Chris Christie today became the fourteenth republican to declare his candidacy for his party's nomination for the Presidency in 2016, promising to be a blunt speaker on the issues facing the American people, yada, yada, yada.
Whatever.
Christie has been an absolute disaster as Governor of New Jersey, still has the taint of Bridgegate hanging over his candidacy, is highly unpopular in his home state, and it's hard to imagine the powers that be in the republican party are going to take another chance on a Northeastern governor who has zero chance of winning the state of his governorship (see also, Romney, Willard).
But if, by some miracle, he did manage to win the republican nomination he would surely be finished by this: the American people do not go shopping at Assholes 'r' Us when they're looking for their next President.
And Chris Christie is a king-sized asshole.
Peace,
emaycee
Tuesday, June 30, 2015
The Ku Klutz Klan
The Ku Klux Klan is planning a pro-Confederate Flag rally for July the 18th on the grounds of the South Carolina statehouse.
Because nothing--absolutely nothing!--says "Racism? What racism?" quite like having the Ku Klux Klan parade the streets of your city waving the Confederate Flag.
Peace,
emaycee
Because nothing--absolutely nothing!--says "Racism? What racism?" quite like having the Ku Klux Klan parade the streets of your city waving the Confederate Flag.
Peace,
emaycee
Friday, June 26, 2015
Friday Night Jukebox, Vol. XXVI--Graham Parker: You Can't Be Too Strong
Back in the days before music television channels, music videos were rare and the only places I recall seeing them was on an old NBC TV show called The Midnight Special (music acts galore every Friday at midnight) and in between movies on a fledgling network called HBO. It was in between one such set of movies when I first discovered a song called "Local Girls," which caused me to seek out an album called Squeezing Out Sparks, and to eventually become a fan of one Graham Parker.
As time went on I would discover that Parker was considered a rock wunderkind by critics and there was much anticipation of great things to come from the angry young man from London. While Squeezing Out Sparks would go on to make many album of the year lists in 1979 (and eventually was ranked #335 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All-Time), it peaked at #40 (with a bullet!) on the Billboard 200 and would pretty much be the pinnacle both commercially and critically in Parker's career. Although Parker records and tours to this day, he never achieved the commercial success that so many expected, myself included.
No matter. Parker would provide me (at least until the early 90's when life and cash flow got in the way) and many others with much great music through the years. And Squeezing Out Sparks is a timeless classic that still might make my top ten of all-time even some thirty-six years later.
"You Can't Be Too Strong" is one of rock's more controversial songs--it's seen by many as an anti-abortion song (though Parker refutes this). I've always thought it was more a portrait of a young man whose pregnant girlfriend got an abortion and the only thing he knows is that he really cares about the young lady and is completely bewildered by the circumstances. It's really quite a powerful song--for those familiar with Graham Parker, you'll know his vocal stylings are nothing short of amazing, falling somewhere between fellow Brits Mick Jagger and Rod Stewart. "You Can't Be Too Strong" is full of pregnant pauses and staccato bursts from Parker's vocal cords as the lyrics roll off his tongue. There's some nice acoustic guitar work, ditto the keyboards, and a resounding closing with Parker reeling off all sorts of things you can't be too much of: too strong, too right, too wrong.
It also contains one of the great lines in rock lyric history: "It must have felt strange to find me inside you, I hadn't intended to stay..."
Just a great ballad.
Enjoy:
Peace,
emaycee
As time went on I would discover that Parker was considered a rock wunderkind by critics and there was much anticipation of great things to come from the angry young man from London. While Squeezing Out Sparks would go on to make many album of the year lists in 1979 (and eventually was ranked #335 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All-Time), it peaked at #40 (with a bullet!) on the Billboard 200 and would pretty much be the pinnacle both commercially and critically in Parker's career. Although Parker records and tours to this day, he never achieved the commercial success that so many expected, myself included.
No matter. Parker would provide me (at least until the early 90's when life and cash flow got in the way) and many others with much great music through the years. And Squeezing Out Sparks is a timeless classic that still might make my top ten of all-time even some thirty-six years later.
"You Can't Be Too Strong" is one of rock's more controversial songs--it's seen by many as an anti-abortion song (though Parker refutes this). I've always thought it was more a portrait of a young man whose pregnant girlfriend got an abortion and the only thing he knows is that he really cares about the young lady and is completely bewildered by the circumstances. It's really quite a powerful song--for those familiar with Graham Parker, you'll know his vocal stylings are nothing short of amazing, falling somewhere between fellow Brits Mick Jagger and Rod Stewart. "You Can't Be Too Strong" is full of pregnant pauses and staccato bursts from Parker's vocal cords as the lyrics roll off his tongue. There's some nice acoustic guitar work, ditto the keyboards, and a resounding closing with Parker reeling off all sorts of things you can't be too much of: too strong, too right, too wrong.
It also contains one of the great lines in rock lyric history: "It must have felt strange to find me inside you, I hadn't intended to stay..."
Just a great ballad.
Enjoy:
Peace,
emaycee
Thursday, June 25, 2015
All you need to know about the Confederacy
"I have no respect for your ancestors. As far as your ancestors are concerned, I shouldn't be a law professor at Georgetown. I should be a slave. That's why they fought that war. I don't understand what it means to be proud of a legacy of terrorism and violence.
Last week at this time, I was in Israel. The idea that a German would say, you know, that thing we did called the Holocaust, that was wrong, but I respect the courage of my Nazi ancestors. That wouldn't happen.
The reason people can say what you said in the United States, is because, again, black life just doesn't matter to a lot of people."
Spoken by Georgetown University Law Professor Paul Butler, this past Monday on "The Diane Rehm Show."
Peace,
emaycee
Ain't that some shit
So the Supreme Court today saved the republican party's ass (millions of people losing their health insurance and no backup plan does not an electoral success make), and republicans reaction was pretty much what you would expect:
Peace,
emaycee
- Completely fucking nuts, i.e. Chief Justice Roberts is being blackmailed by the Obama administration or is under surveillance from the NSA.
- Completely idiotic, i.e. repeal (fifty-six tries aren't enough?) and replace (with what? five years down the road and still nada from republicans on what they'd replace it with).
- Demonstrably false, i.e. , it is neither bad law, nor a failure. Obamacare is a tremendous success--driving down the uninsured rate markedly, saving billions in the federal budget, and coming in under projected costs (stat freaks rejoice here). Is there still work to do to make it better? Certainly--but you can bet your bottom dollar it won't be republicans tweaking it to make it better for Americans.
Peace,
emaycee
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
Mr. Delusional
Of all the Presidential candidates running for their party's nomination in 2016, the most delusional has got to be Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, who announced his candidacy for the Presidency today.
Don't get me wrong--there are many candidates who have no chance to win (yes, you Rick Santorum..er, Donald Trump) or are more likely (however unlikely) running for the Vice Presidency (see also, George Pataki, Carly Fiorina). Santorum, Trump, and Ben Carson are in it for the money. Pataki and Fiorina are hoping for a miracle. Rick Perry just wants a little redemption (and good luck with that, sir). But Jindal? You get the feeling he really thinks he can be the next President.
Yup.
Never mind the fact that his governorship has been a disaster for Louisiana. Never mind the fact that Jindal has the lowest approval ratings of any Governor in America. Never mind that he has all the charisma of a white wall. Hell, never mind that Jindal gets down on his hands and knees every night and gives thanks for Marco Rubio's disastrous State of the Union response in 2013 so just maybe America will forget that in his own response in 2009 Jindal was as stiff as three week old roadkill.
Nope, Jindal still believes the bygone hype and thinks if he kisses enough republican base ass he can be our next President. But so, too, could Homer Simpson--if only he wasn't a cartoon buffoon.
Sort of like Bobby Jindal.
Peace,
emaycee
Don't get me wrong--there are many candidates who have no chance to win (yes, you Rick Santorum..er, Donald Trump) or are more likely (however unlikely) running for the Vice Presidency (see also, George Pataki, Carly Fiorina). Santorum, Trump, and Ben Carson are in it for the money. Pataki and Fiorina are hoping for a miracle. Rick Perry just wants a little redemption (and good luck with that, sir). But Jindal? You get the feeling he really thinks he can be the next President.
Yup.
Never mind the fact that his governorship has been a disaster for Louisiana. Never mind the fact that Jindal has the lowest approval ratings of any Governor in America. Never mind that he has all the charisma of a white wall. Hell, never mind that Jindal gets down on his hands and knees every night and gives thanks for Marco Rubio's disastrous State of the Union response in 2013 so just maybe America will forget that in his own response in 2009 Jindal was as stiff as three week old roadkill.
Nope, Jindal still believes the bygone hype and thinks if he kisses enough republican base ass he can be our next President. But so, too, could Homer Simpson--if only he wasn't a cartoon buffoon.
Sort of like Bobby Jindal.
Peace,
emaycee
Monday, June 22, 2015
Nikki throws her hat into the Veep Ring
I'm really going to sound like a cynical old fart--which is o.k. because I am a cynical old fart--but the first thought I had when I heard that Gov. Nikki Haley of South Carolina had called for the removal of the Confederate flag from the state capitol grounds today was...this was done entirely to gain herself some republican Vice Presidential nominee consideration.
Why not? A woman would look good on their ticket and they could play the "hey, it only took the deaths of nine African-Americans for us to acknowledge that just maybe the Confederate flag isn't quite the symbol of patriotism we thought it was" card. Live and learn, right?
What a country.
Peace,
emaycee
Why not? A woman would look good on their ticket and they could play the "hey, it only took the deaths of nine African-Americans for us to acknowledge that just maybe the Confederate flag isn't quite the symbol of patriotism we thought it was" card. Live and learn, right?
What a country.
Peace,
emaycee
Morans
Kansas republicans last week passed legislation to shore up their budget shortfall--caused by tax cuts for the wealthy--with tax increases that will primarily affect the poor and working class.
You have to be some kind of serious stupid to vote for republicans if you're poor or middle class knowing full well that they are more than happy to give your money to people who are a whole hell of a lot richer than you are.
Peace,
emaycee
President Obama and the N-word
The right wing went out of its collective fucking gourd this weekend because President Obama used the N-word on Marc Maron's podcast.
Wouldn't it be nice if America's right wing went out of its collective fucking gourd whenever one of their own used the N-word?
Peace,
emaycee
Wouldn't it be nice if America's right wing went out of its collective fucking gourd whenever one of their own used the N-word?
Peace,
emaycee
Friday, June 19, 2015
Friday Night Jukebox, Vol. XXV--Thin Lizzy: The Boys Are Back in Town
Sunday marks the Summer Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere which turns my thoughts to the songs of summer, like the Beach Boys, Jan and Dean...
Nah. Good bands both, but "The Boys Are Back in Town" by Thin Lizzy is the song that always reminds me the most of summer--it's a rare June indeed when at some point in the first couple of weeks I don't give "The Boys Are Back in Town" a listen. Released in 1976 on their Jailbreak album, the song peaked at #12 (with a bullet!) on the Billboard Hot 100 on...July 24th.
Which, appropriately enough, would be the middle of summer.
Thin Lizzy formed in 1969 in their native Ireland. Led by frontman Phil Lynott, the band had a little more success in the U.K. than they did here in the States, though they toured often across America. Thin Lizzy broke up in 1983. Sadly, Lynott died in 1986 at the age of thirty-six from complications from both drug and alcohol abuse.
Written by Lynott, the song itself is a portrait with music--lifestyles of the young and rowdy. Lynott's joyous vocals carry the song and give it an anthemic feel. The chorus is--emaycee favorite!--repeated often and features a wondrous echo (they're also whispered at one point adding one of those little extras that make a song just that much better). But the true beauty of the song is the twin guitars which swirl like a corkscrew throughout the song, giving the portrait its raucous and rousing undertone. I'm telling you, I've been listening to this song for thirty-nine years and it never gets old.
Needless to say, "...it won't be long till summer comes...."
Enjoy:
Peace,
emaycee
Nah. Good bands both, but "The Boys Are Back in Town" by Thin Lizzy is the song that always reminds me the most of summer--it's a rare June indeed when at some point in the first couple of weeks I don't give "The Boys Are Back in Town" a listen. Released in 1976 on their Jailbreak album, the song peaked at #12 (with a bullet!) on the Billboard Hot 100 on...July 24th.
Which, appropriately enough, would be the middle of summer.
Thin Lizzy formed in 1969 in their native Ireland. Led by frontman Phil Lynott, the band had a little more success in the U.K. than they did here in the States, though they toured often across America. Thin Lizzy broke up in 1983. Sadly, Lynott died in 1986 at the age of thirty-six from complications from both drug and alcohol abuse.
Written by Lynott, the song itself is a portrait with music--lifestyles of the young and rowdy. Lynott's joyous vocals carry the song and give it an anthemic feel. The chorus is--emaycee favorite!--repeated often and features a wondrous echo (they're also whispered at one point adding one of those little extras that make a song just that much better). But the true beauty of the song is the twin guitars which swirl like a corkscrew throughout the song, giving the portrait its raucous and rousing undertone. I'm telling you, I've been listening to this song for thirty-nine years and it never gets old.
Needless to say, "...it won't be long till summer comes...."
Enjoy:
Peace,
emaycee
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
On Rachel Dolezal
There are people who are much smarter than I am when it comes to what effects the Rachel Dolezal saga will have on the NAACP and the African-American community, and what it means to African-American women. I am not an expert on the transracial aspects of her story and couldn't begin to explain her psychological motivations, either pro or con.
But I will say this: while it's fair politics to to have snarky comments when the opposing party has an embarrassing episode involving one of its supporting organizations, you should at least have the brains to do it for the right reasons. The Rachel Dolezal episode is a black eye for the NAACP, but it is not indicative of Liberals, does not have anything to do with political correctness, and I will flat fucking guarantee you that this country's Civil Rights pioneers are not rolling over in their graves concerning it, despite Sarah Palin's wildest dreams.. It is no more an indictment of the Democratic Party than Denny Hastert's child molestation allegations are an indictment of the republican party (unless it proven that the powers that be in the republican party were aware of such allegations).
Besides, at least when we screw up it's in the name of helping others--unlike conservatism, it is not a core principle of Liberalism to fuck over the American people whenever the opportunity arises.
Peace,
emaycee
But I will say this: while it's fair politics to to have snarky comments when the opposing party has an embarrassing episode involving one of its supporting organizations, you should at least have the brains to do it for the right reasons. The Rachel Dolezal episode is a black eye for the NAACP, but it is not indicative of Liberals, does not have anything to do with political correctness, and I will flat fucking guarantee you that this country's Civil Rights pioneers are not rolling over in their graves concerning it, despite Sarah Palin's wildest dreams.. It is no more an indictment of the Democratic Party than Denny Hastert's child molestation allegations are an indictment of the republican party (unless it proven that the powers that be in the republican party were aware of such allegations).
Besides, at least when we screw up it's in the name of helping others--unlike conservatism, it is not a core principle of Liberalism to fuck over the American people whenever the opportunity arises.
Peace,
emaycee
Not gonna do it!
Jeb Bush made quite the show this past Monday in his announcement for the republican nomination for the Presidency in 2016 of his benevolent attitudes toward the American Latino community--he noted that his wife was Mexican, he spoke a few sentences in Spanish, and he had several Latinos speak on his behalf.
The one thing he didn't do, though, was explain exactly how he was going to transfer his goodwill toward said Latino community to his republican partners in the U. S. Congress and actually get some sort of immigration reform passed. Whether it would be the force of his personality, an appeal to republicans' better selves, or by petitioning God through prayer, he did not say.
And the reason for that is because he cannot do it (though petitioning God may be his best bet). The republican party keeps falling farther and farther off the deep end, and there is a better chance I'll walk on my hands upon a tightrope across Niagara Falls in 2017 than there is that Jeb Bush will get republican congresspersons to offer aid and comfort to a group of people their party's base hates.
No matter his platitudes, the man behind the curtain is not a wizard.
Peace,
emaycee
The one thing he didn't do, though, was explain exactly how he was going to transfer his goodwill toward said Latino community to his republican partners in the U. S. Congress and actually get some sort of immigration reform passed. Whether it would be the force of his personality, an appeal to republicans' better selves, or by petitioning God through prayer, he did not say.
And the reason for that is because he cannot do it (though petitioning God may be his best bet). The republican party keeps falling farther and farther off the deep end, and there is a better chance I'll walk on my hands upon a tightrope across Niagara Falls in 2017 than there is that Jeb Bush will get republican congresspersons to offer aid and comfort to a group of people their party's base hates.
No matter his platitudes, the man behind the curtain is not a wizard.
Peace,
emaycee
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
Speaking of being dead...
Donald Trump announced his candidacy for the republican nomination for the Presidency in 2016 and in so doing, pronounced that ",,,the American dream is dead."
Presumably he said this with a straight face, especially seeing as how the greed of his ilk is what killed it.
Nonetheless, I am thrilled Mr. Trump is in the race, He is the epitome of the ugly republican--and they aren't nearly as rare as the national media would have us believe. Every time he opens his mouth, every time he gets on a debate stage, he makes the republican party sound as extreme as it has become and turns off moderate and independent voters.
And it's all just a show to Trump--we get to watch Trump do his imitation of Bozo the Clown and the republican party continue its implosion for free.
Good times.
Peace,
emaycee
Presumably he said this with a straight face, especially seeing as how the greed of his ilk is what killed it.
Nonetheless, I am thrilled Mr. Trump is in the race, He is the epitome of the ugly republican--and they aren't nearly as rare as the national media would have us believe. Every time he opens his mouth, every time he gets on a debate stage, he makes the republican party sound as extreme as it has become and turns off moderate and independent voters.
And it's all just a show to Trump--we get to watch Trump do his imitation of Bozo the Clown and the republican party continue its implosion for free.
Good times.
Peace,
emaycee
Monday, June 15, 2015
Willard 2.0
Jeb Bush announced his candidacy for the republican nomination for the Presidency in 2016 today--and it was about as surprising as the news that water is wet and the sky is blue. People who understand republican bullshit much better than I (or at least tolerate it) claim he gave a good speech. Still, I couldn't help but feel that I'd seen this movie before and I have: Mitt Romney in 2012.
Like Romney four years ago, Bush is not quite as crazy as his fellow contenders, is probably the best candidate they have, is prone to gaffes, is a former Governor (with a spotty record), was born into serious money, can relate to your average American about as well as your average CEO relates to your average homeless person, and, in all reality, has very little chance to defeat the Democratic nominee thanks to republican ignorance concerning the electoral college map.
Though I wouldn't be completely stunned if Marco Rubio or, to a much lesser extent, Scott Walker won their party's nomination, I've felt all along that Jeb Bush is going to be the republican nominee (if nothing else, also like Romney, he'll keep the election closer and probably save a few republican congressional seats). And you know who else does? Hillary Clinton.
Anyone other than me think it's merely coincidence that Hillary Clinton today reminded Americans in her press conference that both her husband and President Obama inherited the economic problems that we faced from republican Presidents, namely Bush the First and Bush the Lesser?
Let the games begin!
Peace,
emaycee
Like Romney four years ago, Bush is not quite as crazy as his fellow contenders, is probably the best candidate they have, is prone to gaffes, is a former Governor (with a spotty record), was born into serious money, can relate to your average American about as well as your average CEO relates to your average homeless person, and, in all reality, has very little chance to defeat the Democratic nominee thanks to republican ignorance concerning the electoral college map.
Though I wouldn't be completely stunned if Marco Rubio or, to a much lesser extent, Scott Walker won their party's nomination, I've felt all along that Jeb Bush is going to be the republican nominee (if nothing else, also like Romney, he'll keep the election closer and probably save a few republican congressional seats). And you know who else does? Hillary Clinton.
Anyone other than me think it's merely coincidence that Hillary Clinton today reminded Americans in her press conference that both her husband and President Obama inherited the economic problems that we faced from republican Presidents, namely Bush the First and Bush the Lesser?
Let the games begin!
Peace,
emaycee
Friday, June 12, 2015
Friday Night Jukebox, Vol. XXIV--Barenaked Ladies: Brian Wilson
One of my great guilty pleasures musically is the Barenaked Ladies. Yup, a lot of their songs could fall into the novelty category. they can be a little too tongue in cheek, and their sound is heavy on the pop, light on the rock, but I couldn't give a good rat's ass. Whether I'm having a great day or a horrible one, I can put on their greatest hits and my day gets nothing but better. Just another in a long line of absolutely delightful performers from the Great White North.
But if there is one song of theirs that is destined for the halls of greatness, it's this week's featured tune, "Brian Wilson." There are literally five different versions of the song, but the most notable ones were the versions released on their Gordon album and "Brian Wilson 2000" (which reached number 68--with a bullet!--on the Billboard Hot 100). The Gordon version is about a minute longer and is more acoustic based than "Brian Wilson 2000," which mirrors their live version of the song (it is one of the rare songs that takes on a life of its own when performed live).
Amazingly enough for a song entitled "Brian Wilson," the song references the Brian Wilson, the musical genius behind The Beach Boys long run of hits. Written by Steven Page, it is a paean to Brian Wilson, music, music shops, and a vivid portrait of just how overwhelming suffering from depression can be. And yet...despite it all, still there is good to be found and still there is a sliver of hope. Page's staggeringly heartfelt vocals drive this home in the first couple of acoustically driven stanzas, before the rest of the band joins in and takes it to another level. There's acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and best of all...bongos! Throw in the short and oft repeated chorus of "Lying in bed, just like Brian Wilson did..." and it all adds up to another of those magical moments that makes all the years of listening to music worth the while.
I usually listen to each week's songs a couple of times before I write the weekly post, and as I did tonight all I could do was smiley smile and say, "Goddamn this is a great song."
And I didn't even have to think about "...oh, what to think about."
Enjoy (Gordon version):
Peace,
emaycee
But if there is one song of theirs that is destined for the halls of greatness, it's this week's featured tune, "Brian Wilson." There are literally five different versions of the song, but the most notable ones were the versions released on their Gordon album and "Brian Wilson 2000" (which reached number 68--with a bullet!--on the Billboard Hot 100). The Gordon version is about a minute longer and is more acoustic based than "Brian Wilson 2000," which mirrors their live version of the song (it is one of the rare songs that takes on a life of its own when performed live).
Amazingly enough for a song entitled "Brian Wilson," the song references the Brian Wilson, the musical genius behind The Beach Boys long run of hits. Written by Steven Page, it is a paean to Brian Wilson, music, music shops, and a vivid portrait of just how overwhelming suffering from depression can be. And yet...despite it all, still there is good to be found and still there is a sliver of hope. Page's staggeringly heartfelt vocals drive this home in the first couple of acoustically driven stanzas, before the rest of the band joins in and takes it to another level. There's acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and best of all...bongos! Throw in the short and oft repeated chorus of "Lying in bed, just like Brian Wilson did..." and it all adds up to another of those magical moments that makes all the years of listening to music worth the while.
I usually listen to each week's songs a couple of times before I write the weekly post, and as I did tonight all I could do was smiley smile and say, "Goddamn this is a great song."
And I didn't even have to think about "...oh, what to think about."
Enjoy (Gordon version):
Peace,
emaycee
Monday, June 8, 2015
Two more reasons...
...why it's necessary that we don't just defeat republicans, but completely annihilate them.
To wit:
Peace,
emaycee
To wit:
- Rick Santorum commented last week that Pope Francis should leave Climate Change to scientists--conveniently ignoring the fact that he's not a scientist, either. Santorum later compounded his idiocy by saying that because he's a politician he's more qualified to discuss it than the Pope (the Pope does have a background in science). Unfortunately for Santorum, large donations from big oil to his campaign doesn't make him anymore an expert than the Pope.
- South Dakota Senator John Thune today tweeted that President Obama should acknowledge that Obamacare is bad for the American people because six million Americans could lose their subsidies because of the upcoming Supreme Court decision concerning King v. Burwell, a lawsuit brought by republicans to continue their assault on America's poor. This is akin to robbing a bank and later claiming you're not guilty because you lost the money. Poetic justice? Thune has been thoroughly ridiculed for his tweet.
Peace,
emaycee
Friday, June 5, 2015
Friday Night Jukebox, Vol. XXIII--The Grateful Dead: Touch of Grey
I'd be the first to admit that I don't really get the Grateful Dead. It's not that they're a bad band--it's that they're just an okay band. I mean, I like "Truckin'." I like "Ripple." I like "Casey Jones." I like "Friend of the Devil" (though truth be told, I like Lyle Lovett's cover version from Deadicated much better). None of them would make my top 500, though. I've got Skeletons in the Closet, their greatest hits package, and it's more than enough Dead album for me. And despite their reputation for live performing, I couldn't imagine going to see them in concert, much less becoming a Deadhead.
But as the old saying goes, every dog has its day and the Grateful Dead had their day with me with their 1987 hit "Touch of Grey." Released on their In the Dark album, it was their only top ten hit on the Billboard Hot 100 (the album was also their only top ten album, as well), peaking at number nine (with a bullet!). Reluctant frontman Jerry Garcia wrote the music and longtime Dead lyricist Robert Hunter wrote the words--the Dead originally performed the song live in 1982 but didn't record it in the studio until 1987.
Ostensibly, the song is a paean to getting old--or at least the acceptance of getting old. Not really sure why at the age of twenty-eight it struck me as such a great song--probably because the age of thirty was just around the corner and I was looking for any kind of assurance that getting older wouldn't totally suck. Turns out Mr. Hunter was right--it is "all right." The tune is a melange of pop and Americana supplemented by Garcia's knowing vocals, some folksy lyrics, and the oft repeated chorus "I will get by/I will survive."
True enough, that.
I turned fifty-six yesterday, and as I combed my hair after my morning shower, I noticed in the mirror that even though the full head of mouse brown hair no longer existed, a "touch of grey" suits me very well, indeed.
Enjoy:
Peace,
emaycee
But as the old saying goes, every dog has its day and the Grateful Dead had their day with me with their 1987 hit "Touch of Grey." Released on their In the Dark album, it was their only top ten hit on the Billboard Hot 100 (the album was also their only top ten album, as well), peaking at number nine (with a bullet!). Reluctant frontman Jerry Garcia wrote the music and longtime Dead lyricist Robert Hunter wrote the words--the Dead originally performed the song live in 1982 but didn't record it in the studio until 1987.
Ostensibly, the song is a paean to getting old--or at least the acceptance of getting old. Not really sure why at the age of twenty-eight it struck me as such a great song--probably because the age of thirty was just around the corner and I was looking for any kind of assurance that getting older wouldn't totally suck. Turns out Mr. Hunter was right--it is "all right." The tune is a melange of pop and Americana supplemented by Garcia's knowing vocals, some folksy lyrics, and the oft repeated chorus "I will get by/I will survive."
True enough, that.
I turned fifty-six yesterday, and as I combed my hair after my morning shower, I noticed in the mirror that even though the full head of mouse brown hair no longer existed, a "touch of grey" suits me very well, indeed.
Enjoy:
Peace,
emaycee
Thursday, June 4, 2015
Perry makes it an even ten
Half-wit former republican Governor of Texas Rick Perry became the tenth announced republican candidate for the Presidency in 2016--which seemed to elicit plenty of chuckles from pundits far and wide.
Perry is best known for threatening to secede from the union, not being able to remember the three--count 'em, a whole three--government agencies he was going to abolish upon his ascendancy to the Presidency in January of 2013 during a republican debate, and for donning a pair of black-rimmed eyeglasses in the hope that we'd forget that he was an idiot (and good luck with that). Perry also thinks just about everything is unconstitutional (Social Security, Medicare, Clean Air Laws, Federal Health Programs) and is the only candidate in either party who is currently under indictment (for abuse of office).
And yet all you really need to know is that the last time we elected a half-wit Governor of Texas to the Presidency we ended up with the worst terrorist attack in U.S. history, two costly and failed wars, an incompetent response to a hurricane that left over a thousand dead and thousands more homeless, and the biggest financial crisis since the Great Depression.
Pretty sure if by some miracle Perry actually wins the republican nomination the Democratic Party would spend the last few months of the campaign reminding Americans again and again that just because your head can fit into a ten gallon hat doesn't mean you have brains to match.
Peace,
emaycee
Perry is best known for threatening to secede from the union, not being able to remember the three--count 'em, a whole three--government agencies he was going to abolish upon his ascendancy to the Presidency in January of 2013 during a republican debate, and for donning a pair of black-rimmed eyeglasses in the hope that we'd forget that he was an idiot (and good luck with that). Perry also thinks just about everything is unconstitutional (Social Security, Medicare, Clean Air Laws, Federal Health Programs) and is the only candidate in either party who is currently under indictment (for abuse of office).
And yet all you really need to know is that the last time we elected a half-wit Governor of Texas to the Presidency we ended up with the worst terrorist attack in U.S. history, two costly and failed wars, an incompetent response to a hurricane that left over a thousand dead and thousands more homeless, and the biggest financial crisis since the Great Depression.
Pretty sure if by some miracle Perry actually wins the republican nomination the Democratic Party would spend the last few months of the campaign reminding Americans again and again that just because your head can fit into a ten gallon hat doesn't mean you have brains to match.
Peace,
emaycee
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
Huckleberry's in, too
And then there were nine....
A couple of interesting factoids about Lindsey Graham, who yesterday became the ninth republican to hop on the Bozo Bus that is the republican race for the Presidency:
Outside of seeing how much crazy he drag out of his competitors when it comes to foreign policy over the next few months (pretty much the sole reason for his run), the Graham campaign will be done by the end of the Iowa caucus.
And to think we still have eight to ten more republicans to go....
Peace,
emaycee
A couple of interesting factoids about Lindsey Graham, who yesterday became the ninth republican to hop on the Bozo Bus that is the republican race for the Presidency:
- He's the only republican in the race who believes climate change is real and caused by humans--and that will pretty much tell you his chances of getting the party's nomination: zero.
- He has a compelling personal narrative: orphaned at 21, he raised his then 12 year old sister and still managed to get through college and law school, as well as serve in the Air Force. Also unlike many republicans, Graham does not claim to be a self-made man--he actually acknowledges that he had a lot of help getting to where he is today.
- I have no idea why he's called "Huckleberry" by his detractors--after about a ten minute google search I gave up. I can only assume it's because he bears a striking resemblance to the old cartoon character Huckleberry Hound....
Outside of seeing how much crazy he drag out of his competitors when it comes to foreign policy over the next few months (pretty much the sole reason for his run), the Graham campaign will be done by the end of the Iowa caucus.
And to think we still have eight to ten more republicans to go....
Peace,
emaycee
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