Caroline and I are shopping for a camper. Whether it's a camper, a car, a house, or whatever, interacting with all the different salespersons has been interesting. Here are the bullet point lowlights:
First, there was the new guy. He was a nice fellow from Arkansas, he
just moved here a few months ago and was brand new. I'm pretty sure that
dealer ought to have paid me as his trainer. He was very appreciative
of me showing him the features of the various units he showed us. He
even said he might like to buy one of them for himself. He still has an
outside shot, but isn't the clubhouse leader.
One guy, the retired Navy Chief, after seeing we are looking for a smaller travel trailer decided showing us a big one and told Caroline that was the one I'd buy for her if I wasn't being so cheap. We didn't buy a camper from him.
Another guy, 75 years old if he was a day, and likely only there because he needs something to do and likes to talk to people, after taking our info and speaking to me in his little cubicle for 5 minutes to gather my preferences and see what he could match up up with on the lot, led me out toward the door. Caroline and I followed, and our friends Dale and Dianne went outside with us. He realized we wouldn't fit on his golf cart and said we could start walking, which we did. Not a big deal, I understand, too many for the cart. But as he got outside, some other customer said hello to him. Half an hour later, he was still with them and never came out to see us at all. We didn't buy a camper from him, either.
One more brand new guy to meet with today. Selling is hard. It's harder when you're an asshole.
Friday, February 28, 2020
Coronavirus
We postponed our May cruise in the Mediterranean out of concerns about coronavirus. I think the correct, technical name of the virus strain is 2019-nCoV. The coronavirus has hammered our retirement investments, same as it has everyone else's, too. Those things being said, despite the fact the virus has had an impact on us despite not getting sick with it, there's enough political nonsense going on with it. I just need to vent.
It's not President Trump's fault there's 2019-nCoV out there. I've seen the press and political opponents trying to turn this into a Trump issue. Stop it.
According to his Twitter, the Governor of Washington received a call from VP Pence, thanking him for his/Washington's efforts in combating a coronavirus epidemic. So did Governor Inslee say, "You're welcome"? Hell no. He tweeted that "I just received a call from VP Mike Pence, thanking Washington state for our efforts to combat the coronavirus. I told him our work would be more successful if the Trump administration stuck to the science and told the truth." The tweet is informative. Governor Inslee is an asshole and a douchebag.
It's not Speaker Pelosi or Senate Minority Leader Schumer's fault that we have 2019-nCoV concern, either. Sure, there were things the House and Senate could have been doing that would have been more productive than a totally political impeachment process in January and February. But blaming them in response to them blaming Trump? Just as stupid. Call stupid "stupid", sure. But don't imitate it!
The Communist Chinese government has a lot to answer for, it seems. Criticizing the Chinese government and restricting travel from China while this crisis still looms isn't racist or xenophobic and any of the other phobes. 2019-nCoV threatens to grow to global pandemic proportions and sometimes drastic measures must be taken. There's a lesson in it there for us, too. Don't go to work sick. Don't send your kids to school or to daycare sick. I don't mean 2019-nCoV sick, I mean sick, as in the flu, measles, mumps, chicken pox, even head lice.
There's some stuff you just shouldn't eat. I'm going to add bat meat to the list. I'll do my best not to come into contact with bat meat, with bat blood, and with bat feces, too. It makes sense to me, but apparently not. I think I'll postpone planning any trips to China, too.
Coronavirus has nothing to do with a popular Mexican beer brand. And while I'm thinking of it, wash your damned hands before you slice my lime, dammit.
It's not President Trump's fault there's 2019-nCoV out there. I've seen the press and political opponents trying to turn this into a Trump issue. Stop it.
According to his Twitter, the Governor of Washington received a call from VP Pence, thanking him for his/Washington's efforts in combating a coronavirus epidemic. So did Governor Inslee say, "You're welcome"? Hell no. He tweeted that "I just received a call from VP Mike Pence, thanking Washington state for our efforts to combat the coronavirus. I told him our work would be more successful if the Trump administration stuck to the science and told the truth." The tweet is informative. Governor Inslee is an asshole and a douchebag.
It's not Speaker Pelosi or Senate Minority Leader Schumer's fault that we have 2019-nCoV concern, either. Sure, there were things the House and Senate could have been doing that would have been more productive than a totally political impeachment process in January and February. But blaming them in response to them blaming Trump? Just as stupid. Call stupid "stupid", sure. But don't imitate it!
The Communist Chinese government has a lot to answer for, it seems. Criticizing the Chinese government and restricting travel from China while this crisis still looms isn't racist or xenophobic and any of the other phobes. 2019-nCoV threatens to grow to global pandemic proportions and sometimes drastic measures must be taken. There's a lesson in it there for us, too. Don't go to work sick. Don't send your kids to school or to daycare sick. I don't mean 2019-nCoV sick, I mean sick, as in the flu, measles, mumps, chicken pox, even head lice.
There's some stuff you just shouldn't eat. I'm going to add bat meat to the list. I'll do my best not to come into contact with bat meat, with bat blood, and with bat feces, too. It makes sense to me, but apparently not. I think I'll postpone planning any trips to China, too.
Coronavirus has nothing to do with a popular Mexican beer brand. And while I'm thinking of it, wash your damned hands before you slice my lime, dammit.
Friday, February 21, 2020
Russia, Russia, Russia!
Holy crap! In the category of "You gotta be shitting me" items for February 20/21, 2020, Trump-Russia 2.0 has to be at the top of the list.
Speaker Pelosi Tweet
This morning, the left is going haywire that Putin and "the Russians" (Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!) want President Trump to be re-elected AND that President Trump is making changes at the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) to pave the way for their interference. Why is this happening on the 20th and 21st of February? Simply because on the 19th of February the Democrats had a disastrous Presidential Debate in Las Vegas. The two are related, let there be no doubt.
Yes, the Russians meddle. No. Trump is NOT colluding with them. If anything, Trump was pissed at the current Acting ODNI, who works for him, because he briefed Congress BEFORE he briefed the White House, presumably either knowing full well or negligably oblivious to the fact that Rep. Adam Schiff (for brains) and the Democratic cabal in Congress, the media, and Deep State (scumbag John Brennan, et al) would use the information to attack the President. So yeah, he was pissed.
What makes me think President Trump isn't colluding with or secretly facilitating Russian efforts to help his re-election? Because he doesn't need their help. The Democratic Presidential Candidates on the docket simply won't beat him. I saw the debate.
https://twitter.com/SpeakerPelosi/status/1230703876501733377?s=20
https://twitter.com/SpeakerPelosi/status/1230703876501733377?s=20
Speaker Pelosi Tweet
This morning, the left is going haywire that Putin and "the Russians" (Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!) want President Trump to be re-elected AND that President Trump is making changes at the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) to pave the way for their interference. Why is this happening on the 20th and 21st of February? Simply because on the 19th of February the Democrats had a disastrous Presidential Debate in Las Vegas. The two are related, let there be no doubt.
Yes, the Russians meddle. No. Trump is NOT colluding with them. If anything, Trump was pissed at the current Acting ODNI, who works for him, because he briefed Congress BEFORE he briefed the White House, presumably either knowing full well or negligably oblivious to the fact that Rep. Adam Schiff (for brains) and the Democratic cabal in Congress, the media, and Deep State (scumbag John Brennan, et al) would use the information to attack the President. So yeah, he was pissed.
What makes me think President Trump isn't colluding with or secretly facilitating Russian efforts to help his re-election? Because he doesn't need their help. The Democratic Presidential Candidates on the docket simply won't beat him. I saw the debate.
- Not a one of them can beat him on a debate stage.
- Not a one of them can beat him in the General Election
- Not a one of them will be a better President than Donald J. Trump is now and will be until 2024.
https://twitter.com/SpeakerPelosi/status/1230703876501733377?s=20
https://twitter.com/SpeakerPelosi/status/1230703876501733377?s=20
Wednesday, February 19, 2020
Esprit de Corps and Iwo Jima, 75 Years
On this 75th anniversary of the Marine Corps' famous landing and assault of the volcanic island of Iwo Jima, I thought a very short explanation of esprit de corps, something near and dear to the identity or ethos of U.S. Marines would be appropriate.
At that point in USMC Recruit Training, 'boot camp' to which it is more commonly referred, when recruits earn their eagle, globe, and anchor, EGA for those of us intimately familiar with the importance and symbology of it, Marines become a part of a continuum. The "first to fight" slogan, "a few good men", and "the few, the proud, the Marines" become a piece of our soul, a nearly indelible stamp that lasts a lifetime. "Once a Marine, always a Marine." Truer words have never been spoken. During recruit training, in addition to following a path that nearly consumes the mind, will and body of each recruit with the goal of achieving the title, "Marine", we are also taught that there is a responsibility we take on when we assume that title. We are taught the great history of our Corps, from its founding at Tun Tavern, in Philadelphia, in 1775, to all the wars and expeditions the Marine Corps has been a part of. "From the halls of Montezuma to the Shores of Tripoli," words from the Marine Corps Hymn which, when we embrace it, expresses how we, as Marines, are part of a Corps that came before us, and we know will carry on long after we are gone from it.
And therein lies the beauty of esprit de corps. The phrase captures an identity, crafted by more than 200 years of history, presumes Marines as members of the Corps subordinate our individuality to the goals of and mission of the Marine Corps. It entails a great responsibility. Whether it was the battles and sacrifices in blood throughout Marine Corps history: Belleu Wood, Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima, the Chosin Reservoir, Hue, Beiruit, Desert Storm, Afghanistan and Iraq, or proudly serving as Presidential and Embassy Guard Detachments, the future astronauts and statesmen, and every combat veteran, decorated for valor and bravery, we become responsible for upholding, maintaining and living up to that legacy. And not just to live up to the legacy, but to remember that as Marines, our legacy will be added to it, and be a part of it, and become what some future Marine will be responsible for, too.
I recently attended a boot camp graduation ceremony at MCRD San Diego. And while I was there with fifty or sixty other veterans and retirees like myself, I marveled at their youth, their motivation, and I realized how incredibly proud and a little bit humble I am to call myself a Marine. And this morning I was reminded of the heroic feats of Herschel "Woody" Williams, awarded the Medal of Honor for his valor on Iwo Jima, the anniversary of which we celebrate today. And, just like those recruits become Marines made me feel last October in San Diego, Woody and the other heros of Iwo, Saipan, and all the rest make me proud, but humble to know I was among the best, and one of them. To be counted among them, one of them, and them, one of us.
Esprit de corps is the way we describe the bond we share, the pride we hold in knowing we are a part of it, and finally, the responsibility every Marine shares to not only be the best Marine we can be, but to strive to keep the Corps the best it can be, and to live up to the legacy of every Marine who came before us, leaving our same best legacy to those who come after. And somewhere in there, guys like Woody Williams become a sort or USMC royalty, and we know without a doubt, those new Marines graduating boot camp every week will indeed live up to that legacy and make us every bit as proud as our great history already has.
At that point in USMC Recruit Training, 'boot camp' to which it is more commonly referred, when recruits earn their eagle, globe, and anchor, EGA for those of us intimately familiar with the importance and symbology of it, Marines become a part of a continuum. The "first to fight" slogan, "a few good men", and "the few, the proud, the Marines" become a piece of our soul, a nearly indelible stamp that lasts a lifetime. "Once a Marine, always a Marine." Truer words have never been spoken. During recruit training, in addition to following a path that nearly consumes the mind, will and body of each recruit with the goal of achieving the title, "Marine", we are also taught that there is a responsibility we take on when we assume that title. We are taught the great history of our Corps, from its founding at Tun Tavern, in Philadelphia, in 1775, to all the wars and expeditions the Marine Corps has been a part of. "From the halls of Montezuma to the Shores of Tripoli," words from the Marine Corps Hymn which, when we embrace it, expresses how we, as Marines, are part of a Corps that came before us, and we know will carry on long after we are gone from it.
And therein lies the beauty of esprit de corps. The phrase captures an identity, crafted by more than 200 years of history, presumes Marines as members of the Corps subordinate our individuality to the goals of and mission of the Marine Corps. It entails a great responsibility. Whether it was the battles and sacrifices in blood throughout Marine Corps history: Belleu Wood, Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima, the Chosin Reservoir, Hue, Be
I recently attended a boot camp graduation ceremony at MCRD San Diego. And while I was there with fifty or sixty other veterans and retirees like myself, I marveled at their youth, their motivation, and I realized how incredibly proud and a little bit humble I am to call myself a Marine. And this morning I was reminded of the heroic feats of Herschel "Woody" Williams, awarded the Medal of Honor for his valor on Iwo Jima, the anniversary of which we celebrate today. And, just like those recruits become Marines made me feel last October in San Diego, Woody and the other heros of Iwo, Saipan, and all the rest make me proud, but humble to know I was among the best, and one of them. To be counted among them, one of them, and them, one of us.
Esprit de corps is the way we describe the bond we share, the pride we hold in knowing we are a part of it, and finally, the responsibility every Marine shares to not only be the best Marine we can be, but to strive to keep the Corps the best it can be, and to live up to the legacy of every Marine who came before us, leaving our same best legacy to those who come after. And somewhere in there, guys like Woody Williams become a sort or USMC royalty, and we know without a doubt, those new Marines graduating boot camp every week will indeed live up to that legacy and make us every bit as proud as our great history already has.
Socialism what?
While my wife slept in this morning, I spent an hour or two trying to better understand the similarities and the differences between Communism, Socialism, Democratic Socialism, Social Programs, Government Funded Infrastructure, Social Justice (as per "Social Justice Warriors"), Capitalism, and Libertarianism. Why? Because in the debate these terms are often misstated, conflated, and misunderstood.
What did I learn? I learned that I'm not a commie, I'm not a Socialist, nor am I a Democratic Socialist. I'm not a full-on Libertarian, and I'm not a Social Justice Warrior, either. I'm fundamentally a Capitalist, and I support social programs and government funded infrastructure, up to a point.
I don't think the U.S.A. is perfect, but neither do I wish we were more like Scandinavia, the European Union, China, or anyplace else? No. Not even a little bit.
Free college for everyone? No. Everyone isn't cut out for college, and what college is for many people today is out of alignment with the job market. There simply aren't jobs that provide a ROI that justifies the cost. Tax credits for companies willing to pay for employee higher education that is aligned with their jobs or job opportunities in their field of endeavor. Yes, absolutely.
Forgiveness of student loans? Maybe. If some form of public service is incorporated as part of that forgiveness, even if it's spread out over a number of years, then I MIGHT be ok with it. Just flat out paying it off because it was so "wrong" to encumber these poor victimized, powerless people with debt when all the wanted was an education? Are you kidding me? NFW! What about my car loan? I needed a car to get to work, whether I went to college for the job or not. What about my mortgage? I need a place to live and to raise my family more than I needed college to do it. When are those debts going to be forgiven?
Government (taxpayer) funded healthcare for all? No. But neither are the current triangle of evil: healthcare providers, big pharmaceutical companies, and the healthcare insurance companies in our best interest. Healthcare safety nets like medicaid? Yes.
Sunday, February 9, 2020
Hats, Shirts, Yard Signs, and Bumper Stickers
I have never been one to advertise who it is I support politically on my person, my home, or on my my car or truck. For the longest time my reason for not doing so is that I don't want my political leanings to be the first thing someone knows about me. Secondly, if my candidate loses, I don't want to advertise that I supported a loser. Lastly, I don't want or need someone who differs in opinion to take issue with the candidate by using me as a surrogate. So I just didn't do it.
"Jacksonville"
Resisters have taken reaction to Trump stuff to a whole new level. Yesterday in Jacksonville, in my new adopted home state, a group of Trump volunteers was set up doing voter registration and someone drove a van right through their tent. It's extremely lucky nobody was hurt or killed. Again and again I see video of people wearing Trump hats being harassed and assaulted, either physically or verbally. And all this going on makes me reluctant to wear Trump stuff myself. But rather than succumb to the intimidation of the asshole resistance, I'm wearing Trump 2020 hats. We either need to stand up and show our solidarity with fellow Trump voters, or we can be silent and let these shitheads think they have the upper hand.
So to the fascist resistance: thank you for bringing me out of my shell. I'm going to show my support for President Trump, his re-election, and most importantly, for my fellow Trump supporters who shouldn't ought to feel threatened in a public situation because they feel like the lone supporter wearing a Trump 2020 or MAGA hat.
"Slash Republicans Throats"
Did I mention I don't think very highly of the resistance? I don't. Assholes.
"Jacksonville"
Resisters have taken reaction to Trump stuff to a whole new level. Yesterday in Jacksonville, in my new adopted home state, a group of Trump volunteers was set up doing voter registration and someone drove a van right through their tent. It's extremely lucky nobody was hurt or killed. Again and again I see video of people wearing Trump hats being harassed and assaulted, either physically or verbally. And all this going on makes me reluctant to wear Trump stuff myself. But rather than succumb to the intimidation of the asshole resistance, I'm wearing Trump 2020 hats. We either need to stand up and show our solidarity with fellow Trump voters, or we can be silent and let these shitheads think they have the upper hand.
So to the fascist resistance: thank you for bringing me out of my shell. I'm going to show my support for President Trump, his re-election, and most importantly, for my fellow Trump supporters who shouldn't ought to feel threatened in a public situation because they feel like the lone supporter wearing a Trump 2020 or MAGA hat.
"Slash Republicans Throats"
Did I mention I don't think very highly of the resistance? I don't. Assholes.
Thursday, February 6, 2020
Impeachment Fatigue
Have I ever got a bad case of impeachment fatigue. I mean, no foolin', I've had enough. I know in a day or two something will energize me again but right now:
- I couldn't care less about Pelosi tearing up the speech. Sure, it was childish and maybe symbolic to both sides, but pursuing it as a matter of law for destroying government documents? Come on man!
- I don't give a shit about Romney, either. Oddly, it was his campaign and the Democratic and media opposition and actions against him that led to Trump 2016, but as far as his vote yesterday? The hell with him. He's an establishment elitist globalist career politician. I reluctantly voted for him once. Now we're stuck with him for at least 4 more years.
- Jerry Nadler is already pursuing testimony from John Bolton. Really? Please just stop. Give us a break.
- Joe Biden and Hunter Biden. Right now I don't give a rat's ass. I'd rather see Mike Flynn cleared of charges than I would see the Biden's investigated. If Biden miraculously becomes a contender, I'll feel differently. But as long as he's headed to the trash heap, anyway, I'm ok with moving on for right now.
Wednesday, February 5, 2020
Excellent Thread on President Trump
I know a lot of people think Twitter is a cesspool. Sometimes it is. But today I came across a thread written by someone named Elaine, from Washington State. I don't know anything about her. But I copied and pasted the thread to post here, because she has described the Trump phenomena to a 'T'. Each successive tweet shows up here as the next paragraph. I posted her Twitter profile in case you want to follow her there. I did.
"A decorum observation, thread: you don’t have to like the President’s crassness and tone to understand why Nancy’s speech ripping is perceived as different than his twitter baiting. It’s also an absolute pillar of communication. Let me explain.
"President Trump, like it or not, has communicated one thing clearly and unequivocally. It started in the last election. Hillary was going around asking people to use the slogan “I’m with her.” Candidate Trump saw that, instinctively knew it was against the American grain and took
"The opposite position. His message was “I’m with YOU!” He will attack other politicians, the press, entertainers. Bureaucrats. But he seems to be careful to never attack Americans themselves. Voters of any stripe are not called dumb or deplorable. Or racist or sexist.
"He does call out bad behavior like he did regarding gangs. If you go back and actually listen to his words in most cases IN CONTEXT you will see it’s very careful to not to insult average PEOPLE, although in most situations he will call out bad behavior.
"What he’s done is be inclusive, just as Van Jones alluded to last night. His basic premise is this: “You want me to stand up for you against the machine? ok, I’ll do that to. I’ll take the pain. Don’t care who you are. Come on.” This positions him as the stand in for CITIZENS.
"Because of this, when Nancy rips up a speech & says there is no truth in it; or AOC doesn’t attend or listen; Or the Democrats sit on their hands and don’t applaud good things...they don’t realize how many more Americans are starting to see that as an attack on them.
"The Democrats see it as an attack on the President. They are “resisting.” But the frame of reference for that resistance is not the man, but those he had agreed to stand up for. The regular folks. Any color, any sexuality, any religion, urban or rural. Trump doesn’t care.
"Because it’s not about Him. It’s about those he represents. He knows how to bring people into the tent, not push them out. You may not be a fan of his style, but he’s incredibly effective. And it’s possible that this style is the only grenade that could have made it happen.
"He’s not afraid to take on his own party when they want to be in control just like the left. Trump also knows you can be the greatest peace maker in the world but if you don’t get attention, it won’t matter.
"Now. His policy effectiveness is, like ALL politicians a mixed bag. But if you can’t admit that things are going very well for many, and many who have been forgotten, you are blind.
"Can Trump loose? Yes. An election can never be taken for granted. But from where I sit right now, this bullying people into being able to control them isn’t working well for the Democrats. And they continue to double down.
"Trump is a trash-talking, crass, character-challenged man. But he does one thing extremely well and that is to communicate directly to the truly disenfranchised in our country. We’d be well served to appreciate him for that.
"Addendum: An example of his consistency: He doesn’t care about events like the Press Dinners and so forth. Those aren’t the people he wants to be associate with. He’s making a show of not saying one thing and doing another. He keeps fancy White House dinners to a minimum."
"A decorum observation, thread: you don’t have to like the President’s crassness and tone to understand why Nancy’s speech ripping is perceived as different than his twitter baiting. It’s also an absolute pillar of communication. Let me explain.
"President Trump, like it or not, has communicated one thing clearly and unequivocally. It started in the last election. Hillary was going around asking people to use the slogan “I’m with her.” Candidate Trump saw that, instinctively knew it was against the American grain and took
"The opposite position. His message was “I’m with YOU!” He will attack other politicians, the press, entertainers. Bureaucrats. But he seems to be careful to never attack Americans themselves. Voters of any stripe are not called dumb or deplorable. Or racist or sexist.
"He does call out bad behavior like he did regarding gangs. If you go back and actually listen to his words in most cases IN CONTEXT you will see it’s very careful to not to insult average PEOPLE, although in most situations he will call out bad behavior.
"What he’s done is be inclusive, just as Van Jones alluded to last night. His basic premise is this: “You want me to stand up for you against the machine? ok, I’ll do that to. I’ll take the pain. Don’t care who you are. Come on.” This positions him as the stand in for CITIZENS.
"Because of this, when Nancy rips up a speech & says there is no truth in it; or AOC doesn’t attend or listen; Or the Democrats sit on their hands and don’t applaud good things...they don’t realize how many more Americans are starting to see that as an attack on them.
"The Democrats see it as an attack on the President. They are “resisting.” But the frame of reference for that resistance is not the man, but those he had agreed to stand up for. The regular folks. Any color, any sexuality, any religion, urban or rural. Trump doesn’t care.
"Because it’s not about Him. It’s about those he represents. He knows how to bring people into the tent, not push them out. You may not be a fan of his style, but he’s incredibly effective. And it’s possible that this style is the only grenade that could have made it happen.
"He’s not afraid to take on his own party when they want to be in control just like the left. Trump also knows you can be the greatest peace maker in the world but if you don’t get attention, it won’t matter.
"Now. His policy effectiveness is, like ALL politicians a mixed bag. But if you can’t admit that things are going very well for many, and many who have been forgotten, you are blind.
"Can Trump loose? Yes. An election can never be taken for granted. But from where I sit right now, this bullying people into being able to control them isn’t working well for the Democrats. And they continue to double down.
"Trump is a trash-talking, crass, character-challenged man. But he does one thing extremely well and that is to communicate directly to the truly disenfranchised in our country. We’d be well served to appreciate him for that.
"Addendum: An example of his consistency: He doesn’t care about events like the Press Dinners and so forth. Those aren’t the people he wants to be associate with. He’s making a show of not saying one thing and doing another. He keeps fancy White House dinners to a minimum."
Independent Voices
Aside
from the President, and excluding the President's distinguished guests,
do you know who I was most impressed by last night?
Kyrsten Sinema, that's who. She was the one Democrat who stood when she felt the topic warranted it. I went to her website this morning. On it she touts being "an independent voice for Arizona". Kudos to her. Sure, she's one of "them". Well, if more of "them" were like "her", maybe "us and them" would be a better situation than it is today.
More of this, please!
Kyrsten Sinema, that's who. She was the one Democrat who stood when she felt the topic warranted it. I went to her website this morning. On it she touts being "an independent voice for Arizona". Kudos to her. Sure, she's one of "them". Well, if more of "them" were like "her", maybe "us and them" would be a better situation than it is today.
More of this, please!
Tuesday, February 4, 2020
Democrat Cluster*ck
Short and sweet tonight with some quick hitters:
- Best of luck in fighting cancer to Rush Limbaugh. I've listened off and on for 30+ years. Sending prayers.
- Screw you to all the people on social media wishing the worst for Rush and for Republicans in general. Screw you!
- Congratulations President Trump! GOP Iowa Caucus turnout last night set a record for an incumbent running for re-election. 97.1% support!
- Laughing at you, GOP Presidential challenger Joe Walsh. I enjoyed seeing video of the crowd expressing their feelings toward you. Go suck a lollipop.
- And the Democrats and the DNC: You're a damned cluster-fuck.
- You can't even run a caucus?
- You used a company associated with Hillary Clinton for your software?
- You didn't think there would be a price for your activists and media going all in on all anti-Trump, all the time?
- You think you can convince people things are bad when they're good?
- You think boycotting the State of the Union is supposed to make us turn on Trump and support you? Don't let the damned door hit you on your asses on the way out.
- You think your operatives working with Deep State and your state run media going all in on Russia and Ukraine scams more accurately described as coup d'état attempts wouldn't bear a cost after they inevitably failed?
- You think running a bunch of avowed socialists and damned near communists is going to win with the American electorate?
- You think insulting damned near 1/2 of the American electorate rather than campaigning for our votes is a winning strategy?
Monday, February 3, 2020
On Voter Fraud, Voter ID, Ballot Harvesting, and Voter Turnout
Tonight’s Democratic Party Iowa Caucuses mark the start of the 2020 Presidential Election, and it got my mind to thinking. Voter turnout in November 2020 will be epic. Trump hate will drive out the left in heretofore untold numbers. And on the other hand, President Trump’s supporters will come out in droves. Energy and enthusiasm from both ends of the political spectrum will be historic. People in the middle, people who don’t count themselves as members of the Republican nor the Democratic parties, and who don’t consider themselves far right nor far left, the independents and the moderates in the middle will come out, too. Some because the like or dislike the current policies and state of our nation, others to express their displeasure at boorish, braggadocious, and insufferable President Trump, or maybe to say enough’s enough to Democrats who have made 2017-2020 a referendum on Trump: all Trump, nothing but Trump 24 x 7, a Trump they see and portray as an enemy to everyone, our government institutions, and our way of life. Yep, they’re coming out to vote in November. Today, I’d like to offer some advice to my party, the GOP about voter fraud, voter ID, ballot harvesting, and the ultimate end game, voter turnout. First, a couple of instructive stories.
In the 60’s or 70’s, not sure exactly what year it was, but when competitive bass fishing for money was just getting going, the fishermen fished with what was their normal equipment in the day. Jon boats with 15 and 25 hp engines were the norm. And then for one tournament, a guy named Bill Dance showed up with something like a 60 or 75 horsepower motor on his boat. As all the boats left the dock, Bill sped off ahead of everyone else, soon out of sight. Their small motors had no prayer of keeping up with Bill. Back at the dock for weigh-in, Bill kicked their asses. None of them knew where he’d fished. He got to parts of the lake they couldn’t possibly have fished and made the weigh in. Guess what happened soon after that? Everyone had bigger and bigger engines. The slower boats didn’t piss and moan about Bill, they upped their own horsepower to meet the challenge. Nowadays 250 hp engines are commonplace.
There’s a guy I follow on Twitter whose name is @ScottPresler. He goes by #ThePersistence, and has a web address called ScottPresler.org. Scott is a young guy and has really captivated a lot of attention. He’s doing what I consider to be great things, regardless of party affiliation. Scott goes from city to city and teaches local GOP grassroots organizations and their volunteers how to get out the vote. He brings a young, fresh perspective and by all reports he is remarkably effective. Rather than to allow the GOP to be victims of our own patterns and habits, Scott is out pounding the pavement to help us remain competitive. It is the second thing that Scott does that has me most impressed. As Scott travels about, he not only gives talks and assists with voter registration and voter turnout strategies, he also organizes cleanups in inner cities, establishing the GOP in inner cities as a force for good. His cleanups can result in tons of rubbish cleaned up in some terribly overlooked neighborhoods. His cleanup in Baltimore this past September resulted in 50 tons, yes 50 tons of rubbish cleaned up and hauled away. He makes a difference for the better, and shows by his actions the best side of conservatism. He’s also active and effective on social media, and thus is an excellent ambassador for conservatism and the GOP.
When it comes to voter fraud, what can we do? Off the top of my head, I can think of two things: one, if we see something, say something. It’s that simple. If someone tries to impede, dissuade, frighten, or in any way hinder you or someone you know, or if you see someone doing anything like that, report it. Do the best you can to take pictures, remember names, specifics of time and location, and if you report it and are not satisfied with how your report was handled, report whoever it was you reported it to. This applies to registration, early voting, absentee balloting, and on Election Day itself. Secondly, volunteer to help your local Election Board or the local Republican Party where you live and vote. Silence, in the face of voter fraud is NOT golden. And I fear there will be massive voter fraud perpetrated in many different cities, towns, counties, and states in 2020.
I also want to mention voter ID requirements. I strongly believe requiring voter ID is an essential part of any anti voter fraud effort. But time and again courts have ruled it to be a form of voter suppression. I disagree strongly that my motives or efforts would ever align with that kind of an effort, but I suppose there is somebody out there who sees voter ID in that light. The kind of voter ID law I advocate will include a sweeping effort at ensuring every voter is able to vote, and every voter is well aware and prepared to meet the requirement. This means putting the time, effort, and resources ($$) needed to issue any person unfortunate enough to not have some form of acceptable government ID photo identification AND publicizing both the requirement and the means to obtain ID well enough and far enough in advance to actually increase voter turnout as a byproduct of the initiative. If we are really serious about stopping that type of voter fraud, and if we did it the right way, it could be done in a way to make it the exact opposite of suppression. Young, energetic minds like that of Scott Presler can handle this type of thing better than many my age and older can. We ought to harness those who can and will and make it happen. Everyone who has a legal right to vote ought to have their one vote counted. That’s everyone, regardless of party affiliation, age, race, religion, or even employment and or sexual preference.
A concern I hear a lot about the ballot harvesting that was done in California last year. How it was done seemed really underhanded to me. After votes were counted, Democrats in CA looked at Congressional Districts where the Democratic Party candidate was behind, then they looked at the vote tallies. So let’s say GOP candidate “A” had 10500 votes, and Democratic Party candidate “B” had 10,100 votes. They were legally able to beat the bushes and canvass for Democrats who had not voted and then in the days and weeks AFTER the polls closed, visit voters and obtain ballots, which were then added to the totals, and viola! They flipped those seats after Election Day results were tallied and reported. Suddenly all those candidate “B” totals exceeded this of candidate “A”, and the seat went blue. Well, this seems like total bullshit to me. Do I want every voter to vote? Yes, and emphatic, YES! But I want them to vote before or on Election Day. Ballot harvesting afterward? It seems like cheating to me. I bet those guys in the 15 hp boats thought Bill Dance was cheating in those fishing tournaments I told you about, too. Did they complain to B.A.S.S., the organization that ran and sanctioned that tournament? Nope. They upped their games and upped their horsepower and leveled the playing field by giving Bill a taste of his own medicine. Two can play at the ballot harvesting game. If the GOP sits by idly in 2020 and lets 2018 repeat itself, shame on the GOP. GOP, get your shit together! Up your game!
And the last thing I want to touch on is voter turnout. I've already said that I think it’ll be epic, incredible, maybe historic even. And it is up to us to make damned sure it’s so. Not only do we need to make sure we vote. For everyone, I encourage you if your state has it, to vote as early as you can. But you also need to get your friends and family, elderly neighbors, anyone in your social circle who might either be inclined to sit this one out, or who might have difficulty getting themselves to the polls. You can help with that, can’t you? You can offer a ride, or to stay with their cats while they vote, or watch the kids, whatever. And you can get involved with your local, state, or the national GOP office and volunteer. Make calls. Stuff envelopes. Knock on doors even. You can help. If you live where ballot harvesting is legal, call today, encourage your local GOP to have a plan, offer to help. There is no reason on earth we can’t reap what they have sown. But we’ve got to be engaged, involved, committed, and energized. Are you? If you are, great! If you’re not, why not? Get your ass in gear!
In the 60’s or 70’s, not sure exactly what year it was, but when competitive bass fishing for money was just getting going, the fishermen fished with what was their normal equipment in the day. Jon boats with 15 and 25 hp engines were the norm. And then for one tournament, a guy named Bill Dance showed up with something like a 60 or 75 horsepower motor on his boat. As all the boats left the dock, Bill sped off ahead of everyone else, soon out of sight. Their small motors had no prayer of keeping up with Bill. Back at the dock for weigh-in, Bill kicked their asses. None of them knew where he’d fished. He got to parts of the lake they couldn’t possibly have fished and made the weigh in. Guess what happened soon after that? Everyone had bigger and bigger engines. The slower boats didn’t piss and moan about Bill, they upped their own horsepower to meet the challenge. Nowadays 250 hp engines are commonplace.
There’s a guy I follow on Twitter whose name is @ScottPresler. He goes by #ThePersistence, and has a web address called ScottPresler.org. Scott is a young guy and has really captivated a lot of attention. He’s doing what I consider to be great things, regardless of party affiliation. Scott goes from city to city and teaches local GOP grassroots organizations and their volunteers how to get out the vote. He brings a young, fresh perspective and by all reports he is remarkably effective. Rather than to allow the GOP to be victims of our own patterns and habits, Scott is out pounding the pavement to help us remain competitive. It is the second thing that Scott does that has me most impressed. As Scott travels about, he not only gives talks and assists with voter registration and voter turnout strategies, he also organizes cleanups in inner cities, establishing the GOP in inner cities as a force for good. His cleanups can result in tons of rubbish cleaned up in some terribly overlooked neighborhoods. His cleanup in Baltimore this past September resulted in 50 tons, yes 50 tons of rubbish cleaned up and hauled away. He makes a difference for the better, and shows by his actions the best side of conservatism. He’s also active and effective on social media, and thus is an excellent ambassador for conservatism and the GOP.
When it comes to voter fraud, what can we do? Off the top of my head, I can think of two things: one, if we see something, say something. It’s that simple. If someone tries to impede, dissuade, frighten, or in any way hinder you or someone you know, or if you see someone doing anything like that, report it. Do the best you can to take pictures, remember names, specifics of time and location, and if you report it and are not satisfied with how your report was handled, report whoever it was you reported it to. This applies to registration, early voting, absentee balloting, and on Election Day itself. Secondly, volunteer to help your local Election Board or the local Republican Party where you live and vote. Silence, in the face of voter fraud is NOT golden. And I fear there will be massive voter fraud perpetrated in many different cities, towns, counties, and states in 2020.
I also want to mention voter ID requirements. I strongly believe requiring voter ID is an essential part of any anti voter fraud effort. But time and again courts have ruled it to be a form of voter suppression. I disagree strongly that my motives or efforts would ever align with that kind of an effort, but I suppose there is somebody out there who sees voter ID in that light. The kind of voter ID law I advocate will include a sweeping effort at ensuring every voter is able to vote, and every voter is well aware and prepared to meet the requirement. This means putting the time, effort, and resources ($$) needed to issue any person unfortunate enough to not have some form of acceptable government ID photo identification AND publicizing both the requirement and the means to obtain ID well enough and far enough in advance to actually increase voter turnout as a byproduct of the initiative. If we are really serious about stopping that type of voter fraud, and if we did it the right way, it could be done in a way to make it the exact opposite of suppression. Young, energetic minds like that of Scott Presler can handle this type of thing better than many my age and older can. We ought to harness those who can and will and make it happen. Everyone who has a legal right to vote ought to have their one vote counted. That’s everyone, regardless of party affiliation, age, race, religion, or even employment and or sexual preference.
A concern I hear a lot about the ballot harvesting that was done in California last year. How it was done seemed really underhanded to me. After votes were counted, Democrats in CA looked at Congressional Districts where the Democratic Party candidate was behind, then they looked at the vote tallies. So let’s say GOP candidate “A” had 10500 votes, and Democratic Party candidate “B” had 10,100 votes. They were legally able to beat the bushes and canvass for Democrats who had not voted and then in the days and weeks AFTER the polls closed, visit voters and obtain ballots, which were then added to the totals, and viola! They flipped those seats after Election Day results were tallied and reported. Suddenly all those candidate “B” totals exceeded this of candidate “A”, and the seat went blue. Well, this seems like total bullshit to me. Do I want every voter to vote? Yes, and emphatic, YES! But I want them to vote before or on Election Day. Ballot harvesting afterward? It seems like cheating to me. I bet those guys in the 15 hp boats thought Bill Dance was cheating in those fishing tournaments I told you about, too. Did they complain to B.A.S.S., the organization that ran and sanctioned that tournament? Nope. They upped their games and upped their horsepower and leveled the playing field by giving Bill a taste of his own medicine. Two can play at the ballot harvesting game. If the GOP sits by idly in 2020 and lets 2018 repeat itself, shame on the GOP. GOP, get your shit together! Up your game!
And the last thing I want to touch on is voter turnout. I've already said that I think it’ll be epic, incredible, maybe historic even. And it is up to us to make damned sure it’s so. Not only do we need to make sure we vote. For everyone, I encourage you if your state has it, to vote as early as you can. But you also need to get your friends and family, elderly neighbors, anyone in your social circle who might either be inclined to sit this one out, or who might have difficulty getting themselves to the polls. You can help with that, can’t you? You can offer a ride, or to stay with their cats while they vote, or watch the kids, whatever. And you can get involved with your local, state, or the national GOP office and volunteer. Make calls. Stuff envelopes. Knock on doors even. You can help. If you live where ballot harvesting is legal, call today, encourage your local GOP to have a plan, offer to help. There is no reason on earth we can’t reap what they have sown. But we’ve got to be engaged, involved, committed, and energized. Are you? If you are, great! If you’re not, why not? Get your ass in gear!
Halftime Show Controversies
In this morning's Super Bowl Halftime Show aftermath on social media, I knew people would still be talking about Jennifer Lopez' and Shakira's revealing outfits, their provocative and sexual hip and booty shaking, and J Lo's pole dancing. And while at first I had no problem with the show, after seeing many comments last night, I do agree that they ought to have toned things down, mostly because so many families watch the Super Bowl with their kids. I will admit, even I shook my head at the pole dancing segment. Then I remembered I had seen recently that J Lo did a movie about a stripper, and I figured this a reprise of that role. But it was indeed head-shakingly unnecessary. So in this morning's retrospective light, yes indeed, Jennifer Lopez and Shakira, 50 years old and 43, respectively, are beautiful and they're sexy, not "for their ages", but as women of any age. They would very much still have been so with just a little more costume and a little less coochie in their presentations.
What I didn't expect to see this morning was controversy over the fact there was singing in Spanish. I am as big a critic, or should I say an opponent, of illegal immigration as anyone you're going to meet. But if seeing two beautiful worldwide stars like Jennifer Lopez and Shakira do a show partly in English and partly in Spanish rankles you, I think it's time to step back and reassess. For far too many of us, probably even for someone reading this, that frustration is a combination of two things: a total lack of self-awareness and of bigotry. They've allowed any instance of anyone speaking a language other than English here in the States to be associated with rejection of U.S. culture and a refusal to assimilate. And they don't recognize it as a form of bigotry, but rather what they're hearing when someone sings in Spanish, or talks Greek in a diner, or whatever, is someone who thinks speaking English is beneath them or something like that. It's not always that, friends. And shockingly, folks, some immigrants learn English before or after they come here and still enjoy entertainment like last night in their native tongue. Shocking but true.
I'm blessed to have heard my grandpa and grandma occasionally, rarely but occasionally, speak to each other in their native Italian. For what it's worth, my Spanish was halfway decent when I got out of school, but has atrophied badly from lack of use. I recently tried to learn Italian, and have dabbled with learning French in the past. At 62 I am finding learning a foreign language much more difficult than I did the Spanish in school, harder even than learning French when I was in my forties. In a perfect world I'd love to speak fluent Spanish, French, Italian and even Portuguese. The big hurdle at this point in life is not having anyone to practice with. That's not a rejection of the U.S.A., our culture or anything like that.
I think I liked it better when people were arguing over "too much booty" and "too much sexy".
Have a great day, friends! God bless.
What I didn't expect to see this morning was controversy over the fact there was singing in Spanish. I am as big a critic, or should I say an opponent, of illegal immigration as anyone you're going to meet. But if seeing two beautiful worldwide stars like Jennifer Lopez and Shakira do a show partly in English and partly in Spanish rankles you, I think it's time to step back and reassess. For far too many of us, probably even for someone reading this, that frustration is a combination of two things: a total lack of self-awareness and of bigotry. They've allowed any instance of anyone speaking a language other than English here in the States to be associated with rejection of U.S. culture and a refusal to assimilate. And they don't recognize it as a form of bigotry, but rather what they're hearing when someone sings in Spanish, or talks Greek in a diner, or whatever, is someone who thinks speaking English is beneath them or something like that. It's not always that, friends. And shockingly, folks, some immigrants learn English before or after they come here and still enjoy entertainment like last night in their native tongue. Shocking but true.
I'm blessed to have heard my grandpa and grandma occasionally, rarely but occasionally, speak to each other in their native Italian. For what it's worth, my Spanish was halfway decent when I got out of school, but has atrophied badly from lack of use. I recently tried to learn Italian, and have dabbled with learning French in the past. At 62 I am finding learning a foreign language much more difficult than I did the Spanish in school, harder even than learning French when I was in my forties. In a perfect world I'd love to speak fluent Spanish, French, Italian and even Portuguese. The big hurdle at this point in life is not having anyone to practice with. That's not a rejection of the U.S.A., our culture or anything like that.
I think I liked it better when people were arguing over "too much booty" and "too much sexy".
Have a great day, friends! God bless.
Saturday, February 1, 2020
My 5 Most Influential Vinyl Albums
This thing is going around on Facebook, where people list 10 albums, presumably from the vinyl album era. They're supposed to be the ones that had the biggest influence or impact on them. I've messed around with playing, but haven't followed the rules of listing one per day, and of nominating one friend to list their 10 albums, one per day and telling them to nominate a different friend each day. It's sort of a Facebook chain letter of music. I thought it might be fun to explore it here. I'm only going to list 5, because these five are the ones that were the gateway to the soundtrack of my life. The 5 I'll list won't be the first 5, the best 5, or even my favorite 5. I'll try to list the 5 that, looking back after all these years, in some cases 50 plus, and in all cases no less than 40 years ago. So, without further adieu, here they are, in no strict order.
1. "Cosmo's Factory" - Creedence Clearwater Revival. This record is the first album I remember getting that made me think I'd found my favorite band. A that point in my life I hadn't ever thought about the songs with any insight into where the tune came from, or was it blues, or country, or soul, or folk. But when I listened to Cosmo's Factory, I just knew that I liked it. A handful of the songs, most notably "Travelin' Band", "Lookin' Out My Back Door", and "Who'll Stop the Rain", became radio staples, with WABC AM in New York City playing each again and again in their Top 40 rotation. And those songs hooked my into that album, and that album, which also featured Creedence's great covers of "Before You Accuse Me", "My Baby Left Me," and "I heard It Through the Grapevine" among its 11 tracks, made Creedence my first favorite band, and still today, they're one of the bands I like to listen to most while driving, or cycling, or messing around washing my truck or cleaning up the garage. At this juncture, "Bayou Country" is, and has long been, my favorite Creedence album, but "Cosmo's Factory" was the one that got me first.
Before You Accuse Me
2. "Get Yer Ya Ya's Out" - The Rolling Stones. I love the Stones. My musical taste has really grown into their music over the years. And of all the different time periods and Stones lineups, the years when Mick Taylor played lead guitar has always been my favorite. Get Yer Ya Ya's Out starts with a really rocking "Jumping Jack Flash", which starts with the Stones' intro at venue after venue recorded during their 1969 U.S. tour. "The greatest rock and roll band in the world, welcome The Rolling Stones!...The Rolling Stones... Welcome the Rolling Stones." And they crank into it. They do some straight blues, "Midnight Rambler", a couple of awesome Chuck Berry covers, "Carol" and "Little Queenie. "Stray Cat Blues" and "Sympathy for the Devil" are my favorite two tracks on the single disc live album. I've probably listened to "Get Yer Ya Ya's Out" more than any other album not recorded by the Allman Brothers Band or the Grateful Dead.
Sympathy for the Devil from Ya Yas
3. "Live at Fillmore East" - The Allman Brothers Band. I still remember the first time I saw the Allman Brothers on television. It was probably late 1972. It was recorded after my guitar idol Duane Allman died in a motorcycle crash in Macon in October of 1971, but before Berry Oakley, the band's original bassist died in an eerily similar accident in November of 1972. I don't remember if it aired in late 1972 or early 1973, but I took note. Their music interested me. Then in the spring of 19973 they released a studio album called Brothers and Sisters, which was the gateway for my interest in the 'Brothers'. And I'm pretty sure my brother Mike and I got the Eat a Peach album, which was ecorded before Brothers and Sisters next. But it was the album Allman Brothers fans just call "The Fillmore Album" that changed my musical taste and interest for the rest of my life. It was blues, almost jazz, long guitar solos, and deep, soulful songs from deep within a tortured soul that touched mine directly. From it's opening "Statesboro Blues", all the way to a 22 minute "Whipping Post", every note, every sound, every soulful refrain sung by Gregg seemed to have been played and sung directly at and to me. It is the album against which all others are measured for me. I don't know how many hundreds of times I've listened to it, but it can still give me goose bumps, given the right mood and the right level of concentration. Did I mention "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed" and "stormy Monday"? "You Don't Love Me"? I did now. I love this record. I really do.
The 1972 TV Show
4. "On the Border" - The Eagles. The Long Run is my favorite Eagles album, and Greatest Hits is the one I'm most likely to listen to. But when I think of the vinyl record era, something I always think about is high school days, listening to music with my high school chum, Jimmy, may he rest in peace. We had a really special little circle of friends, and probably more so than anything, Jimmy and I liked to listen to music. We loved it. And of all the concerts we went to, all the radio we listened to while playing ping pong, what always comes to my most sentimental mind, is us listening to On The Border. He had a record player in his bedroom, and we'd sit there and listen to it and talk about the songs, songs in general, music, books we read, life, girls, and all the things 15, 16, and 17 year old kids talked about. And a lot of times, this album was on. Jimmy got it when it first came out. My favorites on it then were "Already Gone", "On the Border", and "James Dean". But "Ol' 55", a Tom Waits song, and "Best of my Love" are on there, too. Sure, there are other albums I like a lot more. There are even other Eagles albums I like a lot more. But sentimentally, because of the time in my life, was a difference maker for me.
James Dean
5. "Europe '72" - The Grateful Dead. I remember one day after school in 1973, I ran into my old friend Rich Procassini on my way out of school. I remember telling him this and that about the Allman Brothers, with whom I was fully and totally obsessed at the time. Rich said he had something I had to hear, the Dead's Europe '72 album. I was a little familiar with the Dead, but not much. My cousins Bill and Peter had the American Beauty album and I'd heard it a couple of times. But up till then I hadn't heard any of the Grateful Dead's live stuff. Europe '72 was a three record set. It had a mix of rock songs, some country sounding stuff, blues, folk, and psychedelia. It is a record that had something for everyone. Europe '72 was really my gateway into the Grateful Dead's music. "Brown Eyed Women", "Tennessee Jed", "He's Gone", "One More Saturday Night", "Morning Dew", "China Cat Sunflower" into "I Know You Rider" are all all time favorite of mine. This album is etched in my brain. The lineup on this album was my favorite, with Keith Godchaux on keyboards, and Ron "Pigpen" McKernan on organ and harmonica. Pigpen died shortly after this was recorded, sometime shortly before Rich turned me onto it. There are a handful of records that can give me those goosebumps. This is one of them.
Brown Eyed Women
I may go ahead and list my other five records, to make it 10 sometime, but these 5 are where my 10 have to start.
Have a nice evening, friends! God bless.
1. "Cosmo's Factory" - Creedence Clearwater Revival. This record is the first album I remember getting that made me think I'd found my favorite band. A that point in my life I hadn't ever thought about the songs with any insight into where the tune came from, or was it blues, or country, or soul, or folk. But when I listened to Cosmo's Factory, I just knew that I liked it. A handful of the songs, most notably "Travelin' Band", "Lookin' Out My Back Door", and "Who'll Stop the Rain", became radio staples, with WABC AM in New York City playing each again and again in their Top 40 rotation. And those songs hooked my into that album, and that album, which also featured Creedence's great covers of "Before You Accuse Me", "My Baby Left Me," and "I heard It Through the Grapevine" among its 11 tracks, made Creedence my first favorite band, and still today, they're one of the bands I like to listen to most while driving, or cycling, or messing around washing my truck or cleaning up the garage. At this juncture, "Bayou Country" is, and has long been, my favorite Creedence album, but "Cosmo's Factory" was the one that got me first.
Before You Accuse Me
2. "Get Yer Ya Ya's Out" - The Rolling Stones. I love the Stones. My musical taste has really grown into their music over the years. And of all the different time periods and Stones lineups, the years when Mick Taylor played lead guitar has always been my favorite. Get Yer Ya Ya's Out starts with a really rocking "Jumping Jack Flash", which starts with the Stones' intro at venue after venue recorded during their 1969 U.S. tour. "The greatest rock and roll band in the world, welcome The Rolling Stones!...The Rolling Stones... Welcome the Rolling Stones." And they crank into it. They do some straight blues, "Midnight Rambler", a couple of awesome Chuck Berry covers, "Carol" and "Little Queenie. "Stray Cat Blues" and "Sympathy for the Devil" are my favorite two tracks on the single disc live album. I've probably listened to "Get Yer Ya Ya's Out" more than any other album not recorded by the Allman Brothers Band or the Grateful Dead.
Sympathy for the Devil from Ya Yas
3. "Live at Fillmore East" - The Allman Brothers Band. I still remember the first time I saw the Allman Brothers on television. It was probably late 1972. It was recorded after my guitar idol Duane Allman died in a motorcycle crash in Macon in October of 1971, but before Berry Oakley, the band's original bassist died in an eerily similar accident in November of 1972. I don't remember if it aired in late 1972 or early 1973, but I took note. Their music interested me. Then in the spring of 19973 they released a studio album called Brothers and Sisters, which was the gateway for my interest in the 'Brothers'. And I'm pretty sure my brother Mike and I got the Eat a Peach album, which was ecorded before Brothers and Sisters next. But it was the album Allman Brothers fans just call "The Fillmore Album" that changed my musical taste and interest for the rest of my life. It was blues, almost jazz, long guitar solos, and deep, soulful songs from deep within a tortured soul that touched mine directly. From it's opening "Statesboro Blues", all the way to a 22 minute "Whipping Post", every note, every sound, every soulful refrain sung by Gregg seemed to have been played and sung directly at and to me. It is the album against which all others are measured for me. I don't know how many hundreds of times I've listened to it, but it can still give me goose bumps, given the right mood and the right level of concentration. Did I mention "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed" and "stormy Monday"? "You Don't Love Me"? I did now. I love this record. I really do.
The 1972 TV Show
4. "On the Border" - The Eagles. The Long Run is my favorite Eagles album, and Greatest Hits is the one I'm most likely to listen to. But when I think of the vinyl record era, something I always think about is high school days, listening to music with my high school chum, Jimmy, may he rest in peace. We had a really special little circle of friends, and probably more so than anything, Jimmy and I liked to listen to music. We loved it. And of all the concerts we went to, all the radio we listened to while playing ping pong, what always comes to my most sentimental mind, is us listening to On The Border. He had a record player in his bedroom, and we'd sit there and listen to it and talk about the songs, songs in general, music, books we read, life, girls, and all the things 15, 16, and 17 year old kids talked about. And a lot of times, this album was on. Jimmy got it when it first came out. My favorites on it then were "Already Gone", "On the Border", and "James Dean". But "Ol' 55", a Tom Waits song, and "Best of my Love" are on there, too. Sure, there are other albums I like a lot more. There are even other Eagles albums I like a lot more. But sentimentally, because of the time in my life, was a difference maker for me.
James Dean
5. "Europe '72" - The Grateful Dead. I remember one day after school in 1973, I ran into my old friend Rich Procassini on my way out of school. I remember telling him this and that about the Allman Brothers, with whom I was fully and totally obsessed at the time. Rich said he had something I had to hear, the Dead's Europe '72 album. I was a little familiar with the Dead, but not much. My cousins Bill and Peter had the American Beauty album and I'd heard it a couple of times. But up till then I hadn't heard any of the Grateful Dead's live stuff. Europe '72 was a three record set. It had a mix of rock songs, some country sounding stuff, blues, folk, and psychedelia. It is a record that had something for everyone. Europe '72 was really my gateway into the Grateful Dead's music. "Brown Eyed Women", "Tennessee Jed", "He's Gone", "One More Saturday Night", "Morning Dew", "China Cat Sunflower" into "I Know You Rider" are all all time favorite of mine. This album is etched in my brain. The lineup on this album was my favorite, with Keith Godchaux on keyboards, and Ron "Pigpen" McKernan on organ and harmonica. Pigpen died shortly after this was recorded, sometime shortly before Rich turned me onto it. There are a handful of records that can give me those goosebumps. This is one of them.
Brown Eyed Women
I may go ahead and list my other five records, to make it 10 sometime, but these 5 are where my 10 have to start.
Have a nice evening, friends! God bless.
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