Patricia Williams Lessane writes:

In many ways, the idea of using the highly stylized European operatic form to tell the story of slavery seems counterintuitive. Given the apparent Africanisms within the Black music, oral, and religious traditions, how is it possible to tell our stories within the stuffy constraints of opera? Truly, tragedy is at the core of most operas, but the story of slavery—the story of our ancestors seems almost impossible to encapsulate within this musical tradition. Yet, leave it to the literary genius of Morrison to push the boundaries of African-American consciousness to make even opera yield to the complexities of the Black slave experience. Her libretto, accompanied by Richard Danielpour’s musical score is an opus to one woman’s unyielding struggle against enslavement, and one man’s obsession with imagined superiority, entitlement, and the power to wield violence against the enslaved Africans he “owned.” Margaret’s story then, is deeply entwined with that of her captor’s—Edward Gaines— the man who “owned” Margaret and her children.

the cast in rehearsal, at the Detroit Opera House:



I think we're walking the long road from the necessarily imagined superiority of the ownership class (how else could the masters abide themselves?) in the antebellum South, and modern true ownership of the self as well as the larger community, with 'what am I responsible for?' substituted for 'what do I own?', and spread in vast concentric circles, beginning from within.

The ultimate sustainability.

A half a billion!

3 million donors made a total of 6.5 million donations online.

Added up to more than $500 million.

Of those 6.5 million donations, 6 million were in increments of $100 or less.

The average online donation was $80.

The average Obama donor gave more than once.

more details at the Washington Post.

I am proud of the skill of the campaign and I know this is what it took to win. But seriously, there is too much money in politics, and it has got to be fixed. The great news is that the average donation was small, and that more people gave than ever before. But elections should NOT be this expensive. We need campaign finance reform. Air time should be free, limited and equally distributed. The media is the big reason why campaigns need so much money in the first place. We need limits, public funding, and a return to the fairness doctrine.

The AG has collapsed during a policy speech, not much more is known. TPM was on the scene and reporting.

From over at Talking Points Memo;

Attorney General Michael Mukasey collapsed this evening while giving a speech to Federalist Society in Washington, DC. The only further word we've been able to find is from Mike Allen at The Politico, who says that as of 10:30 PM, "medical officials were still working on him on the stage."

Late Update: From the AP,

Associate Attorney General Kevin O'Connor says Mukasey began shaking during a speech to the Federalist Society and collapsed. He did not immediately regain consciousness.

Late Update Two: We're still following this closely, now just minutes after 11 PM. As best we can tell no news service has any new substantive information about the AG's health, other than the initial news that he began slurring his speech and then shaking and then collapsed. There seems to be no solid information about whether he regained consciousness.

Further Update from TPM

Futher Update from the AP;

The attorney general is conscious, conversant and alert," Justice Department spokesman Peter Carr said after doctors admitted Mukasey to George Washington University Hospital for the night.

Mukasey remained on the stage for 10 minutes being attended to by his FBI security detail and medical personnel present at the conservative Federalist Society dinner, said eyewitness Abigail Thernstrom, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute. Though he lost consciousness initially, Mukasey appeared to be awake when he was taken from the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in northwest Washington, she said.

"It was hard to watch such a thing," Thernstrom said. "It was horrible."

Justice Department officials appeared anxious and alarmed at George Washington Hospital but spokesman Carr said Mukasey did not transfer his power to Deputy Attorney General Mark Filip.

Justice spokeswoman Gina Talamona declined to say whether Mukasey had suffered a stroke. She had no information about his medical history.

A Republican staffer on the Senate Judiciary Committee, Jack Daly, who was also at the dinner, said in an e-mail to colleagues sent at 10:20 p.m. EST: "AG Mukasey collapsed in the middle of his keynote address at tonight's fed-soc dinner. He is still on stage after ten minutes and his security detail has called 911. The paramedics just arrived."

Eighteen minutes later, Daly added in another e-mail: "Mukasey did regain consciousness before he was taken away.

In a truly bizarre moment, Gov. Palin, did a press conference in front of a turkey pen where the birds were being slaughterd as she spoke. She is seemingly unaware of anything going around her. When the reporter asked if she enjoyed the event (which was a Turkey pardoning) She said how nice it was to bring some levity into the political process. Meanwhile- a thrashing turkey was being killed as the machine jerked and bucked behind her.

Warning, the video is certainly a cringe creator- and animal rights folks should maybe not click play.



Levity? really?
h/t The Huffington Post

Photo/ Jim Mone-AP

This photo says it all. What a difficult, stressful, and necessary job. I want to give a nod to the election judges who for the most part (99% of them-- I believe) serve as judges to give to their community and because they believe in our process and in the rule of law.

This woman recounting the ballots in the U.S. Senate race between Republican Sen. Norm Coleman and Democrat Al Franken in Minneapolis; She is surrounded, in close proximity (well within her 18 1/2 inches) by people and their suspicions as passionate supporters of both candidates watch her every move.

It has gotta be hard.

I don't know her, but I'd like to thank Marge Dolan and all honest well intentioned election officials for their service to our country.

Dave Letterman and Katie Couric discussing her interviews with Gov. Sarah Palin;



One question that did was not included on the interview...
Couric asked both Palin and Biden (in a previous interview)— what they missed most while on the campaign trail.

Dave quipped "What did she miss? Fresh moosemeat?"

Katie answered that Palin missed running every day, while Biden missed being Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Dave's (and the audience) reaction was priceless.

It is coming up on thanksgiving day 2009! Just over a week!

The time has coming for planning our annual restaurant turkey fest here in Tokyo. But I want to briefly rant about recent turkey developments...

1. Deep fried turkey is a wee bit crazy and should be avoided. It is also dangerous.

2. Turkduckens are excessive and unnecessary. period. yes they are fun and weird but Thanksgiving is not supposed to be fun and weird. No offense to our Cajun friends out there... but it is really over the top, and deep down inside you know it's true!

3. Cranberries should be whole and not jellied in a can- I don't care that this is what you remember from your childhood. It is wrong.

If you are tempted on #3 just look at this picture... I mean really- this does not even look like food!




4. I actually don't love yams. candied or otherwise. I suppose that is not really a rule-- just a comment.

5. Pumpkin pie can be made from canned pumpkin IIOIIIL
(it is ok if it is libby's)

Here's what inquiring minds want to know???

Where are you headed for Thanksgiving?
What will you be cooking?
Do you go out to a restaurant for Turkey-Day?
What are some great vegetarian thanksgiving recipes or ideas?

More things thanksgiving over the course of the next week. And in homage to the late-great foodie-Steve;
here's to beer can chicken!

Update; good list of vegetarian recipes for Thanksgiving

(another photo of my new zoo-crush, Farsi the baby hippo in Switzerland)

Ahhhhhhhh Bathtime.

One of THE BEST things about Japan is the bath culture. Seriously. There is bath etiquette that can be a little intimidating at first, and you can't be shy. But if you can deal with those two factors, there is almost nothing better than a bath at a Japanese onsen or even at a local city bathhouse called a SENTO. I will save the fancy onsen resort post for another time-- this one is going to be about those local city bath-houses.

There is one of these little oasis about 6 mins walk from my apartment. for 300-400 yen or about $4, you can go in, lather up and get cleaner than is ever possible in a plain old shower at home, and then relaaaaxxxx in a mini-pool sized hot hot hot bath. It takes away all the stress, all the aches and pains, all the tension.

When you finally climb out and dry off and meander back home, sleep will come easier than you can imagine.

Here is a 101 lesson, so that when you come over to visit me in Japan you will be all ready for your bath experience.

The baths are (with rare exception) segregated. When you come in the front door, there will be an attendant (more often than not a little old lady) behind a window-booth in the entry way. You pay her your coins, and then go to the door with the curtain that has the symbol for your gender.

Behind that curtain, the wonders of the local bath-house await. First you will find yourself in a little locker room. Go ahead, get naked, stash your stuff and bring your bath gear into the next room. (most japanese don't wrap in a big towel, but only bring a small one with them) There is not a high store set on modesty from here on out.

Next you grab a little plastic bucket stool, and pull up in front of a low row of mini faucets and shower heads. Get wet, suds up, and clean yourself everywhere! The more suds the better. The room is brightly lit and super clean, so this is a great spot for shaving, shampoo, you do it all! Ladies make sure to put your hair up when you are done.

THEN and ONLY THEN, do you head over to the big, super hot, glorious baths! You wash first, get it... the tubs are for soaking. (like hot tubs but waaaayyyy better) There are usually multiple types, cold, mid range hot, and volcano. There are also usually jaquizzi type set ups with jets of water. Sometimes there are herbal baths, with big aromatic tea-bag like things floating around.

I find that keeping a cold washcloth with you, usually on your head, helps you stay in a bit longer when the water is pretty hot.

This is one of the most everyday-- totally relaxing things in the world. A long hot soak. ahhhhhhh

Then, when you are totally pruney- get out, and dry off. Normally you don't need to bring to much stuff with you. They often have hairdryers, etc. in the main locker room. Often there is a massage chair out there too, for a 100 yen coin you get about a 5 min. massage.

Here's one of the best parts-- since this bath house is right in your neighborhood- and since this is common and normal behavior-- you don't want to put back on dirty clothes, so get this... you can put your pajamas on and walk home! Seriously-- I see people do this all the time. Leave the bath house in your jammies and go home and crash.

Bath culture-- ur doin it pritty darn gr8 akshully!

Read more about Japanese bathing, etiquitte etc.;

Wikipedia

More information in this (minus the heath risk part!) great video!
Gotta love those monkeys! And the health risk seems to be 100% with elderly Japanese. (so no stopping the bath for me)

See you at the Sento!
(pt 2 about ONSENS coming soon)

The republican appointed ethics board claimed on 11/3 (timing no surprise) that Gov. Palin did not break the law in her strong arming and firing of personale related to the trooper gate story.

Serious questions remain however about The Gov. and First Gentleman of Alaska. The main question at this point is did the couple commit perjury during the course of the hearings.

Perhaps the most troubling piece of evidence is a February 7, 2007, email from Gov. Palin to Monegan. It's a long, rambling missive that concludes with a return to her obsession with Wooten: "Just my opinion -- I know you know I've experienced a lot of frustration with this issue. I know Todd's even expressed to you a lot of concern about our family's safety after this trooper threatened to kill a family member..."

Both Palin and her husband swore under oath that they did not have conversations with Monegan a month earlier (in January 2007) about the Wooten matter. Yet the February 2007 email proves concretely that Palin was aware that her husband had conveyed concerns to Monegan and, by implication ("I know you know") that she had as well. It also clearly establishes the pattern of her trying to use her influence to get Wooten fired from her earliest days in office.

Palin further contradicted her own testimony by saying that her husband complained to her so frequently about the handling of the Wooten matter that she had to tell him to stop, and then shortly thereafter contended that she knew nothing about his activities to get Wooten fired.

Implausible? Absolutely. Perjury? That remains for a legal body to decide. Geoffrey Dunn, Huffington Post

It seems more than probable that both Todd and Sarah lied under oath but it seems less than probable that the charges will be pursued. And meanwhile the perpetrators of this perjury are giving speeches and making book deals.

Justice sometimes seems far away indeed.

There is a must read piece in the LA times questioning the premise of the now world famous book Team of Rivals, about the Lincoln Cabinet.

Offers a good alternate view of the cost involved in the famous Lincoln decision to offer seats on this cabinet to his main political rivals. Interesting in the light of all the Hillary Sec. of State news and the democratic leaderships' attitude toward Joe Lieberman.

Some Celebrating is In Order! (For those of you who need a more schedenfreud image of the election results- there is this.)

Bye Bye Senator Toobz-Stevens.

From the ABC News Political Unit:

The longest-serving Republican in the U.S. Senate, Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens, lost his re-election effort to Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich, bringing the Democratic net gain in the U.S. Senate to 7 seats.

Begich tonight leads Stevens by 3,724 votes at the current count with roughly 2,500 overseas ballots left to be counted.

Stevens could not survive a conviction on federal corruption charges in connection with his failure to disclosure more than $250,000 in gifts and home renovations he received from an oil field services company.

The six-term senator, who turned 85 today, had faced calls for his resignation in light of the conviction and he even possible faced his colleagues expelling him from the Senate if he had won another term.

Stevens or 10 voters may request a recount within 5 days of state review but the losing campaign would have to cover the cost of a recount. Alaska only has automatic recounts when the results are tied.

A reprise for your dancing pleasure...

From a 2004, ASC Conference Speech

With all due respect to President Clinton, though the era of big government may be over, the need for good government endures. Now there is nothing inherently wrong with government, with well-intentioned, progressive people seeking to use the power of government for the good of the majority, and not the privilege. Government has been the primary force for positive social change in our country's history. It can be again.

I've had the privilege of serving in a number of government positions in my career, and understand better than most the great difficulty, the enormous challenges, the
consequential choices that many who serve today are facing. I respect the vast majority of them for their sacrifice and also for their service. But, too many have made too many decisions that instead of strengthening the nation, have put it at risk.

The notion that the Department of Justice would in essence sanction the use of torture as part of the President's plenary power over military operations is as wrong as it is shortsighted. This position flies in the face of the entire history of American law, helping to create a climate in which unnecessarily abusive conduct can somehow be considered legitimate.

It also puts our own soldiers, the young men and young women who fight bravely for the United States today, and will again tomorrow, at risk of similar abuse should they be captured by the enemy on a now unknown foreign battlefield. What will the United States say about their treatment then? How will an American President seek to credibly invoke the protections of the Geneva Convention in the future? This memorandum and other policies are reflective of a politicized Justice Department that is no longer tethered to its traditional moorings. . . .

Now the battle that I spoke of is not only about this year's elections, though they are a major part. The battle is also about what will happen over the next few years, irrespective of the election cycle. We are the eras of the progressive tradition that is responsible for virtually all of the significant movements and policies that have positively transformed this nation: the Civil Rights Movement, Social Security, women's rights, the movement toward true equality for the gay and lesbian communities, Medicare.

Throughout this nation's history, it has been liberals who have pushed the envelope, who have taken chances, who have made this nation better than it was. By contrast, and we see this especially today, conservatives have been defenders of the status quo, afraid of the future, and content to allow to continue to exist all but the most blatant inequalities.

Pending confirmation (and actually becoming President...) Obama has chosen Eric Holder as the next Attorney General.

From Wikipedia;

Eric Himpton Holder, Jr. (born January 21, 1951) is a former Deputy Attorney General of the United States and a senior legal advisor to Barack Obama, the former U.S. Senator from Illinois and President-elect of the United States, and his campaign for the presidency. Along with Caroline Kennedy and Jim Johnson, he served on Obama's vice presidential selection committee. On November 18, 2008, Michael Isikoff of Newsweek reported that Holder has been asked to serve as United States Attorney General by President-elect Obama, and has accepted the offer, pending a formal vetting process.

New Yorker, parents from Barabados, Columbia Law. Smart, competent, and from what has been written about him so far-- tough and fair.

Our President Elect has one well documented bad habit, in addition to bumming a cigarette every once in a while- His problem? Blackberry Addiction!

Looks like help might be on the way.

At least one source of domestic strife is to be banished from the Obama White House: Barack Obama is under pressure to give up his beloved BlackBerry. Aides worry his email could get hacked and, no less serious, all presidential correspondence is meant to be retained for posterity. They reportedly want to do what Michelle Obama - who was recently spotted slapping her husband's hand as he checked email during his daughters' soccer game - has probably itched to do for years: grab the machine out of Obama's tightly curled fist, shove it in a drawer and lock it away for ever.

As someone who has wrestled with CrackBerry addiction myself, I want to reassure the new president that he can get through this. He needs to focus on the positive: now, at last, time off really will be time off. On long journeys, he can gaze out of the window, rather than have his head down, glued to a little screen. Family time really will be family time, not just hours spent with his body present but his mind still at work. He will find his mental batteries start recharging, the creative thoughts flowing again - because, with the BlackBerry gone, he will be able to step off the hamster wheel and think. Buzzle.com

eHow has some great ideas on breaking your crackberry habit. I hope the new staff in the westwing can help Barack overcome!

More birthday fun!


Raise a glass today to Gov. Howard Dean!

Thanks Howard, we couldnt've done it without you! Hope you have a GREAT birthday and when you run for your next office remember- we have your back.

Here's his cake, as chronicled in the KOS birthday post.

To Gov. Howard Dean, Founding Father of the 50 State Strategy;



It is because of Howard and all his Dean people that this was able to happen.

There was/is a great discussion from a couple of days ago over on Bagnews about this gorgeous New Yorker Cover. In this case I think most of the commentors got it right a bit more than Michael, the Bagnews blogger. (read the thread!) In any case, too good to not share.

What are your thoughts on this cover?
How does it make you feel?

Here is Peter Schiff absolutely nailing the current crisis, predicting exactly what was going to happen in 2006 and getting ridiculed while doing it.



I especially like the derision he got from Fox. Pack of morons, they deserve to lose their money. "Subprime is a tiny, tiny problem", -- Ben Stein.

What a pack of clowns.

via the indispensable woostercollective.com