Exclusive: We sent @waltermasterson to yesterday’s Trump rally in Ohio, and he spotted bored MAGAs leaving in droves during the speech. More to come. pic.twitter.com/yvbTNunZ0B
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) June 27, 2021
You Have a Choice: Pass a Voting Rights Bill, or Welcome Fascism to America
After having their fee-fees hurt because the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley, had the audacity to say that yes, our service men and women should be taught about Critical Race Theory and that White Rage is a threat to our country's future, Fox News bonehead opinion personality Laura Ingraham said that because of Milley's thoughtful response, the military should be defunded.
Please take a moment to appreciate the abject stupidity that went into making such a suggestion....
Anyone who thinks for one fucking minute that giving these nitwits the keys to our country again is not going to result in the end of America as any kind of sustainable nation is absolutely fucking kidding themselves. They have taken ignorance to unheard of heights. They are beyond hope at this point.
To steal a line from Bob Dylan, it's a wonder these idiots still know how to breathe.
You Have a Choice: Pass a Voting Rights Bill, or Welcome Fascism to America
A few years back I was making dinner and listening to my favorite tunes on shuffle (as is my custom) when this week's song came on and I had an epiphany--while I'd always loved the song, for whatever reason its essential greatness suddenly became readily apparent that evening. There are those who say it is the band's quintessential song, but I'll leave it to folks who are more knowledgeable about the lads from Manchester than I to judge such matters....
As the annals of Friday Night Jukebox have already been graced with a post about an Oasis song, I'll skip the bio bit this week other than to update what brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher are using their talents for these days. After the breakup of Oasis in 2009, Liam Gallagher continued the band under the moniker Beady Eye; in 2017 he went solo and has since released two albums, both of which hit #1 on the UK Album Chart. Noel Gallagher formed the band Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds and they have released three albums--all of them went to #1 on the same chart. Sadly (or not--it's their lives) the personal and professional differences between the brothers that led to the breakup of Oasis do not seem to have been reconciled, and the brothers remain estranged for the most part.
Fun Fact: Noel Gallagher freely admits that he borrowed "Some Might Say" from the song "Fuzzy" by Grant Lee Buffalo, and if you listen to its intro, you'll notice that he did....
"Some Might Say" was the first single released in the U.K. from Oasis' seminal album,(What's the Story) Morning Glory? It would go on to become their first #1 single on the UK Singles Chart, and also topped their album chart. It was not released as a single in America, but the album would become their breakthrough in the States, peaking at #4 on the Billboard 200.
I've never seen Oasis perform live, but I have seen "Some Might Say" performed in concert footage and all I can say is every band prays for a song like it (and there are quite a few who manage to have one), where from the moment it starts, thousands of fans are flicking their lighters and singing along at the top of their voices. The word I would use--and I'm not sure it even does it justice--is anthemic. It's one of those songs that the music (look up "catchy" in the dictionary and it's likely to say, "see also, "Some Might Say'") just fills every inch of your body, and the chorus whirls round and round and surrounds your being like the sun and the stars. Liam's vocals are as good as it gets, and Noel's guitar just flows from one of the best song's he's ever written. I sound like an overwrought fan boy, but since I checked last week and found this was my song of the week, the song has been delightful ear candy...and probably will be for weeks. A stellar effort.
Lyric Sheet: "Some might say that sunshine follows thunder/Go and tell it to the man who cannot shine..."
Enjoy:
You Have a Choice: Pass a Voting Rights Bill, or Welcome Fascism to America
I've been saying for quite a few years now that when you hear republicans scream about "the tree of liberty" or fly their "Don't Tread on Me" flags or tell us how the Founding Fathers envisioned America (and I'd be willing to bet you could count on one hand the members of the republican base who have actually read The Federalist Papers) it was just so much bullshit because these people believe in the American system about as much as an avowed atheist believes in God. I guarantee you that to a person they would have all backed King George III because they don't want a nation of laws and men, they want a nation of kings and edicts (that reinforce their, and theirs alone, worldview).
News lately that Rand Paul has been trying to explain why Democracy is such a failure (and proving why he should have remained an eye doctor) and some right wing nutjob named Matt Walsh (who I'd never heard of until this week) said that Americans should have a job and a basic knowledge of civics to vote (pretty sure those requirements would hurt republicans a lot more than Democrats--the I.Q. of your average republican is just below that of a gnat) betrays their monarchist desires. They don't believe in the American people--they believe in retaining power at any cost (and just look at the damage they've done to their own to keep that power when it comes to COVID-19, the opioid epidemic, or the economic stagnation of their rural and less educated voters).
Their entire platform has always been, and always will be, built on the principle of "Let Them Eat Cake"--they have what they want and that the rest of us don't is just too fucking bad.
At least until the other side realizes that the tree of liberty is actually watered with universal healthcare, good jobs, a living wage, and the right to for all of us to be equal in the eyes of the law.
Republicans don't hate Democracy--they're terrified of it.
You Have a Choice: Pass a Voting Rights Bill, or Welcome Fascism to America
I originally thought my introduction to this week's tune was Nick Hornby's homage to his favorite songs, Songbook, but when I scanned through it before writing this week's post, this week's song was nowhere to be found. I know my daughter introduced me to Newman's band the New Pornographers, but I'm reasonably certain she didn't lead me to the song, either. My best guess is Rolling Stone magazine--seems like they had an under the radar songs/albums each issue when I was still subscribing and it may have been noted in that feature. Oh, the perils of getting old....
A.C. Newman (who, near as I can tell, goes by Carl when he's doing his non-solo work) got his start in Vancouver, British Columbia in the early nineties with a band called Superconductor. After a short stay he moved onto a band called Zumpano which released a couple of albums. He then became one of the founding members of the aforementioned New Pornographers (for which he's the main vocalist and songwriter) and has enjoyed quite a bit of critical and commercial success, including numerous mentions on best of indie lists and four top forty albums here in the States. Newman has done solo projects on and off since 2004 while continuing his work with the New Pornographers. He has released three solo albums (the latest in 2012), and most recently helped release the New Pornographers eighth LP in 2019.
Fun Fact: Newman chose A.C. Newman as his solo moniker because it sounded like a pseudonym, even thought it isn't--his real name is Allan Carl Newman....
"Drink to Me, Babe, Then" was released in 2004 on Newman's debut solo effort, The Slow Wonder.The song was not released as a single, and the album did not chart.
Every time I hear "Drink to Me, Babe, Then" I think "Jesus, what a great song," but as I thought about it this week I realized I'd have a tough time trying to say why. I mean there's Newman's vocal inflections which probably aren't standard fare but say so much, and then there's the droning guitar over a plaintive drum which gives the song a somewhat odd backdrop. There's a nice whistling section toward the end of the song as well as a smattering of other instruments throughout, none of which I could be certain of which instrument in particular was playing (though did I hear some kazoos in there?). And I couldn't say with any certainty what the song is about, though if I had to guess it's about a man reflecting on a relationship that failed, but in such a way as to leave neither of the lovers too much the worse for wear (though for some odd ass reason I think she ended up happier than our narrator?). I've been reading a lot of poetry lately and as I read I keep coming back to the last lines of Archibald MacLeish's "Ars Poetica" in which he proclaims, "A poem should not mean/But be" (possibly because I struggle mightily to figure out just what each poem I read means) and maybe that's the best I can say for "Drink to Me, Babe, Then"--it exists, and in my little corner of the rock and roll world, that just might be enough.
Lyric Sheet: "We're offended, shocked our plan would fail/Now you've wandered farther from the trail/On a landslide you ride in..."
Enjoy:
You Have a Choice: Pass a Voting Rights Bill, or Welcome Fascism to America
Surprise, surprise--Democrats are the true patriots
Someday someone is going to have to explain to me how a party that screams righteously about its patriotism and sings to the heavens about putting American first can be so beholden to leaders who aren't American and couldn't care less about Americans or our nation's well-being.
News this week that republicans give higher favorability ratings to Russia's Vladimir Putin than Joe Biden isn't surprising, but should give us all serious pause as to just how much republicans actually love America. Talking out of both sides of their mouths seems to be a trait republicans have perfected.
Frankly, you can wear your Make America Great Again hat 24/7, 365 days a years but when you pay homage to a murderous Russian dictator and America's fiercest nemesis, it rings incredibly hollow.
You Have a Choice: Pass a Voting Rights Bill, or Welcome Fascism to America
Especially if you're looking for dignity in the Catholic Church
Oh, here's a surprise--the Catholic Church in America is making a pathetic spectacle of itself once again--apparently they can sink below being Perverts 'r' Us . Seems American Catholic Bishops voted overwhelmingly this week to rebuke Catholic politicians (read Joe Biden) for receiving communion while supporting abortion rights.
For a religion that's so high and mighty concerning the sanctity of life, they sure stayed awfully tight-lipped while Donald Trump played politics with COVID-19 and stood idly by while over 600,000 Americans died because he thought it was a "blue state" problem. For a faith that requires its parishioners to confess their sins (most notably the breaking of any of the Ten Commandments), they didn't seem to much mind Donald Trump's adulterous affairs with hookers while his wife was taking care of their newborn and the whole "thou shalt not bear false witness" didn't seem to bother them while Donald Trump told over thirty thousand lies in four years. And for a church that advocates that we take care of the least of our brothers, they've turned a blind eye to Trump trying to cut SNAP benefits to please the bloodthirsty republican base and republican governors taking food out of Americans' mouths while they cozy up to Corporate America by cutting supplemental unemployment benefits.
The hypocrisy of these pieces of shit is unfathomable.
How any self-respecting Democrat who is a Catholic can still remain in the Church is completely beyond me.
You Have a Choice: Pass a Voting Rights Bill, or Welcome Fascism to America
This is the result of shit wages and shit working conditions
Digby postulates that part and parcel of republicans' war on Critical Race Theory is their continued drive to destroy teachers' unions and turn public education into a network of right wing indoctrination centers (as if the mental defectives who make up the republican base are people the rest of the country wants to emulate...).
What republicans fail to recognize, though, is that the end result of their plan is that America's children would end up getting taught in the same way that our meals gets made in fast food restaurants: badly. While I have no doubt that the Richie Rich's that make up so much of republican leadership think their kids will do just fine in their private schools, once republicans begin slashing teacher pay the amount of folks who will make a career out of teaching will plummet. Just as the best and brightest don't spend four years in college to become a McDonald's manager, neither will they wish to go tens of thousands of dollars into debt to get paid peanuts to teach. And though some of those who make their living teaching today may be imperfect, they're a whole hell of a lot better at teaching children than your average KFC manager.
Within a generation China, Canada, Australia, and most of Europe will have left America's moron children in the dust, and America's influence in the world--as well as our ability to maintain our lifestyle and defend our nation--will be able to be measured with a common twelve inch ruler.
So, yeah, republicans keep that moronic slashing teacher's pay while turning them into robotic mouthpieces fantasy going, but don't ever forget that in the end you're going to wind up with a nation filled with the same MAGA morons whose votes you'll gladly take but whose lives you disdain. Let's face it: if the nitwits that make up your base are the future of American, we're doomed.
And when you employ the least and the dimmest you can guarantee our kids education will look like most fast food sandwiches: a half cooked burger with brown lettuce, a soggy bun, and special sauce splattered all over the wrapper.
Yum.
You Have a Choice: Pass a Voting Rights Bill, or Welcome Fascism to America
Hearing republicans invoke slavery (as an example of the worst excess of majority rule) as a reason that the filibuster should continue as a procedure in the Senate is laughable, considering that 90% of republicans today would be thrilled if that execrable stain on American history were restored.
Ever since Nixon formulated the Southern strategy the republican party has been the party that encourages and celebrates racists and for them to invoke a horrendous institution they tacitly embrace as an endorsement of the racist filibuster is an embarrassment of stupidity.
You Have a Choice: Pass a Voting Rights Bill, or Welcome Fascism to America
One of the best perks of being President of the United States is that when their term in office is over they can write their memoirs, for which publishers will give former Presidents a seven figure advance and sales of which usually result in seven or eight figure royalties being paid. Every President since at least Richard Nixon (yes, even that piece of shit made a mint writing about his Presidency) has made a handsome sum from detailing their time in office.
Until Donald Trump, that is. Despite Trump's claims that he's going to write (more likely have ghost written--no one knows if Trump can read, let alone write) "the book of all books" no major publishing houses are interested because it would be "too hard to get a book that is factually accurate." Not to mention that it would more than likely cause an insurmountable uprising among their employees, all of whom--unlike Trump--are literate as well as unlikely to forget he fomented an insurrection.
So thanks to his 30,000+ lies, Donald Trump's memoirs are more than likely going to get a five hundred dollar advance from Billy Bob's Books in Scratch Ass, Tennessee, and see sales at least in the low thousands (unless it's too danged hot outside to ship them out). For a man who is so obsessed with money that has to be a bitter pill to swallow.
But for the rest of us, Schadenfreude tastes oh, so sweet....
You Have a Choice: Pass a Voting Rights Bill, or Welcome Fascism to America
Not satisfied that Donald Trump has cost them the last two election cycles, republicans are fiendishly plotting to have Trump named Speaker of the House should they win back the U.S. House of Representatives next year. The plan would be for Trump to be Speaker for 100 days, during which time he'd lead an investigation into Joe Biden (for ending the pandemic and bringing the economy roaring back, I guess), and push through a number of bills to please the republican base.
What a wonderful idea!
I mean other than that Trump couldn't lead a flock of seagulls to fish, let alone the republican House members to actually accomplish anything. Or that in each of the last two elections Trump's name being mentioned in connection to holding office in the United States brought out record numbers of Democratic voters, who ran to the polls like they were trying to win the gold medal in the 100 meter dash. Or that to most of republican voters, the Speaker of the House is whoever happens to be talking in their home at the moment.
So, yeah, let's hope they convince the base that it's a winning strategy--God knows we could use a bigger majority in both the Senate and the House.
You Have a Choice: Pass a Voting Rights Bill or Welcome Fascism to America
In lots of ways, including it tangibly helped Trump in 2016, leading to hundreds of thousands of dead Americans and a violent insurrection. Truly stuff to be proud of ! https://t.co/kiYSNeECdi
Allowing 31 million Americans (my family included) to breathe a sigh of relief, the Supreme Court today upheld the Affordable Care Act (or Obamacare, as I prefer to call it just to piss off republicans) for the third time. The final tally was Great Democratic Program 7, republican pinheads 2.
To steal a line President Joe Biden used when the law was signed by Barack Obama, this is still "...a big fucking deal." One in ten Americans will keep their healthcare, and that doesn't even note the countless millions who will keep theirs because healthcare providers still cannot discriminate against those folks with pre-existing conditions (as noted above, this is very important to my family, as my wife, daughter, and youngest son have pre-existing conditions).
Just to put a cherry on top, my guess is there's a loser at Moron-A-Lago who isn't having a very good day, to boot.
It Was an Insurrection--the Deaths of Those Killed on January 6th Is on Republican Hands
For every Texan who is currently being advised to not wash your clothes or use your oven, remember this: Texas Republicans just spent the legislative session restricting abortion access and allowing permitless carry, but passed NOTHING that would immediately help end blackouts.
Frankly, after 45 years of following politics, whenever I hear some Democrat say "Bipartisanship" it means nothing more to me than the rich stay rich, the poor stay poor, and people of color stay in their place.
It's just a code word for I got mine and the rest of y'all can go fuck yourselves.
It Was an Insurrection--the Blood of Those Killed on January 6th Is on Republican Hands
This week's tune takes me back to Camelot Music in the mid 1980's and one of my all-time favorite employees, Kathleen. Can't quite remember if she had heard it on one of the St. Louis radio stations or if she'd heard it through a friend's copy, but she asked me to open the LP so we could play it in store...and sure enough it was a hell of a song. Couldn't begin to tell you the first thing about any other tune on the album, but this week's song is one, once you've heard it, you're unlikely to forget.
The Nails got their start in Boulder, Colorado in 1976. After spending the first couple of years learning their chops on the road, the band released its first single in 1977, its first EP in 1981, and its first album in 1984. A second LP followed in 1986, but the band was dropped by its label shortly thereafter. They made one more album--for which they promptly got screwed out of any royalties (they encourage fans not to buy the record as they make zero money for it)--and would call it a career. Over the course of their dozen or so years, the Nails released three albums, one EP, and six singles. Near as I can tell, the late eighties were their end time, and the band does not do any golden oldies reunion tours.
Fun Fact: The band had a roadie named Eric Boucher...who went on to some fame as Jello Biafra of Dead Kennedys fame.
"88 Lines About 44 Women" was originally released in 1981, on their only EP, Hotel for Women. The song, however, would not be released as a single until its appearance on their first album, Mood Swing. The only version of the song to chart was a dance mix (highly not recommended). The band has said in later years that the only money they made from the song was from commercials and lawsuits.
"88 Lines About 44 Women" is exactly what the title says it is: a song about forty-four women that's eighty-eight lines long (each woman gets a tidbit of herself that lasts two lines--writer Marc Campbell says some of the women are real, some fictional). The first several stanzas are followed by a buzzing hum which is quite catchy considering how short it is, and the instrumentation involves a non-stop drum (the more I listen to it, the more I realize the drumming is what makes the song such a gem) and a synthesizer, though I could swear I hear a saxophone or trumpet in the background (and possibly both). "88 Lines About 44 Women" could easily have devolved into a novelty song (and some might say it is one), but the deadpan delivery of the lyrics, the power and rhythm of the drumming, and the vignettes about each woman (I find them to be clever but respectful) makes for a hell of a song and another fine quirky addition to the annals of Friday Night Jukebox.
Lyric Sheet: "Cathy was a Jesus-freak/She likes that kind of misery..."
Enjoy:
It Was an Insurrection--the Blood of Those Killed on January 6th Is on Republican Hands
I understand the frustration with Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema--I feel it, too, but I've reached the point where I understand the time to neuter Manchin and Sinema was in the previous election by winning more than fifty seats in the U.S. Senate. It was--and still is--nice to hope that maybe we can change their minds, but chances are that Manchin was a racist coward, and Sinema a heartless megalomaniac, long before now. While both may stay in the headlines until their terms are completed, it's pretty obvious their political careers are over (only Oklahoma is redder than Manchin's West Virgina and Manchin won his last election with less than 50% of the vote and even a few Democrats staying home will finish him; Sinema will likely be primaried by a real Democrat in Arizona, a state which many believe will go blue as fast as Virginia did. If either switches parties...running against a real republican in a primary would be the kiss of death).
But despite their lack of loyalty to the party that nurtured and supported their political victories, there is still much Democrats can do to bolster their case in 2022:
Realize that the midterms start...today.
Have Biden pass as much as he can by executive order.
Set up a commission to investigate republican involvement in the January 6th insurrection. Fuck bipartisanship--republicans got zero Democratic votes for their one accomplishment under Trump (their very unpopular tax bill for the rich), and no one gave a fuck.
Make sure said commission runs through as much of next year as possible, to keep reminding Democrats and Independents how horrible Donald Trump truly was. The commission's final report right before the November 2022 elections would be perfect.
Remind Americans again and again that only Democrats voted for the COVID relief bill, stressing that republicans didn't vote for it just to spite Joe Biden. Stress again and again that we are the only party that will help their pocketbooks and their family's financial future. When republicans scream "Socialism!" we scream back "Social Security! Medicare! Obamacare! $1400 Checks!"
Feature a fat, aging, decaying Donald Trump in as many ads as we can, reminding Americans again and again of the 600,000 dead friends and neighbors and the collapsed economy both of which were the result of Trump's incompetence. The worthless mother fucker engendered unprecedented Democratic enthusiasm in 2020 (81 million votes!), and fear of his gold bricking ass getting back to the White House should be all the motivation our voters need.
Just because the midterms usually favor the party out of power, doesn't mean it's written in stone. With the pandemic behind us, the economy roaring back, and a President in the White House who is actually capable of doing his job, we can win.
It Was an Insurrection--the Blood of Those Killed on January 6th Is on Republican Hands
If you need any motivation to support and vote for Democratic candidates in the 2022 midterm elections, keep this in mind: the only way Trump runs again in 2024 is if republicans win control of the U.S. House of Representatives. He will not run again and take the chance that he will lose once more to Joe Biden (and he would--for all Trump's talk about getting 74 million votes, there was a reason Joe Biden got 81 million votes: namely that Trump was a horrible President). If republicans take control of the House they won't certify the results and will throw the race to Trump, regardless of how bad he gets beat in the 2024 Presidential election.
Any notion people have that republicans will come to their senses and let our democracy survive should be disabused ferociously. Republicans don't care about America or Americans or solving any of the problems that harm us--they only care about keeping power and if being subservient to an idiot man-child will do it, then they will keep kissing the moron's ass to please the moron assholes who'll vote for him.
Four more years of Donald Trump with republican control of Congress will be the death knell for the United States of America.
It Was an Insurrection--the Blood of Those Killed on January 6th Is on Republican Hands
In which our hero tries and fails miserably to convey the essence of one of rock and roll's greatest albums from one of rock and roll's greatest bands in his birthday inspired once a year album review. Hell, even the album cover is one the most memorable in rock's history....
Already wrote a bio of the Beatles and each of its members--just going to cut to the quick of synopsizing each song on Abbey Road(all seventeen of them):
Come Together--With its ominous musical overtones, "Come Together" opens the album and sets the standard for all the songs to come. Staccato guitar, a pulsating bass drum, and the rattlesnake cymbals make for a stunning intro . The gibberish lyrics just add to its charm. Favorite Line: "He say I know you, you know me/One thing I can tell you is you got to be free..."
Something--Just to give you an idea, 200 artists have done a cover version of this one (only "Yesterday" has more covers of a Beatles song). Yeah, it's a little on the sappy side, but it has a lovely melody, heartfelt lyrics, heartfelt vocals, and a nice guitar solo. An excellent effort from George Harrison--one of the greatest love songs ever written. Favorite Line: "Something in the way she knows/And all I have to do is think of her..."
Maxwell's Silver Hammer--Serial killing with an upbeat tempo. Not the best on the album or in Paul McCartney's career. Still better than anything Styx or REO Speedwagon ever did, though. Favorite Line: "Joan was quizzical, studied pataphysical/Science in the home..."
Oh! Darling--A raucous piece of barroom rock and roll. Essentially a 'baby please don't leave me" song. McCartney does his best to sound like he warmed up his voice by smoking three packs of cigarettes and drinking a fifty of whiskey--it works well enough. No one would ever confuse it with one of the Beatles' best, but a listenable effort. Favorite Line: "When you told me/You didn't need me anymore/Well you know I nearly broke down and cried..."
Octopus's Garden--Did you know that octopuses collect items from the ocean floor and build gardens from them? Me, either, but learning new things is one of the perks of Friday Night Jukebox. Ringo Starr wrote this one and performs the vocals. As novelty efforts go, it's not quite "Yellow Submarine," but it's still a cut above. Considered by many to be a great children's song. Quirky and lovable, just like Ringo. Favorite Line: "We would be warm below the storm/In our little hideaway beneath the waves..."
I Want You (She's so Heavy)--A nearly eight minute love song from John Lennon to Yoko Ono. Considered by some to be a precursor to heavy metal. Not your usual Beatles fare, but it works tremendously well. The lyrics are simple, the construction of the song is not. Lots of feedback over a foreboding guitar, while the drums accentuate the somber tone. One of those songs that make you realize why the Beatles were (and are) one of the most influential bands ever. Favorite Line: "I want you/I want you so bad/It's driving me mad..."
Here Comes the Sun--And out of the darkness comes one of the most hopeful, both musically and lyrically, songs ever written. The second gem on the album penned and sung by George Harrison, The light at the end of the tunnel, the end of the rainbow--it's the easing of your struggles and the peace you had hoped for coming over the horizon. The opening acoustic guitar is instantly recognizable and utterly unforgettable. Favorite Line: "Little darling, it's been a long cold lonely winter/Little darling, it feels like years since it's been here..."
Because--Lennon, McCartney, and Harrison all harmonize on this one, the first time all three would share lead vocals. Not only that, they did some fancy studio wizardry to make it sound as if it were nine voices. While the nature of this song is very different, like "I Want You (She's so Heavy)" this is another signature song for the Beatles which makes you realize why they're often considered to be the greatest band of all-time. Favorite Line: "Love is old, love is new/Love is all, love is you..."
You Never Give Me Your Money--The first song of an eight song medley (though this one sounds like it's three songs in one). Listening to the Beatles juxtapose all three sections is a joy--ballad to a bit of a rocker to a sing song pop song. Some think McCartney wrote this one believing Abbey Road would be the Beatles last album. Favorite Line: "You never give me your money/You only give me your funny paper..."
Sun King--The second song of the medley, and the second song where Lennon, McCartney, and Harrison harmonize the lead vocals. This one's a lot of lovely instrumental and a few lyrics, including a mix of romance languages at the end which Lennon admitted later was just the Beatles goofing around. Favorite Line: Everybody's laughing/Everybody's happy/Here comes the sun king..."
Mean Mr. Mustard--Lennon wrote a song about a real life miser who supposedly hid his money so well he couldn't spend it because he couldn't find it, to continue the medley. It only last one minute six seconds, but as with the best art a lot is packed into that short time. Almost has a whimsical quality, and I always liked it because I found it to be so catchy. The mention of the miser's sister Pam is a lead in to the next song. Favorite Line: "Saving up to buy some clothes/Keeps a ten-bob note up his nose/Such a mean old man..."
Polythene Pam--This Lennon penned ditty is the fourth song of the medley. Like the previous tune, extremely short and extremely catchy (from small things big things come). Supposedly about sex with a woman wrapped in polythene--which Lennon may or may not have been part of. Favorite Line: "Get a dose of her in jackboot and kilts/She's killer-diller when she's dressed to the hilt..."
She Came in Through the Bathroom Window--Number five. Based on a true story of a fan who used a a ladder to climb through the bathroom window of McCartney's home. She promptly let some friends in and they stole a handful of items. Another short catchy song. Maybe a theme? Favorite Line: "Sunday's on the phone to Monday/Tuesday's on the phone to me..."
Golden Slumbers--The last three songs of the medley are as close to godliness as rock and roll can get, and this one is a lovely lullaby. A beautiful plea to to a sleepy child to stop crying and let a peaceful sleep bring her a happy awakening. McCartney absolutely nails the vocal. Favorite Line: "Once there was a way to get back homeward/Once there was a way to get back home..."
Carry That Weight--Another song written by McCartney anticipating the end of their time together. The phrase "carry that weight" is an acknowledgment that all of them would carry the weight forever of being in the Beatles. A rare song as the chorus features all four Beatles harmonizing. An uplifting exhortation. Favorite Line: "Boy, you're gonna carry that weight/Carry that weight a long time..."
The End--A stellar drum solo from Ringo Starr, stupendous guitar solos in order from McCartney, Harrison, and Lennon, and perhaps the greatest single line ever written in a rock and roll song completes the last time the Beatles would be in the studio together. A masterful ending to a master work. Favorite Line: "And in the end/The love you take/Is equal to the love/You make..."
Her Majesty--Just to add the cherry on top, the Beatles added this novelty ode to Queen Elizabeth as a hidden track (on the original release). Twenty-six seconds of lighthearted fun to send us all home happy. Favorite Line: "I wanna tell her that I love her a lot/But I gotta get a belly full of wine..."
Enjoy a masterpiece:
It Was an Insurrection--the Blood of Those Killed on January 6th Is on Republican Hands
Donald Trump's social media changing blog died a quick death, lasting a measly 29 days because Trump shut it down in anger over its lack of readers. I'm shocked, shocked I tell you, that a blog written by a man with the intelligence and attention span of a fifth grader didn't appeal to his legion of fans who have the intelligence and attention span of third graders.
I've been writing this blog for twelve years now. I have made zero dollars, and I don't feature any ads because I don't want to take anything away from my blog's central message (note: I'd likely make zero dollars even if I did let blogger.com run ads). On a great month, I get 1500 views. Over the course of these past twelve years I've averaged about 7000 views a year. Even though my blog (and myself) will never have an significant voice in our national political discussions, I'm very proud of it. Week in, week out I keep writing posts because I love this country so much that even if over this blog's history I've won over only one reader it would be more than worth it. I keep writing because I will never stop fighting to leave behind a kinder, nobler, and stronger country not just for my children, but for the generations of children that will follow us.
Compare and contrast this to Donald Trump quitting a month into his blog's tenure. On its last day, Trump got 1500 comments and shares. Note that the number of views was likely larger than that as not every viewer comments or shares a post. Even 1500, on average, would come to more than half a million viewers a year--and that's just after one month. A little promotion would likely take that number to much greater heights. But for all his talk about patriotism, Donald Trump didn't write a blog because he loves America and wants it to make it great again, he wrote it because he loves Donald Trump and only wanted to stroke his own ego. Unfortunately for Trump the amount of people who want to kiss your ass drops exponentially after you lead your party to lose the House, the Senate, and the Presidency in four short years.
I didn't share this because I wanted to pat myself on the back. I did it because I wanted to show what a piece of shit Donald Trump was, and what a piss poor excuse for an American--and a man--he truly is.
It Was an Insurrection--the Blood of Those Killed on January 6th Is on Republican Hands
With seemingly every day bringing more bad news concerning Democrat's (and democracy's) chances in the 2022 election, it's my pleasure to bring you a little good news: in this past week's special election in New Mexico's first district, Democrat Melanie Stansbury won to keep the U.S. House seat vacated by Interior Secretary Deb Haaland.
Now this was a seat Democrats were expected to win, but in preparation for their bid to win back the U.S. House in 2022, republicans attempted to feature their key issue in the 2022 elections, that being with Democrats fealty to defunding the police we would be vulnerable to claims we were weak on crime. Republicans did not expect to win, but in a district that Haaland won reelection by 16 points and Joe Biden won by 23 points in 2020, they were hoping their playbook would significantly cut into the 2020 victory margins--maybe even keep it to single digits.
While it's far, far too small a sample size to extrapolate much concerning the 2022 election, it certainly shows that a) republicans might need a bit more than "Democrats are soft on crime," and, b) that our voters still seem to have motivation to turn out. Perhaps the thought of four more years of Donald Trump may work its magic yet again?
All in all, coming out of the election in NM-01 I'd much rather be in Democratic shoes than republican shoes.
It Was an Insurrection--the Blood of Those Killed on January 6th Is on Republican Hands
These people actually suffered, unlike anti-maskers
Note to the nitwits who have been comparing mask wearing to Jews being forced to wear the Star of David in Nazi Germany: if you're going to compare an act to one which resulted in the death of six million human beings...maybe, just maybe, that act should be at least as horrific as the one which resulted in the death of six million people.
And being inconvenienced to help keep your fellow Americans safe isn't remotely in the realm of the Holocaust.
Don't even get me started on how many of Holocaust comparing fuckheads are antisemitic....
It Was an Insurrection--the Blood of Those Killed on January 6th Is on Republican Hands
News this week that Donald Trump is telling insiders that he's going to be reinstated to the Presidency this August--information which was fed to him by noted political scientist Mike Lindell, the My Pillow moron--is more than enough to tell us that he has absolutely no business being anywhere near our politics, let alone the Presidency.
In my lifetime there have been ten Presidents, Democrat and republican, who have either had their terms run their course or been defeated seeking reelection. Each and every one of them moved on gracefully, with the utmost respect for the election's results, the Presidency, and the American people. They each understood unequivocally that our nation is, and always will be, more important than just one man.
Not Donald Trump. He's a sad little man whose disastrous Presidency set this country back light years. He has absolutely no comprehension of either his inadequacy as a President or his incompetence. He understands nothing more than his own needs, like a newborn infant. He is a pathetic loser.
Rumor has it that Trump has grasped his reinstatement out of fear that he is soon to be indicted in New York for numerous crimes. A real man stands up to his accusers and either fights until he's proven innocent or accepts that he's a criminal and seeks to make amends. He shows courage, and doesn't grasp at delusions.
Donald Trump is not a real man.
And if he should ever ascend to the Presidency again, you can be certain that within a matter of months he'll be presiding over a corpse.
It Was an Insurrection--the Blood of Those Killed on January 6th Is on the Hands of Republicans
I came across a protest song by Paolo Nutini called "Iron Sky," wherein Nutini splices in a speech from Charlie Chaplin's seminal 1940 film (I say "seminal" like I'm some sort of film auteur and I've never actually seen it) The Great Dictator(the film is a denunciation of fascism and its denizens), and as I listened to it I was amazed at how much the words applied today, eighty years down the road when fascism is raising its ugly head not in Europe, but here in our very own United States. To wit:
"To those who can hear me, I say, do not despair.
The misery that is now upon us is but the passing of greed,
The bitterness of men who fear the way of human progress.
The hate of men will pass, and dictators die,
And the power they took from the people will return to the people.
And so long as men die, liberty will never perish.
Don't give yourselves to these unnatural men--
Machine men with machine minds and machine hearts!
You are not machines, you are not cattle, you are men!
You, the people, have the power to make this life free and beautiful,
To make this life a wonderful adventure.
Let us use that power!
Let us all unite!"
Words to empower us to stomp the cretinous loser Donald Trump and his pathetic followers into oblivion.
It Was an Insurrection--the Blood of Those Killed on January 6th Is on Republican Hands
At a time when our nation is still trying to open our economy and keep our citizens safe from the coronavirus pandemic, figure out how to improve our infrastructure so we can keep pace with our greatest economic threat in China, and create good jobs for the poor and middle class, this is what Fox News is worried about: Legos.
Seems Fox News correspondent Will Cain saw the newest release from the folks in Denmark and in his admittedly weak mind they conjured racism, prompting him to say that the new Legos could have been designed by former Ku Klux Klan Grand Wizard David Duke, and were antithetical to everything Martin Luther King, Jr. envisioned for America. As if there's a single Fox News viewer who gives a shit about Martin Luther King Jr.'s hopes for America
It gets worse.
Turns out the new Legos were released to celebrate Pride Month and spotlight LGBTQ issues. Which is exponentially delicious, because while hating on the blacks is the number one spectator sport for republicans, hating on the gays is a close second. So not only did Cain raise an issue that zero Fox viewers care about, he botched his chance to let their viewers whine about how now even Legos are woke (Denmark is a very liberal country and they were woke when the right still thought woke meant not being asleep).
In the late sixties Laurence J. Peter gave birth to the Peter principle, which in its simplest form basically said that employees in any given company will eventually rise to their level of incompetence. It's absolutely uncanny how Fox News and its employees proves the central tenet of Peter's observation to be true every single day in every single way.
Frankly, they should just call it Bozo News.
It Was an Insurrection--the Blood of Those Killed on January 6th Is on Republican Hands
Digby ran a great piece this week wherein she featured a historian showing the historical proof that the filibuster is, and always has been, a racist tactic. Frankly, it's no different a racist symbol in American history than white hoods, burning crosses, southern states that seceded, and the republican party since Nixon began their southern strategy.
One wonders what it will take for Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema to see this--unless of course they prefer not to because white privilege is more important to them and their careers than the ideal that in America we are all created equal. It's high past time for Manchin and Sinema to be asked why they support a maneuver that is designed to oppress people of color--especially since neither of them has an exemplary track record when it comes to civil rights.
As far as I'm concerned, "Racist much?" works just fine.
It Was an Insurrection--the Blood of Those Killed on January 6th Is on Republican Hands
Like a bridge over troubled water, Democrats will ease your mind
The research firm PRRI did a study concerning QAnon and its adherents' beliefs. While much attention--and not without reason--has been paid to the almost one-fourth of republicans who believe QAnon's central tenet that the U.S. is run by "a group of Satan worshiping pedophiles," the part of their study I find most disturbing is that nearly 30% of republicans believe that "...things have gotten so far off track, true American patriots may have to resort to violence in order to save our country."
The only country these crackpots are trying to save is the same one they've been trying to recreate for the last 160 years: the Confederate States of America. The only credos they're trying to save are racism, white privilege, and the coddling of the wealthy. And throughout history, the violence of the oppressor has never carried either the weight or the inspiration of the violence of the oppressed.
No, the true patriots who will save America is the Democratic Party, the same party that saved America during World War I, the Great Depression, World War II, the Civil Rights Movement, Nixon's corruption, Reagan's deception, the Great Recession, and Donald Trump's complete and utter incompetence.
And we'll be the people saving America from the ravages of the fascism that today's incarnation of the republican party so readily embraces.
Book it.
It Was an Insurrection--the Blood of Those Killed on January 6th Is on Republican Hands
In no way do I think the following incidents occurred in a vacuum:
Washington Wizards star Russell Westbrook had popcorn thrown at him by a fan during last Wednesday's game against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young was spit at by a fan, also last Wednesday, during his team's game with the New York Knicks.
Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant's family was accosted (allegedly of a racist nature) by three fans during their game with the Utah Jazz, again last Wednesday.
Just to prove there wasn't something in the air just last Wednesday, on Sunday Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving had a bottle thrown at him by a fan.
Anyone who thinks it is coincidence that all four athletes were black is living in an alternate universe. And anyone who doesn't think four years of Donald Trump's grievance politics didn't lead to these incidents is kidding themselves. His followers can't accept the fact that Trump lost in a landslide and are willing to destroy our country to get what isn't rightfully theirs--does anyone think these buffoons are going to accept the fact that great players make great plays that beat their favorite team? Or that sometimes your favorite team just isn't as good as the team you lose to? Add in the fact that professional basketball players (in both the NBA and WNBA) have been very vocal in their support for groups like Black Lives Matter and the Democratic Party and I will goddamn guarantee you that all four of those incidents had their genesis in the ravings of the Cheeto Colossus, Donald Trump.
And with each passing day I wonder more and more just how fucked the future of America is.
It Was an Insurrection--the Blood of Those Killed on January 6th Is on Republican Hands
The average American gets paid just enough so he doesn't quit his job, and works just hard enough so he doesn't get fired.
"When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying the cross." Source unknown
Uncle emaycee Wants You For the Coming Class War! Enlist today....
Capitalism: Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you can exploit his labor, become filthy rich, and keep the poor bastard living paycheck to paycheck for the rest of his life.
