Apr. 15th, 2004 09:52 am
Apr. 15th, 2004
Apr. 15th, 2004 03:14 pm
Wanted: Leadership
Fantastic op-ed piece from Paul Berman (who knows a thing or two about terrorism and totalitarianism) in the NYT today. He says that if the Bush administration can't make a coherent case for war in Iraq and garner the support of world leaders...well, then the Democrats should give it a go--not later, but now. It's so nice to see someone out there more concerned about constructive solutions than scoring partisan points. Personally, I would happily vote for Kerry if I saw (1) that he realised what kind of war we're in and (b) that he has the resolve to pursue it. He shows glimmers, but nothing strong enough so far that I'm willing to risk putting him in charge. Bush has the resolve, but at the price of a pig-headed refusal to learn from his mistakes. Is it too much to wish for a president with the best characteristics of each?
Oh, speaking of foolish partisanship, I'm again hearing people pledge to leave the country if Bush gets re-elected in November. I wasn't paying attention to all the promises I heard in 2000, but this time I'm taking names. Rest assured, if next year there's a Shrub in the White House and y'all are still here, I'm going to be asking you "What gives?"
Oh, speaking of foolish partisanship, I'm again hearing people pledge to leave the country if Bush gets re-elected in November. I wasn't paying attention to all the promises I heard in 2000, but this time I'm taking names. Rest assured, if next year there's a Shrub in the White House and y'all are still here, I'm going to be asking you "What gives?"
Apr. 15th, 2004 03:42 pm
UFR: Ponytail
One more post, then I'm back to writing again. No, really!
I'll admit it: Whenever a shabbily-dressed black man strikes up a conversation with me on the street that does not come to an abrupt end with a plea for money, I'm surprised. Not even pleasantly surprised, just bewildered. I've spent the whole time on my guard, outwardly pleasant but braced to turn down the inevitable solicitation. It's only after the exchange is ended that I realise it never came and, by then, it's too late to enjoy talking with a fellow human.
Last night, I was within a block of my place when a guy who'd been standing outside the stop-'n'-rob accosted me. He said, "I wish I had a ponytail like that."
"What would you do with it?"
"It's good for attracting the ladies!"
"Never done me much good."
"Girls like it when a guy had long hair."
By this time, he was walking in my direction. Since he was a few steps behind me, it looked like I was trying to flee, so I gamely slowed and we started walking abreast. I wondered if he was heading to the Lake and when exactly the panhandling would start, but he suddenly wished me a nice evening and turned off into an alley. Just an irrepressible extrovert?
I'll admit it: Whenever a shabbily-dressed black man strikes up a conversation with me on the street that does not come to an abrupt end with a plea for money, I'm surprised. Not even pleasantly surprised, just bewildered. I've spent the whole time on my guard, outwardly pleasant but braced to turn down the inevitable solicitation. It's only after the exchange is ended that I realise it never came and, by then, it's too late to enjoy talking with a fellow human.
Last night, I was within a block of my place when a guy who'd been standing outside the stop-'n'-rob accosted me. He said, "I wish I had a ponytail like that."
"What would you do with it?"
"It's good for attracting the ladies!"
"Never done me much good."
"Girls like it when a guy had long hair."
By this time, he was walking in my direction. Since he was a few steps behind me, it looked like I was trying to flee, so I gamely slowed and we started walking abreast. I wondered if he was heading to the Lake and when exactly the panhandling would start, but he suddenly wished me a nice evening and turned off into an alley. Just an irrepressible extrovert?