The Sea-Fight Tomorrow The Sea-Fight Tomorrow
Afraid to take a chance. They pass haphazardly in all directions. Diving into his car. Or yours. Are there no strangers in town? Entering, leaving, crossing. I cross to the window and wave. Everybody looks alike. Pyramids. It must be somebody who has a house in the country. He said he would. Characteristic kinesthetic and tactile deficits on opposite sides of the body. Something clicked somewhere. It's got to be airtight on the other end. The butterfly-shaped central gray. Who is this man? It was a restful ride. The transition gradual, without sharp demarcation. The house was full of pictures. The night man was gone. Important changes from level to level. I pretend to listen.
Nov 19, 2008 / Books & the Arts / Keith Waldrop
Night Soil Night Soil
A random walk, its ordinary motion blurring chronology. Behind, a seascape. As if on a ship's deck. Fear of defeat is an old habit. All this fuss, with my hat pushed back. Honeyed phantastic. En- raptured soul. Another blow. From the end of the corridor, at the kitchen window. These frosts are cruel. I am not up to them. Out on the balcony, basking. History is trash. Elaborate battles make peace and then, after spectacular defeat, I may go and I may not. I'm in a bad mood, forever. We bring no resemblance. Torment and dreams. Grotesque and in- clement. Always the same amazing luck. Rest before the fireplace, forget fine spacing. To control noise by attacking the odds. Grope for the knob. Shutting out light and air. Cold stone floor. Sinking. Devouring pit. Dissolve, now, the dungeon. Streaks of light stream from your shadow. Redisposed. Clouds are not simply carried. We observe words and winds. The door slams behind us. Not so much forced by the sun as simply coasting under our own inertia. The knives of reality. Repeat the names. Doves, when they fight. Scorn is best and yes, we may go and we may not.
Nov 19, 2008 / Books & the Arts / Keith Waldrop
Criteria for Treasury Criteria for Treasury
One of the weird things about the transition period is that all of the speculation and editorializing tends to revolve around the actual personnel being floated or rumored as oppo...
Nov 19, 2008 / Chris Hayes
Change We Can Bank On Change We Can Bank On
Reject the old-boy network whose sexism, stupidity and greed helped drive our current financial crisis. How about Sheila Bair for Treasury Secretary?
Nov 19, 2008 / Column / Robert Scheer
It’s Official: Democrats Have Won 58 Senate Seats It’s Official: Democrats Have Won 58 Senate Seats
The senior Republican member of the US Senate, Alaska's Ted Stevens, conceded defeat Wednesday in his race for a new term. The announcement by Stevens confirmed that Democrats wi...
Nov 19, 2008 / John Nichols
McCain’s Favorite TV Show, ’24,’ Brings Torture Back Sunday McCain’s Favorite TV Show, ’24,’ Brings Torture Back Sunday
John McCain's favorite TV show, 24 -- the one that glorifies torture - is returning to Fox TV this Sunday night with a two-hour special. McCain named 24 as his favorite show on hi...
Nov 19, 2008 / Jon Wiener
Why We Shouldn’t Save GM Why We Shouldn’t Save GM
The bailout should be used to expand unemployment compensation instead of propping up a single, failing corporation.
Nov 18, 2008 / Column / Nicholas von Hoffman
Take the Joe Lieberman Pledge Take the Joe Lieberman Pledge
As my colleague John Nichols reports, to the surprise of few on Capitol Hill -- but to the disappointment of many beyond the beltway -- Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman will reta...
Nov 18, 2008 / Peter Rothberg
Lieberman Keeps Chairmanship, Caucus Membership Lieberman Keeps Chairmanship, Caucus Membership
To the surprise of few on Capitol Hill -- and, surely, to the disappointment of many beyond the beltway -- Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman will retain his chairmanship of the po...
Nov 18, 2008 / John Nichols
Chris Hayes on the Bailout of Joe Lieberman Chris Hayes on the Bailout of Joe Lieberman
The Nation's Chris Hayes suggests that Congress might be too generous lately, by granting Joe Lieberman his beloved Homeland Security chairmanship.
Nov 18, 2008 / Countdown