NUCLEAR WEAPONS AND THINGS THAT COULD GO BUMP IN THE NIGHT:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/15/AR2008051503711.html
E-NOTES: WHEN THE NEWS IS NOT ENOUGH. THE BLOG OF E. ETHELBERT MILLER
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Watertown or Water downed? Stick me with a flag pin?
I just listened to Obama's speech in Watertown,South Dakota. One can see him becoming more presidential now that he feels the Democratic nomination is in his pocket. Obama has begun to link McCain to Bush and highlight the "failed" foreign policies of the Bush Administration. It contains a long list. But there is one success the Bush Administration can always put forth - there has been no successful terrorist attacks on US soil since 9/11. How safe is our world today? Well, the world is never safe. Who knows where the next serious trouble spot is going to be? Who might we be fighting by 2013?
Look for Obama to begin presenting a foreign policy that will probably be shaped by "former" Bill Clinton/Jimmy Carter guys. It's either these folks or a bunch of new wunderkinds with new research ideas right out of graduate school. I hope we don't begin to carve out a new foreign policy that's chapter 8 from some one's PhD thesis. If I see those old McNamara charts making a comeback then I know some of the Obama folks are looking at more than old Kennedy speeches.
Talking about speeches, I watched Obama in South Dakota. The guy borrows quite a bit from Kennedy but his cadence and body language is also similar to Malcolm X. The X factor will help Obama appear to be more forceful when making his case. He has to be careful however in these Utubes days to watch the Malcolm wit. Obama has a tendency to zip some lines out that can be real darts. Too many of these O-zingers might rub the media the wrong way. It might make Obama look elitist or uppity. You can play scrabble with the word you want to use. Meanwhile look for Negrophobia to appear after the summer of 2008. Just call me Curious Bert.
I just listened to Obama's speech in Watertown,South Dakota. One can see him becoming more presidential now that he feels the Democratic nomination is in his pocket. Obama has begun to link McCain to Bush and highlight the "failed" foreign policies of the Bush Administration. It contains a long list. But there is one success the Bush Administration can always put forth - there has been no successful terrorist attacks on US soil since 9/11. How safe is our world today? Well, the world is never safe. Who knows where the next serious trouble spot is going to be? Who might we be fighting by 2013?
Look for Obama to begin presenting a foreign policy that will probably be shaped by "former" Bill Clinton/Jimmy Carter guys. It's either these folks or a bunch of new wunderkinds with new research ideas right out of graduate school. I hope we don't begin to carve out a new foreign policy that's chapter 8 from some one's PhD thesis. If I see those old McNamara charts making a comeback then I know some of the Obama folks are looking at more than old Kennedy speeches.
Talking about speeches, I watched Obama in South Dakota. The guy borrows quite a bit from Kennedy but his cadence and body language is also similar to Malcolm X. The X factor will help Obama appear to be more forceful when making his case. He has to be careful however in these Utubes days to watch the Malcolm wit. Obama has a tendency to zip some lines out that can be real darts. Too many of these O-zingers might rub the media the wrong way. It might make Obama look elitist or uppity. You can play scrabble with the word you want to use. Meanwhile look for Negrophobia to appear after the summer of 2008. Just call me Curious Bert.
ARAVIND ADIGA
This week I received a note from Eli Resnick one of my former George Mason University students. Eli told me about a book he thought was great. I just read some excerpts online from THE WHITE TIGER by Aravind Adiga. I have to agree with Eli -this looks like the book to rush out and purchase. It was released last month by The Free Press. I can't wait to read more.
This week I received a note from Eli Resnick one of my former George Mason University students. Eli told me about a book he thought was great. I just read some excerpts online from THE WHITE TIGER by Aravind Adiga. I have to agree with Eli -this looks like the book to rush out and purchase. It was released last month by The Free Press. I can't wait to read more.
JOB FOR YOU?
Cultural Tourism DC
Project Associate, Heritage Programs
Position Announcement
Cultural Tourism DC (CTdc), a small nonprofit with a friendly and hard-working atmosphere, seeks a flexible, experienced, community-oriented individual to support neighborhood-based heritage programs.
CTdc is a nonprofit coalition of more than 200 arts, heritage, cultural, and community organizations throughout the nation's capital. We help Metropolitan Area residents and visitors experience Washington's authentic arts and heritage, while promoting local culture as a tool for economic development.
CTdc develops history-based products to help tourists discover CTdc member organizations and the historic neighborhoods of Washington, DC. At the same time CTdc is on the front lines of collecting and sharing the recent history of local Washington for current and future residents. The Heritage Programs consist of the Washington, DC Neighborhood Heritage Trails Program, the African American Heritage Trail, and Art on Call, all of which are executed on behalf of DC government agencies. Descriptions of these programs are available on the CTdc website.
Job Responsibilities
· Support Project Director in
o Managing business aspects of the Heritage Trail Memorandum of Agreement with the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) and U.S. Department of Transportation
o Staffing DC Neighborhood Heritage Trails Advisory Committee
o Maintaining project and financial records
o Maintaining vendor and consultant relationships
· Track production schedules and staff hours
· Attend community meetings, take notes, and assist working groups
· Assist in determining sign locations along DC streetscapes and securing community permissions
· Manage inventory storage, and distribution of trail guide booklets, including making deliveries
· Manage sign maintenance including regular surveys of trail signs
· Manage Trail Audio enhancement
· Provide support for CTdc’s citywide promotions, including WalkingTown, DC, Passport DC, and Warm Up to a Museum.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree required
Minimum two years’ experience working with diverse populations in an urban setting
Strong oral, written, and interpersonal communications skills essential
Ability to manage multiple tasks and competing priorities
Demonstrated proficiency with spreadsheets and databases
Library research skills
Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends
Familiarity with District of Columbia cultural community and city agencies a plus
Fluency with educational multimedia, Web 2.0, and PhotoShop 6.0 a plus
To Apply
Submit résumé and cover letter with salary requirements via email to Reply@CulturalTourismDC.org with Heritage Programs in subject line; mail to Cultural Tourism DC, 1250 H Street, NW, #1000, Washington, DC 20005; or fax 202-661-7599. No phone calls please.
Cultural Tourism DC
Project Associate, Heritage Programs
Position Announcement
Cultural Tourism DC (CTdc), a small nonprofit with a friendly and hard-working atmosphere, seeks a flexible, experienced, community-oriented individual to support neighborhood-based heritage programs.
CTdc is a nonprofit coalition of more than 200 arts, heritage, cultural, and community organizations throughout the nation's capital. We help Metropolitan Area residents and visitors experience Washington's authentic arts and heritage, while promoting local culture as a tool for economic development.
CTdc develops history-based products to help tourists discover CTdc member organizations and the historic neighborhoods of Washington, DC. At the same time CTdc is on the front lines of collecting and sharing the recent history of local Washington for current and future residents. The Heritage Programs consist of the Washington, DC Neighborhood Heritage Trails Program, the African American Heritage Trail, and Art on Call, all of which are executed on behalf of DC government agencies. Descriptions of these programs are available on the CTdc website.
Job Responsibilities
· Support Project Director in
o Managing business aspects of the Heritage Trail Memorandum of Agreement with the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) and U.S. Department of Transportation
o Staffing DC Neighborhood Heritage Trails Advisory Committee
o Maintaining project and financial records
o Maintaining vendor and consultant relationships
· Track production schedules and staff hours
· Attend community meetings, take notes, and assist working groups
· Assist in determining sign locations along DC streetscapes and securing community permissions
· Manage inventory storage, and distribution of trail guide booklets, including making deliveries
· Manage sign maintenance including regular surveys of trail signs
· Manage Trail Audio enhancement
· Provide support for CTdc’s citywide promotions, including WalkingTown, DC, Passport DC, and Warm Up to a Museum.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree required
Minimum two years’ experience working with diverse populations in an urban setting
Strong oral, written, and interpersonal communications skills essential
Ability to manage multiple tasks and competing priorities
Demonstrated proficiency with spreadsheets and databases
Library research skills
Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends
Familiarity with District of Columbia cultural community and city agencies a plus
Fluency with educational multimedia, Web 2.0, and PhotoShop 6.0 a plus
To Apply
Submit résumé and cover letter with salary requirements via email to Reply@CulturalTourismDC.org with Heritage Programs in subject line; mail to Cultural Tourism DC, 1250 H Street, NW, #1000, Washington, DC 20005; or fax 202-661-7599. No phone calls please.
WHAT ARE THE BLACK WRITERS DOING THESE DAYS?
Friday May 30th - 6 pm
A PANEL Discussion on the recently released book MEDITATIONS AND ASCENSIONS
Black Writers on Writing
Hue-Man Bookstore & Café
2319 Frederick Douglass Blvd.
New York, NY 10027
212.665.7400
Open Admission
With Brenda M. Greene, Fred Beauford, Herb Boyd, Manie Baron, Emily Raboteau, Mohammed N. Ali, Adam McKible, Sheree Renée Thomas, and Camille Yarbrough.
Meditations and Ascensions: Black Writers on Writing represents conversations from the 8th National Black Writers Conference. This collection provides in-depth meditations and analyses of literature by black writers. Published by Third World Press.
Friday May 30th - 6 pm
A PANEL Discussion on the recently released book MEDITATIONS AND ASCENSIONS
Black Writers on Writing
Hue-Man Bookstore & Café
2319 Frederick Douglass Blvd.
New York, NY 10027
212.665.7400
Open Admission
With Brenda M. Greene, Fred Beauford, Herb Boyd, Manie Baron, Emily Raboteau, Mohammed N. Ali, Adam McKible, Sheree Renée Thomas, and Camille Yarbrough.
Meditations and Ascensions: Black Writers on Writing represents conversations from the 8th National Black Writers Conference. This collection provides in-depth meditations and analyses of literature by black writers. Published by Third World Press.
THE NEW NEGRO MOVEMENT MOVES ME THAT'S WHY I'M GONE.
THE NAACP will select a new leader soon. DuBois 2.0?
Let's hope there is an upgrade.
Jabari Asim is doing excellent work editing The Crisis during these Booker T. times.
Where are the Negroes with hats?
Where is Zora to measure our heads?
Rumor has it that Ethelbert is in Paris writing a second memoir.
THE NAACP will select a new leader soon. DuBois 2.0?
Let's hope there is an upgrade.
Jabari Asim is doing excellent work editing The Crisis during these Booker T. times.
Where are the Negroes with hats?
Where is Zora to measure our heads?
Rumor has it that Ethelbert is in Paris writing a second memoir.
My friend Michon sent me this information yesterday:
Wounded Veterans Denied Help in Registering to Vote. Wounded veterans will have a much more difficult time attempting to exercise their right to vote in the upcoming election.
The Department of Veterans Affairs has retreated on a recently announced policy to allow voter registration drives at veterans' hospitals, claiming that any assistance provided to hospitalized veterans would violate the Hatch Act, which restricts political activities by federal employees.
Members of Congress and voting rights advocates argue that the interference amounts to voter suppression, and that it will greatly hinder wounded, ill, and disabled veterans' ability to cast ballots in the fall election.
Wounded Veterans Denied Help in Registering to Vote. Wounded veterans will have a much more difficult time attempting to exercise their right to vote in the upcoming election.
The Department of Veterans Affairs has retreated on a recently announced policy to allow voter registration drives at veterans' hospitals, claiming that any assistance provided to hospitalized veterans would violate the Hatch Act, which restricts political activities by federal employees.
Members of Congress and voting rights advocates argue that the interference amounts to voter suppression, and that it will greatly hinder wounded, ill, and disabled veterans' ability to cast ballots in the fall election.
But pluralism is the watchword of the future. "Multiculturalism" doesn't come close to encompassing the battles to be waged, the alliances that need to be made. Black folks are no longer the largest minority in this nation, and our continued enduring and prevailing rest with an understanding of how we fit in the new demography. History, alas, does not privilege the people on the side of right; history never does. Might is not always right, but knowledge will always defeat blunt force in the end. Know the past, learn from the past, but don't be a slave to it. Keep moving forward.
- Randall Kenan (The Fire This Time)
- Randall Kenan (The Fire This Time)
Friday, May 16, 2008
Forthcoming: NEW BOOKOn Saturdays, I Santana With You by E. Ethelbert Miller
Curbstone Press - Spring 2009.
I will be looking for invitations to read around the country during the Summer and Fall of 2009. Please consider me for any reading series you might have. Many thanks. I'm working on the book promotion schedule right now. "Bring A Bert" to town. I can be contacted at: emiller698@aol.com
Link Here To See Sample of Poetry included in Book
KEEP COUNTING UNTIL WE RUN OUT OF NUMBERS or do the Hokey-Pokey.
1984. 2000. Remember how those dates made you want to hide under the bed? You thought the world would end. Big Brother pointing at your butt everywhere you go. Planes falling from the sky because of Y2K. Now McCain wants to tell us the war in Iraq will be won by 2013. Is he pulling this year out of a hat or an election? Is this guy a number runner? How many American soldiers will die in Iraq between now and 2013? If we win what will we have won? Is the war against terrorism going to be over in 2013? Can we all put our shoes back on in the airports? I don't think so. Are we talking victory or peace in Iraq? If it's peace when are we going to move from the battlefield to the negotiating table. Who will we be sitting down with? And if we sit down with these mysterious folks - why couldn't we have sat down with them 3 or 4 years ago? 2013 is closer than 100 years from now so maybe McCain is getting better with numbers. Count the fingers on his hand. Now count YOUR toes and do the hokey-pokey, and turn the nation around.
1984. 2000. Remember how those dates made you want to hide under the bed? You thought the world would end. Big Brother pointing at your butt everywhere you go. Planes falling from the sky because of Y2K. Now McCain wants to tell us the war in Iraq will be won by 2013. Is he pulling this year out of a hat or an election? Is this guy a number runner? How many American soldiers will die in Iraq between now and 2013? If we win what will we have won? Is the war against terrorism going to be over in 2013? Can we all put our shoes back on in the airports? I don't think so. Are we talking victory or peace in Iraq? If it's peace when are we going to move from the battlefield to the negotiating table. Who will we be sitting down with? And if we sit down with these mysterious folks - why couldn't we have sat down with them 3 or 4 years ago? 2013 is closer than 100 years from now so maybe McCain is getting better with numbers. Count the fingers on his hand. Now count YOUR toes and do the hokey-pokey, and turn the nation around.
Praying for Peace in the Middle East:
POETS FOR PALESTINE. BRINGING THE VOICES TOEGETHER. BY REMI KANAZI
POETS FOR PALESTINE. BRINGING THE VOICES TOEGETHER. BY REMI KANAZI
More Music Coming Your Way:
The Afro-Semitic Experience
David Chevan, bass; Warren Byrd, piano and keyboards;Alvin Carter, Jr., drum set and percussion; Baba David Coleman, African drums and percussion; Stacy Phillips, violin and dobro; Will Bartlett, saxophone and clarinet.
Thursday, June 5 7:30 pm Venue: Aaron & Cecile Goldman Theater, Washington DCJCC
In advance: $15; Discounted Member/Student/Senior/Limited Income $10At the door: $20; Discounted Member/Student/Senior/Limited Income $15
Buy Tickets
The Afro-Semitic Experience
David Chevan, bass; Warren Byrd, piano and keyboards;Alvin Carter, Jr., drum set and percussion; Baba David Coleman, African drums and percussion; Stacy Phillips, violin and dobro; Will Bartlett, saxophone and clarinet.
Thursday, June 5 7:30 pm Venue: Aaron & Cecile Goldman Theater, Washington DCJCC
In advance: $15; Discounted Member/Student/Senior/Limited Income $10At the door: $20; Discounted Member/Student/Senior/Limited Income $15
Buy Tickets
If Jazz is your mistress - read David Remnick great piece on Phil Schaap in The New Yorker (5/19/08). It's a profile with the title "Bird-Watcher." Schaap has been hosting a jazz show on WKCR (Columbia University's radio station), called "Bird Flight for 27 years. Schaap has wings when it comes to jazz.
www.wkcr.org
www.wkcr.org
Fun Reading:
I spent part of the day reading THE WPA GUIDE TO WASHINGTON D.C. This is the Federal Writers' Project that served as a 1930s guide to the city. It was first printed in 1937. So much wonderful history. You can obtain it from Pantheon Books (Random House) for about $8.95.
Every home in DC should have this book on the shelf. I enjoyed just reading about the history of 16th Street, NW.
I spent part of the day reading THE WPA GUIDE TO WASHINGTON D.C. This is the Federal Writers' Project that served as a 1930s guide to the city. It was first printed in 1937. So much wonderful history. You can obtain it from Pantheon Books (Random House) for about $8.95.
Every home in DC should have this book on the shelf. I enjoyed just reading about the history of 16th Street, NW.
Politics:
I MUST BE A MONKEY'S UNCLE
So Obama looks like Curious George? Mike Norman in Georgia has T-shirs for sale. He said they are not meant to be racist. He thinks the cartoon character and Obama look alike. Maybe this was also the thinking a few issues back at The New Yorker. Remember that cover photo of Obama and Clinton in bed reaching for the phone? Who gave Obama the chimp look? Banana jokes anyone? Look for more of this to take place across the nation. Some of it goes with the territory. Look at how folks portray Bush? If Obama is elected and folks begin to disagree with his policies how will he be presented in cartoons and on political posters? I recall a political cartoon of Condi Rice in which the artist made her teeth look like missles. This was during the last bombing of Lebanon. But why was the black woman's mouth so big?
Talkin' cartoons, check the one in the latest issue of The New Yorker (May 19, 2008). See page 60. It's a man (black?) in a hotel room with a white woman. He is unzipping her dress as they sit on a bed. The woman is looking like she doesn't want to be there. The caption reads:
"How did you find out I was a superdelegate, Irene?"
If you look at the man again - notice that he is wearing sunglasses and smoking a cigarette.
The photo conveys the blues in a subtle way. One goes back to the name of the woman and one is "curious" as to why it's Irene in this cartoon. Might the picture invoke the song, "Goodnight, Irene"? Is the white woman symbolic of a Hillary supporter? Is this the only way Clinton can win the superdelegates? Has it come down to sleeping out a win?
Sometimes I live in the country
Sometimes I live in the town
Sometimes I have a great notion
To jump in the river and drown
Irene good night, Irene good night
Good night Irene, good night Irene
I'll see you in my dreams
I MUST BE A MONKEY'S UNCLE
So Obama looks like Curious George? Mike Norman in Georgia has T-shirs for sale. He said they are not meant to be racist. He thinks the cartoon character and Obama look alike. Maybe this was also the thinking a few issues back at The New Yorker. Remember that cover photo of Obama and Clinton in bed reaching for the phone? Who gave Obama the chimp look? Banana jokes anyone? Look for more of this to take place across the nation. Some of it goes with the territory. Look at how folks portray Bush? If Obama is elected and folks begin to disagree with his policies how will he be presented in cartoons and on political posters? I recall a political cartoon of Condi Rice in which the artist made her teeth look like missles. This was during the last bombing of Lebanon. But why was the black woman's mouth so big?
Talkin' cartoons, check the one in the latest issue of The New Yorker (May 19, 2008). See page 60. It's a man (black?) in a hotel room with a white woman. He is unzipping her dress as they sit on a bed. The woman is looking like she doesn't want to be there. The caption reads:
"How did you find out I was a superdelegate, Irene?"
If you look at the man again - notice that he is wearing sunglasses and smoking a cigarette.
The photo conveys the blues in a subtle way. One goes back to the name of the woman and one is "curious" as to why it's Irene in this cartoon. Might the picture invoke the song, "Goodnight, Irene"? Is the white woman symbolic of a Hillary supporter? Is this the only way Clinton can win the superdelegates? Has it come down to sleeping out a win?
Sometimes I live in the country
Sometimes I live in the town
Sometimes I have a great notion
To jump in the river and drown
Irene good night, Irene good night
Good night Irene, good night Irene
I'll see you in my dreams
IPS NEWS:
The Institute for Policy Studies (IPS)
Proudly Presents
“Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad”
With Special Guests:
Daphne Wysham & Janet Redman
Join us
on June 1, 2008
from 4:00pm - 6:00pm
at Busboys and Poets - 4251 South Campbell Avenue
Arlington, VA 22206
Seating is limited. Please rsvp: sena@ips-dc.org or 202-787-5277
About Guests:
Daphne Wysham, Director and Janet Redman, Researcher, are part of the Sustainable Energy and Economy Network (SEEN), a project of IPS and the Transnational Institute (Amsterdam). SEEN partners with citizen groups nationally and globally on issues concerning the environment, human rights and development. In matters involving North and South relations, SEEN pays particular attention to challenges with energy, climate change, environmental justice, gender equity and economic disparities.
Their Recent Works:
World Bank: Climate Profiteer
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/04/01/8007/
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20071224/wysham
The Institute for Policy Studies (IPS)
Proudly Presents
“Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad”
With Special Guests:
Daphne Wysham & Janet Redman
Join us
on June 1, 2008
from 4:00pm - 6:00pm
at Busboys and Poets - 4251 South Campbell Avenue
Arlington, VA 22206
Seating is limited. Please rsvp: sena@ips-dc.org or 202-787-5277
About Guests:
Daphne Wysham, Director and Janet Redman, Researcher, are part of the Sustainable Energy and Economy Network (SEEN), a project of IPS and the Transnational Institute (Amsterdam). SEEN partners with citizen groups nationally and globally on issues concerning the environment, human rights and development. In matters involving North and South relations, SEEN pays particular attention to challenges with energy, climate change, environmental justice, gender equity and economic disparities.
Their Recent Works:
World Bank: Climate Profiteer
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/04/01/8007/
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20071224/wysham