Is there a lamer Governor in America than Michigan's own Rich Snyder? I mean Scott Walker and Paul LePage are outwardly bigger assholes, and Rick Scott and Pat McCrory are equally as incompetent, but for sheer buffoonery, it's impossible to beat Snyder.
For those who may have missed it (and lucky for you if you did), Snyder has courageously volunteered to drink Flint water for the next month. Leaving aside that I'd be willing to bet all I own and then some that Snyder (or more likely, his minions) pour it down his gold plated sink before it gets anywhere near his lips, what the Snyder administration didn't so courageously tell you is that Snyder has yet to do shit to fix the pipes in Flint--zip, zero, nada, nothing.
Let's see...drink some water or actually fix the problem? Which do you suppose would do the most to help Michiganders? And which is nothing more than a half-assed spectacle?
Snyder proves once again that republicans are quite adept at being little more than circus clowns--they can stage a show, but unfortunately it's not funny in the fucking slightest.
Wednesday, April 27, 2016
Get busy livin'
There's an old story wherein F. Scott Fitzgerald supposedly told Ernest Hemingway, "The rich are different than you and me." To which Hemingway purportedly quipped, "Yes, they have more money."
Alas, the story is most likely not true, but the gist of it remains truer than ever. A recent study shows that men in the top 1% in income outlive the the poorest men by fifteen years. For women, it's ten years.
While it will be interesting to see if Obamacare will eventually shrink that difference, I have to admit to being quite shocked the difference was so pronounced. And to being not just a little angry--there is something seriously wrong with a nation that would allow so many people to die early simply for a lack of funds.
And makes Bernie Sanders call for Medicare for all that much more significant and all the more important to put in this summer's Democratic platform.
Peace,
emaycee
Alas, the story is most likely not true, but the gist of it remains truer than ever. A recent study shows that men in the top 1% in income outlive the the poorest men by fifteen years. For women, it's ten years.
While it will be interesting to see if Obamacare will eventually shrink that difference, I have to admit to being quite shocked the difference was so pronounced. And to being not just a little angry--there is something seriously wrong with a nation that would allow so many people to die early simply for a lack of funds.
And makes Bernie Sanders call for Medicare for all that much more significant and all the more important to put in this summer's Democratic platform.
Peace,
emaycee
Friday, April 22, 2016
Friday Night Jukebox, Vol. LXIX--Jesse Malin: Brooklyn
Truth be told, I know nothing by Jesse Malin other than this song. I originally found it in the Appendix of Nick Hornby's fine dissertation on his favorite songs, Songbook--"Brooklyn" was merely a song on a list of newer tunes that Hornby had been enjoying. I downloaded it on Kaaza and fell in love with it instantly.
Malin started in music at the ripe old age of 12 (seriously? who's in a real band at 12?) in 1980 leading a hard core punk band called Heart Attack, which auditioned at the famed club CBGB's only to not get a gig because it was feared the young members couldn't attract a drinking crowd. Heart Attack is actually quite well known throughout New York City, notably for its youth as the band members raged in age from 12 to 16. Malin would later go on to form the glam rock band D Generation in the 90's which was apparently quite well received critically, not that I'd ever heard of them before (and I don't live in NYC, either, so there). Eventually Malin would go solo, with his first album produced by Ryan Adams (also the first album produced by Adams), and he's still performing today, some thirty-six years later.
Released on his solo debut record The Fine Art of Self Destruction (and what a great LP title that is), "Brooklyn" had little or no commercial success outside of New York (if even there). I'm not one hundred percent certain what the song is about--it's obviously a remembrance of things past, but whether the "you" in the song is a past love (most likely), best friend, or sibling really isn't made clear. Malin's lyrics for the song are nothing if not subtle, so we're left with a lot of thoughtful images that evoke the loss he sings of.
The song starts with a nice acoustic guitar intro (soft but full), though the guitars eventually fade into the background and give way to a quiet piano that sets the mood and continues to the end. The highlight of "Brooklyn" is by far and away Malin's vocals--it's a song about loss and his singing evinces the protagonists sadness throughout. The simplest way to say it is that he just nails it. The chorus is repeated often (emaycee fave!), though in an odd twist, the lyrics leading up to the chorus are short so it just seems like the story is starting before you're back in the middle of it. But somehow it all works--I'd be hard pressed to name too many songs by unheard of artists with no commercial success (though there are a few) who recorded a song that would make my top 100 of all time, but "Brooklyn" would. It's a gem.
Liner note: "You used to like the sad songs of doom and gloom..."
Enjoy:
Peace,
emaycee
Malin started in music at the ripe old age of 12 (seriously? who's in a real band at 12?) in 1980 leading a hard core punk band called Heart Attack, which auditioned at the famed club CBGB's only to not get a gig because it was feared the young members couldn't attract a drinking crowd. Heart Attack is actually quite well known throughout New York City, notably for its youth as the band members raged in age from 12 to 16. Malin would later go on to form the glam rock band D Generation in the 90's which was apparently quite well received critically, not that I'd ever heard of them before (and I don't live in NYC, either, so there). Eventually Malin would go solo, with his first album produced by Ryan Adams (also the first album produced by Adams), and he's still performing today, some thirty-six years later.
Released on his solo debut record The Fine Art of Self Destruction (and what a great LP title that is), "Brooklyn" had little or no commercial success outside of New York (if even there). I'm not one hundred percent certain what the song is about--it's obviously a remembrance of things past, but whether the "you" in the song is a past love (most likely), best friend, or sibling really isn't made clear. Malin's lyrics for the song are nothing if not subtle, so we're left with a lot of thoughtful images that evoke the loss he sings of.
The song starts with a nice acoustic guitar intro (soft but full), though the guitars eventually fade into the background and give way to a quiet piano that sets the mood and continues to the end. The highlight of "Brooklyn" is by far and away Malin's vocals--it's a song about loss and his singing evinces the protagonists sadness throughout. The simplest way to say it is that he just nails it. The chorus is repeated often (emaycee fave!), though in an odd twist, the lyrics leading up to the chorus are short so it just seems like the story is starting before you're back in the middle of it. But somehow it all works--I'd be hard pressed to name too many songs by unheard of artists with no commercial success (though there are a few) who recorded a song that would make my top 100 of all time, but "Brooklyn" would. It's a gem.
Liner note: "You used to like the sad songs of doom and gloom..."
Enjoy:
Peace,
emaycee
Thursday, April 21, 2016
Busted
There's a movement afloat called "Bernie or Bust" wherein participants are vowing that if Sanders doesn't win the Democratic nomination, they'll stay home come Election Day this November.
I won't speak for most Democrats, but I became a member of the Democratic Party because, at least in theory (doesn't always work as it should in today's world), Democrats put people first. While we have never been perfect, politically we've done a lot more good than ill for the American people. And that's why our tent is so much bigger than republicans--we're a party of the people, not of overzealous religious organizations or greedy corporate trusts.
I would be hard pressed in my forty years of following the Democratic Party and its liberal wing to find a movement that was more short-sighted than the Bernie or Bust movement. There would be very real consequences for very real people, most of whom are going to be poor and minorities, if the republican party held all three branches of our government. And, no, it wouldn't lead to a the revolution so many of its supporters dream would happen--just ask the folks in Wisconsin and my current home state of Michigan, where Scott Walker and Rick Snyder cruised to re-election despite running their prospective states down the shitter.
When you sign on with an organization like Bernie or Bust, you are the antithesis of everything Liberals stand for--you are in effect saying principles are more important than people.
And you should be voting republican in this fall.
Peace,
emaycee
I won't speak for most Democrats, but I became a member of the Democratic Party because, at least in theory (doesn't always work as it should in today's world), Democrats put people first. While we have never been perfect, politically we've done a lot more good than ill for the American people. And that's why our tent is so much bigger than republicans--we're a party of the people, not of overzealous religious organizations or greedy corporate trusts.
I would be hard pressed in my forty years of following the Democratic Party and its liberal wing to find a movement that was more short-sighted than the Bernie or Bust movement. There would be very real consequences for very real people, most of whom are going to be poor and minorities, if the republican party held all three branches of our government. And, no, it wouldn't lead to a the revolution so many of its supporters dream would happen--just ask the folks in Wisconsin and my current home state of Michigan, where Scott Walker and Rick Snyder cruised to re-election despite running their prospective states down the shitter.
When you sign on with an organization like Bernie or Bust, you are the antithesis of everything Liberals stand for--you are in effect saying principles are more important than people.
And you should be voting republican in this fall.
Peace,
emaycee
Tuesday, April 19, 2016
STFU
In the 2008 Presidential election, American voters resoundingly rejected John McCain as their choice for our next President. The only states McCain carried were the ones that would vote for the banjo playing kid in the movie Deliverance as long as he had an "R" next to his name.
None of that, however, has stopped McCain--who never met an American soldier he didn't want to get killed in a useless war--from criticizing President Obama at every turn, for every decision he's ever made concerning foreign policy. And he does this despite the fact that President Obama has proved right in virtually every one of them.
Seems now McCain has his panties in a twist because President Obama is using "grudging incrementalism" in the fight against ISIS. Apparently increasing the number of troops to a little over 4000 is going to lead to end of America as we know it.
(Roll eyes here,)
No, it isn't. ISIS is not the Nazi war machine from WWII, it's not the Soviet Union of old, it's not China as we know it today, and would probably have a real battle on its hands with the rugged army of Luxembourg. Yes, they've committed several terrorist attacks which are tragic and should be fought at every turn, but ISIS is not going to takeover America, not going to change our way of life, and is not going to take all of our women and children into slavery.
It is little more than a pimple on America's butt.
Listen, you wouldn't mortgage your family's future for a pimple on your butt, and you certainly wouldn't risk your kids lives for it. You'd wait out the discomfort and use a little preventive medicine until it eventually goes away of its own volition.
And America should handle ISIS in the same way.
And the last thing we need is idiots like McCain screaming to spend more money and waste more American lives on a big nothing.
Peace,
emaycee
None of that, however, has stopped McCain--who never met an American soldier he didn't want to get killed in a useless war--from criticizing President Obama at every turn, for every decision he's ever made concerning foreign policy. And he does this despite the fact that President Obama has proved right in virtually every one of them.
Seems now McCain has his panties in a twist because President Obama is using "grudging incrementalism" in the fight against ISIS. Apparently increasing the number of troops to a little over 4000 is going to lead to end of America as we know it.
(Roll eyes here,)
No, it isn't. ISIS is not the Nazi war machine from WWII, it's not the Soviet Union of old, it's not China as we know it today, and would probably have a real battle on its hands with the rugged army of Luxembourg. Yes, they've committed several terrorist attacks which are tragic and should be fought at every turn, but ISIS is not going to takeover America, not going to change our way of life, and is not going to take all of our women and children into slavery.
It is little more than a pimple on America's butt.
Listen, you wouldn't mortgage your family's future for a pimple on your butt, and you certainly wouldn't risk your kids lives for it. You'd wait out the discomfort and use a little preventive medicine until it eventually goes away of its own volition.
And America should handle ISIS in the same way.
And the last thing we need is idiots like McCain screaming to spend more money and waste more American lives on a big nothing.
Peace,
emaycee
Monday, April 18, 2016
I'm at a loss
A Columbus, Ohio teen is facing forty years in prison for live streaming her seventeen-year-old friend's rape on Periscope.
Let me repeat that: A Columbus, Ohio teen is facing forty years in prison for live streaming her seventeen-year-old friend's rape on Periscope.
Leaving aside the fact that the above statement may use the word "friend" in the most convoluted way in the history of writing, can somebody please explain this to me? What would possess any person to film a friend's rape? Is it abject stupidity? Is it an utter lack of empathy a la a psychopath? Has social media changed the world as I knew it so much that I just don't recognize it anymore?
I've literally been trying to wrap my head around this young woman's actions for two days and I cannot. It is completely beyond me.
Peace,
emaycee
Let me repeat that: A Columbus, Ohio teen is facing forty years in prison for live streaming her seventeen-year-old friend's rape on Periscope.
Leaving aside the fact that the above statement may use the word "friend" in the most convoluted way in the history of writing, can somebody please explain this to me? What would possess any person to film a friend's rape? Is it abject stupidity? Is it an utter lack of empathy a la a psychopath? Has social media changed the world as I knew it so much that I just don't recognize it anymore?
I've literally been trying to wrap my head around this young woman's actions for two days and I cannot. It is completely beyond me.
Peace,
emaycee
Friday, April 15, 2016
Friday Night Jukebox, Vol. LXVIII--Nick Lowe: Cruel to Be Kind
Not that anyone other than me is counting, but we have another first this week on Friday Night Jukebox: the first song to borrow a line from Shakespeare (Hamlet, no less) for both its title and its chorus ("I must be cruel only to be kind/Thus bad begins and worse remains behind.").
My, my, my--the things we learn from music.
Nick Lowe may be the least famous great songwriter and producer in the history of pop music--in addition to "Cruel to Be Kind" he also wrote one of Elvis Costello's seminal songs, "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding" as well as produced Costello's first five albums, two albums for Graham Parker, and has somehow managed, despite his lack of fame, to have a career that started in 1969 and is still going strong today. Lowe was also a member of the vastly influential group Rockpile (few people have heard of them, they didn't last long, but they did some really special rockabilly/power pop music in their time) which would later have a considerable impact on the 80's New Wave movement.
Released in 1979 (hey--I would have still been a young man then...) on his Labour of Lust LP (itself quite a nice piece of work and well worth a listen), "Cruel to Be Kind" would go on to become Lowe's only hit single stateside (#12 with a bullet!) on the Billboard Hot 100 and only one of two in his native U.K. His backing band for the album, was, oddly enough, his Rockpile bandmates (Lowe returned the favor on two of Dave Edmunds'--he of "From Small Things (Big Things One Day Come)" fame--solo LPs) and it shows in the crispness of the playing and the musical arrangements.
The song itself is an absolute gem of power pop music--one of those magical moments that make listening to music ever so worthwhile. Like many a Brit before him, Lowe has a way with self-deprecating humor as well as planting his tongue firmly in his cheek. For the most part, "Cruel to Be Kind" is a look into our mysterious attractions to the opposite sex, and it's sometimes dark side. But the song is never maudlin--Lowe's vocals are understated but always bouncy, the guitars jangle throughout, and there's whip smart drumming (which, for whatever reason, I only noticed recently) that really holds the entire song together, from the rat-a-tat beginning through the ever so catchy chorus. And speaking of the chorus (segues are for amateurs...), the song closes with it being sang again and again (as noted many times before, a big emaycee fave) with Lowe's vocals fluctuating between love and madness throughout.
Trust me on this--I've been listening to this song for 36 years and never once has it gotten old.
Rap Sheet: "Well I do my best to understand dear/But you still mystify and I want to know why..."
Enjoy (Note: the bride in this video is actually Carlene Carter, Lowe's one time wife and daughter of June Carter Cash and step-daughter of the Man in Black--fun fact!):
Peace,
emaycee
My, my, my--the things we learn from music.
Nick Lowe may be the least famous great songwriter and producer in the history of pop music--in addition to "Cruel to Be Kind" he also wrote one of Elvis Costello's seminal songs, "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding" as well as produced Costello's first five albums, two albums for Graham Parker, and has somehow managed, despite his lack of fame, to have a career that started in 1969 and is still going strong today. Lowe was also a member of the vastly influential group Rockpile (few people have heard of them, they didn't last long, but they did some really special rockabilly/power pop music in their time) which would later have a considerable impact on the 80's New Wave movement.
Released in 1979 (hey--I would have still been a young man then...) on his Labour of Lust LP (itself quite a nice piece of work and well worth a listen), "Cruel to Be Kind" would go on to become Lowe's only hit single stateside (#12 with a bullet!) on the Billboard Hot 100 and only one of two in his native U.K. His backing band for the album, was, oddly enough, his Rockpile bandmates (Lowe returned the favor on two of Dave Edmunds'--he of "From Small Things (Big Things One Day Come)" fame--solo LPs) and it shows in the crispness of the playing and the musical arrangements.
The song itself is an absolute gem of power pop music--one of those magical moments that make listening to music ever so worthwhile. Like many a Brit before him, Lowe has a way with self-deprecating humor as well as planting his tongue firmly in his cheek. For the most part, "Cruel to Be Kind" is a look into our mysterious attractions to the opposite sex, and it's sometimes dark side. But the song is never maudlin--Lowe's vocals are understated but always bouncy, the guitars jangle throughout, and there's whip smart drumming (which, for whatever reason, I only noticed recently) that really holds the entire song together, from the rat-a-tat beginning through the ever so catchy chorus. And speaking of the chorus (segues are for amateurs...), the song closes with it being sang again and again (as noted many times before, a big emaycee fave) with Lowe's vocals fluctuating between love and madness throughout.
Trust me on this--I've been listening to this song for 36 years and never once has it gotten old.
Rap Sheet: "Well I do my best to understand dear/But you still mystify and I want to know why..."
Enjoy (Note: the bride in this video is actually Carlene Carter, Lowe's one time wife and daughter of June Carter Cash and step-daughter of the Man in Black--fun fact!):
Peace,
emaycee
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