A couple of weeks ago I visited the Smithsonian Musuem of American History - where part of the actual counter is on display.  That day, they had an black actor playing the part of a young man in 1960 who talked about the times, the event, and if the audience could really understand what it meant to be refused service in a diner because you were different.  

The actor performed an experiment, which I got to take part in - he called three of us up from the small audience to sit on counter stools with our backs to everybody else.  Then he had the rest of the audience come up and stand right behind us - very close to us - and just stare at us (we could see them in the mirror behind the counter). Now, of course, they weren't shouting at us, threatening us, or grabbing at us, so it wasn't exactly the same as what those four boys experienced in 1960, but it was still a little intimidating sitting there, looking at a menu, with 30 people so close, we could literally feel their breath on our necks.

The actor then asked us how we felt, and I honestly had to say, that I am of much weaker character - I could not sit there where I wasn't wanted and just stay there, when people would be screaming at me and trying to threaten and hurt me - even if I knew the cause was just.  It was scary.

I guess baby steps are better than no steps at all.  Although this seems like a pretty big step to me:

I apologize to you for not recognizing your awesome pick on the Colts/Jets game.  Quite remarkable how well you nailed it. Right down to the the part about it might take some time for the Colts to get things to click.

It's getting to be impossible to have a rational conversation about government or politics these days with too many people making up the rules as they go along.

And even more people buying the made-up rules when it suits their purposes.

And too many of them hold elective office, it seems.

 It's relatively small (seats 54), and simply decorated. The menu changes seasonally. We had, of course, the winter menu. I chose the roast pork loin with spicy plum sauce, sauteed organic greens and roasted yam medallions. OMG! The pork was perfectly cooked, a little pink in the middle. The plum was spicy without being hot, and was perfect with the pork.

Other entree choices at my table included braised lamb shank (I had a taste. First time I have ever eaten lamb. Interesting flavor), a tagine chicken with couscous and vegies and currants, and a "daube au Provencal" which is beef braised in red wine with olives. All of this was also great. As is typical in Portland, all the food is locally sourced.

And the service was informed, attentive and non-intrusive. Just the way I like it.

Grappling to contain record deficits, President Barack Obama is seeking to end a middle-class tax break he once said would be permanent.

The $3.8 trillion budget request rolled out by the White House on Monday would renew the Making Work Pay tax credit for fiscal 2011, but then would have it sunset.

That's a switch from last year, when Obama's budget called for making the tax credit permanent.

The cut costs the federal government about $63 billion in annual revenue while putting up to $400 in the pockets of workers making less than $95,000. It was approved for the first time in last year's $787 billion stimulus package.

Link

WASHINGTON -- The Pentagon recommended Monday moving an aircraft carrier from Virginia to Florida, angering Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., who questions whether a retired admiral who lobbies for Jacksonville exerted unfair influence on the decision.
Retired admiral Robert Natter, who is also a paid adviser for the Navy, said he had nothing to do with the recommendation that the Navy move the carrier. The recommendation, part of a long-range strategy review, says moving the carrier to Mayport, Fla., will limit the risk that a terrorist attack, natural disaster or accident could cripple the eastern carrier fleet, which is based in Norfolk,Va. The review maps out threats the Pentagon anticipates and its plans to meet them.

RETIRED OFFICERS: Colo. firm employs the most
MENTOR PROGRAM: Gates orders review

Webb, a former secretary of the Navy, has questioned whether Natter met with officials who took part in the Pentagon's strategy review. In December, Webb wrote a letter to the Pentagon asking about Natter's role in the carrier decision and cited a Nov. 18 USA TODAY report that cited Senate lobbying records that showed Natter received $1.5 million as a lobbyist for Florida from 2004 to 2006 on base-closing decisions. The Pentagon has not yet answered Webb's letter, according to Jessica Smith, a spokeswoman for Webb.

Webb said Monday that moving a carrier to Mayport made no financial sense and that the proposal "was not a done deal." He has said the move could cost up to $1 billion.

KINGSPORT, Tenn. (AP) -- It was a Zinger of a theft in Tennessee.

   It also included cupcakes, Twinkies and other snack cakes from the Merita Bread Company.

   The Kingsport Times-News cites a report from the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office in reporting 34-year-old James M. Denoon and 18-year-old Anthony Stout were found hiding under a truck at the bakery late Friday night.

   The deputies found about $300 worth of stolen snack cakes stacked on the ground nearby.

   Finding the accused thieves was easy: The deputies only had to follow their footprints. There was more than an inch of snow on the ground by Friday night.

   Denoon and Stout were charged with theft under $500 and two counts of auto burglary. It was not immediately clear if they had attorneys.