We’ve been jazzed up about politics for a long time but in 2008, the political itch reached it’s zenith. Raise your hand if you weren’t addiction to Rachel Maddow all October and November! I thought the buzz would wear off once the election was over but I’m in deep now, hanging on Rachel’s every word and spending my days tuning into the cabinet confirmation hearings. (Hillary was terrific yesterday, by the way.)

So along comes an email about yet another opportunity to try and further progress an artistic agenda. StoryStudio writer Delia passed along a peitition to encourage President-Elect Obama to appoint a new Secretary of the Arts. Not really such a far fetched idea if you ask me. Art--in all of its various and controversial and bad-taste/good-taste forms--is essential to life. Even the cave people carved scenes onto their walls.

I know what you’re thinking: these internet petition thingies are a fake. That may be so but it certainly did the trick of getting me interested. I signed it too. Figured if Quincy Jones’ and Aaron Sorkin’s names were on there, I’d be in good company.

So take a look and sign if you wish. In the meantime, what do you think about elevating the necessity of art to a cabinet position? Isn’t the NEA enough?
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Subject: Obama to appoint Secretary of the Arts;

Thanks, and Happy New Year!
Andrew Sorkin