Author Archives: Karl

While the left and right want to argue about the significance of the Iraq vote…

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I want to say to those in Iraq who decided to vote in an atmosphere of violence and cynicism – you’re heroes. I pray that whatever the final outcome, the people of Iraq will keep their spirits up, because I expect the next few weeks to be brutal as many will pile on to discredit the vote, to destroy the elected, to rip the heart out of those who braved violence today to cast their ballot. And to those righties who infer that to oppose Bush is to somehow be against freedom – shame on you. Shame on your divisive lying and hatred. Shame on you for using the Iraq people as a political football. Hopefully those elected will help to stabilize a terrible situation and they will need honest support to do so. Not blind obedience to any political party.

Homeless

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I have a lot to say about this post by Jeff Jarvis. That’s obvious from some of the comments I left there. Part of me is insulted by the massive generalization he laid out: “…the real issue isn’t homelessness. It’s insanity. The laws in this country make it impossible to commit and help even the obvioulsy and often the dangerously insane.”. The other part of me is relieved to see any discussion that trods (plods?) into these waters since discussion of the topic is so rare. And for many very raw.

On the upcoming elections in Iraq

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…Now we’re told that the upcoming elections in Iraq are a sign that everything is on the right track, and that once Iraqis elect their own leaders things will get better. I’m doubtful, but I hope I’m wrong. Every day when I think about Iraq, I think about the people there who want a better future. Not insurgents, or terrorists, or people milking the occupation for power and profit, but regular people who want to live in a safe, prosperous, modern country. There have to be millions of them. That’s the basic aspiration of most people in the world, and I’m sure it’s the basic aspiration of most Iraqis. Where do they go from here? What can we do for them? I don’t care if most of those people love or hate America at this point, I feel like they are the people to whom we are obliged. And as cynical as I feel about the lies, the mistakes, and the false reality in which President Bush and his advisors seem to live, I can’t get those people out of my mind.

Rafe Colburn: 1/26/05

Wish I could share my thoughts this clearly. Is it me or is Rafe blogging more often? via dangerousmeta.

On a related note that hasn’t gotten much mention from bloggers on the right or left: the Palestinian elections have moved things in the right direction. Lets hope progress towards peace goes on from here.

Wilco is the future of music

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Wired: Lawrence Lessig: Wired 13.02: VIEW: “After its Warner label, Reprise, decided that the group’s fourth album, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, was no good, Wilco dumped them and released the tracks on the Internet. The label was wrong. The album was extraordinary, and a sold-out 30-city tour followed. This success convinced Nonesuch Records, another Warner label, to buy the rights back – reportedly at three times the original price. The Net thus helped make Wilco the success it has become. But once back in Warner’s favor, many wondered: Would Wilco forget the Net?”