Thanks to a recent bonus, I decided to treat myself to some CD's, something I haven't done in a few months.

• Larry Young - Unity
• Sun Ra - The Solar-Myth Approach Vol 1 & 2
• Keith Jarrett - The Koln Concert
• John Coltrane - Ascension
• Albert Ayler - Live in Greenwich Village
• Masada - Live in Sevilla
• Larry Young - Lawrence of Newark
• Ben Perowsky - Camp Songs
• Steven Bernstein - Diaspora Blues

Reviews of some of these I'm sure will follow shortly.  Watch the recent listening (which I freely admit isn't getting as much play as I had planned).

So today I declare that I support Gary Hart as candidate for President of the United States. I will in a series of four similar articles explain the path and cycles on the four areas that Senator Hart has spoken on, and why he has developed policy that can both regenerate the Democratic Party and is realistic enough to accomplish. Before those, I will post my analysis of the current field of candidates including George W. Bush tomorrow afternoon. In that I will explain why this strategy I have outlined and Gary Hart puts forth, is not only the right thing, but a winning strategy for the party not only in 2004 but the years beyond.

We cannot separate our decisions from the paths of history that have brought them to our feet, instead we must embrace where our problems have originated and use it as strength.

That is how to lead.

We cannot lead only those who agree with us whether they be conservative or liberal .We must reach out strike a dialog with everyone we can, even those we do not like or respect to understand who we are leading.

That is how to listen.

We cannot listen if we do not give people a reason or the ability to speak. We must silence the large microphone of money and deregulation and hand the power to change local communities to the people who live in them.

That is a republic.

Gary Hart is doing all three. Read a bit, you might learn to agree with me.

Kevin of Getting in the Game is down with Hart - describing how he got to this point and why campaigning against Bush isn't good enough.  What we need is vision, and Gary Hart has plenty to spare.

Ken G, a poster on Talk Left talks about why he wants Hart to run:

He is not considering a run because he owes anyone anything. He is not considering a run because he has special interests that he wants rewarded. He is not considering a run because he believes that politically it is his time to do so.

Rather, he is considering a run because he recognizes that he has something incredibly important to contribute, and believes that it is his patriotic duty to do so as a contributing citizen of this country.

I have to believe that this message, if properly conveyed, will be a clarion call to young voters that are searching for something authentic and real in this world.

Personally, I am re-energized politically at the thought of the amazing guerilla campaign that can be run for a progressive with great name recognition that doesn't owe anyone a thing. Although I am a fan of many of the current Dems in the race, none of them have the ability to ignite the idealistic beliefs that got me involved in his earlier campaigns.

I believe I blogged about this at the time, but if not, here is the original article that re-introduced me to Hart.  It's well worth the read:

While other candidates may be just as strong on individual issues, they explain, Hart has the whole package. "Gary's strength is that he's taken a lifetime to build a coherent philosophy," says Polkinghorn. "He has shaped and synthesized a cohesive vision of how America should operate and what its role should be in the world." As such, Hart's views on everything from national security to education "are all rooted in a self-consistent understanding of the principles underlying the American democracy."

Now you may wonder why I'm posting all this here and now.  Its because its time for Hart to make a decision to run and therefore its time for anyone who gives a crap and wants this country to live up to its potential to get off their bums and let him know that he has to run.  All it takes is an email. 

All you need to say is that you appreciate the viewpoints he has presented over the last couple of months and think he should run for President in order to get these views out to the wider public.  Even if you have some question about his viability as a candidate, encourage him to run anyhow.  The debate his views would spark is something that America needs in these dark days.  And who knows, his viability may just surprise you.

If nothing else, imagine a presidential debate between Senator Hart and President Bush.  The comedic potential alone makes the time writing the email worthwhile.

If you're already a believer and are interested in helping out, let me know.  Thanks to Kevin of Getting in the Game, I now have the name of a contact collecting volunteer information.

Thanks to Talk Left the transcript is now available.  It's hard to judge without having seen it, but it certainly sounds like Hart, while not making O'Reilly cry as I'd hoped, at least demonstrated his ability to control an interview.

I can't believe I missed this!

From: "garyhartnews.com" <info@garyhartnews.com>
To: info@garyhartnews.com
Date: Thu, 6 Mar 2003 16:13:29 -0600
Subject: Gary Hart talks with Bill O'Reilly tonight, 9PM EST, FoxNews,

Watch Gary Hart live, tonight (Thursday, 3/6) at 9:00PM EST as he discusses President Bush's news conference with Bill O'Reilly on Fox News.  Check your local cable listings for the channel in your area.

Hart probably made O'Reilly cry.  Thats what I get for working late.