The internet gives me access to original sources. I don't have to read a synopsis of a speech or see someone's selected sound bites from it. I can watch the real thing. Two great speeches this week: Barack Obama's speech on service, which I read yesterday morning before going off to spend a good portion of the day at a community service event. For people like us who are so into community building, his "call to service" theme makes great sense.
The other excellent speech is Thomas Friedman's talk at the Aspen Ideas Festival that previews his new book Hot, Flat, and Crowded: Why We Need a Green Revolution — and How It Can Renew America. It's all about the scale of change needed and the economics of the scale. After a Sunday morning kayak, the day just got lazier. The July Mix: Esperanza because she can sing and play a stand up bass at the same time; Tim O'Brien because I do have that syndrome; Emmylou because the McGarrigles are on it; Ferron because the girlfriends (Ani, Amy, Emily) are helping out.