Tom Hayden at Busboys and Poets

Hello Walls.

I hate to say it, but they were more interesting than Tom Hayden making an author's visit to Busboys and Poets Thursday night.

If his new book is anything like his delivery, throw out the sleeping pills. Zzzzzzzz.

Speaking in a monotonous tone with few dynamics or enthusiasm, Mr. Hayden, a name familiar to those who grew up in the 60s, read from his latest book, Writings for a Democratic Society: The Tom Hayden Reader which includes his works over the past 50 years. He spoke for about 15 minutes and then took questions from the 50 or so people gathered to see and hear an icon.

It was my first visit to the renowned coffee shop, and the walls were more intriguing than Mr. Hayden.

Spread over one entire side is a mural of articles and images of revolutionaries (Bella Abzug, Nelson Mandela, and many others whom I could not see) plus framed art of more famous faces on the facing wall and three large drawings (Martin Luther King was one) facing the audience behind Mr. Hayden on stage. They were inspiring, enthralling and I felt rude staring so hard at them. My table mate, Glenn, told me the manager and owner, Andy Shallal, who was present, created the huge, fascinating mural. (Mr. Shallal in shirt and tie, stayed throughout Mr. Hayden's presentation, asking questions, and showing keen interest in the presentation.)

We sat in a carpeted "great room", the Langston Room, named after the venue's namesake, busboy and poet Langston Hughes. Wooden tables, low lighting, a tiled ceiling, and old-fashioned booths invited strangers to join strangers to carouse, drink, and eat before and during Mr. Hayden's presentation which made the evening all the more delightful. Table service was impeccable. I am always impressed by any restaurant which uses cloth napkins.

Mr. Hayden believes today's protests against the Iraq War are more effective than the ones during the Vietnam War (Ed's note: NOT), and likened the Iraq War to "an unspoken Christian crusade". Many evangelicals are embedded at the Pentagon, he said, and some call Muslims "wicked. They've taken over the chaplain's corps," he said. The Iraq War cannot be ended this year, and "it will probably take another five years" to get out. "Every five years there's a war."

Pressure to attack Iran is present in every possible way. "The neocons see this as their window of opportunity." If we don't (attack), the Israelis will. "We need to run the clock until November, but there's a danger between November and the inauguration. As it gets closer to the election, bombing (Iran) becomes more likely."

"The business of writing is to make people uncomfortable," Mr. Hayden said.

Crowd: 90% Caucasian, male and female in equal proportions more or less, average age: 32. All seats taken.

Tom Hayden was one of the "Chicago Seven", a co-founder of the radical group, Students for a Democratic Society, a member of the California state legislature (1982-2000), and the husband of Jane Fonda (1973-1990).

Busboys and Poets, a progressive, liberal, eclectic "think tank" bookstore and coffee shop is located at 2021 14th St. NW, between U and V streets, about a block from the U Street Metro Stop and also in Arlington at 4251 S. Campbell Avenue. There's a short, diversified menu with plenty of good food at reasonable prices. Its web site says sales proceeds go to a non-profit, "Teaching for Change". Ph. 202-387-7638