The Last Liberal

Tonight, I went to a fund raiser for a venerable publication.

There was Molly Ivins,

And Jim Hightower,

and all the rest of the progressives.

There were all of the past editors.

I watched

and they posed for a group picture with Al Franken.

It was a nice crowd.

And it's very nice to be with people of conscience

who care deeply about the course

that the geographic state of the United States has taken

since the neo cons took over.

I joked with Molly about her story that I love to tell

about Texas Politics back in the 70s.

Back then, there was only the Democratic Party in Texas.

"You know people used to say that

Texas aught to be a 2 party state,

and I would say, you know,

you're right, Texas should be a 2 party state.

But it never occured to me

that they would start a party

to the right of the Texas Democratic Party."

Truth is,

now all the office holders in Texas

are Republicans instead of Democrats.

Texas is still a one party state.

The party just changed its name.

Why, the Governor of Texas today is,

you guessed it.

A former Democrat.

Al Franken promoted his radio show on Air America.

Jim talked about how the 30% of the electorate

that won the election is not a mandate

And Molly recited some Bushisms:

"Too many good docs are getting out of the business. Too many OB-GYNs aren't able to practice their love with women all across this country." —George W. Bush, Poplar Bluff, Mo., Sept. 6, 2004 (Watch video clip)

"This notion that the United States is getting ready to attack Iran is simply ridiculous. And having said that, all options are on the table." —George W. Bush, Brussels, Belgium, Feb. 22, 2005

"I want to appreciate those of you who wear our nation's uniform for your sacrifice."—Jacksonville, Fla., Jan. 14, 2005

"Free societies are hopeful societies. And free societies will be allies against these hateful few who have no conscience, who kill at the whim of a hat."—Washington, D.C., Sept. 17, 2004 (Thanks to David Stanford.)

There was even a well known conservative type there.

He told me his bunch was so bad these days that...

Well never mind.

The music was good and the people are stellar.

And there was about as much energy

as you would find in a rest home in the Piney Woods.

Complete loss of power does that.

These people still believe.

And you got to love them for that.

They may see the signs.

But they don't see the storm.

If they do see it.

I didn't hear it.

We need new energy.

For the Earthfamily.

Not the same old same old.



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