Change can happen

Your vote does count. And who we have in government does matter.

Today, the Prime Minister of Australia, Kevin Rudd, apologized for the atrocities committed against Australia's Indigenous peoples. This is something that the old PM, John Howard, refused to do.

So much change happened through these words. The apology has been a long time coming, and with the words, "sorry, the first step" there is acknowledgment of the past and a pledge to the future.

Rudd's first official act, on his first day in office (December 3), was to sign the Kyoto Agreement, another little detail Howard consistently refused to attend to.

So, less than three months since the change in government, and Australia has taken two monumental steps which were not possible under the previous administration.

Imagine what could happen in the US...

Junior Burke's spreading the news too!

Tune in and learn how to become part of the newest political party to have a voice. The Poets Party needs you! Hosted by Vivian Nesbitt and John Dillon. Click here to listen.

Anne Waldman spreads the news of The Poets Party

The Poets Party is back!

While we've been away, we've been busily spreading the Poets Party news on the radio.

Claudia Cragg aired this interview with our own Anne Waldman this morning. They talk about the The Poets Party, poetry & politics, and the upcoming Summer Writing Program.

You can listen to it at here.

state-ment

The Poets Party recognizes Amiri Baraka as Poet Laureate of New Jersey and enthusiastically endorses his re-in-state-ment!

Poetical echo

Dear Mr. President,
Love and poetry last forever,
War is always a great big lose.
I am a poet and a lover and a winner,
How 'bout you, how 'bout you?

Philip Whalen, circa 1968

The Poets Party: No Platform, Many Stances

Supreme Court will not review Amiri Baraka's free speech case

Newark: Court won't hear ex-N.J. poet laureate’s appeal

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: November 14, 2007

The United States Supreme Court declined yesterday to review a lawsuit filed by a former poet laureate of New Jersey challenging the elimination of his post. Without comment, the court declined to hear the case. In March, the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit ruled that state officials were immune from the suit brought by the former poet laureate, Amiri Baraka. Gov. James E. McGreevey eliminated the post in July 2003 amid an uproar over Mr. Baraka’s poem “Somebody Blew Up America,” a work referring to 9/11. The governor and Legislature had been barred from firing Mr. Baraka, and eliminated his post instead. He sued, claiming free speech rights had been violated.