Margaret was a Culture Kitchen blogger for awhile and, while there, was one of our best bloggers. She moved on long ago, and I always missed her presence at CK. But she went on to what she considered bigger and better things. In her 80's she discovered her public voice and I am proud I was one of the people who encouraged and helped her find that voice.

This comes late because I mainly interacted with Margaret Bassett by email. So if I didn't hear from her, I didn't think much about it. But I knew she was over 80. She was a subscriber to my Progressive Democrat Newsletter from the beginning soon after the 2004 election. She had seen me as something of a hope for the future in messaging, something I think she overrated me on, but I was flattered and tried to live up to.

Today I sent out a message to my subscribers that my writing of the Progressive Democrat Newsletter had clearly been on hold for over a month and I wasn't sure if/when it would come back.

One email bounced. It was the first time Margaret's email bounced in all the time she read my stuff. So it caught my attention immediately. It sent a shiver down my spine. So I did a quick google search and discovered what I feared...Margaret had died, back in August, at the age of 89. I cried.  read more »

I kind of feel sorry for people who get tricked by Sacha Baron Cohen (aka Bruno, aka Ali G, aka Borat). Sometimes the victim just didn't deserve the treatment. However, at its best, Cohen's style can really tell you a lot about the target. In fact, those who handle it best impress me. One of my favorites is Andy Rooney (who I don't normally like) on Ali G:

A diary on Daily Kos reminds me that the Bruno persona had his moment with Ron Paul, and Ron Paul did not hold his own as well as Rooney, making me wonder how he would deal with difficult situations as President:

And of course Ali G interviewing The Newt Grinch is pretty amusing, making Newt seem almost reasonable:

The WW II dockside kiss:

Now, for the first time ever in America, the dock side kiss includes gay and lesbian troops:

It is such a small thing, and yet for history it is huge. Back in ancient times the Greeks recognized the value of gay soldiers in the super elite Theban "Sacred Band" which was composed of homosexual couples and was one of the most effective fighting forces of the time.

So America is just now catching up to ancient Greece on this issue.

It is about time Marty Golden has a real opponent. Brooklyn's Vito Lopez machine has been actively discouraging people from running for this seat. 2012 may be the turning point.

Let me introduce you to Andrew Gounardes for NY State Senate:

Check out his website: http://www.andrewgounardes.com/

A TV show portraying real Muslim-American families who are proud members of America's melting pot. Sounds like a pretty good idea, right? Showing both Muslims AND America in general that we CAN all get along. Seems to me that is about as American as we can get.

However right wing America won't stand for tolerance and acceptance of differences. They are boycotting companies advertising on the show and Lowes, for one, caved to their racist, anti-American demands.

From BBC News:

Home improvement retailer Lowe's is facing criticism after removing advertising from a reality TV show showcasing American Muslims.

The company pulled ads from All-American Muslim after complaints from the Florida Family Association.

The cable TV show portrays the lives of five families in Dearborn, Michigan, a city known for its Muslim and Arab population.

Lowe's issued an apology, but did not say it would re-advertise on the show.

The North Carolina-based company said in a statement it apologised for having "managed to make some people very unhappy".

"It appears that we managed to step into a hotly contested debate with strong views from virtually every angle and perspective," the firm said...

Wait...a "hotly contested debate?????" What debate? Whether racism or tolerance is better? Whether Muslims should be treated like people? Exactly what side is Lowes coming down on here?  read more »