Anyone

Did somebody speculate about “obots?” LOL

I maintain now — as I always have — that there’s a great difference between what we might wish we could do and what reality as we see it says we can do.

That somebody can’t produce all that they’ve said they hoped to do is by no means evidence that they don’t want to and certainly not good reason to condemn them.

Just within the last month I’ve learned of more administrative changes that make life easier for poor folks, disabled folks, etc. These are things that were unadvertised — but people who’ve been dealing with this stuff for a while would certainly notice and appreciate the changes. I’d elaborate — but I don’t want to share that much personal info.

I wish I could meet Tavis Smiley so I could tell him that helping him get grants for his little projects, helping him get political contacts, helping him sell books is stuff that never did a damned thing for any black person other than him — and nothing for poor folks of any stripe (excepting any poor folks he might have hired as he moved up the economic ladder — I suppose.) I just really want to tell him and his clueless supposed advocates-for-people-they-don’t-even-know to shut the —- up!

I’ve been seeing all kinds of good stuff happening since 2009 and with no concerns about trying not to jeopardize the next run — I’m quite confident it’s only going to get better.

That was a good speech today. My favorite parts — and the first quote is somewhat selfish of me….

And we must be a source of hope to the poor, the sick, the marginalized, the victims of prejudice – not out of mere charity, but because peace in our time requires the constant advance of those principles that our common creed describes: tolerance and opportunity; human dignity and justice.

and

Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law – for if we are truly created equal, then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal as well.

For the record — foreign policy is STILL my number one issue. I’m just satisfied that Obama has been trying to do the best he can with the political and circumstantial hand he’s been dealt. Even as I preached my own philosophical rants about what’s wrong with us and the way things ought to be — I knew damned well that things I hoped to see wouldn’t come quickly or easily — and damned sure didn’t believe most of America would agree with and willingly go along with the world as pnh believes it should be.

I can dream up and describe all kinds of idealistic visions just fine. I was never after a president to do that for me. I was after one who could find real ways to bring us at least a little bit closer to things I dream about.

I got what I wanted. Does that mean I think he’s perfect? NO!

I don’t complain that he isn’t perfect because I was never dumb enough to think he would be — so why would I be disappointed about that!!!! A perfect president — for me — is one that puts forth good effort at making what I believe to be positive changes. So — in that respect — my imperfect president IS perfect — for me!

And well — since I’ve sometimes described myself as philosophically communist (as opposed to a rigid definition based on some historical claim and interpretation of communism) — if today was a step toward communism — then today was a good day.

Obot fangirl moment.

I just read on DU that Obama named “Smiling Face” as his favorite James Taylor song. That’s my favorite. I couldn’t help noticing that he was out of his seat moving to the Isiserettes drum corp. I’m like that — can’t seem to help myself when I hear some kinds of sounds.

I love all kinds of music — but I especially love music that seems to take control and make you want to dance. Happy music!

I couldn’t tell if Colbert was making fun of the stereotype or making fun of the inaugural program inclusion of him because of the stereotype with that stuff about James Taylor playing for a black president’s inauguration. I saw online that apparently there is a meme out there that black people don’t listen to his music.

Really? Even some relatively young black hip hop artists name him and his music as a favorite and an inspiration. He mentioned concerts. Maybe that’s about promoters and where they book/market stuff. James Taylor has never played anywhere near me — to my knowledge. I’d go see him if he did — and judging from the number of black kids who sang his songs right along with me — I don’t think I’d be the only black person there.

I didn’t like that joke. The premise that certain styles of music can’t appeal to certain entire ethnic groups diminishes the art, the artist and the group of people who supposedly just can’t appreciate and like them.

James Taylor might be labeled a folk singer — but he always sounded kind of “bluesy” to me. I’ve always thought of him as being one of the ” blue-eyed soul” singers.

Carole King was popular when I was growing up — too. Now — Peter, Paul and Mary — not so much. I liked and still like Jackson Browne.

OK. I could go on forever — but I feel like I’m naming some token white “folksy” friends or something.

Why do we need to try to define and label people — and then try to force them to fit into separate boxes?

The James Taylor thing made me sad. I love that man and I don’t appreciate even a hint that somehow I’m not supposed to.

And btw — James Taylor has been a frequent presence on the campaign trail and at WH events. Until now — I’d never heard any hint that somebody out there might think there was something weird or artificial about that.