Revelation

While gazing into the reflected light emanating from the Adriatic from the shores of the island of Mljet just off the Dalmatian Coast, I embraced the opportunity afforded elsewhere on this magnificent planet to dissolve into the luminescence and apprehend the perfect unity of all things in this one glorious and eternal present moment.

The US War On Terror: The Folly Continues

As was the case in Iraq, Pakistan, and Yemen , the much lauded and largely revered Special Ops have exceeded their 'advisory' role and are directly implicated in the deaths of innocent civilians and in the subsequent cover up of the event in Somalia. Christina Goldbaum's recent piece in The Daily Beast has chronicled the incident wherein a group of ten civilian farmers and one child were killed in a raid supervised and conducted by US Special Operation Forces in league with the Somalian National Army. In spite of official denial of civilian deaths, cash payments were made to the grieving families as a grim acknowledgment of this atrocity.

Meanwhile, the MSM focuses on the political theater currently on display in Washington DC as the US continues to wage an indiscriminate and indefinite 'war on terror' enabling the recruitment of an endless supply of 'enemies' with each act of unlawful murder across the globe. Once again, it's useful to remember Donald Rumsfeld's cynical pronouncement in the wake of the debacle in Iraq..."we are creating more terrorists than we can kill". He uttered this remark with thinly disguised smile knowing full well that his masters at Lockheed-Martin, Raytheon, General Electric, and Northrop-Grumman (just to name a few) were well pleased with the assessment. Subsequent administrations including the current dysfunctional regime have continued to participate in the ongoing folly of enacting violent response to an original provocation. The pursuit of this misguided and counterproductive strategy has made us less safe, destroyed our credibility and stature throughout the world, and created a nightmarish dystopian reality which the next generation must now attempt to negotiate...an obscene legacy of despair, fear, and trepidation. This is not reflective of our better self as a nation. We can and we must reverse course...the stability and survival of the world depends on it.

A Simple Definition Of Sexual Misconduct

Okay people, gather round a listen up...The introduction of any anatomical member in your possession on or into the body of the object of your affection without their consent or permission is neither cool, acceptable, or anything other than  an unwarranted violation of their personhood at best and, more likely at worst, an actionable sexual assault. To suggest otherwise is to align oneself with the apologists, enablers, and deniers who have allowed countless instances of similar acts throughout time.

Democrats In Danger of Repeating History

The Clinton loyalists who recently turned a deaf ear to Donna Brazile's revelations regarding the DNC's separate and largely secret deal with the Clinton campaign which benefited from extra political control and influence in the 2016 primary are emblematic the Democratic establishment's presumptive claim to Party dominance. The implicit assumption here is that the Sanders' candidacy (then and now) somehow represent an intrusion into political ground held and controlled by Clinton/Obama traditionalists and therefore was properly regarded as interlopers in an otherwise closed political circle. What establishment Democrats tragically failed to realize was that instead of being Party crashers, the millions of Sanders supporters were inviting the Democratic Party to participate in a transformative process by which it's burgeoning majority could be heard to signal a new direction into a more hopeful and successful future. While it is true that progressives such as Keith Ellison and Cornell West were instrumental in placing forward thinking elements to the Party Platform, it is also the case that Party leaders and their operatives were actively seeking to undermine the Sanders campaign throughout the primary season. Of special irony is the fact that Brazile, a long-time Democratic centrist leader, had to resign her post as temporary chair of the DNC amid revelations regarding her role in the advance prompting of candidate Clinton prior to a primary debate with Sanders, a charge she now oddly disputes.

As the Democratic Party looks upon the political landscape ahead, it will be well advised to heed the hard lessons of the previous campaign and seek to embrace its emerging progressive base as the real voice of a viable and hopeful alternative to the national embarrassment currently occupying 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Failure to do so threatens to condemn the Democrats to the unpardonable offense of repeating the miscalculations of its most recent history.

A San Francisco Sidewalk Seminar

While doing my pre-run stretching at Ocean Beach on Monday, I was made privy to an intelligent conversation being conducted on a nearby bench by two homeless gentlemen. They were engaged in a rather nuanced discussion wherein the various aspects, virtues, and character traits among fairies, pixies, and elves were thoroughly dissected, parsed, compared, and contrasted. God help me...I love San Francisco!!

Rival Prevaricators

It's difficult to imagine a rival to Condoleezza Rice's incessant prevarications regarding Saddam Hoessein's alleged efforts to obtain yellow cake uranium from Niger (thoroughly debunked by Joe Wilson at the time) and her 'warnings' about Iraq's ability to deliver a 'mushroom cloud' to America but, alas, along comes Sarah Huckabee Sanders who fabricates on a nearly daily basis on behalf of the potentate she so fervently serves. The latest example is the assertion that the charges against former campaign operative, George Papadopoulos, were made possible by the 'cooperation' of the White House. I was going to say that you can't make this stuff up but Sarah manages to pull it off every time. Move over, Condi, there's a new sheriff in town!

On The Sit/Stand/Kneel Anthem Controversy

There are many ways to respect the flag and what it symbolizes ranging from the simple observance of standing for the national anthem to exercising your constitution right (indeed, obligation) of free expression and, yes, this includes the right to protest grievances by refusing to stand for the anthem. In so doing, the political statement is emphasized by kneeling. This act does not disrespect the flag, people in the military or their sacrifice; in fact, it serves to highlight the freedoms implicit in the constitution by exercising them!

A Solemn Oath

After more than a month of travel in Europe, I am now in a position to confidently declare the following statement...When I become president/czar, I pledge to make illegal the use and/or possession of selfie sticks. Anyone engaged in either activity will be subject to incarceration, public reprimand, and substantial financial loss. This edict especially will apply to national parks, historical landmarks, and places of traditional religious worship. Thank you and good night!

The Desperate Need For Believable Leadership

Recently a listened to a young American express his support of President Trump and his displeasure with some of the policies of DJT's predecessor and those who worked in the previous administration. Interestingly, he expressed these opinions and also simultaneously invoked some of the values implicit in the candidacy of Bernie Sanders.

While it is true that Clinton has pursued a neo-conservative, regime-change agenda with regard to both Libya and Syria and Obama carried out a relentless assault in the so called war on terror in a variety of countries with whom we are not at war, it is a serious mistake to conclude that Trump is somehow a practitioner of peace. Within the first six months of DJT's presidency, we have been responsible for the massacre of at least 30 civilians (children included) in the failed attempt to capture a 'leading operative' in Yemen, killed scores of non-combatants in the bombing of a mosque in Syria, murdered perhaps as many of 100 citizens of Mosul in Iraq, and detonated the largest explosive device since Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Afghanistan, leaving perhaps hundreds dead in its wake. Add to this, Trump's ongoing support of Saudi Arabia's relentless and merciless attack on the rebel forces in Yemen which has incurred the onset of famine for an otherwise innocent population of long suffering civilians. Hardly the work of someone dedicated to deescalating the use of violence in the conduction of foreign affairs.
As for Trump's efforts to counter the MSM...his dissatisfaction with corporate media has less to do with attacking the corporate underpinnings of how information is framed, packaged, and delivered to the American public and much more reflective in his personal angst regarding unfavorable characterizations inconsistent with his own inflated and pathetically tenuous self image.

The TPP deal's demise to the contrary notwithstanding, identifying the president as a representative of positive, progressive, or sustainable future change is a bit like employing the arsonist to oversee and administer fire safety for an emerging community.

What was significantly reveled in this young person's statement was a deep dissatisfaction and mistrust of establishment politics and the people who have extolled the virtues of maintaining the status quo in its many and varied forms. Democrats who believe that they are destined to inherit the anti-Trump sentiment and be automatically elevated back into office seriously misread the prevailing and persistent need by a new generation of voters who long for genuine and authentic confrontation of the issues at hand and a voice of leadership which is reflective and responsive to the real challenges of the coming years. It is sad and perhaps a bit frightening to contemplate that, for at least this one young citizen, Donald Trump represents this abiding need for change.

The Golden State Warriors and The Way Forward

Last month the Golden State Warriors ascended once again to the top of the basketball world with their five game victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers and in so doing also claimed their second championship in  three years. Their impressive on court display was complimented and augmented by the internal organizational elements of selflessness, commitment to collective effort over individual achievement, perseverance in the face of adversity, mutual respect and acceptance, and the active and unashamed application of love in the often callous, impersonal, and valueless world of professional athletics.

Coach Steve Kerr perhaps best embodied the value of perseverance as he endured a season long struggle with the ill effects of two separate neck operations which resulted in painful fatigue, frequent nausea, moments of imbalance, and eventually led to his withdrawal from the sidelines for a significant time during the playoffs. Kerr reacted to this otherwise disappointing circumstance by seamlessly and unselfishly relinquishing the on court coaching duties to his very competent assistant coach Mike Brown who, in turn, graciously returned to his supporting role during the finals. This was made possible by a genuine spirit of respect and acceptance of each individual as equal contributors to a larger collective effort, a spirit which permeates throughout this remarkable organization.

General Manager, Bob Myers', close relationship with power forward Draymond Green further illustrates the special bond among various members of the organization. When Draymond was suspended for a critical game in last year's final, it was Myers who spent the evening in Green's company as they watched their team play on TV. Instead of creating an environment of punitive isolation or recrimination, Myers embraced Green as one might a valued family member in a moment of crisis. The ethos of mutual respect, acceptance, and love can also be seen in the impact an otherwise lowly third team player might have on the group. As stated by Kerr in his remarks at the recent victory celebration in Oakland, James Michael McAdoo was proclaimed as perhaps the most influential player on the team. Swingman Andre Iguodala, for example, refers to McAdoo as his spiritual leader.

The value of collective effort and achievement over individual accomplishment and accolade is best exemplified by team leader Stephen Curry's total acceptance of Kevin Durant as a coequal as he joined the team prior to the start of the season. This gesture, in turn, was reciprocated by the ex-Thunder superstar with humility and grace rarely seen and quite uncommon in today's world of ego-inflated and self interested professional players. Similarly, the endlessly hardworking off-guard, Klay Thompson, never refers to his own accomplishments but rather defers to his teammates' efforts in the achievement of the team's common objective.

The result of this subjugation of individual glory in deference to the value of working for the good of the collective speaks for itself...the Warriors are champions and their victory provides a template for other professional teams to emulate thereby signaling to all who might choose to see that the organizational values of unselfish effort, acceptance, respect, graceful endurance through difficult circumstance, and love can prevail in an seemingly indifferent, sometimes hostile and often contentious environment. The Warriors have shown the way forward to a new day of cooperation and success with broader implications for the world beyond the hard court.

The Oil That Binds

Amid all the endless back and forth regarding whether or not Trump believes the Russians interfered in the recent US election, the MSM has assiduously avoided any real or in depth discussion about the underlying issue which might explain the tie that binds Russia and the Trump administration. They both have a major stake in the lifting of the sanctions which have prevented the development of Exon's oil holdings in Russia and which have otherwise hamstrung the Russian economy. Imagine their mutual consternation when it was revealed and later confirmed by US intelligence agencies that indeed there had been extensive contacts between the two parties. The implicit quid pro quo here would have been a difficult finesse under normal circumstances but the Flynn debacle made it even more problematic to realize. An optimistic hope is that the ongoing investigations into this whole sordid affair will bring to light the true and abiding intentions of the principals involved. In the meantime, it would be refreshing to hear an honest and open discussion of the genuine motivations of the major players by members of the MSM.

A Special 4th of July with Dylan

This year's traditional playing and singing of Dylan's It's All Over Now, Baby Blue on Independence Day had special significance and irony in light and in the grips of the current attempt to assert authoritarian and tyrannical rule over an otherwise free citizenry. Many of us are still 'crying like a fire in the sun' and are ever vigilant and on watch for 'the saints coming through'!!
If we collectively look hard enough we might be able to see the life and future of this potentially great nation 'come shinning, from the west and to the east...any day now, any day now...we all shall be released'!!

Trump's Myopic Vision

Trump's persistent and rather tiresome use of coal miners as a prop for the foolhardy decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accords is very much like bemoaning the loss of gas lamplighter's jobs while denying the existence and validity of the electric light bulb. Lamplighters became electricians; coal miners are future clean energy technicians.

A Memorial Day Opportunity

This weekend of remembrance affords us the opportunity to honor all the victims of war...for those sacrificed in the noble effort to forestall the forces of international fascism as represented by the National Socialist Party in Germany and, in the ensuing decades, those made to pay the ultimate price of allegiance to governments not reluctant to employ pretext and prevarication in the pursuit of perceived gain for political elites and certain economic benefit for the corporate masters whose self interest fuel the ongoing insistence on the invocation of violence as a matter of first choice.

We also might bow our heads in recognition of all who continue to suffer the lingering and devastating effects of exposure to war the trauma of which lives on well after the fact. While the bottom line of Lockheed Martin, Dow Chemical, Boeing, Raytheon, General Dynamics, Northrop Grumman, et al continues to grow in this new age of perpetual conflict and strife, other lost souls continue to pay the ugly price for the enrichment of a select few who reap the tainted benefits of an economy grounded in and based on a permanent war footing.

Would it be so that all the misery suffered by those sent into harm's way and the millions of innocents sacrificed at the alter of this barbaric institution would, at the very least, result in the immediate safety of humankind and the likelihood of a peaceful future. Sadly, however, with each bomb that falls and with each drone strike carried out by a hidden hand, our collective security is threatened; not enhanced by an endless cycle of violence and retribution.

On this solemn occasion, we might now lift our heads and envision an alternative future where the admirable dedication, loyalty, bravery, and integrity abundantly displayed by the vast majority of service members throughout time will join forces with enlightened civilian leadership to form a coalition of purpose dedicated to the proposition of a peaceful resolution to dispute, respect for the implicit value of all human life, and the institution of a defense based on the active implementation of principle, and creative solutions to human conflict rather than the application of ill-conceived, self-defeating, narrowly defined, and destructive modes of response.

Perspective Amid the Terror

As we mourn the tragic loss of innocent life in the recent terrorist attack in Manchester, let us also acknowledge and mourn the equally tragic and horrific slaughter of the children in the recent state sponsored acts of terror in Yemen, Syria, Mosel, and Afghanistan. These mothers grieve with no less pain and with the same heavy heart.

An Adminstration and President in Dysfunctional Free Fall

Sadly, it's not surprising that, in the aftermath of the Washington Post's article chronicling Trump's disclosure of highly sensitive and classified information to Russian officials, the White House response is to immediately focus on the disloyalty of the source of the leak to the Post rather than on the implications of jeopardizing the viability and safety of a valuable intelligence partner. Moreover, this ill-advised breech of protocol and security renders as problematic any future relationship with a hard wrought intelligence asset while also giving information to a government with motives and intentions often in conflict with our own objectives in Syria and elsewhere.

Indeed, the presence of such a disclosure from within the White House is evidence of serious concern and growing mistrust within the ranks at a rather high level. In spite of this internal warning, once again we see deflection, evasion, and obfuscation employed in lieu of accountability, clarity, and responsible statesmanship by an administration and a president experiencing implosion and free fall created and propelled by their own dysfunctional hand.

An Unfortunate Combination of Arrogance and Stupidity

It's difficult to determine whether if it was an act of extreme arrogance or just garden variety stupidity (or perhaps an unhealthy combination of the two) that led to the decision to host the Russian foreign minister and the Russian ambassador in the White House yesterday and allow it to devolve into a photo session which was well covered by Tass for worldwide distribution. In any case, but especially amid the current tumult and controversy regarding the possible collusion between the Trump administration and the Russian government not only involving the 2016 election but also with respect to the future development and possession of Russian petroleum resources, it is cringeworthy to see our president being played by Putin like a finely tuned Stradivarius to a standing ovation in Moscow.

Brian Williams and Lost Irony

Still attempting to unpack the layers of irony implicit in MSNBC's Brian Williams invocation of a Leonard Cohen lyric ('I'm guided by the beauty of our weapons', from First We Take Manhattan) as he glowingly described the recent US missile attack on a Syrian airfield. Not only was the irony of Cohen's original poem completely lost on the awestruck Williams but he then further compounds the farce by giving a literal reference to the poetic line when applying it to the film footage of the missiles' flight pattern. At this moment, my guess is that Leonard sat up from his grave, gave an ironic nod to the hapless mortal, and gently lowered his head.

The War Is Over

Did you hear the latest?; it came in a dream, delivered by an echo of Phil Ochs; the mindless repetition of murderous folly in our endless war against terror is, at last, over! To this day, the echoes remain: 'pardon me if I refrain'!

The Judiciary and The Federalist Society's Vision

As we focus our attention on the nomination of Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court we also might want to remember that at least one hundred and twenty federal judgeships are set to be filled by this new president.

It is also useful to recall that these vacancies were a result of the concerted efforts by the Republican controlled Congress to block, stall, and otherwise prevent a significant number of Obama appointees from their fair hearing and eventual seating. As Eric Lipton has chronicled in his work with The NY Times, this persistent stonewalling was inspired and supported by the Federalist Society under the direction of Leonard Leo and the substantial underwriting of the Koch Brothers. Not coincidentally, the current nominee for the Supreme Court is a long standing member of this organization whose stated purpose, among other things, is to promote an agenda featuring the elimination of governmental regulation and the reduction of federal intervention into the activity of the private sector. Exercising it's influence through judicial appointments is essential to the Federalists vision of radically limiting the scope of the federal government while advocating a laissez fairer attitude with respect to the affairs of private business and 'free market' forces.

Trumps cabinet and advisory appointments have also reflected this ideological trend. Scott Pruitt's placement as the head of the EPA was preceded by a thorough vetting by Leo and earlier by the late Antonin Scalia and Justice Thomas, both of whom were and are Federalist Society members. Another devotee to this ever influential organization and chief advisor to DJT is Steve Bannon who has orchestrated the philosophical direction of this administration from the beginning and further underscores the decidedly conservative tendency toward an austere and constricted concept of governmental purview. Indeed, Steve Bannon has taken it a step further by publicly declaring his intention to 'deconstruct the administrative state'. He also ominously stated that early efforts at deregulation were only the beginning when he invoked a baseball analogy by saying 'we are only in the top of the first'. While Bannon, Gorsuch, Leo, and the Federalist Society are currently enjoying their moment in the field of play, we can be emboldened by the fact that the rank and file of a newly politically active people in this rapidly evolving and diverse nation will ultimately bat last!

Meals on Wheels and What It Means To Be An American

When considering the recent White House proposal to discontinue certain programs as a 'waste of resources', allow me to remind my brethren that Meals on Wheels is one of the most successful, partly government-sponsored programs in this country serving those who would otherwise be compromised without it.

It really becomes a matter of who we decide to be as a nation...a caring, compassionate, and thoughtful people whose goal it is to provide for the common good; or rather, a self-interested, greedy, and indifferent society dedicated to self-preservation, the perpetuation of a 'zero-sum' mentality and the sanctity of the bottom line.

The Beneficence of Paul Ryan

Paul Ryan's claim that under the new health care plan people will now have the free choice to pick any plan they might desire is a bit like telling the average middle class person that  purchasing a house in San Francisco is merely a matter of personal preference and really has nothing to do with its affordability. Furthermore, when that same person has saved enough through the ensuing years in order to actually afford the minimal down payment on that house on the hill, he is then told that there will be a 30% surcharge on the property because he was not sufficiently wealthy or, for whatever reason, was disinclined to purchase it in the first place.

In the meantime, further up the hill, the privileged few who benefited most from the near $150 billion in tax relief over the next decade will look down in satisfaction as they revue their now inflated savings account balance.

Speaker Ryan will have to find a way to excuse that middle class voter for not giving thanks for the Republican leader's magnanimity and largess as the medical bills increase and his tenuous hold on middle class status rapidly disintegrates.

The Musical Explorations of Rich Osborn

For second time, in as many months, Debby and I had the great privilege to be in attendance as Rich Osborn once again mesmerized his audience with an hour long exercise in guitar mastery and deep musical exploration. Last night's venue was The Battery, a rather posh private club located in the historic Barbary Coast district of San Francisco, nestled between the Financial and North Beach districts in the heart of the City.

The concert included such familiar songs as In A Monastery Garden which was again performed with intricate delicacy; the somber and deeply felt Still I Will Be Merry; the beautifully rendered American classic Streets of Laredo; the plaintive prayer of Breton Fisherman's Song reminding us of our relative position within the vastness of the Universe, and the joyous Going to the Beach House which invokes a feeling of release and freedom from otherwise dire circumstance. It was wonderful to hear these songs played again, live, as Rich has an uncanny ability to bring a sense of immediacy to each piece thus creating a completely original experience with each masterful rendering.

Added to the playlist performed last month in the more modest setting of Stranded in the Mission district, were three selected pieces each suggesting a separate yet somehow perfectly connected musical journey. The Open Road was a delicately fingered piece which invited the soul to reach into an invisible space where all things are possible; Cloud Towers paid homage to and was inspired by Bach and was performed by Rich with all the rich complexity of the original master. The highlight of the evening for this audience member was the exquisite rendition of Pasha (in honor and celebration of the bureaucrat!) that Rich introduced while recalling his seminal and favorite concert (performed in front of one solitary man on the side of a road in India) given some years ago. This deeply layered and multi-leveled piece allowed for a listening adventure which I imagined paralleled the artist's own life changing moment as the image of Rich serenading his fellow traveler presented itself to me throughout the song.

Whether performing a familiar melody or introducing a new voice, Rich Osborn succeeds in creating a unique musical experience and takes us on an ever deepening journey, through the sheer brilliance of his virtuosity, into uncharted spiritual territory while applying the same notes we perhaps have heard many times before. This is made possible by the artist's complete and utter commitment to each song, each iteration of his genius, each individual journey which is communicated to the listener as an intense personal revelation simultaneously being experienced by the artist himself. Knowing this helps explains what Rich shared with me after the concert when he spoke of the difficulty he sometimes has in transitioning between songs. His complete devotion to the sanctity of experiencing each piece and to the unique moment of creation in which he becomes so totally immersed while giving birth to each musical moment makes it clearly understandable why this artist might find it difficult to easily and instantly move on to the next journey. On this evening, we all were quite happily rewarded by his decision and ability to do so!

Redefining Liberalism

I'm on board with Webster's definition of the term, liberal: 'manifesting a free and generous heart; exhibiting an enlightened mind; free from narrowness, bigotry or bondage to authority or creed'...less so as practiced by the Democratic Party of the recent past. The liberal/progressive distinction as represented by the respective candidacies of Clinton and Sanders clearly illustrated the widening gap between the two categories. To remain viable, the Democrats must close this divide by embracing the millions of young voices who were ignored by the party establishment in 2016, turn away from the neo-conservative practice of foreign interventionism, renew its focus on protection, preservation and sustainability of the environment, and redefine their relationship with corporate America by severing its dependency on same for its life's blood.

It would be a fatal mistake for the Democratic Party to simply wait for the likely implosion of the Trump regime and then retreat to a default position of reiterating the tired and failed policies they presented during last year's election cycle. To do so would be turning a deaf ear to the unmistakable call to reevaluate the basic assumptions upon which the party has based its platform in recent years. The Sanders' candidacy was a helpful beginning and signaled the direction forward into a new and truly progressive era where liberalism is restated as a term more reflective of the actual will of an active and engaged electorate.

The Importance of the Fourth Estate in the Age of Trump

In response to recent attacks on journalists and media representatives in the midst of an administration seemingly dedicated to their demise, it has become necessary to remind ourselves of the importance of a free functioning press in a healthy democracy.

Steve Bannon sent shock waves of concern when recently declaring the media as 'an enemy of the people' in what was eerily reminiscent of Stalin's label of anyone opposing his autocratic rule as 'enemies of the State'. This echo of past dictatorships was later underscored by press secretary Sean Spicer's declaration that he would be barring certain members of the press (noteably, CNN and NY Times) from attending regular White House briefing sessions. This was followed by the president himself decrying the existence of leaks and calling for journalists to reveal the identities of their sources. This statement suggest either an ignorance of or outright disregard for one of the core principles of any democracy: the unfettered exercise of free expression and the protection of sources. Since the days of three pointed hats and midnight rides, the life blood of good journalism as been the reliance on information from the interior of government (leaks) and the anonymity of news sources. If it were otherwise, originators of stories would disappear for fear of reprisal, persecution, and/or prosecution from a government set in opposition to the exposure of truthful testimony for the benefit of an informed public. In its wake, the only news source then available would be the official governmental version of events...a state of affairs more closely associated with totalitarian regimes. As Steve Bannon seems to envision and perhaps even welcome, the healthy functioning democracy ceases to exist the moment when the press becomes 'the enemy'.

Some suggested that Spicer's prohibition of selected members of the media was no different than the Obama administration's attempt to bar Fox News from access to the briefing room. In large part, this was actually true in spite of the fact that Fox was guilty of airing verifiably untrue stories (Obama's origin of birth, his Muslim religious affiliation, etc) whereas CNN and The NY Times had published verifiably true stories (albeit unpopular with DJT) regarding the nature and margin of Trump's victory over HRC, the size of the inauguration crowd, etc. In either case, however, networks and press affiliates have a constitutional right to be in attendance in the People's House for the purpose of baring witness to those in the seat of power who are, at the end of the day, beholden to the will of the national constituency. It is the duty and responsibly of these journalists to inform the public and hold elected leaders accountable and, in so doing, act as a check against the abuses of power to which the frail human spirit is most susceptible. This is the fundamental identity of the Fourth Estate is equally vital to the success of the nation as are the other three official branches of government.

The Bannon/Trump/ Spicer cadre will be well advised to rethink their recent invectives directed to the very institution which is central to their political viability and, more importantly, essential to the survival of our country as a democratic entity.

Folly and the Exploitation of Grief

As journalist Glen Greenwald well illustrates in his recent article for The Intercept, Trump's focus, in his address to the joint session of Congress, on the death of the navy Seal 6 service member reiterates the routine bi-partisan practice of exploiting and highlighting the loss of American life and the grief thereof while ignoring the tragedy of millions of civilian deaths at our hands for the conscious and express purpose of promoting and furthering a perpetual war on terror. The counterproductive consequence of this repeated folly was neatly captured by none other than Donald Rumsfeld when he rather cynically declared with characteristic smugness: 'for each terrorist we kill, we create another two in their wake'. So thusly, the horrific parade of carnage will continue in what Gore Vidal labeled 'the endless war for endless peace' aided and advanced by an administration who intends to significantly invest in the war machine while drastically cutting our diplomatic efforts around the world. Indeed, may God bless America before it is too late for redemption.

More of the Same from MSM

It's noteworthy that the MSM continues to focus on the latest 'bright shiny object' emanating from Trump's twitter account while the Brannon/Pence/Ryan agenda gets played out behind the curtain or, at least, slightly off stage.

This is disturbingly reminiscent of the media's obsession during the presidential campaign with all things DJT while ignoring the very real emergence of the Sanders candidacy. At the end of the day, it appears that the MSM's focus on ratings is not altogether dissimilar from the object of their incessant gaze.

Elitist Condescension at the Oscars

The widening gap between the ordinary working person and the liberal elite establishment, in this instance as represented by the Hollywood/movie community, was on full display and embodied by the 'let's expose the common citizen to our special club' gag as orchestrated by the otherwise very capable and amusing Master of Ceremonies , Jimmy Kimmel. The idea was to usher an unsuspecting group of tour bus customers (not unlike zoo animals toward the center ring of a circus) into the concert hall where the Oscars were being dispensed with customary self-congratulation and adulation, parade them in front of the assembled royal court, and then revel in the utter shock and awe these plebeians would surely express as they realized their sudden good fortune at being in the presence of such elite company. The implicit and underlying premise here is that all 'common' people aspire to the lofty heights the assembled group of privileged 'stars' have clearly already ascended and wouldn't be fun to introduce the 'lowly' to even a few moments of transient contact with this rarified atmosphere.
This exercise in patronizing condescension further illustrates and mirrors the very real disconnection between the ordinary American citizen so throughly ignored, disenfranchised, and economically set apart from the mainstream of a society and  the elite leadership of both political parties for the better part of the previous three decades. This disconnection was seriously acknowledged and addressed by the candidacy of the man from Vermont only to be summarily and consciously suppressed and ignored  by an entrenched, elite, and oblivious established order dedicated to preserve the status quo at all cost and seemingly impervious to the clarion call for a real change of direction as variously expressed throughout the past year, eloquently and crudely, by millions people (not unlike the representatives from the tour bus) throughout our diverse, divided, and rapidly evolving nation.
As we all have seen, the void created by the colossal blunder of the Democratic elites (many of whom imperiously sat in last night's audience) has produced the only remaining 'voice for change' as our default 'leader' and has set in motion a new era of authoritarian rule in ironic contrast to the continuing need of a national constituency hungry for democratic representation and a real reflection of their long-dismissed plaintive cry for genuine recognition. Last night's spectacle served as a cruel metaphor for the myopic vision which has yielded our current state of affairs and our ongoing estrangement from each other.

Sara Bareilles To The Rescue

Amid the confusion and staggering incompetence on display in the final moments of the Oscars last night, one bright light of inspiration emerged with crystal clarity: Sara Bareilles' stunning rendition of Joni Mitchell's Both Sides Now concurrent with the in-memoriam segment of the show. Even though Joni is pursuing other interests, is dealing with health related concerns at the moment and is loathe to look back, she surely would have turned a favorable eye on Bareilles' performance...a faithful, beautifully rendered, finely nuanced and yet highly innovative interpretation which reached new emotional depths...a most fitting tribute to the recently departed and honored members of this celebrated community.

More of the Same from the DNC

Yesterday the Democratic National Committee voted centrist Tom Perez (a prominent Latino) as their chairperson who immediately  appointed his chief rival, progressive congressman Keith Ellison (the only Muslim in Congress), as vice-chair. Nice symbolism but the subsequent vote to retain corporate underwriting and influence instead of the more democratic (and successful) grass roots method of fund raising signals a return to the same tired and failed reliance on and continuance of the status quo. In the process, millions of potential party members will, once again, find themselves on the outside looking in. A term coined in response to failed policies during the Viet Nam War era is aptly relevant here...the proliferation of mistake.

Compassionate Family

Let's imagine a truly compassionate society amid current evidence to the contrary and also celebrate all the ways in which compassion is manifested every day. We all are brothers and sisters, the law abiders as well as the misguided, the dark and the pale, the religious and the non-believers, the open hearted and the closed, the wounded, the healed, and the those in recovery. The challenge is to embrace even the least among us as well as the most vile as family; one heterogeneous, variously talented, flawed, and endlessly evolving family.

The Clarity of Moonlight

Saw Moonlight last night...a multi leveled and layered story (and honest portrayal) of a life many of us never see or are ever aware, struggle for and assertion of identity, and the indomitable persistence of love in the midst of dire circumstance. Brilliant direction (Barry Jenkins, who also wrote the script) and editing (Joi McMillon and Nat Sanders) yielded a beautifully paced narration while the acting was mesmerizing throughout by a well chosen cast. Naomi Harris was especially captivating as the mother of Little/Chiron/Black as was Mahershala Ali as Juan, Andre Holland as Kevin, and Trevante Rhodes as Black. The roles of Little and Chiron by Alex R. Hibbert and Ashton Sanders respectively were performed with sensitivity and convincing believability.
A powerful movie experience which invites compassion and challenges us all to embrace our common human bond.

An Emotional Film Experience

Saw Manchester By The Sea last night...A beautifully rendered story of loss, relationship, grief, and eventual hope told with uncompromising honesty and raw emotion. The depth of feeling it portrayed and invoked was remarkable...its resonance lasting well beyond the theater walls.
I was especially moved by the way in which the movie dealt with male vulnerability, denial, and emotional expression. In this age of role modeling based on bluster, empty bombast, self deception, threat, and infantile posturing, it was refreshing and heartening to witness the male character presented openly exposed, vulnerable, and subject to hard-wrought reclamation.

Clarity

In response to Sean Spicer's reaction to Kellyanne Conway's illegal endorsement of Ivanka's line of merchandise....one is left to wonder about who the consultant might be giving counsel to the consul and what effect such consultation will have on the council of counselors surrounding the president.
Sorry, Sean, but you were a bit unclear on this!!

Term Definition

A quick observation regarding Spicer's assertion today that a legislator's vote against Betsy DeVos is an example of obstructionist behavior....No, Sean, voting one's conscience, opinion, or conviction is an example of civic responsibility; legislative obstruction is not allowing a nominee to receive a fair hearing and a simple up or down vote.

True Believers

When in a recent interview, NPR's Judy Woodruff confronted now Vice President Mike Pence with the fact that since 9/11 exactly zero fatal attacks on American soil had been perpetrated by an individual or individuals from any of the Muslim-majority countries listed on the recent order banning entry to the US (the 2006 UNC and the 2016 Ohio State non-fatal attacks to the contrary duly noted). His answer was illuminating in that it provided a glimpse into his motivations and, by inference, the  underlying attitude of this new administration. Pence's response was to launch into a rather eloquent recitation of his uttermost 'faith' that the defeat of the radical Islamic threat posed by the inclusion of all people from these countries was essential to his pledge to keep Americans safe. Instead of addressing the factual basis of Woodruff's question, Pence chose to reaffirm his 'belief' that these people indeed represent a clear and present danger to our national security. He went on to bestow lavish praise on Trump as a forceful leader and commanding presence whenever and wherever he presented himself and in whom Pence had the utmost 'faith'. Apparently, the operative factor motivating Pence is not to be found by reference to fact but rather to be found in his profound faith and belief in whatever edict, platitude, or tweeted assertion emanating from his commander-in-chief. I was particularly taken with what can only be described as the religious fervor with which he clung to his original assertion in spite of the presented facts, the rapturous look on his face, and the sincerely reverential look in those deep set and ominous eyes.

Going forward, I think it wise to consider that when referencing this administration (especially in the person of Pence and Trump's closest advisor Steve Bannon) we are actually in the presence of true believers who, despite evidence to the contrary, will defend their system of belief with all the passion of an evangelical zealot in defense of a sacred doctrine.

Free Expression and the Berkeley Protest

In the immediate aftermath of the recent protests in Berkeley and in response to a colleague's admonition to conduct proactive and peaceful efforts to transform ourselves and our world, I respectfully submit that resistance to the totalitarian-leaning, corporate-centric, militaristic, anti-LGBTQ, anti-environment, reactionary, misogynistic, and authoritarian regime currently in the seat of governmental power will assume a variety of different forms and find expression in a variety of different ways. This will include proactive leadership work with a focus on personal and societal transformation as well as organized and persistent protests in the streets all across the country. Non-violent resistance more properly mirrors the vision of a sustainable future and is a preferred method of protest not only because of favorable optics but, as a practical matter, it skillfully counters the inclination of violent reaction from a domestic law enforcement apparatus specifically focused on the use of force.

This morning Trump suggested that federal funds could be suspended to UC Berkeley as a result of the isolated violence associated with the predominantly peaceful demonstration last night and as a result of the school's 'denial of free expression' to the controversial speaker Milo Yiannopoulos. As a matter of actual fact and in spite of persistent pressure to deny a forum for Mr. Yiannppoulos, UC Berkeley administrators provided not only the facilities to share his rather cynical and hateful rhetoric but also prepared a large security force in anticipation of the event. Moreover, DJT will be well-advised to check in with the Pentagon before he pulls the trigger on the threat to defund UC Berkeley as this institution is one of leading research centers for the Department of Defense and is central to this and other administration's efforts to wage their endless war against global terror.

It also might be useful to remind ourselves here that violence at public events is often triggered by the premeditated use of provocateurs to redirect and assign blame to a targeted group or organization in order to discredit an otherwise noble effort. Without specific reference to the events in Berkeley last night, my experience with anarchists over the years has yielded the view that this particular form of political expression is essentially peaceful (with some exceptions) and dedicated to the proposition of unfettered democratic manifestation. That said, the latest information regarding this most recent action suggests that this current iteration of the anarchists model was indeed inclined toward a violent expression very much opposed to the overwhelmingly peaceful intent and purpose of the protest in general. Broad brush painting would be a mistake and a mis-characterization of the reality on the ground.

A Considered Warning

In the wake of the backlash to the arbitrary, ill-advised and, more importantly, ill-conceived Trumpian edict regarding the blanket immigration prohibition currently in effect (albeit contested), a note of additional warning is now appropriate and necessary.

Trump's recent executive orders have seriously decreased what was already sagging approval ratings and despite his apparent disregard for public or journalistic affirmation, the 'success' of his reign will depend on the extent to which his message and promise of a fear-induced agenda sufficiently resonates with the majority of people in this country. The lack of consensus among the population for his policies and declarations is similar to the general attitude to the newly installed government of Bush/Chaney in the days before the terrorist-induced tragedy of 9/11. After the attack on the Twin Towers and the Pentagon, the nation was galvanized in response to an existential threat and seized with a collective sense of fear which yielded acquiescence to repressive measures and policies which impinged upon fundamental constitutional rights through the enactment of the Pariot Act, the widespread implementation of mass surveillance, and a systematic disregard for human rights heretofore protected by international law. This forfeiture of power, especially to the executive branch of government, eventually resulted in the disastrous debacle in Iraq which all but squandered the goodwill of the international community so much in evidence in aftermath of the 2001 attack.

The current regime is exercising similar executive authority the perceived legitimacy and popular support of which will be needed to continue to operate with any credible mandate from the populace. As in the case of the last Republican regime, this mandate will likely be secured by the occurrence of a fear-inducing event used (if not designed and intended) to coalesce a national sentiment otherwise indifferent or outwardly hostile to the ruling government. False flag operations and the use of provocateurs to influence events and change opinion have a long history of targeted usage internationally and here at home. Given Trump's growing unpopularity, his penchant for authoritarian over-reach and a conspicuous lack of moral discretion, the assertion of this tactic should be neither unexpected nor unanticipated as a very real possibility in the not too distant future.

My last admonition in the immediate aftermath of Trump's ascension to power was: 'people get ready'; it has now become 'people be ready'. As a new form of darkness readies itself, the resolve of the American people to preserve and protect its precious freedoms is bound to be tested in ways suggested here and in ways only now dimly imagined.

My People of the Park

In my thirty-three years of running at Golden Gate Park's Polo Fields I've encountered a wide variety of citizens, both two and four legged with whom I've had the privilege to share the same rarified air unique to San Francisco as we creatures, great and small, clamor about in recreation, rehabilitation, exaltation, or simply to survive. Through the majority of this period, my typical arrival time at the park would be 5 AM which often meant that I would conduct any given workout partly or entirely in the dark (the eyes really do adjust to this condition) accompanied by an assortment of skunks, possums, coyotes, an occasional abandoned dog, and a delightful family of foxes who faithfully waited (or so it seemed) for me in the exact same spot until the clapping of my hands singled my imminent arrival so they might make a hasty retreat to safety, away from my daily intrusion into their otherwise peaceful morning.

I have also shared this space with a wide range of fellow runners with whom I developed friendships some of which have spanned three decades. There is Kai who originally immigrated from Tibet for study in the US and who's smiling greeting is a welcomed awakening call to the miracle of the unfolding day. There is Liam who runs daily with a slow and slightly palsied stride, persistent and determined in pursuit of a healthy and disciplined lifestyle. Here is Adam, a strapping and somewhat mentally challenged man of my certain age with whom I've shared this same path for all these years, always exchanging 'you're still looking good' affirmations as we proceed through time. Simon also can be seen on any given day, the CEO of one San Francisco's largest Chinese import businesses who has always taken the time to inquire about my most recent race or perhaps the state of my most recent injury. Donald regularly shows up to lightly jog or walk the grounds despite chronic bronchitis and advancing years. Frank is the retired SF fire department captain who shares my passion for hard workouts and love of the Giants and who rarely misses an opportunity to express his dismay over the fact that Barry Bonds is yet to be admitted to baseball's Hall of Fame. Around the bend, Steve might come shuffling along in varying states discomfort. A long-time SF physician who suffers from a chronic vascular disorder that restricts the movement of his legs, Steve perseveres and dispenses free medical advice, solicited or otherwise. Emily and John are not far behind on their daily stroll through the park on the way to Ocean Beach and who greets meet as if it were our first meeting.Kiyoko follows with her dog, slowly walking and often pausing to admire a flower or perhaps the ever-fragrant presence of our beloved eucalyptus trees that watch over us with silent authority.

Add to this motley crew, Jeff who is the unsung hero of the entire group. Unlike the neatly attired and carefully sculptured fitness practitioners who elsewhere adorn the gym or roadway with their studied, self-conscious, and perfected countenance, Jeff appears on the scene in the same well-worn sweat suit laboring around the perimeter of the grounds as he diligently and courageously forces a morbidly obese body to take that next step toward what must seem like the unreachable goal of full fitness. He will never be seen posing in front of a gym mirror or strategically place himself on a street corner to be admired by the passing throng but he shows up regularly in a valiant attempt to change the course of his physical existence. In full sight of all the beautiful bodies that often prance and preen all around him, Jeff, brave and unbeautiful, continues to inspire with plodding and undaunted elegance.

Time To Move On

The cost of the production and delivery of sustainable sources of energy is currently at an all time low is becoming increasingly cheaper as the technology advances. Smart investors are already seizing this financial opportunity quite apart from the obvious environmental benefits involved in its development. Give up the gaslight and carriage business...the 21st century's version of the light bulb and automobile is upon us!

Resisting Distraction

Consistent with their coverage throughout the presidential campaign, MSNBC (I choose to focus on the so-called 'liberal' representative of the MSM), spent an inordinate amount of air time in various states of outrage over the latest Trumpian assertion (and the subsequent underscore by press secretary, Sean Spicer) that three to five million people had voted illegally in the recent election. Instead of focusing on the intent of the original tweet which involves sending a clear message to Republican legislators throughout the country to remobilize their efforts to suppress the vote, the MSM's 'journalistic' response to this absurd  contention was to obsessively point to the most recent bright shiny object appearing in cyberspace and, in so doing, collaborated with the new administration in their effort to distract the American people away from its very real attempt to manipulate and change the fabric of our political landscape. The recent statement was a purposeful attempt to reinvigorate efforts to suppress the vote around the country. The Republicans have won the popular vote in a national election exactly once (2004) since 1988. Given the continual and organic evolution of national demographics, they know that maintaining political relevance depends on reducing the turnout in specific regions of the country. It's been an essential part of their strategy for years but it is now critical for their survival.

The more outrageous the Trump utterance, the better it is for the MSM and their viewership ratings. We must never forget that corporate media's primary objective is to make money. If real journalism is what you are after, we can refer you to the archives for past H.L. Mencken articles, an Edward R Murrow editorial or two, or perhaps the occasional New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Christian Science Monitor, or Intercept article. Save Amy Goodman's Democracy Now, one is not likely to find incisive and unfettered opinion and investigative journalism by turning on the TV.

While the collusion between Trump and the MSM successfully distracts our attention, real events are occurring concurrent with the unrelenting media circus. Trump rants, the media takes the bait, and the American public look away while Executive Orders are signed to continue the flow of environmentally polluting crude oil under our soil, federal funding is cut to NGO's thereby denying 20 million women worldwide vital health care, immigrant hopes of legal assimilation are dashed under the vengeful hand of an intolerant 'homeland' policy while fears of deportation increase, entire governmental agencies are given a gag order not to speak to the press, sanctuary cities are threaten with defunding, wages are frozen, fast-tracking environmental approval under the guidance of an EPA secretary who is a declared opponent of the agency he now heads is well underway, the freezing of all regulations the approval of which is now subject to Executive approval, and the unraveling of the Affordable Care Act without a coherent replacement thereby endangering the well being of millions of American citizens has begun unabated.

The current administration is counting on an inattentive public and media-induced distraction away form the very real events which will materially affect the quality of our lives and the character of our country. A major element of the work to be done going forward is to identify and resist any and all diversionary measures while maintaining focus on the ways in which we might continue to posit viable, visionary, and sustainable alternatives to the existing and ensuing model.

Resisting Trump

In response to a recent admonishment regarding taking care not to mirror the hate one would otherwise stand against, allow me to suggest that speaking out and standing up against this regime is not an expression of hate; it is rather an expression of resistance to the vulgarity, crassness, hateful rhetoric, xenophobia, racial scapegoating, mean spirited 'othering', persistent distortion of the truth, inability to engage in honest self reflection, self aggrandizement, corporate appeasement, disregard for environmental, public educational  and worker's concerns, and the tendency to favor authoritarian rule inherent in the words and actions of this president and many of those chosen to advise, represent, and influence this administration. To dissent, resist, and exercise one's voice as a free American is to engage in an act of love of country by fulfilling the sacred obligation of responsible citizenship.

The Coming Storm

After a close and sober examination of the apparent implicit philosophy of the recently assembled cabal surrounding the incoming president and at the risk of sounding an alarm a bit too loudly premature, one may nevertheless conclude that we might be only one terrorist attack/false flag operation away from the imposition of martial law in this country. The Trump administration's most likely chance for majority support will come from the inducement/existence of widespread fear among its people. The phenomenon was used with great success by Bush/Chaney in the wake of 9/11 and provides a blueprint for emulation by future unpopular regimes who must resort to this kind of manipulation in order to engender consensus among an otherwise unwilling population.

Given the enormous resistance on display in the recent demonstrations nationwide, it will be interesting to observe the extent to which the Trump administration can redirect the current constituency's mindset toward its dystopian worldview of perennial threat, constant fear, and the ongoing need for authoritarian control. The resolve of the opposition to this form of governance will surely be tested in ways we can now only imagine. We are well advised, therefore, to prepare for a challenge to basic values and norms the likes of which we have heretofore never seen. People get ready.

Reflections in the Wake of Trump's Inaugural Address

Call me an optimist but I was actually anticipating some degree of conciliation in DJT's inaugural address today which would be in keeping with the long standing tradition of a graceful acceptance of presidential office. Instead, we were given a condensed version of a stump speech wherein he offered a rather dystopian vision of the American landscape replete with 'carnage', despair, and a weakened military (an absurd contention given the fact that we spend about ten times more capital on the DOD as compared with our closest rival).

A particularly disturbing aspect of the speech was the persistent reference to 'America first' as a rallying cry for a new era of isolationism wherein protectionists policies will rule the day and where the needs of 'real' Americans will once again be given priority over the countless 'others' who somehow threaten an imagined way of life which apparently is destined to replace the naturally organic and inevitable evolution of a multicultural society in which the rich array of human representation is eager to express itself (Trump has recently taken to referring to certain native-born Americans as 'Mexican' and 'Afgan'). The 'America first' reference also invokes the chilling reminder of the pro-Nazi movement in the 1930's, promoted by the likes of William Randolph Hearst and championed by none other than Charles Lindbergh, which argued for an insular and neutral American stance with regard to the advance of fascism in Germany and the practice of 'othering' specific racial groups as the root cause of an' International malaise'. One can reasonably conclude that DJT's reference to 'America first' was intended to echo an era of isolationist thinking and an imagined vision of past glory the renewal of which is close at hand. Of course, this reactionary impulse is occurring concurrent with the very real existence of a rapidly expanding and culturally diverse society which clearly reflects an inclusive and alternative paradigm to President Trump's conception of America. One of the challenges of the ensuing four years will be to find creative ways to reconcile the inevitable conflict between an attempt to superimpose an imagined past over the ongoing reality of a rapidly evolving and functioning society in real time.

An equally disturbing element of today's address, and a persistent aspect of DJT's rhetoric throughout the campaign, is his rather casual and cynical suggestion that somehow the common person has found a true champion in the form of a Trump administration. It beggars belief to see how this advocate of the 1 % who has now filled his cabinet with billionaires whose professional focus has been centered on the acquisition of enormous and inordinate personal wealth (with scant regard for the welfare of the worker and often at his/her expense) as well as a preoccupation with the bottom line will suddenly be transformed into an agent of populist rejuvenation. The callous manipulation of fellow human beings to further one's own objectives was captured brilliantly by Robert Zimmerman. When reflecting on the origins of the hate implicit in the murder of civil rights pioneer Medgar Evers he said: 'The deputy sheriffs, the soldiers, the governors get paid; And the marshals and cops get the same; But the poor white man's used in the hands of them all like a tool. He's taught in his school...From the start by the rule...That the laws are with him...To protect his white skin...To keep up his hate... So he never thinks straight...'Bout the shape that he's in...But it ain't him to blame...He's only a pawn in their game.'
And earlier: '...(he) is used it is plain...For the politician's gain...As he rises to fame...And the poor white remains...On the caboose of the train...But it ain't him to blame...He's only a pawn in their game.'

With these words still hanging in the air, many of us now might imagine that Trump and his ilk 'would be made to wear earphones' so that sound of millions could 'startle his sleeping ears to hear a distant voice'...at once clear and transformative.

The Legacy of Martin Luther King

After the official day of celebration of MLK's birthday, I find myself reflecting, once again, on his revolutionary and radical ideas of answering the corrosive presence of hate and warfare with the restorative, godly inspired application of love and the peaceful embrace of brotherhood. For him, this was not an unachievable ideal or abstract concept but rather an active mandate of global proportions. His vision pointed the way for a significant paradigm shift away from the self interested accumulation of power and resources and toward the realization of a world in which the fellowship of humankind would become a global priority. He saw this change as being in keeping not only with God's will but also consistent with the fundamental core values of this great nation.
While reflecting on some of MLK's essential ideas as a uniquely spiritual leader, I also was seized with sadness over the loss of two other significant voices for radical change: Robert F Kennedy and John Lennon. The former was in a position of political influence sufficient to accomplish many of the lofty goals set forth by Martin's eloquent and inspired rhetoric while the latter provided the artistic vision and popularity to influence an entire generation to seek new answers to old problems and to value the common good of all humanity over the narrow interests of the very few. Sadly these voices have been silenced (a topic for another day) but the legacy of their message remains as a beacon for all who envision a more equitable, sustainable, and hopeful future.

The Commutation of Chelsea Manning

After 8 years of systematic prosecution and persecution of whistleblowers and journalists who expose governmental, corporate, and military wrongdoing, Barack Obama has commuted the sentence of Chelsea (Bradley) Manning who had been serving 7 of an inordinate 35 year sentence for her role in revealing, among other things, the massacres committed in Fallujah and Haditha during the Iraq War and the government's efforts to hide these events from the American people. This is only slight atonement for the outgoing president who has presided over the incarceration and torture (brutal solitary confinement in forced positions) of an American who sought only to bring to light military and governmental transgressions heretofore kept secret from its own people and the international community. In spite of an orchestrated campaign to discredit and demonize this loyal service member, it should be noted that her revelations were vetted in advance so as not to endanger American personnel or to comprise vital intelligence (none of the documents released were classified as top secret). As he steps away from office, Obama is to be given faint praise for the long overdue rectification of at least one case of injustice.