Saturday, March 12, 2005

Word to Conservatives: "Everything you Know is Wrong" (link)

Here is a great quote from an interesting blog that I ran across:

"Given such severe cognitive deficits,Conservatives are prone to perseveration on a pathological level. Sadly,it's all too easy to reduce the substance of Conservative arguments to these simple terms:

*Hillary
*Tax and spend Liberals
*You hate America
*Liberal Media
*Bill Clinton lied about a blow job
*Big Government
*Personal Responsibility
*Socialistic Program
*From my cold dead hands
*Gays are destroying the country"


To this list I would ad only one thing:
*Christian hating

When you are accused of this you're not merely disagreeing with their politics, you're gratuitously attacking their religion.

Squeeze the Wheeze.........(link)

"Go ahead....Squeeze the Wheeze....People often do......."


Firesign Theater

Wednesday, March 09, 2005

Ventures hope to ride wave to Rock and Roll Hall of Fame...(link)

I saw the Ventures at Issaquah's Salmon Days last October and, let me tell you, for this fan, I felt like I'd died and gone to rock-and-roll heaven. As a kid one of the first rock songs I'd ever attempted was, "Walk Don't Run", by the Ventures. Every kid who wanted to play guitar in those days attempted that song. That song was and is to this day one that everyone recognizes on some level. People like to dance to it.



Don Wilson is the front man and personality of the group. His infectious enthusiasm and reverb-laden rhythm guitar are a trademark of the Ventures that is instantly recognizable. Nokie Edwards on lead guitar is as precise as the gears in a swiss watch. His rendition of "Apache" I would pay $100 just to watch him play it up close. The lead that he has created for "Apache" for some reason moves me a great deal. I am, for that moment when I'm listening, the nine year old boy that I was when I first heard it. The rhythm section of Leon Taylor on drums and Bob Bogle on bass keep time so seamlessly that you don't even know they're there.

There were also some heavy duty guest musicians at the concert. The first one was Roger Fisher, the original guitarist with, Heart. The guitar part that Mr. Fisher crafted for, "Barracuda" is so strong and influential that it alone, in my opinion, is grounds enough to put him in the Hall of Fame. No matter how good the Wilson sisters are, it was that opening guitar riff to , "Barracuda", that made them into international stars.

In addition to Roger Fisher on guitar, the Ventures were also joined by the drummer from, Yes. This was truly a supergroup and it was all for the enjoyment of the relatively small crowd at Salmon Days. Don't let me forget to mention that the crowd was WILDLY enthusiastic. I had a great time--and I'm not that easy to please. I am often critical of the performances of highly acclaimed artists. So I am not just waxing nostalgic. It was truly something to hear.

You can find out more about the Ventures by clicking on the link at the top of this article. They are having a concert this Saturday, March 12th. I guarantee that you will have one of the finest and funnest musical times of your life!

Sunday, March 06, 2005

R. Tom Delay's Buddies Steal $70 Million from Indian Tribes

(Link on Title)
Jack Abramoff and Mike Scanlon, two close political cronies of George W. Bush and Tom Delay, are being investigated by Washington for stealing money from Indian tribes. Is this another lesson from the Bush administration on how to re-introduce moral behavior into National politics?

Friday, March 04, 2005

U.S. Constitution NOT Based on Christianity (link)

President John Adams signed the Treaty of Tripoli on June 7, 1797. Article 11 of this treaty states: "The Government of the United States is not in any sense founded on the Christian religion."


Another quote from John Adams, Founding Father: "Where do we find a precept in the Bible for Creeds, Confessions, Doctrines and Oaths, and whole carloads of other trumpery that we find religion encumbered with these days?" (here) In addition, God is not mentioned even once in the Constitution

Tuesday, March 01, 2005

The Schizophrenic American

I am going to write an essay entitled, "The Schizophrenic American". It was the title of a lecture that my favorite U.S. History professor in college,Dr. Monte Poen, used to deliver. I've given him credit for the main idea that I'm using, but the twists on the theme are all mine. It involves the duality of the American character that has existed from the very inception of the first colonies--Puritanism/smuggling, freedom/slavery--the very opposite things that Americans routinely do, simultaneously, without a thought as to their inconsistency.


It may take some time to finish it, but if you'd like to know more about Professor Poen in the interim just click >
(here)

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