SOPA and PIPA

I heard an interesting interview about SOPA and PIPA tonight on the radio when I was driving home...and now I'm feeling a little confused about the whole thing. I think I need to do some reading.

The radio show was "The Norman Goldman Show" and he was interviewing a writer (I can't remember his name) about his views about SOPA and PIPA in light of the internet site closures yesterday and the rising/turning tide of the SOPA/PIPA bills.  Basically, his point is that there is just as much corporate interest behind the Internet as there is on the movie studio side. Some of the most powerful interests in the country are involved in this fight and ultimately, no matter what happens, consumers are likely to be negatively impacted.

I need to do more research on all of this - I'm not really sure what it all means to us all.  I know I don't normally post political stuff on this blog, but I feel like this is such a huge issue and it is more complicated than we think it is.

We are the Change: Barack Obama

"Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek." ~ Barack Obama



What else is there to say today, really?

Revolutionary Change: Thomas Jefferson

"Every generation needs a new revolution."~ Thomas Jefferson

We are only days away from this generation's revolution.  On Tuesday, Janaury 20, 2009, the United States of America will inaugurate its first African-American president.  More importantly, we are moving towards a brighter future - ending 8 dark years.

The road for Barack Obama is not an easy one - it will not be easy for any of us in the days and months ahead, but we are moving towards a big change.  Regardless of your political beliefs, this new president heralds in a new era.  It is exhilerating and nerve-wracking at the same time.

Today, I went to Powell's Bookstore and I saw a copy of the 30th Anniversary Edition of "Roots" by Alex Haley.  I didn't buy it yet because I have a big stack of books at home, but it is on my list.  It is one of the most powerful reads of my life and I can't wait to read it again.  It was in a display near "What Barack Obama is Reading"- I think it was in preparation for Black History Month in February.  In any case, I want to re-read it as soon as possible.

I read this beautiful poem by Langston Hughes in the Oregonian newspaper today:

I, Too, Sing America  
by Langston Hughes 


I, too, sing America.

I am the darker brother.
They send me to eat in the kitchen
When company comes,
But I laugh,
And eat well,
And grow strong.

Tomorrow,
I'll be at the table
When company comes.
Nobody'll dare
Say to me,
"Eat in the kitchen,"
Then.

Besides, 
They'll see how beautiful I am
And be ashamed--

I, too, am America.

I know that this post is somewhat random and scattered, but it is about how much America has changed, how much we want to change and how far we still have to go.

"Don't you know, we're talking about a revolution...it sounds like a whisper..." (Tracy Chapman)

The Election is Almost Over!

I have to get my ballot sent out and in a hurry. I want to have it sent by Tuesday...

Can I just say how glad I will be when it is all over with?  I'm a political junkie - I listen to my Air America all the time and I like the conversation about political things but I get so TIRED of election rhetoric.  Anyone's.  I get so sick of the political ads and the desperation that the candidates show as the time draws closer - particularly in local politics.  I'm glad we have the right to voice our opinions in our government and all, but man, I can't wait until we have voiced it already.

On a different topic - I still have "Spring Awakening" songs playing in my head.  The show is really catchy and was very well done.  I think my favorite character/voice was Ilse - both on the CD and on stage. They both have this husky strident voice.  The song that keeps haunting me right now is "Spring and Summer".  Just beautiful.

I don't have a show again until "The Color Purple" in January (on January 1, as a matter of fact), so I am plotting my movie-going schedule along with a listening schedule so that I won't be so frantic to get to know the music for the show.  I always put off listening so that I am a week or so shy of where I would feel REALLY confortable with my level of knowledge of the music.  I mean, they can't all be "Les Miserables" or "Rent" where I can duplicate every breath of the show.  In the perfect world, I guess that would be what I would do, but in my flawed, trying-to-take-some-time-for-myself world, it just isn't possible. 

What I decided was that I could listen to all the politics I want until right after the election and then I will go back to listening to politics/radio in the morning on the way to work (I justify this by knowing that I will be able to hear the traffic and weather reports which may affect my arrival time at work) and on the way home, I will listen to "The Color Purple".  Two months is actually a long time to listen for me...so, that's the plan.

Next movie up, "The Secret Lives of Bees" (I think that's the title).  I wanted to see"Ghost Town" but I think it is gone from the theatres.  I guess it will be a DVD watch.