Pete Seeger: Dead at 94

Elder statesman of the Invisible Whitmanian Republic.

Take A Moment To Thank The N.R.A.

for protecting your right to die in a shooting spree. Send them an email expressing your gratitude today.

In the Invisible Whitmanian Republic, it is Popular to be Experimental

Chomsky on Anarchism & Anarcho-Syndicalism

The American صمود

The United States was founded by wealthy white slave-holding militarists from Europe whose only beef with British imperialism was that they had to pay for it. The fact that the "revolutionaries" had benefited enormously from that imperialism (and you get what you pay for) quickly exits the narrative. That's why Howard Zinn's look at American history--from the side of those who had to take to the streets and struggle against the status quo in order to squeeze a little fairness out of the ruling elite--is so monumental.

The marvel and miracle to me is that, in the midst of a toxic mercantilist-militarist-Christian-manifest-destiny culture, the holy trinity of Emerson, Thoreau, and Whitman emerged--among so many others who were capable of thinking outside the cultural box, before and since.

As citizens of the Invisible Whitmanian Republic, then, we have a duty to keep the embers of free thought glowing for those few who will poke down through the ashes to find them. But it's truly difficult to keep one's head up and hopes high under the weight of jingoism and white supremacy styled as "patriotism" in these dark days. There are moments when I absolutely loathe my countrymen. But you get that sense from Twain every now and again as he immerses you in the acid bath of his satire--and you love him for it. There is redemption to be found, but it comes in sparks and flashes. Beggars can't be choosers. Take it where you can find it and endure the rest.

We shall not overcome, but we shall endure to the end. This is the American sumud (صمود).

An American City

Consider, if you will, Colorado Springs...

What passes for culture leaves much to be desired. The philharmonic is respectable, however, and the Fine Arts Center is a gem.

Manitou Springs right next door is a funky hippy enclave where the '60's never ended-- just got wrinkled and gray.

The natural environment is stunning.

The climate is wonderful (it is actually possible to look forward to winter). The megalopolis of Denver is an hour away (with Rockies baseball, Nuggets basketball, Broncos football, Avalanche ice hockey and great restaurants, museums and neighborhoods).

Another half hour to the north is the People's Republic of Boulder--always worth a day trip.

The only thing that's really difficult to bear (besides the toxic trinity of the Republicans, the military, and the Religious Right) is how land-locked the place is.

But drive 2 hours west and you are in the heart of the Rocky Mountains with hot springs and the headwaters of the Arkansas river. Fly 2 hours west and you are in San Francisco. Drive south 4 hours and you are in Sante Fe. Never think of driving east to Kansas. All things considered, it is a good spot--if one must live in the Imperial Metropole.