In response to the calls for "revolution" if the election is stolen (arguably again):

Revolution? People in the streets?

To what end? Whom are you pointing guns at? Those in power have demonstrated that they do not have to, nor will they, listen to protesters and angry 'dissidents' in the streets. 80% of Americans were against the bailout. What happened? It passed. Americans want our troops home. Where are they? In Iraq "until we have victory" - whatever they choose to define it as.

So what are you going to do about it? Protest just long enough to get the riot police called out to teargas you away and arrest those that stay? Are you going to kick in the doors of the Oval Office and drag out its occupants? Then what? You and what army? Certainly not the one deployed to Northern Command.

Most Americans are too scared of the police to do anything. Why? Because they have a 9-5 job that barely pays their bills. They make just enough bread to keep their family from starving, and still have a little free time to watch football, drink a brew and maybe holiday at the beach for 14 days out of the year. If they're lucky. Americans fear getting hurt or fined because their insurance won't cover it, if they have any at all.

Also, outside Washington, D.C., the ratio of "authorities" to "civilians" is much lower, and those authorities are more of our friends and neighbors. Are we declaring war against them?

Are we trying to convince the Executive branch that we won't stand for it, or are we trying to convince ourselves?

Yes, we need to demand accountability. Yes, we need to demand transparency with OUR tax dollars. Yes, we need to demand open, transparent and audited elections.

When we don't get it, we need to take to the streets, but we need to be SMART about it, not violent. We need to disrupt but not destroy. Distract but not demolish. Civil disobedience and civil disorder does not have to mean a destruction of the state. Force is a weapon of the weak.

Remember, nobody is going to be there for you with an umbrella if you knock over your own house of cards and it starts to rain.

Pray for peace.
-b

The fall is winding down in Northern Michigan - the first snows are undoubtedly only a week or two away.  The air is cold and dry in the mornings, with frost dusting the grass.  Sitting in the car as it warms up is like being wrapped in a translucent blanket of frozen glass geometry.  It is cold enough to clear the slate with an intermittent swoop of the wiper, and then watch the crystals of water quickly reform.

A newly-stuffy head and sore throat are reminders that I was built for tropical climes, and in such hope to see St. Thomas again sometime. I dream of scooter rides on windy switchback island roads, and sunsets on the beach where I can watch planes turn around, margarita in hand.

Back locally, the October edition of The CrossCut came out with much hard work and more than a few uttered obscenities. A new record of 6 illustrations in print, as well as commentary on the elections was included. I was also selected to have some of my art on Thank You cards that the ACC Foundation puts out for all its donors.

I'll post a scan of the art - a 5x7 oil painting - and of the newspaper clips up by Monday.

The intervening weekend has some remodeling of the porch, sealing the barn and lots of homework that needs to get done first.