Thursday, November 6, 2008
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
New Day, New Way
Yesterday's election was exciting and obviously historic for many reasons. Not only did the best candidate win overwhelmingly in the race for President; not only did America elect an African-American for President; but also, America elected a civil rights lawyer as President of the United States.
A critical effort that changed cultural norms, and helped 'set the table' for Senator Obama's run for President and subsequent victory, has been the enforcement of civil rights laws in America's work places. At offices and job sites across the country, enforcement of laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, gender and age has informed and educated many. People have seen harassing and hateful behavior punished. Employers have had to take steps to prevent illegal discrimination. These changes at the work site have helped change how people think and act.
On a day to day basis, it is hard to identify how these individual battles for change have changed our society. However, yesterday's victory by Senator Obama is a moment where those who have worked in the trenches, from the civil rights marchers in 1961 to lawyers today representing detainees in Guantanamo, can now see fruit from their efforts.
Congratulations to everyone who helped change America for the better!
And now, from the L.A. Times, a look back in photos at this past election and the long, and sometimes strange, trip it has been: link.
A critical effort that changed cultural norms, and helped 'set the table' for Senator Obama's run for President and subsequent victory, has been the enforcement of civil rights laws in America's work places. At offices and job sites across the country, enforcement of laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, gender and age has informed and educated many. People have seen harassing and hateful behavior punished. Employers have had to take steps to prevent illegal discrimination. These changes at the work site have helped change how people think and act.
On a day to day basis, it is hard to identify how these individual battles for change have changed our society. However, yesterday's victory by Senator Obama is a moment where those who have worked in the trenches, from the civil rights marchers in 1961 to lawyers today representing detainees in Guantanamo, can now see fruit from their efforts.
Congratulations to everyone who helped change America for the better!
And now, from the L.A. Times, a look back in photos at this past election and the long, and sometimes strange, trip it has been: link.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Election Night News
From the New York Times today, a guide to what time the polls close in key states.
Whatever the outcome of today's election, one thing is certain: It is the end of the Bush era.
Yea!
Yea!
Monday, November 3, 2008
Revolutionary Times
Jonathan Karl reviews Samuel Adams: A Life by Ira Stoll in today's Wall Street Journal. Mr. Adams led an exciting life as a "rabble-rouser, wordsmith, strategist and defender of liberty", agitating for colonial America's independence from Great Britain. For example, Mr. Adams coined the term Boston Massacre for the 1770 event, and in his capacity as spin doctor and strategist, penned over 20,000 words on the subject for various Boston newspapers. He was behind what ultimately became known as the Boston Tea Party.
In his review Mr. Karl writes, "[the author] makes a convincing case that Samuel Adams is not just the most underrated of the Founders but also one of the most admirable, down-to-earth and principled (he worked to abolish slavery)."
If Samuel Adams: A Life is as interesting a read as Mr. Karl's review of it, it will certainly be highly recommended reading.
In his review Mr. Karl writes, "[the author] makes a convincing case that Samuel Adams is not just the most underrated of the Founders but also one of the most admirable, down-to-earth and principled (he worked to abolish slavery)."
If Samuel Adams: A Life is as interesting a read as Mr. Karl's review of it, it will certainly be highly recommended reading.
Recommended Reading: "Medicus" by Ruth Downie
The Roman Empire began exploring parts of the the island of Great Britain, called Britannia by the Romans, in 55 B.C., and made a full scale invasion of the island in 43 A.D. Roman troops were not withdrawn until 407 A.D., and Britain independence occurred in 410 A.D., the same year the Goths sacked Rome.
Medicus, a novel by Ruth Downie, is set in Britannia in about 117 A.D. In this light-hearted mystery, Gaius Petreius Ruso, the story's protagonist, is an army physician, recently arrived in Britannia from Africa. Ruso has had a run of bad luck, including divorce and a mountain of debts attached to the family estate he inherited from his father. While trying to cope with his own financial shambles, duties at the hospital, and army administration, Ruso gets involved with a mystery concerning the deaths of prostitutes working out of a local bar and the fortunes of an injured slave, Tilla, that he rescues from her nasty owner.
Ms. Downie's book is smoothly written. The story is engaging because of its dry humor and the compelling character she has created in Ruso. While Ruso is solving problems, both medical and murderous, he is often harried and exhausted but is always trying to do the right thing in backwater Britannia. All together, this makes Medicus a pleasant read.
Medicus, a novel by Ruth Downie, is set in Britannia in about 117 A.D. In this light-hearted mystery, Gaius Petreius Ruso, the story's protagonist, is an army physician, recently arrived in Britannia from Africa. Ruso has had a run of bad luck, including divorce and a mountain of debts attached to the family estate he inherited from his father. While trying to cope with his own financial shambles, duties at the hospital, and army administration, Ruso gets involved with a mystery concerning the deaths of prostitutes working out of a local bar and the fortunes of an injured slave, Tilla, that he rescues from her nasty owner.
Ms. Downie's book is smoothly written. The story is engaging because of its dry humor and the compelling character she has created in Ruso. While Ruso is solving problems, both medical and murderous, he is often harried and exhausted but is always trying to do the right thing in backwater Britannia. All together, this makes Medicus a pleasant read.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
New Links Added
Please note that at left, under Play, links to Buzzillions and Hulu have been added.
Hulu is, as described by the site, "an online video service that offers hit TV shows, movies and clips at Hulu.com and other online destination sites — all for free, anytime in the U.S."
Buzzillions is a product review web site. A recent article about the site in the Wall Street Journal describes Buzzillions as "a free Web site owned by San Francisco-based PowerReviews Inc. that mainly posts reviews from people who have verifiably purchased the product they are appraising, according to retailers’ records. It also organizes reviews in specific categories, allowing users to search according to how they categorize themselves."
So before buying that holiday gift, consider checking it out on Buzzillions. And after all your holiday spending is finished, watch free stuff on Hulu!
Hulu is, as described by the site, "an online video service that offers hit TV shows, movies and clips at Hulu.com and other online destination sites — all for free, anytime in the U.S."
Buzzillions is a product review web site. A recent article about the site in the Wall Street Journal describes Buzzillions as "a free Web site owned by San Francisco-based PowerReviews Inc. that mainly posts reviews from people who have verifiably purchased the product they are appraising, according to retailers’ records. It also organizes reviews in specific categories, allowing users to search according to how they categorize themselves."
So before buying that holiday gift, consider checking it out on Buzzillions. And after all your holiday spending is finished, watch free stuff on Hulu!
Is McCain's Home State in Play?
There are reports that Arizona is up for grabs in the Presidential election. The L.A. Times has the story. Today, the Arizona Daily Star endorsed Senator Obama.
What does this mean for the Obama campaign? Even when you are perceived to be ahead, there is always a way to lose, as many Big Ten fans ruefully saw yesterday. The GOP, who sent you all those nasty mailings and ugly robo-calls, will undoubtedly have a nefarious plan for election day. After the John Kerry and Al Gore experiences, Democrats need to stay focused and execute a successful election day strategy.
It's the end game. There are only a few pieces left on the political chess board.
What does this mean for the Obama campaign? Even when you are perceived to be ahead, there is always a way to lose, as many Big Ten fans ruefully saw yesterday. The GOP, who sent you all those nasty mailings and ugly robo-calls, will undoubtedly have a nefarious plan for election day. After the John Kerry and Al Gore experiences, Democrats need to stay focused and execute a successful election day strategy.
It's the end game. There are only a few pieces left on the political chess board.
It's attention to detail that keeps unwanted visitors out of the house, and the White House.
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