And here's proof.
(Via.)
Friday, November 6, 2009
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
The Lieberman Problem
Since yesterday, there's been a lot of hand-wringing, tea-leaf-reading and mindreading bouncing around the liberal blogosphere about Joe Lieberman's big announcement yesterday that he plans to join a GOP filibuster of health care reform if it includes a public option of any kind. A lot of the commentary is circling around the idea that Sen. Lieberman is in need of attention or just wants some love from the Democratic leadership. Or is just greedy. I'm not a professional political observer, but I think this misses the point and I think it's where Harry Reid got his math wrong. The point is: Joe Lieberman still wants to be the senator from Connecticut. And he's figured out the way to do that. All of this is a message to one person, really.
Jodi Rell.
Kos circles around it here, but misses it in his anger at Lieberman. If Jodi Rell enters the race for the Senate, Lieberman is toast. If there's a credible Democrat in the race, Lieberman is embarrassed toast. Either way, his career as the Senator from Connecticut is over. He's got two years to build his campaign. He can't reach out to CT Democrats because, well, they hate him. And he won't be able to go back to being a Democrat anyway. They're going to field an opponent, who'll stake out ground to Lieberman's left.
But...to his right? If the GOP fields a credible opponent, it will be Jodi Rell or someone like her, that rarest of things these days: a moderate Republican candidate. Connecticut is a moderate state. They send some far right clown out there, they'll get stomped. But if they send Jodi Rell out there, she'll lose. If Lieberman is running.
I think Joe just told the world that he's planning to run for the Senate in 2012. And that the CT GOP can have no better friend than him in the Senate. For Joe, it's all wins: as an "independent" who caucuses with the Democrats, it's pretty clear he's not going to lose anything by opposing them. But as, essentially, a solid Republican vote, he'll give the GOP everything they could want.
He's clearly thinking that 2012 will be a repeat of 2006 for him: a Democrat on the left, a no-name, unthreatening Republican on the right, Joe picks up the right-leaning Democrats, most of the Republicans and enough independents to beat out his rivals. In order to do that, he's got to establish a right flank that a Jodi Rell can't beat. Hence his position: I'm all for health care reform, and want to do it, but that public option is no good and I can't in good conscience support it. Nothing about death panels or socialism. It's all wrong about entitlements and taxes, but that doesn't matter. It sounds sensible and reasonable and, unlike some others, principled.
I'm a big believer in rational actors in this world. Maybe it's the theatre background. Ego, selfishness, self-importance are obviously big motivators. But they're also end results. We always learned in playwriting and acting classes that emotions are poor goals (I want to be happy!) but attaching it to a concrete thing (I want to be king so I can be happy!) makes it actionable. Joe does love the spotlight and the attention, but the best way for him to keep that: stay a Senator. And the best way for him to stay a Senator? Oppose the public option. It ain't pretty but it'll work.
Unless you're from Connecticut or have friends and family there who want the public option available to them. Then...you might have some phone calling or letter-writing to do. I'm just saying.
Jodi Rell.
Kos circles around it here, but misses it in his anger at Lieberman. If Jodi Rell enters the race for the Senate, Lieberman is toast. If there's a credible Democrat in the race, Lieberman is embarrassed toast. Either way, his career as the Senator from Connecticut is over. He's got two years to build his campaign. He can't reach out to CT Democrats because, well, they hate him. And he won't be able to go back to being a Democrat anyway. They're going to field an opponent, who'll stake out ground to Lieberman's left.
But...to his right? If the GOP fields a credible opponent, it will be Jodi Rell or someone like her, that rarest of things these days: a moderate Republican candidate. Connecticut is a moderate state. They send some far right clown out there, they'll get stomped. But if they send Jodi Rell out there, she'll lose. If Lieberman is running.
I think Joe just told the world that he's planning to run for the Senate in 2012. And that the CT GOP can have no better friend than him in the Senate. For Joe, it's all wins: as an "independent" who caucuses with the Democrats, it's pretty clear he's not going to lose anything by opposing them. But as, essentially, a solid Republican vote, he'll give the GOP everything they could want.
He's clearly thinking that 2012 will be a repeat of 2006 for him: a Democrat on the left, a no-name, unthreatening Republican on the right, Joe picks up the right-leaning Democrats, most of the Republicans and enough independents to beat out his rivals. In order to do that, he's got to establish a right flank that a Jodi Rell can't beat. Hence his position: I'm all for health care reform, and want to do it, but that public option is no good and I can't in good conscience support it. Nothing about death panels or socialism. It's all wrong about entitlements and taxes, but that doesn't matter. It sounds sensible and reasonable and, unlike some others, principled.
I'm a big believer in rational actors in this world. Maybe it's the theatre background. Ego, selfishness, self-importance are obviously big motivators. But they're also end results. We always learned in playwriting and acting classes that emotions are poor goals (I want to be happy!) but attaching it to a concrete thing (I want to be king so I can be happy!) makes it actionable. Joe does love the spotlight and the attention, but the best way for him to keep that: stay a Senator. And the best way for him to stay a Senator? Oppose the public option. It ain't pretty but it'll work.
Unless you're from Connecticut or have friends and family there who want the public option available to them. Then...you might have some phone calling or letter-writing to do. I'm just saying.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
A Word About Politics
Now that I'm coming out of the pre-reading fog, followed by the post-reading gloat, I'm coming back around to doing some political writing and thinking. Now, I'm very, very aware that this blog publishes to my Facebook page. My Facebook friends are a mixed bunch and I like it that way. I'm a raging progressive, full of piss and vinegar about leftist causes and issues. Some of my friends are to my left, some are to my right. I love all of them, no matter what and honor their thoughts and opinions. (And I'm not just saying that because I had a couple of glasses of wine, chatting with my roomie just now...)
In the world of Facebook, my friends sometimes interact and it can get heated. I think that's a good thing. Ideas should be questioned, buttons should be pushed. An opinion you won't defend, even with bullshit, isn't an opinion worth having, I say. But I also know that feelings get hurt, words are hurled and whatnot. I want to acknowlegde that. I throw some serious flames now and then, but I wanted to make a distinction. We seem to be moving into a period of very intense conversation, discussion, decision-making by our government about a great number of things and I want to be able to talk about it, blog about it, post about it and get feedback and start discussions and back-and-forths, but without anyone getting in a huff unduly. So I want to say something.
I love my Republican friends. I do. I love my conservative friends. I even love my libertarian friends. All with the same vigor and passion that I love my progressive, leftist, hippie, socialist friends. Like Walt Whitman, I hold multitudes and you are the armies of those I love. So trust that.
I want to make a distinction between people who vote Republican and Republicans, i.e. the elected and selected (sometimes self-selected) official voices of the Republican Party. I find Republicans often unpleasant, bizarre and, more often than not, off-putting. NOT the beliefs of People Who Vote Republican (though I have my disagreements there) but the words and actions of the Official Republican Party. So I'm drawing a line: when I'm mocking, shocked, outraged, in a state of disbelief, I'll try to draw a distinction between the Official Republican Party (i.e. The GOP) and People Who Vote Republican (i.e. PWVR). PWVR are cool with me, seriously. The GOP...not so much. Okay? When I post a link to a critical or mocking story, I A) won't take it personally if you don't read it, B) don't mean it personally and C) won't get angry if you post in defense. I just ask that you, PWVR, A) don't take it personally that I posted it, B) don't get angry if I spout off about it and C) defend your position if you feel like it. Is that cool?
I think we need to have dialogue in this country, real, true bipartisanship among the people, so that People Who Vote Republican and People Who Vote Democratic (and People Who Vote Working Parties, or Socialist Party USA and Green Party) can share ideas and thoughts safely and openly. Governing is a bit different, but that's a post for another day. I guess I'm just saying, in the immortal words of Rodney King, can't we all just get along?
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
In the world of Facebook, my friends sometimes interact and it can get heated. I think that's a good thing. Ideas should be questioned, buttons should be pushed. An opinion you won't defend, even with bullshit, isn't an opinion worth having, I say. But I also know that feelings get hurt, words are hurled and whatnot. I want to acknowlegde that. I throw some serious flames now and then, but I wanted to make a distinction. We seem to be moving into a period of very intense conversation, discussion, decision-making by our government about a great number of things and I want to be able to talk about it, blog about it, post about it and get feedback and start discussions and back-and-forths, but without anyone getting in a huff unduly. So I want to say something.
I love my Republican friends. I do. I love my conservative friends. I even love my libertarian friends. All with the same vigor and passion that I love my progressive, leftist, hippie, socialist friends. Like Walt Whitman, I hold multitudes and you are the armies of those I love. So trust that.
I want to make a distinction between people who vote Republican and Republicans, i.e. the elected and selected (sometimes self-selected) official voices of the Republican Party. I find Republicans often unpleasant, bizarre and, more often than not, off-putting. NOT the beliefs of People Who Vote Republican (though I have my disagreements there) but the words and actions of the Official Republican Party. So I'm drawing a line: when I'm mocking, shocked, outraged, in a state of disbelief, I'll try to draw a distinction between the Official Republican Party (i.e. The GOP) and People Who Vote Republican (i.e. PWVR). PWVR are cool with me, seriously. The GOP...not so much. Okay? When I post a link to a critical or mocking story, I A) won't take it personally if you don't read it, B) don't mean it personally and C) won't get angry if you post in defense. I just ask that you, PWVR, A) don't take it personally that I posted it, B) don't get angry if I spout off about it and C) defend your position if you feel like it. Is that cool?
I think we need to have dialogue in this country, real, true bipartisanship among the people, so that People Who Vote Republican and People Who Vote Democratic (and People Who Vote Working Parties, or Socialist Party USA and Green Party) can share ideas and thoughts safely and openly. Governing is a bit different, but that's a post for another day. I guess I'm just saying, in the immortal words of Rodney King, can't we all just get along?
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Monday, October 19, 2009
I'm Not Dead Yet!
Honest! I swear! I've been up to my eyeballs in writing. It's October and that means Octoberfest at E.S.T. For the uninitiated, that means about a gajillion projects going on at the Ensemble Studio Theatre's two stages for the month of October (and going into November). You can check out the full schedule here. I'm sure you'll find something to your liking.
I always use O'fest as a bit of a challenge to get something up to snuff. Since I was stuck on ANARCHISTS all summer, I decided to switch gears and work on my big, old-fashioned, Philadelphia Story style comedy, HOUSEHOLD NAME. I had a reading at E.S.T. more than a year ago, but I'm adding a character and an act to the thing. It's October madness.
In addition, I signed up to write a short play, specifically for E.S.T. members, as part of a late night series of short plays. That one's coming up on Nov. 6th. But HOUSEHOLD NAME is upon us and I need to get the word out. So here's the word. It's getting out.
The Ensemble Studio Theatre presents
(as part of Octoberfest 2009)
HOUSEHOLD NAME
a new play by J. Holtham
Directed by Jordan Young
How much can you give up in order to have everything you ever wanted?
When Ruth needs cash to get her dream archeology dig off the ground, but to get it, she'll need her mother, a famous and feared home goods mogul. Unfortunately, it won't be easy: her mother's just been indicted, there's something fishy going on between her stepfather and her mother's assistant and the world's worst gossip columnist is hiding in the closet. A comedy about the past you bury, the present that catches up to you and the future you can't escape...
Sunday, October 25 at 2 p.m.
Monday, October 26 at 7 p.m.
The Ensemble Studio Theatre
549 West 52nd St.
(bet. 10th & 11th Aves.)
For reservations and information, call (212) 247-4982
So come check it out. It's a comedy, so it's always better to have a good house for it.
And I promise...once this is over, more substantive posting is coming. While my fingers have been a bit quiet, the mind is a-stir with thoughts. A-stir, I tell you!
I always use O'fest as a bit of a challenge to get something up to snuff. Since I was stuck on ANARCHISTS all summer, I decided to switch gears and work on my big, old-fashioned, Philadelphia Story style comedy, HOUSEHOLD NAME. I had a reading at E.S.T. more than a year ago, but I'm adding a character and an act to the thing. It's October madness.
In addition, I signed up to write a short play, specifically for E.S.T. members, as part of a late night series of short plays. That one's coming up on Nov. 6th. But HOUSEHOLD NAME is upon us and I need to get the word out. So here's the word. It's getting out.
The Ensemble Studio Theatre presents
(as part of Octoberfest 2009)
HOUSEHOLD NAME
a new play by J. Holtham
Directed by Jordan Young
How much can you give up in order to have everything you ever wanted?
When Ruth needs cash to get her dream archeology dig off the ground, but to get it, she'll need her mother, a famous and feared home goods mogul. Unfortunately, it won't be easy: her mother's just been indicted, there's something fishy going on between her stepfather and her mother's assistant and the world's worst gossip columnist is hiding in the closet. A comedy about the past you bury, the present that catches up to you and the future you can't escape...
Sunday, October 25 at 2 p.m.
Monday, October 26 at 7 p.m.
The Ensemble Studio Theatre
549 West 52nd St.
(bet. 10th & 11th Aves.)
For reservations and information, call (212) 247-4982
So come check it out. It's a comedy, so it's always better to have a good house for it.
And I promise...once this is over, more substantive posting is coming. While my fingers have been a bit quiet, the mind is a-stir with thoughts. A-stir, I tell you!
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Meanwhile, In Bizarro World…
A Fox News commentator, um, makes sense? And asks legitimate questions of a lawmaker?
I'm sorry, what? My brains, they are blown!
Seriously, Roger Ailes better make sure to keep this guy around. This isn't the first time he's gone off-script. Can you imagine the tell-all he'd write if they fired him? Yikes. On second thought, Roger? Fire this guy, ASAP.
UPDATE: I was using MS Word to write this post as an experiment. Only partially successful. More on that later...
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