Friday, September 09, 2005

George Bush Don't Like Black People


One of the great things about the internet is the speed at which information can travel. Scarcely had I posted about music than a comment from streetdreams pointed me toward this "little ditty" as my piano teacher would have said. (Sorry, I can't resist the personal fun of hearing Mrs. Jerrell say "little ditty" in my head while referring to a rap song. She would have appreciated this one.)

It's titled "George Bush Doesn't Like Black People" and I encourage you to listen. It's rap - of course it has "language" - but at this point, I can't imagine what language is not appropriate to express anger, rage, frustration, or other adjective of your choice.

http://www.ourmedia.org/node/53964

The only thing I might add is that I don't think George limits who he doesn't like to only black people - it could be extended to anyone of any color - and anyone who's poor - or even lower or middle middle class. He doesn't like anyone who's not his "base," defined as: "This is an impressive crowd of the haves and have mores. Some people call you the elite, I call you my base". Governor George Bush-Oct 13, 2000-at the 55th annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner in New York.

But, I'll admit, even I never imagined he'd willingly stand by and strum guitar while those of us not his "base" died in the streets. I stand corrected.

Al Gore


Al Gore spoke to environmentalists at the Sierra Club in today at their opening convention. This is one of his comments...

"When the corpses of American citizens are floating in toxic flood waters five days after a hurricane struck, it is time not only to respond directly to the victims of the catastrophe, but to hold ... the leaders of our nation accountable," Gore told environmentalists at the Sierra Club's national convention.

Gore was responsible for getting two plane loads of people out of New Orleans. He did it by placing phone calls - personally - and securing the planes. American Airlines apparently went on the mission without a contract or previous payment.

http://www.fresnobee.com/state_wire/story/11197884p-11949438c.html to read more

So, Al Gore evacuated people with his own money and his own connections. Bush has the whole freaking military at his disposal and couldn't manage it for a longer time period.

It's really a shame Al Gore didn't get in the white house back when he won the election. Of course, Al knows about water, being from Tennessee, so he would have maintained the leeves so this wouldn't be an issue. Because, oh yeah, we wouldn't be using all our resources to fight a useless war. I knew there was a reason.

Timeline

http://www.thinkprogress.org/katrina-timeline

Timeline for Katrina. What really happened when?

Music


OK, I'll admit straight up, I'm not a huge music fan. What that means is I don't go to concerts, I don't worship singers, etc. I sing along with the radio and that's about it. I'm not into fandom. I've met a few celebrities in former jobs and it loses its thrill very quickly.

But, music seems to be a great force for many people. And at times like this national crisis it seems to be helpful to people to turn to music as a unifier. It always happens - generally very quickly.

With that said... where are all these musicians that were writing songs about 9-11 before the dust even settled? Do they not care any more about the south than the president and his staff?

Aaron Neville sang on Larry King tonight and it was wonderful, but is all of country music - generally so quick on the "Where were you?" types of songs - in a cave and unaware of what's going on? Where are our rock crusaders Sting, Bono and the Boss? Does NO ONE care any more than the government?

Aren't most country singers IN the south? As far as I know, Nashville recording studios are still functioning. Are we not even going to get yet another remake of "Candle in the Wind?"

Of course, country singer Mark Wills was with the president when the president should have been in New Orleans, anyway. Wills presented him with a guitar and the president strummed along while people were fighting for their lives in New Orleans. That seems fair. Right?

I was willing to cut Mark Wills a ton of slack - after all he wasn't the one who should have been in New Orleans - and meeting the president is a big deal, regardless of who you are. But, before writing this piece, I went to his website, fully expecting an apology of some sort for the unfortunate timing, but that photo of Bush playing air guitar is the first thing you see and they're obviously very proud of it. www.markwills.com for those of you interested...

The very next thing you can click on is a story about Wills Tour Bus helping block traffic at an accident and the quote is, "What a wonderful example of how God can send us help in the midst of strife. Thank you for your example to all." I don't think that really needs any additional comment from me.

Wills needs to keep better company. And hire a PR person.

Maybe there's no country music because there's nothing patriotic about this. Seeing your countrymen die because you've been gung ho on supporting a president and a war half a world away - and glorifying soldiers dying a la "I Made it to Arlington" - probably doesn't give you much to sing about.

Alan Jackson did his bit with "Where were you." Come on people, he can't write EVERYTHING. Surely some of you patriotic types that always have a pro-war song at the ready have something to say. Oh, no, wait, you love this president and his war that has now killed people in New Orleans as well as Iraq. (read the CNN article that having National Guard tied up in Iraq resulted in deaths in Louisiana)

I wish I could call the Dixie Chicks, the only freaking voice of reason from that quadrant during this whole @*##$(%&# season of war. (There are some words I just don't use and that expletive is really all that will fit in that sentence.)

I See Dead People


Well, I'm up... only about 3.5 hours since I went to sleep. I can't sleep. I see dead people - when I'm awake on television and when I'm asleep in my mind. And I didn't even vote for Bush.

So, I've been out to the garage, doing a little possum proofing. Yes... possums. And before you start telling me how cute the nasty, snarling, rabies laden things are, let me tell you it won't work with me. I grew up on a farm - I'm familiar with many types of wildlife - and little of it is conducive to cohabitation with humans.

Unfortunately, possums are now an urban problem. A friend has had one in his basement. And someone told me they had seen one in our neighborhood.

I have one garage door that won't close all the way to the bottom and so I went out and did a little jury rigging on it to block entry - just in case one of the critters decides it looks like a good place to settle in. My garage is at the alley, a lot away from the house, and I don't use it for a vehicle, so I'm not out there much.

Figured I'd go out while it's still dark so hopefully if there was one who was there he would be active and get out. I opened the door at the front to turn on the light and decided to leave it open. Sure enough, while I was at the back of the garage, messing with the big door, the front door opened as something pushed it open to get out. Could have been a cat, but I'm not taking any chances. Whatever it is won't be getting back into my garage - I'm sure of that - I did a very good job of possum proofing if I do say so myself.

Hutchinson animal control says possums are a major problem in the area. They'll provide you with a trap, but they don't kill them when they catch them - they "relocate" them. This is another example of stupidity - studies show that almost all die shortly after being released - 88% in the first week. I guess animal rights people think it's better for them to be killed by foxes or other predators than put to sleep peacefully.

I just know that they're not compatible with human habitation. And in an urban area they have no predators so flourish unchecked. Man - the one predator they could have - isn't even one I guess.

My theory on such things is simple - they can be anywhere on the planet except my tiny bit of it.

Standing Water


"And most chillingly of all, this is the Law and Order and Terror government. It promised protection - or at least amelioration - against all threats: conventional, radiological, or biological.

It has just proved that it cannot save its citizens from a biological weapon called standing water." Keith Olbermann

Read more at: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8514671/