How NOT to Stage a Protest

Re events at Missouri University:

Things to do (by an expert):

1.) DOCUMENT in advance your grievances, with facts, photos, and specifics. Have press release handouts and emails ready.  Everything should be in place-- so you DON'T have to scramble for evidence once the protest's already underway.

2.) Make sure your hunger striker DOESN'T have a rich daddy. If dad makes $8 million a year, it hurts your credibility. Especially when you rail against privilege, people won't take you seriously.

3.) Encircle your encampment with engaged activists, NOT with casual students who have empty bovine expressions on their faces (see the videos) which makes them look as if they're being manipulated by their teachers.

4.) Make sure the teachers/leaders are articulate spokespersons and NOT wacked-out nutcases.

5.) DON'T ask for someone to lose their job, at least not immediately. This smacks of McCarthyite witch hunts.

6.) Look for allies among those with credibility. Students at community colleges, say-- NOT at elitist schools like Brown and Yale, whose attendees are among the most privileged individuals in the country.

7.) DON'T throw out the media! You want them on your side.

Is Jonathan Franzen the Jeb Bush of Literature?

IS JEB "JEBBY" BUSH THE JONATHAN FRANZEN OF POLITICS?

1.) Both are WASPy patrician white guys.

2.) Both are rather stiff in their presentations.

3.) Both are backed by enormous sums of money.

4.) Both represent the mindset of their respective establishments.

5.) Both are being force-fed on the American people.

6.) Both are slow-thinking and "low energy."

7.) Both have notably bland personalities.

What do you think?

"Waiting for Hillary"

A POEM by King Wenclas

Makes three hun-dred grand a speech,
Waiting for Hillary
Pride and joy of media elite,
Waiting for Hillary
When's her van coming down the street?
Waiting for Hillary

Should've won two-thousand eight,
Waiting for Hillary
Since that time we've had to wait,
Waiting for Hillary
Maybe too old but never too late!
Waiting for Hillary

Secretive as Richard Nixon,
Waiting for Hillary
Will not deign to answer questions,
Waiting for Hillary
Liked by all is her mission,
Waiting for Hillary

Where she goes, a mystery,
Waiting for Hillary
Never heard and seldom seen,
Waiting for Hillary
Americans have always wanted a queen!
Waiting for Hillary

Someone saw her, other day,
Waiting for Hillary
Eating food at Chip-ot-le
Waiting for Hillary
Scooby-do van driving away!
Waiting for Hillary

(chorus)
Waiting, waiting, waiting, waiting,
waiting, for Hillary.