Thursday, March 27, 2003
Wednesday, March 26, 2003
I want U to make love, not war; I know U heard it be4
Peaceniks, is marching becoming a bore? Are you finding direct action an unfulfilling hassle? Well gals, here's what you gotta do, courtesy of Libida:
Women all over the world are protesting the imminent war on Iraq by performing Lysistrata, a 2400-year-old play. It portrays the real story of the women of Greece rebelling against the on-going Peloponnesian war by denying their mates any sex until they stopped fighting. It worked! Today, performers in 49 countries including Europe, Asia, America, and Canada are taking the same approach by recounting this story. It is a valiant (worthy) effort at bringing awareness to our current global situation. Today, the version of Lysistrata, might look a little different, however.... more
ps: my Libida connection: they moved into my old place, on the corner of Texas & Mariposa.
Peaceniks, is marching becoming a bore? Are you finding direct action an unfulfilling hassle? Well gals, here's what you gotta do, courtesy of Libida:
Women all over the world are protesting the imminent war on Iraq by performing Lysistrata, a 2400-year-old play. It portrays the real story of the women of Greece rebelling against the on-going Peloponnesian war by denying their mates any sex until they stopped fighting. It worked! Today, performers in 49 countries including Europe, Asia, America, and Canada are taking the same approach by recounting this story. It is a valiant (worthy) effort at bringing awareness to our current global situation. Today, the version of Lysistrata, might look a little different, however.... more
ps: my Libida connection: they moved into my old place, on the corner of Texas & Mariposa.
Music Labels against the war
Here's a few labels that are at least using their online pulpit to support the anti-war movement:
Thurston Moore & Chris Habib's new idea, Protest Records. All songs are free for the download.
YOYO Records is donating 25 cents from each order to the Voices in the Wilderness campaign to end the sanctions against Iraq.
K Records
Kill Rock Stars
Chainsaw Records
If you know of any others, I'd appreciate hearing of them.
Here's a few labels that are at least using their online pulpit to support the anti-war movement:
Thurston Moore & Chris Habib's new idea, Protest Records. All songs are free for the download.
YOYO Records is donating 25 cents from each order to the Voices in the Wilderness campaign to end the sanctions against Iraq.
K Records
Kill Rock Stars
Chainsaw Records
If you know of any others, I'd appreciate hearing of them.
Tuesday, March 25, 2003
How does Cheney still get 1M$/yr from HAL?
Halliburton Charges Into Iraq
A division of Halliburton (NYSE: HAL) has been awarded a contract from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to work in Iraq. The size of the contract was not disclosed, but estimates put it near $1 billion... Dick Cheney was CEO of Halliburton until 2000. Upon entering the vice president's office, Cheney divested himself of his holdings, although he reportedly still receives about $1 million a year in compensation from the company.
and in other chump-change contract news...
...Halliburton...has a long history of contracts with the military...among its recent U.S. military contracts: a $16 million deal in which it built a permanent prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for detainees from the war in Afghanistan...
Halliburton Charges Into Iraq
A division of Halliburton (NYSE: HAL) has been awarded a contract from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to work in Iraq. The size of the contract was not disclosed, but estimates put it near $1 billion... Dick Cheney was CEO of Halliburton until 2000. Upon entering the vice president's office, Cheney divested himself of his holdings, although he reportedly still receives about $1 million a year in compensation from the company.
and in other chump-change contract news...
...Halliburton...has a long history of contracts with the military...among its recent U.S. military contracts: a $16 million deal in which it built a permanent prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for detainees from the war in Afghanistan...
This ain't PC, but it's...something....
What can I say? This is from my dear, dear bro-in-law - who I love like the mo'fo he truly is - down Houston TeXAS way. Beer is good for you. If nothing else, just enjoy it for the vidFX, ok?
The war continues, don't it?
What can I say? This is from my dear, dear bro-in-law - who I love like the mo'fo he truly is - down Houston TeXAS way. Beer is good for you. If nothing else, just enjoy it for the vidFX, ok?
The war continues, don't it?
It takes a village
Here's something off the dominant subjects, for a change.
As I've never had any experience at fathering, I'm curious what others think of the following parenting idea.
A young neighbor girl, around 4 years old now, had fairly extensive surgery on her skull last week. She's doing very well and is expected to make a full recovery.
Soon she will be back outside and playing. As a preamble to that good news, the parents contacted all us neighbors to let us know 'you will be surprised when you see her,' and 'to think before you speak and keep facial responses as neutral as possible.'
I can totally understand this. People can be awfully callous (Get all your news, right here!). But as a non-parent - and therefore ignorant of such matters - it also made me wonder when does this sort of thing become too much protecting?
The parents are trying to keep initial responses and reactions to a minimum. Their daughter is self-conscious and trying to adjust to the temporary change in her appearance (Projection, on their part?). The parents are open and willing to talk about it, just not in their daughters presence.
I, if the situation arises, will definitely do whatever the parents suggest. But won't the kid be wondering 'hey, why isn't anyone saying anything?'
Here's something off the dominant subjects, for a change.
As I've never had any experience at fathering, I'm curious what others think of the following parenting idea.
A young neighbor girl, around 4 years old now, had fairly extensive surgery on her skull last week. She's doing very well and is expected to make a full recovery.
Soon she will be back outside and playing. As a preamble to that good news, the parents contacted all us neighbors to let us know 'you will be surprised when you see her,' and 'to think before you speak and keep facial responses as neutral as possible.'
I can totally understand this. People can be awfully callous (Get all your news, right here!). But as a non-parent - and therefore ignorant of such matters - it also made me wonder when does this sort of thing become too much protecting?
The parents are trying to keep initial responses and reactions to a minimum. Their daughter is self-conscious and trying to adjust to the temporary change in her appearance (Projection, on their part?). The parents are open and willing to talk about it, just not in their daughters presence.
I, if the situation arises, will definitely do whatever the parents suggest. But won't the kid be wondering 'hey, why isn't anyone saying anything?'
Monday, March 24, 2003
Musical Terror
Godspeed You! Black Emperor Questioned as Suspected Terrorists, Continue World Tour
Well, they are Canadians....
Godspeed You! Black Emperor Questioned as Suspected Terrorists, Continue World Tour
Well, they are Canadians....
Friday, March 21, 2003
Fight the funk
OK, I've got to shake this feeling. It's to no useful purpose to feel the wrong side won. Out with the blues and in with The Blues!
Visual support: Belsky!
Aural accompaniment: Taj Mahal!
Music Keeps Me Together, is such a soothing album. There's a song title on it - "When I Feel The Sea Beneath My Soul." The phrase is kind of a spiritual talisman for me, since my days on the clam boat. The song is good too. It's an instrumental, which is very apropos. You can't describe the sense of what the title means...but you can feel it. Music does keep me together. Right on time too.
OK, I've got to shake this feeling. It's to no useful purpose to feel the wrong side won. Out with the blues and in with The Blues!
Visual support: Belsky!
Aural accompaniment: Taj Mahal!
Music Keeps Me Together, is such a soothing album. There's a song title on it - "When I Feel The Sea Beneath My Soul." The phrase is kind of a spiritual talisman for me, since my days on the clam boat. The song is good too. It's an instrumental, which is very apropos. You can't describe the sense of what the title means...but you can feel it. Music does keep me together. Right on time too.
Thursday, March 20, 2003
It's only a black box
No, this thing below does not signify I endorse The Black Bloc. It's just a representation of the way I felt. Feel.
The city was pretty weird today. Lot's of hatred out there folks. I realize passive, non-violent protest didn't stop the war from starting. And I also understand people are now incensed by the way our government refuses to hear the very large contingent of Americans opposed to this war. I'm pissed too. Well, that's not true. I'm not angry so much as I feel sick. Maybe I'm a whuss. That's probably it.
It just boggles my mind how the concept of 'decapitation strikes' is semantically valid in less than 24 hours. Without any debate. We, as a country, actually have a no assassination policy. But because our leadership has decided to embark on an imperialistic war, it's now OK to off the top echelon.
I don't believe Hussein has a decent bone in his body. Given his past atrocities, it would be hard to think otherwise. But our government, in it's bloodlust for this man, is running down everything decent and moral about our country's foreign and domestic policies. I know - this isn't news. It still makes me sick.
No, this thing below does not signify I endorse The Black Bloc. It's just a representation of the way I felt. Feel.
The city was pretty weird today. Lot's of hatred out there folks. I realize passive, non-violent protest didn't stop the war from starting. And I also understand people are now incensed by the way our government refuses to hear the very large contingent of Americans opposed to this war. I'm pissed too. Well, that's not true. I'm not angry so much as I feel sick. Maybe I'm a whuss. That's probably it.
It just boggles my mind how the concept of 'decapitation strikes' is semantically valid in less than 24 hours. Without any debate. We, as a country, actually have a no assassination policy. But because our leadership has decided to embark on an imperialistic war, it's now OK to off the top echelon.
I don't believe Hussein has a decent bone in his body. Given his past atrocities, it would be hard to think otherwise. But our government, in it's bloodlust for this man, is running down everything decent and moral about our country's foreign and domestic policies. I know - this isn't news. It still makes me sick.
Wednesday, March 19, 2003
Explaining the War
In classic blogdom fashion, this piece has found its way here via a series of 'feel free to post it on your site' links. In turn, please feel free to do the same. It came to me via evil queen, from Zine Girl, via Madame Fab, who got it from a post by Jaymelee on a community website.
A WARMONGER EXPLAINS WAR TO A PEACENIK
By Anonymous
PeaceNik: Why did you say we are we invading Iraq?
WarMonger: We are invading Iraq because it is in violation of Security Council resolution 1441. A country cannot be allowed to violate Security Council resolutions.
PN: But I thought many of our allies, including Israel, were in violation of more Security Council resolutions than Iraq.
WM: It's not just about UN resolutions. The main point is that Iraq could have weapons of mass destruction, and the first sign of a smoking gun could well be a mushroom cloud over NY.
PN: Mushroom cloud? But I thought the weapons inspectors said Iraq had no nuclear weapons.
WM: Yes, but biological and chemical weapons are the issue.
PN: But I thought Iraq did not have any long range missiles for attacking us or our allies with such weapons.
WM: The risk is not Iraq directly attacking us, but rather
terrorists networks that Iraq could sell the weapons to.
PN: But couldn't virtually any country sell chemical or biological materials? We sold quite a bit to Iraq in the eighties ourselves, didn't we?
WM: That's ancient history. Look, Saddam Hussein is an evil man that has an undeniable track record of repressing his own people since the early eighties. He gasses his enemies. Everyone agrees that he is a power-hungry lunatic murderer.
PN: We sold chemical and biological materials to a power-hungry lunatic murderer?
WM: The issue is not what we sold, but rather what Saddam did. He is the one that launched a pre-emptive first strike on Kuwait.
PN: A pre-emptive first strike does sound bad. But didn't our ambassador to Iraq, April Gillespie, know about and green-light the invasion of Kuwait?
WM: Let's deal with the present, shall we? As of today, Iraq could sell its biological and chemical weapons to Al Quaida. Osama BinLaden himself released an audio tape calling on Iraqis to suicide-attack us, proving a partnership between the two.
PN: Osama Bin Laden? Wasn't the point of invading Afghanistan to kill him?
WM: Actually, it's not 100% certain that it's really Osama Bin Laden on the tapes. But the lesson from the tape is the same: there could easily be a partnership between al-Qaida and Saddam Hussein unless we act.
PN: Is this the same audio tape where Osama Bin Laden labels Saddam a secular infidel?
WM: You're missing the point by just focusing on the tape. Powell presented a strong case against Iraq.
PN: He did?
WM: Yes, he showed satellite pictures of an Al Qaida poison factory in Iraq.
PN: But didn't that turn out to be a harmless shack in the part of Iraq controlled by the Kurdish opposition?
WM: And a British intelligence report...
PN: Didn't that turn out to be copied from an out-of-date graduate student paper?
WM: And reports of mobile weapons labs...
PN: Weren't those just artistic renderings?
WM: And reports of Iraquis scuttling and hiding evidence from inspectors...
PN: Wasn't that evidence contradicted by the chief weapons inspector, Hans Blix?
WM: Yes, but there is plenty of other hard evidence that cannot be revealed because it would compromise our security.
PN: So there is no publicly available evidence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq?
WM: The inspectors are not detectives, it's not their JOB to find evidence. You're missing the point.
PN: So what is the point?
WM: The main point is that we are invading Iraq because resolution 1441 threatened "severe consequences." If we do not act, the security council will become an irrelevant debating society.
PN: So the main point is to uphold the rulings of the security council?
WM: Absolutely....unless it rules against us.
PN: And what if it does rule against us?
WM: In that case, we must lead a coalition of the willing to invade Iraq.
PN: Coalition of the willing? Who's that?
WM: Britain, Turkey, Bulgaria, Spain, and Italy, for starters.
PN: I thought Turkey refused to help us unless we gave them tens of billions of dollars.
WM: Nevertheless, they may now be willing.
PN: I thought public opinion in all those countries was against war.
WM: Current public opinion is irrelevant. The majority expresses its will by electing leaders to make decisions.
PN: So it's the decisions of leaders elected by the majority that is important?
WM: Yes.
PN: But George Bush wasn't elected by voters. He was selected by the U.S. Supreme C...-
WM: I mean, we must support the decisions of our leaders, however they were elected, because they are acting in our best interest. This is about being a patriot. That's the bottom line.
PN: So if we do not support the decisions of the president, we are not patriotic?
WM: I never said that.
PN: So what are you saying? Why are we invading Iraq?
WM: As I said, because there is a chance that they have weapons of mass destruction that threaten us and our allies.
PN: But the inspectors have not been able to find any such weapons.
WM: Iraq is obviously hiding them.
PN: You know this? How?
WM: Because we know they had the weapons ten years ago, and they are still unaccounted for.
PN: The weapons we sold them, you mean?
WM: Precisely.
PN: But I thought those biological and chemical weapons would degrade to an unusable state over ten years.
WM: But there is a chance that some have not degraded.
PN: So as long as there is even a small chance that such weapons exist, we must invade?
WM: Exactly.
PN: But North Korea actually has large amounts of usable chemical, biological, AND nuclear weapons, AND long range missiles that can reach the West Coast AND it has expelled nuclear weapons inspectors, AND threatened to turn America into a sea of fire.
WM: That's a diplomatic issue.
PN: So why are we invading Iraq instead of using diplomacy?
WM: Aren't you listening? We are invading Iraq because we cannot allow the inspections to drag on indefinitely. Iraq has been delaying, deceiving, and denying for over ten years, and inspections cost us tens of millions.
PN: But I thought war would cost us tens of billions.
WM: Yes, but this is not about money. This is about security.
PN: But wouldn't a pre-emptive war against Iraq ignite radical Muslim sentiments against us, and decrease our security?
WM: Possibly, but we must not allow the terrorists to change the way we live. Once we do that, the terrorists have already won.
PN: So what is the purpose of the Department of Homeland Security, color-coded terror alerts, and the Patriot Act? Don't these change the way we live?
WM: I thought you had questions about Iraq.
PN: I do. Why are we invading Iraq?
WM: For the last time, we are invading Iraq because the world has called on Saddam Hussein to disarm, and he has failed to do so. He must now face the consequences.
PN: So, likewise, if the world called on us to do something, such as find a peaceful solution, we would have an obligation to listen?
WM: By "world", I meant the United Nations.
PN: So, we have an obligation to listen to the United Nations?
WM: By "United Nations" I meant the Security Council.
PN: So, we have an an obligation to listen to the Security Council?
WM: I meant the majority of the Security Council.
PN: So, we have an obligation to listen to the majority of the Security Council?
WM: Well... there could be an unreasonable veto.
PN: In which case?
WM: In which case, we have an obligation to ignore the veto.
PN: And if the majority of the Security Council does not support us at all?
WM: Then we have an obligation to ignore the Security Council.
PN: That makes no sense.
WM: If you love Iraq so much, you should move there. Or maybe France, with the all the other cheese-eating surrender monkeys. It's time to boycott their wine and cheese, no doubt about that.
PN: I give up!
In classic blogdom fashion, this piece has found its way here via a series of 'feel free to post it on your site' links. In turn, please feel free to do the same. It came to me via evil queen, from Zine Girl, via Madame Fab, who got it from a post by Jaymelee on a community website.
A WARMONGER EXPLAINS WAR TO A PEACENIK
By Anonymous
PeaceNik: Why did you say we are we invading Iraq?
WarMonger: We are invading Iraq because it is in violation of Security Council resolution 1441. A country cannot be allowed to violate Security Council resolutions.
PN: But I thought many of our allies, including Israel, were in violation of more Security Council resolutions than Iraq.
WM: It's not just about UN resolutions. The main point is that Iraq could have weapons of mass destruction, and the first sign of a smoking gun could well be a mushroom cloud over NY.
PN: Mushroom cloud? But I thought the weapons inspectors said Iraq had no nuclear weapons.
WM: Yes, but biological and chemical weapons are the issue.
PN: But I thought Iraq did not have any long range missiles for attacking us or our allies with such weapons.
WM: The risk is not Iraq directly attacking us, but rather
terrorists networks that Iraq could sell the weapons to.
PN: But couldn't virtually any country sell chemical or biological materials? We sold quite a bit to Iraq in the eighties ourselves, didn't we?
WM: That's ancient history. Look, Saddam Hussein is an evil man that has an undeniable track record of repressing his own people since the early eighties. He gasses his enemies. Everyone agrees that he is a power-hungry lunatic murderer.
PN: We sold chemical and biological materials to a power-hungry lunatic murderer?
WM: The issue is not what we sold, but rather what Saddam did. He is the one that launched a pre-emptive first strike on Kuwait.
PN: A pre-emptive first strike does sound bad. But didn't our ambassador to Iraq, April Gillespie, know about and green-light the invasion of Kuwait?
WM: Let's deal with the present, shall we? As of today, Iraq could sell its biological and chemical weapons to Al Quaida. Osama BinLaden himself released an audio tape calling on Iraqis to suicide-attack us, proving a partnership between the two.
PN: Osama Bin Laden? Wasn't the point of invading Afghanistan to kill him?
WM: Actually, it's not 100% certain that it's really Osama Bin Laden on the tapes. But the lesson from the tape is the same: there could easily be a partnership between al-Qaida and Saddam Hussein unless we act.
PN: Is this the same audio tape where Osama Bin Laden labels Saddam a secular infidel?
WM: You're missing the point by just focusing on the tape. Powell presented a strong case against Iraq.
PN: He did?
WM: Yes, he showed satellite pictures of an Al Qaida poison factory in Iraq.
PN: But didn't that turn out to be a harmless shack in the part of Iraq controlled by the Kurdish opposition?
WM: And a British intelligence report...
PN: Didn't that turn out to be copied from an out-of-date graduate student paper?
WM: And reports of mobile weapons labs...
PN: Weren't those just artistic renderings?
WM: And reports of Iraquis scuttling and hiding evidence from inspectors...
PN: Wasn't that evidence contradicted by the chief weapons inspector, Hans Blix?
WM: Yes, but there is plenty of other hard evidence that cannot be revealed because it would compromise our security.
PN: So there is no publicly available evidence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq?
WM: The inspectors are not detectives, it's not their JOB to find evidence. You're missing the point.
PN: So what is the point?
WM: The main point is that we are invading Iraq because resolution 1441 threatened "severe consequences." If we do not act, the security council will become an irrelevant debating society.
PN: So the main point is to uphold the rulings of the security council?
WM: Absolutely....unless it rules against us.
PN: And what if it does rule against us?
WM: In that case, we must lead a coalition of the willing to invade Iraq.
PN: Coalition of the willing? Who's that?
WM: Britain, Turkey, Bulgaria, Spain, and Italy, for starters.
PN: I thought Turkey refused to help us unless we gave them tens of billions of dollars.
WM: Nevertheless, they may now be willing.
PN: I thought public opinion in all those countries was against war.
WM: Current public opinion is irrelevant. The majority expresses its will by electing leaders to make decisions.
PN: So it's the decisions of leaders elected by the majority that is important?
WM: Yes.
PN: But George Bush wasn't elected by voters. He was selected by the U.S. Supreme C...-
WM: I mean, we must support the decisions of our leaders, however they were elected, because they are acting in our best interest. This is about being a patriot. That's the bottom line.
PN: So if we do not support the decisions of the president, we are not patriotic?
WM: I never said that.
PN: So what are you saying? Why are we invading Iraq?
WM: As I said, because there is a chance that they have weapons of mass destruction that threaten us and our allies.
PN: But the inspectors have not been able to find any such weapons.
WM: Iraq is obviously hiding them.
PN: You know this? How?
WM: Because we know they had the weapons ten years ago, and they are still unaccounted for.
PN: The weapons we sold them, you mean?
WM: Precisely.
PN: But I thought those biological and chemical weapons would degrade to an unusable state over ten years.
WM: But there is a chance that some have not degraded.
PN: So as long as there is even a small chance that such weapons exist, we must invade?
WM: Exactly.
PN: But North Korea actually has large amounts of usable chemical, biological, AND nuclear weapons, AND long range missiles that can reach the West Coast AND it has expelled nuclear weapons inspectors, AND threatened to turn America into a sea of fire.
WM: That's a diplomatic issue.
PN: So why are we invading Iraq instead of using diplomacy?
WM: Aren't you listening? We are invading Iraq because we cannot allow the inspections to drag on indefinitely. Iraq has been delaying, deceiving, and denying for over ten years, and inspections cost us tens of millions.
PN: But I thought war would cost us tens of billions.
WM: Yes, but this is not about money. This is about security.
PN: But wouldn't a pre-emptive war against Iraq ignite radical Muslim sentiments against us, and decrease our security?
WM: Possibly, but we must not allow the terrorists to change the way we live. Once we do that, the terrorists have already won.
PN: So what is the purpose of the Department of Homeland Security, color-coded terror alerts, and the Patriot Act? Don't these change the way we live?
WM: I thought you had questions about Iraq.
PN: I do. Why are we invading Iraq?
WM: For the last time, we are invading Iraq because the world has called on Saddam Hussein to disarm, and he has failed to do so. He must now face the consequences.
PN: So, likewise, if the world called on us to do something, such as find a peaceful solution, we would have an obligation to listen?
WM: By "world", I meant the United Nations.
PN: So, we have an obligation to listen to the United Nations?
WM: By "United Nations" I meant the Security Council.
PN: So, we have an an obligation to listen to the Security Council?
WM: I meant the majority of the Security Council.
PN: So, we have an obligation to listen to the majority of the Security Council?
WM: Well... there could be an unreasonable veto.
PN: In which case?
WM: In which case, we have an obligation to ignore the veto.
PN: And if the majority of the Security Council does not support us at all?
WM: Then we have an obligation to ignore the Security Council.
PN: That makes no sense.
WM: If you love Iraq so much, you should move there. Or maybe France, with the all the other cheese-eating surrender monkeys. It's time to boycott their wine and cheese, no doubt about that.
PN: I give up!
2 Ukes
Until sofa decides he wants to play one again, we've got 2 ukes here. I'm thinking of naming them Shock and Awe.
Only a ukulele is powerful enough to offset the vibe inflicted by the pentagon on those wide-eyed, innocent, little words.
Until sofa decides he wants to play one again, we've got 2 ukes here. I'm thinking of naming them Shock and Awe.
Only a ukulele is powerful enough to offset the vibe inflicted by the pentagon on those wide-eyed, innocent, little words.
Tuesday, March 18, 2003
Sleep dog, lie
I've just been laying down my (uninvited) two cents all over the place tonight. Too many blogs, too many mailing lists. Too much...today. Now I'm too op-ed'ed out to write anything here.
So very lucky for you!
See you at P&M tomorrow.
I've just been laying down my (uninvited) two cents all over the place tonight. Too many blogs, too many mailing lists. Too much...today. Now I'm too op-ed'ed out to write anything here.
So very lucky for you!
See you at P&M tomorrow.
Monday, March 17, 2003
Postcards of the hanging
I woke up to the inevitability of war.
Stay in the Now - you don't want to think about the future.
Praise be to Nero's Neptune
The Titanic sails at dawn
And everybody's shouting
"Which Side Are You On?"
And Ezra Pound and T.S. Eliot
Fighting in the captain's tower
While calypso singers laugh at them
And fisherman hold flowers
Between the windows of the sea
Where lovely mermaids flow
And nobody has to think too much
About Desolation Row. dylan 1965 - 'desolation row'
I woke up to the inevitability of war.
Stay in the Now - you don't want to think about the future.
Praise be to Nero's Neptune
The Titanic sails at dawn
And everybody's shouting
"Which Side Are You On?"
And Ezra Pound and T.S. Eliot
Fighting in the captain's tower
While calypso singers laugh at them
And fisherman hold flowers
Between the windows of the sea
Where lovely mermaids flow
And nobody has to think too much
About Desolation Row. dylan 1965 - 'desolation row'
Sunday, March 16, 2003
Thursday, March 13, 2003
Deb's Dad doing great
Thanks for asking, Mark. Alcide is doing really well. He went under the knife on Monday and while in there, the surgeon decided he needed a full quadruple bypass. But Alcide was out of recovery and back to his room, eating ice chips by Tuesday evening. He's still a bit anxious - everything happened so quickly. The thing now is to keep him comfortable & calm. Mom sounds like she's finally getting some sleep as well.
90% arterial blockage - and he's worked out daily for most of his life. We're all looking a little more objectively at our diets now.
Thanks for asking, Mark. Alcide is doing really well. He went under the knife on Monday and while in there, the surgeon decided he needed a full quadruple bypass. But Alcide was out of recovery and back to his room, eating ice chips by Tuesday evening. He's still a bit anxious - everything happened so quickly. The thing now is to keep him comfortable & calm. Mom sounds like she's finally getting some sleep as well.
90% arterial blockage - and he's worked out daily for most of his life. We're all looking a little more objectively at our diets now.
Wednesday, March 12, 2003
Beastie Boys "In A World Gone Mad"
A new tune! Get it right here.
And here's a little something to look at while you download the track. It's wunderbah.
But back to the Beasties. The song lyrics:
In a world gone mad it’s hard to think right
So much violence hate and spite
Murder going on all day and night
Due time we fight the non-violent fight
Mirrors, smokescreens and lies
It’s not the politicians but their actions I despise
You and Saddam should kick it like back in the day
With the cocaine and Courvoisier
But you build more bombs as you get more bold
As your mid-life crisis war unfolds
All you want to do is take control
Now put that axis of evil bullshit on hold
Citizen rule number 2080
Politicians are shady
So people watch your back 'cause I think they smoke crack
I don’t doubt it look at how they act
In a world gone mad it’s hard to think right
So much violence hate and spite
Murder going on all day and night
Due time we fight the non-violent fight
First the ‘War On Terror’ now war on Iraq
We’re reaching a point where we can’t turn back
Let’s lose the guns and let’s lose the bombs
And stop the corporate contributions that their built upon
Well I’ll be sleeping on your speeches ‘til I start to snore
‘Cause I won’t carry guns for an oil war
As-Salamu alaikum, wa alaikum assalam
Peace to the Middle East peace to Islam
Now don’t get us wrong ‘cause we love America
But that’s no reason to get hysterica
They’re layin’ on the syrup thick
We ain’t waffles we ain’t havin’ it
In a world gone mad it’s hard to think right
So much violence hate and spite
Murder going on all day and night
Due time we fight the non-violent fight
Now how many people must get killed?
For oil families pockets to get filled?
How many oil families get killed?
Not a damn one so what’s the deal?
It’s time to lead the way and de-escalate
Lose the weapons of mass destruction and the hate
Say ooh ah what’s the White House doin’?
Oh no! Say, what in tarnation have they got brewing??!!!!???!!
Well I’m not pro Bush and I’m not pro Saddam
We need these fools to remain calm
George Bush you’re looking like Zoolander
Trying to play tough for the camera
What am I on crazy pills? We’ve got to stop it
Get your hand out my grandma’s pocket
We need health care more than going to war
You think it’s democracy they’re fighting for?
In a world gone mad it’s hard to think right
So much violence hate and spite
Murder going on all day and night
Due time we fight the non-violent fight
A new tune! Get it right here.
And here's a little something to look at while you download the track. It's wunderbah.
But back to the Beasties. The song lyrics:
In a world gone mad it’s hard to think right
So much violence hate and spite
Murder going on all day and night
Due time we fight the non-violent fight
Mirrors, smokescreens and lies
It’s not the politicians but their actions I despise
You and Saddam should kick it like back in the day
With the cocaine and Courvoisier
But you build more bombs as you get more bold
As your mid-life crisis war unfolds
All you want to do is take control
Now put that axis of evil bullshit on hold
Citizen rule number 2080
Politicians are shady
So people watch your back 'cause I think they smoke crack
I don’t doubt it look at how they act
In a world gone mad it’s hard to think right
So much violence hate and spite
Murder going on all day and night
Due time we fight the non-violent fight
First the ‘War On Terror’ now war on Iraq
We’re reaching a point where we can’t turn back
Let’s lose the guns and let’s lose the bombs
And stop the corporate contributions that their built upon
Well I’ll be sleeping on your speeches ‘til I start to snore
‘Cause I won’t carry guns for an oil war
As-Salamu alaikum, wa alaikum assalam
Peace to the Middle East peace to Islam
Now don’t get us wrong ‘cause we love America
But that’s no reason to get hysterica
They’re layin’ on the syrup thick
We ain’t waffles we ain’t havin’ it
In a world gone mad it’s hard to think right
So much violence hate and spite
Murder going on all day and night
Due time we fight the non-violent fight
Now how many people must get killed?
For oil families pockets to get filled?
How many oil families get killed?
Not a damn one so what’s the deal?
It’s time to lead the way and de-escalate
Lose the weapons of mass destruction and the hate
Say ooh ah what’s the White House doin’?
Oh no! Say, what in tarnation have they got brewing??!!!!???!!
Well I’m not pro Bush and I’m not pro Saddam
We need these fools to remain calm
George Bush you’re looking like Zoolander
Trying to play tough for the camera
What am I on crazy pills? We’ve got to stop it
Get your hand out my grandma’s pocket
We need health care more than going to war
You think it’s democracy they’re fighting for?
In a world gone mad it’s hard to think right
So much violence hate and spite
Murder going on all day and night
Due time we fight the non-violent fight
I know, it's only rock 'n roll...
Eric McFadden anyone? He's one of those musicians who draws an eclectic, music-loving crowd. Which helps me blend in better. I sometimes think I look too much like a rock-daddy at the uber-current indie-darling shows. I shouldn't care, I know. But when all those suicidegirls and emo boys are in attendance, the audience is part of the passion play. I don't fit the part, much.
On the other hand, concerts where aging rockers play the hits usually only satisfy the nostalgia bone. Not much going on for the music gland.
The thing about Eric is he's of the scene, but kind of not. The guy just knows how to play. Check out his website to get a feeling for all the session and touring work he does. From P-funk to Rev Horton Heat, it's mostly about energy and voodoo rock licks. I guess what happens is, he fills up the room with his talent and the audience is irrelevant. That sounds like it's a 'homage' gig, but that's definitely not the case either. He's just...real good.
And if you're a gamer, check out Tamale Loco. It has music written by him and voices by Eric and Storm, another room domanitrix. Her cover of "Rape Me" off last year's 'Nearvana - San Francisco' tribute release is awesome.
Eric's playing a St. Paddy's weekend show at Connecticut Yankee, with the Ron Jeremey Explosion. Sticky fun.
Eric McFadden anyone? He's one of those musicians who draws an eclectic, music-loving crowd. Which helps me blend in better. I sometimes think I look too much like a rock-daddy at the uber-current indie-darling shows. I shouldn't care, I know. But when all those suicidegirls and emo boys are in attendance, the audience is part of the passion play. I don't fit the part, much.
On the other hand, concerts where aging rockers play the hits usually only satisfy the nostalgia bone. Not much going on for the music gland.
The thing about Eric is he's of the scene, but kind of not. The guy just knows how to play. Check out his website to get a feeling for all the session and touring work he does. From P-funk to Rev Horton Heat, it's mostly about energy and voodoo rock licks. I guess what happens is, he fills up the room with his talent and the audience is irrelevant. That sounds like it's a 'homage' gig, but that's definitely not the case either. He's just...real good.
And if you're a gamer, check out Tamale Loco. It has music written by him and voices by Eric and Storm, another room domanitrix. Her cover of "Rape Me" off last year's 'Nearvana - San Francisco' tribute release is awesome.
Eric's playing a St. Paddy's weekend show at Connecticut Yankee, with the Ron Jeremey Explosion. Sticky fun.
Tuesday, March 11, 2003
Home Renovation...
....begins in earnest. I'll try to put up periodic pictures here. . Also the icon on the sidebar will take you to the mess.
....begins in earnest. I'll try to put up periodic pictures here. . Also the icon on the sidebar will take you to the mess.
Monday, March 10, 2003
Duly Noted
Nearly half of all the duct tape sold in America is manufactured by Henkel Consumer Adhesives of Avon, OH. Henkel founder Jack Kahl gave more than $100,000 to Republicans in the 2000 elections. - The Washington Post, as reported in "This Week," March 7 issue.
Nearly half of all the duct tape sold in America is manufactured by Henkel Consumer Adhesives of Avon, OH. Henkel founder Jack Kahl gave more than $100,000 to Republicans in the 2000 elections. - The Washington Post, as reported in "This Week," March 7 issue.
Alcide
My father-in-law is having triple bypass surgery today. We're extremely confident the procedure will go perfectly. He's an ox of a man, in all the good ways.
My father-in-law is having triple bypass surgery today. We're extremely confident the procedure will go perfectly. He's an ox of a man, in all the good ways.
Sunday, March 09, 2003
A few weekend notes
In addition to some decent hiking this weekend, we got to see Sal Valentino sing 'Isis,' while sitting in with Jackie Greene, at Biscuit & Blues thursday.
Jackie, you will probably hear of soon enough, if not already. He's got the hype, he's getting the contract. Ain't no stopping him now, even it they should. But Sal Valentino, hey, who knew Beau Brummels still roam the earth! Do you remember 'laugh laugh?'
Why was this memorable? Probably only because I think Isis is one of Dylan's classic vocal treatments. Try singing it without his pacing; it's not easy. But Sal did and in doing so, he convincingly took the song to another place. Very nice when that happens. To do that with a signature Zimmy song, that's confidence and cojones.
Later, I took a leak next to Sal. He also does that with confidence.
I shouldn't diss Jackie Greene. He also showed some cojones. It's either that, or stupidity, when a 19 year old invites an old vocal gunslinger like Sal up on stage. He pretty much gave away his night. He'll learn.
Friday night at the new Stork Club, I saw a friend's friend's band play.My Fellow Astronauts and they were good. But the highlight was Maverick, the Madonna label, brought in a band for a live run-through. I think the bands' name was "Rising." "The Rising." An English lead singer, who looked like early Eddie Vedder, backed by a greasy band. They stood around, flexing and crouching while they played. Kind of reminded me of the girls from the Charlie's Angels movie.
Highlight as in - they emptied the room.
What else? The truck that was supposed to deliver us a new door was stolen. Don't even get me started on the building inspector....
In addition to some decent hiking this weekend, we got to see Sal Valentino sing 'Isis,' while sitting in with Jackie Greene, at Biscuit & Blues thursday.
Jackie, you will probably hear of soon enough, if not already. He's got the hype, he's getting the contract. Ain't no stopping him now, even it they should. But Sal Valentino, hey, who knew Beau Brummels still roam the earth! Do you remember 'laugh laugh?'
Why was this memorable? Probably only because I think Isis is one of Dylan's classic vocal treatments. Try singing it without his pacing; it's not easy. But Sal did and in doing so, he convincingly took the song to another place. Very nice when that happens. To do that with a signature Zimmy song, that's confidence and cojones.
Later, I took a leak next to Sal. He also does that with confidence.
I shouldn't diss Jackie Greene. He also showed some cojones. It's either that, or stupidity, when a 19 year old invites an old vocal gunslinger like Sal up on stage. He pretty much gave away his night. He'll learn.
Friday night at the new Stork Club, I saw a friend's friend's band play.My Fellow Astronauts and they were good. But the highlight was Maverick, the Madonna label, brought in a band for a live run-through. I think the bands' name was "Rising." "The Rising." An English lead singer, who looked like early Eddie Vedder, backed by a greasy band. They stood around, flexing and crouching while they played. Kind of reminded me of the girls from the Charlie's Angels movie.
Highlight as in - they emptied the room.
What else? The truck that was supposed to deliver us a new door was stolen. Don't even get me started on the building inspector....
Friday, March 07, 2003
Wednesday, March 05, 2003
The Core, the movie, is coming
My sole competition in the geopalentological entertainment space, is about to open soon. "The Core" just might convince me to revisit my nanowrimo book, A New Polarity. It also happens to be National Novel Rewriting Month.
Or, I could just sit in the movie theater and snicker.
My sole competition in the geopalentological entertainment space, is about to open soon. "The Core" just might convince me to revisit my nanowrimo book, A New Polarity. It also happens to be National Novel Rewriting Month.
Or, I could just sit in the movie theater and snicker.
Tuesday, March 04, 2003
Operation Over-reacting
This morning I dropped Deb off, curbside at SFO. As I opened the back hatch door to get out her overnight bag, I heard a loud metallic snap. One of the rear hatchdoor stablizer mounts had just broke.
While I was looking at it, trying to figure out the safe way to reclose the door, a police officer came over. We're still allowed to drop off at the curb, but the police really try to keep you moving at the airport these days. He saw what I was doing and grabbed the stabilizer and yanked it off the car!
He looked as surprised as I was, but it was still a bit drastic. He began to share his solution of putting a piece of PVC pipe where the stablizer used to be and, well, I'm not really sure what he was trying to suggest. He felt a little sheepish, for sure.
This surely isn't an indictment of his action. Heaven knows, given the world situation these days, he's got a crazy job. But I also think that if we weren't all on such a knife's edge, he probably wouldn't have been so ham-fisted.
Instant curbside car modifications isn't anything like Fajitagate, but the SFPD sure is having a bad month.
This morning I dropped Deb off, curbside at SFO. As I opened the back hatch door to get out her overnight bag, I heard a loud metallic snap. One of the rear hatchdoor stablizer mounts had just broke.
While I was looking at it, trying to figure out the safe way to reclose the door, a police officer came over. We're still allowed to drop off at the curb, but the police really try to keep you moving at the airport these days. He saw what I was doing and grabbed the stabilizer and yanked it off the car!
He looked as surprised as I was, but it was still a bit drastic. He began to share his solution of putting a piece of PVC pipe where the stablizer used to be and, well, I'm not really sure what he was trying to suggest. He felt a little sheepish, for sure.
This surely isn't an indictment of his action. Heaven knows, given the world situation these days, he's got a crazy job. But I also think that if we weren't all on such a knife's edge, he probably wouldn't have been so ham-fisted.
Instant curbside car modifications isn't anything like Fajitagate, but the SFPD sure is having a bad month.
Monday, March 03, 2003
Uncle Joe
Okay Anne, all I needed was a little push...;-)
My great-uncle, Joe Martucci, was a classical & church music composer and performer all his life, in NYC. His family lived just down the hill from Yonkers Raceway, probably less than a mile from where I was born and very near to my grandparents place too. He was a fantastic organist. I remember him as being a kind of quiet person, who rarely talked about himself; at least to young squirts like grand-nephews. He'd rather play, or talk about the Yankees, family gossip, or eat Italian cooking - not necessarily in that order.
The family story goes Joe sold one of his mass pieces to someone for a few hundred dollars. This fellow thought he could do something else with it.....which he did. "Little Drummer Boy" was the result. Joe was educated at Juilliard in New York. It turns out the guy who owns the publishing to Little Drummer Boy, Harry Simeone, also attended Juilliard at about the same time Joe did. No one recalls now if that was the name of Joe's associate. Maybe we can get Joe's daughter to look around in some old boxes for some receipt, or something.
According to ASCAP, this Harry character also owns the rights to:
Little Brown Jug
Alexander's Ragtime Band
Battle Hymn of the Republic
For He's a Jolly Good Fellow
God Rest Yee Merry Gentlemen
Good King Wenceslas
In The Good Old Summertime
Jingle Bells
Joy To The World
O Little Town Of Bethlehem
O Tannenbaum
Rock of Ages
There Is A Tavern In The Town
Twas The Night Before Christmas
Twelve days of Christmas
When The Saints Go Marching In
..and on and on and on...
Amazing how 'prolific' he was. ;-)
Anyway, it would be pretty cool, if the story is true; given my holiday music fetish.
There was also another great uncle who played piano in nightclubs and bars. He was self taught. I wonder which one I'm more genetically similar to. ;-)
Okay Anne, all I needed was a little push...;-)
My great-uncle, Joe Martucci, was a classical & church music composer and performer all his life, in NYC. His family lived just down the hill from Yonkers Raceway, probably less than a mile from where I was born and very near to my grandparents place too. He was a fantastic organist. I remember him as being a kind of quiet person, who rarely talked about himself; at least to young squirts like grand-nephews. He'd rather play, or talk about the Yankees, family gossip, or eat Italian cooking - not necessarily in that order.
The family story goes Joe sold one of his mass pieces to someone for a few hundred dollars. This fellow thought he could do something else with it.....which he did. "Little Drummer Boy" was the result. Joe was educated at Juilliard in New York. It turns out the guy who owns the publishing to Little Drummer Boy, Harry Simeone, also attended Juilliard at about the same time Joe did. No one recalls now if that was the name of Joe's associate. Maybe we can get Joe's daughter to look around in some old boxes for some receipt, or something.
According to ASCAP, this Harry character also owns the rights to:
Little Brown Jug
Alexander's Ragtime Band
Battle Hymn of the Republic
For He's a Jolly Good Fellow
God Rest Yee Merry Gentlemen
Good King Wenceslas
In The Good Old Summertime
Jingle Bells
Joy To The World
O Little Town Of Bethlehem
O Tannenbaum
Rock of Ages
There Is A Tavern In The Town
Twas The Night Before Christmas
Twelve days of Christmas
When The Saints Go Marching In
..and on and on and on...
Amazing how 'prolific' he was. ;-)
Anyway, it would be pretty cool, if the story is true; given my holiday music fetish.
There was also another great uncle who played piano in nightclubs and bars. He was self taught. I wonder which one I'm more genetically similar to. ;-)
Sunday, March 02, 2003
Ya never know
Today, my parents claimed my great uncle Joe wrote "Little Drummer Boy."
It's actually an interesting story. But, eh, you know...
Today, my parents claimed my great uncle Joe wrote "Little Drummer Boy."
It's actually an interesting story. But, eh, you know...
Turkish kill-joys
The Turkish parlimentary vote is stunning, in not allowing US troops to stage a northern front invasion of Iraq. It's also another clear indicator the Bush war effort is going to have all sorts of serious ongoing implications for US global credibility. He's tearing down the house not brick by brick, but with one big misguided bull-doze.
Here is Turkey, a vital NATO member, as well as the Bush administrations 'template' for an 'acceptable secular muslim middle east democracy,' opting out of the Bush plan. The quotes coming out are amazingly vitrolic and telling. Try this one from Murat Mercan, a Turkish member of parliment:
"The Americans dictated to us. It became a business negotiation, not something between friends. It disgusted me."
And today's SF Chronicle reports a 'senior Pentagon official' said that the (Turkish Parliment) vote will not alter the (US) military's plans to try to stage tanks and other heavy equipment through Turkey into northern Iraq!
The "!" is mine. Hello?
Finally, there's the money part in all this. Why did Turkey vote down the measure? Was it altruistic, pacifist, ideals? Well, probably not....but 'our' side in this isn't any more noble either. Apparently the US has been insisting that the Turks continue to adhere to a 2-year-old agreement with the International Monetary Fund, which has imposed conditions on Turkish lawmakers to reform their economy. If they do, they will get billions of US dollars in loans. 6 Billion in direct US aid. Turkish officials wanted to get the money before making any new deal with the IMF. The US was worried Turkey would walk away from the IMF if they got the cash now; thus defeating the purpose of the US aid, which is to maintain confidence in the Turkish economy in the event of war.
It's complicated geo-political economics on a crazy scale, but it's still simply blood money.
What is happening to our country?
The Turkish parlimentary vote is stunning, in not allowing US troops to stage a northern front invasion of Iraq. It's also another clear indicator the Bush war effort is going to have all sorts of serious ongoing implications for US global credibility. He's tearing down the house not brick by brick, but with one big misguided bull-doze.
Here is Turkey, a vital NATO member, as well as the Bush administrations 'template' for an 'acceptable secular muslim middle east democracy,' opting out of the Bush plan. The quotes coming out are amazingly vitrolic and telling. Try this one from Murat Mercan, a Turkish member of parliment:
"The Americans dictated to us. It became a business negotiation, not something between friends. It disgusted me."
And today's SF Chronicle reports a 'senior Pentagon official' said that the (Turkish Parliment) vote will not alter the (US) military's plans to try to stage tanks and other heavy equipment through Turkey into northern Iraq!
The "!" is mine. Hello?
Finally, there's the money part in all this. Why did Turkey vote down the measure? Was it altruistic, pacifist, ideals? Well, probably not....but 'our' side in this isn't any more noble either. Apparently the US has been insisting that the Turks continue to adhere to a 2-year-old agreement with the International Monetary Fund, which has imposed conditions on Turkish lawmakers to reform their economy. If they do, they will get billions of US dollars in loans. 6 Billion in direct US aid. Turkish officials wanted to get the money before making any new deal with the IMF. The US was worried Turkey would walk away from the IMF if they got the cash now; thus defeating the purpose of the US aid, which is to maintain confidence in the Turkish economy in the event of war.
It's complicated geo-political economics on a crazy scale, but it's still simply blood money.
What is happening to our country?
About Me
- Name: deano
- Location: cali, United States
Mangoes grow on an evergreen tree of the cashew family.
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Archives - Blogging since Aug,'02; but no one reads the archives so why link to them?
