“The rumors of my death are greatly exaggerated.” This is something I’d like to see President Obama demonstrate during Wednesday night’s State of the Union address. He’ll need to announce some bold proposals for reining in Wall Street, for investing in communities and creating jobs. Something showing that he has a lot of fight in him, that he is willing to stand up to entrenched power in both parties as well as the bullies on the Right.

An open letter to CEOs who recently testified before Congress about the financial meltdown:

Each year, on this day set aside to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, I enjoy reading speeches from across the nation and noting the themes that people are drawing upon from Dr. King's life and work. This year, three themes stand out:

--- Solidarity with and support for the people of Haiti. Not just relief during this time of tragedy, which is important, but looking at underlying structural and historical roots of the human-made tragedy of poverty. 

--- Renewed commitment to peace, including just withdrawals from Iraq and Afganistan.

A reflection on the year that is ending: As I recall the tumults and triumphs of 2009, I am reminded of the positive shifts in political discourse, especially  during the first quarter, about the role of communities, markets and government in rebuilding our economy. The hope that so many of us felt was real, and, despite recent set-backs, we can still tap it.

Which right-wing fear-mongerer will you imitate this Halloween? They are far more scary and dangerous than the traditional Halloween ghosts and ghouls. And lampooning Glenn Beck can be very cathartic. But we need to do more than don masks. We need to stand up to the red-baiters and spewers of hate. And we need to stand together.