I do think there's racism at base, but I think it goes beyond racism. There's real cultural anxiety at the perceived shift in USian demographics, as well as a shift in the US's ability to assert imperial authority abroad. I fear world war because I see the same kinds of cultural anxieties and REAL shifts in power as were seen in the first decades of the 20th century.

As an addendum, DH thinks I'm crazy when I talk like that, so don't worry, I know it sound crazy paranoid to say I fear war.

Burrell,

I agree with you that there is cultural anxiety, but the form in which such anxiety is expressed in in racist terms against Obama, Michelle Obama, and in racist/xenophobic terms against Muslims. To the extent that anxiety is constantly and consistently expressed through words and actions that show intolerance and hate: I think it is correct to call it racism.

I agree le n, that's why I said that at base it's racism. I meant to indicate that it's racist at a very fundamental level. I just think there's a lot of other issues that are getting mapped onto it.

The xenophobia would be funny, if it wasn't so sad. My craxy aunt/uncle know I feel the US needs immigration reform. They see it as Minute Men/build fences type of thing (xenophobia, keep them out! Check papers, repel, etc.) Me? I see it as, reworking qty limitations, stating where they can settle, to help spread out population, temporary work visas, etc. Far better to document then to just repel. I still think of the Alabama law (I think that was the state) that pushed the Latin America folks out of the state, and then they had no labour to pick the crops. Ooops. And Georgia (I think it was) who passed a law that said you could be arrested if you were a foriegner, and the cops arrested a automobile exec who was in town trying to re-open the car factory and make it a Benz (I think) plant. Guess what didn't happen. yup. the anti-foriegner laws cost a LOT of good jobs.

Kashi Cereal

oof. Pix has me thinking about different window treatment options (since I am hating curtains so much). And I was looking at shutters. And saw an option to print a graphic (photo, illustration, etc) on it. Given how my bedroom wall is 80% window, I thought that might be nice. Over the phone estimate just for the bedroom windows, $4,500. And that doesn't include the purchase of high resolution graphic. "If you have money to burn, it's cool, but it's not for the feint of heart". Ya think! At least the sales guy wasn't trying to push it. Love when a sales person is reasonable.

Did these people never see The Great American Melting Pot? [link]

I had a great weekend with my sister and my niece. Yesterday we road tripped to Christiansberg and did antique stores. Today we organized my niece's house and made her stop practicing to be on Hoarders. Also, at one point today I had a tiny tree frog clinging to my finger. He had gotten trapped under the hot tub cover, and I ferried him back to the foliage. Now I'm tired and happy and I have Plans for the next few weeks. Plans which include painting.

My new niece continues to be the cutest. She met her uncle TCG today, and she didn't even cry when he held her. Her eyes were really open and looking around today, which was different from earlier this week. She also slept right through the football game where everyone was screaming at the TV in the same room.

I sort of love that stage where they sleep anywhere regardless. So portable and adorable.