So Little Time, So Much To. . .

Some Timely Good Reads. . .
Compiled by The Old Hippie, Because Knowledge Is Stimulating

Let's get started - Click the "Below The Fold" link below.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

Tomgram: Schell, The Battle for Minds (Forget the Hearts)
by Tom Engelhardt, TomDispatch.com, Schell's article will appear in
the December 6, 2004 issue of The Nation magazine.

Tom's intro to Schell's article is as interesting as the article itself.

Full Article Link Here

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

"We're Looking The Real Thing Right In The Face"
by Matthew Barganier, AntiWar.com Blog, Nov. 17, 2004

Nothing like being slapped by reality, to wake one up to reality.

Full Article Link Here

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

An Angry "Good Rant" Response To The Above Mind Set
by fuckthesouth.com/

Again - Nothing like being slapped by reality, to wake one up to reality.

"...a number of readers seem to have a problem with this one.  All I can say is, "lighten up."  And remember that Swift wasn't really suggesting that we eat Irish babies, either.  Sure, this piece is hyperbolic, but the fundamental point is important: how exactly is it that liberals, especially North-
eastern liberals, have come to be defined as somehow less than "real" Americans?  I've been getting bashed over the head with that crap since 9/11, and I can assure you, it gets old real quick."
-- Tom Tomorrow, This Modern World

Full Article Link Here

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

If you survived those two rants, let us carry on with more reasoned reads.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

The Muddle Machine. . .  Confessions of a Texbook Editor
by by Tamim Ansary, Edutopia Magazine, Issue 2, November 2004

Everything you ever wanted to know about the making of textbooks for our nation's schools, but didn't realize you wanted to know.

"SOME YEARS AGO, I signed on as an editor at a major publisher of elementary and high school textbooks, filled with the idealistic belief that I'd be working with equally idealistic authors to create books that would excite teachers and fill young minds with Big Ideas.

Not so."

Full Article Link Here

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

Update On The Cut-Off of Medicaid Support for Lauren Rainey
by by WPMI NBC15 News, Nov. 18, 2004

"Last Friday the Must Read [at MichaelMoore.com] linked to a story about 13 year old Lauren Rainey whose life was in danger after Alabama Medicaid threatened to terminate her nursing care.
We also included the phone number for Alabama's Medicaid office so you could share your thoughts with them.

Well, WPMI in Mobile has an update on the story--and your efforts to help Lauren are working.  But we have more to do, and this time we're calling the governor, Bob Riley, who seems to blame every-
one but his own state.  So... read the story and call (334-242-7100) or E-mail the fine governor of Alabama.

Let's get Lauren some help from the state--a little government by the people, of the people, and FOR the people."
-- Michael Moore, MichaelMoore.com

Full Article Link Here

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

White House to 'gut' CIA
by by Molly Ivins, Creators Syndicate, Nov. 16, 2004

"Purging for disloyalty makes us sick to our stomachs."

Full Article Link Here