Out with the old

This year I've had more, and more extreme, ups and downs in life than usual.  In fact, the past few years have been like that.  Certainly not boring.  Here's hoping the new year has more ups, and still isn't boring.  Let's ring this one out with some goofiness.

Dr. Demento is a legend, and has introduced many many songs and performers to the world.  It's hard to pick favorites, or most important/ most influential ones.  Here are a few of my favorites, just the tip of the iceberg.


Bob Dylan- er, Bowser and Blue- Polka Dot Undies


Weird Al Yankovic- Another One Rides The Bus


Kip Addotta- Wet Dream


National Lampoon- Deteriorata


Ozzy Fudd- Kill The Wabbit


The Arrogant Worms- Carrot Juice is Murder



The Vestibules- Bulbous Bouffant

War Is Over, If You Want It

I had hoped things would calm down this year about "The War On Christmas."  But of course not.  Sigh.

I hear about it, much as I try to ignore it.  I see articles mentioning it, people saying dumb things about it.  At least there was this.  I found this interesting too.  People can be reasonable sometimes, though it doesn't always seem like it.

But then I hear dumb shit.  And see things like this.  No trees for anyone who can't prove they're Christian?  I suppose next no one who isn't a member of a church can celebrate Easter.  And, of course, no one without an Irish passport can celebrate St. Patrick's Day, right?

I read an editorial by a guy who said he's not going to say "Happy Holidays" or "Happy Hanukkah," or shop at stores that don't "promote Christmas."  First, do you really, in your heart of hearts, believe Jesus would approve of the mass spending binge that we call Christmas?  Would he want to be associated with it at all?  Do you think he would actively oppose others celebrating other holidays? Don't belittle him by assuming he would support your pettiness.

Second, are you that much of a jerk?  You want people to wish you the best on your holiday, but refuse to do it on theirs?  What an ass.

I often say Merry Christmas.  I just posted Christmas songs.  I will wish you a happy whatever, if I know what you celebrate, or just say Happy Holidays or "have a great vacation," whatever seems appropriate.

And really, to me "happy holidays" is just short for "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year," and all the other holidays.  It's efficient; it saves time.  Or how about "season's greetings?"  We used to say that.  Is it offensive?   Both sayings are inclusive, and not rude to everyone who happens to be of a different faith, or no faith.  And that's what all this is really about, isn't it?  Some people think that because they're Christian, everyone else ought to be too.  And, of course, to follow their own particular subsect of the thousands that call themselves Christian.  No Catholics, right?  No Mormons, or Quakers, or Christian Scientists, or whatever else you don't like.   It's megalomaniac to say "everyone ought to celebrate things my way."  Celebrate how you want.  Let others celebrate how they want.  I shorten it to Happy Holidays, since there are, you know, more than one...  There's Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, etc.  I have friends who celebrate those, and more.  I'd rather be nice to them, include them, than say "Fuck you, do things my way!"  But I guess that's just me...

It looks to me that this whole "say Merry Christmas or else" mindset is full of hate, not good cheer.  Again, do you really think Jesus would act as you are?  With an attitude-filled orgy of consumerism, and insistence on everyone doing what you do?  Or do you think that, just maybe, he would welcome everyone, and have a quiet night of peace? Just sayin'.

And there's a sorta civil war (not that there's any real war here besides made-up stuff on Fox News,) because it seems most Christians celebrate quietly, worshipfully, and others say "celebrate loudly, with materialism and pagan symbols.  Or else!" So it's a war between "WWJD" and "do what I say!"  How about acting Jesus-like, since you call yourself a Christian?  I'm thinking he would be accepting, not attacking.

Once again, as with so many "culture war" issues, it's a ginned-up war.  "You're attacking our religion!"  Bullshit.  You're making yourself look foolish.  It's a repurposed pagan holiday.  Put the Christ in Xmas?  Fine.  Go home, go to church, don't get gifts, don't decorate trees, etc.  All of that is the secular holiday of Christmas, more about giving to family and friends than celebrating Jesus' birth. And really, though, what is wrong with being nice to each other?

Meanings change.  The holiday is, indeed, evolving.  It's not much of a religious holiday anymore, to most.  Neither is Halloween- it's not what it started as, and that's fine.  Celebrate however you want.  Don't make others celebrate your way.  Openness to assorted views is not the same as imposing a view on you.  It's maybe interfering with your view that everyone ought to do it your way... And rightfully so. It's not an attack on your religion.  It's an embracing of all religions.  Okay, if your religion includes imposing your views on others, insisting everyone worship the way you do, then maybe it is an attack.  But if your religion includes your relationship with God, worshipping as you see fit, then it's not.

And isn't free enterprise a conservative value?  Can't a business owner say what he wants, to welcome in ALL his customers? You're free not to shop there (stupid, but free.)  And I appreciate the heads-up you give me by letting me know you're that much of an asshole.  (Oh, and to all the secession petitioners: thanks for the census of idiots.  Now we have a better idea how many are out there.)

Look- celebrate as you wish.  And let others celebrate what they wish, as they wish.  In other words, be a decent human being.  Enjoy your holidays, whatever they may be.  Let's start the new year (ack! another holiday!) by relaxing and being nice to each other.

Rockin' around the Christmas tree

Ah.... a few more of my favorite songs of the season. There used to be a channel on XM radio called Special Xmas, which played things like this. Of course, I knew some from way back.


The Waitresses- Christmas Wrapping
 I like Save Ferris' version a little better, but this is an amusing video with the original version.

The Kinks- Father Christmas
 An oldie but a goodie.

Candye Kane- Let's Put the X back in Xmas

 Akim and Teddy Vann- Santa Claus is a Black Man

 Joan Jett- Little Drummer Boy

 Robert Early Keen- Merry Christmas From the Family

 Devo- Merry Something to You

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

I'm ready for Christmas songs, and enjoying the few I've heard (especially while decorating the tree with my sweetie.)  Here are a few more traditional ones I like; I hope to have some less-traditional ones posted soon.

Perry Como- It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas



 Frosty the Snowman.  Yeah, newer and kinda cheesy, but I liked hearing it as a kid.



 Margaret Whiting and Johnny Mercer- Baby It's Cold Outside.  I guess this one is controversial; I think of it as between two consenting adults, and so it doesn't bother me.



Johnny Cash et al- Silent Night.  One of my favorites, by a favorite singer and other greats...



Perry Como- O Little Town of Bethlehem.   Gotta have more Como.

Leftovers

I was lucky enough to be out of the country the last couple of weeks before the election.  I
didn't plan it that way on purpose, but I was exceedingly happy to avoid the ads, the dumbass
comments, just the general mess.  Also I missed the hurricane.  When I got back, I had enough
other stuff going on that, though it was hard to avoid any time I was near a TV, in general I
didn't notice much about the last few days.  Here are a few thoughts I had then and just
afterward.

Republicans said Obama's campaign was just personal attacks on Romney, not discussing issues.
There was certainly an element of that, though of course you had it from both sides, and there
were plenty of issues brought up by Democrats.  And I'm reminded of a couple of lines from
Black Adder: "We at the Adder Party are determined to fight this election on issues, not
personality."  "Why is that?" "Because our candidate doesn't have a personality."  Romney's
personality is ill-defined, as are his stands on issues.  Republicans may indeed have defined
the issues- and so much the worse for them.  Their positions on many issues are indefensible.

Romney's campaign at one point asked "Are you better off than 4 years ago?" To which the
obvious answer, for most individuals and for the country as a whole, is YES!  There is still
unemployment, but it is lower than it was.  The economy is gradually improving.  We wish things
were better, but we're clearly better off than we were in the middle of that mess.  So, good
job coming up with a slogan that helped Obama...

They also used the slogan "Believe in America."  I believe in America.  I just don't believe in
discrimination, in trying to control people's bedrooms, in lying.  Though I am somewhat
conservative on some issues, I am disgusted with conservatives in general.  Their use of fear,
of distortion, of lies to win pushes me away instead of drawing me in.  And their overall
platform seems to be "Back to the '50s!"

I hope we can make more progress during the next four years.  I hope both sides will
compromise, and do what's best for the country.  I saw Obama leaning over (too far) to work
with Republicans in this term; I hope they have the sense to lean a bit this time, and help
make things better instead of just doing whatever they can to block everything.

Women of the '80s

Some female singers from the '80s have been in my head the past few days.  Here are a few of them, I guess the ones I liked the most.  Well, Pat Benatar and Joan Jett will have to have their own posts eventually, and there were plenty of others I liked, but these stick out, in a pretty hot-catchy songs-representative of the era-new wavey kinda way...

Rachel Sweet- Voodoo



Nena- 99 Luftballoons


Kim Wilde- Kids in America


Scandal with Patty Smyth- Goodbye to You


Missing Persons- Words
 

I've been out of the country, and so haven't posted much lately.  (What has gone up has been pre-loaded.)  I have a lot of things I want to write, but haven't been able to focus my mind enough to actually get them down.  Because last week on my way back to the US, I lost one of my first readers.  My friend.  My brother.

He was my younger brother, which means he left far, far too soon.  He was in many ways more mature than me, more together.  He had done many things before me- start a business, have a kid, get divorced. He had been through a lot more turmoil than me.  He was very spiritual, very down to earth, very perceptive.  I can only hope I turn out to be as good a person as he was.

We had a memorial service for him, and people from all aspects of his life came.  High school friends, family, students, 12-steppers.  He was very into Al-Anon, and I thought of it as his support group, as group therapy.  He was more into church than me (Unitarian church, which to some barely counts, but still.)  He was very into Native culture and spirituality.  I went to all those things with him sometimes, but was never as into them.  For him, though, they were vitally important.

I miss him.  I find myself wanting to ask him questions, and realizing I'll never be able to do that again.  I miss his comments on here, and discussions we've had about politics and all sorts of topics.  I'm glad for the time we had together, but angry that we won't have any more.  The last time I saw him we had a blast, and so I can remember him that way.  But little things keep reminding me of him, and that he's gone.

He has a son, and I was just coming to grips with being an uncle.  And now that little boy needs me, and everyone around him, more than ever.  He needs stability and love. He needs to know, someday, what his dad was like.

Go vote!

"We in America do not have government by the majority- we have government by the majority who participate...  All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent."-- Thomas Jefferson

47% or bust

Most people- well, some people- are aware that Romney's 47% figure is misleading, and disgustingly insulting when you know what he actually meant by it.

I pay taxes, and I vote.  I pay federal income tax, medicare tax, sales tax, other local tax, you name it.  I don't make enough not to pay.  A long time ago, though, I made so little that I didn't have to pay federal income tax.  I sure was living the high life in those minimum wage (or not much more) jobs.  Yeah, barely able to afford food, not able to afford going to the doctor.  That was living!

I'm not a victim.  I don't consider myself one.  And neither do most of the people who don't pay income tax. I, for one, don't vote for guys who don't work for a living yet desperately want to lower their own taxes.  All the while looking down on people who do work but don't make much, or are retired, or otherwise are decent people but don't pay federal income tax.

Special day

Today is my sweetie's birthday, and though I can't be with her I am thinking of her. These songs make me think of her too. Miss you, darlin'!

 Dedicated To The One I Love




I Wanna Hold Your Hand, The Beatles

Second That Emotion, Jerry Garcia Band

We Belong, Pat Benatar

Oceans, Pearl Jam

I Won't Give Up, Jason Mraz

Brown Eyed Girl, Reel Big Fish

You Are the Best Thing, Ray LaMontagne

Links links links

I know there's a way to post favorite links on Blogger as part of the template, but don't have the time to redo my blog like that.  So for now, here are a few links I've liked lately.  We'll see how this works...

Time essay on Republicans

Time- Beyond Copenhagen- a realistic climate change response

Frank Bruni on Michelle Bachmann

Local paper on 47%

More on 47%

Conservative evolution

Drug policy

Stinking thinking

Bad Obama!

Wow.  Isn't it amazing?  All the bad shit Obama has done- taken away guns, imprisoned preachers, imposed sharia law, made the UN our police force, taken over all the businesses, put a windmill in everyone's yard, abandoned Israel... We should have listened to all those smart people saying that would happen.

Obama's not perfect, but he's not nearly as bad as he's made out to be.  And none of the above happened.  And the people who said it would, are still getting attention.

So, really, why does anyone listen to those idiots?  Why do people still think these things are going to happen?  Why are they afraid of things that are clearly untrue?  Why do they allow themselves to be manipulated by politicians and pundits?

It amazed me how out of touch with reality people can be.  Even if they just looked around themselves, they'd see evidence of how things are.  But they listen to Fox News, or Rush, or whoever, and let their minds be warped.  It's sad.  It's bad for the country.  And yet they claim to be patriotic.

Vote Early, Vote Often!

Whoever you're voting for, wherever you are, please be sure to vote this year.  Actually, vote every year, every election, whenever.  It's important to the country.  It's your duty as a citizen.  Think about the issues, think about the future, then vote.  Well, as my sweetie says, "unless you're an asshole.  Then, don't vote."

Nowadays it's easy to vote early.  As for voting often, well, please try to participate in all elections, not just the big ones.  This year, I am voting early.  I will be out of the country for awhile before election day, and don't want to get back and have to stand in line all day.  I wish I could leave now, to avoid the electioneering for the next few weeks.  Both sides are starting to annoy me, and if I'm not careful I'll get into political arguments with people.  I try not to say anything, but when I hear something clearly inaccurate I have to correct them.

Turn the radio on,,,

The other day, I got to thinking about what I listened to when I was a kid.  I remember a plastic transistor radio on the counter, listening to whatever mom and dad were listening to.  AM, I'm sure.  We had a bigger stereo, a wood thing from the '50s with tubes in back and a record player, but I don't remember listening to the radio on that much.  Here are a few songs that stand out from those early days. (Hey, it was the '70s...)

Johnny Cash- A Boy Named Sue



Convoy



Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald




50 Ways to Leave Your Lover

Nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American people- H.L. Mencken

And conservatives are just so darn good at it! Such good businessmen, I guess.

Romney won the first debate. Obama was having an off night, apparently. There were plenty of opportunities for him to call Mittens out, point out his lies and faulty math; he passed up most of them. Romney was cocky, and smarmy, and full of sound bites signifying nothing... He won, but it was pretty clear to me that he expects his attitude to carry him, not facts, not issues. He talks a good game.

I think conservative politicians and pundits (and, sure, some liberal ones too) are dismissive of the American people. I think they think we are stupid, and that they can say whatever they want without fear of being called to task. And, in general, they're right. We seem, as a society, to have a very short attention span. All we know is what we heard on the news today. What the same person said yesterday is forgotten. What the facts are, what the context is, are irrelevant.

Following from that, we have no historical perspective (that is a theme I might return to...) And most really only have a 6th-grade understanding of history anyway. Which, essentially, means we don't understand life and the world, beyond what we had for lunch today. Little knowledge of American history, much less world history and culture, means we simply don't have the tools to assess serious issues.

Obama's problem, in the debate and in general, is that he assumes we're smart, and involved, that we'll think about things (and that we care enough to.) Romney plays to emotions, to shallow thinking. Obama understands the economy, social issues, international affairs better than Romney, better than McCain did, better than Bush did. Agree or disagree with his policies, during the debate at least Obama dealt with substance and fact; Romney dealt with dreams and lies.

Cover Me

I've always loved a good cover song. Even if the original is a classic, if the cover is well-done (and particularly if it's in a totally different style,) I'm interested. I'm not sure where this obsession came from. It was fed by Hayseed Dixie, and Pat Boone's "In a Metal Mood," and the Under Cover show on XM radio (gone now, I think,) but it was there before that. I can highly recommend the Coverville podcast, http://coverville.com/

 A weird one to start: Crispin Glover doing Nancy Sinatra's "These Boots Are Made For Walkin'"

 Siouxsie Sue, doing a lovely version of the Beatles' "Dear Prudence"

Shades Apart (not Social Distortion, apparently) doing "Tainted Love." The version I know best is by Soft Cell; the original was sung by Gloria Jones.

Copper Box covering Pink Floyd's "Comfortably Numb"

One of many videos (from a contest) of Cake's cover of Black Sabbath's "War Pigs"

One of my faves: Billy Squier reimagining his own "The Stroke"

Jumping the Shark

Remember that? Do people still say that? Anyway, I think Romney jumped the shark with his comments caught on video a couple of weeks ago. I remember when George H.W. Bush was running against Clinton and Gore, and called them "these jerks." How presidential. I remember thinking then that he had lost the race. Not because of that; he was probably going to lose anyway. But his little comment was the final nail. I remember when McCain picked Palin, thinking "wow- that's it." It was a desperate move, and made people think "If he thinks that was a good idea, maybe we don't want him to be president." And now, Mitt, saying what's on his mind. Maybe it's just me being hopeful, but I think this has sealed his fate. When you stop and listen to what he said, and think about it, and know what the facts are and what assumptions he's making in order to think saying that was a good idea, well, he doesn't look like presidential material. Not because I disagree with his politics and policies (does he even know what those are?) But because it shows how he thinks, and how he might act if sitting in the Oval Office. Each of these events shows, I think, desperation. Some cracks starting to show in their carefully prepared facades.

The least worst

It's that time of year.  Time to pick someone you maybe aren't thrilled with, over someone you think is even worse.

What do people look for in a presidential candidate?  Or, more importantly, what are desirable traits in a president?  Well, leadership, obviously.  Hopefully an understanding of how government works, and of the world in general.  Diplomacy skills.  Intelligence.  A good organizer.  A good mediator.  Someone who projects calm and seriousness, so he'll seem presidential to the country and the world.

Hm.  Does any of that sound like Mitt Romney?  Not to me.  Oh, maybe he's been a good leader of businesses.  But despite Republican raves, is that business skill really relevant for a president?  The U.S. president's job is a lot different than a CEO's.  It involves more negotiation, more working together, more herding of cats.  And of course Romney's main accomplishments seem to be hollowing out companies, shipping their jobs abroad, and making a bunch of money for himself (we assume, since he won't tell us how much.)

Romney obviously doesn't have a clue about foreign affairs or diplomacy, and that's seriously scary in the current world.  He's already riled up lots of people in other countries (often among our friends, since he's such an idiot.)

He also clearly has no idea what it's like to be poor, or even middle class.  And so good luck getting him to understand what needs to be done at home.

Romney is a shapeshifting cynical git.  For all his imperfections, Obama isn't nearly as bad as he's been made out to be, and stands a better chance of making things better. And you know what?  We are better off than when he took office.  Not great, but better.

There are things I don't like about Obama.  I'm uncomfortable with some of the surveillance and detention policies, mainly continued from the Bush era.  I wish the economy were doing better, though I think it would have been a hell of a lot worse under McCain (or Romney.)  I think Obama hasn't been as good a leader as he might have been.  His negotiating style is a lot like mine: think about what a good end result would be, and propose that.  Hey, the other guys will recognize it as a reasonable solution, right?  That works with friends, but not car dealers, and certainly not with the modern Republican party.  Instead of asking for everything he wanted with healthcare, and negotiating towards common ground, Obama put forward a plan that included Republican ideas, and was based partly on Romney's Massachusetts plan.  And so- the Republicans fought it all, tooth and nail.  Because they're not interested in coming up with results that work for the country.  They're in it to win.  For themselves.  Damn the people, we're talking politics here!  Essentially, conservatives seem to be willing to destroy the country in order to "save" it.

So, for the first time in, wow, decades, I'm voting for a major party candidate for the presidency.  And it's the guy who wants to raise his own taxes, not the one who wants to lower his own.  So, the decent one, not the selfish bastard.

Songs that I've heard in my head recently

Gorillaz- 19-2000 Senor Don Gato Matchbox 20- She's So Mean Kidneythieves- Glitter Girl Copper Box- Jambalaya Electric Six- Danger! High Voltage The Black Keys- Your Touch Yes, I listen to some eclectic stuff. And you'll notice a cover song in there- more of those to come...

The Dems aren't winning me over, the Reps are pushing me away

I have long been independent politically.  I would say I'm a slightly left-of-center moderate. I'm often too liberal for my conservative friends, and too conservative for my liberal friends. Years ago someone said I, and most people, would tend to get more conservative as I got older.  That has been true overall, though I would say just barely.  I have slid a bit to the right, or rather from the left towards the center.  On some positions I am fairly conservative.  But generally I am middle of the road, or maybe just over the centerline. I have plenty of conservative views, plenty of liberal ones.  Like most people- there are shades of grey in everyone.

I probably appear to be far-left from the vantage point of wacko right-wingers who think Obama is a Kenyan/Muslim/socialist intent on destroying America.  He's as socialist as an ice cream social...  And I'd like to discuss facts, not the latest conspiracy theory, and talk more about policy than personality. There was/is no reason to question Obama's citizenship.  He has a funny name?  He might be of a different religion?  So what?  But now, ridiculously, and yet seriously, we should look at all candidates' birth certificates.

You would think that political parties would try to win voters over to their side, so that they could get more votes and thus win more elections.  They would use reason, and emotion.  But the Republican party, and the broad conservative movement, seems to have given up this strategy.  They are losing the battle for my heart and mind.  I can only speak for myself, but I am an independent moderate, rarely vote for the two big parties in presidential elections, and vote for Republicans, Democrats, and other parties in local elections.  You know, I do that thing called "thinking" that is apparently a lost art in America.  I look at the candidates running, and select the one I think will do the best job.  Nastiness and truth-stretching tend to turn me away from the candidate spouting them, not toward.

Conservatives lately (and, yes, both sides often) have been giving up on the truth, knowingly spreading lies, cynically manipulating their 'base'.  They have given up on what is good for the country, and focus on what is good for their party.  Or, perhaps, they have decided that the ends justify the means- maybe they think there is no way to win other than to lie.  And once you reach that point where you need to mislead/lie/vilify in order to further your cause... you ought to rethink the justice of that cause.  You ought to be asking yourself if the truths you believe are worth selling your soul.

Maybe it's unintentional.  Maybe it's a subconscious effort to align reality with their beliefs.  A study recently found that conservatives twist facts more than liberals:
http://www.salon.com/2012/08/27/study_right_twists_facts/?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pulsenews

But I find, in conversations with conservatives and in observing Republican "leaders," that it's more conscious, more cynical.  Cynicism is a disease.  Chronic.  I have it.  Politicians have nothing but cynicism.  But it is spreading from conservative leaders and media players to the rank and file.  I have heard individuals say things like "Whatever it takes to win."  "I'm done being nice." "Lying is what I'm going to do now."
Take a little nugget of truth, blow it out of proportion, and get some of the facts wrong.  People will talk about it at water coolers, and soon it becomes "fact," that "I heard."  And the American people get dumber, and the country goes downhill.  But hey, at least the Republican candidate won!

I think another thing that has changed is that before, reasonable people didn't buy much of the wacko stuff.  Numerologists said Reagan was the antichrist, and few listened.  Even with Bush, you didn't have Democratic leaders pushing the election thing after he took office.  Maybe they didn't believe he won, but they were quiet about it (and witness Kerry's quick concession, to avoid the same mess.)  Now?  Republican politicians and party leaders say these things.  And people I thought were smart believe them, not just the bottomfeeder set.

I think it's obvious that the right has gone overboard, has gone far right.  There are of course still some that oppose torture, oppose McCarthyism/Bachmannism.  But not many, and they are being drummed out of the "GOP."  The John Birch and Larouche people used to be treated as nuts, as fringe, and now they are the center of the party.  People talk about those ideas as if they were normal. In other words, they've gone fucking nuts.  Sure, there are nuts on the left too, but they are still on the fringe.  On the right, they are the party.  Now the Tea Party has mostly been assimilated into the Borg, er, Republican Party.  Even though I disliked them, I had at least a hope for a 3rd party, and maybe more small parties.  I think that would be good for America.  But I think we need more moderate parties, not crazies on either end of the spectrum.

Conservatives say they're smarter, and more decent.  So I hold them to a higher standard.  I'm intolerant of hypocrisy.  You say you're better?  Prove it.  This is another part of why conservatives are pushing away, not winning over, moderates.  It's true of liberals too, but they're more earnest (too much for politics?) and nicer (again, too much?)  What it comes down to is that nowadays, conservatives don't have America's best interests at heart.  Only their own; and the values they think they're upholding are not American ones- not our best ones, anyway. They're the leftover, backward, intolerant, mean ones that we have been trying to get rid of for decades.

The Republicans could be thoughtful, and contribute to the civic discourse.  And then hey presto! Democracy!  They could win the hearts and minds of moderates like me.  But they don't even bother anymore.  All that matters is getting "the base" excited and to the polls.  So, they throw red meat, and the hyenas come.  Yes, the Dems do it too.  But, as usual, not as viciously, and cynically, as the Reps.  Way to go, conservatives.  You're actually driving me away from you.  You might get me to vote for a major party candidate for the first time in 20 years.  And it won't be the one you want me to vote for.  I'm not a big Obama fan, but I'll probably vote for him this time around just to spite you.  Shame on you.  Your nasty tactics have spread from talk radio to the whole country.  To my friends, even the smart ones.  They are lying, and saying incendiary things.  I have other friends, former Republicans, who say "I didn't leave the party, the party left me."  And I can see that.  The Republican party has decided that it's their way or the highway, and have chosen to be divisive and exclusionary.  Compromise is a dirty word to them, even though it's, you know, THE WAY LIFE WORKS.

So, good job, conservatives.  You could be reasonable, but you've decided not to be.  I know there are plenty of people, even a few politicians, on the right who are decent people and try to be reasonable, and do what's right for the country, not just their party.  But they are losing to the jackasses.

Remember

I remember what I was doing on September 11, 2001.  I was getting ready to go fly.  I had gotten my license a few months earlier, and was still learning.  I got up just after the attacks, and though stunned, decided to go to the airport to see what was going on and talk to my flying buddies.  At the airport, a jumpy police office let me in but warned me not to try to get in a plane.

I remember the skies being empty.  Unusual, and particularly obvious and eerie  to an aviation buff like me.  I remember the first plane I saw flying, a few days later (a Northwest DC-9) banking through the clear blue sky. I remember flying on an airliner a week later, as things slowly returned to "normal."  People thought I was crazy for flying then; I told them it was never going to be safer than right then, with everyone on their toes.

I remember the fear and uncertainty.  I remember the sense of togetherness and pride.  I remember the grief for people I didn't even know.

Since then, people have used 9/11 for political purposes.  And that makes me mad.  But mainly I remember the good that came out of the bad.  We got stronger as a nation, and as individuals.

People say 9/11 changed everything.  It didn't.  It did change us, made us aware of our vulnerability, made us aware that we are part of a larger world.  Let us remember, and be better people in spite of, and because of, this awful event.

Show me

So, now that he's the official Republican nominee: Where's your birth certificate, Mitt?

Romney joked last week that no one has asked to see his birth certificate.  I have.  And I know lots of others have.  Let's see it, Mittens.  Why haven't you showed it yet?  Something to hide?

Driving Me Crazy

I think everyone has a list of pet peeves, and of course this is a place to vent mine.  I drive a fair amount, and there are things other drivers do that annoy me.  I've done some of them myself, and done other dumb things, so I'm not excusing myself.  But boy, there seem to be a lot of people out there who don't know, or care about, the basic rules of the road.

So.  Let's start with turn signal use.  I think most cars come standard with turn signals nowadays. I'd like to see more people figure out how to use them... Maybe they just need to study the manual a bit.  Once they figure out how to actually turn them on and off, they can then study their state's driving manual to figure out when to use them.  I see people who don't use them at all, who use them after they've already started their turn or changed lanes, who leave them on for miles (often until they make a turn in the other direction...)

Found this quote at a garage's website: "THE TURN SIGNAL IS NOT THE REMOTE CONTROL FOR THE STEERING WHEEL, USE IT BEFORE YOU CHANGE LANES."

I think most modern cars come with speedometers, too.  But people seem content to just go whatever speed they feel like, not keeping it constant.  I'll go a steady 70 on the highway, pass someone, then have them roar past me, then pass them again... It's amusing, but pointless.  Maybe their cruise control is acting up?  I don't have that luxury (I know, it's an essential nowadays, along with power windows and locks, remote keys, heated seats...) I can still hold a constant speed, with my foot.  I was taught that in driver's ed, with particular emphasis on maintaining speed up and down hills.

On to more complex car operation: If you don't have a specific purpose for being in the left lane, please move over.  In Ohio, at least, that's the passing lane, and should only be used for that.  Whether you're going below, at, or over the speed limit, if you're not passing someone (or letting someone merge, or giving a police officer room etc.,) stay out of it.  As a corollary, if I'm in the fast lane I am passing ( or letting someone merge, etc.)  I will get over when I can.  Riding my ass when I don't have any way to move over is a good way to find out if my brakes work.

Merging is another thing people don't seem to understand.  If you're entering a highway, it's your responsibility to merge- and yield, if necessary.  Traffic on the road should get over if they can, but if they can't... Like the dick in the Firebird the other day, who almost shoved me into the SUV to my left.  He just pushed over, no signal, heavy traffic, forcing me to slam on the brakes (at 60mph.)  Then when I honked, he yelled and flipped me the bird for half a mile.

Is there some reason so many people leave their cars idling so long?  Maybe it's just around here; I see it at work all the time, and in other parking lots.  If you sit in your car, idling, for more than a minute, in good weather, I don't ever want to hear you complain about the price of gas.  You can obviously afford to waste it.  And in doing so, you're driving up the cost for yourself and the rest of us.  And if the cost of gas truly bothers you so much that you have to complain about it every day, then get a higher mileage car, combine errands, carpool, whatever.  Cut your own costs, it's not hard.  And it's better for the country too.

Enough for now. Wow, I sound more polite on here than I do in my car, muttering and yelling oscenities at other drivers.  I know people make mistakes- I make plenty- so I try to allow for that.  I don't get upset unless someone does one of these things, or one of each, several times.  Three strikes, though, and you're out.  Or if you combine several into one massive idiot move, like cutting across several lanes without a turn signal because you need to be somewhere and don't give a damn about anyone else on the road, or in the world, causing a wreck, and then fleeing the scene. If you run me or someone I love off the road, I'll be looking for you.  Heck, if I see you do something like that to any random person, I'll do my best to arrange a meeting between you and the local constabulary, for the common good.

Whiskey on a Sunday

When asked about the first concert I ever went to, I often say Duran Duran. Long story. But that was when I was about 12. The first one ever was probably the Irish Rovers, in Toledo, Ohio, when I was 7 or 8. My parents liked them, we had an album which I probably wore out, and seeing them in person sticks out in my memory. I know we went at least twice. The Rovers (as they were later called) did traditional Irish songs, some originals, and some covers. Their standout hit was "The Unicorn," based on Shel Silverstein's poem. It's a great song for kids, and led me into their other songs which are also often bittersweet. I still like the music, the history, the culture of Ireland. In the last 20 years or so there has been a surge of interest in Celtic music in general, and I heard some at the Dublin (Ohio) Irish Festival recently, which reminded me of the Rovers. Here are a few faves.

 The Unicorn- Could almost be a lullaby

The Orange and the Green- Social commentary and humor, rolled up in a rollicking package

 Wasn't That a Party? I love the imagery

Whores and Hounds- A newer one, with some different band members

Black Velvet Band- Sparked my interest in geography- "Where is Van Diemen's Land?" (It goes by a different name now... Think Looney Tunes.)

Lily the Pink- Lydia Pinkham was a real person, who sold a typical cure-all in the late 1800s. You can still buy it! Pat from Mullingar- More dance-able history

 The First Love of Life


Whiskey on a Sunday

Hot town, summer in the city

Well... maybe not in the city, as I sit and listen to the country noises.  Maybe "lazin' on a sunny afternoon, in the summertime..."  Either way, I have been enjoying the summer, and not posting on here.  Too much going on, and too much doing nothing going on.  Maybe I'll post more when it cools off.  I have been hanging out with friends and family, and having a blast.  I have some ideas for posts; some even came from discussions with said friends and family.  Eventually I'll work on them.  For now, stay cool, and get out there and revel in summer.

PS: TATE

 After my Airborne Toxic Event post, and seeing them in concert, I have been listening to them and poking around online watching videos (mainly covers, which I like and they do well.) So, here are some more. Seriously, this won't be just a music blog, but for now here's more music.  (And as you can tell, I'm having trouble getting things aligned correctly when it comes to videos, whether I post in "compose" or "HTML" mode, so if you have any advice...)

Sunday Morning Coming Down

 The Book Of Love


 A Letter to Georgia


 The Winning Side

 Boots of Spanish Leather

The Graveyard Near the House- they played this in Columbus last week.

I've been pretty busy, and though I am working on a few ideas none are ready.  But I wrote something recently about the ongoing birther movement, so here's a Cliff's Notes version of how I saw the Obama birth certificate issue play out.  Here's how it went:


He's got a foreign name!
So?

Well, his dad's a foreigner.  He can't be president!
His mom's American, so he's a citizen.

Well, he was born before Hawaii became a state so he's not a natural-born citizen!
No, Hawaii was a state by then.

Fine, lemme see his birth certificate.
Here it is.

Wait, it says "certificate of live birth" not "birth certificate!"  It's a fake!
Um, I was born in Ohio, and mine says "certificate of live birth."  What is your problem?

He's not allowed to be president, I tell you!  Look, this says he was born in Kenya!
It's a hoax.  It's an altered Australian birth certificate.  See, here's the guy whose form was altered.

Fine.  But he only showed his short-form birth certificate.  Let's see the long form.
Okay, here it is.  Also birth announcements from the local paper, and a statement from the nurse who helped deliver him. Satisfied?

No!  It might be a fake!  A sheriff in Arizona who's under investigation says so!

And so on... it never ends.  There's no satisfying conspiracy theorists.  Maybe- maybe!- scrutiny was justified, up to the release of the short-form birth certificate.  But after that, it's BS.  And what, pray tell, is Romney going to do to prove he is a natural-born citizen?  'Cause a birth certificate ain't gonna do it for me, not after all this...

I stumbled on these folks a few years ago, and they helped get me through my divorce. Seriously. Their blend of energy and angst fit my mood for a long time. Some of the lyrics may seem trite, but others grab me. I've seen them three times now, and each time was a blast. They clearly have fun playing live. Saw them last night, and though the show was entirely too short it was great. Crowd involvement, 3 guys playing on the single drumset, goofiness with song styles... Okay, here are a few videos. That means I had to pick favorites, and I love almost all of their songs. It's like asking me to pick a few favorite Dead songs- each one has its place, its special meaning.... Numb: Sometime Around Midnight:  First song I heard from them (actually saw, on a live concert show.) The mix of rock and classical, of pain and energy, had an immediate impact. Papillon:  More gut-wrenching when electric, but they have some nice acoustic videos. Does This Mean You're Moving On? I Don't Want To Be On TV I'm On Fire Goodbye Horses

Memories of Ameriflora, a garden show in Columbus in 1992, turned my mind to Robert Cray yesterday.  So, for my first music post (there will be more...) here he is.  An incredible guitar player and singer, he was outstanding live.


Smoking Gun


Right Next Door (Because of Me)


Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark


No One Special


Time Makes Two

Well, finally, here's my blog. It has been gestating for several years; lately I've been inspired to pull all my notes together and put my opinions and interests online. I will talk about whatever is on my mind: politics, music, history, cars, aviation, food, who knows? I suppose I could start a blog for each, but I will probably have trouble keeping up with one. But then, maybe someday I'll spin some off and have a media empire...

I'm doing this mostly as an outlet to say what I want. Maybe someone will find it interesting, whether they agree with me or not. I can't promise to be on here every day; maybe a few times a week. I'll try to be reasonable, and grammatical, but I will slip now and then. I know I'll piss people off. Sometimes intentionally, sometimes not.

There will be a lot of commentary about politics, particularly as the election approaches. I'm somewhat liberal, somewhat conservative. Depends on the issue and on how you define the terms. I have referred to myself as socially liberal, fiscally conservative. That holds true most of the time. I consider myself moderate and independent; maybe an Independent, maybe a Libertarian, though they have gone off the deep end lately. People who vote the straight party line and otherwise don't bother to think for themselves tend to annoy me.

I intend to flee the country a few weeks before the election; everyone will have made up their mind by then, and I'm sure I'll be tired of the shouting. Even my own...

A quote I like, perhaps as a motto for this site: "Not red, not blue- red, white and blue." It used to be the tagline on the XM POTUS channel. It's not used on the POTUS website or channel anymore; tried to search to see if it's copyrighted, with no luck. Another possible motto (surely copyrighted:) “Think Responsibly,” slogan of the Economist magazine.

Another quote I like, which while it doesn't exactly describe me is certainly said with refreshing honesty: “I'm actually a fairly green, anti-union, pro-gay marriage, fiscally conservative, surprisingly socially liberal Republican.”

You have the right to remain silent- but please don't! I welcome comments. I reserve the right to delete the nastiest, stupidest ones. Though you should know, they might instead get full coverage....

I'll try to follow the “Blogger's Code of Conduct” below. We'll see how it goes. I can tolerate some abuse, but will not tolerate abuse of others. And if it gets really stupid I might delete it. Just so you know.

1) Take responsibility not just for your own words, but for the comments you allow on your blog.

2) Label your tolerance level for abusive comments.

3) Consider eliminating anonymous comments.

4) Ignore the trolls.

5) Take the conversation offline, and talk directly, or find an intermediary who can do so.

6) If you know someone who is behaving badly, tell them so.

7) Don't say anything online that you wouldn't say in person.