A BfD commenter once asked me why I hate Terry McAuliffe so much. Well this seems like as good a reason as any:

Reader Paula just sent me this dreary little man's attempt at RFI.

George Will, I'll take you on-not that you are likely to ever read this, but let's dissect your rant on, of all things denim.

Denim is a perfectly respectable cloth, and comes in wide range of weights, colors, prices, some even with Lycra mixed in. Really, what's to hate about something so versatile? It's like hating a cotton sweater. We all have them, some might fit us better than others, and some might be a better color on us than others. But spending time disparaging denim, not really a great use of your column inches I think. Sort of like yesterday's silly Tea-bagging party.
 
Denim is identified as an " American cotton textile where the diagonal warp is a striped hickory cloth that was once associated with railroadmen's overalls, in which blue or black contrasting undyed white threads form the woven pattern."  So now Will hates America-ok kids you all remember that!

In between the sneering and the lecturing it seems he just can't stand that we're all not walking around with a Brooks Brothers yard stick up our ass. What is so awful about a man and his son walking in the mall? It' s not as if they showed up at some White House State dinner in the t-shirt and jeans? They're at THE MALL, where every store probably is trying to sell denim! I'm clearly not familiar with this Daniel Akst person, whose web profile has a picture of him in a black sweater and chinos - well aren't we fashion forward.

What I really think he dislikes is who is wearing it. Ah ha!  Now we are getting some where, he's speaking of us. All the inference is that without your pin stripe suit and your four hand tie, you are beneath his contempt. No Mr Will you are beneath mine.

While I've certainly had my moments of DFI ticketing it's for a reason, call them fashion teachable moments. If you are running for office or leading a organization I expect you to be presentable. If you don't know how to do that, I'm hear to help.

This quote in particular rankles "Denim is the carefully calculated costume of people eager to communicate indifference to appearances" I doubt that sweetie.  Am I indifferent in my appearance- oooh no honey, I'm quite particular and I wear denim.

Now Will does admit that he doesn't wear denim and only bought a pair to wear at some name dropping party he went to. Insert giant eye roll here.

At no time did he give us a REAL reason for his ire? Not one of the offenses he trotted were worth his snotty ass attitude.  Not damn one.

It seems that Governor Palin is pro-choice, at least when it comes to her own choices. At a recent anti-abortion rights event in Indiana, Palin told the 3,000 person audience that "she had "just for a fleeting moment" contemplated seeking an abortion after learning she was pregnant with her son Trig."

Huh. Sounds to me like she made a choice there.

CQ alleges that Rep. Jane Harman (D-CA) was caught on an NSA wiretap offering a quid-pro-quo to a suspected Israeli agent, and was protected from further investigation by Alberto Gonzales because Rep. Harman's support of the warrantless wiretaps we all love was a valuable asset to the Bush administration. Harman has of course issued a denial, although the denial doesn't seem to claim that the allegedly wiretapped conversation did not take place. There is an excellent breakdown at NPR of various opinions regarding the potential veracity of the CQ allegations.

I think it's safe to say that investigations will be underway shortly.

Seems there might be things to chat about...

Carry on.. I'm off to bed.

MSNBC has a poll up about Obama's first 100 days. Although I'm not a big fan of online polls as they can be somewhat dishonest, this one is fun enough to pass along.

The National Action Network is sponsoring a Bus Ride from Savannah to Washington D.C. on May 15th through the 17th. In Honor of the landmark Brown v. Board of Education, the NAACP and the National Action Network are sending a bus to D.C. There's a facebook event up about the ride and how to RSVP, or just email savnaacp at bellsouth.net.

Last but not least - the Georgia Alliance for Retired Americans is hosting a huge Flea Market on Saturday June 20th from 10AM to 5PM at the IBEW Parking Lot (501 Pulliam Street NW in Atlanta). There's no charge of course to get in, if you would like to be a vendor call 404-819-1461. I'm so there.

AJC is reporting that Cagle is "scheduled to undergo surgery Monday to correct a degenerative spine and neck condition." So, there ya go.

In honor of Jaheem Herrera's life, Beulah Missionary Baptist Church is holding an anti-bullying rally next Saturday - May 9th - at 2pm. It's pathetic that it has taken the suicide of two eleven year old boys to wake some people up.

Meet the Georgia delegation (aka Super 6) who l had the honor and privilege to lobby with on the hill Tuesday. Our task was to meet with our two Senators, and three Congressman and tell "our story" in the hope we would encourage them to support passage of the "Hate Crimes" bill or as it's formally known Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act (H. R. 1913). This bill has been kicking around Congress for many years, and the stars seem to be aligning this year for it to perhaps become law. This afternoon it passed out of the house and Senator Kennedy has introduced it into the Senate.

We were part of a larger delegation organized by the National Center for Transgender Equality based in DC. I've lobbied with NCTE before, and there is no finer organization when it comes to training, preparation and political savvy. The ED of NCTE is Mara Keisling, who I admire for her political wonkiness, incredible sense of humor and dedication to seeking equality for all. Her staff reflects this same dedication and good nature.

Many stories will be written about why this bill was necessary, among the many good reasons, is this:

The Hate Crimes Prevention Act is supported by nearly 300 civil rights, education, religious, and civic organizations. The bill is also endorsed by virtually every major law enforcement organization in the country--including the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National District Attorneys Association, the National Sheriffs Association, the Police Executive Research Forum, and thirty-one state Attorneys General.

But at the end of the day it's about hate, and violence against folks who are just people going about their daily lives. It's about the Government being an institution of support and investigation and not re-victimization. When this bill is fully made law, local law enforcement will be taught that it's not OK to look the other way when women, disabled, gay and trans people are brutalized. It sends a message to everyone that while you may think whatever you like, you can't act on it and hope to get away with it.

I spent a day and half with my new best friends, I heard their stories, I heard them ask their dully elected officials for support and consideration. In the case of the GA Dem delegation they were heard. In the case of the opposition, it fell on very deaf ears.

I will post a few other adventures in activism, later. I have pictures of Ron Paul too...

Tweet Tweet

So, I joined Twitter back ages ago but then couldn't keep up with it. Recently, I re-upped. I'm following some old friends around the country and Canada; trying to keep up with some politicos and celebs; and, of course, following some local online friends and writers. I don't have a lot to tweet - but the content coming to me is sometimes compelling; sometimes hilarious; and sometimes banal. Here is a small sampling.

Do you like to travel with a dog but prefer to not "check it" to the barrel of a plane? Well, here's your solution: Pet Airways.
h/t: David Sirota.

Why am I not surprised to learn that the swine flu outbreak may have a connection to Smithfield. Maybe we should give Paula Deen a call....
h/t: Andisheh.

Some of you may know that I'm a big "That Girl" fan, so when I discovered wowOwow I was thrilled. Marlo Thomas, Whoopi Goldberg, Candice Bergen, Lily Tomlin, and more! All writing about everything from politics to fashion. h/t: Jane Fonda.

Did you sign up for a CSA? Now you're wondering what to do with all that food every week? Here's a blog that will help you through: thoughtful consumption.
h/t: Leslie_A.

Pets seem to be a common tweepic (Tweet Topic). Francesca and Sparky weigh in on the First Dog....
h/t: Martha Stewart.

So, do you tweet? Who do you follow?

Take your pick: Susan Boyle or Democrats?

Discuss.

Are you a current or former Democratic candidate or elected official? Are you a current staffer for a Democratic campaign in Georgia? Are you a community activist, engaged citizen, government or non-profit sector worker? Are you a regular reader, political wonk, outlier, maven or passionate amateur? Do you enjoy writing? Do you have strong, well-formed opinions you'd like to share?

If some or most of these fit, then we'd like to invite you to post on the front page of this blog, or on one of the new blog sections launching this month. Topics will include: campaigns and elections, politics, environment, movies, books, design, tech, law, home arts, and if someone is interested in maintaining it, sports.

Contact goux@mac.com for details.

photo credit: Sacramento Bee

It's hard to believe that's it's been nearly a year since David Sirota joined us in Atlanta to promote the initial publishing of his second book, The Uprising:  How Big Money and Corruption Conquered our Government -- And We Take It Back.  An easy and informative must-read for every progressive activist.  David's got a great style that combines a terrific grasp of the issues delivered in a compelling style.  Why not drop by A Cappella Books and pick up a copy?

Geraldine Brooks wows me with her new book.

I'm still not sure how it showed up on our bookshelf.  Someone probably picked it up, intrigued by the title. People of The Book is the newest novel from Pulitzer Prize winning author, Geraldine Brooks.   This fascinating novel follows the trail of a Haggadah, begun around 1490.  The reader follows the book back in time from current day Sarajevo to 15th century Spain while learning about the intersection of Muslim, Jewish, and Christian history.  Hanna, our narrator teaches us  about book conservation  (not to be confused with book restoration).

In her  January 2008  New York Times review Lisa Fugard wrote:

To understand the work of the craftsmen who created the medieval texts she restores, Hanna has made her own gold leaf and created white pigment by covering lead bars with the dregs of old wine and animal dung. She's familiar with "the intense red known as worm scarlet ... extracted from tree-dwelling insects" and the blue, "intense as a midsummer sky, obtained from grinding precious lapis lazuli." Looking closely at the parchment of the Haggadah, she can tell it comes from "the skin of a now-extinct breed of thick-haired Spanish mountain sheep." These lush details, at once celebratory and elegiac, will appeal to the sort of reader who picks up a book just for the feel of it.

It's a great read which prompted me to pick up an earlier work, Year of Wonders.  I'll let you know how that goes.

A new poll says perhaps. Daily Kos has the full scoop.

Call this post adventures in activism part 2... see part 1 below on the Super 6.

I'm always amazed by the many surprises that await while in DC...

Leaving the Russell Senate offices we ran into this demonstration. These folks were very organized and very loud! You go ADAPT! Wish I could have helped but we had a different mission. Later on some of the activists handcuffed themselves to the White House.. Fist UP!

A few minutes later inside the Cannon building- who did we run into but this Congressman...

Back outside I saw this vehicle parked along the offices... Ummm I remember the "Thing" but wow that's a old car, I think someones Mom growing up had one. I was fascinated by the many stickers for Burr (no not Aaron) is presumably this guy. I think all those stickers are holding the car together.

Finally my work was done exhausted and hot, I got to ride home on AirTran with this gentleman. He seemed pretty shocked, when I called him Senator and thanked him for his service. Of course as you all know I have no idea who is Dancing with the Stars or wining on Idol. I'm into a different kind of celebrity.

I love DC.

Wow. I really thought Stevens or Ginsburg would be the first ones to retire during the Obama Administration.

At 69, Souter is nowhere near the oldest member of the court, but he has made clear to friends for some time now that he wanted to leave Washington, a city he has never liked, and to return to his native New Hampshire.

Heh. A city he has never liked...