I think one more argument for a civics test is that we Americans simply place no value on our rights because they're given to us for "free." If the stakes were raised and there was a bit of work involved - i.e. a civics test - then maybe we would place more value on the right to vote. After all, look at all the losers who don't even bother to vote in the first place - could there be a better example of how little we value this right?

I agree. I read Bayard's piece and came away convinced that Shenkman's ideas were much stronger than Bayard's flaccid, by-the-numbers critique of them.

Because you're precisely the kind of ignoramous who ought to be banned from voting for life.

Everything you've ever said here is proof of that.

How many fucking times do we have to tell you uninformed Bush-loving loudmouths that you can't mobilize buses when the bus drivers have already been evacuated? Driving a bus isn't something that just anybody can do - it actually requires training. Your dumb objections are symptomatic of the inadequate, immature and non-reality based response of rage-filled Republican ideologues to real world problems. This is exactly why you Republicans have failed at everything important you've attempted under Bush - the war in Iraq, protecting the homeland, Katrina, etc - you keep confusing political propaganda with real life. Now shut up and sit down and contemplate your disgrace, loser!

Um, you do realize that the Federal Government almost never asks to Federalize the national guard during a natural disaster. It was an EXTREMELY unusual request underscored by the fact that neither Mississippi or Arkansas - which were also devasted by Katrina - were asked to Federalize their National Guard units. Anyone with half a brain knows that this was just a cynical political ploy by Rove and Bush. And this is the version that history will remember - not the pathetic excuses and disinformation of the Bush apologists.

I doubt that Rove will ever be brought to justice in a courtroom. But I suspect that he's going to end up with a bullet in his fat head the day after his secret service detail is removed. At least that's what I've been praying for.

Almost makes me want to re-read the book and revist those child-murder themes. Almost. Mostly I just hated that book.

We need straight up DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISM to fix the problems in this country.

I would encourage all Republicans having doubts about McCain to vote for Mr. Perot... err... Mr. Paul... in November.

My guess is that Spike played the plantation card because he knows that there is no stronger illustration of the priveleged, white supremacist racial dynamic that he was trying to illustrate than the plantation. He's no dummy...

Your silly post reminded me of exactly why I think Spike Lee is such a valuable and important filmaker: his films and provocations always force the racists to unmask themselves. Way to take the bait, genius. LOL

It was called New Orleans. Why should we ever trust them to protect us from anything ever again? Republicans have already demonstrated that all their talk about protecting America is just a bunch of hot air. Fuck Gingrinch, Bush and every Republican alive today.

Some decent music writing in Salon... even still, I think Lil Wayne is a punk. Hip Hop has been dead since Pete Rock parted ways with CL Smooth. Everything else is merely rap. Whoever was going on about the paradigm shift between Gen X and Gen Y got it half right - Gen Y has it's own thing going on. But it's an inferior, debased product and shouldn't attempt to call itself hip-hop.

more jeff chang please - and jeff, don't be such a modest, third person narrator - i'm just as curious at your own exploits in korea as a korean-american, cross-cultural hip-hop ambassador. you rock, son!

I'm surprised that Stephanie missed that the Eagle on Smith's hat - the one I see in all the movie posters and flats all over nyc - is from American Eagle Outfitters (then again, Stephanie may not have a clothes-obsessed teenage niece like I do). This has got to be one of the most blatant bits of product placement in years...

This story is about Israel, right? So why is Obama standing in the middle of Saudi Arabia? Salon needs to get its art department some geogrpahy lessons, stat!

Honestly. I'm not an anti-Semite or anything, but I just don't care about Israel. It has nothing to do with my life and I don't understand why so many of our tax dollars go to support the place when they could be better spent here at home. I'm not questioning Israel's right to exist - but I wish they would learn to stand on their own two feet. Now Republicans want to create a second middle eastern welfare state in Iraq... no wonder we can't rebuild new orleans - there's no money left!

this is what salon is all about for me...