The music world owes a great debt to the Christian Church. For several hundred years the Church has been a huge supporter and inspiration for music and it’s composers. For example, Johann Sebastian Bach who wrote the famed Toccata and Fugue in D minor (featured here) among almost a thousand other compositions. His entire life he served as organist and Choir Director for about 8 … [Read more...] about GREAT MUSIC – Chapter 49
Republicans, in Thrall to Dear Leader, Dig a Deeper Bunker
By Dick Polman We dare not contemplate what the Washington Republicans would say if Donald Trump were to actually shoot someone in the middle of Fifth Avenue. In the wake of the impeachment inquiry, formally announced on Tuesday by Nancy Pelosi, Republicans still don't think their leader has done anything wrong. Yet here's the gist of what we already know: Trump, in the … [Read more...] about Republicans, in Thrall to Dear Leader, Dig a Deeper Bunker
Founders: Removal from office is not the only purpose of impeachment
Benjamin Franklin was a leading voice in the debates framing the Constitution. Howard Chandler Christy/Architect of the Capitol Clark D. Cunningham, Georgia State University As Congress moves toward a possible formal impeachment of President Donald Trump, they should consider words spoken at the Constitutional Convention, when the Founders explained … [Read more...] about Founders: Removal from office is not the only purpose of impeachment
Trump’s violation of the law is as clear as if he shot somebody on Fifth Avenue
(1) a foreign national, directly or indirectly, to make- (A) a contribution or donation of money or other thing of value, or to make an express or implied promise to make a contribution or donation, in connection with a Federal, State, or local election ... (2) a person to solicit, accept, or receive a contribution or donation described in subparagraph (A) ... of … [Read more...] about Trump’s violation of the law is as clear as if he shot somebody on Fifth Avenue
Abbey Road at 50
ABBEY ROAD turned 50 today, and Apple celebrated with a remixed release. First, the music is as fresh and interesting now as it was in 1969, imo. The instruments have been rebalanced. The drums are a bit more prominent. The bass is always audible - and the bass lines are great. The guitar work is sensational. The voices are clean and as vivid as ever. The best part as usual is … [Read more...] about Abbey Road at 50
Whistleblower feared White House effort to hide evidence of Trump’s contacts with Ukraine
Whether it ends in conviction in the House of Representatives or not, impeachment is now on. The release of the whistlebower's complaint and the intelligence chief's appearing at a Congressional hearing about it have now created a snowball effect. The whistleblower's complaint has been jarring to Democrats and to some Republicans, but partisan lines are not greatly blurred … [Read more...] about Whistleblower feared White House effort to hide evidence of Trump’s contacts with Ukraine
Trump and Nixon (Cartoon)
Austin’s Famous ‘Signs of the Times’
Many of us, during our travels across town or across country, have seen those sometimes hilarious, sometimes irreverent, but always interesting messages spelled out on marquee signs in front of businesses, restaurants, even churches. They have made most of us smile, some of us frown and one or two of us just plain mad. But while many of those messages remain boringly … [Read more...] about Austin’s Famous ‘Signs of the Times’
R.I.P. Classic Ventriloquist Jimmy Nelson, 90
EDITOR'S NOTE: Tonight marks the passing of someone who was an icon to baby boomers and to those who do what he did or aspire to do what he did. Someone who was long considered the the best -- and nicest -- in the business. Even if you didn't see him perform on TV or in his famous Nestles commericials, here's a story about a remarkable, talented and sincere person who proved … [Read more...] about R.I.P. Classic Ventriloquist Jimmy Nelson, 90
BREAKING: Pelosi announces House impeachment inquiry into Trump
It is happening. In a dramatic shift in her previous position, House Speaker has announced that due to recent disclosures about President Donald Trump -- and his cumulative record -- the House will be opening a formal impeachment inquiry into Trump. Here's the video of her statement: The Washington Post: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Tuesday announced a formal … [Read more...] about BREAKING: Pelosi announces House impeachment inquiry into Trump
Impeachment Calls Snowballing: Civil Rights Icon John Lewis’ Fiery Speech (FULL VIDEO)
Civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis has been considered someone to watch on impeachment. He has now called for the impeachment of President Donald Trump in this rousing speech: Esquire has posted parts of his speech: Today, I come with a heavy heart, deeply concerned about the future of our democracy. And I'm not alone. People approach me everywhere I go, whether … [Read more...] about Impeachment Calls Snowballing: Civil Rights Icon John Lewis’ Fiery Speech (FULL VIDEO)
Great Music: TWO STORIES
Story One Our own Joe Gandelman put this wonderful quote and image he found on Facebook on his Facebook page and it really grabbed my attention. While normally I write about music these two stories both involve music related issues. First a bit of personal background, I had polio when I was 2 years old in the epidemic of 1946. From 10 months in an Iron Lung to 3073 days in … [Read more...] about Great Music: TWO STORIES
If Trump Could Take his Sharpie to the U.S. Constitution
Many say that the man in the White House has “shredded the U.S. Constitution.” I beg to differ. I do not believe the stable genius in the Oval Office has the skills to operate a shredder. If he tried, he would probably get his mile-long tie caught in the mechanism with disastrous consequnces. But Trump does a have a magic Sharpie that he has used extremely well, … [Read more...] about If Trump Could Take his Sharpie to the U.S. Constitution
GRETA (Cartoon and Column)
Greta Thunberg is a climate activist from Sweden. A survey claimed she was the most important woman in Sweden in 2019. She has received the German Goldene Kamera Special Climate Protection Award, the Prix Liberté which she accepted in Caen, the Norwegian Fritt Ord Prize, University of St. Andrews’ Laudato Si’ Prize in Chile, Amnesty International’s Ambassador of Conscience … [Read more...] about GRETA (Cartoon and Column)
Trump’s Impeachment Is Now Urgent
So this Tweet seems to have struck a chord. I think the impeachment calculus has changed since this Ukraine/whistleblower story came out. Refusal to impeach Trump because the “Senate will acquit him anyway” is the same logic as McConnell refusing to put bills up for a vote “because the President won’t sign it.” It’s an abdication of Constitutional responsibility.— … [Read more...] about Trump’s Impeachment Is Now Urgent
Is anybody dumb enough to believe Trump would say something inappropriate?
WASHINGTON -- President Trump offered a curious defense against a whistleblower's reported allegation that he made a troubling "promise" on a call with a foreign leader. "Is anybody dumb enough to believe that I would say something inappropriate with a foreign leader while on such a potentially 'heavily populated' call," he asked. Why, yes. Yes, I am dumb enough to … [Read more...] about Is anybody dumb enough to believe Trump would say something inappropriate?
QUISLING
"All is for the best in the best of all possible worlds". Professor Pangloss in Candide - Voltaire Donald Trump and his regime have been scrutinized and satirized from every possible angle imaginable – as the apotheosis of Reaganism, to the hopes that Trump will become more presidential, a modern-day Candide - while featuring the smirky Bill Kristol and a befuddled … [Read more...] about QUISLING
Why Should Trump Change?
There was a time right after Trump was elected when many Americans thought that Trump would change. They believed the presidency would have a positive effect on him and make him more compassionate, less inclined to lie and less likely to employ criminal schemes to get his way. In other words, he would act more presidential. Americans did not realize that his narcissistic … [Read more...] about Why Should Trump Change?
‘The Goldfinch’ Leaves Much to Be Desired
A favorite among readers and widely regarded as a literary work of art, the Pulitzer Prize-winning book The Goldfinch is a novel that was published only six years ago. For this nearly eight hundred page story to be turned around so quickly and made into a feature film seemed an ambitious task and, as a result, the screen adaptation finds itself lost in translation. The … [Read more...] about ‘The Goldfinch’ Leaves Much to Be Desired
Trump’s Latest Scandal: The Headlines Say It All
It is true. We don’t know yet if Trump specifically threatened to withhold $250 million in military aid from the Ukraine -- much-needed in their struggle against Russian aggression – to leverage the Ukraine government into digging up dirt on the person who most likely will be his political opponent in the upcoming election But what is known, according to many sources, … [Read more...] about Trump’s Latest Scandal: The Headlines Say It All