We have been angry for so long, and it doesn’t show any signs of getting better soon. But even in the worst of times, under the worst of delusional, chimperial appointees, there is still cause for hope. So, since the first glimmer of that hope came from reading comments today, it seemed appropriate to take a few minutes to celebrate some good news.
Goon News Item 1: There is hope for journalism yet.
While strolling through the comments in blueness’ diary Ratfight – Sampson turns on Gonzalez, I ran across an excellent post by talex pointing to an article in the LA Times, Blogs can top the presses that had a teaser proclaiming:
Talking Points Memo drove the U.S. attorneys story, proof that Web writers with input from devoted readers can reshape journalism.
This is an outstanding article and I engourage you to read it. It is one of the few MSM outlets to give due creditto bloggers. Terry McDermott explains how Josh Marshall and Paul Kiel at TPM have propelled the story of the purge of the US Attorneys from obscurity to national promeninece largely through good, old-fashioned responsible journalism.
Citing several other instances where Marshall and Kiel propelled stories of administration misdeeds into national prominence, author Terry McDermott explains
The bloggers used the usual tools of good journalists everywhere — determination, insight, ingenuity — plus a powerful new force that was not available to reporters until blogging came along: the ability to communicate almost instantaneously with readers via the Internet and to deputize those readers as editorial researchers, in effect multiplying the reporting power by an order of magnitude.
Marshall was first with the story of Trent Lott’s support for Strom Thurmond’s racist agenda. And, more than any other journalist, he dogged the Jack Abramnoff story. If it weren’t for Josh’s intrepid writing and Paul stalking Sherrington Limo, the world might never had known about Hookergate or Duke Cunningham or MZM’s cushy defense contracts.
Good News Item #2 – the New Orleans Public Library is BACK
Like everyone except shrub and Babs, I watched in horror, transfixed for days as one of America’s great cities drowned. In the midst of such suffering, it seemed like there was little I could do. And then a librarian friend of mine told me about the devastation of the New Orleans Libraries – eight libraries totally destroyed, and the other five badly damaged – and of a project that was underway to help them. As a book junkie who has had many wonderful visits to NOLA, I was all over it and sent, among other things 350 books (that my poor husband had to lug to the Post Office twice because, as it turns out, the Post Office won’t take a box if they can see even part of the name of a brand of beer on it.) I’ve kept up, and I knew the NOLA library was making progress. Even though the chief librarian and his assistant both left for dryer pastures, the other dedicated librarians and staff have worked heroically.
And they are succeeding. Since forming a fledgling Foundation in 2006 to generate funds for repairs (no Federal funds for books?), they have raised $2.1 million and now have six libraries open and serving the citizens of NOLA. The fundraising drive was led by Irvin Mayfield, director of the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra with help from Tania Tetlow, a law professor from Tulane, and Lance Query, the dean of libraries at Tulane. They also got tremendous moral support from the American Library Association, which courageously chose to have its Annual Convention in NOLA in June 2006.
You can imagine my delight when I got Rebuild, the progress report for Friends of NOLA Libraries and read that
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which has already pledged to replace all public access computers in NOLA libraries. The Gates Foundation has announced a $12 million grant program to help libraries in the "hurricane zone" to set up and staff temporary library facilities for three years while permanent libraries are rebuilt. This funding is vital for restoring library service to all New Orleans families as quickly as possible. The Gates Foundation will also support library planning in each parish and county.
In light of such generosity, I am almost moved to forgive Bill Gates for the monstrosity of evil that is Vista. Almost. Well, no, not really. There aren’t enough good deeds to make up for that.
Good News Item 3 - Human Rights are alive and well in Mexico
Yesterday in Mexico City 250 gay and lesbian couples were joined in civil marriages. The law granting the right for same-sex couples to get civil marriage licenses and spousal rights under the law was passed in an election in Mexico City last November and became effective yesterday. Two other states, Cohuila and Colima and since followed suit, and Chichuahua and Jalisco are discussing it as well. Since Fox and his hand-picked successor, both rightwingers, (not to mention the substantial influence of the Catholic Church, which seems to be less substantial every day in Mexico) were strongly opposed to allowing same-sex couples civil rights, the states have undertaken to do it on their own. I should also mention that the largest states in Argentina and Brazil have also passed these laws recently and bills have recently been introduced in Chile, Columbia, Costa Rica, and Uruguay. Another good reason to learn Spanish.
And on Feb. 28 the Mexican Supreme Court rejected a rule barring those with HIV from serving in the military. The Court found the law "an unconstitutional infringement on principles of equality" and ordered the army to immediately reinstate the eleven soldiers that had filed the suit to challenge their dismissal.
It is good to see democracy and the rule of law are still functioning on this continent, but it goes to show how far down shrubCo has dragged the US. A third world country wracked by poverty and dominated by the Catholic Church actually holds to the principles of equality enshrined in its constitution. Now the US can aspire to the same lofty goals as that third-world country, but we aren’t going to get there as long as we are governed by crooks and imbeciles.
Good News Item 4 - Happy St. Paddy's Day!
It’s St. Paddy’s Day -- its time to go drink some green beer in honor of the death of Maewyn, a British slave that changed his name to Patrick and became Bishop of Ireland. St. Patrick delivered a sermon so powerful it drove the snakes out of Ireland, although paleontologists have pointed out that no snakes were ever native to Ireland. Maybe it was just an allegory for the kind of headache you get from green beer.
But its all good here in Top CommentsLand, so keep those cards and letters and nominations coming to: topcomments at gmail dot com
And don’t forget to tell us your dKos handle if you don’t use your real name.
from LightEmittingPickle
Here's pucklady to explain that Bush really didn't lie about the (lack of) Plame investigation.
Here's but one example of PhillyGal's Irish humor.
ek hornbeck had a fabulous reply to a question by *(absit invidia* regarding the existence and use of non-White House email addresses.
from rserven
From Teacher's Lounge:
No you are not alone by Jjc2006
I grew up as an immigrant child by pioneer111.
from Dreaming of Better Days
Give our dear Cronesense some love and caring tonight. This has been a hard dayfor her and I'm sure she'd appreciate our support. From tonight's WYFP.
from gst92
This comment by Burned in BarbinMD's diary John McCain on HIV/AIDS Prevention is my nominee for Comment of the Week.
from a siegel
From Mole333's diary, this short thread provides an excellent example why I come to Daily Kos. I learn many new somethings every day. Real experts, real knowledge challenging with real evidence. Is this reality-based discussion, or what?
from OrangeClouds115
http://www.dailykos.com/...
This only makes a wonderful moment better!
http://www.dailykos.com/...
And from me
Matthewc started it with a few pints and a couple of songs in Songs of Insurrections!! -- Happy St. Patrick's Day! and the next thing you know, the whole comments section had broken out in songs. I couldn't pick a favorite, but maybe you can -- go join in the festivities.
And, courtesy of sardonyx, our Mojo Hero:
First, Top Mojo excluding search-identifiable tip jars, first diary comments, and C&J comments:
1) A lot by bonddad — 100
2) VDL is one of the good, no, GREAT ones by Ajax the Greater — 73
3) It's no longer biased news, it's pure agitprop. by Andy Lewis — 61
4) And this crapola by JuliaAnn — 61
5) Oh, it is so nice by Frankenoid — 61
6) I Think Whenever by opinionated — 55
7) The Impeachment of Bush and Cheney by STOP George — 54
8) This is the EXPLOSIVE TESTIMONY by reef the dog — 54
9) AP really stands for by dansk47 — 51
10) MY FP--bad week by blue jersey mom — 49
11) global warming goes against the grain by deepsouthdoug — 45
12) Exposing The Rats by talex — 45
13) check this out by Irishkorean — 43
14) Sadly, by matt n nyc — 40
15) Hayden: She was covert by peace voter — 40
16) Actually, he didn't lie by pucklady — 40
17) gahh.. by kishik — 40
18) MFP by godislove — 40
19) Is it me?? by vigilant meerkat — 40
20) MFP? by GOTV — 39
21) Spring: Is it time for peace yet? (6 photos) by Kayakbiker — 37
22) I did the same by anastasia p — 37
23) Hang in there, Alberto -- I'm rooting for you. by LarryInNYC — 37
24) My FP is my hobby. by edwardssl — 37
25) We buried my grandma yesterday by lorzie — 37
26) theyrereal-thanks so much for this diary by Susan Something — 36
27) Join the mockery- JULIE HIRCHFELD DAVIS is an by Theghostofkarlafayetucker — 36
28) Wait a minute . . . by GOTV — 36
29) Yup. Here you are..... by Christin — 36
30) The buck runs along a Moebius strip by A Mad Mad World — 36
Top Mojo with No Exclusions:
1) tip jar by theyrereal — 466
2) Tips/Flames. n/t by VolvoDrivingLiberal — 344
3) rat writ tips n/t by blueness — 259
4) here i am! by buhdydharma — 157
5) No tips, just recommend so folks see this by sxwarren — 116
6) Fox should be buried under the pressroom by paddykraska — 105
7) A lot by bonddad — 100
8) Phobias........ by CanadianBill — 77
9) VDL is one of the good, no, GREAT ones by Ajax the Greater — 73
10) Tip Jar by desordre remplir — 69
11) I'm Shocked to Learn... by InquisitiveRaven — 62
12) Oh, it is so nice by Frankenoid — 61
13) It's no longer biased news, it's pure agitprop. by Andy Lewis — 61
14) And this crapola by JuliaAnn — 61
15) Do I need to say by Granny Doc — 61
16) Tip Jar by Morgan Sandlin — 60
17) Please help by standingup — 59
18) How much of a role by A Siegel — 57
19) I Think Whenever by opinionated — 55
20) Happy Birthday Frankenoid!!!! by jetskreemr — 55
21) For peace... by PsiFighter37 — 55
22) The Impeachment of Bush and Cheney by STOP George — 54
23) This is the EXPLOSIVE TESTIMONY by reef the dog — 54
24) Tips? by GoldnI — 53
25) and let us not forget Iran.... by buhdydharma — 52
26) AP really stands for by dansk47 — 51
27) Flashback by TerranceDC — 50
28) MY FP--bad week by blue jersey mom — 49
29) I will check this when I can by teacherken — 47
30) Tip Jar by PLS — 47