Sunday, September 23, 2007

...In Ten Easy Steps

Arbusto Ricochet

With a tip of the riot helmet to DownWithTyranny, fell free to peruse the text of Naomi Wolf's Fascist America, in 10 easy steps.

Now, for those with limited time or attention spans...the headlines:

1. Invoke a terrifying internal and external enemy
2. Create a gulag
3. Develop a thug caste
4. Set up an internal surveillance system
5. Harass citizens' groups
6. Engage in arbitrary detention and release
7. Target key individuals
8. Control the press
9. Dissent equals treason
10. Suspend the rule of law

Has America scored 10 out of 10 yet? You be the judge.

Sam



Thanks for looking out after Mom all these years, pal. They don't come any better than you.

Resquiat In Pace

Thursday, September 20, 2007

The Changing Face Of Republicanism

The Changing Face Of Republicans

Dick Cheney Is No Darth Vader, Madam

Full Metal Bikini

CNN:

WASHINGTON (CNN) – She has been sharply critical of Vice President Dick Cheney in the past, but Democratic Presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton took it up a notch Wednesday night, calling the president's No. 2 "Darth Vader."
...
"Vice President Cheney came up to see the Republicans yesterday," Clinton said at the fundraiser. "You can always tell when the Republicans are getting restless, because the Vice President’s motorcade pulls into the Capitol, and Darth Vader emerges."


Not to split hairs regarding fictive characters, my dear Senator...but Darth had a conscience.

;>)

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Three Views Of A Secret

Three Views Of A Secret

20 years ago this month, we lost the world's greatest bass player.

Hyperbole? Perhaps, in a subjective way...But no one can deny that there is bass before Jaco, and then there is all that came after.

In the late 1970's, I heard Jaco play with Weather Report, Joni Mitchell, and others. I was immediately struck by, above all, his unique instrumental voice obtained using nondescript tools - Often imitated, never duplicated.

For myself, he was the catalyst, opening the gateway to what an electric bass guitar could be...Anything one wants it to be.

It is a tragedy that he existed in an era so ignorant of the symptoms of perilous brain chemistry, and so overly tolerant of recreational drug abuse to the point of self-negation.

Yet his legacy lives on in the hands of all who play the instrument he called his own, whether they acknowledge it or not.

Who loves ya, baby?

;>)

'It ain't bragging if you can back it up':



Tuesday, September 11, 2007