Just a Reminder

Autumn is Sneaking Up On Us

It is getting dark earlier, dark when I get up.  Joined my first fantasy foodball league this week.  And then there is this: 

Old Woman

Today Patti Smith is 63. This is what an old woman looks like. She'll still rock your ass off of the planet. Here's how she does "Because the Night" now.

Update: Her movie, "Patti Smith: Dream of Life" has it's TV premiere tonight on PBS/P.O.V In my neighborhood it is on MPT at 9:30. YMMV. Apparently that PBS station based in Washington DC doesn't think we need to know about Patti Smith because they aren't carrying it.

h/t The Commie Mutt
Photo Contact Music (obviously)

It's A Fad!

Thanks again to BDR and Landru.

My Apologies

I have been neglecting you. Swamped. And since I haven't done my taxes yet and got a new grill last night, it looks like I'll be neglecting you for a while more. I suppose you could follow me on twitter. Or watch a little teevee from 40 years ago.

Offered Without Comment

Friday Music Blogging

because I'm not following the crowd often enough.

Now Is The Time For Class Warfare

Thomas Frank, author of What's The Matter With Kansas, has scored a regular Wednesday column with the Wall Street Journal. Yeah, go figure.

He tells us

Now comes the fall culture-war offensive, catching the Democrats by surprise as it always does and spreading panic and desperation among their ranks. As the depth of the Republican breakthrough becomes apparent to Democrats, they launch the same feeble counterattacks that failed them last time, prudishly correcting misleading GOP advertisements and crying for the recess monitor when the other side plays dirty.

And none of this works.

Exactly. Every time they play dirty, just like they did last time and the time before that and the time before that, Democrats whine that it isn't fair. They are amazed that God, guns, and gays are the issue one more time, that Democrats are called elitist, and that somehow the Dick Cheneys and John McCains of the world are seen as two-fisted beer drinkers.

We need to get over the fact that it doesn't make sense. They have a way of tapping into some irrational feeling that we aren't capable of understanding. Instead we should be good observers and see that it just keeps happening.

Things would go better for Democrats if they recognized the culture war for what it is: a debased form of class war, a false populism in which an "authentic" America rises up against its would-be masters, an effete bunch of arugula-eaters who say "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas." But a visceral feeling of class conflict is what lies at the core of the whole thing: a righteous grievance against wrongful, pedantic rulers. It is so attractive emotionally that I often wish I could sign up for it myself.

Me too. But alas, that isn't my way.

Mr. Franks brings us to the issues today and the current Wall Street mess. (Follow the link above to read the whole piece. It is worth the trip.)

There is simply no way to blame this disaster, as Republicans used to do, on labor unions or over-regulation. No, this is the conservatives' beloved financial system doing what comes naturally. Freed from the intrusive meddling of government, just as generations of supply-siders and entrepreneurial exuberants demanded it be, the American financial establishment has proceeded to cheat and deceive and beggar itself -- and us -- to the edge of Armageddon. It is as though Wall Street was run by a troupe of historical re-enactors determined to stage all the classic panics of the 19th century.

..

There has scarcely been a better time to shove the arugula aside and talk about the realities of class. It is heartening to see that Barack Obama is beginning to do just that, but he must keep hammering at the point until everyone in America understands the choice that lies before us.

Exactly.

Oh, The Horror!! The Humanity!

Meryl Streep and ABBA in the same movie -- Mamma Mia for those of you who sensibly don't follow popular culture.

Please, if you have any compassion in you hope for my sake that there is never a television commercial. If I trip over one I won't be responsible for my actions.

Try As I Might

I can't find a good reason to post this picture. But it cracks me up while representing everything that is wrong with modern civilization. Caption if you dare.

Johnny Sack has returned

I've seen this several times today. Good casting.

This Is Surprising How?

A gunman in Thailand shot-dead eight neighbours, including his brother-in-law, after tiring of their karaoke versions of popular songs, including John Denver’s Country Roads.
...
"When I began shooting nobody pleaded for his life because they were all drunk," he said after his arrest.
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He said he was so furious with their awful singing that he did not notice he had murdered his own brother-in-law.

the Telegraph reports.

The only amazing part is that this sort of thing doesn't happen more often.

Best Observation On The Superbowl

and it turns out to be about the half-time show.

Tom Petty looked like a villain in a Quentin Tarantino movie.

roy edroso

Year End Wishes

This started as an end-of-year "don't" list. As I meandered through possible entrants I found that it is actually just a "I don't ever want to think about that again" list. I hope the beings that control my universe accept my year of good karma as an offering and shield my eyes from the following:

5. General Petraeus, otherwise known as "Peaches."

4. Some poor corporation that might lose a tiny bit in profits if it is treated like everybody else. The proof is left to the student.

3. The five Romney brothers. Seriously people, who wants to be reminded that the least sexual candidate ever, Willard Romney, did what needs to be done to make those babies. I never want to be reminded again. It does really bad things to my libido.

2. The earth is 6,000 years old. Actually this covers more than it seems. I am sick to death of pretending that I am respectful of folks' ridiculous notions because somehow they are attached to a notion called "faith." The idea that their notions are strongly believed seems to mean that I have to tolerate arguments about silly ideas being taught in school or arguments about government involvement in my medical decisions. Just stop it.

1. Announcements written on peoples' asses. They are all wretched but I find the curved pink sparkly letters and the writing on the asses of three year olds especially aggregious. Please make it stop.

JesusFest 2007
Please have a wonderful holiday if you celebrate. I just have one request. Please tell me when it is over.

You folks who celebrate have NO idea how much it sucks all of the air out of the room. It is like being swallowed by Disneyland everywhere you go. Seriously, I can't do anything without being smacked with it. There is decor and music in public restrooms for crying out loud. It is the most astonishing marketing ploy. Can it go away now?

A Traditional Christmas Song

for you. I have neglected you, dear friends. So in the spirit of the season I bring you this classic. Sound not safe for work.