March 20, 2019

Ferlinghetti celebrated as 100th birthday nears

For many of us the Beats were the Source as one writer dubbed them. The last, as far as I know, to survive is the wonderful poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti who turns 100 on March 24th. San Francisco, where Ferlinghetti started the City Lights bookstore in 1957, has several celebrations planned. I have only been there a couple of times but to me it's a must for anyone who appreciates not only independent bookstores but also American poetry and the contributions of the Beats. A good article on him from the Guardian:

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/mar/19/lawrence-ferlinghetti-turns-100-interview-city-lights

March 12, 2019

Turns out Utah fan in Westbrook incident is a racist MAGAt

An ugly scene happened in last night's Thunder-Jazz game when Thunder guard Russell Westbrook got into it with a Jazz fan, Shane Keisel and his wife. Keisel has deleted his social media posts - but not before he was exposed using the n word and telling Westbrook to go "back where he came from" among other ugly, racist posts and of course the MAGA hashtag.

https://www.theroot.com/well-what-do-you-know-turns-out-the-fan-involved-in-t-1833231970

A clip of the incident which doesn't include Keisel's earlier taunts:
https://twitter.com/E_Woodyard/status/1105297381384368128

March 11, 2019

"Is it that he stopped believing in scripture when he started believing Donald Trump?"

Mayor Pete on Pence: "How would he allow himself to become the cheerleader for the porn star presidency? Is it that he stopped believing in scripture when he started believing Donald Trump?"

I know that snips have been posted before of this but it is such a great takedown of Pence and his hypocrisy I thought it deserved it's own thread. This young man is so impressive. While I do think he may be too young and inexperienced to nominate, I have no doubt he would do a great job as President. His problem of course is that in Indiana he has little chance to win a higher office (and even his congressional district is very red). Like Beto I think it's unfair to expect him to win statewide office there; a Democrat coming close in Texas or Indiana is more impressive to me than winning in Massachusetts or California. Here's the CNN take on this;

https://www.cnn.com/2019/03/11/politics/pete-buttigieg-star-turn-cnn-town-hall-2020-democratic-presidential-race/index.html

February 14, 2019

Ex-senator, governor David Boren under investigation for sexual harassment

https://newsok.com/article/5622885/boren-under-investigation-for-sexual-harassment


Being conducted by the University of Oklahoma, where Boren served until recently as President. He is being investigated for harassing male colleagues.

On a personal note, this has been rumored for many years. While working at the governor's mansion as a young man while he was in office, I had an uncomfortable encounter with him. Nothing aggressive or inappropriate but just the feeling that he was a little too interested in me. My coworkers commented on it too.

February 12, 2019

Elizabeth Warren gets standing ovation at Native American conference

From the article:
"Warren received a standing ovation from tribal leaders and other Native attendees as she approached the stage."
And:
Warren "was warmly welcomed at Tuesday’s event. She could barely make it through the crowd of about 150 people as she was trying to leave, with attendees swarming her for photos and hugs by the door."

Newly elected Native American Congressperson Deb Haaland in introducing Warren:
“Indian Country needs strong allies like Elizabeth Warren, whose unwavering commitment to Native communities and Native American women and children is needed in this political era.”


https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/elizabeth-warren-native-american-conference_us_5c62ed73e4b00ba63e4ae657

February 12, 2019

Mark Kelly to run for Senate

Former astronaut and husband of Gabby Giffords to run for the Senate seat in AZ Martha McSally was just appointed to.

Buh-bye Martha.

https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/12/politics/mark-kelly-arizona-senate/index.html

January 3, 2019

First Native American Congresswomen embrace after swearing in

A beautiful moment between Haaland and Davids. Two Americans who truly appreciate the honor they were given by the voters.


https://thehill.com/homenews/house/423751-first-native-american-congresswomen-embrace-after-being-sworn-in

December 13, 2018

Crazy AZ publisher claims wife poisoned him

This guy used one of his newspapers, the Prescott Daily Courier, to go after his wife while they are going through a nasty divorce. The newspaper ran stories and a vicious ad claiming she poisoned him, wihtout getting her side of the story. Police found no such evidence; instead they did find evidence of meth use when they tested his hair.

As a former journalist it sickens me that the editorial and reporting staff went along with this. Today they did run an AP story giving a fair report on the case. It's behind a pay wall but you can read it from the AP site:

https://www.apnews.com/8ae8d83a64d946df862030be1ad67a64

November 13, 2018

Lt. Colonel Ralph Peters gave the best explanation for drumpf bailing on memorials

"He just didn't feel like it."

Peters absolutley nailed it. It wasn't the rain or anything else. The fat piece of shit coward just didn't feel like it. Doesn't give a shit about heroes who gave their lives or anyone in our current military, just like he doesn't care about anyone but himself.

And can you imagine the uproar if Obama had done this?

October 26, 2018

Herald reports he is in his 50s

I think we're getting the picture here.

https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/national/article220667845.html