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I Sit and Look Out
This poem by Wrenwatcher at Deviantart.com is based on Walt Whitman's poem of the same name:
I Sit and Look Out
American;
I sit and look out upon all the sorrows of the world, and
upon all injustice and pain,
I hear the soft, whispering voices of two young women in despair
because the country they call home won't acknowledge their love,
I see the old man sprawled in an alley, once a hero in a sea of gunfire,
ignored, cold, homeless,
I see the dissociated little girl lie motionless on her bed, I see
her father leave the room,
I mark the fierce battles that rage behind closed doors,
the bruised and angry teenage boy slipping quietly out his window, I see these things,
I see the crooked election, dishonest politician, unfounded war, I see
another massacre ignored by the media,
I observe a country lied to as its children die, I observe men and women fallen
and forgotten in sweltering desert heat,
I observe the judgements passed guiltlessly, shamelessly, daily
upon Muslims, homosexuals, blacks—each one
All these—all the unending poverty and hopelessness, I
sitting look out upon,
See, hear, and am silent.
Haunting, wouldn't you say?
Their class assignment had been to look at famous poems and to modernize them. So that's what Wrenwatcher did. As a teacher, I'm impressed that such a routine assignment would bring about such a well thought out poem. But as a mom, I'm pleased that Wrenwatcher is proud of herself for writing such powerful words.
Wrenwatcher's poem makes me think of Christian who came to our blog the other day and asked what he could do to bring peace and I wonder if his silence ended the day he came forth and asked questions.
Words are powerful but silence can be betrayal.
So as we begin another day on our open thread, what are your thoughts about the sorrows, injustice and pain?
But more importantly what are your ideas to end those sorrows and to fulfill the great promise our country had?
Speak up, you've got the mic!
40 Comments
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Of all men's miseries the bitterest is this, to know so much and to have control over nothing.
- Herodotus
Say It To His Face, Rush
day, VoteVets.org is releasing this ad, which will air on FOX News and CNN, starting tomorrow. A similar version will be on Rush Limbaugh's radio show in Washington, D.C. and his home market of West Palm Beach. And, at the same time, Senator Harry Reid is leading the charge on the Hill, challenging Rush host Clear Channel to do something about his disgraceful comments.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKM_NsTswco
I say take it to the Rush Limbaughs, Bill Oriellys, Shaun Hannitys, Faux News, just like Jon Soltz has, throw their objectionable comments right back in their face, publicly and loudly.
My latest You Tube video:
WAR FOR OIL AND EMPIRE (my smash hit):
http://www.americanprogress.org/cartoons/2007/10/100207_getout.html
Today's American Progress Cartoon
NO ONE HAS DIED "YET"
Mishandling of Germs on Rise at US Labs
LARRY MARGASAK | October 2, 2007 05:15 PM EST
WASHINGTON — American laboratories handling the world's deadliest germs and toxins have experienced more than 100 accidents and missing shipments since 2003, and the number is increasing as more labs do the work.
No one died, and regulators said the public was never at risk during these incidents. But the documented cases reflect poorly on procedures and oversight at high-security labs, some of which work with organisms and poisons that can cause illnesses with no cure. In some cases, labs have failed to report accidents as required by law.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20071002/mishandling-germs/
MAN BUSH PICKED TO INVESTIGATE CONTRACTS NOW BLACKWATER EXEC
http://rawstory.com/news/2007/Blackwater_USA_linked_to_Bush_administration_1002.html
Gotch Weena
Malmedy, Andrea Makris or loofahs AHAHAHAHAHA
Olbermann: What to do when O'Reillyists attack...
http://rawstory.com/news/2007/Keith_Olbermann_explains_how_to_fend_1002.html
Rossi,
I'm not surprised to see that someone who was suppose to investigate Blackwater instead has a very lucrative job there instead. In the olden days, they use to call that a bribe.
Our opinion of US hits 30-year low
AUSTRALIA's confidence in the US to manage international affairs has almost halved in just six years - and George W. Bush is the main reason why, a Federal Government-backed survey has found.
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,22523423-2,00.html
Rossi,
Kerry gave a policy speech about the middleclass and barely any papers covered it. Frankly, the world deserves a better leader.
BLACKWATER HEARING:
Rep. Mahoney of New York absolutely wipes the floor with Blackwater founder Eric Prince. One of the Blackwater Cowboys got drunk and killed a Iraqi bodyguard in 2006. This cowboy still has not been charged with any crime.
Prince and his lawyer were just sweating under the heat of the questions...
Rossi,
Please email me your mailing address. I had it stored on my comp that died.
That is a very good poem. Deep.
Speaking of Christian, his silence did end that day. I saw him see a world he never realized existed. A place where all these problems are known and discussed and screamed at.
When he is using proper English, he too is also a fine poet. Because of him I wrote one of the better works of my as yet unlived lifetime. It too was a thing about modernizing a classic.
It always bugged the crap out of me that the original never said what Tim did.
The Ostlers Fate
The wind was a torrent of darkness,
Among the gusty trees.
The moon a ghostly galleon,
Tossed upon cloudy seas.
The road a ribbon of moonlight,
Over the purple moor.
And a highwayman came riding,
Up to the old inn door.
Tim the ostler stood in shadows,
He took one step in retreat.
As a chill and bitter wind,
Made the lightless wicket creak.
With his hair like moldy hay,
And hollow eyes of madness,
For a fleeting moment,
Insanity turned to sadness.
The stable groaned heavy with night.
In darkness Tim watched the stranger.
He already knew what he must do,
As the night blew frigid danger.
He saw the highwayman sense it,
Then refused to see.
He proudly rode to the abode,
As if it could not be.
Conts. here
http://christyscranium.blogspot.com/2005/09/ostlers-fate.html
ralpheh
October 2, 2007 11:00 PM
I see Mahoney is doing the same thing I heard Waxman do earlier this evening on PBS's News Hour... using the 'PubliCON phrase "mission in Iraq." WHAT "mission" in Iraq? We know Georgie's and Dickie's serial lying reasons for the alleged "mission" - and we know the real reason (oil) - but to hear what used to be intelligent Democrats utter the same phrases just makes me cringe in places I didn't know I could cringe (like way down deep in my brain). It's becoming more and more painful to listen to Dems I used to respect use Georgie's and Dickie's propaganda.
Do these people who call themselves Democrats even hear what they are saying any longer?
Or are they just repeating Bu$hSpeak Propaganda because they're stupidly buying into Dickie's and Georgie's lying reasons for their illegal invasion/occupation/war in Iraq? How much money are the oil corporations paying Dem legislators behind closed doors to drag their feet about impeachment and/or the investigations (to run the clock out) on these nefarious activities (trying to get us to politely 'move on' into the future and forget the recent past eight years come inaugural day '09)...?
And, oh, by the way Congress Critters and Lamestream Media..., has anyone even whispered a word about the unanswered subpoenas issued to Turd Blossom and Harriet Miers and/or whomever else was being investigated before the summer recess...? Leahy and Waxman both mentioned August or September deadline dates. Well...? August and September have come and gone. What about those unanswered subpoenas? Will any contempt citations be issued?
:::....silence....:::
http://static.crooksandliars.com/2007/10/bush-secrecy.gif
(cartoon)
http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/01/judge-invalidates-bushs-order-blocking-records/
Judge rules Bush can’t block presidential records.
Sparrow - great poem. Tough and accurate. It ought to be published in all the media.
News item in Australia tonight - a recent survey has found that most Australians love America but don't like its president.
Crime Don't Pay
by Joe Jackson
I got drunk with a real nice guy last night
In a mood to talk or fight
And he said, what's the matter
You don't look like you do so bad
I said I just been taking for everything I had
Someone took a fancy to my wallet
and my coat
So what you smiling at - ain't you been in that boat
It's something that there really should be
Something done about
He said don't knock it sonny
That's the way I started out
And now I got a nice suit
I got a nice car
It's been a nice day
Don't tell me that crime don't pay
Okay
KABKABIYA, Sudan (AP) -- Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter got in a shouting match Wednesday with Sudanese security officials who blocked him from a town in Darfur where he was trying to meet representatives of ethnic African refugees from the ongoing conflict.
The 83-year-old Carter walked into this highly volatile pro-Sudanese government town to meet refugees too frightened to attend a scheduled meeting at a nearby compound.
Carter was able to make it to a school where he met with one tribal representative and was preparing to go further into the town when Sudanese security services interrupted.
"You can't go. It's not on the program!" the local national security chief, who only gave his first name as Omar, yelled at Carter, who is in Darfur as part of a delegation of respected international figures known as "The Elders."
"We're going to anyway!" an angry Carter retorted, telling security officers they didn't have the authority to stop him.
As a growing crowd gathered around the former president, Carter's U.S. security detail and his African Union escort tried to ease tensions. Carter later agreed to a compromise by which tribal representatives would be brought to him at another location later Wednesday.
"I'll tell President Bashir about this," Carter said, referring to Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir.
more...
http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/africa/10/03/darfur.carter.ap/index.html
Don't tell me that this was done without knowledge of the White House. This president will not be happy until the world is at war and the money for weapons rolls on in.
Israeli air strike on Syria confirmed
Richard Boudreaux and Borzou Daragahi
October 4, 2007
EASING a news blackout, Israel has acknowledged that its air force struck an unspecified military target deep inside Syria last month.
But the military censor's office continues to bar Israeli media from disclosing other information about the September 6 raid, including the target, the forces that took part and the degree of its success.
Everything about the operation, sketchily reported by the Syrian News Agency hours after it happened but then denied by Syrian officials, has been a tightly held secret in Israel.
More: http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/israeli-air-strike-on-syria-confirmed/2007/10/03/1191091192318.html
Bush vetoes SCHIP. Kids will remember...
At least, I hope they will. If they live long enough.
I am beyond disgusted...
On a POSITIVE note:
It's Victoria Ellen's BIRTHDAY today!!!
Happy Birthday, Vic!
NonnyO said:
ralpheh
October 2, 2007 11:00 PM
I see Mahoney is doing the same thing I heard Waxman do earlier this evening on PBS's News Hour... using the 'PubliCON phrase "mission in Iraq." WHAT "mission" in Iraq? We know Georgie's and Dickie's serial lying reasons for the alleged "mission" - and we know the real reason (oil) - but to hear what used to be intelligent Democrats utter the same phrases just makes me cringe in places I didn't know I could cringe (like way dow
@@@@@
Yes, the Dems are busy co-opting the Republican language apparently, to themselves look "tougher" on Iraq. Hillary has been painstakingly trying to look tough on terrorism since 9-11. The rest of the Dem party is caving on Iraq too.
WHAT TO DO???? I have called Pelosi's office probably 20 times, I have called my two Senators (both Dems) on Iraq numerous times; I have sent letters to Congress and signed petitions.
THE PEACE "MOVEMENT" NEEDS A POLITICAL STRATEGY, NOW. Staging high-profile protests is NOT enough - that is good, but it is not enough. WE NEED TO PRESSURE CONGRESS DIRECTLY. Run peace candidates; letters, phonecalls, emails to Washington; visit/ meet with Congressmembers directly. Perhaps civil disobedience....
Vic,
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday to my little lioness too. Today is her 19th birthday. We spent the morning at the doctors in 'celebration' of this day. (cough...gag). Actually, after arriving at 8:40 am (just in time) and heading for the xrays (finished by 9 am), then sitting in the waiting room and office for another 2 hours--we finally got to see the doctor for all of 2 minutes.
But at least all is well...
Christy, That is a really great poem. You're clearly an artistic person. Dianne is too. My daughters are very artistic and creative and it's really amazing to see the difference between how creative people handle things vs 'intellectuals' or 'non-creative' people. Sure, it's a generalization but I notice it in the people close to me.
Happy birthday to Vic! And sparrow's daughter too!
... and today is the 5 year anniversary of my moms sudden passing.
5 years in a blink... still unreal.
monkey,
Your mom was blessed to have had a son who loved her so deeply. And you and your family have obviously been blessed to have had her.
Even though it's been five years, her spirit lives on in each of you.
And since I can honestly say that I believe in angels, I'm sure there's a crowd of angels, gahtered by your mom, watching over you and yours.
Pelosi was asked today about Iraq. She, at least, spoke about beginning to withdraw troops and "changing the mission" and "changing the policy". At least this rhetoric is better than what is coming from Clinton, Obama and Edwards. (This is very discouraging.)
To the Dems credit, during a big Senate-House press conference on the sub-prime mortgage crisis, they kept pounding at the fact that it would take one day's spending in Iraq to shore up the housing market for a year (I believe that was the figure).
The Dems should repeat this mantra about the cost of the war over and over...
The Congress in 2005 and '06 knew that there were problems in the sub-prime market and tried to pass legislation. It was blocked by Tom DeLay. They also tied the Katrina disaster to the nationwide housing disaster (reminding people of what should be obvious).
BTW another good video on the Rush "PHony soldiers" baloney:
Hi folks,
Anyone else having trouble with the topic blog? I tried to post and it said I have to register, even though I already did.
There is only one comment over there, so I wonder if something is awry.
Carol,
Try a comment over there now.
BTW, this one's for Casey -
I noted that you mentioned a new iMac in the newest threader. Congratulations - isn't it just sweet?
I've been enjoying mine for the past 6 months, and there are several other iMac owners here too.
Once you go Mac, you'll never go back...
Applesauced
Happy Birthday Victoria. And little Sparrow!
Sparrow,
Yours is done and on the drying table now. No hints. Email me your mailing addy. She will be ready friday morning to ship.
Rossi, one of yours is on the way.
Woz, my idea produced two canvases I can only describe as...interesting.( I tried a style I have never done before) However, I believe they are probably more suited to your granddaughter because of the shapes and bright colors. Email me your mailing addy and I will get them to your for her and start on a more...ummm, mature canvas for you. I already have an idea that is more my style.
Monkey, tell me what you want and I will paint another for you, one that won't cause therapy. I was thinking maybe an old style poster for your ball or music...?
TSP, Vic, DW, NMP, V, Ralph Dick...oh just any of you... If you want a canvas jump right in and tell me what you like.
HOWEVER... on that note... I will most likely have to leave to go home to Oklahoma soon and when I do all projects will have to wait a minute until I get back. My grandmothers doctors have decided to withhold all treatment except pain pills. She is also an artist.
I got my first major commission today (A portrait for a private collection) and ten minutes later got the call about the doctors decision. Life is such a fickle b*tch sometimes.
I got the commission because of the Gandhi portrait I did for Karen.
It is wierd how everything goes full circle.
GOP voters want someone who’s not like Bush
WASHINGTON - When it comes to looking for a presidential nominee, Republican voters may not want a full divorce, but they certainly want at least a trial separation from President Bush.
In the NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll out Wednesday night, about half of all Republicans (48 percent) want a candidate who takes a “different approach” from that of the president, while just 38 percent want a “similar approach.” This is a reversal from April, the last time the question was asked, when 50 percent wanted a candidate who took a similar approach as opposed to 41 percent who wanted a different one.
“In April, the calibration was that you had to be sotto voce on Bush. Now the question is, how strong of a voice do Republicans come out with,” said Democratic pollster Peter Hart, who with Republican pollster Neil Newhouse conducts the NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll.
more...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21114419/
In other words, guess who was right all along????
Christy... I've got millions of other reasons for therapy, your art certainly ain;t gonna be the one that puts me over the edge!
Having said that, we just announced the Ball for '08, and an old style poster would be tres cool *when ya get back of course*
The theme is "Saints & Sinners: The Road to RADemption"...
Godspeed to you and your family during this difficult time with your grandmother.
pass the peace
WEBSITE PROBLEMS:
I cannot post on the topic thread either. So I am stuck here.... LOL. And I could not register after 4 attempts - the system did not generate a confirmation email...
I was just able to post over on the topic thread. I'm back on the computer I originally registered with. Don't know if that has anything to do with it. But there's a nice song over there, if anyone want;s to go check it out :0)
ralph, I've emailed you about that. You might try answering my email.
dw
Democrats Won’t Block Hearing for Gonzales Successor: Back away from fight with WH
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/04/washington/04justice....
Senator Patrick Leahy, the Democratic Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, said that Mukasey would commit to an administrative rule to ensure that only the Attorney General or Deputy Attorney General, not U.S. Attorneys or other Justice employees, could respond to inquiries from politicians regarding outstanding cases, and that any other employee who discusses cases "with somebody outside, whether from the White House or members of Congress or something else like that, they will be fired"; this concession sought to avoid problems that arose during the controversy over the dismissal of U.S. Attorneys under the previous Attorney General's tenure.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Mukasey
Expose´ on Bush A.G. nominee The line in Attorney General nominee Michael B. Mukasey’s resume´ that has meant the most to the media is his experience presiding over the 1995 terrorism trial of the blind Sheikh. Peter Lance, in an exclusive two part report for rawstory.com sheds new light on a little known incident during the trial when the Judge helped minimize the significance of al Qaeda spy and FBI informant Ali Mohamed . PART ONE PART TWO
http://www.peterlance.com/Peter%20Lance/Home/AF855F19-F94A-4D80-A099-018DD34C367B.html
Sparrow. Thanks so much for putting that poem there. It is excellent. Powerful. I was prompted to go and read the original from Walt Whitman, but this student has really captured the heart and soul of the original words whilst using them to convey the same misdeeds are being carried out by the arrogant and lawless. Those who write the laws for others, not for themselves.