It's Wednesday, What do you want?

On this fine Wednesday morning, when the weather here in K.C. is beautiful, I'll take a stroll around the world at what is going on.

First, there is Frist. Senator Frist is busy trashing American civil liberties. Meanwhile, Bush has turned in the lowest rating of a two term President in the polls since Nixon prior to his resignation. Still, Bush isn't worried about the polls, he has "ample capital" according to an ABC interview. But capital or not, he now finds that his Iraq War effort is not even supported by the troops in the field.

Overnight, Bush made a surprise stop in Afghanistan on the way to India. While there, Afghan President Hamid Karzai asked the $64,000 question, "Where's Osama bin Laden?"

In India, the president is busy with a plan to make the world safer.... "Both of us have to convince our respective people in the interest of having a civilian nuclear program that's separate from a military nuclear program," Bush said. [scratching my head, WTF? They already have the bomb!] And thousands turn out to protest. But then [click here] and now I get it!

In Baghdad it gets diecy. But Bush denied Iraq was sliding into civil war, despite the worst sectarian strife since a U.S. invasion. It's the denial thing all over again ::sigh:: - but perhaps he realizes we are close to one at home? No, I doubt it.

Back in the states, Imani Perry, a Law Professor seeks the meaning of Rap. It it, or is it not poetry? And North Carolina's poet laureate believes it's the best way to learn verse.

And last, this just in!!! HUSAYBAH, Iraq - News travels slowly to American troops deployed in the desert plains of western Iraq. Days after the bombing of a Shiite shrine convulsed the country in religious violence, word hadn't reached U.S. Marines some 160 miles away. In fact, some are just now learning Bush was re-elected. Not!

Tags: Bush Iraq Bill Frist Civil liberties Patriot Act Poetry

Governor Kulongoski Appoints Lawson Inada Poet Laureate Of Oregon - (Ashland Article)

Governor Kulongoski Appoints Lawson Inada Poet Laureate Of Oregon - (Ashland Article)

Note: The first to serve since William Stafford served as Poet Laureate until his death in 1983. It has taken them over 22 years to find a replacement?

Tag: Poetry

American Chronicle: The Commander in Chief Has Lost the Troops

American Chronicle: The Commander in Chief Has Lost the Troops

The President has lost the support of those charged with executing his policy in Iraq.

According to the poll - 72% of American troops serving in Iraq think the U.S. should exit the country within the next year. Among Reserves 90% favor withdrawal compared to 83% of the National Guard, 70% of the Army, and 58% of the Marines. Moreover, about three-quarters of National Guard and Reserve units favor withdrawal within 6 months.

Tag: Iraq Bush War Troops Military

AP Wire | 02/27/2006 | Critic and poet Leonard Unger dead at 89

AP Wire 02/27/2006 Critic and poet Leonard Unger dead at 89



Tag: poets

Poetry Foundation Announces Partnership with The NewsHour

U.S. Newswire : Releases : "Poetry Foundation Announces Partnership with The NewsHour..."


Tag: Poetry

Speaking of Olympics

In conjunction with an earlier post where I indicated that I found Curling to be interesting, I found a few interesting quotes related to the subject. Hope you will enjoy them along with me.

• We'll explain the appeal of curling to you if you explain the appeal of the National Rifle Association to us. ~Andy Barrie, Canadians to Americans
• It's not just a rock. It's forty-two pounds of polished granite, with a beveled underbelly and a handle a human being can hold. Okay, so in and of itself it looks like it has no practical purpose, but it's a repository of possibility. And, when it's handled just right, it exacts a kind of poetry - as close to poetry as I ever want to get. The way it moves.... Not once, in everything I've done, have I ever felt the same wonder and humanity as when I'm playing the game of curling. ~Paul Gross, John Krizanc, and Paul Quarrington, Men with Brooms
• Curling is not a sport. I called my grandmother and told her she could win a gold medal because they have dusting in the Olympics now. ~Charles Barkley
• If curling were easy, they'd call it hockey. ~Author Unknown
• I get my rocks off curling. ~Saying of the sport
• I'm a curling addict - I need a hit, and I want to get stoned! ~Author Unknown

A couple of other fund quotes in honor of the Winter Games:

• I think my favorite sport in the Olympics is the one in which you make your way through the snow, you stop, you shoot a gun, and then you continue on. In most of the world, it is known as the biathlon, except in New York City, where it is known as winter. ~Michael Ventre, L.A. Daily News
• Stretch pants - the garment that made skiing a spectator sport. ~Author Unknown
• Cross country skiing is great if you live in a small country. ~Steven Wright

Tags: Olympics Curling Winter Olympics skiing

Overlord by Jorie Graham - reviewed

Jorie Graham teaches us about the nature of being human with her poetic reflection on war, Overlord, says Fiona Sampson - [review here]