Some Stuff IS Exceptional

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Wednesday February 12, 2014 · 4:30 PM PST

2014/02/12 · 16:30

I've been having some conversations that remind me how culture bound we are, and I mean particularly American lawyers.

Many years ago, a judge from a country I would rather not name except to say it was not one of the usual suspects, asked me very seriously how I could rule against the government that pays my salary?

swrussel

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Tuesday February 11, 2014 · 5:44 AM PST

2014/02/11 · 05:44

I've been wanting to get this off my chest for a long time.

swrussel

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Friday February 07, 2014 · 9:36 AM PST

2014/02/07 · 09:36

Cousin Ray Sixkiller has arrived and would appreciate any clicks, likes, or forwards you are in a position to bestow.

Also, if you missed last week's column, the likes have been hung for several days at 399 and we would be grateful if some kind soul would tip it to 400....

swrussel

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Tuesday February 04, 2014 · 10:39 AM PST

2014/02/04 · 10:39

http://www.salon.com/...

I join Mr. King's foray into this minefield below the fleur-de-kos, with the hope I can avoid stepping on the many mines.

swrussel

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Friday January 31, 2014 · 10:07 AM PST

2014/01/31 · 10:07

OK, Ray Sixkiller and I are here with our weekly beg for clicks.

I've published so much dead serious stuff this week, I don't know how the serious humor will fly, but there's only one way to find out.

swrussel

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Friday January 31, 2014 · 5:39 AM PST

2014/01/31 · 05:39

When I think about it, the idea that Pete would survive Toshi for long was pretty silly. Pete famously referred to Toshi as “the brains of the family.” She walked on last year at age 91; Pete this year at 94. It’s not rational to complain about any human life span in the nineties, but particularly when the lives were as full as those of Pete and Toshi Seeger.

Read more at http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/...

Old Men Still Dream

swrussel

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Friday January 31, 2014 · 5:36 AM PST

2014/01/31 · 05:36

Age brings introspection.

When you retire, when you withdraw from the daily hurly-burly to live on your pension (if you are lucky enough to have a pension), it dawns on you that whatever you will contribute to moving things along has pretty well been contributed. You measure your legacy.

It my case, the measurement often comes up short. But, on good days, not so much.

Even on a down day, I can assert with some confidence that at least I did no harm to the values I hold dear.

On an up day, I think about my students, because there is no political value I hold dearer than keeping the doors of opportunity that took me out of rural poverty propped open.

GOP Bad Faith

swrussel

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Tuesday January 28, 2014 · 6:34 PM PST

2014/01/28 · 18:34

Fellow Kossacks, I posted a rant of a diary earlier tonight saying I would not be staying up for the State of the Union.

This will not be much of a diary, but I think it's important to say that the POTUS is speaking right now and the message below the fleur-de-kos floated into my mailbox BEFORE PRESIDENT OBAMA HAD EVEN ENTERED THE CHAMBER.

That is, they were calling the President a liar before he said anything!

swrussel

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Tuesday January 28, 2014 · 6:07 PM PST

2014/01/28 · 18:07

I've had a hard and emotional day and tomorrow I have a meeting with an insurance adjuster with whom I forced a meeting by threatening things that should not be the subject of threats and going over her head with the threats. The particular company has a horrible reputation to which this case has lived down. I would have nothing to do with this crap except it's my elderly mother in law...and, anyway, I don't approve of ripping off elders because you can.

So, a bad day and a bad day coming. I don't think I can stay up for the State of the Union.

The rant below is what I have to say about it.

I do not contest that it's a rant but it flowed directly from my associations with the words "State of the Union." Call it a rant, honestly acquired, and don't bother to read it if rants offend you.

swrussel

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Tuesday January 28, 2014 · 11:24 AM PST

2014/01/28 · 11:24

If you told me writers have big egos, I would have to admit resembling that remark. Even at my age, I still get a thrill out of seeing my byline.

I was honored to write the obit for Pete Seeger over at Indian Country Today. While I normally love to see my byline, I am excited about this precisely because it does not have my name on it. It's good to know the sentiment I express is shared.

It's short, but it has a great sound track. Pete's life, of course, had a great sound track, and I'm grateful that it was long and full.

swrussel

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Tuesday January 28, 2014 · 6:40 AM PST

2014/01/28 · 06:40

It feels so right that I found the op-ed below had published right after opening the New York Times and learning I have to say goodbye to Pete Seeger.

It's a little hard to type as I'm literally dropping tears on the keyboard but, honestly, the sadness was only the first wave. The tears are about gratitude for a life so well lived most of us can just look up and marvel.

Every time I spoke to Pete he was on his way to sing something forward we both cared about. I don't have any doubt what he would think about what I wrote below.

When the tears slow down, I will of course try to write more directly about Pete, but right now I think what I wrote about Neil Young serves Pete's memory well. It's a coincidence this is (and probably only to me, I understand) publishing today of cosmic proportions.

swrussel

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Friday January 24, 2014 · 10:22 AM PST

2014/01/24 · 10:22

It's that time again, and I'm back with Cousin Ray Sixkiller's take on the week's news.

I know I'm doomed in terms of equalling last week's web traffic because that polar bear cub in the Toronto Zoo was the best click magnet I've ever had, bar none.

The very rareness that makes the cub a click magnet means it can't be repeated very often. Not complaining...I guess I'm just making advance excuses.

I thank you for your support, so does Cousin Ray, and we promise to bring another bear cub at the earliest opportunity!

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Some Stuff IS Exceptional

Who is Gaming the System Better? The Rich or the Poor?

How Did I Miss That? Scanning Body Parts; Clay Aiken's Giraffe

Stephen King Causes Horror

How Did I Miss That? Penguins Endangered; Sex-Crazed Women Attack!

Remembering Pete Seeger

Old Men Still Dream

GOP Bad Faith

State of the Union Rant

R.I.P. Pete Seeger

Who Elected Neil Young?

How Did I Miss That? The Butler, a Bieber, a Bridge, and a Babylonian Playboy