Fitz

Waas!

Waas is on FIRE:

Pat Roberts gets a deserved beatdown:

http://news.nationaljournal.co…..425nj1.htm

Jane: Please fix the title of Glenn’s book.

Glenn’s book on amazon: yesterday #50,925. Now at #16. Woohoo!

How about a link to one of the other sellers other than Amazon? I realize jumping Glen up on Amazon has a pr value, but why not give Powell’s or one of the others some love?

Should’ve checked this first… I am ASSuming that the book is available at Powell’s…

I’d love to see the book offered by Powells.

I continue to want to support independent book stores that support our liberal values.

I know that they list advance titles, bought from them this way before. When it comes up on their radar, then the order will be placed post haste.

ohdave,

not yet, I looked.

The just published book by Ted Kennedy might provide good food for thought as the November election comes more into focus. Sorry, I don’t have the title in front of me right now…it deals with core Democratic values.

I love the book club idea and I would have started one on Kos long ago if I weren’t so lazy.

But I’m not too lazy to read. And I’m currently reading a piece of fiction by Ian McEwen, called Saturday, which has a lot to do with a man thinking about the war in Iraq in the run-up to it… kind of interesting. I would like to see the blogs talk about literature once in a while, and focus on some interesting new fiction. Although da vinci code has been done to death and is really not a great book, it would be fun to discuss with the smart people who hang around here, as would lots of other great books.

A weekly movie thread would be pretty fun too.

the amazon link is broke

THAT said,let’s discuss Greenwald soon after it comes out. I’m looking forward to it.

Gotta admit, CTG I feel like I don’t need to read, cuz I’ve read everything Kos has written on his site for the past five years. I feel like I know what he’s going to say.

As a weekend worker, I know I’m in the minority, but I would like to propose that the thread last a few hours for maximum participation. I think the number of Sundays may depend on the book, but you could start with 2 and vote on extending to more time or more weekends if it’s a lively discussion.

Are you planning to do all political nonfiction or all kinds of books? I would imagine we will have some fascinating selections; I will read the books and threads, probably won’t be able to participate fully.

Nice idea, aren’t they doing this somewhere else, Atrios maybe?

Chris Bowers tried this a while back. I don’t know what happened to it.

I love the idea of an FDL Bookclub! I’m almost finished reading Crashing the Gate, so count me in for this Sunday.

Frequency? One book a month is realistic, for me. One a week would be fabulous, but it ain’t gonna happen. And at least a two week notice on future books.

As of today, Greenwald’s book isn’t listed on Powellsbooks.com

We put up the Amazon link because the Amazon pre-order is critical to the small publisher who put out Glenn’s book, and we’re also an Amazon associate so we get a bit from it.

If that offends anyone, so be it.

Chris Bowers tried this a while back.

MyDD probably doesn’t have a large enough poster base to reach critical mass on something like this. Plus, Scoop doesn’t lend itself to a chatty thread.

Not offended by the Amazon link, just offering a suggestion.

Someone said once a month. I would prefer once a week, since I doubt if every week’s selection will be my cup of tea. If there’s one every week that gives me some choices. Wouldn’t it also be cool to have the authors, when it’s a political book where you guys know the authors, to have them drop by during our discussion? Or is that asking too much?

The book club is a great idea. As with most book clubs, the biggest challenge is to get people to order the book and read it in time for the discussion. This requires lots of lead time.

By the way- here’s how Clusterfuck is doing on “key measures”

30 year mortgage rate 6.69%

Oil prices $72.69

JAR 34%

US Casualties in Iraq 2390
(64 MTD)

From Charlie Cook’s latest analysis:

After I noted this “upside down” intensity problem in a recent column, a reader asked whether there is any meaningful relationship between presidential approval ratings and midterm election voting.

Well, yes, a significant connection does exist between a president’s standing with the public and the outcome of midterm balloting.

Emory University political scientist Alan Abramowitz discovered a remarkable pattern when he examined midterm data from 1982 to 2002 collected by the National Election Study: 72 percent of voters who strongly approved of the performance of a president voted for the president’s party in the midterm election, but only 49 percent of those who weakly approved of a president’s performance voted for his party’s congressional candidates. Among those who weakly disapproved of a president, 70 percent voted in the midterm for a candidate of the opposing party; a whopping 85 percent of those who strongly disapproved of a president voted for the opposing party.

These findings indicate that disapproval of a president is a much stronger driver of voters’ midterm election decisions than approval is. And intensity — whether intense approval or intense disapproval — matters a great deal.

With more than 40 percent of voters strongly disapproving of Bush’s performance, Democrats have quite a good chance of scoring a net gain of two to five Senate seats. The six-seat gain needed to take control still seems a bit out of reach. But in the House, while the odds of a takeover might not yet be 50-50, the trend line surely seems headed that way. Will anything stop the GOP’s downhill slide?

The New Yorker, Harper’s, and a certain blog take up darn near all my reading time. Sounds like fun for those who can do it.

As my Evolution of Warfare instructor says, “education through defecation.”

ohdave — I think that’s an excellent suggestion, and I think it’s quite possible that several authors would be interested in showing up here and discussing the books. I’m sure Glenn would do it (though I better ask him first before I speak for him :)

A little OT, but on CNN’s Situation Room Jack Cafferty has a good e-mail question coming up in the next half hour or so that I thought some here would be very good at answering – right up FDLers’ alley:

Question: How would you describe the relationship between politics and the media?

In case you don’t normally watch, Cafferty likes to read the short, clever, concise e-mails on the air – maybe 5 or 6 letters per question. Here’s the link to the response page:

http://www.cnn.com/feedback/forms/form5t.html

Also not offended by the Amazon link. I just choose to buy from indies. Glad you are getting a cut of the action.

Other books . . . .how long since any of us read 1984? I did last summer and it was chilling and just getting more so.

Haynes Johnson has one out the Age of Anxiety about the McCarthy era and parallels to today.

Great idea Jane, to get us all reading (books). One book a month is probably best to give time to actually read it. However twice a month allows for having not every participant all that interested in reading every book, yet still enough participants to keep a discussion going over 2 weekends.

For the FDL faithful in the Los Angeles area (San Fernando Valley) who might like an in-person book discussion, the Valley Grassroots For Democracy Democratic Club holds an in-person book club on the 3rd Wednesday evening of each month. The group is currently reading “Crashing the Gate”, next meeting 5/17, 7:30pm in Valley Village. Meeting details and the scoop on our active, active, ACTIVE Dem club at http://www.valleygrassroots.org. (The last two books we read were Jimmy Carter’s “Our Endangered Values” and Carville & Begala’s “Take it Back.”)

Your Sunday afternoon time conflicts with several of the scheduled rallies around the country to raise awareness and push for US action on the Darfur genocide.

http://www.savedarfur.org/rally/otherrallies.html

Just thought you might want to know.

I’m not offended by Amazon, just offered Powell’s as an indie alternative. I order from both, regularly. Way cool that you’re getting a bit from the orders!

OT – Breaking: Blitzer LOVES Tony Snow. “He’s a smart guy.”

just saw the Preznit’s visage on TV from todays speech: man, has he aged! he just looks so tired… deciderating is hard work!

This is beginning to have a real smell. McCarthy wasn’t in a position to know, she gave to Dems. she was 11 days from retirement.
Sounds like Karl had to get the headlines away from the generals and Bush’s failures and back to: 1.Osama released a audio tape. 2.McCarthy, that Dem CIA woman is a traitor. 3. Zarqawi releases a video looking hale and hearty and ABC says: other tapes have been released but were seized before being broadcast.
Now if that doesn’t add up what the hell does?

So this would be a conference call kind of thing?

I vote for Wellstone’s Conscience of a Liberal,an older book,but I liked it and would happily read it again.

RevDeb – I’ve actually never read 1984. I need to though. Trying to finish up Risen’s book so I can get to Crashing the Gate.

xyz, thanks, great link to Waas on Senator Pat worthless piece of shit Roberts. Isn’t that textbook treason?

Interesting. To respond to your questions:
1. I’ll vote for twice a month, but no more frequently. Maybe once a month, or every 3 weeks or so.
2. Selection process: oh, you and the folks that run this place have pretty good judgment. I’ll ride with that. others, on occasion, and via other threads, may chip in on an idea. You’ll listen, and make a decision.
3. Advance notice issue: well, I think the pragmatic thing is that, at any given time, a number of folks won’t be able to read the book in advance. It’s just the way it is. So long as some have read the book, a good discussion will follow. Non-readers of a book will surely be just as interested to follow the discussion, and chime in.
4. Are you becoming Oprah?
Ghostman
PS: what is “Amazon”?
PPS: I’m KIDDING! I may be from Texas, but I’m not THAT stupid! Peace, G.

Wonderful idea to get us reading deeply – as well as broadly . . . good for the spirit too.

One offshoot I might suggest post-discussions, how about selling your completed books at a really reduced rate to those of us who are unemployed? It would be so democratic.

Buzzflash is another source for initial purchase(understanding that it wouldn’t apply in this case).

An Angry Old Broad — I think old books as well as new books would be good.

Book suggestions also welcome — I myself haven’t had a chance to read Risen’s book and I desperately need to.

Oh Teddy is at his mother’s house or he would be here with us.

I think twice a month is a good way to do it. Frequent enough for people to get a book that they want to discuss, but not too frequent where you cannot keep up with it and the rest of your life.

Another oldie but goodie The Journey From Here by Bill Bradley. God, I loved that man and really would have loved that presidency!

Books I’d like to discuss:
Crashing the Gate
State of War
1984
American Theocracy (that’s a thick book)
How Would a Patriot Act?
FUBAR (released in June)
Cobra II

Is this only going to cover current political literature or will there be some historically pertinent material as well?

I’d love to reread the Federalist Papers or The Two Treatises of Civil Government… ;)

John Casper –

Yes, it pretty much seems to be treason.

Roberts’ standard form of treason is the way that he puts party over country on a daily basis by covering up for the administration in direct dereliction of his duties on the intelligence committee.

Regardless, this particular instance of treason regarding Iraqi intelligence seems like a headline issue that could be successfully leveraged by an adept politician like Reid to beat Roberts over the head until he stops stalling on the disclosure of the “phase II” part of the the Iraq intelligence investigation.

The two forms of treason can be linked easily in the public’s mind.

Roberts is like Bush in that he leaks information that is self-aggrandizing or politically helpful and hides information that would be harmful to his party.

” I think old books as well as new books would be good”

hehe, cool.

Okay so what I’m hearing is — maybe one book every two weeks? Would a month’s advance notice be good for everyone? Glenn’s book ships on May 15, which would mean we could potentially start discussing it on Sunday, May 28.

I’ll also try to get people to come and discuss their books. Maybe my good friend Ramesh would be interested?

Nah he’ll probably be too busy going over his own book for those “ode to Ben Domenech” moments.

As a continuence of what Matt O said about twice a month: I think that twice a month would be better also because of the momentum it would generate. Once a month might get lost in the shuffle and hustle and bustle.

I’ve got American Theocracy by my bedside right now, and I’m also working my way through Kinzer’s Overthrow.

Jane -

Ramesh just doesn’t know what he’s missing.

I would be more than willing to donate to a fund for those who cannot afford books. Many of these will be available used on Amazon and some can even be found in used bookstores (that’s where I got my Wuthering Heights and 1984), but Glenn’s and Markos/Jerome’s books will not be. Does anyone know if Amazon does a credit account for something like this? They might.

Great idea Oprah, I mean Jane. I’ve dropped from reading at least 3 books a week pre-blogs to maybe 1 a week now, so it would be a nice fusion of old and new reading habits to discuss in-depth stuff with this gang. Also, if TSF is running it, maybe after this initial thread, we should be emailing ideas to him (or to you to forward to him)on an ongoing basis. I think once a week frequency works, but you would need to post 2-3 weeks in advance to allow for delivery and reading time. Maybe stick the schedule in the margins.

“I’ll also try to get people to come and discuss their books.”
I like that. I very seldom have opportunity to interact with an author.
Ghostman

Or I would be willing to just purchase two books and donate one.

I wonder if many of you have despised this Ramesh character for as long as I have. I think it was back when he was ever so calmly, in his grating way, singing the praises of ‘The Bell Curve’.

I don’t have a nightstand. My books are on my fake plywood shelf next to the stack of newspapers my letters to the editor were printed in the Daily Wildcat and some of my favorite term papers from the last four years.

I’d say one book a month as well, with several discussions since not all of us will be able to make every one. Having the authors would be great too. We’d need a month warning also, I would guess, to get and read the book. If we ever have the luxury of not having impending doom to discuss we could get into some other things as well. 1984 is one obvious choice. I for one have never actually read the Federalist Papers and keep kicking myself to do so since they now seem so incredibly relevant.

boo!

I’d love to do Joe Wilson’s book.

Hi, Teddy, thanks for stepping up for this lovely project. How’s your Mommy?

(My over-six-feet sons will call me mommy forever or I will disown them. It makes me so happy, they get a kick out of it. ;-) )

I’m so pressed for time that I can not honestly promise to be able to read a book on schedule every week. I’d prefer to have at two, perhaps several, sessions, and we coud concentrate on a few chapters at a time. I think it would make for a more focused discussion anyway.

Could we include articles too? I think publicly available articles that are timely and important in, say, Foreign Affairs, or NY Review of Books, might be interesting.

I can also chip in $ a few times for folks who cannot afford.

Great news folks! I took in a homeless cat Friday. I had been feeding her at my job for a couple of weeks. I decided to take her home on Friday to give her a nice home. Saturday morning, I carried her out my backyard. I was holding her and talking and all of a sudden an airboat went flying across the lake and scared the beejeebus out of her. She scratced me, jumped up in the air and took off. That was it. Until just now. I just looked out my sliding glass door and there she was. I am so thrilled. I felt so bad uprooting her only to lose her. She’s back and she’s bad!! Any ideas for a name? Firecatlake? Help!

kurotenshi #43, I second that motion. On re-reading Shirer’s oldy but goody “The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich” for the 4th or 5th time, I was really freaked by all the parallels between 30’s Germany and 2000’s Bushco.

I like it. Now that I can see to read again. My mom taught me to read before I started school. I used to be a prolific reader,45 paperbacks in 30 days once.Sadly not so much last few years. Found out I have noticeable cataracts at 46 yrs.New glasses,bingo. I would love to be able to read somee suggested books and discuss them. And I also agree with every 2 weeks with a month warning.

Jane, take a look at this:

http://www.buyblue.org/directory/alpha

after looking at the amazon information scroll down to Barnes and Noble.

It’s not for me to tell you with whom you should do business but please be aware of how they use any revenue you help them generate.

ps. It’s a black-red and brown calico.

Not to put this out of context but you are probably not watching your earlier thread re net neutrality. Today the Telcos Take It on the Chin at Judiciary Hearing Where is Lily Tomlin when we need her most?

61 you can use my next cat’s name, Meowselette. I probly won’t be needing it, being more of a dog person.

I would love to participate in a book discussion with the incredibly talented, articulate FDL community. In my eagerness for this, I’d like to think I’d read a book a week (which I do with my “traditional” book group, you know, the one where you see each other’s faces!); however, a book every two or three weeks is a more realistic target.

Very excited about all the ideas so far today for the Sunday Book Club. I agree that there’s a lot out there to read — magazines, the online newspaper we still read although we tell their ombudsman we don’t, and a certain practically 24/7 blog.

But there’s nothing like a book, is there?

So, I hope folks will continue to post their ideas about structure, timing, frequency, and book choice here. I’ll keep checking back; we’ll try to synthesize all your terrific ideas as we go forward. I’m excited about being asked to help coordinate another new facet of our growing, delightful community!

I’ll do my best to join y’all this Sunday — I guess I’ve finally got to crack open CTG on the plane to Virginia this Friday!

And how about those New York Rootsters? What an inspiration for our meetings here in EssEff this Thursday….

I once had a cat with no name whatsoever. It was the null set of cat names. The concept intrigued neighborhood kids – they settled on calling it “NoName”. My more jaded friends called it “The Cat That Dare Not Speak Its Name”…

Why does Pat Roberts hate? What’s the matter with Kansas would be pretty good.

I swear, Jane, I have bought so many books and all I read is this blog. And today, my boss told me no blogging. I told him that I felt that as long as my work is done I see no reason to shackle me. Anyway, I’m in sales and blogs are where I get all my leads. He just shook his head, left the room, allowing me to maximize my screen and continue reading this darn blog…

I get my books ‘hand me down’ so I probably will not read them till after the discussions. All I ask is please do not give away the endings!

I’d like to recommend a book by Jose Saramago (Nobel prizewinner) called blindness. I received it as a gift a year ago and have given it to at least 10 people who have loved it. Although it’s difficult in terms of writing style (commas and periods only) it is a powerful and beautifully written allegory on the human condition and what happens to civilized society when everyone (except one) goes blind.

“Yet, the grace of the novel–the grace of the doctor’s wife–never fails to shine through. This story is about all of humanity, not just the bad parts. There are moments of quiet tenderness that are breathtaking and devastating–but that fill you with a great appreciation of just how incredibly kind and generous we, as humans, can be. This novel incorporates the full spectrum of what it means to be human, stripping away society to reveal the basic elements, impulses and desires of humanity.”

Count me in for the book club. One book every three or four weeks would be easiest to handle. With a least a two week advance notice.

But I love the idea.

georgelo — I am very aware of that. However I have been financing the expenses on this website for a year and a half out of my own pocket. Amazon helps with that due to the purchases other than books people make when they’re over there (higher ticket items); Powells and Barnes & Noble do not.

I’m very happy to be able to blog. I’m also very happy when some of the burden of that expense can be alleviated.

ccmask– I just cried reading your kitty story! Good tears. Same thing happened to our little one when he was a babe– lost while owners on vacation and showed up weeks later by the sliding door, skinny and alone- his sister never returned. I would be honored if you named yours Itchy. Think of it as not as a skin condition, but rather as a spontaneous, mischievous, impish little soul. He is actully named after Itchy’s Corner in Scituate, MA. But that’s another entire story….

so ccmask, your kitty was swiftboated?

since it was an air boat, how about Zephyr ?

This is a brilliant idea.

Is there any rule that says we’ll only discuss non-fiction? How about fiction by Iraqi or Iranian or other middle eastern writers?

ccmask – you might want to read this… :)

http://business.bostonherald.c…..eid=136507

Thanks oo99 and Wilson. I’m so happy she’s HOME. Cats are amazing.

Softail! TeddySF!

Roots Project SF Bay Area is IN DA HOUSE~!

Go Tyler Drumheller !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! On with David Gregory right now.

Jane, your last comment implied that only bigger ticket items gain you a kaching, but not books. That’a not right, is it? You get a benefit no matter what we buy as long as we click through the blog, yes? I hope??

kurotenshi: I left the same link in one of the other threads a couple of days ago. It makes a lot of sense. We are living in a new world and I swear I get leads all the time. Of course, I haven’t got any here. Yet.

ccmask 61:

le chat of I-ran (away)

Jane, I love this idea. You must never actually sleep! Thank you so very for all you do.
I was just saying to a friend that I want to read The Federalist’s Papers, and I’d also love to read Joe Wilson’s book.

Teddy, do you by any chance know if CWLPFB will carry the Glenn Greenwald’s book, or where we might buy it in SF?

lol punaise–good one. And Karen, she’s itching pretty good right now. Sorry for the OT–don’t want to hijack the thread.

ccmask, is the cat of the male or female persuasion?

Calicos are the best – I had a couple of them called Mottel and Brindle.

Wow. I have already had two emails from authors whose names would be well known to this group offering their support and even books for those who can’t afford it. I will let you know more as time goes on but this is very exciting.

Completely off topic- but anyway. In my obsessive searching to find out when we can expect Rover’s perp walk I found this cute article written by a student at Patrick Fitzgerald’s high school newspaper:

http://www.regis-nyc.org/news……;Type=Main

ccmask, are you thinking a proper name or just anything? You could always go with a name from American History, like abagail (adams) or Betsy (Ross) or Betty (Friedan) or something like that. Sometimes cats name themselves through thier personality. I have only named one cat and she snored really loud so I called her Aretha. My current buddy, Zoey, came named from a friend, but I love her name and it suits her. Too bad she’s not a he or you could name her Russ or Al. teehee.

Jane’s got the hook up.

Jane # 46 –

Every two weeks for a formal book club discussion — but maybe all Sunday afternoons could feature literary threads, with our without a specific book.

Saul Alinsky’s books, Rules for Radicals & Reveille for Radicals — his work was the blueprint for 60’s activists, but now has been mostly forgotten by our team.

ccmask

Good for you. I adopted a stray who ended up going on walkabout, leaving me with 4 amazing kittens. They are all 1.5 years old now, totally indoor and make for a very full family.

As for names, I don’t know why I think this is funny…

How ’bout Hillary? Excellent survival skills, but questionable loyalty….
I’m just sayin’ …

orange tabbies are very friendly cats

Oh, Jane, isn’t that great??? People always rise to the occasion, it’s just wonderful. But my offer still stands.

Oh and Glenn Greenwald is already making fun of me for the blurb I wrote for his book:

“Glenn Greenwald’s book is one of the greatest organized crime sagas ever written. Unfortunately, the victims of this particular caper are the American people, and the mob bosses who thumb their noses at the law are those very individuals tasked with upholding it. Greenwald’s fascinating page-turner lays bare the Bush administration’s plot to scam America, and everyone who cares about the future of democracy will find it thoroughly engrossing and absorbing read. Don’t plan on doing anything else once you pick it up; you won’t be able to put it down.”

Okay yes, it’s a bit purple. What, it’s going to kill him to sell a few books? ;)

My, oh my… a Netroots video AND a Book Club all on the same day?
———–
MY VOTES:
Book selections: blog ‘owners’ /moderators pick the books
My frequency: once monthly max for me; I seem to spend all my ‘reading time’ on blogs these days 8-0
————-
I worked at Amazon in the heady heydays (and don’t miss it one bit, BTW). Egregious at #4 — you might want to check out one reason behind Amazon’s success, referred to as “The Long Tail”: http://www.wired.com/wired/arc…..tail.html. It’s a great article, a WIRED classic, and provides insight about how a book can zoom up the charts at Amazon so incredibly fast. It also offers insight about eCommerce economics in general.

I don’t want to cut into the pittance that FDL would glean from our ordering via the Amazon link on this site, but I’m going to make a case for encouraging FDLers to spread a wider ‘net’ ;-)

Anyone can contact Powell’s Books in Portland (http://www.powells.com/) for a really fine indie bookseller with an excellent reputation. Any local bookseller will also be happy to order a book if they have the ISBN number (ISBN = International Standard Book Number). I’ll include Glenn’s ISBN at the end of this post for those interested. (The ISBN is the unique identifier for THIS version of THIS title of THIS paperback.)

In all honesty, it’s actually better for Glenn if most of us order from our local indies… let the rest of the websters order from Amazon ;-)

Local, independent booksellers rely on their customers to tell THEM about good books, and if we all buy from our local book shops, more people will hear about Glenn’s book — and over 6 or 12 months, this would actually provide Glenn a wider, more sustainable readership base. Amazon is a great resource, but it’s extremely important to support other booksellers also.

Sorry to go on at such length, but I thought the points were worth passing along to other FDLers.

When you talk to your local bookseller, they will need this info:

—-Product Details
Paperback: 146 pages
Publisher: Working Assets Publishing (May 15, 2006)
ISBN: 097794400X
————-

You may pay more up front at your local bookstore, but you’ll save on shipping AND help spread the word about Glenn’s book. BTW: It’s tough to find any books priced less than $15 USD these days, so his publisher is clearly trying to help get this into lots of hands — this suggests committment on the part of the publisher.

in memory of Lola and Cesar, best cats ever

Great idea! I pre-ordered CTG, but haven’t actually read it yet, so this’ll be a good incentive. Josh Marshall has a semi-regular book discussion roundtable over at TPM Cafe; his threads always start with the authors posting some initial comments about their work, and then everyone else chimes in, so it would be great to have authors come and chat with us here. One book every two weeks sounds feasible (maybe every three weeks occasionally, when there’s a major holiday or some such thing).

Great idea, I say one book every two weeks.

Jane,

My new cat and I just sent you some payola. Get yourself some books for the book club.

ccmask

I would prefer the one book every two weeks.
I read more than that but then not everything I read is politics!

readerOfTeaLeaves — thanks very much. We appreciate you undercutting us and doing exactly the opposite of what the independent publisher who went out on a limb to put out Glenn’s book specifically asked us to do this morning. Last time I checked, Powells was operating at a profit. Neither us nor Glenn’s publisher are.

I left out the fact that she has a broken tail. Someone must have abused her because the tail is crooked….

I say one book every two weeks.
I read more than that but then not everything I read is about politics!

punaise– may Lola and Cesar rip. Just like they used too. they must be at the rainbow bridge…
>>>>>>

Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together….

Author unknown.

>>>>>
patiently waiting to meet my Shanzay one day…

Leslie -

I hear ya. I’ve had CTG for a couple weeks now and haven’t had a chance to read it (I like to read books continuously, rather than multiple books at a time).

ccmask, don’t imagine the worst, the tail could have been damaged while she was having her little camping trip. She’s got you now and won’t have another thought about it.

Do Cats think?

Mine does.

Hear in today about the death of Jane Jacobs made me wonder if her latest (Dark Age Ahead) mightnot be a good book club book.

Janet

merci angie pour cette belle image

Another suggestion would be any of Barbara Ehrenreich’s books.

That’s quite a list already, enough for 4-5 months. Glenn’s book is going to be a treat after Crashing the Gate. That book will make activists out of everyone!

zennurse–no, the tail was that way when I first met her. I always connect, for some reason, with the down-trodden. Thanks for everyone’s help with the names. I think I’m gonna take your advice and let the name find her!

David Gregory’s got Joke Line and ole grit 60 on both my teevees! Gotta grab the windex….

je vous en prie, punaise.

George Bush Coloring Book of the Month Club
payola for crayola

Jane, I too am wondering, what exactly do you get a slice of when we click through to Amazon via FDL? Does used count? (I finally got Killer Instinct (used, sorry) as long as I was in the neighborhood, but it would be nice if you could at least make a half a cent off it, lol.)

ccmask – how bout Zippy? or Airboat?

My rescue kitty was found half dead by my cop ex-girlfriend in the middle of Livingston Road, so that was easy – he’s Livingston. So glad you got your kitty back! Liv put me through the exact same thing shortly after I adopted him and the relief was overwhelming.

Anyway, book club sounds good.

BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

Was that Redd’s email that was just on the Situation Room???

Cafferty just read Christy’s fantastic e-mail!!

REDD RULES!!

I’d never heard of Jane Jacobs before today, what a fascinating woman! I’m sure I’d love to read her.

Vanity Fair, Rolling Stone, Harper’s, The New Yorker, Mother Jones, The Atlantic, The Nation…all would be good sources for articles and essays.

Apologies Jane, was thinking a few months out about how to get Glenn’s book into wider readership.

Will put out a post to my state Roots group to see whether any others might want to join in a one night Dinner Donations For FDL — we could meet, have dinner, then toss our contributions into a hat. Heck, we could simply meet at a coffee shop and toss what we MIGHT have spent on dinner into a hat. Then count it up and someone would have to write a check.

Question: where would we send it? Who would we make it out to?

I’d be more than happy to send along a contribution — but what address? What bank account?

Need instructions to keep it legal and make it function properly — I have to think that many of us would be glad to support our local booksellers AND ALSO our fave blog. But so far… I’ve never seen a payment option to help toss my coins toward FDL.

simple solution, people: donate $ once a year (or more often, if you can) to FDL.

Thank you Jane !

your pal Rammesh is buring up the sales charts at rank# 30,423

and it’s old home week – Ol 60 Grit just told David Gregory that Frist and Hastert accusing Big Oil of price gouging constitutes “demagoguery of the worst kind”

All who think are not wealthy….what I ask is that, in considering the freqency of discussion, give those of us who live and die by the public library time to participate.

Thanks

Sharkbabe- Zippy’s was the name of my fast food restaurant…..that’s so funny! Zippy it is!! lol

readerOfTeaLeaves — thanks very much, I do appreciate your support and I didn’t mean to get all overly snarky. I apologize. Don’t worry, we’re not hanging on by our fingernails or anything, and had I not had to travel to LA this month we actually would have operated in the black.

Today I’ve been trying to set up the StateRootsProject website which I’m also personally funding so that we can have a place for people to post diaries and videos. It’s very exciting and what I’m trying to do is to put things in place (like Amazon) that will ultimately cover the costs of these operations so that they are self-sustaining and don’t require subsidizing. That would really be the ideal.

Gaaaaah! What did her email say?

that’s what I get for not being able to resist a good car-wreck (a/k/a Ol’ 60 Grit/Joke Line on Hardball)

-Proud member of the “ReddHedd is HOT” fan club

Redd was on the Cafferty File??? I e-mail Jack almost daily and zip!

I hope C&L got that.

New thread about Gas Prices.

85 Punaise like a duck flying upside down, you quack me up.

tea leaves–you can make a donation on the right coloum of this blog. Right above the Amazon link…I just did it and it’s painless! I will be making another as soon as I get my tax check! What better way to spend the tax check than here?

Jane -

The Sunday afternoon book discussion is a wonderful idea! Since you mentioned American Theocracy, I would like to see Kevin Phillips visit FDL.

RevDeb mentioned Bill Bradley. It would be good if he could visit FDL.

What History Channel programs about American history might be worth discussing?

66do:

likewise

Just placing a suggestion here for future reference

Resource Wars by Michael T. Klare

less than 200 pages but great overview of worldwide demand vs. distribution, poitics of clean water, etc great book and now a post 9/11 update

A book club is a great idea. And one book every two weeks, with a month’s notice sounds reasonable.

And don’t forget your local library (if municipal budget cuts haven’t closed it down yet).

A Sunday afternoon/evening/late night open thread for posters to comment on books, articles, etc. they have read recently would be a great way to pick up hints for our own reading, as well as for future book club selections.

As to subject matter? Current events, political science, histories covering little known or ignored countries or events would seem to be in the vein of this blog. I want to read Stephen Kinzer’s “Overthrow”. And, maybe parts of Howard Zinn’s “A People’s History of the US”, would be enlightening.

Let’s do it.

Regarding book prices and such…

Am I the only one who still uses a library?

Mary, you made the Lehrer News Hour. I was just listening to a segment on leaks and the Press. They had a U. of Chicago Law Professor, Geoffrey Stone, Constitutional Law scholar. He didn’t explicitly mention contracts. He did say that no one signs a contract to not disclose illegal activity by the government or words to that effect.

Great idea!

It’s tough, though, to get everyone reading the same book on the same schedule.

What about introducing a new book every week, not that you would need to read every one of them.

With politics breaking as fast as it is nowadays, timely and relevant books are coming out while the topic is still fresh.

There might be a benefit from keeping the thread for each book open (on a side column) for an extended period, to allow stragglers to add late comments.

Just thinking.

Matt O: #55

The Daily Wildcat? Does UofA still publish that? My goodness! ;)

Link
UA 1972

ccmask — thank you, that is much appreciated.

Stephen Parrish — I’ll try for Kevin Phillips. See what happens.

Murray Waas’s article on Senator Pat Roberts leaking (we all remember that mess with the pre-bombing); do you think he will slither out of this? I read on another blog where they all thought it was clear—Sen. Pat Roberts will be the next Veep.– OMG….could that be the pay-off?

The local news station here in Kansas asked kooks Rep. Jim “Sweetheart deal” Ryun and Senator Sam “the ham” Brownback about the rising gas prices…blah, blah….nothing can be done. Thought it was odd ole Pat’s mug wasn’t asked, till I seen Waas’s latest article. So, do you all think this could be the deal? Cheney gets indicted or becomes too ill….and ole Pat the Rat takes his place? Damn Kansans. Wise up.

ccmask @ 132 — whoa, I never even look at that part of the page ( I often have another browser window overlapping that page region. Whoops!)

I will avail myself of the PayPal opportunity on the FDL page, now that my eyes have located it. Meanwhile, if anyone in my State Roots group wants to get together, we’ll collect the cash over dinner and someone can pay it into the FDL account via the website ;-)

Frankly, my recollection of Amazon’s book payments were that they were so very, very low that I’d rather contribute on the FDL site because it will mean more money in the FDL till that way. Also, I didn’t want Glenn’s book to be another flash-in-the-pan on Amazon’s booklist that vanishes before next fall’s elections.

This is an amazing resource for any single person to underwrite, and I’ll feel better after I pitch in what I can ;-)

HI, Jane. I’m a college teacher so I spend a lot of my time structuring discussions of books. Here are some suggestions:

1) stick to one book a month and organize 2 or three discussions around this book
2) post a short list of topics and/or discussion questions for each on-line book club meeting. This will help people organize their thoughts and focus the discussion so you don’t keep going around in circles. You don’t have to stick religiously to the discussion questions, but you’ll at least have a framework to work within. If you go off topic, you’ll be able to get back.

Sounds like fun to me! We already have Glen Greenwald’s book on order.

Thanks for all your efforts on FDL.

mj

Jane,
I really like your site but am disturbed by the amazon thing so I just sent you $20.00 to help you kick the habit.

George thanks for your support.

Maryjane — those are excellent suggestions.

BustedKnuckles – sorry to hear about your cataracts. I had the same – one eye at 39, then the other a year ago at 45. In my case, they both progressed within a few weeks to completely opaque, so I had no choice but to have artificial lenses.

I just wanted to give a word of advice – or at least let you know what to expect. The first replacement is just fine – you can see well at a distance, and it does not matter if you cannot read with that eye, because you will use the other, assuming it still has some vision.

But its quite a shock after the second one is replaced too, because there is no longer any accommodation – which means that the focus of both eyes is fixed at a single point, in my case about 14″ – but hardly any depth of field.

What this means is a bit hard to describe, and no doubt will vary among individuals – but here is an example: I used to do close, very detailed work assembling scientific equipment. To focus at close objects at varying distances, I now have to switch between several different pairs of reading glasses. Its a total pain in the butt to have 2 or three pairs in hand at once, and to keep switching. But even with the correct pair on, anything more than 1/2″ in front or behind is out of focus. And that’s in good light. I also find that my reading has become very slow, because the way I used to scan does not work any more. It’s much harder to read newspapers and I have quit reading books now. It’s like acquired dyslexia.

I absolutely don’t want to depress you about it. If you need the surgery, its a simple, painless operation and it usually goes very smoothly. Having one lens replaced (if/when it is necessary) can be a wonderful upgrade!

BUT HERE IS THE POINT OF THIS RAMBLING SCREED: If you have a choice (I did not, because my cataracts grew so fast) you should wait as long as possible before you also have the lens replaced in the second eye. As long as it is still providing some ability to see near objects, it can actually be more use than another clear-sighted eye with fixed focus.

The opthalmologist will probably not tell you this! (Very likely he does not know – since most of his cataract patients are old and have stiff lenses with very little accomodation left anyway.)

Apologies to all clear-eyed FDL’ers – this came out much longer than I meant it to. Its just a bit of unwanted experience I have gained, but maybe its helpful to somebody.

Chiming in late–For financial reasons, I need to get any books I read at the library. But I will avidly read the discussion here anyway, if the book isn’t on the shelves yet.

ohdave: I haven’t been in a library in years. I always think of Amazon as a library. I buy from Amazon all the time. I’m hanging my head now because it never occurred to me to use the Amazon link here to help out the fdl community.

this is a great idea — can’t contain my excitement over it and I haven’t read the earlier comments — but truly wonderful idea

I read a lot of books and love the idea of an FDL book club. One book per month is probably about right. The FDL bloggers should probably take turns choosing the selection of the month with suggestions from readers (but no voting please).

I like the idea of discussion points, but I’d also welcome a review with excerpts and highlights written either by FDL bloggers or a guest (similar to Altercation’s weekly book review), after which the discussion/exchange can take place.

I would suggest a rule that off-topic comments will be deleted from the book club discussion so we can have a nice tight discussion (in the complete discretion of FDL).

I am a fan of the book, The Fourth Turning. The authors have a website, http://www.fourthturning.com, I think. The authors theorize that history is not linear as is often taught, but cylical, seasonal. We’re due for winter. The book covers American history…. excellent in my opinion.

So many books and so few nightlight bulbs.
Touching on the last couple of topics here and many others
Democracy Now had a wonderful interview today.
This book I am putting ahead of Glen G since his is not out.
Antonia Juhasz on The Bush Agenda: Invading the World, One Economy at a Time. Listen or read at
http://www.democracynow.org/ar…..25/1343214
This interview has detailed answers to the questions we savor.

I like Maryjane’s suggestion above (144), sounds like well-seasoned advice. Tried a bookclub F2F with a dozen members, unfortunately a month wasn’t quite long enough for half the group (the ones with small children). But the bonus for these folks (like Margot (148) above) is that the readers who finished and discussed in detail the finer points of the books actually helped weed out the ones that were worth seeking and reading versus those that were a pass. Although I personally could probably manage a book every two weeks, one book a month is probably optimal for deepest and broadest participation across the community here.

Jane, for those two authors who’ve contacted you (and any others in the wings): may I suggest they look into Barnes & Noble’s Reading Groups? The set up is very nice, but there is a deplorable lack of books in Economics & Politics category; this would be an opportunity to “seed” the larger reading community with more progressive reading materials. (Gah…to think the bulk of this category at B&N is Friedman’s The World is Flat or The Communist Manifesto, and not a single progressive tome…)

Natch, this should not change or affect how the Amazon ads here work; it would only help promote progressive reading and readers outside of FDL. Those of you FDL’rs in pecuniary straights might consider setting up a free Blogger site with a link to an Amazon Wish List as well as an email link, making sure to add the FDL Book to your list. Announce in the thread your need and include your Blogger link. Fairy bookparents may then bestow you with progressive reading blessings.

“widely, but not deeply”?

hmm. what does this mean, specifically?

New book every 2-3 weeks but can discuss it every Sunday afternoon. Gives people a chance to catch up, think about new ideas.

And more than one book can be under discussion on any given Sunday?

ohdave -
nope, you’re not the only one still using the library. I’m there every week, sometimes oftener. When I became unemployed and under-employed in the ’90’s had to break my book-buying habits. Actually, have to stay out of bookstores still to have hope of paying the rent and utility bills. I have “American Theology” on reserve – hope it comes up soon if we’re going to discuss it.
I’m hoping to get Glenn Greenwald’s book but have to wait until payday.

Greetings,
Great idea Jane and I know all the young folk are ready to jump right in. They have the skills necessary to participate in this kind of project while others may think that they’re a little rusty. I had to think about what information I would need and where to get it in order to participate and came up with the following sources on the internet. Some books may even be available to READ on line, as in my example, Nineteen Eighty-Four. Not the same as holding a book in one’s hands and curling up on the sofa. I hope this can be a FUN project where we all can learn something interesting from each other.

Nineteen Eighty-Four, George Orwell 1949 from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Contents
1 Novel history
2 The world of Nineteen Eighty-Four
3 The themes of Nineteen Eighty-Four
4 Appendix on Newspeak
5 Cultural impact
6 Controversy
8 Related works
9 See also
10 Bibliography
11 References
12 External links
Then, search Google for info on the book: Publisher, Reviews, Best Version (Edition), Best Forward Author, Overview, etc., and whether it is available for purchase or can be READ online!
(YES) 1984, http://www.liferesearchunivers…..html#1984/

At Amazon.com
Nineteen Eighty-Four, Forward by Thomas Pynchon (Yes, that Thomas Pynchon)
Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/gp/produ…..?n=283155/
Author George Orwell
Cover Artist Unknown
Publisher Plume (Centennial Edition)
Released June 8, 1949
Media Type Paperback, Hardcover, e-book, audio-CD
Pages 368 (Paperback edition)
Size and Weight 8.0 × 5.5 × 1.0 inches 14.1 ounces (Paperback edition)
ISBN 0452284236 (Paperback edition)
Cheers, Beetlejuice

A vote, tentatively, for “American Theocracy” (oops, just noticed I wrote “theology” above. forgive me, it’s late and I’ve been up since very early. Anyway, I just checked my library account and found that it’s my turn; American Theocracy” is on hold awaiting my pickup.
Another possible suggestion (I happen to have broken down and bought it already, ) “Cobra II”.
And on the OT cat-rescue thread – I’m planning to get up again in a few hours to take one of my rescued cats to the all-cat-day low-cost spay-neuter clinic. Took her sister last week; I arrived number 8 in line at 5:15 a.m. The clients were a good cross-section of working-class, barely-making it Americans, each with a beloved kitty, often one rescued by the person bringing it. We munched Mexican pastries (the clinic was in a parking lot of a grocery store that began setting out the fresh-baked goods about 6:00 a.m.; irresistible) and told stories about our cats and other things till the clinic van came and began taking in patients at 7:30 a.m.
I’ll be glad to do a brief preview of “American Theocracy”, if anyone is interested when I’ve read enough to be worth it.

Cool.
The ‘ Blindness’ comment reminded me of the classic ‘ Day of the Triffids’.
The Shirer comment reminded me of the amazing ‘ Berlin diary’ and Michael Burleighs incredible new hirstory on the Third Reich.
I haven’t read ‘ 1984′ either but feel I know it well enough. I love ‘ Homage to Catalonia ‘ and Orwells collected journalism.
‘ Blowback’ by Chalmers Johnson may be a good pick for this club and some great reads I’ve enjoyed immensely lately have been , ‘ The dream of reason’, ‘ Mendels demon’, ‘ Barcelona the enchantress’, ‘ The fellowship’ that is about the Royal society and the absolutely sublime ‘ Between silk and cyanide’ by Leo Marks.
Also love Joe Heller and Phillip Roth and Carl Sagan. Some others that slip my mind right now.
Book’s rock – it not all the web, all the time because not everything is online yet and you are what you read. Thank you Jane.

Pretentious? Moi?

I forgot William Burroughs, Jack Kerouac,Ken Kesey, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas – a couple of writers Hunter liked I also liked. Books about coacaine smugglers and adventures south of the border and that reminds of B Traven. Finally Ursula K LeGuin and a sprinkle of science fiction with a little going a long way. Long live Firedoglake.

Did you ever love a book so much that you bought copies and gave them away to people you barely knew?
Back in the seventies I did that with a book by Bommi Baumann called ‘ Wie alles anfing’ or ‘ How it all began’
It’s okay – I’m under professional care today.

Sorry…on political organizing there are some classics by Chompsky on Bakunin, Bookchin on Spain, Emma Goldman – Living my life. Maximoff, Voline, Arshinov, Malatesta, John Quail, Albert Metzler, Bob Black, John Zerzan. The libertarian socialist thread that seems such a close fit for the new net activism. I’ll shut up now.

Just check out Lorenzo Komboa Ervin though please. TIA
Don’t call security – I’m going!

I think the book group idea is great, but I could probably handle only about one book a month. A couple of weeks notice on the new titles would be good.

ccmask: since she came back, you could go for something like “Boomerang,” though I sort of like the idea of waiting a week or so to get a feel for her personality or preferences. (though, had I done that with one of my cats, we’d probably have named her “Cracker” or “Wonton” or “Waffle” instead of “Gilda.” She likes foods cats shouldn’t like.)

re: the book club, it would be nice to pull in some older books whose topics are re-emerging in importance: Gore’s “Earth in the Balance” (which scared me to death when I read it years ago), or “The Imperial Presidency” by Arthur Schlessinger, or even some old classic works like Charles Dickens (he focused on the lives of the poor in a system that was every-man-for-himself and debtors were punished as criminals), or Sinclair Lewis’s “Elmer Gantry.”

Just a thought as a way to mix things up. You might want to consider a light book or two as well. If you haven’t read “The Columnist” by Jeffery Frank, I think most would find it both hilarious and a bit too on the mark. David Sedaris recommended it at a reading he gave in October, 2004, and he’s right: it’s funny, an easy and engaging read, and a little creepy all at once. It only took me an afternoon, and might cleanse the mental palette a bit between all the documentation of national destruction.

Jane,I’d also like to suggest Derrick Jensen’s books written with George Draffan,they’re all excellent.They’re also fairly short and consise.

Derrick is very accessable via email.He lives in your neck of the woods too Jane.Google him and send him an email,he’s a really interesting guy.I think Chelsea Green has published many of his books,they may have info on him on their site.

These books by Derrick would fit into a few political discussions,IMO:

Welcome to the Machine(with George Draffan)which is about the lengths government and businesses will go to use technology to monitor damned near everything we do.

Strangely Like War; The Global Assault on Forests(also with George Draffan)about the hideous destruction and dirty dealings within the forestry industry,including some organizations/agencies supposedly protecting the environment.It’s not just the forestry industry at work here either.Some of the quotes from industry execs made my blood run cold.

Railroads and Clearcuts(also written with Draffan,I believe there is a railroadsandclearcuts.com or something too)which is about the robber baron era of American history,which has connections to today’s playing field.

Derrick’s a bit of an anarchist,lol,but if nothing else,I find his writing very interesting,he’s not reckless or batshit crazy.He’s also been involved in lawsuits to try and stop environmental destruction,those perspectives might be helpful to liberal politics as part of the big picture.

I also like Derrick’s Walking on Water for anyone who likes to write,it’s pretty intense.It’s about his experiences teaching writing classes at both a college and a supermax prison.

Jensen is deserving of wider recognition,IMHO,he’s an amazing writer and a really stand up guy.

I hope someone sees this and checks out this author,if for no other reason than the quality and writing style.And the resulting conversations his work brings up are good ones,even if they ain’t all pretty.

And big props to Glenn on the impending success of his book.And all with no think tank funding,heh.I can hear the collective wingnut blood pressure rising right now.I think I’ll buy two and give one to the library down the street since I have a little b-day money coming.

I should probably provide info about the Frank novel…duh.

This is from Book Magazine’s review, as filched from the Barnes & Noble page:

Book Magazine
Brandon Sladder is an aged and somewhat respected political commentator and columnist who is advised by George Bush at a Washington, D.C. power party to set down his life into a memoir. This biting, comic novel is the fortunate and formidable result. In quick strokes, Frank deftly creates a journalist so blind to his own arrogance and horrid nature that he never seems to notice the trail of used-up people and ruined lives he leaves in his wake. Like a vampire of the press, Sladder sabotages his father’s job in pursuit of a dubious story within the first twenty pages of the book. Betraying everyone foolish enough to have trusted him, he enters the world of D.C. punditry in the early 1960s and never leaves. Before long, he has become the kind of name-dropping windbag who, as one character tells it, “thinks it’s better to express an opinion than actually to have one.”

I’m thinking of rereading it with Joe Klein in mind, since the first time around, it was hard to get a vision of a chubby George Will out of my mind.

ccmask – late, again, but how about
Kitt?

Or, considering the sound they make when pissed, Fitz ;-]

I initally suggested a break for we the financially challenged. Many suggested the library (which I have frequented for 20 years – even when employed). New publications are difficult via the library – especially in a conservative community.

For that reason and others, I love the idea of classics. Thirty years ago I read “1984″ and “Farenheit 451″ in preparation for a freshman college course. It would be great to read these and Federalist papers.

Thanks for the tip on a free blog with an Amazon gift link. Creative.

Lastly, I would like to suggest “They Thought They Were Free” by Milton Mayer. I read exercept of this Hitler history and found the simiilarities to BushCo chilling.

Missed this thread somehow. just picked up the pre-pub David Sirota book ( avec autograph, thank you very much) called Hostile Takeover – how Big Monehy and Corruption conquered our Government and How we take it back. Haven’t read it yet but like the subject matter.

Oh, am I too late for this great book club idea? I see books of current merit mentioned and, oh, so many others. Yea! I live on a disability income and can only participate on a monthly basis. I will participate, however, every time.
Have you considered any of the old(er) books that helped form so many of we “radicals” during the days of Viet Nam? Two: “The Ugly American” and “The Mouse That Roared.” One will keep you a democrat for life and the other will have you holding your sides in laughter as you try to keep reading.