Rocking and Rolling!

by Pa Rock
Pea Green Sailor

The sea has been restless, more big waves and movement than I have ever experienced before. I'm fine, but one obnoxious fellow regaled us at dinner last night with stories of vomit sightings around the ship!

I had a great seat at the opening session this morning, on the center aisle just four rows from the stage. Got some up close shots of Howard Dean, Bob Scheer, Katrina Vandn Heuvel, Calvin Trillin, and E.L. Doctorow. Vanden Heuvel and Scheer did a relentless interview of Dr. Dean, followed by some equally tough questions from the audience. He beleives that Obama is striking the right tone in Afghanistan, a sentiment that was not universal among the audience, but he had unkind words about Blue Dog Democrats. Dean said that he would not be giving money to either the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) or the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) because they will inevitably support some of the crackers who aren't supporting health care reform. ("Crackers" is my term, not his.)

Calvin Trillin interviewed E. L. Doctorow with a deadpan humor, asking such insightful questions as why he calls himself E.L. The great author, obviously a good friend of Trillin's, was nonetheless occasionally nonplussed at his questions. Doctorow read from his latest book and told interesting personal anecdotes on individuals as diverse as Ayn Rand and Robert Altman. Doctorow said that he has only liked one movie made from his books, and that was Sidney Lumet's take on The Book of Daniel. Doctorow was set up for a book signing after the presentation, but they ran out of his books before I could push over enough blue hairs to get to the book sales table. Sorry, Tim, but there goes your Christmas present!

Howard Dean will be involved in a workshop this afternoon focusing on international affairs. I want to be sure and get a good seat for that.

More later...