April 21, 2004

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The September Project

You’ve heard about beating swords into plowshares.

Well, how about turning tragedies into conversations?

The September Project: “On September 11th libraries big and small will host events where citizens can participate collectively and think creatively about our country, our government, our community, and encourage and support the well-informed voice of the American citizenry.”

I have no idea what it will actually be like (“participate collectively”? Do those words in sequence actually convey meaning?) but I’m grooving on the spirit of this idea.

Matt mocked Deliberation Day, which this September Project somewhat resembles, and floated the (totally rad) concept of Megacaucuses instead. We both think Election Day ought to be a holiday, with optional cook-outs. But hey, if hangin’ out at the library on 9/11 is what takes off, I’m down with that, too.

We need more public (i.e. me and you, not Larry King and Joe Think Tank) deliberation around here, whatever the venue. Right now we’re all these atomized news-consuming preference-tallying voter-droids. Can I get some town hall action? Anybody?

(Thanks to Crooked Timber for the link!)

A Crooked Timber reader comments on the original post: “Do these people not realise that ‘earnest’ is a pejorative term?”

What this reader does not realize is that earnestness is all that can save us!