Yes we can, we really can

Still feeling very good about health care reform... For some liberals, it was not enough -- no public option, and of course, no single payer. For some liberals, it was enough that we defeated the creepy, reptilian forces of the dark side -- any victory in that sense is worth celebrating for the hope it brings. For my part, the realization that the previously disenfranchised 32 million will now have access to health care services is a source of deep satisfaction. Obama promised change, and this is big change -- very big indeed.

I stand in awe of Nancy Pelosi -- what an incredibly effective Speaker she has proved to be! Mitch McConnell and John Boehner, on the other hand, have never been so loathsome. This video makes the point so clearly; the Republicans stand against the noblest aspirations of people of goodwill in this country. How anyone can still be a Republican today is beyond my limited powers of comprehension.

There is more work to be done, but it is good to know that we really can do it, after all.

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More Total Praise

Hang in there -- let the guys goof off for about 50 seconds, then give their performance a listen.

This is really deep down good.

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Total Praise

I went to a Black History month celebration at New Brunswick High School last night and was moved by one young woman's performance, singing Richard Smallwood's "Total Praise." Her singing was not flawless, but she sang with power and confidence and with such sincere and profound feeling - so much emotion that my dark little atheist heart was overwhelmed. The power of music, the purity of spirit with which it was offered, and the intimacy and warmth of a human voice fully engaged -- it all made for a memorable experience.

And so this morning, I am remembering and it caused me to look for other performances of this beautiful hymn. I posted one on Facebook and here is another. This video is a performance by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. I hope you will enjoy it.

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