Poor Richard's Anorak

t r u t h o u t | What Eisenhower Could Teach Obama, Part I

t r u t h o u t | What Eisenhower Could Teach Obama, Part I.

Greg Sandow on the future of classical music

Sandow .

"On This Day..."

Today was so excellent I couldn't believe it was really happening. I was totally enthralled with the inaugural ceremony, and the attendant ceremonies and luncheon. 

I thought Obama's speech was superb, and his luncheon remarks were simply incredibly real and down-to-earth. I am so proud that he and his family will live in the White House for the next four years.

From '66 through '69 I was in the army in Arlingrton, VA; and after that I drove a cab for nine months. I got to know D.C. and its environs very well, which made today's events even more fascinating for me. It was a miracle that the crowd came and went with such seeming efficiency, though I'm sure I wouldn't be talking about efficiency if I waited on a subway platform for hours, or couldn't find a porta-potty.

I kept thinking about MLK's Poor Peoples' March on Washington, and the Vietnam War Moratorium. Bob Dylan and Pete Seeger singing near the Washington Memorial, and Nixon in the White House watching pro football on TV. I also remember seeing dozens of troop carriers go into the underground parking garage across the street from Constitution Hall the night before the Moratorium. I was the only person on the street to see them, which gave me cold chills. I had no idea if the troops would storm us at the rally the next day. They didn't.

The country is different tonight. The world is different tonight. May President Obama thrive in his honorable service to his country.

Sean Penn: Mountain of Snakes (Part I)

Sean Penn: Mountain of Snakes.

Personal History: The Madness of Spies: Reporting & Essays: The New Yorker

Personal History: The Madness of Spies: Reporting & Essays: The New Yorker.

Thanks to Laura at War and Piece for the link to this excellent essay. John Le Carré has long been a favorite writer of mine. It is difficult to read the clunking prose of so many espionage writers after you have  become accustomed to the clean, pointed, and intelligent prose of Le Carré.

The Washington Monthly: Brennan Withdraws From Consideration

The Washington Monthly.

This is definitely a step in the right direction.

Cheat Sheet - The Daily Beast

Cheat Sheet - The Daily Beast.

Thanks to Juan Cole at Informed Comment  for recommending The Great Beast.

BBC NEWS | Americas | Obama 'picks' US attorney-general

BBC NEWS | Americas | Obama 'picks' US attorney-general.