That Dude is Smart

Fun factoid. I just started reading Laurence Tribe’s book On Reading the Constitution. Perusing through the Acknowledgments section I came upon this: “We are grateful for the outstanding efforts of several very talented people…Robert Fisher and Barrack Obama have influenced our thinking on virtually every subject discussed in these pages.”

And then in the Notes section (yes, I read the Notes section): “We are grateful to Robert Fisher and Barck Obama for the metaphor of constitutional interpretation as conversation.”

This book was published in 1991. Obama graduated from Harvard Law (where Tribe was and is a professor) in 1991. He was 29. Awesome.

I just had my 28th birthday, I’m feeling a bit behind.

- suse

P.S. I have had no luck trying to figure out who Robert Fisher is, anyone? Searching for Bobby Fis(c)her II: The Law Years.

Where are Goose and Maverick?

After seeing this video and the variety of individuals (regular joes and janes, Peggy Noonan, Larry King, Abraham Lincoln, Newt Gingrich, Adam Levine, DMC (wearing a Ramones shirt!), Arianna Huffington, Paul Begala, Tucker Carlson, etc.) that participated I’m pretty sure the people over at funnyordie actually run the country.

more about "HIGH-FIVE INAUGURATION! from Almost T…", posted with vodpod

And I’m all about expanding the use of high-fives, they’ve been a pretty stable element of my repertoire.

- suse

I, too, sing America.

Quite perfect for this week.

I, too, sing America.

I am the darker brother.
They send me to eat in the kitchen
When company comes,
But I laugh,
And eat well,
And grow strong.

Tomorrow,
I’ll be at the table
When company comes.
Nobody’ll dare
Say to me,
“Eat in the kitchen,”
Then.

Besides,
They’ll see how beautiful I am
And be ashamed–

I, too, am America.

- Langston Hughes

Liveblogging: Obama, McCain Shutdown Morningside

Hey Friends,

I’m here at Columbia’s historic Morningside campus observing the leadup to the possibly historical discussion between presidential hopefuls and senators (question: who’s watching the senate if everyone’s gone?) Barack Hussein Obama and John Sidney McCain III. Oh, and Bollinger will be there too. There’s a jumbotron set up for all of us peons who didn’t get in by lottery or birth rite. Currently blank, but the masses have begun to assemble and stare at the looming, blank screen. Sooooo many people have gathered, like, an appropriate number for a protest, if Columbia protested. I guess this is more of a power-elite flash mob. Anyways, a few blocks and shut down, many campus entrances, and both GED and ESL testing services have been canceled (you need a Columbia ID to get even close to the wrought-iron fence). So many metaphors for Americana here.

But, I’m hopeful that something magical will happen. I’m hoping that, since this is not meant to be a debate, that reason may co-exist with rhetoric. Especially today, when, collectively there is much to think about and discuss.

Ok, off to class. See you at the after party!

-Ferrrosha