f/k/a archives . . . real opinions & real haiku

It is always a pleasure to agree with a smart, good-looking woman. 

Nation editor and publisher Katrina vanden Heuvel is right: we all need

to “Update Our Insults,” and stop calling political opponents Hitlers,

Stalins, Nazis, etc.  (Washington Post, March 26, 2006)

 

 

 ms. vanden heuvel

 

“Present differences deserve to be described in contem-

porary terms. The purpose of public speech is not just

to restate anger but to clarify the principles and evidence

that fuel it — in ways that invite discussion, not inhibit it.

The demons are already among us — so let’s muster up

some new analogies and declare a ceasefire on such

[antiquated] demonizing rhetoric . . . “

Sadly, though, I must report that Katrina has raised my expectations,

only to dash them.  In the second half of its awkward title, her WaPo

op/ed column today seems to promise “New Names to Call,” in place

of the historically outdated epithets.    All we get from her are quotes

from politicians (and actors) calling their adversaries by the old slurs.  

There is not even one suggested, modern substitute.  As weblogger

Jacques Hawtrey points out, we don’t even get a reference to a re-

cent, infamous eponymous Hurricane from Katrina.

  Sorry, K, this workproduct doesn’t   “C-GradeG” 

merit so much as a C grade.  I’d be happy to

make a few suggestions, but that would be

condescending — especially to a woman who

has an entire magazine staff to help her research

and brainstorm.

Maybe a WaPo editor mistakenly cut out the bottom half

of the op/ed piece.  Maybe Katrina was too busy preparing  

for Sunday morning talk shows.  I’ve got a “soft-spot” for

ya, Young Lady.  So, you get another week to finish this project.

Please no Electra or Delilah tricks.  You might still get a

B+, if you live up to your potential.

 

on the face

that last night called me names

morning sunbeam

 

 

   George Swede 

      from Almost Unseen

 

 

  Another admission:  Mother Nature has let me down, 

too, recently.   I’m among those described today the NYT op/ed

piece, A Momentary Pause, by Verlyn Klinkenborg (March 26, 

2006): 

“I have to keep reminding myself that it is only late March.

I have been so eager for spring that it feels as though time

has almost stopped. One reason may be that it was warm

a few weeks ago and then the cold returned, putting the

season on ice. But there is something else going on as well.

Scientists say that spring comes earlier than it used to. The

snow cover dwindles sooner and bud break comes earlier.

And yet our awareness of that makes it feel as though spring

comes even earlier than it is already coming. Global warming

accelerates faster in our heads than it does in fact. March is

not quite the new April yet.”

 

You’ll find the same over-anticipation of “Spring-like weather” at

the joint haiku weblog UKKU Spring Haiku, and at my own

dagosan’s haiku diary. 

late March —
not a lamb
in sight

 

   dagosan

 

Of course, we all know that the spring equinox scarcely ever brings

consistently mild weather.  But, even those of us who really dislike

summer’s heat, seem to yearn for early Spring.  Although few of us

will be mending any fences, we might all try to follow Klinkenborg’s

advice: 

“In the country it’s easy to find yourself leaning forward

all through the year, always waiting on the next season,

getting through your life as though you were walking into

a stiff wind. This is one of those days when I catch myself

in that posture — pitched forward into the gale of time. So

I’ll try to slow down and straighten up.”

 

“THNLogoG” One woman who never disappoints the haijin in me is

our most Honored Guest Carolyn Hall:

 

thunderstorm —
sunflowers
in a blue vase  

 

 

 

Sunday morning
ants on the rim of my
coffee cup  

 

 

the stranger’s binoculars
                 from hand to hand
chicks in the heron’s nest 

 

 

 

 

wilderness trail
the manicured poodle
still on a leash

 

Carolyn Hall from The Heron’s Nest

“thunderstorm–” – (I:4, Dec. 1999)

“Sunday morning” – (II:1, Jan. 2000)

“the stranger’s binoculars” – (II:4, April 2000)

“wilderness trail” – (II:11, Nov. 2000)

 

afterthought (11 PM, march 26):  I meant to mention the op/ed

piece today by Washington Post ombusman Deborah Howell,

The Post and the Whole Picture in Iraq.  It is an interesting

perspective on how hard it is to please the military, civilians

or reporters, with press coverage of Iraq by the Post.  After

noting that many readers see coverage through their own

political filters, Howell states:

“After talking and corresponding with Post staffers and other

journalists with Iraq experience and experts in and outside

the military, I find no easy resolution to the complaints.

 

“Here’s why:

 

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