I was in such a good mood earlier today.
1. Confirmation of Samuel Alito as an Associate Justice on the Supreme Court
I weep for my native country. Majority control of SCOTUS was a main goal of ShrubCo and his supporters, especially the neo-conservatives and the Religious Right; it means decades of legal tampering and bad decisions by authoritarian, (neo-)conservative judges. Where is the rest of America, those who truly do value the Constitution, their freedom, their civil liberties? Have they gone to sleep[1]? There should have been a massive campaign by every progressive organisation in the country. There should have been a filibuster[2]. This was the decision of a generation and it just... happened. How can real change occur now?
2. 2006 State of the Union
It has become traditional for me to watch it live on the BBC and have a running commentary[3] of increasing volume[4], often getting drunk[5]. I always think I'll get around to writing up a big post about it but I never do, so one highlight: if you take the fourth and fifth paragraphs[6] and insert "by impeaching me" or "is to impeach me" in the appropriate part of nearly every sentence, that section of the speech works even better.
3. Coretta Scott King dies of ovarian cancer aged 78
I'm deeply saddened by Mrs. King's death and have had trouble writing my usual blurb. I deeply admired and respected her; I did fair few reports on her for Black History Month and Women's History Month. Coretta Scott King began her public life as the wife of one of the figureheads and icons of the civil rights movement, but became a figurehead and icon herself. Her experience, skill, and very personalised knowledge of history was unparalleled. Her tireless activism to advance the cause fairness and equality in the US and around the world has helped achieve genuine change. With Mrs. King's passing, we have lost an important advocate of justice; a light of truth that is desperately needed in a very difficult and dangerous time.
[1] Bueller? Bueller?
[2] Consisting of all Democrats, Independents, and moderate or libertarian Republicans.
[3] About an equal mix of belligence and humour.
[4] Actually, that part is a family tradition. Try it on C-Span sometime!
[5] Which I sadly couldn't do this year.
[6] For you lazy bastards: "In this decisive year, you and I will make choices that determine both the future and the character of our country. We will choose to act confidently in pursuing the enemies of freedom - or retreat from our duties in the hope of an easier life. We will choose to build our prosperity by leading the world economy - or shut ourselves off from trade and opportunity. In a complex and challenging time, the road of isolationism and protectionism may seem broad and inviting - yet it ends in danger and decline. The only way to protect our people … the only way to secure the peace … the only way to control our destiny is by our leadership - so the United States of America will continue to lead.
Abroad, our Nation is committed to an historic, long-term goal - we seek the end of tyranny in our world. Some dismiss that goal as misguided idealism. In reality, the future security of America depends on it. On September 11th, 2001, we found that problems originating in a failed and oppressive state seven thousand miles away could bring murder and destruction to our country. Dictatorships shelter terrorists, feed resentment and radicalism, and seek weapons of mass destruction. Democracies replace resentment with hope, respect the rights of their citizens and their neighbors, and join the fight against terror. Every step toward freedom in the world makes our country safer, and so we will act boldly in freedom’s cause."
I weep for my native country. Majority control of SCOTUS was a main goal of ShrubCo and his supporters, especially the neo-conservatives and the Religious Right; it means decades of legal tampering and bad decisions by authoritarian, (neo-)conservative judges. Where is the rest of America, those who truly do value the Constitution, their freedom, their civil liberties? Have they gone to sleep[1]? There should have been a massive campaign by every progressive organisation in the country. There should have been a filibuster[2]. This was the decision of a generation and it just... happened. How can real change occur now?
2. 2006 State of the Union
It has become traditional for me to watch it live on the BBC and have a running commentary[3] of increasing volume[4], often getting drunk[5]. I always think I'll get around to writing up a big post about it but I never do, so one highlight: if you take the fourth and fifth paragraphs[6] and insert "by impeaching me" or "is to impeach me" in the appropriate part of nearly every sentence, that section of the speech works even better.
3. Coretta Scott King dies of ovarian cancer aged 78
I'm deeply saddened by Mrs. King's death and have had trouble writing my usual blurb. I deeply admired and respected her; I did fair few reports on her for Black History Month and Women's History Month. Coretta Scott King began her public life as the wife of one of the figureheads and icons of the civil rights movement, but became a figurehead and icon herself. Her experience, skill, and very personalised knowledge of history was unparalleled. Her tireless activism to advance the cause fairness and equality in the US and around the world has helped achieve genuine change. With Mrs. King's passing, we have lost an important advocate of justice; a light of truth that is desperately needed in a very difficult and dangerous time.
[1] Bueller? Bueller?
[2] Consisting of all Democrats, Independents, and moderate or libertarian Republicans.
[3] About an equal mix of belligence and humour.
[4] Actually, that part is a family tradition. Try it on C-Span sometime!
[5] Which I sadly couldn't do this year.
[6] For you lazy bastards: "In this decisive year, you and I will make choices that determine both the future and the character of our country. We will choose to act confidently in pursuing the enemies of freedom - or retreat from our duties in the hope of an easier life. We will choose to build our prosperity by leading the world economy - or shut ourselves off from trade and opportunity. In a complex and challenging time, the road of isolationism and protectionism may seem broad and inviting - yet it ends in danger and decline. The only way to protect our people … the only way to secure the peace … the only way to control our destiny is by our leadership - so the United States of America will continue to lead.
Abroad, our Nation is committed to an historic, long-term goal - we seek the end of tyranny in our world. Some dismiss that goal as misguided idealism. In reality, the future security of America depends on it. On September 11th, 2001, we found that problems originating in a failed and oppressive state seven thousand miles away could bring murder and destruction to our country. Dictatorships shelter terrorists, feed resentment and radicalism, and seek weapons of mass destruction. Democracies replace resentment with hope, respect the rights of their citizens and their neighbors, and join the fight against terror. Every step toward freedom in the world makes our country safer, and so we will act boldly in freedom’s cause."