BTW, great SFRC hearing this morning on Yemen

[Luftmensch067]

Video available here:
http://foreign.senate.gov/hearings/hearing/20100120/

1. JK mentions having read several papers in preparation for the hearing on the plane from MA (and we know what he was going through there last night!), starts the hearing by making a moving statement of condolence to Haiti and then just as he's about to leave, about 10 minutes before the end, to go to the Floor for a vote, someone is there with his crutch and you see him wince slightly as he prepares to get up. All of this made me go "awwwwwww" and appreciate him SO MUCH for who he is and what he does.

Fascinating hearing, btw, and JK asks a lot of good questions.

2. One of the witnesses is speaking right before JK leaves and he describes the difference between the U.S. efforts and AQ's efforts in Yemen. He says the U.S. comes over there "makes a big impression and then goes away", over and over. By contrast, he says AQ are known as "pious men" whose names are known to everyone and who are seen as truly trying to solve the problems of poverty in the country. I was so struck by the resemblance of this description to the discussion we've all been having today that I nearly jumped out of my chair! MA is not Yemen and Scott Brown and the teabaggers are not AQ, but isn't it the same thing, really, on an entirely different scale!?

More SFRC goodness tomorrow, I see!

[YvonneCa]

1. The need for empathy...

...is everywhere. I see the same condition here in CA and its influence on why kids join gangs. Humanity versus selfishness.

[Luftmensch067]

2. Humanity and empathy, yes, but also

Engagement, consistency and commitment! That I think is the key here.

[YvonneCa]

3. I agree, but I also hope we will 'call out'...

...selfishness when it is obvious. I don't think we (Democrats) do that enough.