LINES OF THE DAY

". . . But the past does not exist independently from the present. Indeed, the past is only past because there is a present, just as I can point to something over there only because I am here. But nothing is inherently over there or here. In that sense, the past has no content. The past -- or more accurately, pastness -- is a position. Thus, in no way can we identify the past as past." p. 15

". . . But we may want to keep in mind that deeds and words are not as distinguishable as often we presume. History does not belong only to its narrators, professional or amateur. While some of us debate what history is or was, others take it into their own hands." p. 153

Silencing the Past: Power and the Production of History (1995) by Michel-Rolph Trouillot

Saturday, October 4, 2008

Must Share, Must

This is so good, so filled with fail, you simply must read -- from the Think Progress blogsite:

[ At an Americas Conference panel discussion today, McCain adviser Richard Fontaine argued that Sen. John McCain’s (R-AZ) affair 50 years ago with former Brazilian beauty queen Maria Gracinda Teixeira de Jesus illustrated “the long experience he has had in the region — in the most positive terms”:

”Talking a little about his personal experience, he was famously born in Panama and has traveled all over the hemisphere for many years.” Fontaine said. “In fact, I saw, I guess it was last week, that his old girlfriend in Brazil has been found from his early days when he was in the Navy and was interviewed. She’s a somewhat older woman now than she was then, but it sorta speaks to the long experience he has had in the region — in the most positive terms.”

Asked afterwards if he was suggesting that the fling “counted as Latin America foreign policy experience,” Fontaine responded, “‘The only thing I was trying to convey was that his experience goes back a long way.” (HT: Ben Smith) ]

If you are in the mood for some quality laughter, read some of the comments, which are on the level of: "McCain is another those immigrants from south of the border who came here for a lifetime of government provided healthcare!"

Not so easy catching up online. Particularly when this seems to be a period of people who were significant to me personally in the long distant past have somehow managed to track me down via the books, and reappear. Today is the third one in 4 weeks. And friends visiting from Miami. And Events happening all over, because, despite the crises of economy, this is October and it is NY, and the Social Season and Openings Season is in swing.

1 comment:

K. said...

Hah! What "region" would that be?