It's the Cities, Stupid: Championing Urban Values
Tue Nov 16, 2004 at 01:33:00 PM PDT
There is an article this week in Seattle's urban alternative paper:
The Stranger, which has this city really talking. I haven't seen it posted, so I'll throw it out here.
I think it is a novel way to look at the deep divides in this country. Specifically, urging the Democrats to concentrate on Urban areas, issues and values, and cultivate those liberal/progressive/Democratic values as the centerpiece of future party strength. Cities are attractive, and when framed as such can be a great asset.
(I just edited this a bit to clarify my thought.)
Here are some of what I thought were the key paragraphs:
THE URBAN ARCHIPELAGO
by The Editors of The Stranger
It's the Cities, Stupid.
[...]
It's time to state something that we've felt for a long time but have been too polite to say out loud: Liberals, progressives, and Democrats do not live in a country that stretches from the Atlantic to the Pacific, from Canada to Mexico. We live on a chain of islands. We are citizens of the Urban Archipelago, the United Cities of America.
Was Colin Powell Holding up the Sky?
Tue Nov 16, 2004 at 09:37:54 AM PDT
I just read a very compelling article in
ForeignPolicy.com about Colin Powell. I have always been disappointed by Powell. Not because I initially expected great things from him, but because (like most, I think) I've always felt that Powell doesn't agree with the policies he has carried out, and I believe that that ought to compel a statesman to condemn them, not adopt the "don't ask, don't tell" as a life-mantra.
But then I read this article. I'm not saying it completely changed my mind. But it did offer me a few new insights. I did not realize that Colin Powell had once referred to Dick Cheney's cronies as the "Gestapo Office", for example.
Anne Frank to the Courtesy Phone
Fri Nov 12, 2004 at 10:11:01 AM PDT
A letter from the 21st Century...
Dear Anne Frank,
The was one thing I was never able to puzzle out, about your story. One thing I always wanted to ask. Why didn't you leave? When things got bad. Why did you stay? Why didn't your father take you all and flee to America. You had the money. At the first sign of trouble why weren't you gone?
That question has loomed so large in my mind, lately. Because in the past few weeks I think I might finally be understanding why you simply stood, helpless, and were eaten up.
You see, I've always looked back with the luxury of seeing what happened to you. I can see the warning signs, connect the dots, and realize what was evidence and what wasn't. But when Otto, your father, looked at the same evidence, at the time, it must have been confusing. He must have wanted to see it in the best light -not wanting to dissolve into pessimism or panic unnecessarily.
Naval-gazing for Bloggers
Thu Nov 11, 2004 at 11:29:35 AM PDT
I found this recent article about blogging from
foreignpolicy.com to be quite interesting. I haven't seen it posted elsewhere, so I thought I'd diary it.
Here are a few excerpts:
Web of Influence
By Daniel W. Drezner, Henry Farrell
Every day, millions of online diarists, or "bloggers," share their opinions with a global audience. Drawing upon the content of the international media and the World Wide Web, they weave together an elaborate network with agenda-setting power on issues ranging from human rights in China to the U.S. occupation of Iraq. What began as a hobby is evolving into a new medium that is changing the landscape for journalists and policymakers alike.
History's Darkest Hours
Mon Nov 08, 2004 at 12:03:00 PM PDT
One of the scariest things to be in these past few weeks is a student of history. It is my life-long love affair with the past that informs both my greatest fears and my greatest hopes for humanity, and in particular the American people.
I firmly believe that one of the greatest unlauded rifts between conservatives and liberals is an understanding of and respect for history. This is completely anecdotal, but I bet if a study was done, we would find that conservatives are not as concerned about history, or as informed about history (or both) as liberals. With the possible exception of the 1860's, I will bet they don't see its relevance.
For how can anyone who has a passing knowledge of the bloody Reformation and counter-Reformation (Inquisition) ever look upon the congress of Church and State with anything but a horrified shudder?
Letter from Jay Inslee
Thu Nov 04, 2004 at 06:58:45 PM PDT
I first voted for Jay Inslee when I moved to Washington State, and though I have moved out of his district I continue to follow him and donate to him. He's one of my personal political heroes. I think he could be president, someday.
I wanted to share this letter he sent today. (I should mention that he was just re-elected.)
Friend,
As I type this, George Bush is talking to the White House Press Corps about his plans for the next four years.
There is hardly a more grating sound to hear. But it's also the sound that brought us all together in common cause over the last several months.
Why I am not emigrating to Canada/We need a leader
Wed Nov 03, 2004 at 09:24:53 AM PDT
Oh, it occurred to me. Deep in the dark cave of last night and this morning, and let's face it even before that. England, France, Italy... they all look so sane and secular from here. And I might have a shot of political asylum, given this morning's developments.
But then I thought about it. And here's what I remembered: The only difference between me and my friend Gwen in the UK is she can't vote in the U.S. election. She's equally buffeted by the actions of the U.S. president, and she can only stand by and watch in frustration.
A United States without me and you, and people like us, is the truly terrifying idea.
