Rein it in, Bill O'Reilly and co.

An Open Letter to Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, and Michelle Malkin
(Posted by Robert Reich at robertreich.blogspot.com/2009/01/open-letter-to-rush-limbaugh-sean.html)

"In a time like this, when tempers are riding high and many Americans are close to panic about their jobs and finances, you have a special responsibility to consider the accuracy of what you say and the consequences of inflammatory and erroneous statements. In the last few days, manifestly distorting my words and pulling them out of context, you have accused me of wanting to exclude white males from jobs generated by the stimulus package. Anyone who takes a moment to examine what I actually said and wrote knows this to be an absurd misrepresentation of my position (see this). My goal is and has always been to create as many opportunities for as wide a group as possible, and not exclude anyone from access. There is and has never been any ambiguity about this. The hate mail I have received since your broadcast suggests that the mischievous consequences of your demagoguery are potentially dangerous, in addition to being destructive of rational and constructive political discourse. I urge you to take responsibility for your words. Words and ideas have real world consequences, and you have demonstrated a cavalier disregard for both."

Now watch this drive

And this, from Time Magazine's top ten videos of Bush: (we will miss this guy, if only to plumb the depths of ridiculous behavior):

Made famous by Michael Moore's documentary Fahrenheit 9/11, this scene from 2002 of Bush following up a screed against "terrorist killers" with a golf swing spelled disaster for his reputation. Really, Mr. President? Suicide bombings in Israel and you're showing off your form?

1,000 words

It is hard to imagine that the nightmare is finally over. More tough doings ahead, but at least we may not be an international pariah anymore.

CBDA Board

We are done with another year! The State Honor Bands are seated, the mailers are on the way. I should be rolling for home (via EUHS) by 1. This board works REALLY hard to make this thing happen smoothly. Now its on to start school. New class to take on...I'm excited. We will see how it all goes.

Home in Three Rivers

Man, it is so beautiful in my town. I loved seeing everybody and traveling to Chicago, but at the same time I am really glad to see a snow-filled Sierra and experience true quiet. No place like home; I guess Dorothy was right.

Now I have a ton of back-work to do and a new class to prepare curriculum for! the downside of coming home is that all the work waits for you! Augh! Onward!

the problem for us

Bacevich has some wise words and it goes with what "Three Cups" gently brings to Ameicans' attention:

Reading

I forgot what a great pleasure it is to READ BOOKS. NoNo, actually I didn't forget; I just spend so much time flailing at work that I don't take the time. Things down here in S.D. move so slowly that I've been forced to slow down myself. NOT that there isn't a ton of work to do; have to get ready to teach a new class and grade all the junk from last semester...but oh, how nice it is to tuck into a good book and just while away the time!