photo by rscottjones

The New York Times noted that much of the success of the Obama team was due to their efficient, highly disciplined campaign that stayed on message for nearly two years straight. And the uniting theme that voters consistently heard nationwide from Obama was about change. Change in Washington, across the country, in our visions, beliefs and understanding of our personal and national potential. This message strongly resonated with voters. I feel like the world’s zeitgeist has shifted since Tuesday with people feeling inspired and driven to fulfill the vision Obama articulated at all levels of our society.

American citizens who care environmental protection, education, civil rights, homelessness, ending the war in Iraq, health care access and a myriad of other issues have been voiceless at the White House for the past eight years. Under the Obama Administration, we finally have the opportunity to be heard, seen and respected for our beliefs and values. The President-elect said he wants to hear from us! One incredible way to participate in this open process is the Social Action network site Change.org.  which connects you to blogs, ideas, action items and organizations around the issues you are care about. The top 10 ideas developed through the site will be submitted to the new Obama Administration.

We’ve never lost our voice.  But we finally have the opportunity to be respected, heard and to impact policies at the highest echelons of our government.  Takepart today at Change.org to translate your passion for change into reality.

There are those in Congress who take a measured approach to serious issues, and then there are the Republicans.   This week, in an all out effort to shed its abysmal approval numbers and disastrous polling predictions in Congressional races across the country, the GOP took up the one issue that they hope could provide political light at the end of a very dark tunnel: drilling for oil off of America’s coastline.   It’s a bit of a political masterstroke.   Republicans have found a way to frame an issue and a “solution” that could make the general public feel as though their concerns over high gas prices are being addressed, while at the same time doing the bidding of one of their chief benefactors, Big Oil.

The logic of this so-called solution asks us to forget global warming, the quest for higher fuel efficiency, the burgeoning alternative energy sector, and, most blatantly, the fact that drilling for oil off of US coastlines will bring zero short term relief whatsoever to gasoline prices and little to no impact in a future where Chinese and Indian consumption could soon dwarf that of the United States if we proceed on our present course.   But who said politics was about facts?

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If you’re eagerly awaiting Errol Morris’ latest film Standard Operating Procedure (I am!) and are in the San Francisco and NYC area you’ll want to take note that he’ll be at an Apple store near you:

Join Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker, Errol Morris (”The Fog of War“) at the Apple Store as he screens clips and discusses the making of his latest film, “Standard Operating Procedure.” The film explores how photographs taken by soldiers in Abu Ghraib prison have changed the war in Iraq and changed America’s image of itself. After the discussion, Morris will take questions from the audience. Sony Pictures Classics will release the film on April 25.

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Shepard Fairey, fresh off the opening of his new Subliminal Projects gallery, will be showing work at this week’s LA vs WAR event in downtown Los Angeles. Fairey, who gained fame with his ubiquitous “Obey” and “Giant” poster campaigns, will be one amongst hundreds of visual artists with work on display at the event. Also on tap will be a Graffiti & Stencil Garden, DJ performances and film & video screenings.

According to their website:

“LA vs WAR highlights the travesty of a senseless war now going into its 6th year, giving LA artists a platform to exercise their freedom of speech. Hundreds of artists representing our diverse communities unite in delivering a universal message of peace and understanding, and offering resistance and opposition to the US government’s war policies.”

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Kristen Davis photos are way hotter than a silly old anniversary! I don’t know what Paul Rieckhoff of IAVA (Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America) is getting his military briefs all up in a bunch about. So, the media didn’t go OCD about the 5-year anniversary of the start of the Iraq War. The American people have a lot more serious things to worry about. If you want to put your finger on the American pulse, go to Google’s Hot Trends, where you can see what Americans are really searching the internet, if not their souls and consciences, for. On the 5-year anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, the 5 most important issues to Americans were:

1. kristin davis sex pics, 2. audrina patridge pictures, 3. tampa tony, 4. boss button, 5. terrelle pryor

In fact, out of the top 100 Hot Trends, not one has anything to do with the Iraq War! But, obvi Kristin and Audrina Patridge pictures take precedent.

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Women’s NIT takes on a whole new meaning, thanks to the Knit-In for Peace being arranged by the Granny Peace Brigade. On Wednesday, March 19th, at 12 noon, join the Granny Peace Brigade. They

welcome everyone, women and men of all ages to join us as knitters or supporters. As we enter the 6th year of the war on Iraq we will knit for our wounded veterans and their families, and for Iraqi children and their families. Every stitch will be a symbol of our determination to end this war…..

If you don’t know who the Grannies For Peace Are, let me let them introduce themselves

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