getting us a new president in the forefront of my mind. JG said she'd organize phonebanking, and if she's at Institute, I will hold her to it. Maybe I'll think of a way to do a time-matching campaign, like if my friends can guarantee they can get enough phonebankers for 30 person hours, I can come for Shabbos.

SF and the rest of the planning committee did a solid job, so congrats to them. I'm just trying to enjoy these last few minutes before it's obvious that we have to return from Brigadoon.

tseischem l'shalom...

Finishing 5767 with insanity...

2007-07-16T19:26:00.000-04:00

Last year, I really enjoyed Elul as a reflective time. It felt like I was able to think about the year, what had happened, what hadn't happened, and how to make amends and prepare for the next year. Sure, there was a primary fight, but I was able to see a lot of things clearly. I was able to see that it was the right time to propose to Knucklehead. to think about how to really end the constant lateral moves that my organizing career has become.

And to look back on that, and contrast it with the next two months is astounding.

Actually, if you go back two full months from the day I get married, the following has happened/must happen/will happen:

1) Attending two different weddings
2) Switching jobs
a) leaving one
b) starting the other two weeks before I officially leave the first
3) Find a new apartment
4) Moving in
5) Starting Grad School
6) Bachelor Party
7) Planning my wedding.

Now, if you add to that helping one friend out of a rough spot in a fairly intense way, and an unforseen problem with another close friend to all that...

well, i may have had lame excuses for not blogging in the past. Now, it's not that I don't have anything to say. it's that I have no time to say it.

I love all this. But it's not without a lot of balancing and feeling fragile.

The Judy Miller Times- name to stay until further notice

2007-06-22T17:31:00.000-04:00

Until further notice, all pieces, no matter how much I like them, from the "liberal" paper of New York will be referred to either as the Judy Miller Times, or by their full name, the Wire Tap story burying, full section advertisement to the genocidal regime of Sudan selling, Red Sox owning Judy Miller times.

Why the change? After I was so close to relenting?

This morning's hit piece on my favorite in the 08 marathon was full of inuendo that turns out to be nothing. And it also turns out that, while slandering the work and the motives of John Edwards, they did (BIG SHOCK) precious little research into the actual people his anti-poverty project helped.

Of course, the hat tip as usual goes to the good folks at TPM media (Greg Sargent this time):

But if you are going to put such lines on your front page -- if you are going to publish an enormous story alleging that a person's antipoverty program was set up mainly to benefit the person who set it up -- then basic journalistic fairness would dictate that you make a genuine effort to see how the program fulfilled its "stated" purpose of helping people. Surprisingly, no mention of how the programs actually impacted people appears until the story's 18th paragraph -- and at that point it comes from the mouth of an Edwards spokesman. There's no indication that the reporter made any genuine independent effort at all to discover whether the programs helped anyone.

The mainstream media makes me want to vomit. A lot. All over them.

It's amazing to read stories like this and think of how lazy they've become. And that if I had just gotten a little more financial aid, I might have been stuck with an entire industry of lazy, sloppy, bogus clowns.

Bloomberg for President: worst idea ever.

2007-06-21T12:49:00.000-04:00

I'll some substance to go with this in a bit, but I just want to put it out there now as I had a kind of frightening conversation with a friend that made me think about just how pressing this is. Michael Bloomberg for President is an awful idea. A horrible one. One that literally makes me want to throw up. Seriously.

New reasons to be frustrated with China, hate the Olympics

2007-06-21T00:50:00.000-04:00

Given the reports of worker abuse in making Olympic goods, I have been reminded of my frustration with China and my hatred of the olympics. Oh goodie, another reason for both:

China plans to build a highway on the side of Mount Everest to ease the Olympic torch's journey to the top of the world's tallest mountain before the 2008 Beijing Games, state media reported yesterday.

Construction of the road, budgeted at $19.7 million, would turn a 67-mile path from the foot of the mountain to a base camp at 17,060 feet “into a blacktop highway fenced by undulating guardrails,” the Xinhua News Agency said.

A road. A road to Everest. a road THROUGH everest. a road through EVEREST with UNDULATING GUARDRAILS.

Shit, why don't they just liquify all their coal as quick as they can, mandate that every car in China be a gas guzzling SUV and WAIT FOR ALL THE FUCKING ICE AND SNOW TO MELT! Then, YOUWON'TNEEDAROAD.

ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME!?

A ROAD TO THE TOP OF EVEREST?! What, are they going to put a fucking mickey ds at the top? maybe Ronald McDonald can hang out at the top, greeting people that actually hiked it with a free cup of coffee. "Hey, neighbor, if you want it iced, just step outside. hah hah hah."

20 million dollars for a road, sullying one of the only natural things we have left.

I'm not a huge hiker. I imagine you have a better chance of seeing me elected president in 2008 than seeing me hike Everest. (and I won't be 35 in 08). But that doesn't mean it's fucking okay to put a road through the tallest mountain the world.

Dumbasses!

If they really want to decimate attractions, wait till they break ground on the Chucklenutz Library. I'd even take 2 million for it.

(see, Lilit, reading the sports pages is good sometimes)

We're gonna need a bigger bench

2007-06-14T11:06:00.000-04:00

Great piece in In These Times by Adam Doster about the over decade long problem of how does the progressive movement create an effective support system to educate, train, and nurture the next generation of organizers. (h/t to Mike Connery on MyDD's breaking blue page)

As I've watched wave after wave of friends being chewed up and spit out by The Work, I'm truly glad to see pieces like this come out. And as someone who's shifting what he does to do the work in a slightly more stable way, I feel like this is a giant problem. From rank and file union activists chewed up by their own union, to people completely burned out by the crazy hours and lack of support, to people working thesmelves to serious exhaustion and other injuries, it is an absolute shame what The Work has done to people who were (some still are) willing to dedicate their life to this fight. Many of us are resiliant and figuring out how do it in other ways. But we're losing some valuable allies along the way, and we better do something about it, and quick.

Understanding what being a representative is...

2007-06-13T23:32:00.001-04:00

For 7 years, I put no bumper stickers on my car. It started with wanting to be a clean slate... I was starting my career as a professional troublemaker, and I figured I didn't want to to give people any more reasons to judge me or dislike me than they already had (that I was a young kid of 21/22 telling them I knew what they needed to make their job better). No band stickers, no Yankees or Rangers stickers, and no political stickers or decorations on my car.

See, I was the face of the union to those workers. When doing house visits and shop visits, I was representing the local, and in some cases, was the major interaction the workers had with their union that day/week/month. So I couldn't do anything that would cause people to object.... or at least, I tried. And when you sign up, when take on a cause, campaign, or project, it becomes necessary for you to to realize that it's bigger than you, and your missteps, shortcomings, and seemingly non relevant opinions now matter, and will attract attention to you and can be very negative for your cause.

I write this, almost incredulously, because already this 2008 Presidential Slog has been rife with gaffes, missteps, and public floggings of campaign officials and their staffers. we're getting to a point where not only will a candidate be flogged over past mishaps, but any staffers with controversial opinion will be taken to task as well.

There's been a lot of "ink spilled" in the blogosphere about some of the previous ones, but the one that jumps out at me as incredibly stupid is Robert Bauer's suggestion of a "progressive case for a Libby Pardon" in the Huffington Post. I don't think his argument has a lot of merit, but more to the point, why would you, a public figure involved in a very prominent political campaign, take a controversial position on a public issue that will certainly anger primary voters?

Like it or not, Bauer, you're a representative of Obama 08. So why you'd put your boss in the annoying position of having to answer questions about your argument to see Scooter Libby pardoned is beyond me. Now Senator Obama has to respond to your position, which will undoubtedly be picked up by the mainstream media and used to knock Sen. Obama down in the polls (ala the Scream).

It frustrates me that I've only been doing this for a few years, but somehow understand it better than these clowns who have been doing it forever. Maybe because they've been doing it forever they've lost touch. To the public, you must be a faceless representative of your candidate or cause. It's the workers, not you. It's the schoolchildren, not you. It's your candidate, not you. When it becomes about you, you need to rethink what you've done. When it becomes about you, you're not helping, you're hurting. I'm not saying I think it is fair. I'm not saying you should never have opinions.

Dad used to say "treat everything you write like it could be on the cover of the NY Times someday." It amazes me that, in the age of Drudge and the right wing media echo chamber, people don't understand that crap like this just gives the other clowns more ammo.

Dumbass.

Somewhere, Grover Norquist must be smiling...

2007-06-07T10:05:00.000-04:00

While trolling the JM Times this am, I came across this story. Seems that tens of thousands of people are having serious trouble getting their passports in time for trips, despite paying expediting fees, despite filing for their passports months in advance. I then noticed there's a huge increase in demand for passports, according to the story, and wondered why:

Much of the spike in applications is attributed to the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, which went into effect Jan. 23 and requires passports, merchant mariner documents or frequent-traveler Nexus cards for air travelers returning from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda. Next January, the requirement is likely to be extended to ship, rail and road travelers.

Okay, increasing requirements to get into this country. Where did this recommendation come from, DHS?

This change in travel document requirements is the result of recommendations made by the 9/11 Commission, which Congress subsequently passed into law in the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004.

The State Department is a wee bit more descriptive:

The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 requires the Department of Homeland Security and Department of State to develop and implement a plan to require all travelers, U.S. citizens and foreign nationals alike, to present a passport or other document, or a combination of documents, that denote identity and citizenship when entering the United States. Congress amended portions of the Act in 2006. The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative is the Administration’s proposed plan to implement this mandate.

The goal of the Initiative is to strengthen border security and facilitate entry into the United States for U.S. citizens and legitimate foreign visitors by providing standardized, secure and reliable documentation which will allow the Department of Homeland Security to quickly, reliably and accurately identify a traveler.

I'm trying to find the actual text that changed the law, but haven't yet.

In the meantime, here's what I don't get (take it away, JM Times):

But somehow, the government seemed caught by surprise when crowds began besieging passport offices this spring.

Wait, what? Let's see that again:

But somehow, the government seemed caught by surprise when crowds began besieging passport offices this spring.

Caught by surprise.

CAUGHT BY SURPRISE?!?!?!?!?!

You implement a plan mandating that passports are now necessary for air travelers to Canada, Mexico, and the Carribean, and you're SHOCKED when your volume nearly doubles?

Did it not occur to the federal gov't to, oh, I don't know, hire some more people to deal with the process? Did no one think, maybe there are going to be more pasport applications, we should staff up to deal with this new law? Nope, and instead, you have stories about people waiting months, people showing up at 3am and not even being first in line, people spending whole days to deal with this.

What kills me about this is that, once again, our government was caught "unprepared" to deal. Another case of a meaningless mandate, which doesn't provide the funds or other resources necessary for the program to be implemented successfully. Oh, and other zinger about this program?

The problem extends nationwide, said Rob Smith, executive director of the National Association of Passport and Visa Services in Silver Spring, Md., an organization that represents about two dozen of the largest companies registered with the Passport Office to hand-carry or otherwise expedite a limited number of applications for a fee higher than what the government charges.

This year, Smith said, the government is expected to more than double the seven million passports issued in 2002.

Loosely translated, it means even the rich folks are having problems. But scratching just a bit deeper, you'll find that yes, there are companies where, if you have the money and time, will help you expedite the process. It's a two tier system, where private companies ensure that applications get to the top while a regular Jane or John has to go through everything on their own and hope for the best. Which, if this article is any indication, is not very good, not due to the quality of work of the passport folks, who I'm sure are working hard, but because of the sheer "unanticipated volume".

Some conservatives are so convinced that government must not provide servies that they're willing to screw millions to make a point. I'm not sure if this was intentional with regard to this specific case, but it a points to an incredibly shaky track record.

Get your passports early, people.

What's a union guy to do...

2007-05-11T13:55:00.000-04:00

... when major Democratic party leaders, including Knucklehead's Representative, the dean of the NY caucus, make trade deals in secret with the Bush administration that pro business groups love and unions don't have a chance to have any imput in before the press conference goes on?

I can't even begin to talk about how furious I am with this right now. We can't a minimum wage increase, but we can get the same NAFTA garbage from the early 90s? We get trade agreements without decent labor and environmental standards? This is the majority I busted my ass to put in office? What the fuck is this?!!! Tell us, David Sirota:

Thursday, May 10th was a whirlwind day on the political frontlines in the War on the Middle Class, as a handful of senior congressional Democrats and the White House - cheered on by K Street lobbyists - joined forces today to announce a "deal" on a package of trade agreements that could impact millions of American workers and potentially calls into question the entire election mandate of 2006 (I say potentially because the full details are still being concealed by both Democrats and the White House). You'll notice the irony of the deal with just a glance at the front of the New York Times business section (screen captured here) - the deal was agreed to (though its details have still not been made public) on the very same day the U.S. government reported another widening of America's job-destroying trade deficit.
davidsirota's diary :: ::
Because so much transpired yesterday, I'm going to summarize it here chronologically in bullet points to make it easier to digest.
I've been covering it live all day, but figured for brevity it would be best to put it in one place. For context, remember that, as Public Citizen has documented and as business publications like Forbes Magazine has confirmed, Democrats won their congressional majority in 2006 thanks to scores of challenger candidates specifically running against lobbyist-written trade policy. This 2006 lesson is particularly important to Democrats who, in the early 1990s experienced their own President campaign for office opposing unfair trade deals, then ram NAFTA through Congress "over the dead bodies" of workers, then watch the Democratic majority get decimated in the following election. I want to stress, we still don't know the details of the deal, but we do have some critically important information to analyze.

Check the timeine out.

This, of course, was also the same day that I found a blogad for Screw That Bulb, a CWA campaign against GE, who's making up for the good it's doing in producing CFLs by making them in China.

GE is asking consumers and its employees to sign a pledge to “go green” and start purchasing the CFL light bulbs, which are imported from China. The problem is that each pledge leads to the loss of jobs in U.S. lighting plants. GE is actually asking workers in its lighting plants to pledge to put themselves out of a job!

It's times like this that make me glad shabbas is in a few hours.

It's nice to know the stuff we suspected all along.

2007-04-26T08:46:00.000-04:00

20 Political briefings on how to help the Republicans with 15 different departments?

I'd love to know where the rule of law folks are on this.

check the Washington Post for yourself.

The administration maintains that the previously undisclosed meetings were appropriate. Those discussing the briefings on the record yesterday uniformly described them as merely "informational briefings about the political landscape." But House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Henry A. Waxman (D-Calif.), who has been investigating the GSA briefing, said, "Politicization of departments and agencies is a serious issue. We need to know more about these and other briefings."

Ya think? This is atrocious. And somehow not very surprising. Someone get Lurita Doan's fingerprints off that glass... oh hey, moron, you're a federal employee, they ALREADY HAVE YOUR FINGERPRINTS.

Another legacy of the Chucklenutz administration.

on things on hold.

2007-04-16T11:05:00.000-04:00

I used to move words with my mind
now I mind when I'm moved by words
thirds and fifths were not intervals
of consumption
and I don't know if I have the gumption
to get back on the train

my game was sick back then.
poems weaving through subway cars
wafting out of bars
people had nightmares
about the fury raining on them a week later.

now I look up old friends
and think about missed chances
about giving away opportunities
about sacrificing skills and time
and dreadlocks
for a place I don't know can save itself.

I look at them with admiration and jealousy
and a twinge of regret
wondering if my best words
have been minced yet.

The JM Times... on the road near respectable?

2007-03-28T10:35:00.000-04:00

More days like this, and I might even consider BZ's request and drop the JM from my moniker for them. Granted, they have a LONG LONG LONG LONG LONG LONG way to go, many sins to repent for, but today's edition is probably worth reading. The Business Section along... THE BUSINESS SECTION!

Number 1: Walmart Chief Writes Off New York
Personally, I'm worried this is some kind of ploy to get New Yorkers to let up, but an amazing coalition of unions, human rights groups, community advocates, environmentalists, mom and pop stores and New Yorkers who simply don't want to see that race to the bottom shit happen here in our city, have managed something no other place in the world has done. Getting H. Lee Scott Jr, COE of Walmart, to say "I don't care if we're ever here." Well we care. We hope you're NEVER HERE!

Number 2: Earth's Climate Needs the Help of Incentives
David Leonhardt's piece on how the market needs to be utilized to help get us off fossil fuels and stop destroying the planet. I like his premise, but he doesn't seem to mention a carbon tax, which in my mind, is a big flaw. Still, a decent read, and nice to see it getting front Business section treatment.

Number 3: Burger King Shifts Policy on Animals
Doing what Starbucks has started to do for fair trade coffee, a huge fast food producer takes baby steps towards somewhat more ethical food products, beginning a switch to cage free eggs and crate free pork. Not free range, not organic, and not local, but a start of something.

Plus, the Yankees are actually featured on the front page of the sports section. Who knew?

Rome: actually built in a day.

2007-03-26T01:11:00.000-04:00

If HBO's Rome measured time like Jack Bauer, the series would be slightly less than a day at about 22 hours. Unfortunately, due to HBO's budgetary concerns, Rome ended up being at the other end of the tv time/real time ration, covering about 24 years of history in the 22 episodes. Talking about pacing issues.

What's the difference between me and you?

2007-03-23T15:47:00.000-04:00

The Congressional Research Service shows, finally, once and for all, that not only did Clinton not "do it too" when it comes to Attorneygate, but NO ONE has "done it too" (special knowledge to Think Progress, and of course, those hardworking folks at TPM):

– Of the 468 confirmations made by the Senate over the 25-year period, only 10 left office involuntarily for reasons other than a change in administration prior to the firings that took place in December.
– In virtually all of those 10 previous cases, serious issues of personal or professional conduct appeared to be the driving issue. Prior to December, for example, only two U.S. Attorneys were outright fired for improper, and in one case criminal, behavior. The CRS report identifies six other U.S. Attorneys who resigned during the 25-year period who were implicated in news reports of “questionable conduct.” For two others, the CRS was unable to determine the cause.

Marinate on that for a second. 10 times in 25 years, and then BOOM, 8 in one day. To axe US Attorneys for no outstanding reason in the middle of the term? NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE.

But it makes me wonder about a broader political question. It'll speak to my naivette about conservatives, perhaps, but it is bugging me. Why is it that I'm able to see when Democratic leaders are ferkakta, and yet Right Wingers don't seem to see it in their own? How can Republicans be so stuck on their talking points that they can't admit to themselves what is happening?

Look, I strongly dislike Bill Clinton. Sure, he doesn't look so bad now. But for 6 years, he pursued awful policy initiatives that helped lead this country to where we are today. He could've pushed us to look into clean energy and oil alternatives. He could've made sure there were labor and environmental provisions in NAFTA. He could have done any number of things. Instead, he took on Republican themes and made them his own. And yes, he's brilliant and a great speaker. But so what? He was the last Democratic President, but so what?!

Can these people who screamed "rule of law" until they were deaf when he was in office see the hypo-crazy in their pardon for Scooter drumbeat? Do they honestly believe obstructing justice and firing attorneys merely for not jumping as high as you want them to is okay? And as Bush sinks lower and lower, and as the curtain on the worst presidency in our illustrius history is pulled back, will they be able to question? Will they, as MM always says to me, "stop drinking the kool aid and think for themselves?" Can they see it? Will they see it? How can I see it and they not see it? It's a cliche to suggest they're mindless. Maybe this is why I've started reading Andrew Sullivan. I don't agree with him most of the time, but if we both stop drinking the koolaid, maybe we can find some common ground and make progress.

What's the difference between me and you?

Good shabbas.

That's how you do it, Rahm.

2007-03-22T23:42:00.000-04:00

Eleanor Holmes Norton just went toe to toe with Colbert, firing back at him with the same biting humor, and making us all laugh the whole time.

That's how to be on the Colbert Report, Rahm. Think about it.

NHL asks the questions I'm starting to wonder about fighting in hockey

2007-03-22T22:09:00.000-04:00

Thanks, Canadian Press!

Colin Campbell, former WHA tough guy, Rangers coach, and current NHL disciplinarian:
"This year we've had two players carried out on stretchers because of fair, consenting fights that had taken place. . . . It scares you," said Campbell.

"You take a Tiger Williams, you take a Dave Shultz, or even a Bob Probert of the '90s, and you pit them against our players today - our players today are much bigger and stronger and more well-conditioned," said Campbell.

Jeremy Roenick makes a good counterpoint, though:
"I worry about what would happen if there wasn't a way to let out the frustration with a fight," said Roenick. "Because let's face it, there is absolutely no respect in the game any more, with the way guys are taking runs at people and with the cheap shots and the late hits. Guys are getting hurt. If you take fighting out all of a sudden these guys are going to take even more liberties because they don't have to be accountable for themselves.

"I think somebody is going to get hurt more from a vicious hit from a guy not being worried that he has to drop his gloves and get his ass kicked."

Run, Tony, Run... again!

2007-03-22T14:52:00.000-04:00

You can't make this stuff up. The great folks at TPM Muckraker present Constitutional Scholar Tony Snow!!! Take it away, Tony:

The executive branch is under no compulsion to testify to Congress, because Congress in fact doesn't have oversight ability.

Hopefully, all these rule of law types in the Republic party will say something about it. Guys?

Wherein I talk alot about hockey, fighting in sports, and fandom.

2007-03-22T00:13:00.000-04:00

In part two of this week's special blue theme, I saw my beloved Rangers take on the hated flyers at the Garden tonight. And what a great game it was, a 5-0 crushing of the Flyers... First time Buddy's ever seen a Rangers victory, and Schedule1 and I lift our regular season record to 1-1-0.

First, thoughts on the Rangers team... several weeks ago, I felt it was a strong likelihood that the Rangers wouldn't make the playoffs, and that was downright disappointing. Last year's team was challenging for the number 2 seed in the playoffs until a few weeks out, then proceeded to fall off a cliff and lose the division to freaking dweevils on the last day of the season. So we went from being almost number 2 in the conference to 6th and losing home ice advantage. Honestly, the way we played Joisey in the playoffs, it wouldn't have mattered. We were slow, we had lost the fantastic momentum we had built up, and while getting blown out of game 1, Coach Tom Renney decided it would be a good idea to send Jaromir Jagr out to penalty kill (I'm sure something he hadn't done in a while). To Schedule1's and my horror. And of course, as if on cue, Jagr promptly injures himself, and after years of no playoffs, the Rangers are eliminated in one round.

We started this year off well, but the effort has been spotty. Momma K's reviews of the games always note how many periods the Rangers actually show up for, and for a good portion of the season, it has not been all three. Letdowns, disappoitnments, comebacks that fall painfully short, the first half of this year was not that great. But a few things have happened recently. The injuries piled on, but instead of going crazy and mortgaging half of the Hartford team for a rental, Sather made a couple of smaller trades and has been bringing up youth to fill the gaps (maybe taking a page out of Brian Cashman's playbook). I wasn't happy with the Jason Ward for Avery trade. I didn't really know much about Avery, but knew that Ward was one of the only guys that seemed to be playing all game. So far, I've turned out to be wrong about that. Avery reminds me of Theo Fleury in his heyday- feisty, not afraid to hit or make a nuisance of himself, and more dangerous offensively than you expect of him. He also seems to be one of those rare players that instantly takes to New York, building a great repoire with the Garden faithful. And the kids? The kids look awesome. Jarkko Immonen, Brad Isbister, Brandon Dubinsky, Ryan Callahan, David Liffiton and Daniel Girardi have all added something pretty awesome to this team. Energy, fire, speed, urgency, and assertiveness. The best line tonight was Avery, Shannahan and Callahan. Girardi also had an excellent game tonight. Building the team around Henrik, Prucha, Avery, Cullen, and these kids gives me hope for the future. There may not be a Sid the Kid in there, but there's a lot of promise. My hope is that in two years, Tom Pyatt, currently tearing up the OHL, will join this impressive group.

Something else happened at the beginning of the game that was kinda troubling. 21 seconds in, two heavyweights, Colton Orr of the Rangers and I wasn't sure who at the time for the Flyers dropped their gloves. It turned out to be Todd Fedoruk, who's name rang a bell. They mixed it up early, and Orr knocked Fedoruk out cold. In my years of seeing hockey games, I've never seen someone knocked out by a punch. At first, thinking maybe he was just stunned, I made a joke about counting him out for the knockout. But man, then, he still wasn't moving. Eventually, he was taken off the ice on a stretcher, with his head immobilized. The Garden faithful, at first exuberant about the fight, became quiet when they realized it could be more serious.

When I got back to Knucklehead's place- i told her about the game being great, and then about the fight. Her response was, "wow, I hope the guy is okay." And mine was a gingerly "me too. mostly" she seemed confused about my hesitation. "Well, I mean, I hope the guy is okay and isn't permanently injured. But by the same token, he got into that fight because he was playing dirty and could have hurt someone the last time the Rangers played."

For those that don't know hockey, it's actually not so weird for a fight to happen early. In cases without history, it's merely the tough guys on the teams getting it out of their system (see Domi v. Probert). Actually, once the Flyers saw that the Betts/Hollweg/Orr line was on the ice, they sent Fedoruk out there... maybe to get the fight out of the way, because sometimes you just know its coming. Sometimes, a fight like this happens because of very recent history. Hockey is a very physical game, and one of the reasons for tough guys or enforcers on a team is to protect your teammates from being intimidated or roughed up. Seems that Renney didn't dress Colton Orr the last time the Rangers played the Flyers, and this happened:

Blue Notes-
Both Gagne and Upshall scored in that 5-3 Flyers win on Feb. 17, which was notable not only for the Shanahan injury, but the cheap and rough shots that some Flyers (Fedoruk, Eager, Richards, Picard) laid on Rangers starting soon after the puck dropped.

AP-
New York coach Tom Renney left Orr out of the lineup when the teams last met on Feb. 17 and said he regretted it after Fedoruk and Eager combined for four roughing penalties and a misconduct in the first period. Sean Avery fought Philadelphia's Mike Richards midway through the period of that game.

While the officiating this year has been spotty at best, four penalties and a misconduct in one period- that's a lot of cheap shots. And those are only the ones they were penalized for. Maybe he wasn't swinging a fist, but Fedoruk was no angel in that game. Some would say he earned his beat down.

There is no other non-fight based sport that I can think of that only penalizes five minutes for throwing several punches over the course of the game. The rules have been made a little more strict (the addition of the instigator penalty, the three fights in a game and you're suspended for a game policy) but it's not a multi game suspension the way it is in the other major sports. I think this in part due to the rough nature of the game, and the fact that these guys all have large sticks. Seriously. I think we'd see more heinous Chris Simon two handed chops if we didn't have fighting in the NHL. But then I think of the family sitting behind us who took their kids to their first hockey game, and took their daughter out while Fedoruk was still out cold. I feel like Ruby as hockey fan understands why fighting is alright for the game, but Ruby the more generally interested person is not sure if the fighting should continue. The bone crunching body checks and the fisticuffs are the some of the things that make the sport what it is here in North America, but people get suspended for several games in other sports for throwing two or more punches.

Lastly, some thoughts on fandom (that might develop into a longer post). For me, and for many folks, attending sporting events is about heckling, about going back and forth with people about the game. I get loud and rowdy, but I don't get violent, and I don't get personal with other fans. I may mock their team like crazy, reminding them of their team's old failures, their city's general sports misconduct (throwing batteries, for example), but to me, it doesn't go beyond that. If I walk into Nassau Colliseum in my Rangers attire, I expect to get heckled, and I expect to give some back. Same with Yankee gear in Fenway. Maybe it's just my own life experiences growing up, but I just don't feel the need to get personal. However, there was a guy near us in a Flyers jersey as we were walking out last night who was itching to fight somebody. I was chanting "We Want Hextall" (a former Flyers goalie who the Rangers beat pretty consistantly and destroyed when he was with the Islanders on the way to the 94 Cup), and he starts saying all kinds of personal shit, and starts babbling to a friend of his about he "wants to fight somebody tonight," that he's proud that "it wouldn't be the first time he spent the night in jail" and so forth. Clearly drunk and foolish. And while I wasn't going for the bait, there are certainly enough drunk New Yorkers that he could get his fight if he really tried, and he nearly did. The one thing that was kinda sad was he seemed to actually know about sports and about the Flyers. How can a seemingly intelligent hockey fan be so intent on picking a fight with someone just for being heckled? I think a "rules of fandom" should be established. Don't be an asshole and try to ruin stuff just because your team lost. Rioting is not justified by either winning or losing. Neither is throwing batteries. And so forth. Like I said, this may develop into a bigger one.

"I'm sorry this has bubbled to the surface the way it has"

2007-03-21T00:55:00.000-04:00

Probably the only honest thing Chimpy McFuckface has said all day.

What your momma saw...

2007-03-20T11:24:00.000-04:00

Talking Points Memo and TMP Muckraker are leading a grassroots combing of the latest attorneygate docudump. 3000 pages. Go help out if you have a moment. Some of the things people are citing are things we already know, but there's more and more stuff coming to the surface.

BZ, EAR and I were talking over the weekend about the crimes that were committed in Attorneygate. The right has been spinning that there was no crime here in the forceouts of these 8 attorneys, that clinton did this, that poppabush did this, and so forth. Neither of these Presidents did this kind of thing during their second term, no matter what the right says. But I posited to BZ the following crimes: Misleading Congress, Obstruction of Justice (influencing investigations, and also doubles as an ethics violation for at least two members of Congress), and a second Obstruction of Justice (the firing of Carol Lam). Turns out maybe I should've gone for that law degree after all. At least, according to the JM Times' Adam Cohen.

Buried at the bottom of the docudump avalanche? Check out this nugget in the AP wire:

In other trouble for the administration, the Justice Department's inspector general is to testify Tuesday and Wednesday before House and Senate committees on what he says was Justice's misuse of its power to secretly go through people's financial, Internet and other records in terrorism cases.

O RLY?! Color me surprised.

dating myself.

2007-03-17T12:25:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, after services, I noticed a yellow-capped bottle of Coke. I'm doing my best to eradicate my own purchase of coke products, but was intrigued by the yellow cap, because that means it's KP Coke with honest to goodness real sugar in it.

I was kinda excited, remembering how "new coke" taked just like pepsi and that coke had been an actual variant that even I as an 8 year old could taste. We didn't have soda a lot growing up, but the difference between Coke and Pepsi was substantial. Then, along came "new coke" which lead the way to the switch to High Fructose Corn Syrup's domination in, well, nearly everything. So, in my excitement, I said, "kp coke!" and the following exchange ensued:

MMM: oh, did I buy that by mistake?
RK: mistake? Oh no, my friend, that was no mistake. Or if it was, it's a delicious one.
MMM: why?
RK: that's real coke.
MMM: What?
RK: that's real coke, with actual sugar, the way it used to be.
MMM: Huh?
RK: don't you remember the switch to new coke, the syrupy sweetness? There's a reason Coke is called "coca cola classic" and it's because they tried to tell people they switched back to the original formula after the disaster of Coke II.
MMM: (confused, not quite understanding why I was so excited... slowly says): No, but coke classic is the real coke.
RK: (me, now realizing MMM was quite possibly a toddler when the whole Coke II thing happened, hence his non excitement) hmm. alright... can you just pass the KP coke this way?

I realized ahavatcafe was prepping her bas mitzvah during either my senior year of high school or my freshman year of college.

Yikes.

infuriation.

2007-03-16T17:56:00.000-04:00

sometimes, people anger me. trying to let go of that before shabbas starts is a challenge.

Well, Tony, where would YOU drop it?

2007-03-16T11:42:00.000-04:00

Having changed directions with their leak to ABC, the junta has of course sent Tony Snow out for damage control to slow the Sunday headlines. With these winners:

“It has been described as her idea but ... I don’t want to try to vouch for origination,” said White House press secretary Tony Snow, who previously had asserted Miers was the person who came up with the idea. “At this juncture, people have hazy memories.”

snip

We don’t know motivations. ... I don’t think it’s safe to go any further than that.”

snip

Asked if Bush himself might have suggested the firings, Snow said, “Anything’s possible ... but I don’t think so.” He said Bush “certainly has no recollection of any such thing. I can’t speak for the attorney general.

“I want you to be clear here: don’t be dropping it at the president’s door,” Snow said.

Wow, subtle, Tony. Really subtle. First, notice a few things- the party line has constantly shifted. And maybe Tony, knowing full well that this thing is turning into an avalanche, has dropped the staunch denail of Chimpy McFuckface's involvement for a "no recollection" and "memories are hazy" defense. Especially since the emails released last night, clearly show that Gonzales was involved at the beginning and that "loyalty to Bush" was a part of the criteria. Here's where things get messy: what is loyalty to Bush? Is it prosecuting people who take bribes and ferretting out a network of bribers and illegal contributors? Because that's the only thing we can find on Carol Lam. Was it resistance to ethical breaches by lawmakers and staffers? Because that's what we've got on Iglesias and McKay.

A couple other subtleties in Tony's two step:

1) He says he can't speak for AG Gonzales. That, to me, is part of the subtle separation that's happening between Gonzalez and the Junta. It shifts the discussion back to AG Gonzales and gently shoves from the sidewalk towards the oncoming bus.

2) Well, this isn't really that subtle, but the idea that this story shouldn't end up at Chucklenutz's doorstep? That is laughable. This administration has a 6 year track record of shielding and rewarding the folks that are caught with their hands in the cookie jar. This was a sure-fire plan to make sure anyone investigating damaging activity and failing to adhere to administration pushes for questionable indictments was fired- hatched and put forward by his closest advisors. Who else has culpability on this but the President? He believes, even now, that the firings are fine, that he's only upset with how telling people about it was handled. But this was a coverup of politically motivated firings to use a provision "snuck" into the (un)Patriot(ic) act to replace decent lawyers with more loyal syncophants. This was deliberate and came from on high. And since Gonzales doesn't wipe his ass without Chucklenutz's say so, who do YOU think is responsible?

Who does the buck stop with, Tony?

Someone at the White House is singing...

2007-03-15T18:10:00.000-04:00

..because ABC is breaking news on our good buddies Karl and Alberto (h/t: talkingpointsmemo):

March 15, 2007 — New unreleased e-mails from top administration officials show that the idea of firing all 93 U.S. attorneys was raised by White House adviser Karl Rove in early January 2005, indicating Rove was more involved in the plan than the White House previously acknowledged.

The e-mails also show that Attorney General Alberto Gonzales discussed the idea of firing the attorneys en masse weeks before he was confirmed as attorney general.

The e-mails directly contradict White House assertions that the notion originated with recently departed White House counsel Harriet Miers, and was her idea alone.

Wow, talk about long knives. Given the Mouse's serious right turn (see: bogus 9/11 movie that has earned someone a beatdown if I ever meet them), there's only one possible reason for the leakers to go to ABC. My guess is someone wants either Karl or Alberto out. But man, this administration is gangsta. Waits for Alberto to go all "mistakes were made", the President has "confidence in Al" and then BAM! the coup de grace'. No wonder he looked like he was about to piss himself the other day. Deliberately misleading Congress, eh? Let's see how far this goes. If Gonzales is smart, he'll resign before candlelighting tomorrow. But as MK was pointing out, resignation is not enough. INDICTMENT!

Dance, Varmit!

2007-03-15T15:45:00.000-04:00

More from TPMMuckraker and Tony Snow's tapdancing... nice to see the gaggle showing a little spine today:

Q The President said, "I've heard those allegations about political decision-making; it's just not true." How can he say that when he hasn't seen all the emails, emails continue to come out, and of those that have already come out, some of them clearly seem to show that at some level, at least, there was political decision-making?

MR. SNOW: I'm not -- how would you define "political decision-making"?

Q Well, decision-making that involves politics.

Q How would you define it, Tony?

go to tpm for the rest of this insightful exchange.

Tony doesn't know!

2007-03-15T12:59:00.000-04:00

For the record, Josh Marshall and the fine folks at Talking Points Memo and their sibling site, tpmmuckraker, have done the yeoman's work behind pushing Attorneygate to the forefront, going into their vast archives to explain how the Republican claims of "voter fraud" is code for republic voter suppression, and garnering apologies from members of the mainstream media who suggested, " in this case some liberals are seeing broad partisan conspiracies where none likely exist." This story is on the radar primarily because of their work. So in it, we see yet another example of bloggers doing a better job finding and presenting the stories than the MSM.

As part of their non-stop coverage, Paul Kiel at tpmmuckraker put up the text from this morning's press gaggle with Tony Snow, who doesn't know anything, doesn't believe loyalty should be the criteria for US Attorneys, and continues the canard that poor reviews and not loyalty to the White House is what is being referred to in the volumes of emails of the docu-dump Monday. If you have a moment and want to see just how many lies, half truths, and weasel words Snow uses, take a gander.

Tony Doesn't Know!

How can such smart people be so stupid?

2007-03-15T09:26:00.001-04:00

I have personal reasons for making that my title that maybe I'll go into another time. Thankfully, Representative Rahm Emanuel gives me another reason:

Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.), the Democratic Caucus chairman, has told new Democratic members of Congress to steer clear of Stephen Colbert, or at least his satirical Comedy Central program, “The Colbert Report.”

“He said don’t do it … it’s a risk and it’s probably safer not to do it,” said Rep. Steve Cohen. But the freshman lawmaker from Tennessee taped a segment that last week was featured in the 32nd installment of the “Better Know a District” series. Colbert asked Cohen whether he was a black woman. He isn’t.

I don't believe I'm hearing this... wait, actually, I do. But it was my favorite Representative's appearance on the Colbert Report that helped make his profile more national, helped raise awareness about his campaign and helped get more support to the campaign. And this happened, may I add, at a time when the DCCC was all but ignoring us.

Colbert's over the top sarcasm is a joke. Most people get it now. Most people, that is, because apparently Rep. Rahmbo thinks it is politically risky to be on there. The sign of a true Clinton acolyte. How can someone so smart be so dumb?

fools.

2007-03-14T22:43:00.000-04:00

I hate to have this take the top spot from the AG story which we're ferociously following here at the riot act, but I had to point this out. Starbucks has its bad (forcing out mom and pop coffeehouses, no free wi-fi, not nearly enough fair trade coffee beans) and its good (bordering on decent health benefits for its workers, a substantial amount of fair trade coffee). But what they've also done is manage to put about 4 of themselves within a short walking distance of Knucklehead's apartment. Well, my lack of sleep has gotten me back on coffee, and GUESS WHAT TOMORROW IS?!

that's right, from 10 to 12 noon, get a free cup of Starbucks coffee (i'm guessing it's a small, but it's free) from those clowns. If you like them, drink their coffee. If you hate them, drink their free coffee. And if you're on the upper west, take a walk, bring your mug and get 3 or 4. BONG!

California Senator knows her algebra...

2007-03-14T22:33:00.000-04:00

Tell us, Senator Feinstein, is "lawyers who serve at the pleasure of the president" really what this thing is all about? Show us the math:

Sen. Dianne Feinstein said Wednesday she believes the ouster of San Diego U.S. Attorney Carol Lam was connected to Lam's prosecution of former Republican congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham, even though the Bush administration has denied it.

"In my heart of hearts I do, no matter what they say," Feinstein, D-Calif., a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said in an interview with The Associated Press.

"The fact is there are additional investigations that have come from that. The fact is that the day before she left office she filed two additional indictments," Feinstein said, referring to charges Lam filed last month against an ex-CIA official and a defense contractor tied to Cunningham.

"Now they weren't of members of Congress," Feinstein added. "But whether this has had a chilling effect over that investigation I don't know. But I'm concerned about it."

Oh, I get it. They knew they couldn't fire Fitzgerald, so they fired Carol Lam instead. But what about the insistance by the AG that she was too focused on corruption and not on other issues, like immigration?

Feinstein wrote to Gonzales last June questioning border prosecution guidelines in Lam's district, but received a reply from Moschella in which he described Lam's immigration smuggling caseload as rising "favorably" in 2006.

Rising favorably. Does that sound like a negative work review to you?!

Let me get this straight...

2007-03-14T11:17:00.000-04:00

Tucker Carlson was bleating yesterday that the attorney firing story wasn't a big deal, that isn't it fair to push attorneys to examine "voter fraud" and political corruption? Well, Attorney General Gonzales doesn't think so:

"We advised Ms. Lam of these other priorities — that she needed to focus on other issues as well. A U.S. attorney can't just focus on one particular problem," Gonzales said. "A U.S. Attorney has to focus on all the needs of the community."

The title of the CBS piece is even better:

Fired U.S. Attorney Led Cunningham Probe
Attorney General Gonzales Says Prosecutor Focused Office's Efforts Too Much On Public Corruption

Rich, ain't it.

Alberto Gonzales Demoted!

2007-03-14T10:41:00.000-04:00

... by the Yankees to the minor league complex for the rest of spring training.

But don't worry, I think this headline may be coming again soon.

Smashing the "Clinton did it too" defense...

2007-03-14T01:47:00.000-04:00

... thanks to the great folks at Think Progress, I don't even have to:

But in an e-mail to Harriet Miers on Jan. 9, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales’s chief of staff Kyle Sampson (who resigned yesterday) admitted that the Clinton administration never purged its U.S. attorneys in the middle of their terms, explicitly stating, “In recent memory, during the Reagan and Clinton Administrations, Presidents Reagan and Clinton did not seek to remove and replace U.S. Attorneys to serve indefinitely under the holdover provision”:

Oh snap!

It always comes down to sports and politics...

2007-03-13T02:50:00.000-04:00

because I follow both to near obsession...

first, the US Attorney scandal goes straight to the top. And this is no longer figurative. Josh Marshall at talking points memo puts together the key citations from the new JM Times and Wapo pieces. TPM Muckraker helped expose this story in the first place, and now it seems it really does go all the way to the top. Literally. As in, when I said the USA story was far more important than the Libby verdict, I wasn't kidding.

second, let me get all Colbertian for a second... it seems my beloved Rangers must be reading this blog, or how else could you explain THIS?!?!:

New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the club has signed center Tom Pyatt to a professional contract.

Pyatt, 20, has skated in 56 games with the Saginaw Spirit of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) this season, registering 42 goals and 38 assists for 80 points, along with a plus-32 rating and 18 penalty minutes. Among league leaders, the OHL Western Conference All-Star is currently tied for first in game-winning goals (nine), tied for third in shorthanded goals (six), tied for sixth in goals (42), and tied for 11th in plus/minus (+32).

See what positive thinking can do, feygele?

Last week, Andrew Sullivan, this week...

2007-03-13T01:28:00.000-04:00

... It's Reverend Al Sharpton:

"Why shouldn't the black community ask questions? Are we now being told, 'You all just shut up?'" Sharpton told CBS 2's Marcia Kramer Monday. "Senator Obama and I agree that the war is wrong, but then I want to know why he went to Connecticut and helped [Sen. Joseph] Lieberman, the biggest supporter of the war."

Sharpton also questioned why Obama supports "tort reform, which hurts police brutality victims."

This is what I'm talking about when I talk about my hesitation about Senator Obama. And of all people, it's Rev. Sharpton putting it out there.

Republican on Republican crime

2007-03-09T22:56:00.000-05:00

I don't want to get into too much of a habit of linking Andrew Sullivan's page (though it's nice to be able to read a conservative who's actually a conservative and not one of these breying idiots) but he put up an awesome letter from one of his readers, who notes that, for all the bullshitting of the far reich idiots, everyone having just about anything to do with the Libby case IS A REPUBLICAN.

No, seriously.

Words cannot describe...

2007-03-07T22:19:00.000-05:00

The Yankees need Carl Pavano to produce something. And I want him to succeed. But then I hear stories like this:

Team sources say Pavano may have to testify in Tampa later this month in a hearing over his non-payment of the commission on his $39.95 million Yankees deal. The commission should amount to close to $2 million, assuming the standard agents' fee of five percent. Get a load of this. Apparently, Pavano's contention is the agent should have gotten at least $40 million, not just a mere $39.95 million (for a lifetime losing pitcher, no less). So Pavano is handling it by paying nothing.

Holy shit. What an asshole. I hope this is just the Jon Heyman getting it wrong, but since he doesn't do that all that often... well, we could make that strange but true sports stories book and trade him for a case of baseballs.

When sports and politics collide

2007-03-07T14:06:00.000-05:00

No, not taking anything as serious on as the steroids stuff or even that Bush has probably spent more time with sports teams the last two weeks than he has taking care of the health of our nation's veterans, but I'll leave that for another time. Just two sports/politics tidbits, one great, one disturbing:

The good one:
While the Rangers are stalling out a little bit and need a few big wins to make the playoffs, there are some really talented kids in the system that give me hope. One of them is a 20 year old center named Tom Pyatt... who happens to be the leading scorer for Stephen Colbert's favorite hockey team, the Saginaw Spirit!!! BOOYAH! A new reason to get a Steagle Colbeagle the Eagle shirt!

The bad one:
I know you Yankee haters will love to bother me about this, but it freaks me out too much not to say anything. I've been looking forward to this spring training, as the Yanks have some great kids, particularly young arms, that will start to make a diference on the team starting (my guess) as early as this year. But there's one player in camp that gives me chills, and not in a good way. Now playing shortstop, number 73, Alberto Gonzales. Before anyone calls me a racist or anything like that, I OBVIOUSLY know this is not the same guy, not even related, of COURSE I KNOW. But can I tell you how disturbing it is to throw on the game to listen to while working through lunch and hear "Alberto Gonzales made a nice stop on that, helped Hughes out with that one?" That freaked me the hell out. Like, look out Joe, he's tapping the bullpen phone!

JUDGEMENT!

2007-03-06T12:11:00.000-05:00

"We find the defendant... incredibly guilty"--- Jury in the Scooter Libby trial.

Four Guilty Verdicts, on three counts of perjury and obstruction of justice. Not guilty on the false statement count.

what's next for Fitzmas?

Dr. Anderson, welcome back... weeeeeee've missed you!

2007-02-22T21:35:00.000-05:00

Special knowledge to my brothaman Malice, who will henceforth be known as Doctor Malice. BOOYAH!

Between him, schedule1, MM and HisHighness, I've got two doctors and two federal agents in the wedding. Sweetness!

Day 5: Even Jews go to church on Ash Wednesday...

2007-02-22T15:55:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was our longest driving day, as we ran the 230 miles between Cayucos and LA. Woke up at our great suite at the Cayucos Sunset Inn and looked out on balcony view of the ocean. Not bad... tasty breakfast of waffles and sausages for me, oatmeal and fruit for Knucklehead, as we headed further down the coast towards LA. We stopped in Santa Barbara for a tasty lunch at the Sojourner Cafe (picked out for some good veggie options for Knucklehead) and then, we did what any good Jews in Santa Barbara would do on Ash Wednesday. We want to the Santa Barbara Mission. The chapel was really beautiful, and there were a lot of interesting artifacts around the place. After that, we hopped back on the highway towards LA and got our first taste of it around 30 miles out... rush hour traffic. Knucklehead was doing the driving, luckily for me. Eventually, we made our way to the Santa Monica Pier to see another beautiful pacific sunset. These are the things that make me happy. That, and Ms. Pac Man, which I played on the pier. We met up with Knucklehead's cousin JR, M and her beau for some amazing mexican food in Santa Monica, Lulu. I left the crew to catch Houston Person at Charlie O's in Van Nuys. He played an INCREDIBLE SET. Then, I made my way back to Museum Mile to Molly Molloy's for more drinks with JR and Knucklehead, and caught a great punk-celtic band there on the way back to JR's place.

Now we're in San Diego and awaiting WA's DE-FENSE! The sun is peaking out, and I have a good feeling.

De-FENSE clapclap De-FENSE clapclap

Day 4: There is so much magnificence in the ocean...

2007-02-21T10:46:00.000-05:00

Can't blog too long, as Knucklehead and I got a great deal on a b&b room by the ocean and want to enjoy it, but yesterday was our lone day to ourselves and it was awesome! First, PCH 1 was a-ma-zing. I'm someone who advocates less driving, but for this, I'd make an exception. We drove 90 of the most incredible miles I've ever seen yesterday... jagged rocks and mountains covered in green, red, yellows overlooking beaches and the ocean. And we had absolutely stunning weather most of the way. Words cannot describe it. Knucklehead did the bulk of the driving (she feels like I don't let her drive enough in NY) She picked out an awesome hike in Big Sur (by awesome, I mean not too hard and beautiful) that lead through a small swath of forest and ended by an inlet right on the water. She also picked a good place to eat, Nepenthe, which sat on top of a mountain overlooking the ocean. There was a 40 percent markup on the food, but it was pretty darn good and the view was worth it. We also stopped by hearst castle, which was opulent beyond words. Feeling not as hungry and not as opulent, we stopped at a diner across the street for dinner. Turns out that coming to Cayucos on Fat Tuesday was a great idea for the deal we got on our awesome b&b, but not so smart for dinner, as some restaurants were closed, and others were having crawfish bakes for Fat Tuesday (Knucklehead would not have liked that).

today, it's on to LA. Santa monica, venice, and van nuys for Houston Person. can't wait!

San Francisco gives us a parting gift, and the beauty of Monterey Bay...

2007-02-20T02:17:00.000-05:00

The trek continues along quite well. Day 3 is winding down a little early as we've got a great, glorious, and packed day ahead of us. So much going on, but here's the recap:

Woke up. Didn't choke up. Saw my AK, it was broke up.

(sorry, old habits0

Despite T's perfect combination of firm and comfy mattress, I was up at 7. Again. I hope I wake up then today because we need to get on the road. Anyway, I really loved my time in San Francisco with Knucklehead. Before we left, we decided to make two final stops, once again to Amoeba (for gifts for hosts), and breakfast. Ameoba wasn't open yet, it being 10am on a holiday. So I begged and pleaded with the security desk guy, who was polite but firm. Another dude walks up from the store side of the locked door, I ask him. Tell him I just need two cds, I know exactly what and where they are, I'd pay him in cash, and so forth. He asks what two CDs, and I say "The Coup's Pick a Bigger Weapon and the New Orleans Social Club." He thought about it for a minute and went off into the cd racks. The first guy says to me, "You know he used play with The Coup, right?" Turns out he was their guitarist for the Party Music Tour. He also let me buy the cds. Still no Kill My Landlord there, though.

On towards Breakfast. Knucklehead wasn't super excited about stopping too long, but I talked her into checking out Zazie's with me. Heard about it on the chowhound boards, and maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan was it good. We got a few things and split em. It was great- turns out in San Francisco, you can buy just one pancake, which is great for osmeone like me who gets serious bouts of indecision when ordering breakfast. One pancake, these amazing roasted potatoes that came with whole roasted cloves of garlic mixed in (which i spread all over our toast), and a 3 mushroom/spinach/fontina omlette, fruit, toast. With drinks, it was about 20 bucks, and by far our best meal in San Francisco.

Monterey was incredible. We checked out the aquarium with J&NH3. They, like T, have been absolutely amazing hosts. They then showed us the scenic drive here at Monterey Bay, and it was absolutely fantastic. Words cannot do it justice, and hopefully we'll have pictures to share upon our return to NYC. But one of the most spectacular views of the ocean. Really tremendous. Got to see a sunset over the Pacific, which always makes me happy. Dinner on the water, a bit overpriced but tasty. Gotta get to bed, tomorrow's our big day alone!

So long, San Francisco...

2007-02-19T04:11:00.000-05:00

It seems like we just got here. Actually, seeing as it was less than 36 hours ago that we landed, we DID just get here. And while we didn't quite do everything we wanted (the Dashiell Hammett walking tour book is out of print, hasn't been at City Lights in years), we DID hit two of my favorite San Francisco stores, tooled around the Haight, saw the sea lions at the pier, and scaled Coit Tower for an amazing view of the Bay. Phe Nom In AL. Went to dinner with a bunch of Risleyites (and out for drinks after as well).

We didn't spend nearly as much time here as I would've liked... I feel like I'd want to do at least a week here by itself to do it properly. But that said, it was still a tremendous time. I missed you, San Francisco, and will be back soon (hopefully sooner than 7.5 years).

Next, on to Monterey... more sea life and fun with friends! More views of the water!

On getting older, and friends with funny names...

2007-02-18T10:08:00.000-05:00

I sometimes wonder if I'm turning into my dad a little bit. Schedule1 would be happy to know that his constant irritation about my being late from time to time has worked, and I've started to get serious about being on time to things. He wouldn't be as happy to know that it manifests itself a little like how my dad does it, but it'scertainly made me aim for efficiency on this trip.

We don't have enough time. I spent three weeks in the Bay the last time I was here, and it wasn't enough time.

The other reason I'm feeling a little like my dad and older is I'm up at 7am. GRANTED, it's 10am to me, but still. I need sleep. What the hell am I doing up? And yet, as I look through T's GREAT view of the city, with the sun slowly warming the tops of the buildings, I have this urge to just start walking up Haight until I find a place open for brunch and plopping down... or maybe just walking all the way up Haight till I get to Amoeba (which will undoubtedly be closed, even if I get there at 9am).

Knucklehead was teasing me on the ride from SFO to T's place that "she doesn't have friends with funny nicknames, like Fucko or Horsecock, or Full Boat, or the Shark" and so forth. Well, after I had gone to sleep, Nads woke me with a phone call, and lo and behold, my Risley reunion got one bigger, as Hot Pants is in town from his travels and joining us for dinner. So there's me, Knucklehead, Hot Pants, Nads, TheThirstyWhale, Red Izaac, and JSD. Plus possible sos. Chinese New Year in Chinatown, SF. Not a bad end to the day. The question is, should I go back to sleep, or start it now

Day 1: Stress and San Francisco start with the same letter...

2007-02-18T01:46:00.000-05:00

The trip to California started out, uh, rather auspiciously. Knucklehead and I arrived at Kennedy airport to the absolute craziest madhouse of people I have ever seen in my life. And of course, in the madhouse, they lost my luggage, a new bag that was a wedding gift. Plus more madness at the car rental, and arriving in San Francisco at 1pm turned into 4pm.

But the three hours and massive amounts of exhaustion and grumpiness couldn't ruin the day. 60 something degrees, no sheet of ice on the ground, a great walk in Golden Gate park, stumbling on drummers and fire jugglers, and dinner down on the pier. Take that, JFK and Delta Airlines.

So tired from the week that we're passing on the Budos Band show at the Boom Boom Room. Sigh. Had so been hoping to hit that set, but the room shakes when I blink, and I don't want to fall asleep at the wheel on Pacific Coast Highway 1.

We're staying with a friend of Knucklehead's on Haight. The City of Fog is our oyster. Tomorrow: Ameoba Records, City Lights bookstore, a walking Dashiell Hammett tour, dinner in Chinatown with a pack of Risleyites. What could be finer?

Off on a great vacation... but first, something about New Orleans.

2007-02-16T08:33:00.000-05:00

I know I've been negligent these last few weeks, dear readers. Between work, trips to Philly and DC, and other mounds of planning, I've been more than a little distracted. And now, I'm signing back on to tell you I'm going to California to see some folks. Should be an awesome time, travelling down the coast for a week. Anyone have any recommendations for this time of year?

I also was moved to write again by the devastation that seems to stay mired in New Orleans:

A year ago, Ms. Larsen, 36, and Mr. Langlois, 37, were hopeful New
Orleanians eager to rebuild and improve the city they adored. But now they have
joined hundreds of the city’s best and brightest who, as if finally
acknowledging a lover’s destructive impulses, have made the wrenching decision
to leave at a time when the population is supposed to be rebounding.

Their reasons include high crime, high rents, soaring insurance premiums
and what many call a lack of leadership, competence, money and progress. In
other words: yes, it is still bad down here. But more damning is what many of
them describe as a dissipating sense of possibility, a dwindling chance at
redemption for a great city that, even before the storm, cried out for great
improvement.

“The window of opportunity is closing,” Ms. Larsen said, “before more
people like us give up and say it’s too little, too late.”

From the Judy Miller, drumbeat to Iran War Times. The conditions are still so bad, that some are leaving. Why does this government fail here? How can we think about building some other nation when we can't even support our own?

"For threatening my baby, unborn and unnamed/you ain't worth the blood that runs through your veins"

2007-01-12T00:32:00.000-05:00

I had a long post in mind for tonight- a real update on my life, some philosophical viewpoints on why I'm missing Limmud and my struggle for balance between my Jewish life and my secular life. Even toucing on my brother the Federale and how the Rangers are really disappointing.

But, like everything else in life these days, it seems the Escalator (or Chimpy McFuckface) gets what he wants. And now he has his escalation:

ATHENS (Reuters) - An explosion ripped through the U.S. embassy compound in central Athens on Friday, a police source said.

It was not clear what caused the blast and there was no immediate word on whether there were any casualties.

Police cordoned off all roads around the embassy.

Police officials at the scene said that whatever caused the explosion damaged the official embassy sign outside the mission, but there was little other indication of the extent of damage inside.

CNN caught the story next, noted the time, which verified the math Knucklehead and I were doing in our messed up little heads:

The spokeswoman did not give immediate details on the cause, size or scope of the blast, but local media reported it occurred around 5:55 a.m. (10:55 p.m. ET).

I think I'm going to get a good sized bottle of woodford reserve for this weekend. I could use it now.

As Mr. Z said:

Come you masters of war
You that build all the guns
You that build the death planes
You that build the big bombs
You that hide behind walls
You that hide behind desks
I just want you to know
I can see through your masks

You that never done nothin'
But build to destroy
You play with my world
Like it's your little toy
You put a gun in my hand
And you hide from my eyes
And you turn and run farther
When the fast bullets fly

Like Judas of old
You lie and deceive
A world war can be won
You want me to believe
But I see through your eyes
And I see through your brain
Like I see through the water
That runs down my drain

You fasten the triggers
For the others to fire
Then you set back and watch
When the death count gets higher
You hide in your mansion
As young people's blood
Flows out of their bodies
And is buried in the mud

You've thrown the worst fear
That can ever be hurled
Fear to bring children
Into the world
For threatening my baby
Unborn and unnamed
You ain't worth the blood
That runs in your veins

How much do I know
To talk out of turn
You might say that I'm young
You might say I'm unlearned
But there's one thing I know
Though I'm younger than you
Even Jesus would never
Forgive what you do

Let me ask you one question
Is your money that good
Will it buy you forgiveness
Do you think that it could
I think you will find
When your death takes its toll
All the money you made
Will never buy back your soul

And I hope that you die
And your death'll come soon
I will follow your casket
In the pale afternoon
And I'll watch while you're lowered
Down to your deathbed
And I'll stand o'er your grave
'Til I'm sure that you're dead

Enough to drive a man crazy...

2007-01-09T02:57:00.000-05:00

We're trying to do the right thing, really we are. But things have gotten so bad in terms of labor and environmentally sound products that really, it's tough.

Knucklehead and I are getting married. And while we're having what's going to look (in some ways) like a traditional Jewish wedding, we're trying to make it our own. we're also involving friends and family in the process as best we can so it doesn't put our parents and ourselves in debt.

After much (generous, I add... I do appreciate impatient gift givers) nudging from my folks, we're going to try to start registering for things we think we need for our new place.

A few small problems come into play here. First, we don't even know what our new place is going to be. If you get beyond that, we have some of our own stuff, and have no idea how much of it we're keeping or sacrificing to the building sale/rummage folk heroes.

But here's the tough question: should I get union made products in a store that gives a shitload of money to republicans? or sweatshop made stuff in a store that gives almost exclusively to Dems? These are things I stress about at 3am.

I'm a nerd from New York? NO WAY!

2007-01-08T01:26:00.000-05:00

Thanks for telling me soemthing I don't already know:

What American accent do you have? Your Result: The Northeast Judging by how you talk you are probably from north Jersey, New York City, Connecticut or Rhode Island. Chances are, if you are from New York City (and not those other places) people would probably be able to tell if they actually heard you speak.
Philadelphia
The Inland North
The Midland
The South
Boston
The West
North Central
What American accent do you have? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

You paid attention during 100% of high school!

85-100% You must be an autodidact, because American high schools don't get scores that high! Good show, old chap!

Do you deserve your high school diploma?
Create a Quiz

hat tips: Mobius, Shamirpower, BZ, and ALG

Other bits of news in the unsurprising news department:

Latkepalooza III was an amazing time. The latkes came out great, the booze was flowing, people brought really tasty homemade desserts (AND APPLESAUCE!), and there was a tremendous collection of people. If you missed it, well, you're a sucker. Seriously. I mean, you missed it.

Speaking of missing it, I miss a Giants team that actually plays well. Ah well, goodbye football until next fall. Now I can concentrate full time on the Rangers, who are proving last year's resurgence was no fluke by making their presence felt. And pitchers and catchers is apparently 51 days away.

A sad day for music...

2006-12-25T09:10:00.000-05:00

"Disco is James Brown, hip-hop is James Brown, rap is James Brown, you know what I'm saying? You hear all the rappers, 90 percent of their music is me," --James Brown

and you know what? He's right.

I only got to see him once. It was a free show at the River to River Festival in Manhattan a few years ago, with Antibalas, the hardest Afrobeat soldiers in the world, opening up for him. It was an amazing experience. First, Antibalas was amped up and played a sick set. And then there was James Brown. Wow. What an incredible set. So much energy. I can't move like that now, never mind when I'm nearly 70.

We'll miss you, Godfather.

And we wonder why we've got a serious climate crisis?!

2006-12-20T10:27:00.000-05:00

Seriously. Momma K checks the progress of her order on Fed Ex. Not known for pulling punches, the following conversation ensues:

Momma K: Those fucking morons.
Me: What?
Momma K: Well, (product deleted) will be arriving today, but it could've been hear yesterday. They're assholes.
Me: Why?
Momma K: Look at the tracking sheet
Me (scanning tracking sheet): arrives chicago, 12/14, arrives Dubuque IA, 12/15, arrives Chicago, 12/16... whoa. That's stupid.
Momma K: Chicago to New York, by way of Iowa?
Me: maybe Fed Ex is running for president.

For those keeping score, that's 360 extra miles for no good reason. And we wonder why we have a climate crisis?

Come to New York for New Year's, even though I won't be there.

2006-12-11T00:14:00.000-05:00

I'm going with Knucklehead down to see her family for New Year's. They're great, and they're always really good to me. But I also hope she understands how much I love her:
12/27-31: The Preservation Hall Jazz Band @ Jazz Standard
12/28-Fishbone @ Knitting Factory
12/28 -Talib Kweli and Soulive @ Nokia
12/29- The Greyboy Allstars (REUNION!) (WITH ?UESTLOVE on DRUMS!) @ Nokia
12/29- Los Lobos & Gov't Mule @ Beacon
12/30- Rebirth Brass Band @ BB Kings
12/31- James Brown @ BB Kings

i love you, baby.

Fantastic

2006-12-04T00:08:00.000-05:00

Always a smile
even when delivering the
most serious of news,

the most thoughtful life advice,
the bluntest objections.

I knew Yoda.

For two years, I sat next to him,
listened to his baritone
deep with laughter,

about stories of El Rei playing
bar mitzvahs,

about truck routes that always take an hour
talking smack on corners

and kicking ass organizing workers.

My Yoda
was a Black Puertoricano
who lived off Fordham Rd,

mere blocks from where I ran about
under watchful grandparents' eyes.

Almost took up smoking
just to have an excuse
to hang with him and Cap'n Sunshine
under the awnings on 48th St.

introduced me to the shredded clothes of Hell's Kitchen,
Told me about dancing at the palladium,
and warned me about paying a price
too high
for my heart pockets.

And no matter how he was,
he was always fantastic.

he took pride in it,
being fantastic.

It was his calling card.

He was fantastic, even if he was miserable
or if he wanted to punch you out,
if you asked him how he was,
he'd just smile and say
Fantastic.

if you were a foe,
he wanted you to know
he was really doing well,
especially if you didn't like him.
he wanted to use
fantastic
as a weapon
to pierce plastic pleasantries.

but if you were friend,
it was as if he hoped
by saying fantastic and smiling,
some of fantastic
might infect you too.

Puerto Rican Yoda
left this earth,

although i bet if you could find him
find him watching star trek somewhere,
or replays of his favorite final four games,
and asked him,
he'd smile.
and still tell you

fantastic.

Please hold all major life events for a day or two (or three weddings and a funeral)

2006-12-04T00:01:00.000-05:00

talk about a deluge. In the last 30 hours, I've found out about three people close to me getting engaged and one dear mentor passing on. And all this while celebrating two birthdays and researching flowers and hotels for a wedding. You can call me captain life cycle if you want.

great quote of the day

2006-11-29T17:06:00.000-05:00

Yknow, whether or not you think Representative Alcee Hastings is a good guy, a bad guy, you got to love this end of a press release sentence:

"Sorry, haters, God is not finished with me yet."

thiiiiiiis iiiiiiiis yooooooouuuuuuuur

2006-11-29T14:40:00.000-05:00

BIRTHDAY SONG, it isn't very long.

Bigups to my favorite scifi romance writer who doubles as my sister, and of course, to B(N)Z, who both get a likkel older.

Surviving the summit

2006-11-27T22:31:00.000-05:00

HAWK 1 (the political nerd in me tends to do things like this, see: KZB), the very first meeting of my parents, and Knucklehead's parents, brother, aunt, uncle, and Mom-mom (maternal grandmother) went off fairly well. Certainly as well as reasonably expected. Momma K made a shitload of food, Dad broke out his ten gallon hat (yes, I'm not kidding) and hung out with the HWs while they briefly turned the den of my youth into a little Dallas Cowboys outpost. Godofpoool was pleased at that, but I was anything but. Freaking Cowboys.

Seriously, it all went pretty well. Not only did the families get along well, but Knucklehead's parents seemed to like the venue and caterer for you know what, which is a mere 9 months away.

Dammit, Russ.

2006-11-12T03:46:00.000-05:00

Well, if I was to get involved with a presidential campaign in 07/08, this just made the decision that much more confusing:

"Sen. Russ Feingold will not seek his party's presidential nomination in 2008, the Wisconsin Democrat told the Journal Sentinel on Saturday."

Sigh. Knucklehead's response? "Isn't it early to say he's not running? He could always change his mind"

me: you don't declare you're NOT running four days after the mid-terms unless you mean it.

k: "You should write him a letter and tell him he's a poopyhead."

I did get her to see one good thing in Feingold not running, which is if he declared he WAS running tonight, that tomorrow I might be on a flight to Wisconsin.

"I've called and congratulated Jim Webb"

2006-11-09T15:23:00.000-05:00

Dedicated to EA, TA, and The Skipper. And my Knucklehead. And you:

Oh the time will come up
When the winds will stop
And the breeze will cease to be breathin'.
Like the stillness in the wind
'Fore the hurricane begins,
The hour when the ship comes in.

Oh the seas will split
And the ship will hit
And the sands on the shoreline will be shaking.
Then the tide will sound
And the wind will pound
And the morning will be breaking.

Oh the fishes will laugh
As they swim out of the path
And the seagulls they'll be smiling.
And the rocks on the sand
Will proudly stand,
The hour that the ship comes in.

And the words that are used
For to get the ship confused
Will not be understood as they're spoken.
For the chains of the sea
Will have busted in the night
And will be buried at the bottom of the ocean.

A song will lift
As the mainsail shifts
And the boat drifts on to the shoreline.
And the sun will respect
Every face on the deck,
The hour that the ship comes in.

Then the sands will roll
Out a carpet of gold
For your weary toes to be a-touchin'.
And the ship's wise men
Will remind you once again
That the whole wide world is watchin'.

Oh the foes will rise
With the sleep still in their eyes
And they'll jerk from their beds and think they're dreamin'.
But they'll pinch themselves and squeal
And know that it's for real,
The hour when the ship comes in.

Then they'll raise their hands,
Sayin' we'll meet all your demands,
But we'll shout from the bow your days are numbered.
And like Pharaoh's tribe,
They'll be drownded in the tide,
And like Goliath, they'll be conquered.

---Bob Dylan

Still hanging in the balance

2006-11-08T14:56:00.000-05:00

"Runaway Sue" refuses to concede to Representative-Elect John Hall.

And George "Macacawitz" Allen is weighing his options as Senator Elect Webb's lead grows back up to around 7,000.

like goliath, they'll be conquered

2006-11-08T02:57:00.000-05:00

Hall Wins! and it's looking like we're really close to taking both houses.

as for me, i'm taking a much needed snooze. and going back into my life starting tomorrow.

Is this the hour the ship comes in?

2006-11-07T20:28:00.000-05:00

Two years of nightmarish inescapable pain resides within this overweight weary body. I've been up since 5:45am, after doing an intense GOTV buildup, cutting 16,000 doors of turf and captaining phonebanks sunday, monday, and tuesday.

At 2am on 11/3/2004, I fell asleep in my hotel room, fully clothed, with the lights, television, and radio on. I had no idea about Ohio, but knew that we had Florida taken from us.

i brought my 11/2/04 t shirt with me to the phone bank, because I wanted to remember.

JJ sent me the best email on 11/3/04. "thanks for all your hard work. now let's take back the senate in '06." At the time she said it, I was defeated and couldn't even imagine that I would be a part of a budget fight, a city council primary, a mayoral election, a senate primary, a congressional primary and a congressional election in these last two years. But we fight. we keep fighting until we win. And we may pick up some control of the country tonight, but make no mistake dear readers, this fight isn't done even if we take back all of congress.

it's all over but the counting. now to take our country back.

It's about the time.

2006-11-07T00:09:00.000-05:00

Polls open in six hours. I fail to deliver on my live blogging promise, if for no other reason than sheer work volume and exhaustion. Plus, I'm getting older. The benefits of opening a phonebank and not a canvass/field office are not lost on me. Being on site at 7am is much more pleasant than being on site at 5. A few hours to sleep, some time to hang out with Rico as we get ready. The last time election day was november 7th, I turned 23 amidst a crappy election. I didn't know history was being made, I was too frustrated that I was too sick to go see KRS ONE.

It's time.

Remember, Remember..

2006-11-01T09:17:00.000-05:00

... it's November.

I'm up in The Fightin' 19th for John Hall. And I'll be doing some live blogging from the campaign. We just had a great labor "train ride" rally at the Croton Station. Of course, to cover a train station to leaflet, then get the train, then attend the rally, I had to be up at 5am, so forgive me if my posts are semi-cohrerent.

for the most vital, most urgent, most inescapable reasons

2006-10-19T12:12:00.000-04:00

...I have to link to Keith Olbermann's latest "special comment". If you've come here looking for my poem to Knucklehead, feel free to read the poem is beneath this post, please read it and revel in our joy. But for a cold dose of truth beyond the love of my life, check out what KO has to say about the death of habeus corpus. In a time of darkness, he seems to be the only voice of reason on major television. Hat tip, as usual, to Crooks and Liars. Take it, KO:

"And if you somehow think habeus corpus has somehow not been suspended for American citizens, but only for everybody else, ask yourself this: if you are pulled off the street tomorrow, and they call you an alien, or an undocumented immigrant, or an unlawful enemy combatant, exactly how are you going to convince them to give you a court hearing to prove you are not?! Do you think this attorney general is going to help you?!"

What my K stands for

2006-10-17T11:37:00.000-04:00

Knowing
You don't have to knock,
you already keep
the keys
to me.

You can come and go
freely,
but really, i like it
better
when you stay,

Some carefully crafted
combination of need and want,

Sure,
I could make it through days
without you,

but why the hell would I want to do that?

What good are kitchens
I don't get to dance in with you,
Cars without your puns
careening through
like dirtroad pebbles,

what's the point of singing
without your harmony,
or davenning
without your Kavannah
beside me?

what's a better world
without your embrace?

what good are notebook pages
without your inspiration?

what can I do
with the knowledge I've picked up
but share it with you?

who needs a mitt without
you throwing a softball?

What purpose do my lips serve
if not to laugh at your jokes,
taste our cooking,
whisper in your ear,
or kiss you?

Who needs a sleep bereft of
snuggling up to you?

Your kindness massages
my aching tendons
Your wisdom bends me
back into shape

and to you chuckle
is to remember
why G-d invented laughing.

You push me to continue
long past points I'd never reach

You keep me grounded
with my head above the clouds,

grinning so loudly
they want to arrest me
for decibles 5 times the legal limit
and broadcasting without a license.

You've got the keys,
so I know
you can come and go
as you please,
but please, stay awhile

i promise I'll make it worth your while.

My fingers will traverse
every cell of the bottom of your feet
like Magellan was immortal and had a motor

i will continue to cobble
syllables to you
till you blush anytime you reach
for a book.

my lips will kiss you
good night, good morning, good day
good afternoon, good evening, good elevensies
good midnight, good tuesday, and

good 2:37pm.

My eardrums stand ready
to lay down the cadence
you ask of the rest of me,

to love you like
no one ever has,
or ever will, and my body
eager to deliver that promise.

You already have the keys to me.

But I want you to stay.

That way,
the next time someone asks me
what the K stands for,

I can smile and tell them

K stands for

keeping your head on a swivel, for
knowing someone's got your back
front, and sides, for

kicking everything from
niggunim to KRS ONE in the car, for

getting me back on
kilter, for
kindness without bounds,

for

killer insight and
killer smiles, for the
kavannah and
kodesh you bring to my life,

for helping practice

kiddush and bentching outloud, for your
kisses that fit all occasions, that always succeed in
kindling my insides,

for (name redacted),
for (name redacted),

but the next time someone says
Mr. K,

I want the K to be short
for

Knucklehead.

What the K stands for

2006-10-10T07:59:00.000-04:00

not even the abysmal performance of my Yankees can sour my mood right now.

In addition to everything else, the K in Ruby K will stand for Knucklehead.
YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!

More to come, dear readers.

Best quote from a reaction so far, from Zappy: "That's such great news I won't even make fun of you for going apple picking, that's how wonderful I think this is."