(from Newsweek via MSNBC)

By Richard Wolffe and Holly Bailey
Newsweek
Updated: 5:21 p.m. CT Jan 31, 2007

Jan. 31, 2007 - On Tuesday, President Bush popped in for a surprise visit to the Sterling Family Restaurant, a homey diner in Peoria, Ill. It’s a scene that has been played out many times before by this White House and others: a president mingling among regular Americans, who, no matter what they might think of his policies, are usually humbled and shocked to see the leader of the free world standing 10 feet in front of them.

But on Tuesday, the surprise was on Bush. In town to deliver remarks on the economy, the president walked into the diner, where he was greeted with what can only be described as a sedate reception. No one rushed to shake his hand. There were no audible gasps or yelps of excitement that usually accompany visits like this. Last summer, a woman nearly fainted when Bush made an unscheduled visit for some donut holes at the legendary Lou Mitchell’s Restaurant in Chicago. In Peoria this week, many patrons found their pancakes more interesting. Except for the click of news cameras and the clang of a dish from the kitchen, the quiet was deafening.

“Sorry to interrupt you,” Bush said to a group of women, who were sitting in a booth with their young kids. “How’s the service?” As Bush signed a few autographs and shook hands, a man sitting at the counter lit a cigarette and asked for more coffee. Another woman, eyeing Bush and his entourage, sighed heavily and went back to her paper. She was reading the obituaries. “Sorry to interrupt your breakfast,” a White House aide told her. “No problem,” she huffed, in a not-so-friendly way. “Life goes on, I guess.”

the msm reports it.

How could they not, at this point, with polls so low they couldn't possibly present it any other way? They got their new front man via the Clinton machine: Ms Hillary.

I think this goes to the nut of what Mike has been saying, that they are aware that they've been getting screwed all along. That the apathy, the "voting against their own interests" is a result of the supposed opposition not being representive of the interests of working folks. indeed, that those who pretend to represent the people have no better opinion of working people than the ruling class and seldom even bother to hide it. That this breeds resent and resistance to anything these purported tribunes of the people might say.

People complain, comlpain, complain., yet do nothing. They see no viable alternative so they accept what is hand fed to them, TV, talk radio(is liberal talk radio not the most pathetic thing?), comfortable tradition carefully blended with horseshit. An acceptable, reasonable alternative is past due.

To seek a common denominator, grounded in the founding documents of this country seems promising. Never mind that those founders were upper class, that much was in actuality lip service, we got it on paper! See, all people are created equal, you got rights, it says it here! That, as they say in music, is the hook.

This does not mean that we accept the baggage of America, which in one word is racism. Racism in it's varying degrees is a herd beast, I do not think that it is deeply imbedded in the hearts of most individuals. By trumping it with bedrock solid values, person talking to person, we might cut it off at the knees. Not every time, but enough times to build a coalition of working people.

I can't think of anything better, not that it may not exist.

I think this goes to the nut of what Mike has been saying, that they are aware that they've been getting screwed all along. That the apathy, the "voting against their own interests" is a result of the supposed opposition not being representive of the interests of working folks. indeed, that those who pretend to represent the people have no better opinion of working people than the ruling class and seldom even bother to hide it. That this breeds resent and resistance to anything these purported tribunes of the people might say.

People complain, comlpain, complain., yet do nothing. They see no viable alternative so they accept what is hand fed to them, TV, talk radio(is liberal talk radio not the most pathetic thing?), comfortable tradition carefully blended with horseshit. An acceptable, reasonable alternative is past due.

To seek a common denominator, grounded in the founding documents of this country seems promising. Never mind that those founders were upper class, that much was in actuality lip service, we got it on paper! See, all people are created equal, you got rights, it says it here! That, as they say in music, is the hook.

This does not mean that we accept the baggage of America, which in one word is racism. Racism in it's varying degrees is a herd beast, I do not think that it is deeply imbedded in the hearts of most individuals. By trumping it with bedrock solid values, person talking to person, we might cut it off at the knees. Not every time, but enough times to build a coalition of working people.

I can't think of anything better, not that it may not exist.

:!:

If I could put my thoughts (and "feelings" - don't read this PPLE - turn back now!) into words, this would be the end result. My own "awakening" appeared to come about quite rapidly. But I see now that once I had access to new information, and the occasional nod of affirmation, I already had many of the answers within me.

I mean, Jeebus! I'd been LIVING it. I WAS it.

It just took some direction toward understanding the reality that powerful interests were working to guarantee I'd either vote against my own interests, or drop out of "the system" and not vote at all. And just, as they say, let the cable tv wash over me.

Also, I don't think the working people in my world could be manipulated by racism if not for the constant, relentless barrage of talking points, articles, text books and tv babble SELLING us the product called "racism." It doesn't exist. It was created and marketed by Them to divide Us.

"See, all people are created equal, you got rights, it says it here! That, as they say in music, is the hook."

Yep.

Thanks for a great post, bp!

(and "feelings" - don't read this PPLE - turn back now!) ...
"See, all people are created equal, you got rights, it says it here! That, as they say in music, is the hook."

Yep.

Thanks for a great post, bp!

2 laughs in 2 minutes - a fine start to the day, thank you very much :)

And yes BP's is a fine comment fo sho.