I just heard the most remarkable series of back to back speeches imaginable. I was late getting out the door this morning and that allowed me to listen to GWB’s scatterbrained ruminations on everything from corporate responsibility (oxymoron?) to his vision for a green energy policy (hint: it involves drilling in Anwar…).   In addition to the failed logic and robotic repetition of neocon talking points, there was an overall sense that we were listening to someone who actually knew that 95% of what he was saying was absolute nonsense. I guess that Republicans place a high value on the ability to act stupid in a very convincing manner.

When I finally got in my car and on the road, I channel-surfed through the AM talk shows before switching over to listen to the FM non-commercial stations: college radio, NPR affiliates and various progressive stations. Although the right wing nut jobs would never admit it, much of the NPR programming is actually the closest thing to ‘fair and balanced’ news reporting that you will find on radio or TV.   On the other hand, a real outpost of the left resides over at KPFK, a station proud to proclaim its liberal bias.   This morning they were wrapping up one of their occasional ‘fund drives’ and I was just about to switch to another channel when the jock announced the next segment: five minute clip from Malcolm X’s famous “the ballot or the bullet” speech from 1964.   For lack of a better descriptive, let me just call it ‘political poetry.’   In contrast with the drivel leaking out of both sides of W’s mouth, the words of Malcolm X were both inspirational and challenging.

My favorite part of the clip we heard this morning began when he suggested that singing “We shall overcome” was of little true value. In fact it was time to “stop singing and start swinging!” He mentioned that Cassius Clay didn’t get to be heavyweight champion by singing, he got there by swinging, and it was time for all ‘black folk’ to start doing the same.

Malcolm’s commanding presence, his powerful use of language and his complete confidence added up to a truly riveting experience. Even a middle of the road independent would have a hard time not being motivated by this speech. Any dedicated lefties were likely inspired to re-dedicate themselves to the struggle. Personally, I know exactly who I’d like to take a swing at, and hopefully it would prevent him from making anymore harebrained proposals about drilling our way out of the energy crisis.