Ya' know, Mr. Keith, if you were a Cubs fan, you wouldn't be feeling the glum you're probably feeling today - just sayin'. ;D
Let's get historical! AND, since a whole lot of "this day in history" items for today are damn damn depressing, I'm going to assert diarist's privilege & mention only 1 because it makes me happy (not easily done these days), and anyone who's anyone who cares about freedom of expression in the arts should consider today a holy day. Here's a clue! :D
On October 7, 1955, Allen Ginsberg read "Howl" in public for the first time at the Six Gallery Reading. :D
Let's Countdown!
Keith's not sent me any ties to have dry - cleaned yet; I'm sure a whole mess of folk of the female (and probably some male) persuasion are damn disappointed. ;)
#5 "Occupy Wall Street" AKA "War of Words" - So, some of the GOBP are doing their best Louis XVI imitations. Well, we all remember what happened to him, yes - and to his head? OK, so Rep. Cantor made his Occupy comments at the "Values" Voter Summit. I'd wager that just about every single person at that summit believes they're Christian; however, I'd also wager they have selective memory about the Bible. Senator Rand Paul & Rep. Peter King had equally WTS comments about the protests. Police in Portland, OR posed for a picture with a baby at Occupy events. The mayor of Philly talked with Occupy peeps in his city in the wee hours of the morning. The LAPD are making a conscious effort to not reflect their NYPD brethren on the other coast. HOLY CRAP!!! MY FAIR CITY'S GETTING READY TO DO SOME "OCCUPYING," TOO!! :D Hey, it's Ryan Grim - long time no see! Rep. Cantor's office took great pains to say their boss wasn't condemning the Occupy {Insert City Here} efforts. Fibber - fibber - chicken dinner!! Mr. Ryan has obviously not gotten the "no tie" memo. :) Sometimes, the tea bagger peeps' efforts WILL overlap with Occupy efforts. Ugh, I'm not sure I'd appreciate THAT comparison if I was "occupy"ing! "Establishment" Dems are sitting on the sidelines - again. Can y'all just imagine if President Obama showed up at an Occupy {Insert City} event??!! Jeff Madrick's in studio to discuss what (if any) actual policy in DC can result from these efforts; that, boys & girls, is the $64K question. A lot has changed in a week, and efforts are more organized, but how "organized" do they want to get? An "exit strategy" might be necessary to get actual policy or electoral change to happen. Mr. Madrick thinks the "Occupy"ers can learn something from union participation - especially their political connections.
#4 "History Repeats?" AKA "Making History?" - I think it's still a bit too early to be drawing too many historical comparisons to previous protest efforts. Having said that, the video from NYC the other night sure as $hit looked like Chicago 1968! Greg Mitchell is in da' house to talk protests & history; he thinks Occupy {Insert City} efforts ARE different because of the lack of a clear "goal." He's also wondering what's taking "establishment" Dems so damn long. ;D
#3 "Occupy L.A." AKA "Truly 99%" AKA "Occupy Everywhere" - People are sitting in on the "left coast!" Dr. Cornel West & Tavis Smiley are in L.A. to take a look at Occupy efforts there. All efforts seem to revolve around corporate greed, exploitation, etc. 108 cities around the world are undergoing similar efforts in addition to over 70 American cities. The African - American & Hispanic communities are struggling even more. Tavis wonders if these communities are being to deferential to this administration & if history will look back on these communities and wonder why they stayed so quiet? He called it a "pain threshold."
"Time Marches On!" - Uh, I don't think rear wheels are supposed to fall off cars at the beginning of drag races - just saying. :) 1 little flower girl wasn't quite getting the memo of what a flower girl at a wedding was supposed to do.
WPITW - BillO has begun pontificating about Occupy efforts. And, y'all thought $aint $arah from was going to disappear into that good night? HA! She defended Hank Williams, Jr., of course. Neal Boortz said President Obama was worse on this country than 9/11 was. STAY CLASSY!
"Fridays with Thurber" - I KNOW why Keith's wearing his Cornell jacket; Cornell University became Cornell University on this date in (can't remember the specific year). :) I love "A Box to Hide In," too. That is SO MY LIFE these days, and I can't seem to find a damn big enough box.