This is the Photohsop job I mentioned last time (click on it for a larger version). The idea came to me whilst watching an Army commercial. It would be so cool to get this as an actual bumper sticker. (What's the War Resisters League, you ask?)

How About That

Yesterday a student hipped me to a song by Colombian pop superstar Shakira, from her album with the silly name Oral Fixation Vol. 2. The song is called Timor, and -- yes -- it is all about East Timor and their struggle for peace and self-determination. Check out the lyrics.

It's alright, it's alright
If the news says half the truth
Hearing what we want's
The secret of eternal youth

We'll Miss You, Molly

Political columnist, author, and humorist par excellence Molly Ivins died on 31 January from breast cancer. She was 62.

I've loved Ms. Ivins for years -- her caustic wit and ruthless attention to detail were inspiring to me as both a writer and political activist. It's pretty rare that I am truly saddened by the death of someone I didn't know; the last time I felt like this was when Palestinian scholar Edward Said passed away.

Perhaps it's a government plot to eliminate our foremost thinkers on the left. However, no less a target of Ms. Ivins than George W. Bush himself -- Ms. Ivins is credited with the nickname "shrub" for Mr. B -- said:

I respected her convictions, her passionate belief in the power of words, and her ability to turn a phrase. She fought her illness with that same passion. Her quick wit and commitment to her beliefs will be missed.

I suppose he has to say something nice, but I still think the fact that he said more than one sentence speaks to her enduring quality as a person. Still, I'll give Ms. Ivins the last word:

Keep fightin' for freedom and justice, beloveds, but don't you forget to have fun doin' it. Lord, let your laughter ring forth. Be outrageous, ridicule the fraidy-cats, rejoice in all the oddities that freedom can produce. And when you get through kickin' ass and celebratin' the sheer joy of a good fight, be sure to tell those who come after how much fun it was.

TimeWaster™

The new SBEmail is ahprettyprettygood!

Today I'm listening to: Jedi Mind Tricks!

Labels: activists, music, photoshop