DATELINE: Lewes, Delaware
Vacation reading: check out these quotes about the guitarist named Clarence Brown:
"As evidenced by his frequently impolitic assertions and boasts, Gatemouth…didn't worry all that much about other folks' opinions of him."
"He's a very opinionated, hardhearted person sometimes…I mean that in an endearing way. If he wasn't like that, he wouldn't be Gatemouth."
Sound like anyone we know? Groove Interrupted: Loss, Renewal, and the Music of New Orleans www.amazon.com
Perils of Blogging on Vacation Department:
By the time I got time to post my snarky correction to its Jerry Leiber obit, the Times had already admitted it did not know the difference between the Drifters and Ben E King solo, but floored by the obit’s other problems, I posted this on my Facebook page:
“The unique thing about Leiber/Stoller is that they didn't merely write songs–they wrote records, and this obit almost totally glosses over their career as producers. More than anyone else they are responsible, with soul with strings epics like "There goes my baby," for driving soul uptown, and for incorporating Latino influences; and that was merely two colors on their production pallet. They could go down and dirty or be downright Brechtian in their writing and their productions always matched. “
Shortly after I posted my complaint, I settled down on the beach with the morning Times to discover Stephen Holden’s piece making virtually every one of those points.
The only thing left to note about the obit is that, though it is possible that, upon meeting L&S, Big Mama Thornton sang them "Ball and Chain," I have my doubts, since she did not record that song until the late sixties. Jerry Leiber, Rock ‘n’ Roll Lyricist, Dies at 78 www.nytimes.com
I would like to put an end to the despicable rumor that Alec Baldwin is a "truther"
I've known Alex since he was a campus politico at GWU in the late 70s, and never once has he shown any concern about, or interest in, the truth. About that Baldwin for mayor campaign – Ben Smith www.politico.com
In our worthy crusade to make sure cyclists understand red lights are not merely an advisory opinion, we do not want to forget the even more dangerous offenders, which are autos.
I've been a supporter of red light cameras since the mid-80s when I worked on the first legislation authorizing them in NYC. So, two cheers for Bloomy for supporting their exponential expansion.
But as usual, Bloomy goes too far.
Yes, publish the names of offender actually caught by cops.
But when a car is caught by a camera, you can only ticket the owner (who may not be the driver), and issue the equivalent of a parking citation. Subjecting such owners to public embarrassment is just plain wrong. Mayor Bloomberg pushes for traffic light cameras 'on every corner' www.nydailynews.com
On the other hand, Marty Golden seems to prefer death to taxes. Mayor Bloomberg's strongest allies are against his push for traffic cameras at every intersection www.nydailynews.com
Dumbest idea award for 2011: Jesus Gonzalez proposes electing the School's Chancellor.
Runner up: Rafael Espinal proposes a cap on NYC's extremely low property taxes, which are also virtually the only taxes the City can raise without going cup in hand to Albany. Three Candidates Vie in a Special Special Election (Gotham Gazette, Aug 24, 2011) www.gothamgazette.com
The Times finally gets its head out of the ground and notices there is a real race in the 9th CD.
Not humbled by its ostrich-like attitude, the Gray Lady pronounces the approved narrative:
“This is a referendum on Obama and the economy” (with Israel a mere afterthought).
Though there is an element of truth in that, which I've discussed ("And, in case no one has noted, the economic news really sucks…As I’ve said, again and again, this race is losable."), the Times’ analysis ignores the long term demographic shift in this district which, among other things, made it the State’s only CD where Obama did worse than Kerry. For Weiner Seat, G.O.P. Hopes for Upset www.nytimes.com
Back when it looked like Juan Reyes (who reminds me of the young Chicano real estate hustler on “Treme”) was going to be the GOP nominee, I urged Mark Weprin to try to get Bob Menendez to come in and endorse his brother Dave as a fellow Cubano. I still think Latinos are important vote here for Democrats, and having seen Weprin embrace the Dream Act during the recent debate while Turner blamed immigrants for unemployment, I think Weprin's earned this vote.
That being said, an expert tells me that the Latinos are only 12% of the voter enrollment here, and far less in the actual turnout. In NY-9 Special Election, Questions About Outreach To Latino Voters www.cityhallnews.com
This is the second of three parts Colin’s posted containing most of the latest Weprin/Turner debate.
As I got to the end of this one, I was overwhelmed by both the ugliness of the Tea Partiers in the audience and the small minded Babbitt they were cheering on. All I could think was that I must post this with the notation "Wake Up Phil Anderson, you stupid fucking douchebag, what further proof do you need?" The Brooklyn Politics Blog www.thebrooklynpolitics.com
More proof Phil's a schmuck: At times, Turner’s platform on social issues reads a bit like the Westboro Manifesto.
Sez Bob Turner: If we compensated those victims, they'd no longer know the joys of being a volunteer. Zadroga 9/11 health law shouldn't cover volunteers sickened at Ground Zero, GOP hopeful Turner says www.nydailynews.com
Even I cannot follow the strange Brooklyn GOP wars, of which the attached article is an accurate sample of the vitriol.
Don't get me wrong, though given his outstanding showing last year against Steve Cymbrowitz, you'd think the Brooklyn GOP regulars would want to give Joe Hayon a medal, this article does accurately portray Hayon's rampant homophobia, but since when has "The Jig is UP Atlas," which has relentlessly queer-bashed David Weprin and Lew Fidler (for helping homeless LGTB teenagers), objected to this sort of hatred?
If you want to read what the other side in the Bk-GOP wars is spreading, you can no longer read it on the dormant "Atlas Shrugs in Brooklyn;" instead, the new blog of choice for Brooklyn's GOP rebels is my comments thread, where an anonymous blogger I've dubbed Timmy McKennedy” wittily lobs grenades attacking the GOP regulars from the left right and center in an any weapon to hand effort to make them look even more ridiculous than they already are.
Verdict: neither side cares about beating Democrats half as much as they care about beating each other.
If you want to read what the other side is spreading, you can no longer read it on the dormant "Atlas Shrugs in Brooklyn;" instead, the new blog of choice for Brooklyn's GOP rebels is my comments thread, where an anonymous writer I've dubbed Timmy McKennedy wittily lobs grenades attacking the GOP regualrs from the left right and center in an any weapon to hand effort to make them look even more ridculous than they are.
Verdict: neither side cares about beating Democrats half as much as they care about beating each other.Joseph Hayon Is A Fraud | The Jig Is Up Atlas thejigisupatlas.blogspot.com
At last, something even less likely than a Federally funded "Ground Zero Mosque." Aide: Ex. N.Y. Gov. Pataki "seriously considering" GOP bid for White House www.timesunion.com
Memo to the Draft Hillary Fan Club: The Smartest Man in America thinks you're wrong. Why Another Democrat Wouldn't Do Better than Obama in 2012 fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com
Two yawns for the revelation that campaigns are hip and governing is not. O-Bummer! Can Obama Rekindle The Love From The Pitchfork.Com Wielding Set? | PolitickerNY www.politickerny.com
Chait brilliantly dissects the cult of the Presidency. The Cult Of The Presidency In Action | The New Republic www.tnr.com
Chait: 21st Century conservatism is really 19th century conservatism. Marco Rubio And The New Republican Consensus | The New Republic www.tnr.com
Chait, clearly on a roll, on the battle between faith and reason. Rick Perry, Science, Left And Right | The New Republic www.tnr.com
Behind seems to me a pretty good place from which to lead. Victory in Libya? www.theatlantic.com
Goldberg asks when will worldwide lefties lead a flotilla on behalf of Turkish Kurds? Turkey Kills Dozens of Kurds, World Shrugs www.theatlantic.com