PICTURE THIS: A folksy, self-consciously plainspoken Southern politician rises to power during a period of profound unrest in America. The nation is facing one of the half-dozen or so of its worst existential crises to date, and the people, once sunny, confident, and striving, are now scared, angry, and disillusioned. Through a combination of factors -his easy bearing chief among them (along with massive cash donations from Big Business; disorganization in the liberal opposition; a stuffy, aloof opponent; and support from religious fanatics who feel they've been unfairly marginalized)-he wins the presidential election.
Ripped from today's headlines? Nope.
Sinclair Lewis,
Circa 1935: "It Can't Happen Here" has been recently
reissued. But
you can read it here (with free registration) at
American Buddha (possibly NSFW).
first link via Arts & Letters Daily
posted by spock
on Dec 28, 2005 -
44 comments
Diaries of the Lewis and Clark Journey. American Journeys has a collection or primary source documents about the Lewis and Clark Journey across America, including the diary of Sergeant Charles Floyd (the only member of the expedition to die en route), Jefferson's letter to Clark where he suggests the expedition, and 63 engravings of Places and People. If you're into history, you might also want to vote on
Wisconsin Turning Points, a ballot to determine the most interesting topics in Wisconsin History.
posted by rev-
on May 21, 2004 -
3 comments
African AIDS Drug Plan Faces Collapse. The World Health Organization's
Three by Five programme seeks to supply 3 million Africans with anti-HIV drugs by 2005. But it's in danger, due to lack of cash... and opposition from
special interests who seem to be exerting influence over the U.S. government. According to
Stephen Lewis, U.N. Special Envoy for AIDS in Africa, 'If Three by Five fails, as it surely will without the dollars, then there are no excuses left, no rationalisations to hide behind. There will only be the mass graves of the betrayed.'
posted by stonerose
on Mar 17, 2004 -
20 comments