Hopefully, this will be a happier year for many people.
Low Points:
Death of Benazir Bhutto, Lady P-Orridge (Genesis P-Orridge's partner)
The continuing disintegration of Lindsay Lohan, Britney Spears, Paris Hilton et. al. (I suppose I'm expected to somehow revel in this, but I just can't)
High Points:
(selfish) finishing an album
The impending incarceration of Conrad Black and (let us hope) Phil Spector and OJ 'If I Did It, Which I Did, Here's How I Would and Did' Simpson
Hugs all around to those that deserve them (which I like to think most people, with the exception of Conrad, Phil and OJ, and doubtless a handful of others, do...)
December 31, 2007
December 29, 2007
Followup on Bhutto
So, evidently, it was not the shrapnel or bullets that killed Benazir - it was a skull fracture resulting from hitting the sunroof while trying to duck AWAY from the shrapnel and bullets.
This is what is known in the law as a difference without distinction. Or, to put it another way, using an easy target, shrapnel and bullets don't kill people - Henry Kissinger kills people.
And, whether Musharraf proves to have been involved or not, the failure of the state forces to provide adequate security falls in his hands - and let us not kid ourselves into thinking he didn't do a little happy dance at her death anyway...
This is what is known in the law as a difference without distinction. Or, to put it another way, using an easy target, shrapnel and bullets don't kill people - Henry Kissinger kills people.
And, whether Musharraf proves to have been involved or not, the failure of the state forces to provide adequate security falls in his hands - and let us not kid ourselves into thinking he didn't do a little happy dance at her death anyway...
December 27, 2007
Benazir Bhutto (1953-2007)
So now Benazir Bhutto is gone, a mere 12 days before elections.
You know I'm beginning to doubt Musharaff's dedication to democracy just a little.
Of course, I'm also doubting the dedication of people who've poured $10 billion into supporting his regime.
Gee, who could that be?
You know I'm beginning to doubt Musharaff's dedication to democracy just a little.
Of course, I'm also doubting the dedication of people who've poured $10 billion into supporting his regime.
Gee, who could that be?
December 23, 2007
Idea stolen from a woofy fellow musician
SOME OF MY FAVE RECORDS THAT CAN DO NO WRONG
1. Kirsty MacColl, KITE (1989)
Though, given Miss MacColl's tragic death around this time of year, it's not something I listen to in December much, it is, nevertheless, one of the most perfect, bitchy, catchy records of jangly pop ever made.
2. Velvet Underground, THIRD (1969)
Unlike, oh, Big Star's THIRD, I find this soothing and meditative music, though Miss Lou's CLOSET MIX unfortunately pushes his vocals up too far (have to get around to getting a vinyl copy again with the original mix - and you'd think Reed would know better, given his revisionist history, than to call it a closet mix...).
3. Ramones, FIRST (1976)
Snotty, catchy, shows you where Green Day and Shonen Knife and, well, let's list the whole pop-punk canon learned - and also shows the problem with the 'Telephone Game' - things get lost as they move down the line.
4. Low, TRUST (2004, I think)
In which Mimi finds her drumsticks and Alan learns that the guitar goes up past 4. But exactly what is it that you can't get in Canada - and what are two nice Mormons looking for that's illegal in Canada, anyway? ;)
5. Modern Lovers, SELF-TITLED (1976, recorded 1971-1973)
The Velvets' catchiest disciples, I think, and it's a damn shame that Warners couldn't see it in their heart to release this in 1973. Roadrunner, Dignified and Old (someday I will play that song in tribute to a friend who should have damn well HEARD it), Girlfriend (beautiful guitar/piano shared solo), She Cracked (one chord for the verse, three for the chorus), etc.
1. Kirsty MacColl, KITE (1989)
Though, given Miss MacColl's tragic death around this time of year, it's not something I listen to in December much, it is, nevertheless, one of the most perfect, bitchy, catchy records of jangly pop ever made.
2. Velvet Underground, THIRD (1969)
Unlike, oh, Big Star's THIRD, I find this soothing and meditative music, though Miss Lou's CLOSET MIX unfortunately pushes his vocals up too far (have to get around to getting a vinyl copy again with the original mix - and you'd think Reed would know better, given his revisionist history, than to call it a closet mix...).
3. Ramones, FIRST (1976)
Snotty, catchy, shows you where Green Day and Shonen Knife and, well, let's list the whole pop-punk canon learned - and also shows the problem with the 'Telephone Game' - things get lost as they move down the line.
4. Low, TRUST (2004, I think)
In which Mimi finds her drumsticks and Alan learns that the guitar goes up past 4. But exactly what is it that you can't get in Canada - and what are two nice Mormons looking for that's illegal in Canada, anyway? ;)
5. Modern Lovers, SELF-TITLED (1976, recorded 1971-1973)
The Velvets' catchiest disciples, I think, and it's a damn shame that Warners couldn't see it in their heart to release this in 1973. Roadrunner, Dignified and Old (someday I will play that song in tribute to a friend who should have damn well HEARD it), Girlfriend (beautiful guitar/piano shared solo), She Cracked (one chord for the verse, three for the chorus), etc.
December 9, 2007
Going Back To China
Someone actually tried to post the comment 'go back to China' in re my last post.
Um, I've not been to China - I try to avoid state capitalist places as much as I try to avoid allegedly free market capitalist places.
If I WERE to go 'back' to China (I'm assuming this person said this because 'go back to Russia' seemed out of date to him - I'd love to go back to Russia from about 1918-1923, before world interference lead to the rise of Stalin...), though, given that this immature snipe was probably in relation to my daring to suggest that maybe that country has a right not to allow US Navy ships to dock there (um, it's their country), I'd say the same thing there.
Um, I've not been to China - I try to avoid state capitalist places as much as I try to avoid allegedly free market capitalist places.
If I WERE to go 'back' to China (I'm assuming this person said this because 'go back to Russia' seemed out of date to him - I'd love to go back to Russia from about 1918-1923, before world interference lead to the rise of Stalin...), though, given that this immature snipe was probably in relation to my daring to suggest that maybe that country has a right not to allow US Navy ships to dock there (um, it's their country), I'd say the same thing there.
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