As we head into our own experiment with regime change, gay issues will be pushed yet again towards the forefront of American political debate. But this will not be a rehashing of the '92 cycle, with a potential president making lofty promises to the gay community only to break them when a conservative wind blows his way. Instead, candidates will rush to assure the American voter that they will oppose any attempt to legalize homosexual unions or support a codified definition of marriage as between one man and one woman. Unfortunately, with the conservative Republican party entrenched against them and the more moderate Democratic party having abandoned them, gays and lesbians can be assured that this promise will remain inviolate.

NEW YORK, N.Y. -- For Democrats only: I think our field is shaping up quite nicely. Several of our candidates are starting to look promising indeed. Of course, only a political junkie would have sat through the entire two-hour debate, and the fact that there are 10 of them works against any one standing out. If the field isn't winnowed down soon, they might want to consider dividing themselves into two groups for a debate so we get more than these unsatisfactory soundbites.

            I think they ought to keep Al Sharpton in just for the entertainment value. Carol Moseley Braun is obviously the weakest link. But you know, guys, she wouldn't stand out so painfully as the only one who ever brings up women's issues if some of the rest of you did so occasionally, too. I really like Bob Graham, but for some reason he doesn't come across well. He voted against the Iraq war resolution, against the tax cuts and against confirming John Ashcroft -- a much higher profile in courage than several others in office. But even with all his electoral experience, he doesn't sound sharp.

            The real progressives are supporting Kucinich, and normally I'd

A mighty and a passionate heart has ceased to beat.

            Edward Said died in a hospital in New York City Wednesday night at 6.30 p.m., felled at last by complications arising from the leukemia he fought so gamely ever since the early 1990s.

            We march through life buoyed by those comrades-in-arms we know to be marching with us, under the same banners, flying the same colors, sustained by the same hopes and convictions. They can be a thousand miles away; we may not have spoken to them in months; but their companionship is burned into our souls, and we are sustained by the knowledge that they are with us in the world.

            How many times, after a week, a month or more, I have reached him on the phone and within a second been lofted in my spirits, as we pressed through our updates: his trips, his triumphs, the insults sustained; the enemies rebuked and put to flight. Even in his pettiness he was magnificent, and as I would laugh at his fury at some squalid gibe hurled at him by an eighth-rate scrivener, he would clamber from the pedestal of martyrdom and laugh at himself.

Dear Harvey Wasserman,

Tyranny has always been the main stay of man's cultures and governments. I find it disappointing that you think the Democrats could do much better. The party has sold out to the multinationals just like the Republicans. Ever hear of virtual parliament? Money controls. I suppose the issues are more complex than we realize. I take the easy direct route. Mythology is the key to tyrants. Early on, man's man made god was the rich guy with a sacred connection. We have only layered upon that myth with more fantastic crap. Don't get me wrong though. I am not an atheist. Just know I don't worship the little manmade God. And don't forget the beginning of secret government with that marvelous creation the National Security Council.

Sincerely, David Gommel

Dear friends:

It is with great sadness that I mourn the death of the eminent scholar Professor Edward Said (see Associated Press story below).  Edward's work includes the seminal work on Orientalism which remains a classic text of comparative study of the Western works on the East.  Similarly his works exposing the mythologies of the Zionist enterprise have been nothing short of monumental.  He was truly a cultured man of many talents and expert knowledge in areas ranging from history, to culture, to music, to literature.  His quest for truth and his published work have had significant impact on the minds and hearts of millions of people.  Their impact will only increase over time as all of us, his students, colleagues and friends honor him by redoubling our efforts.

The last time I sat down with Edward for dinner was after his brilliant talk at Wesleyan University on 2/19/02 (many were turned back as the hall filled beyond capacity).  While he appeared frail then, I was inspired by his firm belief in the ultimate triumph of the human spirit over oppression and war.  I was even more inspired by his humility.  He