I’m actually happy…

Hasn’t happened much lately, but I’m so happy I’m moved to tears.

The first woman governor of the state of Michigan is opening her first State of State address.  The first Democratic governor in what seems like the longest time.

God, I have waited my whole life for events like this.

Just wish she didn’t have to start her term 1.7 billion dollars short.  She sure has her work cut out for her to balance her budget while garnering bi-partisan support.

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UPDATE -- 8:02 pm ET --

AWESOME!!! Granholm totally rocks!!!  She lit right into it, didn't bat an eye!  If I can get a copy of the speech I'll post it here tomorrow!

Damn it, I wish like hell she could run for President.  Not an option since she was born in Canada.  Damn!

7:22:39 PM    comment []

RantsCounterRants:  Arianna, you go, girl!  Sic ‘em!!!

Today’s Salon Opinion piece by Arianna Huffington on John Snow is on the money!  She sinks her teeth in and takes a big chunk!

Snow’s ineptitude managing CSX cost not only the shareholders of CSX but any company that did business with CSX and in turn consumers who had to pay the additional costs that f*cked up logistics add to goods and services.

I wouldn’t hire this guy to work as a grocery bagger; now I have to put up with him holding down a rather important, high profile job paid for by my tax dollars.  This is outrageous!

Stay on ‘em, Arianna, Snow’s bound to screw up and someone needs to point it out fast.

5:00:04 PM    comment []

Is the Internet counterproductive to peace…?

Fascinating interview at MotherJones.com with John Perry Barlow on the Total Information Awareness project, activism and a mess of other things a liberal like me will happily chew on.

Two comments Barlow makes give me pause:

First, the TIA project was to be run by DARPA.  Not the CIA or NSA, but DARPA, the organization that is the future of technology in the US Armed Forces and in some cases, the world.  DARPA works on some truly cool sh*t – I really dig the fun stuff they play with, like bionic uniforms that can keep you dry under water and cool in the desert.  Somehow I missed this information about DARPA doing the TIA in all the anti-terrorist/anti-Big Brother hubbub about TIA. 

Barlow’s concern: DARPA can actually make things happen; they aren’t large enough to stumble over themselves like other bigger agencies.  My concern: DARPA could make the proposed TIA truly scary, far more powerful than the original concept.

Second, Barlow makes a rather extraordinary claim: the internet may be counterproductive to peace.  I agree entirely; people go out to the internet, either chat or comment in threads and blogs, get rid of their frustration and then go back to their normal lives.  Refreshed from unloading and dumping, people go no further.  They aren’t as likely to be activists because they’ve already been heard, don’t need any additional voice. 

While I agree with this point, I also feel the opposite is true: internet technology makes it easier to be an activist.  I can whip off a letter to my Senator at the drop of a hat using e-mail, send a monetary donation with a few quick clicks.

I’ll just have to hope that while these two truths coexist, that more people become activists versus those that don’t.

3:39:03 PM    comment []

Are you holding your breath, too?

I can’t do anything; I feel glued to my seat as if gravity had somehow increased in this locale.

I’m watching and listening to the UN Security Council briefing.  Nothing good will come of this, any way you look at it, even though there are many polite words and much patience.  Many folded hands, downcast eyes, dark business suits – brings back some intensely visceral memories of business meetings which bore bad tidings.

It’s like watching a train wreck about to unfold before one’s eyes.  I want to look away from the sight of two trains hurtling towards each other on the same track, but I can’t.

And I’m not certain from my perspective that I’m not on one of the trains.

2:05:11 PM    comment []