Vernon Jordan

Scenes from the PBS Democratic Forum spin room

'Twas a place for political anthropologists.

Last night was great if only because I got to see another glimpse of the innards of the Capitol Hill media and propaganda machine. Inside the innards there is an ecosystem composed of bacteria of all kind, some toxic yet others more akin to a benign flora.

I have identified some of the toxic ones. From the attached ensemble cast, it's up to you to decide who is who.

Here's a breakdown of the photos :

1. Bloggers row #1
That's Andy Carvin and Bob Cox in the foreground. Susan Madrak is blocking Meagan Ortiz with her big head (heh). Michael Sheffield of News Busters infamy is next to her (nice guy, btw) and Earl Dunovant is to his left. But of course.

2. Bloggers row #2
The laptop next to Andy is mine. La Shawn Barber was exactly behind me. That's Faye Anderson next to her.

3. The non-bloggers
And everybody else.

4. La Shawn and Tavis
She asked Tavis why didn't he invite conservative journos ... I guess she was trying to get into the next line up.

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Words to live by

"The United States have adventured upon a great and noble experiment, which is believed to have been hazarded in the absence of all previous precedent -- that of total separation of Church and State. No religious establishment by law exists among us. The conscience is left free from all restraint and each is permitted to worship his Maker after his own judgement. The offices of the Government are open alike to all. No tithes are levied to support an established Hierarchy, nor is the fallible judgement of man set up as the sure and infallible creed of faith. The Mahommedan, if he will to come among us would have the privilege guaranteed to him by the constitution to worship according to the Koran; and the East Indian might erect a shrine to Brahma if it so pleased him. Such is the spirit of toleration inculcated by our political Institutions.... The Hebrew persecuted and down trodden in other regions takes up his abode among us with none to make him afraid.... and the Aegis of the Government is over him to defend and protect him. Such is the great experiment which we have tried, and such are the happy fruits which have resulted from it; our system of free government would be imperfect without it."

— -- John Tyler, letter dated July 10, 1843