Military draft

I thought you might like this story from The Washington Post.
Army and Marine Corps chiefs: It’s time for women to register for the draft
http://wapo.st/1P3wp1Z

The draft gives great energy to peace movements, making war relevant to more people. Where would the Vietnam resistance have been without a draft?

Out of the cave

Felt good to see 20-odd playwrights gathering to help one another - and to find two connected to my past work. They meet twice a month. Will go again.

The Old Beatnik

Another rewrite. Maybe a dozen so far. Minor things.

A game?

Conn. women finally play a team with a winning record, 15-6 Tulane. Will check them out tonight.

Perspective

Today’s Causes Veer Toward Powerful Tweets, Away From Powerful Leaders: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Truthdig/~3/uvxL1m5e0KM/

Irony?

Amazon plans to open hundreds of bookstores, mall operator says

http://gu.com/p/4gc5d?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Bloggeroid

Ideologues on the left

I like Bernie Sanders. His supporters? Not so much

http://gu.com/p/4gbvd?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Bloggeroid

Danger

Scientific ignorance about Zika parallels Aids crisis in 1980s, say Brazilian experts

http://gu.com/p/4gbyv?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Bloggeroid

Hollywood's problem

Halle Berry: Oscars race row is 'heartbreaking'

http://gu.com/p/4gc8e?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Bloggeroid

Small world

Last night I went to a reading of a new play by a group called Portland Playwrights, which didn't exist "back in the day." I was checking them out prior to their April reading of The Old Beatnik.

Old home week! In attendance were an actress from a 1980s play of mine and an actor from a 1990s play. Far out.

A very supportive group, including more folks over 40 than I expected (which was grandkids ha ha). But more men than women. Glad to have discovered them.

Friends

Very long, intimate talk with my remaining "soul buddy," whom I've known for almost 50 years. The sister I never had, with a Greek twist (former lover). Exploring collaborative project. She lives in L.A. Think I talked her out of the dumps.

Forward

Another Green Victory: Copenhagen Set to Divest from All Fossil Fuels: http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/02/02/another-green-victory-copenhagen-set-divest-all-fossil-fuels

Major cause of national problems

When It Comes to Public Schooling, US Gets a Failing Grade: http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/02/02/when-it-comes-public-schooling-us-gets-failing-grade

Threatened men

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/susan-m-shaw/what-malheur-occupation-patriarchy-masculinity_b_9116064.html

Good background of refuge takeover

http://www.triplepundit.com/2016/02/real-agenda-behind-oregon-takeover/

Stats

Who voted for Sanders and Clinton in Iowa, and what it means going forward: http://feeds.dailykos.com/~r/dailykos/index/~3/5Hta9wXTLY0/-Who-voted-for-Sanders-and-Clinton-in-Iowa-and-what-it-means-moving-forward

Possible gig

New Mexico fan, big fan, trying to put together workshop in fall, weekend at a hot springs, that coincides with our desire for vacation in 4 corners area. Teaching fee would pay for vacation, right in area. Hope it happens.

She heads New Mexico screenwriters group, this is her idea. I don't look for teaching opportunities but location makes this very attractive. Nice email inquiry to get.

Politics

My dad thought folks should keep their political opinions to themselves. He didn't like polls. He didn't like lawn signs (or the home display of flags, for that matter - this, from a Navy officer). He'd share with family but if someone else asked him a political question, his pat answer was, I believe in a secret ballot. To broadcast your views was an insult to this principle.

Every election cycle I feel envy for this filter from all the noise and bullshit. His view seems so civil.

Manning to retire? Hope so.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000630956/article/peyton-manning-told-close-friends-he-expects-to-retire

The Raw Story

Oregon town tenses up as Bundy militant supporters square off with counter-protesters: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheRawStory/~3/HF95iIMStX0/

Burns rocks

Locals finally standing up to invading bullies.

Busy day

Where are ...

... H. L. Mencken and Oscar Wilde when we need them?

Street theater ...

... in Burns presently, counter-protests, go away local law supporters greatly out-number mostly out of state supporters of takeover. Yelling contest.

Rye

Student athletes

Becoming a Division III Athlete for the Love of the Game - http://huff.to/1WSTaZb

Rape on campus

Why Details Of A High-Profile Montana Campus Rape Case Are Still A Mystery - http://huff.to/1VpkzRa

World tbeater

Egypt's Answer To 'The Vagina Monologues' Confronts Sex, Violence And Daily Life For Women - http://huff.to/1VrHM5g

Perspective

On the Impossibility of Teaching Creative Writing - http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tara-skurtu/on-the-impossibility-of-t_b_9129712.html

Best in city

Predictions

My record sucks but here goes ...

By the Repub convention, the estab will have embraced Trump, who wins all primaries and softens his image.

Demo convention in turmoil, nasty fight bet Clinton and front runner Sanders, who wins after many ballots. Bloomberg enters race. Dems for Trump split off. Sanders chooses Warren as VP, progressive dream team.

But Trump wins close election, even tho Dems control both houses. Same old grid lock.

Nature doesn't give a shit. Which hits the fan more than ever.

I peacefully die in my sleep, avoiding the worst.

After my death, my play about climate change gets widely produced and wins the Pulitzer Prize. My wife has dementia, so no one can accept the award. But the presentation is cancelled anyway when rising seas flood the city.

Politics

This e e cummings gem from memory, I may have the line breaks wrong:

a politician
is an arse
upon which
everyone has sat
except a man

##

I don't want to vote for anyone.

Elephant in the room

Republicans reject climate change fears despite rebukes from scientists

http://gu.com/p/4fqbp?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Bloggeroid

Dems or Repubs won't win: NATURE WILL WIN.

Day 31

5 Things To Know As The Malheur Occupation Enters Day 31 http://www.opb.org/news/series/burns-oregon-standoff-bundy-militia-news-updates/oregon-burns-malheur-occupation-day-31/

Perspective

I thought you might like this story from The Washington Post.
Politicians are so predictable, a robot can literally write their speeches
http://wapo.st/1JSZOwO

Shadow of McGovern

The more I watch Sanders, the more I see McGovern. An outraged progressive saying all the right things, mostly about a single issue (Vietnam, Billionaires), supported mainly by students and younger voters, who will get creamed by a national middle of the road electorate.. I hope I'm wrong.

My fantasy: Hillary defeats Trump, Bill moves out of the White House, she gets radicalized and nothing happens to tempt her hawkish habits. HA HA HA.

More likely, President Trump, closely winning a 3  way or 4 way race.

It's a good time to be an old man!

Janis Joplin

Janis: Little Girl Blue – a heartfelt account of a remarkable talent

http://gu.com/p/4g7bf?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Bloggeroid

Prediction

Here is the weather forecast for the next five years: even hotter

http://gu.com/p/4g9m6?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Bloggeroid

Here we go

Researchers get green light to genetically modify human embryos

http://gu.com/p/4gafa?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Bloggeroid

Victims

You don't hear a lot about the many government employees at the refuge whose lives have been disrupted for a month now.