Dispatch from DC -- A photo essay from the war protest

On Saturday, the Missus Jazz and I went to attend a baseball game and found ourselves in the midst of an anti-war demonstration.


To be fair, we went looking for the anti-war demonstration.


Little did we know that it would collide with the Segway-fest attendees who were hoping to have a little more sidewalk to hog. At least one Segway fest attendee thrilled in showing off his scooter by riding it up from the street and over the curb. I was too close to get a good shot of him with my telephoto lens.


As the Missus Jazz and I walked toward 15th Street and the White House, along with others seeking the protest march, the energy of the crowd grew. People even taking pictures for posterity.


There were hippies reliving the glory days of the 60's protests and kids seeking to express their individuality by marching in unison and chanting slogans.


The protest was both hopeful and disappointing. Regardless of what one thinks of Cindy Sheehan, she is still a mother who lost a son. For that she claims a moral gravitas that almost no one else has, except for the families of the other 1900 dead.


When we got to the Ellipse, it was like a big carnival. Cindy Sheehan was wrapping up. Sheehan gave way to other speakers, mostly from A.N.S.W.E.R. The A.N.S.W.E.R. speakers came across with the kind of radical rabid left posturing that allows right-wingers to dismiss the anti-war movement as a bunch of America hating terrorist supporters. The speakers, with their vitriolic hyperventilating over all trespasses, real and imagined, of the US Government were quite a turn-off.



Some of the protesters were clearly having fun.

But you know you've hit upon a big time protest when the famous get involved. Verbal Jazz spent a good portion of time at the protest being followed by Al Sharpton and crew.


Reverend Sharpton


Cornell West


Harry Belafonte, I believe


Reverend Sharpton Marching


I saw very little in the way of counter protests, including this man.


Some just want to see their family members one more time.


Others were hoping to save the moment for posterity.


But shouldn't everyone just want peace?

[Special Note: Verbal Jazz Goes Visual will be running photos from the march all week...and the Sox won both games we attended!]

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The Blame Game

In blaming Miguel Tejada for his positive test for Steroids, Raphael Palmeiro decided to take after his "friend" George W. Bush: blame someone else. Within the next week or so we can expect Raffy to take the blame and promise to rid baseball of steroids...

BTW: the Missus Jazz and I will be at Camden Yards on Saturday and Sunday taking in the Sox v. the O's...alas! We cannot boo Raffy, who's been benched for the season.

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A little voice inside my head said, "Don't look back..."

Yes, it is a "Deadhead sticker on a Cadillac..."

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Cliche warning

Whenever you see the words "Wit" and "Wisdom" linked together in a phrase (e.g. "The wit & wisdom of Verbal Jazz"), prepare yourself for a whole heaping dose of neither.

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$6,000 shower curtain, anyone?

Former Tyco executives L. Dennis Kozlowski and Mark H. Swartz each received a sentence of 8 1/3 to 25 years for overseeing millions of dollars in rip offs. Apparently ripping people off is only okay if you were elected into office and refer to the ripoff as "public service."

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Read his lips: "No new sacrifice..."

George W. Bush has promised to completely rebuild New Orleans while simultaneously not raising taxes. To accomplish this task, President Bush plans to screw another segment of the poor population that isn’t nearly as prone to catastrophic natural disasters.

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Giving because it hurts

Verbal Jazz has the kind of blood that makes the Red Cross drool when they know it is available: O-negative. The thing about having O-negative blood means that I can give to everybody. I am generous like that. I may spit in your face before I give you the shirt off my back, but my blood type makes me positively magnanimous.

Circumstances beyond my control found me giving this precious gift of o-negative generosity in the town of Littleton, MA last night. When the Missus Jazz called to book an appointment, she was told to "just come in." Just coming in meant an hour and a half wait seated next to two guys who proceeded to break out a fantasy role playing card game with what appeared to be red marbles. A Google search to figure out what they were playing just hurt my head too much.

A sneeze from one of the marble card geeks prompted Missus Jazz to offer a simple, "Bless you," out of courtesy. The reply was something along the lines of, "I don't believe in that but thank you." Thankfully, that asshole was the last in line. Unfortunately I was second to last. Missus Jazz was third to last. We didn't have appointments. The Missus Jazz and I suffered through three rounds nurses looking for "blue number" blood donors, i.e. those with appointments, after all the blue carders were all squeezing the rubber ball and looking forward to being a cheap drunk that evening.

Early in the wait, Missus Jazz sent yours truly out to get magazines. I came up empty at the gas station and convenience store. "Doesn't anyone in this town read?" Apparently not, they're all too busy playing fantasy card games and pondering whether the ACLU would fight to remove "Bless you" from the vernacular.

So now the Red Cross has its Negative-O blood from Verbal Jazz, perhaps you might think to give some, as well?

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"Ump, you're not fit to kiss an Arabian show horse's ass!"

With the Senate is set to begin confirmation hearings for John Roberts, nominee for Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, one wonders what would happen if Congress were to lean on Major League Baseball in order to get confirmation hearings for managers. Mike Brown might have been kept busy using his experience to screw up the Baltimore Orioles instead of FEMA. Lou Piniella, meanwhile, would have to accept a recess managerial appointment on account of his rage issues.

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Cover letter for new job opening

Honorable George W. Bush
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC

Dear George:

I understand that you may soon have some vacancies in the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA. Until last week, I thought FEMA was a bone, but that is beside the point. I am writing because my experience makes me an excellent candidate for any position that may soon open at FEMA, in particular the position of Under Secretary.

I may not know the ins and outs of show horses, but I have significant experience in the realm of crisis management. I would prove to be an asset as the FEMA Undersecretary. (You see, George, I thought it was femur until this past week! Femur!) Anyway, here are the key reasons why I would be able to assume control of this prestigious agency:

* As the managing director of my own household, I have frequently been charged with operating the plunger management system. If I can manage a toilet full of contaminated water, imagine what I could do with a whole city!

* Also, in my role of household managing director, I managed to remove a mouse corpse from the house before panic ensued. That, my friend, is taking charge.

* My grandfather was Deputy Chief of the Brockton, MA Fire Department. This blood lineage proves that I have the innate skills to manage a crisis. Plus, nominating someone from Massachusetts might help your successor garner some votes!

There are many other great reasons to put me in charge of FEMA, but I realize that I have not contributed in any significant way to your campaigns for president. George, you have my guarantee, that as Under Secretary of FEMA, you have my pledge to financially support the campaign of your hand-picked successor in 2008.

In short, we could both use the money.

Sincerely,


Chris Vallancourt

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The coast is clear

Now that the weatherist threat is over, Vice President Dick Cheney emerged from hiding to take a tour of the Gulf Region. It is widely believed that Cheney has been spearheading an effort to build a case for invading Cuba based on the damage wrought by Hurricane Katrina.

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If you are looking to donate...

The following is a note I received from my New Orleans based friend, Bridget. If you are looking for a place to donate, the People's Institute would be a good place to start.

I've gotten lots of questions about how best to help the people in my city through this crisis. With the vastness of the catastrophe there, it's hard to think in small chunks, so I know many are giving to the Red Cross relief efforts - that will be incredibly helpful for the immediate relief for the folks still trying to escape the city.

If you're looking for something more specific, please consider donating the The People's Institute Survival fund. I've just emailed you the website. This is the organization I've worked for almost since I've been in New Orleans. We do amazing work to build communities, and our community has just been destroyed. All of our National Office staff, board, trainers, and local organizing partners have lost everything. A donation to our organization will help sustain these particular 30-40 people and their families, while we relocate, stay in communication, and keep our work going nationally as we try to rebuild our homes.

Please consider making a donation to this organization. It took us 25 years to build it - Katrina's not going to destroy it in one week.

Thanks!

Bridget

P.S. The following is the note that has been sent out to our regular supporters....and breaks it down a bit more....


Dear Friends and Supporters of The People's Institute,

Even as we continue to grieve for the women, men, and children who remain trapped in New Orleans without food and water, we are grateful that the family members of The People's Institute are safe. We give thanks for all the sustaining calls, thoughts, and prayers coming from across the country and the world. We are most thankful that the spirit of The People's Institute continues to survive - and thrive - within each of us!

We ask your help in rebuilding The People's Institute so it can move from Survival to Beyond. Your gift will ensure that the New Orleans-based People's Institute family can meet its immediate, intermediate, and long-term financial needs. With your help, we will move beyond this crisis and continue to organize for a future of justice, equity and full humanity for all.

The headquarters of the People's Institute for Survival and Beyond are likely submerged in water. The organization has lost its home office and many national staff have probably lost their homes. They are living day-to-day in rooms and hotels scattered all over the United States.

Please send your tax-deductible contribution today to the People's Institute Survival and Beyond Fund. Mail your gift to Peoples Institute NYC, P.O. Box 250809, New York, NY 10025. You will be able to make an on-line gift within 24 hours as we update our webpage. Also, as we restablish our national offices, your contributions of office equipment and supplies will be most welcome. We will make every effort to acknowledge your gifts promptly.

The work of The People's Institute continues through its network of trainers and organizers across the country and internationally. Scheduled workshops will continue as planned. We welcome new training opportunities. Contact us today! Call Kimberley Richards at 724-347-2916 or David Billings/Margery Freeman at 212-678-4947.

We urge each of you to send this letter, with a personal note of your own, to your colleagues, friends and family. Let's show that we truly are a net that works!

With thanks to each of you for your commitment to the continued work and life of The People's Institute,

Ronald Chisom
Executive Director

Tiphanie Eugene
Administrative Director

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Mean old levee taught me to weep and moan

When I heard that Hurricane Katrina was headed straight for New Orleans, I was thankful that my friend Bridget was in Massachusetts for a wedding/vacation. Now that the city is submerged, I am even more thankful that my friend got out. Please keep your thoughts with those who have lost loved ones and their homes.

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