Should Reads for those on the Left, and Left of the Left

I have two pieces that are interesting reads.  The first is a New York Times column by Bob Herbert that asserts that liberals need to stop apologizing and start celebrating their great American legacy.  

"Without the extraordinary contribution of liberals — from the mightiest presidents to the most unheralded protesters and organizers — the United States would be a much, much worse place than it is today."

The second piece is by the legendary Amiri Baraka.  His message is for the "true revolutionaries" that won't support Barack because he "isn't revolutionary enough," or is "just part of the system." This is a long piece, in it Baraka takes on, "infantile leftism who think revolution means standing on the sidelines calling who they think are their enemies names."   But that's not all he has in his cross hairs.  He also goes after a recent New York Times Magazine article that asked "Is Obama The End of Black Politics?"  and some of the subjects of that article, young Black politicians that he calls:

"the most visible of stealth negroes, i.e. those who, while profiting by the opening in US politics provided them by the Civil Rights and Black Liberation Movement, and getting substantial Black support at the polls, believe that they have "made it" by virtue of their own impeccable greatness ,"

His central point, however, is that these "too revolutionary to fuck with Obama," folks are missing what's unfolding before them.  There is real possibility of a new, in Baraka's words:

"...United Front , which (should) be led by the working class in alliance with farmers, the progressive petty bourgeoisie, oppressed nationalities and progressive national bourgeoisie. The loose Obama coalition, as it exists now."

He's not saying Barack's perfect or the savior himself, but that Obama can build a coalition that can bring about change, as long as we're all engaged enough to force that change.  This point is followed by proof of the achievements that the presidency can bring (using FDR's first 100 days leading to The New Deal as an example), and then lays out his prescription for what the Progressive agenda should be. Baraka's final point leads to the suggestion that I would give  to Obama if I ever got to give him campaign advice.  Baraka says that Barack needs to lay out a "New New Deal" to govern with once he takes office.  I think that he should lay it out to campaign with.  A bold plan like that would demand a response, putting the election talk back on the issues and off of the "silly season" politics that McCain's campaign is trying to make this about...