[Previous entry: "Weapons of Moose Distraction"] [Main Index] [Next entry: "Amazing prediction"]

03/18/2003 Archived Entry: "What would Gandhi do?"

On the Political Front:

An interesting site devoted to Gandhi's life and teachings. Over the years, I have developed some reservations about non-violent strategy but -- in terms of social change rather than of personal defense -- it is still the most versatile and powerful tool either for reform or revolution.

Every blog in the world is commenting on Bush's speech and his ultimatum to Saddam -- "You've got 48 hours to get out of town!" So...I won't add to the chatter. Given that the ultimatum was delivered at approximately 8:00 p.m. Monday, we can expect war to arrive at about 8:00 p.m. Wednesday. I will pencil it onto my wall calendar.

I am proud of Canada's refusal to participate in the invasion of Iraq without a UN resolution. (Frankly, I'm sorry Canada would have sent soldiers if a resolution were in place.) Chrétien, like Blair, was under pressure from anti-war Ministers within his own party who threatened to vote against him in a confidence motion. I expect the US will retaliate by slapping on tariffs and other trade barriers, harassing people at the border crossings, cracking down on Canadians living State-side. It is also gutsy of Chrétien to not fall into step behind Britain, as Canada usually does...being a member of the Commonwealth. Perhaps being French Canadian made him less susceptible to that particular Canadian proclivity.

The Oscars may be worth watching this year -- I've skipped them for more years than I remember -- in order to check out which actors make anti-war statements. Maybe nothing will happen. So many of the anti-war activists are being blacklisted... And others have probably been silenced by the treatment of Martin Sheen and the Dixie Chicks.

On the Personal Front:

The world is melting, with water dripping off our roof, gushing through our stream, raising the pond-level, and turning our driveway into slush under the tires. I've been sitting out on the deck in the afternoon, when the sun hits straight-on, reading and letting the incredible yellow light soak through my skin.

It is time to take the plunge and publish the out-of-print "XXX: A Woman's Right to Pornography" through iUniverse. I have tried every other form of publication, from major NY presses to small independent publishers, and it is time to experiment with ones that offer substantially higher royalty rates. I am looking over the contract now. From the rights iUniverse requires, it appears that I can also e-publish XXX on this site.

Best to all,
mac