In a disturbing story about plans to greatly expand Israeli settlements on the West Bank, Haaretz tosses in a statement of fact that reminds me of why for all the political and philosophical wrestling I do with the governments of Israel, the country is not like its neighbors:
Details of the plans appear in the minutes of the agency’s environmental subcommittee, which were obtained by the B’Tselem organization under the Freedom of Information Act. [Emhasis mine, JH]
Can you imagine for a heartbeat that a journalist in any of Israel’s neighbors could obtain any information in this manner?
[President Barack Obama] won the stimulus debate long before the Republicans realized it (they were busy doing tap-dances of victory on talk radio, while he was building a new coalition without them). And now, after presenting such a centrist, bi-partisan, moderate and personally trustworthy front, he gets to unveil a radical long-term agenda that really will soak the very rich and invest in the poor. Given the crisis, he has seized this moment for more radicalism than might have seemed possible only a couple of months ago.
The risk is, at least, a transparent risk. If none of this works, he will have taken a massive gamble and failed. The country will be bankrupt and he will have one term. His gamble with the economy may come to seem like Bush’s gamble in Iraq. But if any of it works, if the economy recovers, and if the GOP continues to be utterly deaf and blind to the new landscape we live in, then we’re talking less Reagan than FDR in long-term impact.
1) You don’t like shrimp that much anyways.
2) Finishing what you started = overrated.
3) Your parent never thought you’d amount to anything, and it would be disrespectful to prove them wrong.
4) Eating everyday is luxurious and wasteful — WTF?
5) Who needs an apartment with a bedroom? Get a matress and WetNap — now THAT’s gangster!
6) Ambition is for white people. Errbody knows that.
7) Anybody that wants you to do better just won’t love you for being YOU.
8) If you aim low, how can you miss? C’mon.
9) Street cred > Good Credit.
10) Outsmart EVERYBODY and sell plasma. ‘Cause you a HUSTLA, homie.
11) Panhandling may be America’s last growth industry.
12) If you just HAVE to eat, most fast food jobs come with a free meal. Free catfish nuggets?! I know, right!?
13) Everyone lies at high school reunions anyways. So just say you went to Harvard.
14) Marshall’s is always hiring, and they never check your application.
15) You’re gonna be the first President to never graduate from high school. Then, you’ll show ’em.
Friends
Good news! Cleveland Hts City Council is open to changing the animal ordinance. It”s been a 2 animal limit.
No need to attend the next city hall meeting!
I recommend that you contact the council members. (Emails are below.)
I’ve written a template, but you’re welcome to write your own!
thanks again,
laurel hopwood
To Cleveland Hts City Council,
Thank you for moving towards changing the allowable level of dogs and cats in Cleveland Heights. I understand the numbers are in the process of being decided. Continue Reading »
[Update on 1 October @ 0246: following up on a search that brought a reader to HCWW, I discovered this clip from 9 August 1970, a time when I was about to begin my sophomore year at Warren High School. Both bands—The Country Bobcats and The Cobras IV—were managed by Nina (pronounced with a long “i”) Miller who was also the mother of Steve (bass) and Dave (lead) Miller]
The real writer is one who really writes. Talent is an invention like phlogiston after the fact of fire. Work is its own cure. You have to like it better than being loved. —Marge Piercy, For the young who want to in The Moon Is Always Female
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At day’s first light, have in readiness, against disinclination to leave your bed, the thought that “I am rising for the work of man.” Must I grumble at setting out to do what I was born for and for the sake of which I have been brought into the world? Is this the purpose of my creation, to lie here under my blankets and keep myself warm? “Ah, but it is a great deal more pleasant!” Was it for pleasure, then, that you were born and not for work? —Marcus Aurelius
Let me respectfully remind you, life and death are of supreme importance. Time swiftly passes by and opportunity is lost. Each of us should strive to awaken-- Awaken! This night your days will be diminished by one. Take heed. Do not squander your life. —Zen Evening Gatha
Take an ax to the prison wall. Escape. Walk out like someone suddenly born into color. Do it now. —Rumi, Quietness
