Journal of Post-Ralphaelite Thought

The word "anniversary" doesn't feel right - anniversaries are something I associate with joy. I don't feel qualified to make any profound observations or pontificate on the significance of today. I'll leave that to others. Instead, let me point you to a piece in the New York Times entitled " Mom's Last Lesson, " written by a friend who lost his brother at the Pentagon that day. Today's Doonesbury pretty much nailed it, too. For the record, I'm leaving my TV off today, too. I rewatched that horrible footage way more than was healthy when it first aired.

With all this business in Wisconsin and their union-busting governor, it's become quite popular amongst some to bitch about "the unions." For all of their faults, there are strong and compelling historic reasons for why unions exist. The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in New York City on March 25, 1911 caused the deaths of 146 garment workers , many who were trapped because the owners had locked the doors to the stairwells and exits. The fire is often cited as a catalyst in shifting the public's sympathies in favor of labor reform. PBS's American Experience series now has an excellent documentary entitled Triangle Fire that gives the background and events leading up to this tragedy. Watch it online and re-visit some of the rhetoric which is being bandied about these days by right-wing politicians (and I include Tea Partiers and self-styled libertarians in this group) and uber-rich business interests . They are making the same tired "private prope...

The White House military office thought it would be a good idea to buzz the Statue of Liberty with Air Force 1 and an F-16for a few official photos. Seems no one bothered to tell Mayor Bloomberg. The flyover, near the World Trade Center site, sent New Yorkers in a panic this morning. Not to put too fine a point on it, but what asshole thought this was a good idea ? Inquiring minds want to know. The director of operations for the Office of Citywide Event Coordination and Management, Marc Marc Mugnos, had been notified by the Department of Defense, but must have forgotten to mention it to anyone in the Mayor's office. Methinks there are resumes being updated this evening.