Red Room Where the Writers Are

Convention Madness »

TV Talking Head »

I have now lived the dream of being a TV talking head for a day.

Preserve and protect »

It is easy for us to forget about how much garbage we produce because once a week the truck comes along, sweeps up that trash and whisks it away to a landfill out of sight and smell... Go to: www.wecansolveit.org
"We face a true planetary emergency. The climate crisis is not a political issue, it is a moral and spiritual challenge to all of humanity,"

Hop On the Bus, Gus... I Mean, Obama! »

I've been giving some thought to the conservative outrage, as evidenced by McCain's ad on the subject, about Obama's "snubbing" of the wounded troops in Germany.

Commentary on Senator Barack Obama's Visit to the Middle East »

In my daily Googling, I came upon these two commentaries about Senator Barack Obama, his recent visit to the Middle East, and his supposed frontrunner candidate for Muslim liaison.

Something New for Conservatives to Whine About »

Looking a gift horse in the mouth, conservatives everywhere are whining, moaning, gnashing their teeth and rending their silk blouses over the NYT's decision to send a first draft of McCain's recent O

Barack Obama, Jordan, and Human Rights Watch »

In anticipation of Senator Barack Obama's visit to Jordan tomorrow, Kenneth Roth, the Executive Director of Human Rights Watch, sent him a letter.  Although he omitted any mention of dishonor kil

Designer To Offer Obama Flip Flops and McCain Pampers »

NEW YORK, N.Y. June 20...The hottest souvenir at the Republican Convention in Minneapolis-St. Paul this summer won't be McCain buttons--it will be Obama flip flops and matching shorts.

The Toast Crumbles »

As much as I love thinking and writing about this political stuff, I'm going to have to back off politics for a while. See, I've got this book I'm supposed to be writing.

Not So Dumb »

I continue to respect my fellow voters more than the people who try to "work" us.

Your Whiteness Is Showing »

This is an open letter to those white women who, despite their proclamations of progressivism, and supposedly because of their commitme

Americans as quaint primitives »

The condemnation of the world is one thing. Americans are used to that. But there's something especially humbling about being viewed, not with fear or hostility, but with indulgent condescension.

Toast »

Democrats can't afford to get cocky, I know that. Obama's lead in the polls is slim, and it may still be just a post-victory bounce.

That's Entertainment »

The post-mortems for the Clinton campaign still fill the punditverse, most of which fade into one long, annoying drone: hubris...didn't find her voice...no plan after

"Identity" Is Not So Simple »

For all the talk of identity politics in this past Democratic race, what strikes me is how little it really was about that.

The Face of America? »

Okay, take a good look at this:

Our Time »

Well, I still wouldn't call myself "exuberant." Between the exhaustion of the primary grind and the dawning realization that now is when the stakes get really high, my joy is subdued.

Sorry if this stings »

I try to stay away from political blogging as much as so many seem to run towards it. I'm kind of cynical about all this posturing coming from the Clinton side.

The End at Last »

A few hours ago, the Associated Press announced that it had calculated that Barack Obama had secured the endorsement of enough delegates to win the Democratic nomination.

Big and Little Healing »

Here's something I've learned about growing older: there's always more growing to do.

Fairness in Media »

An interesting study here on media treatment of Obama, Clinton, and McCain since the beginning of the year, conducted by Harvard's Joan Shorenstein Cente

Why the Right Is Dead »

I don't care how burnt out you are on the primaries, you have to read this article on the Huffington Post: "

Barack and Jane and Me »

When I learned (NYTimes, May 18) that Barack Obama was represented by my sometime agent Jane Dystel, one of the best, I took this as an instant bond.

World Music Obamarama »

A reader send me this great blog featuring lyrics and videos of songs about Barack Obama created by musicians

Who Betrayed Whom? »

“Spitting in the eye of the strongest woman candidate in the history of the country.” That’s what Allison Fine called it when NARAL Pro-Choice America endorsed Barack Obama for President two day

Must...keep...going... »

This one's for my fellow Obama supporters. Those readers who prefer Hillary Clinton, John McCain, or V.I.

Using Our Powers for Good »

The same qualities Hillary Clinton is displaying now—commitment, tenacity, fortitude in the face of opposition and ridicule—need to be cultivated by anyone willing to stand up for an unpopular

May 9, 2008--Sex, Politics, and Pantsuits »

As a man who adores women of all varieties and vintage, but frequently finds himself more at their mercy than the most unrepentant misogynist, I'm fascinated by the dynamic of Clinton v Obama.

The Crucible »

When people who have been separated by resentment and unresolved grievances come together to unite, the first emotion you see is hope.

Shock and Bore »

I have an exhibition opening this coming week at the Thorndyke Student Gallery at Southern Oregon University. The images being exhibited span my career as an artist.

Give 'em hell, Barry! »

I love the image of Barack Obama riding from town to town on a locomotive, giving whistle-stop speeches off the caboose like a taller, darker, prettier Harry Truman.

Hillary Clinton Doesn't Owe Me a Thing »

Although I'm not sure that it is, the handwriting seems clear upon the wall: Sen. Barack Obama will be the Democrats' nominee for president.

Nachshon Obama »

Passover—Pesach—starts Saturday night.

Take a deep breath »

My friend Jordan just walked into my office to tell me he missed my political blogging, if only because it gave him moments of relief from his unremitting political anxiety.

But I like clinging to my antipathies! »

It seems to me that what led Barack Obama into his awkward comments about small-town Americans'

Struggling With Class »

I wrote this on the plane home after a week on the road, so grateful I wasn't booked on American Airlines that my good cheer was barely dented by a late departure and the fact that the passenger in

Stay Gold, Patricia »

So a few days ago I get an email from the Obama campaign asking for volunteers to call Indiana and encourage people to register to vote.

The Spring of Hope-Forty Years Later* »

Since my last post, I've been thinking about the challenges of talking about race in our country.

Proud like Michelle »

I just read the feel-good poll of the season—and it feels good not just because I like Obama but because I really, really want to like Americans.

Better Ways »

Everyone I talk to is exhausted by the prospect of seven more months of presidential campaigning, American-style.