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

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

California, THE YEAR BEFORE THE FLOOD & The New York Times

It's another beautiful day in California, my boy says.  Here?  Not so much.  Pouring buckets as it has for most of the time lately.  Sigh.

Despite the continuing shoulder and arm pain (the neck and back stuff seems gone, thank goodness), he's enjoying himself.  He played and sang 5 of his songs last night in Santa Barbara.

He's currently on his way to San Francisco.

In the meantime the AP article about The Year Before the Flood published yesterday.  Here's a link to it from the New York Times.

Though there are a couple of errors and mis-quote, it's very good; I really like this part:

Tom Lowenburg, co-owner of Octavia Books in New Orleans, said readers appreciate Sublette's perspective and gift for storytelling.


''He has a very interesting mind,'' he said. ''He's able to draw from all different directions and process it all in a way that is unique. He is one of those people who takes in a lot, has a very broad sense of things and is able to see things differently, but is not pedantic."

3 comments:

T. said...

Wonderful piece in the Times. I'm going to have to pick up Ned's book when Citizen K. is finished.

K. said...

I finished reading it yesterday! Wonderful, complex, moving. It made me envious and fearful at the same time.

Foxessa said...

Fearful = crime (and for me the virulent redstaterethugracism and all the rest -- not to mention THEIR corruption)

Envious = Communuity built on music. + other things too.

He was good on the radio last night; he addressed the crime vs community built on the music + the other things too.

Love, C.