Sunday, March 22, 2009

The R Word

Not unlike Jed Bartlett's on air gaffe about the intelligence of governor Richie, Obama's offensive remark the other night just seems a little too perfect.  It rings of Josh Lyman, i.e. Rahm Emanuel.    

In a moment of "unscripted" banter, President Obama commented that he bowls like the special Olympics.  Now, as someone who has closely followed Barack Obama for almost three years now, the content of the quote itself does not cause suspicion.  He has, on occasion, been insensitive.  It's human.  What is surprising though, is the piss poor grammar.  "I play like the special olympics" is not only awkward phrasing, but doesn't make sense.  I play like I am in the special olympics seems much more on spot for such an articulate and eloquent person.  

Now, that gaffe does a number of nice things for the president as well.  It assures that the Leno interview is watched by tons of people, as it is played online.  It takes a fairly innocuous outing and turns it into a week to two week story.  It also, and this rings of Michelle, calls attention to a racially driven cause.

It just so happens to neatly correspond with the new R-word campaign run by the same people who run  the special olympics.  They are taking on language itself, a very Obama thing to do, to "change the conversation" about mental handicaps.  

And, finally, although a tad conspiracy theorestic in nature, the organization responsible for the r-word campaign is JPKF, or the Joseph P Kennedy Jr Foundation. A foundation, which is presided over by Barack's good friend Sen. Edward Kennedy and a Mr. Steven M. Eidelman, a good friend of Vice President Joseph Biden's from undergrad.  

Fun, huh?    


Monday, March 16, 2009

Marxist's Critique on CNN

Slow, subtle, and not particularly articulate, still....


NEW YORK (CNN) -- A friend of mine, a senior leader in a pharmaceutical company, spends all her spare time doing yoga, taking classes in comparative religions, reading about spirituality, speaking with others about their beliefs. Just talking about it energizes her.

Which is not how she feels about her day job.

"Why don't you leave your job and do something with this full time?" I asked her.

"I've thought about it. But I could never make the kind of money I make now."

She might be right. But the question isn't whether she could make as much money. Even if she stays in her job she's unlikely to do that in this economy.

The question is far broader and more interesting. What would her life look like -- in every dimension she values -- if she decided to pursue her passion full time?