Farewell To the Swami...:
This week marked the end of the line to one of the Rude Pundit's favorite blogs, Swami Uptown. Jesse Kornbluth's work on Beliefnet was an oasis of empathy, elegant rage, and muted uplift. Swami wrestled endlessly with the agony and damage being done to our American soul in the last five years, sometimes being overwhelmed by it all. In the realm of Left Blogsylvania, where we burst with anger, cynicism, and sarcasm (see below), Swami Uptown reminded us that sincerity need not be shouted to be heard.

But the Head Butler Goes On:
However, Kornbluth's other alter-ego (although he may have more than two), Head Butler, is hitting the big-time. Head Butler is an eclectic collection of reviews, ranging from Louisiana blues rocker CC Adcock's latest CD to the writings of Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh, demonstrating that there is truly no line between high and low culture. Click around for insightful critiques of works old and new.

And listen this afternoon to NPR's All Things Considered. Kornbluth will be interviewed for the last ten-minute segment of the show. He may not be the Swami anymore, but he can lead you to enlightenment.