Agitprop Round-Up

Here’s an amazingly intelligent cartoon re: what happens when a republic stops questioning its government.

First Mom sez, whilst chuckling, “this is working well for them” – Them = the poor who have lost their homes, all of their possessions, their loved ones – and get to live in the Astrodome – FOR FREE – SCORE!

Laurie Garrett, author of The Coming Plague, talks about some of the fun to come.

The man behind the curtain sez everything is going to be terrific, particularly Trent Lott’s new pad.

History of Love 2

Let’s do some guided imagery exercises. Take a good look at this book cover:

Now, imagine that you are male (unless, of course, you are male, then don’t). Imagine that you are on flight out of Detroit (Rock City). You walk down the aisle of your capacity flight and find your seat. You’ve secured the coveted exit row, but you’re in the middle of the three seats. Now imagine that you find yourself sitting between two enormous, tattooed, and mustachioed teamsters/autoworkers. You reach into your bag and you pull out this book. Feeling pretty cool? Me either.

The History of Love by Nicole Krauss was first read and posted on by Nitro. Go ahead and read what she had to say, I’ll wait.

I thought this book was wonderful. Everything that Nitro says is true. I think that the only difference between my experience and hers is that I waited a few months after reading Krauss’s husband’s book to read Krauss’s book. Everything that Nitro says is true. With a few months distance though, each of the characters felt unique and well developed. When not read side by side, the similarities between the two books are not redundant or even obvious. I also didn’t feel oppressed by Eastern European characters, WWII/holocaust memories, or smart/offbeat kids. The end of this book was excellent. An excellent payoff from the setup of the rest of the novel.

I really enjoyed this book and I recommend it to all the ladies. You guys could stand to read it, too. You guys might want to butch it up a little by slipping another book’s dust jacket over it though if you plan to read it in public. Your call.

History of Love – 2

Let’s do some guided imagery exercises. Take a good look at this book cover:

Now, imagine that you are male (unless, of course, you are male, then don’t). Imagine that you are on flight out of Detroit (Rock City). You walk down the aisle of your capacity flight and find your seat. You’ve secured the coveted exit row, but you’re in the middle of the three seats. Now imagine that you find yourself sitting between two enormous, tattooed, and mustachioed teamsters/autoworkers. You reach into your bag and you pull out this book. Feeling pretty cool? Me either.

The History of Love by Nicole Krauss was first read and posted on by Nitro. Go ahead and read what she had to say, I’ll wait.

I thought this book was wonderful. Everything that Nitro says is true. I think that the only difference between my experience and hers is that I waited a few months after reading Krauss’s husband’s book to read Krauss’s book. With a few months distance though, each of the characters felt unique and well developed. When not read side by side, the similarities between the two books are not redundant or even obvious. I also didn’t feel oppressed by Eastern European characters, WWII/holocaust memories, or smart/offbeat kids. The end of this book was excellent. An excellent payoff from the setup of the rest of the novel.

I really enjoyed this book and I recommend it to all the ladies. You guys could stand to read it, too. You guys might want to butch it up a little by slipping another book’s dust jacket over it though if you plan to read it in public. Your call.

WWJD?

Whoa! At trying times like this I ask myself: What Would Jones Do?

Jones is my favorite character in my favorite novel, and the only solace I’ve found while watching the horrible unfolding of the end of civilization in New Orleans on the network news is wondering what Jones would do in this situation. I have a feeling that it would involve the phrase “nucular bum” and televisions in boxes being hidden behind the Night of Joy. That’s the only thing that helps me recognize the humanity of the neanderthals who are tearing the city apart today.

At News Stands Now

In lieu of continuing to watch weather porn, I put together our first print edition. Thanks for all the hard work that went into the launch. There’s no time to rest on your laurels. I need your articles for next month’s edition by the 15th!