Paul Robeson (1898-1976) was an American athlete, lawyer, actor, singer, and strident political activist. He was known around the world for his baritone vocals, but in his home country he was censored and attacked for his outspoken views on segregation and support for socialism. In January 2004, the US Postal Service finally issued a stamp commemorating his life.

There are many good websites about Mr. Robeson; in 1998 (the 100th anniversary of his death), PBS' NewsHour reported on his life and legacy. The RealAudio clip features songs and interview samples. Also make sure to check out his own words at the Centennial Celebration website.

In 1956, after stating publicly his support for the goals of the Soviet Union, Robeson was called before the House Un-American Activities Committee, but he was not afraid to speak truth to power.

MR. SCHERER: Why do you not stay in Russia?

MR. ROBESON: Because my father was a slave, and my people died to build this country and I am going to stay here and have a part of it just like you. And no fascist- minded people will drive me from it. Is that clear?

Mr. Robeson died on January 23, 1976 -- two days before I was born.

Rice Under Fire

Speaking of African-Americans proudly standing up for truth and justice: I've been asked to comment on the testimony given by Condoleeza Rice at the 9/11 Commission -- but since everything worth saying these days is being said already elsewhere online, I'll simply redirect you all to the Center for American Progress, who has broken down her testimony from keys to grams.

CLAIM: "The Vice President was, a little later in, I think, in May, tasked by the President to put together a group to look at all of the recommendations that had been made about domestic preparedness and all of the questions associated with that." [responding to Fielding]

FACT: The Vice President's task force never once convened a meeting. In the same time period, the Vice President convened at least 10 meetings of his energy task force, and six meetings with Enron executives. [Source: Washington Post, 1/20/02; GAO Report, 8/03]

Also check out this cartoon by Mike Konopacki. (Turns out one of my students is a relative of his.)

HalliBush Wars, Inc.


As if you needed me to tell you, things in Iraq seem to be getting worse by the hour. A week ago, Shiite cleric Moktada al-Sadr announced he was launching Iraqi chapters of Hamas and Hezbollah. Sadr has been receiving more and more support lately, especially after Bremer made the brilliant decision to close down his newspaper after it printed calls to violence against the US occupation. This decision was made possible by Coalition Provisional Authority Order Number 14 (issued 20 June 2003), which prohibits material which "incites violence against Coalition Forces or CPA personnel." While making the announcement, Bremer insisted that "We very much believe that the freedom of expression should apply to Iraq."

Well, sort of. Of course, the US Supreme Court has ruled many times that we Americans do not have the right to incite violence in the press (eventually amending this position so that you may incite violence through the press, unless your speech is linked to "imminent lawless action" and you have the intention to set it off). It would seem that the CPA isn't really enacting any law on the press there that doesn't apply here. (The serious questions, then, concern how the law is applied.)

Regardless of the legal underpinnings, Bremer's decision to close Sadr's newspaper has ignited a firestorm in the country. As Junaid Alam notes, both United Press International and the Washington Post have confirmed that the Shia and Sunnis are uniting to fight the occupation.

This week, Sheikh Harrath Selman al-Tey, the leader of the largest Sunni tribe in Iraq, sent a letter of support to Sadr's militia group, the Mehdi Army. "[W]e are the Army of Mohammed," the letter's courier told UPI. "There is no more Shiite and Sunni, only Muslims and now we will fight each other no more and together fight the same enemy."

So much for divide and conquer.


Other Resistances

Because Americans obviously need to be reminded that fuel efficiency could very well save the lives of US troops (not to mention Iraqi civilians), the women of CodePink have called for national action at Hummer dealerships on April 22 (Earth Day). Would that this hideous machine had never been made available for consumer use.

And in California: Voters in Inglewood have rejected Wal-Mart's effort to build a SuperCenter there. Take that, Sam!



Interesting side note: Noam Chomsky published his landmark exploration of the conservative efforts to rescind the US safety net, titled "Rollback," in 1995 -- around the same time as Wal-Mart launched its long-running Rollback advertising campaign. It's been a surreal ten years, watching that smirking happy face. And why should we boycott Wal-Mart? There are so many reasons!

Random


Reverend Robin Spittle (that's really his name, I swear) has begun using The Simpsons to teach the gospel in London. Of course, this makes perfect sense -- there are plenty of references to religion on the show, including an entire episode of Bible stories. I'm guessing, however, that Revered Spittle doesn't quote Reverend Lovejoy's comment to Ned: "Have you thought about one of the other major religions? They're all pretty much the same." How about that one, Reverend Spittle? Mind if I say your name a few more times, Reverend Spittle? (Image swiped from this site, which is in Italian. Reverend Spittle.)

Speaking of religion (as in Reverend Spittle), how about that church in Glassport, PA where they whipped the Easter bunny to tell kids about Jesus?

Melissa Salzmann, who brought her 4-year-old son J.T., said the program was inappropriate for young children. "He was crying and asking me why the bunny was being whipped," Salzmann said.

TPCQ: "Mummy, I woke up this morning and I found a lincoln log in me sock drawer!"


Dude, piercings and tattoos are so two years ago. If you want to be hip and completely stupid-looking, you need to get an eyeball implant. Reverend Spittle has one.

Okay, I've spent two hours blogging today. This is ridiculous. Let's move on. Reverend Spittle.

Thanks to PRWatch -- and one person who works there in particular, who shall remain nameless, unlike Reverend Spittle, who shall remain nameful -- for linking us to this gem of a PR piece about how outsourcing is in fact good for workers in the US.

"Just because jobs are moving overseas does not mean that the business community is not committed to investment in U.S. workers," said Susan Traiman, director of education and workforce policy at the Business Roundtable, one of the groups involved in the coalition.

I'm sure Reverend Spittle would agree.

You thought the Weather Underground disbanded in the 70s? Silly person -- it's become the premier web spot for extended forecasts and holiday planning!

Speaking of too-bizarre-for-words websites, how about online dating in East Timor? Timorese Male, mid-50s, international diplomat. Loves bowties, long walks on the beach, pandering to US interests. Let's have some Funu together.

Man, I thought I was on vacation. What's with this two-hour research project?

TimeWaster™

The Periodic Table of Haiku should be fun for English teachers and biochemists alike. (Boy, what a freaky combination that would make!) Be sure to check out the interesting "Are these really Haiku?" sidebar.

Today I'm listening to: Reverend Spittle! Oops, I mean Polygon Window.