In Comedia Veritas

The not-so-new Republicans.

[unknown title]

In my pockets sleep

unsent letters
I feel under my skin verses that whisper
envelopes that tremble
philately that loved ones will not be able to
pluck from my flesh
they are letters that I perhaps wrote
but sent to myself
in far-away addresses
as though I want to explain myself
with others' reasons
for my shortcomings
under my skin sleep
letters
a whole bunch of them
letters that will perhaps be sent
in fact, that have been sent, but to me
who, like a stolen mailbox,
accumulate for myself a certain warmth, good words
that I myself wrote about others better
than anybody could write to me.

Ervin HATIBI

(Origjinali shqip)

«Ëndrra të turpshme»

Njeriu sheh ëndrra të tmerrshme në gjumë,
Po sheh dhe ëndrra të turpshme vetmuar në dhomë,
Të tmerrshmet durohen më shumë
Të turpshmet vërtet të tmerrojnë.

Dhe zgjohesh sikur po mbytesh në lumë,
Në lumë të ndytë me gjëra gjirizi e blozë,
Ky turp ka qenë veç turpi i një ëndrre në gjumë,
Megjithatë ta fshish nga ndërgjegja s'ke forcë.
Të mbetet një shenjëz turpi, një gjumë.

Dritëro AGOLLI

The People Behind DADT

In the wake of the failed vote (or subverted debate) on Don't-Ask-Don't-Tell, I feel it is appropriate to share a couple of recent articles from before and after that compromised vote. These accounts portray the human toll of a taxing imposition that is shared only by gay and lesbian individuals in the military and not by their straight comrades.

An anonymous soldier speaks about his own experience and difficulties with DADT.

Some anonymous and signed contributions by gay and lesbian soldiers to a blog on The New York Times.

«Refrain»

The air is dark, the night is sad,
I lie sleepless and I groan.
Nobody cares when a man goes mad:
He is sorry, God is glad.
Shadow changes into bone.

Every shadow has a name;
When I think of mine I moan,
I hear rumors of such fame.
Not for pride, but only shame,
Shadow changes into bone.

When I blush I weep for joy,
And laughter drops from me like a stone:
The aging laughter of the boy
To see the ageless dead so coy.
Shadow changes into bone.

Allen GINSBERG

Politics and Bigotry Before Justice

An exposé of the hypocrisy plaguing our Congress and obstructing its legislative process, this time on Don't-Ask-Don't-Tell:

Healthcare Reform in a Nutshell

This is a must-see for anyone who wants to learn more about the implications (benefits and costs, etc.) of the Healthcare Reform Bill passed earlier this year. I like myself how it explains and it is recommended by Ezra Klein, who has shown time after time that he knows what he's talking about on this issue....

Who is Elizabeth Warren?

Here's a collage of what she is all about:

Elizabeth Warren's Greatest Hits from Daniel Mintz on Vimeo.

Common Sense ca. 2010

While I am not quite happy with the petty nomination that the Obama administration extended to Elizabeth Warren (for the sole reason that it is not enough), I do think that any bit of her input or influence in the yet-to-come Consumer Protection Agency is undoubtedly welcomed and more than necessary. She is the foremost defender of the U.S. consumer and deserves tangible power in the creation and management of the CPA.

While her voice will be heard, I did also want to hear the arguments coming from any member of Congress against her nomination for the leading position in the Agency. Her advocacy of the middle class is unparalleled and I would welcome any congressman or congresswoman to rise up and state his or her opposition to her nomination. Obama and the Democrats would have benefited from an open debate of this sort. The fact that Obama would face openly and head-on a challenge for a true cause of the left would reassure his base of the support with which he ought to reward them for their votes. Unfortunately, though, he has yet again done something only half-way....

Without any more ranting, here is the common-sense interview Elizabeth Warren gave on The Rachel Maddow Show:

New York City

Fine, fine, I won't leave New York City hanging after sharing those gorgeous views of San Francisco. Here is a slideshow of aerial views of New York City, courtesy of The Guardian.

Preview:

San Francisco

Contemplate. Ponder. Ruminate.

Just feast your eyes!

The Unseen Sea from Simon Christen on Vimeo.

«Poezi pa fund»

Kur njerëzish rri rrethuar
përsëri kthehem drejt vetvetes
dhe pak nga pak
një nga një
filloj kundroj gishtat,
duart,
këmbët si lavjerrës
që tokën përplasin
që kohën masin
tek kalon
tik-tak
herë-herë tek-tuk
ku me duk, ku pa duk,
madje,
madje...
.
.
.
[pa fund]