Sunday, May 24, 2009

The husband in print!

My husband had a Memorial-Day op-ed piece in yesterday's Washington Post. It's about whether or not Obama should continue the presidential tradition of laying a wreath at the Confederate Memorial at Arlington Cemetery. Here's the link:
Washington Post
As with all things historic, it's a vexed question, and he's already gotten some hate mail (from neo-cons, by which I mean neo-Conferates) for his thoughtful piece. So we know he's doing something right! Anyway, check it out!

UPDATE!!!!
Obama did what Kirk recommended! He sent two wreaths - one to the Confederate memorial and one to the African-American Civil War memorial! He said he was "... starting a new tradition." Yay Kirk! Yay Obama!

16 comments:

Willym said...

A really thoughtful and thought-provoking piece. An interesting suggestion about the two wreaths but boy could I see the wingnuts going crazy over that one.

Please tell Kirk I enjoyed reading it very much.

yellowdoggranny said...

i read that article this morning in the DAM News..read his statement but had no idea it was hubby..pretty cool..old traditions are hard to break and personally i'd rather see him cease the dont ask dont tell with the military than the depositing of a weath on a grave..sigh*

Rebecca said...

A fine piece. I'm so glad it was published. Give my congratulations to the hubby...

jason said...

I'd never even thought about the implications of this before.

But really, anyone who would be angered by the idea of his sending two wreaths is a certifiable kook.

Kathleen said...

Fantastic piece! Kudos to your hubby, especially for offering a creative and brilliant solution! Did he write this when he was feeling so sick? If so, double kudos!

Kathleen said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
a thousand shades of twilight said...

Congratulations to K! You're such a clever family. That was a very measured, sane and thoughtful article. I wish I could say the same for some of the comments in response!

Elizabeth said...

Thanks all! I'm very very proud of him. And check out my update. Obama did it!

Kirk was interviewed for the national news today, but then got bumped by that inconsiderate Kim Jong-il and his nuclear missile test. The nerve of some people. But at least Kirk didn't get bumped by something like Brittany and her lack of underwear.

sageweb said...

I am late to the party but I loved your husbands article. How awesome. You should be very proud of him.

Miss Janey said...

Great piece. Very cool indeed.

a thousand shades of twilight said...

A very proud moment for all of you!
Allow me to add my Yay! to the chorus of Yays!

veganrampage said...

I was talking out-loud to myself when I heard, incorrectly I might add, on the radio that Obama had sent a wreath to the Confederate site. They made it sound like it was the only wreath he sent; so much for our Corporate Pentagon Censored Unfree Press. Your husband's Op ed piece was great.

On a entirely different note; I don't have a picture but I do recall a funny name from a NY Times interview years ago. The gentleman's name was Itchy Popkins, and I paid tribute to him in a number of scenes in plays.

Kim Hambric said...

Ah, the power of the people and the power of the press. Every now and then my hubby bitches about something. I always say "write a letter." He never does. I'll have to show him that the power of the pen can sway presidents. Incredible!

more cowbell said...

*clap clap clap*

Nice piece! And how cool that the President has done this! Congrats to the husband, and yes, kudos to the power of the pen.

Not surprising the first tradition was started by Woodrow Wilson - our most racist president, hands down.

Elizabeth said...

Veganrampage -
1. I so often "talk to myself" while listening to the news. If the kids are around I have to bleep myself. It does seem that the administration was playing the whole thing very low key. They made as little noise as possible about the entire thing. Apparently, a limo drove up to the Af-Am memorial, a secret service guy got out, said, "This is from the Whitehouse," and drove away.
2. Itchy Popkins!!!! The world is a happier place knowing there was a man named Itchy Popkins in it! (What kind of plays do you write?)

Elizabeth said...

Kim - You know, that's actually what I did. And he did it! Further evidence that I am always right and should be listened to at all times!

Cowbell - It is super cool, isn't it? The husband always felt that his arcane study of monuments was foolish because it had no effect on the "real world." Then, suddenly, it does! Follow what you love, right?