This is the world's first Internet-dominated political campaign - and it is exciting to see the ways in which the candidates are using the medium for their message.
John Edwards introduces "Kick Bush Back to Texas" - a game animation in which one may choose to be one of assorted unemployed Americans who will then give Bush a hearty kick from Washington, landing him ignobly back in Texas. http://www.johnedwards2004.com/bootbush.asp
Bob Graham sends out anti-Bush cartoons and asks us to become "Bushwhackers" while Dennis Kuncinch is sending out electronic postcards which deliver a lengthy speech about peace in our times.
Dean, of course, is a vast network of very active blogs - and the campaign keeps one in frequent touch with email bulletins.
The others have newsletters, urging donations, of course. But they are yet to show signs of innovation. There is plenty of time and I am sure they won't want to be left behind.
Saturday, September 27, 2003
Friday, September 26, 2003
The Wes Wind redux
On the Dems debate today we got to have a good look at the new Wes - and he looked good. Absolute silver-haired eye candy. What a handsome man. What superb eyes. What an open face. Oh dear. Methinks he has it all. He's the new thinking woman's crumpet!!!
That damned Recall
Well, Arnold Schwartzenegger showed his colors at the California Recall Debate. And the color was red. Redneck. He showed that he is a hothead. He showed himself as patronising, shallow, sexist and boorish. And the media found it delightful. The /actor/bodybuilder/businessman now is being heralded for his wonderful, triumphant, clever performance.
How did the media leap to this conclusion?
Easy. It has dumbed itself down to the lowest common denominator. Arnold, of course, markets to the lowest common denominator. So now the media is marketing Arnold.
And one can only despair.
How did the media leap to this conclusion?
Easy. It has dumbed itself down to the lowest common denominator. Arnold, of course, markets to the lowest common denominator. So now the media is marketing Arnold.
And one can only despair.
Thursday, September 25, 2003
The Wes wind
My friend Janet has a Draft Wesley Clark sticker on her car and she has been waiting anxiously for Clark to get into the primaries. She is one of the "the people" who call him to service. Not an ordinary "people" since she is distinctly better informed than most. She has been watching Clark for a couple of years with quite some degree of interest and admiration. So it was good to sit down and hear her views. She's not the sort to favor a military person but she finds Clark exceptional and traces the nature of his career, one which blends philosophy and military logistics, authority and political analysis.
The issue, as we boiled it down, was not who we like or who we think may make the best president for this country but who is the most "electable".
And, in the psycho-political climate of these times, the General has immense advantage simply in being a general. That he also is an intellectual is a bonus, one which would mean little to the rank and file of an electorate. In fact, to many in the dumbed down world, intellectual prowess is a disadvantage. It certainly did not help Gore.
The average American voter, the few of them (56 per cent of the population does not bother to vote), will be looking for someone who can lead them softly and gradually away from the "if you're not with us, you're the enemy/dissent is unpatriotic" brainwash of the Bush regime. They cannot let go too easily because they are a people quelled by fear. They can relate to a General, however, for he symbolises leadership and authority, power and uniform. The time is very ripe for a General.
Thus does Clark offer something with which the other candidates cannot compete, even if they are better equipped for the task of national leadership.
The perfect set-up would have been Dean with Clark as his Vice-Presidential candidate. For I still consider Dean has the best political nous of the ten.
But, I suspect we will see unfolding a campaign which brings Clark swiftly to a lead - and I mean where it counts in NH and Iowa, not in magazine name-recognition polls, which presently put him in an outrageous lead. He has to get the respect in States which are leading the voting.
And we may well see him in the Whitehouse in the end of the day. Perhaps. For the bottom line is "electability" and the ability to beat Bush.
But if there is one thing I really like with Clark, it is that he will bring in his wife, a First Lady of America called Gert!
The issue, as we boiled it down, was not who we like or who we think may make the best president for this country but who is the most "electable".
And, in the psycho-political climate of these times, the General has immense advantage simply in being a general. That he also is an intellectual is a bonus, one which would mean little to the rank and file of an electorate. In fact, to many in the dumbed down world, intellectual prowess is a disadvantage. It certainly did not help Gore.
The average American voter, the few of them (56 per cent of the population does not bother to vote), will be looking for someone who can lead them softly and gradually away from the "if you're not with us, you're the enemy/dissent is unpatriotic" brainwash of the Bush regime. They cannot let go too easily because they are a people quelled by fear. They can relate to a General, however, for he symbolises leadership and authority, power and uniform. The time is very ripe for a General.
Thus does Clark offer something with which the other candidates cannot compete, even if they are better equipped for the task of national leadership.
The perfect set-up would have been Dean with Clark as his Vice-Presidential candidate. For I still consider Dean has the best political nous of the ten.
But, I suspect we will see unfolding a campaign which brings Clark swiftly to a lead - and I mean where it counts in NH and Iowa, not in magazine name-recognition polls, which presently put him in an outrageous lead. He has to get the respect in States which are leading the voting.
And we may well see him in the Whitehouse in the end of the day. Perhaps. For the bottom line is "electability" and the ability to beat Bush.
But if there is one thing I really like with Clark, it is that he will bring in his wife, a First Lady of America called Gert!
Wednesday, September 24, 2003
The elements
Bruce always says that Australia does not have "weather", it has "climate". America has "weather".
Isn't that the truth!
We had a lot of rain as we caught the edge of Hurrricane Isabel last week - but nothing compared to the rain which fell today. It started out as a calm and warmish day and when they forecast rain, I thought of showers. So walking back from the supermarket in my rainjacket was no problem. It was very pleasant, despite the weight of shopping on my back. It is steady rain but not cold. In fact, I was pretty steamy inside the rain jacket. The world seemed lush and abundant and altogether lovely.
A short while later I realised that it was very dark indeed. One does not notice when glued to a computer screen - at first. But then I felt rather spooked. It was early afternoon - and dark as night. Then came the rains. Oh, and how they came. For more than an hour water sheeted from the sky - and the lawns turned to lakes.
I darted out to the balcony to pull the gorgeous blooming New Guinea impatiens back from battering torrent - and I was drenched, even under the canopy of the balcony. My hair was sodden. This was not a bad thing, really, since I had just pony-tailed it after washing this morning - and I was prompted to go and blow dry it to some sort of style.
And the rain rained and rained and rained. Long and hard and loud.
And I had to turn the lights on in the apartment, which made it feel all the more like night.
But I buried myself in cooking and challenged the drenched air with scents of fragrant spices...
Now the rain has stopped. Just a few drips from the trees. The late day's sun is fighting its way out - spreading lavish light rays through the moist trees.
Sweet reward.
Isn't that the truth!
We had a lot of rain as we caught the edge of Hurrricane Isabel last week - but nothing compared to the rain which fell today. It started out as a calm and warmish day and when they forecast rain, I thought of showers. So walking back from the supermarket in my rainjacket was no problem. It was very pleasant, despite the weight of shopping on my back. It is steady rain but not cold. In fact, I was pretty steamy inside the rain jacket. The world seemed lush and abundant and altogether lovely.
A short while later I realised that it was very dark indeed. One does not notice when glued to a computer screen - at first. But then I felt rather spooked. It was early afternoon - and dark as night. Then came the rains. Oh, and how they came. For more than an hour water sheeted from the sky - and the lawns turned to lakes.
I darted out to the balcony to pull the gorgeous blooming New Guinea impatiens back from battering torrent - and I was drenched, even under the canopy of the balcony. My hair was sodden. This was not a bad thing, really, since I had just pony-tailed it after washing this morning - and I was prompted to go and blow dry it to some sort of style.
And the rain rained and rained and rained. Long and hard and loud.
And I had to turn the lights on in the apartment, which made it feel all the more like night.
But I buried myself in cooking and challenged the drenched air with scents of fragrant spices...
Now the rain has stopped. Just a few drips from the trees. The late day's sun is fighting its way out - spreading lavish light rays through the moist trees.
Sweet reward.
Tuesday, September 23, 2003
And in comes Wes
The people's choice. Wes Clark. Five star General.
It is an interesting reflection on the mood of America that it craves a military head of state. Then again, it is a smart strategy if one is to hope for defections from a Right which must be feeling a bit sheepish about the Bush performance and the country's terrible loss of kudos in the eyes of the world. A man of war would cut the mustard with them.
However, seniority within the disciplinarian ranks of the armed forces is a far cry from politics, let alone the subtleties of diplomacy and the broad spectrum of ecomony. I gather from the effusive media that Clark is a brilliant man, a Rhodes scholar, no less.
If he is so brilliant, it is disappointing to discover that his grammar is not too hot. I noted a terrible howler in his quotes in The Globe. "Laid" not "lain", as I recall. It made me wonder at his scholarship.
It is an interesting reflection on the mood of America that it craves a military head of state. Then again, it is a smart strategy if one is to hope for defections from a Right which must be feeling a bit sheepish about the Bush performance and the country's terrible loss of kudos in the eyes of the world. A man of war would cut the mustard with them.
However, seniority within the disciplinarian ranks of the armed forces is a far cry from politics, let alone the subtleties of diplomacy and the broad spectrum of ecomony. I gather from the effusive media that Clark is a brilliant man, a Rhodes scholar, no less.
If he is so brilliant, it is disappointing to discover that his grammar is not too hot. I noted a terrible howler in his quotes in The Globe. "Laid" not "lain", as I recall. It made me wonder at his scholarship.
Monday, September 22, 2003
Democrats Rolling Thunder Down Home Tour
Whisked up to Manchester for the big Dems event - stopping along the way for the total cultural contrast of the Nashua Police Expo which was held in the grounds of the Bud brewery. Guns, choppers, bomb squad, marines, brawn, tattoos and a lot of obese women wearing shorts. The American "right" at play. I talked to some very sincere young servicemen, felt the weight of a machine gun, was shown assorted bombs and had a good look at an army rescue helicopter. Everyone was eating hotdogs - but, hungry as I was, I could not come at the country's favorite snack.
We schussed on to Manchester where we happened on a sweet Hungarian restaurant with street tables. A stuffed pepper, coffee and a delicious Dobos cake later we meandered to the park where they attempted to charge us $20 each to enter the Rolling Thunder. I've never been charged to hear a politician before! I was in shock. They explained that they had spent $50,000 to hire everything and fly in the people etc - and finding that Michael Moore has suddenly the headliner, well, I negotiated, forked out $10 a head and in we went. There was no way in the world I was going to miss Mike Moore - even though we had attended principally to hear Dennis Kucinich. Moore was standing in for Jim Hightower who had to cancel all the 11th hour due to a family death. I had never heard of Hightower. But Moore!! Well, he is one of my few pinups in this world. What a treat. How lucky was I. Preen preen!
What an odd event was the Rolling Thunder. A lot of stands - all the Dem candidates represented, of course, with an emphasis on Kucinich who has only recently opened a NH office and was coming along to speak. There were also peace activist stands and all sorts of environmental issues along with The Greens, some performance artists and a sound stage with a schedule of activities - music and speeches. Oddly, Kucinich was not on the schedule and were were a little confused. But it was such a perfect day. We set our chairs in the shade, listened to assorted fairly dull provincial speeches and watched the world go by. Wonderful, interesting people.
I sensed Kucinich activity and saw people carrying his placards through the park, so I followed and was told he was about to speak in one of the tents. I rallied Bruce, grabbed the chairs and found a good place on the side where I could watch both Kucinich and his supporters. He spoke passionately, a firebrand. He spoke sense, although I could feel my scientist husband flinching on the subject of Genetic Engineering. Kucinich will not be his man. And I don't think Kucinich will be "the" man. But he is a wonderful man of rare integrity - and I liked him immensely. I also liked the people he attracted - a sea of sensibility, civilized, educated, gentle people.
We returned to the lawns and set our chairs close to the stage to hear the divine Mike Moore.
He is a liberal hellraiser - and he fulfilled all my expectations, witty, fearless, provocative, astute. He is one of the great American heroes - for one has to be incredibly brave to take his stance beneath the aggressive dominance of the country's religious right. He has done the country immense good overseas, to some extent rescuing its damaged post-Bush reputation. "Bowling for Columbine" was a hit and had record runs in cinemas across Australia. It made Aussies love Americans again - because they had found an American who was not aligned with the cultural brutality being projected by Bush and Fox.
Of course Moore received a standing ovation. Rightly so.
I would have loved to hang around as a groupie and shake hands with him, but apparently he was flown in and out on a tight schedule and had to be driven straight back to the airport.
Nonethless, I left the park deleriously happy at the way in which the day had unfolded, feeling blessed to be in New Hampshire where the political process has a peerless energy and vibrancy.
We schussed on to Manchester where we happened on a sweet Hungarian restaurant with street tables. A stuffed pepper, coffee and a delicious Dobos cake later we meandered to the park where they attempted to charge us $20 each to enter the Rolling Thunder. I've never been charged to hear a politician before! I was in shock. They explained that they had spent $50,000 to hire everything and fly in the people etc - and finding that Michael Moore has suddenly the headliner, well, I negotiated, forked out $10 a head and in we went. There was no way in the world I was going to miss Mike Moore - even though we had attended principally to hear Dennis Kucinich. Moore was standing in for Jim Hightower who had to cancel all the 11th hour due to a family death. I had never heard of Hightower. But Moore!! Well, he is one of my few pinups in this world. What a treat. How lucky was I. Preen preen!
What an odd event was the Rolling Thunder. A lot of stands - all the Dem candidates represented, of course, with an emphasis on Kucinich who has only recently opened a NH office and was coming along to speak. There were also peace activist stands and all sorts of environmental issues along with The Greens, some performance artists and a sound stage with a schedule of activities - music and speeches. Oddly, Kucinich was not on the schedule and were were a little confused. But it was such a perfect day. We set our chairs in the shade, listened to assorted fairly dull provincial speeches and watched the world go by. Wonderful, interesting people.
I sensed Kucinich activity and saw people carrying his placards through the park, so I followed and was told he was about to speak in one of the tents. I rallied Bruce, grabbed the chairs and found a good place on the side where I could watch both Kucinich and his supporters. He spoke passionately, a firebrand. He spoke sense, although I could feel my scientist husband flinching on the subject of Genetic Engineering. Kucinich will not be his man. And I don't think Kucinich will be "the" man. But he is a wonderful man of rare integrity - and I liked him immensely. I also liked the people he attracted - a sea of sensibility, civilized, educated, gentle people.
We returned to the lawns and set our chairs close to the stage to hear the divine Mike Moore.
He is a liberal hellraiser - and he fulfilled all my expectations, witty, fearless, provocative, astute. He is one of the great American heroes - for one has to be incredibly brave to take his stance beneath the aggressive dominance of the country's religious right. He has done the country immense good overseas, to some extent rescuing its damaged post-Bush reputation. "Bowling for Columbine" was a hit and had record runs in cinemas across Australia. It made Aussies love Americans again - because they had found an American who was not aligned with the cultural brutality being projected by Bush and Fox.
Of course Moore received a standing ovation. Rightly so.
I would have loved to hang around as a groupie and shake hands with him, but apparently he was flown in and out on a tight schedule and had to be driven straight back to the airport.
Nonethless, I left the park deleriously happy at the way in which the day had unfolded, feeling blessed to be in New Hampshire where the political process has a peerless energy and vibrancy.
Do, doing done...
Blissikins.
There is nothing like a bit of a spit to put one back into balance.
All the outstanding work is done. Now I can do some of the work I want to do. Whooppee.
There is nothing like a bit of a spit to put one back into balance.
All the outstanding work is done. Now I can do some of the work I want to do. Whooppee.
Saturday, September 20, 2003
Getting everything done - not
Daily I thank the Balinese for teaching me that everything gets done sooner or later - not to rush at everything in stress factor. It will happen. Everything has its time.
It is hard for a Westerner to adopt this thinking. We are used to immediate gratification. And we are used to pressuring ourselves with lists of responsibilities.
I have a pile of work to do.
I always have a pile of work to do.
The more I do, the more it arrives.
Sometimes it frightens me.
But then I think of Bali - and I think that it will get done, calmly, in its time.
Nonetheless I can get annoyed with myself. Yesterday I was determined to do two projects - the net column and an update for the ernmalley.com website
The column was difficult, as sometimes it is. It took hours of dreary surfing. And by the time it was filed, I had to cook dinner. I had not done the other project.
I would do it today.
Today I wrote book reviews - because their time to be written had come.
And I did the washing.
But the website work is not yet done - and it weighs heavily.
I know it is not the end of the earth if it is not done today. But I will feel happier if it is.
Because I have masses of other work I want to do.
And I need to have it all done before .....
...before I go back to work.
It is hard for a Westerner to adopt this thinking. We are used to immediate gratification. And we are used to pressuring ourselves with lists of responsibilities.
I have a pile of work to do.
I always have a pile of work to do.
The more I do, the more it arrives.
Sometimes it frightens me.
But then I think of Bali - and I think that it will get done, calmly, in its time.
Nonetheless I can get annoyed with myself. Yesterday I was determined to do two projects - the net column and an update for the ernmalley.com website
The column was difficult, as sometimes it is. It took hours of dreary surfing. And by the time it was filed, I had to cook dinner. I had not done the other project.
I would do it today.
Today I wrote book reviews - because their time to be written had come.
And I did the washing.
But the website work is not yet done - and it weighs heavily.
I know it is not the end of the earth if it is not done today. But I will feel happier if it is.
Because I have masses of other work I want to do.
And I need to have it all done before .....
...before I go back to work.
Thursday, September 18, 2003
The Dean Machine
Made a sortie to a private house outside Milford to meet Howard Dean on the campaign trail - my second close scrutiny of Dean. And, as it turned out, my second personal greeting and handshake from him. A good handshake he has, too.
Despite the fact that the house of hosts Paul and Nancy Amato was out along dark country roads, there was a massive turnout. Fortunately, the large and gracious house also had lots of land - all of which was needed for parking. And they had floodlights, a sound system and, of course, hospitality in the form of tea, coffee, punch and fancy cakes.
Dean was 15 minutes late - not bad for a man on the campaign trail. He was profusely apologetic. His message may have been familiar, but his speech seemed fresh - and passionate and punctuated with ironic humor. He opened himself to questioning and did not dodge the issues when answering.
The more I see of him, the more I feel that America would be well served by him. I hope the people feel the same.
Of course, now Wesley Clark has thrown his hat into the ring, the dynamics may change. Clark has some very impressive credentials and is a Southerner, to boot. However, he has only had authority over a highly-disciplined bureacracy. He is a political ingenue. Dean, on the other hand, has had extensive hands-on experience as a Governor - a very successful one at that.
And so far as hands-on is concerned, I was contemplating this and the brags of Kucinich, Gephardt and Edwards about their humble, grass-roots origins. Dean may not have come from the wrong side of the tracks, but he has lived with the grass roots and been very literally hands-on with the people in his role as a doctor. You just don't get closer to the people than that.
A doctor in the Whitehouse? Some healing for the nation? Sounds good.
Despite the fact that the house of hosts Paul and Nancy Amato was out along dark country roads, there was a massive turnout. Fortunately, the large and gracious house also had lots of land - all of which was needed for parking. And they had floodlights, a sound system and, of course, hospitality in the form of tea, coffee, punch and fancy cakes.
Dean was 15 minutes late - not bad for a man on the campaign trail. He was profusely apologetic. His message may have been familiar, but his speech seemed fresh - and passionate and punctuated with ironic humor. He opened himself to questioning and did not dodge the issues when answering.
The more I see of him, the more I feel that America would be well served by him. I hope the people feel the same.
Of course, now Wesley Clark has thrown his hat into the ring, the dynamics may change. Clark has some very impressive credentials and is a Southerner, to boot. However, he has only had authority over a highly-disciplined bureacracy. He is a political ingenue. Dean, on the other hand, has had extensive hands-on experience as a Governor - a very successful one at that.
And so far as hands-on is concerned, I was contemplating this and the brags of Kucinich, Gephardt and Edwards about their humble, grass-roots origins. Dean may not have come from the wrong side of the tracks, but he has lived with the grass roots and been very literally hands-on with the people in his role as a doctor. You just don't get closer to the people than that.
A doctor in the Whitehouse? Some healing for the nation? Sounds good.
Tuesday, September 16, 2003
Goodbye Senator Edwards
Charming and disarming as is Senator John Edwards - and as strongly as he may hold sway over the South, he has lost me.
Today's Boston Globe reveals exactly how he was "defending the rights of children against the giant corporations" in his illustrious and lucrative legal career. Of course when he said "giant corporations", I thought of giant corporations. I did not think of hospitals as giant corporations and certainly not doctors. But this seems to have been the thrust of the Edwards legal career, if the Globe is to be believed. And this cuts sharply across my moral grain. It is not that doctors don't owe a responsibility of due care to their patients - but, however much we may wish it otherwise, medicine is an approximate art. Mistakes are made, especially in the perilously stressful business of childbirth.
It is these very litigations and the claims for outrageous damages which have so damaged the medical system. It has made doctors shy away from obstetrics. It is creating a shortage of obsetricians. It has made hospitals wary of obstetrics - and it has made medical insurances leap through the roof. It has added to the costs we must pay for medicine. It threatens the very future of medicine and the healthcare of society - ironically, issues which Edwards promotes on his campaign platform. Talk about having your cake and eating it, too!
I think the lawyers behind these squillion-dollar claims, claims for more money than any mortal ever would need, should, in turn, pay damages - retribution to the system and to the rest of society.
Of course they take a hearty cut, up to 40 per cent says the Globe, of the damages awarded. Which explains how the millworker's son is now a millionaire.
Oh no - I could never support such a predator. However handsome and earnest he seems.
Today's Boston Globe reveals exactly how he was "defending the rights of children against the giant corporations" in his illustrious and lucrative legal career. Of course when he said "giant corporations", I thought of giant corporations. I did not think of hospitals as giant corporations and certainly not doctors. But this seems to have been the thrust of the Edwards legal career, if the Globe is to be believed. And this cuts sharply across my moral grain. It is not that doctors don't owe a responsibility of due care to their patients - but, however much we may wish it otherwise, medicine is an approximate art. Mistakes are made, especially in the perilously stressful business of childbirth.
It is these very litigations and the claims for outrageous damages which have so damaged the medical system. It has made doctors shy away from obstetrics. It is creating a shortage of obsetricians. It has made hospitals wary of obstetrics - and it has made medical insurances leap through the roof. It has added to the costs we must pay for medicine. It threatens the very future of medicine and the healthcare of society - ironically, issues which Edwards promotes on his campaign platform. Talk about having your cake and eating it, too!
I think the lawyers behind these squillion-dollar claims, claims for more money than any mortal ever would need, should, in turn, pay damages - retribution to the system and to the rest of society.
Of course they take a hearty cut, up to 40 per cent says the Globe, of the damages awarded. Which explains how the millworker's son is now a millionaire.
Oh no - I could never support such a predator. However handsome and earnest he seems.
Sunday, September 14, 2003
Of course the hustings go on
Much frustration at not being able to hook up with any of the Democrat candidates in the last week or so. Well, Edwards has been around the traps, but we could not co-ordinate getting to his events - but we are closely familiar with his campaign and are keen to hook up with those we have yet to explore such as Kucinich, Graham and Gephardt. The latter has been holding events but, insultingly, sending his son along as a substitute. I have not the faintest wish in the world to meet a politician's offspring and I can't imagine any committed American voter wanting to do so. I think it is a tawdry piece of strategy. But, then again, Gephardt has failed dismisally to impress me and my interest in seeing him in the flesh is token.
The campaign fascination of the moment is the new wave of bitching at Dean. Everyone is gunning for him and one starts to see the political self-interest swamping anything akin to altruism in the name of the country.
The more the candidates attack Dean, the smaller they seem - and the larger Dean looms as the figure of power and influence.
The campaign fascination of the moment is the new wave of bitching at Dean. Everyone is gunning for him and one starts to see the political self-interest swamping anything akin to altruism in the name of the country.
The more the candidates attack Dean, the smaller they seem - and the larger Dean looms as the figure of power and influence.
Only in America
It was the Quilt Museum and an exhibition of black American quilt designs which lured me to Lowell, Mass, this weekend. But it was something else which blew me away.
A BBQ Festival!!! Complete with competition BBQ teams from all over the country. They came with campervans and trailers, tents and simple sleeping bags - and they created a canalside encampment around their marquees, cutting tables and cooking equipment. Huge black smokers, masses of hickory wood, little barbies, Webers of assorted sizes, vast myserious metal boxes with gas cylinders attached...
The cooking scents were just too delicious and one drooled one's way past their competitive ventures, fortunately, able to sample bits now and then if one was lucky enough to pass the judge's marquee when they were putting out the leftovers.
Commercial enterprises were there to fill the bellies properly - and I sampled those famous American ribs and declared them divine. Also braved Fried Dough for the first time - having long been curious. It was strange. Not like a doughnut at all. Pleasant, although way to oily...and not something I would crave again. Once is enough.
But so far as Lowell is concerned, it can never be enough. That is a wonderful town with a vital community spirit and every visit there has been a vibrant delight.
A BBQ Festival!!! Complete with competition BBQ teams from all over the country. They came with campervans and trailers, tents and simple sleeping bags - and they created a canalside encampment around their marquees, cutting tables and cooking equipment. Huge black smokers, masses of hickory wood, little barbies, Webers of assorted sizes, vast myserious metal boxes with gas cylinders attached...
The cooking scents were just too delicious and one drooled one's way past their competitive ventures, fortunately, able to sample bits now and then if one was lucky enough to pass the judge's marquee when they were putting out the leftovers.
Commercial enterprises were there to fill the bellies properly - and I sampled those famous American ribs and declared them divine. Also braved Fried Dough for the first time - having long been curious. It was strange. Not like a doughnut at all. Pleasant, although way to oily...and not something I would crave again. Once is enough.
But so far as Lowell is concerned, it can never be enough. That is a wonderful town with a vital community spirit and every visit there has been a vibrant delight.
Saturday, September 13, 2003
The visitor
There's a chipmunk that lives under the stoop of our apartment building. Along with the neighboring chippies and a zillion local squirrels, he has been very active lately harvesting the fall of acorns. The apartment complex grounds are swarming with industrious rodents. The racket is amazing with all their chirps and assorted strident calls. Especially the stoop chippie. This fall, another chippie has been making forays into his territory, clearly interested in using that prime piece of protected chippie real estate. The result is periodic shrills of territorial "chip chip chip chip" - and stone-scattering darts and dashes as the intruder is indignantly driven back. Then the stoop chippie sits up on the top step and gives his rhythmic chips of triumph. Another battle won. I'm top chippie round here.
This morning, however, it was silent outside. No chippie or squirrel was to be seen. Nothing moved. Strange. Eerie.
Until one saw the red-tailed hawk, huge and hungry, sitting on the bough of one of the oaks.
Waiting patiently. Alert for the slightest motion on the ground.
I stepped onto the balcony and had words with him. He locked eyes with me - and must have decided that I outranked him, since he flew to another tree.
Wrong tree. Suddenly an army of bluejays swooped down, screeching, squawking, rushing at him. A cacophony of kerfuffle. The hawk tried to hold his ground on the bough. But the jays seemed to have a plan. They dive-bombed him from above and from below and from one side - leaving an exit open. And, finally, the hawk realised that if he wanted to pursue some quiet hunting, this was not going to be the place. And he took the one opening left by the jays and flew off, flanked by victorious bluejays.
Perchance the jays were defending their own bit of territory - but it encompassed that of the chippies and the squirrels, too. And, moments later, they were back on the grass gathering, nibbling and burying acorns. And the stoop chippie was back to hurling abuse at that persistent little invader.
This morning, however, it was silent outside. No chippie or squirrel was to be seen. Nothing moved. Strange. Eerie.
Until one saw the red-tailed hawk, huge and hungry, sitting on the bough of one of the oaks.
Waiting patiently. Alert for the slightest motion on the ground.
I stepped onto the balcony and had words with him. He locked eyes with me - and must have decided that I outranked him, since he flew to another tree.
Wrong tree. Suddenly an army of bluejays swooped down, screeching, squawking, rushing at him. A cacophony of kerfuffle. The hawk tried to hold his ground on the bough. But the jays seemed to have a plan. They dive-bombed him from above and from below and from one side - leaving an exit open. And, finally, the hawk realised that if he wanted to pursue some quiet hunting, this was not going to be the place. And he took the one opening left by the jays and flew off, flanked by victorious bluejays.
Perchance the jays were defending their own bit of territory - but it encompassed that of the chippies and the squirrels, too. And, moments later, they were back on the grass gathering, nibbling and burying acorns. And the stoop chippie was back to hurling abuse at that persistent little invader.
Friday, September 12, 2003
9/11
Nashua had its 9/11 observance on September 10.
I would have missed it had Bruce and I not chosen Greeley Park for our evening constitutional. And there were the people, the local Granitestatesmen men's chorus, a piper, assorted local dignitaries, Fireys and Ambos. Even the Sally Ally brigade (Salvation Army). There was rather a lot of speechifying and some nice patriotic singing. I felt a bit spare when everyone sang the national anthem. I don't know the words. Then again, I don't know the words to my own national anthem. Well, that is reasonable. It is an awful anthem. The American anthem, like the flag, is wonderful and worth loving.
I was pondering the flag phenomenon the other day. Since 9/11, flag sales in this country sky-rocketed and people have masses of them on their houses and cars and businesses. If there was any business worthy of investment, it would be American flags.
In Australia one rarely sees a flag, unless it be on a government building. It's not that Australians are not patriotic. It's just that they don't specially like that derivative flag.
I would have missed it had Bruce and I not chosen Greeley Park for our evening constitutional. And there were the people, the local Granitestatesmen men's chorus, a piper, assorted local dignitaries, Fireys and Ambos. Even the Sally Ally brigade (Salvation Army). There was rather a lot of speechifying and some nice patriotic singing. I felt a bit spare when everyone sang the national anthem. I don't know the words. Then again, I don't know the words to my own national anthem. Well, that is reasonable. It is an awful anthem. The American anthem, like the flag, is wonderful and worth loving.
I was pondering the flag phenomenon the other day. Since 9/11, flag sales in this country sky-rocketed and people have masses of them on their houses and cars and businesses. If there was any business worthy of investment, it would be American flags.
In Australia one rarely sees a flag, unless it be on a government building. It's not that Australians are not patriotic. It's just that they don't specially like that derivative flag.
Another debate
Not surprising to see John Edwards biting back after the Democrats' debate on Fox. Naughty Howard Dean to suggest that he was the only contender addressing white people on the issue of race. Mistaken assumption. I have listened to Edwards at several events now and at each he has made a point of talking about growing up with segregation and how repugnant he found it. I noticed John Kerry also took up the race cause in his speech - and I don't think he ever misses a chance to say he marched with Martin Luther King.
Of course in Dean's defence one has to realise that these blokes don't go to each other's campaign events - so they can't hear what they are telling groups large and small around the land.
Of course in Dean's defence one has to realise that these blokes don't go to each other's campaign events - so they can't hear what they are telling groups large and small around the land.
Wednesday, September 10, 2003
Chasing the clock
Another day consumed with minutiae. Terrifying. Perhaps I set myself too many tasks. But the way the time slithers past is utterly terrifying. Like life. It's all over before one is even organised.
Monday, September 08, 2003
Monday morning gripes
The newspaper is spread all around me. The books glare from the bedside table saying that I am behind my my reading. I skim the paper, picking out news items, reading the opinion pieces in depth. So much to read, hurrying to get it all done. Reading in a rush. When did this begin?
I feel the information overload breaking my brain. My mind wanders making lists of things to be remembered and achieved, communications to be made, oh yes, and food to be prepared. Do I have all the ingredients? Do I have time to wash my hair? Then I realise I have not absorbed what I was reading, so I read it again in an even greater hurry. The end result is a sea of fragments of information, of impressions, half-knowledge.
The email adds a new layer - oh and another assignment with a rush deadline. I must prioritise. But if I don't finish the paper now...
This is my holiday? My Long Service Leave? A time when I thought I would get done all those things I have wanted to get done - finish the content on the website, make a natural history website, finish the cookery book, read all those review books, get fit, start a blog....
Work and leisure have merged, so much so that leisure time is even harder work.
Well, there's no time to waste. Back to the paper.
I feel the information overload breaking my brain. My mind wanders making lists of things to be remembered and achieved, communications to be made, oh yes, and food to be prepared. Do I have all the ingredients? Do I have time to wash my hair? Then I realise I have not absorbed what I was reading, so I read it again in an even greater hurry. The end result is a sea of fragments of information, of impressions, half-knowledge.
The email adds a new layer - oh and another assignment with a rush deadline. I must prioritise. But if I don't finish the paper now...
This is my holiday? My Long Service Leave? A time when I thought I would get done all those things I have wanted to get done - finish the content on the website, make a natural history website, finish the cookery book, read all those review books, get fit, start a blog....
Work and leisure have merged, so much so that leisure time is even harder work.
Well, there's no time to waste. Back to the paper.
Pollie polls
Taken aback to find a 404 on the blog yesterday. Heaven forbid that one should miss a day of minutiae. In my case, just observations of the political processes here in New England.
Dean forges ahead in the Boston Globe poll today - and one senses that it is time for the other pollies to start getting seriously dirty to edge him out of that clear lead. But as much as they may bersmirch and undermine his policies, I see Dean's strength in his supporters. Not only the sensational and unprecedented web presence - but on the ground. I meandered into Old Town Day in Clinton, Mass, yesterday - and amid all the stalls and local fundraisers for everything from the fire department to the PTA, there was just one political stand. A bunch of delightful Dean supporters offering policy notes, bumper stickers and badges. This man has the grass roots activated. It is the people's thrust which carries him.
Dean forges ahead in the Boston Globe poll today - and one senses that it is time for the other pollies to start getting seriously dirty to edge him out of that clear lead. But as much as they may bersmirch and undermine his policies, I see Dean's strength in his supporters. Not only the sensational and unprecedented web presence - but on the ground. I meandered into Old Town Day in Clinton, Mass, yesterday - and amid all the stalls and local fundraisers for everything from the fire department to the PTA, there was just one political stand. A bunch of delightful Dean supporters offering policy notes, bumper stickers and badges. This man has the grass roots activated. It is the people's thrust which carries him.
Saturday, September 06, 2003
As pollies see it
I have an email from the Dick Gephardt team announcing that Gephardt had a runaway victory in the TV debate. Well, blow me down. And I never noticed! What I saw was a polly who ran over time limit doing some heavy platforming instead of answering a question. Not that I have anything against him. I have missed his NH visits so far, so have not looked him over. He and Graham from Florida are the remainder of my list. The others, well...
Friday, September 05, 2003
Potential presidents en masse
One has to say they are a pretty classy line-up - the Democrats vying for presidential nomination. There they were on TV tonight - not so much a debate as an interrogation. However Kucinich did take it upon himself to snipe at Howard Dean, a hint of debate perhaps. Dean, I think, was strong and gracious and came out on top of that little spat. Kucinich was showing his insecurity at the sizzling Dean lead. But it is early days. Although John Kerry did a spot of the classic politician sidestepping of direct questions, he continued to impress as the most statesmanlike of the bunch - and the only one brave enough to crack a few jokes.
Back to the Presidential Primaries
Last night having a brisk pre-prandial stroll through the streets of Nashua, we paused at the Howard Dean Campaign office to see when he may be back in town. The eager workers were madly welcoming and desperately anxious to know how just far towards Dean we were leaning. I think they wanted specific degrees, so often did they ask. But, it's hard to know this early in the Primaries. I was very impressed with Dean listening to his views at the Nashua party I attended. On a personal front, I liked his handshake. I liked our brief conversation and that, in response to what I so mischievously said, he threw back his head and gave a hearty, infectious laugh. I also liked his retort which balanced seriousness with humor. I think he is a quality candidate.
However, that craggy Senator from Massachusetts, John Kerry, has a sage "big picture". He expressed a global perspective I have not, heretofore, heard from the others. I liked the way he arrived at the party with punctuality and without fanfare. I like the way he grabbed a plastic garden chair and stood on it, to make sure that everybody could see him. Not that he is height challenged. Indeed, when I got to speak with him, he bent over to hear me better, so much so that people thought I was kissing him on the cheek.
John Edwards from North Carolina is nothing less than a sweetheart. He is possessed of a rare "people" gift. He makes eye contact with everyone. He moves in close, eschewing the formality of the speaker. He is passionate, energetic and, I believe, genuinely caring about the human predicament. He has something of the JFK and the Bill Clinton in his personable air. And it does not hurt that he is eye candy. I quite liked his politics and I suppose I forgave him for responding to my comments with the cliche "I hear you".
Joe Lieberman, the one other candidate whose meetings I have attended, did not fire me up. He seemed sincere enough and was most certainly a superb speaker. Perhaps I did not like the presence of two Congressional security goons with bulges under their suits. Or perhaps I just think that he is yesterday's man. I did not seek to speak with him.
I am eagerly awaiting the NH visits of the other candidates, of course. It's a fair line-up. Meanwhile, we have tonight's TV debate. The Dean campaign people have an array of Debate Parties arranged and quickly invited us to attend one. I am tempted - for it would be a magnificent further insight within the American political experience. But I have bought lovely fresh Maine crabmeat and intend to make New England crabcakes.
However, that craggy Senator from Massachusetts, John Kerry, has a sage "big picture". He expressed a global perspective I have not, heretofore, heard from the others. I liked the way he arrived at the party with punctuality and without fanfare. I like the way he grabbed a plastic garden chair and stood on it, to make sure that everybody could see him. Not that he is height challenged. Indeed, when I got to speak with him, he bent over to hear me better, so much so that people thought I was kissing him on the cheek.
John Edwards from North Carolina is nothing less than a sweetheart. He is possessed of a rare "people" gift. He makes eye contact with everyone. He moves in close, eschewing the formality of the speaker. He is passionate, energetic and, I believe, genuinely caring about the human predicament. He has something of the JFK and the Bill Clinton in his personable air. And it does not hurt that he is eye candy. I quite liked his politics and I suppose I forgave him for responding to my comments with the cliche "I hear you".
Joe Lieberman, the one other candidate whose meetings I have attended, did not fire me up. He seemed sincere enough and was most certainly a superb speaker. Perhaps I did not like the presence of two Congressional security goons with bulges under their suits. Or perhaps I just think that he is yesterday's man. I did not seek to speak with him.
I am eagerly awaiting the NH visits of the other candidates, of course. It's a fair line-up. Meanwhile, we have tonight's TV debate. The Dean campaign people have an array of Debate Parties arranged and quickly invited us to attend one. I am tempted - for it would be a magnificent further insight within the American political experience. But I have bought lovely fresh Maine crabmeat and intend to make New England crabcakes.
Thursday, September 04, 2003
A novice blogger
I've found BlogSnob! Love it. I've been writing about blogs for ages, studying them and reading them - but this quirky grouping is a newie. I've affixed its logo link which, in itself is charming.
Hopefully, soon, I shall swim in its happy current.
For an old netizen, online since 1993 when one still had to type in DOS codes, this tardy start to blogging is nothing less than remiss. I let myself be cut off from the cutting edge. Fie.
Hopefully, soon, I shall swim in its happy current.
For an old netizen, online since 1993 when one still had to type in DOS codes, this tardy start to blogging is nothing less than remiss. I let myself be cut off from the cutting edge. Fie.
Beautiful Americans
Well, after that pompous introduction and a lot of playing around with the settings, I am ready to blog forth.
Wide-eyed in America. I am always thus. On each of my annual sojourns in this country, I have found some new dimension - sometimes many.
This year it has been the political process. I am in New Hampshire where the presidential primaries are vigorously underway. The party political system is vastly different to that of Australia where leaders are chosen within their parties. Here the leaders are chosen at political parties!
Oh yes, party politics takes on a very different hue.
The presidential candidates are presented to potential voters not only at public meetings in town halls but at parties hosted by local supporters at their homes. Garden parties. Lots and lots of garden parties.
One may receive an invitation in the post or by hooking in through a campaign website - and off one goes to hear and meet in person the candidate of the moment. The hosts turn on spreads of delicious refreshments and, in dubious weather, erect marquees. And the candidate rolls up at an appointed time, outlines his policy, patiently answers interminable and often piercing questions and then mingles informally with the people.
This is the most extraordinary hands-on electioneering. It is micro-campaigning - in a macro country.
I have pressed flesh and spoken to three potential US presidents - and listened to a fourth.
I can't vote, of course. But, as a political animal, I can thrive in the extraordinary immediacy of the process - and I can be a US politics junkie.
How sad it is that the likes of FoxTV projects to the world the image of an America of rabidly religious gun-loving jingoists. It is simply not the case! There is another strata of beautiful Americans, broadly read, curious about life and acutely sensitive to the inequities of the world. I feel rather blessed to be in their midst.
Wide-eyed in America. I am always thus. On each of my annual sojourns in this country, I have found some new dimension - sometimes many.
This year it has been the political process. I am in New Hampshire where the presidential primaries are vigorously underway. The party political system is vastly different to that of Australia where leaders are chosen within their parties. Here the leaders are chosen at political parties!
Oh yes, party politics takes on a very different hue.
The presidential candidates are presented to potential voters not only at public meetings in town halls but at parties hosted by local supporters at their homes. Garden parties. Lots and lots of garden parties.
One may receive an invitation in the post or by hooking in through a campaign website - and off one goes to hear and meet in person the candidate of the moment. The hosts turn on spreads of delicious refreshments and, in dubious weather, erect marquees. And the candidate rolls up at an appointed time, outlines his policy, patiently answers interminable and often piercing questions and then mingles informally with the people.
This is the most extraordinary hands-on electioneering. It is micro-campaigning - in a macro country.
I have pressed flesh and spoken to three potential US presidents - and listened to a fourth.
I can't vote, of course. But, as a political animal, I can thrive in the extraordinary immediacy of the process - and I can be a US politics junkie.
How sad it is that the likes of FoxTV projects to the world the image of an America of rabidly religious gun-loving jingoists. It is simply not the case! There is another strata of beautiful Americans, broadly read, curious about life and acutely sensitive to the inequities of the world. I feel rather blessed to be in their midst.
Why blog?
Blogs are the new journalism, so they trumpet across the Net. I'd say they are the free journalism - liberated from the constraints of editorial command. I won't say that all bloggers qualify as journalists but, like journalists, they are communicators. Unlike working journalists, they are free to publish whatever they will whenever they choose.
The historic significance of this magnificent explosion of human expression is yet to be quantified - for we know not how long or even how they may be archived in the ensuing decades or centuries. The volume of material will make them unmanageable. But who am I to worry about this? I am not writing for perpetuity. Indeed, I am not sure why I am writing this at all. Heaven knows, I don't have the time. What I do have is the passion to raise my voice to be part of the virtual cacophony of opinions and experiences which makes this medium such an important development in human communications.
The historic significance of this magnificent explosion of human expression is yet to be quantified - for we know not how long or even how they may be archived in the ensuing decades or centuries. The volume of material will make them unmanageable. But who am I to worry about this? I am not writing for perpetuity. Indeed, I am not sure why I am writing this at all. Heaven knows, I don't have the time. What I do have is the passion to raise my voice to be part of the virtual cacophony of opinions and experiences which makes this medium such an important development in human communications.
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