Barack Obama
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A Bitter Fatigue
by Joseph Hutchison on December 1, 2009 PermalinkIn trying to prepare myself for Obama’s Afghanistan speech tonight I went back to another charismatic, inspiring president whose desire to curry favor with the forces of militarism produced a dispiriting episode early in his first (and only) term.Read More
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The REAL National Anthem
by Joseph Hutchison on January 21, 2009 PermalinkIf you ever got choked up (as I did, often) while watching coverage of Barack Obama’s inauguration, grab a tissue for the powerful video (see below) of Bruce Springsteen, Pete Seeger, and Seeger’s grandson Tao performing Woody Guthrie’s great song “This Land Is Your Land” in Sunday’s “We Are One” concert at the Lincoln Memorial. Their rendition included the more provocative verses—verses most performers leave out: In the squares of the city,By the shadow of the steeple, By the relief office, I saw my people .As they stood there hungry,I stood there wonderin’ If this land’s still made for you and me.Read More
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Before the Pundits’ Knives Come Out…
by Joseph Hutchison on March 18, 2008 Permalink… you may want to view Obama’s speech in its totality.Read More