With all the talk of income inequality and diminishing life chances for more and more Americans, this song came to mind. "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?" was written in 1930 by lyricist E.Y. "Yip" Harburg and composer Jay Gorney. It was featured in the 1932 musical "New Americana," a broadway show that failed. Incredibly, the song almost didn't make it to the stage or radio … [Read more...] about Bing Crosby: “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?” (1932)
A southern daughter on cultural touchstones and social warts
Two months ago, I phoned my husband while driving through southwest Georgia's red clay fields and tree-lined hills. "Remind me why I don't want to live here," I choked, eyes watered. "I mean, I know I don't want to live here, but the pull of the land..." I couldn't continue. "Why, land is the only thing in the world worth workin’ for, worth fightin’ for, worth dyin’ for, … [Read more...] about A southern daughter on cultural touchstones and social warts
Former Clinton Adviser Predicts Bernie Sanders Will Beat Hillary Clinton
Bill Curry, a former counselor to Bill Clinton, predicts that,Hillary Clinton is going to lose: She doesn’t even see the frustrated progressive wave that will nominate Bernie Sanders. He initially looked at how Clinton avoided answering questions about her position on TPP, but then looked at her overall campaign. Besides economics, Curry discussed another major weakness for … [Read more...] about Former Clinton Adviser Predicts Bernie Sanders Will Beat Hillary Clinton
Heritage and Hate
https://politicalgraffiti.wordpress.com/2015/06/23/heritage-of-hate/ Copyright 2015 David Donar. All rights reserved.Copyright Donar, Political Graffiti … [Read more...] about Heritage and Hate
Analysis: Haley takes Republicans off the hook with flag decision
WASHINGTON — The Republican presidential candidates who refused to take a stand on the Confederate flag are off the hook. Even as the website of accused murderer Dylann Roof, the white gunman charged with killing nine black churchgoers last week, showed him embracing the flag, several Republican candidates insisted over the weekend it was South Carolina's… … [Read more...] about Analysis: Haley takes Republicans off the hook with flag decision
Death in Charleston: a Moderately Speculative Postmortem
The pale young man with the bowl haircut had driven to Charleston, South Carolina, alone and armed, with a singleness of purpose. There, in the centuries-old port city with its graceful antebellum townhouses and slender church spires, he would attempt to make his mark, consummate his desires, fulfill his earthly purpose. He stepped inside the sanctuary of historic Emanuel … [Read more...] about Death in Charleston: a Moderately Speculative Postmortem
The Charleston Massacre: ‘While GOP Candidates Stammer…’
I do not often cut-and-paste large sections of articles from a leading newspaper. However, the facts that I am on travel and that an excellent article sometimes cannot/should not be paraphrased prompts me to quote parts of Anne Gearan’s “While GOP candidates stammer, Clinton directly confronts race,” in today’s Washington Post. First, Gearan laments that few of the … [Read more...] about The Charleston Massacre: ‘While GOP Candidates Stammer…’
Trump- An American Icon
Donald Trump's entry into the Republican presidential race is another indication of the sad state of America’s political system. As an American icon, he represents vanity and greed, and all the things that are bad about the nation. His main qualifications for office are his wealth and his fame, declaring that only someone “really rich” like himself will be able to turn America … [Read more...] about Trump- An American Icon
On Google’s White House and the Future of Technology Policy
That Obama’s White House has maintained close ties with Google over the years is hardly a secret. Our President is probably the biggest science and tech enthusiast to ever occupy the Oval Office—a distinction that has resulted in some more-or-less unprecedented forward strides in the realms of (for example) cybersecurity and biological research. However: while Google is … [Read more...] about On Google’s White House and the Future of Technology Policy
Reflections On Fifty Years Of The Grateful Dead: “Once In A While You Can Get Shown The Light In The Strangest Of Places If You Look At It Right’
Asked to name my all-time favorite Grateful Dead show, I typically respond, "Which year?" "No, which show?" "Okay, how about May 8, 1977 in Hamilton, New York?" "Howcum?" "Because it was just about perfect. The Dead had just finished recording the seminal Terrapin Station album and were unbelievably loose. They had been on a roll all spring with … [Read more...] about Reflections On Fifty Years Of The Grateful Dead: “Once In A While You Can Get Shown The Light In The Strangest Of Places If You Look At It Right’
The Revolution is Not Coming (At Least Not This Week)
Hasn't Bernie-mania been fun so far? Yes, in Colorado over the weekend Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders tore it up with a crowd of nearly 5,000 in Denver, his largest since announcing for the Democratic nomination in May. The 73-year-old Independent spoke for an hour and hit a nerve on economic issues as he advocated for an end to income inequality as well as a higher … [Read more...] about The Revolution is Not Coming (At Least Not This Week)
True Blue Americans See Red Over Displays Of Rebel Flag
Support For The Stars And Bars Flagging, Except in: Georgia, Mississippi, Arkansas, Florida, Alabama The View From The U.S. Virgin Islands By JOHN McCARTHY TMV Columnist One of the things to come out of the debate over what is wrong with South Carolina after nine African-American citizens were massacred Wednesday in an historically black church is the symbolism of the … [Read more...] about True Blue Americans See Red Over Displays Of Rebel Flag
It’s Not About The Flag, Idiots!!
It is not often I use this forum to lash out at folks on either side of the political spectrum; however, today I am compelled to lash out at everyone who is engaging in the ridiculous rhetoric that the removal of a piece of cloth is going to solve the racial injustice of South Carolina or any other person of color living in the United States of America. To set the record … [Read more...] about It’s Not About The Flag, Idiots!!
Take Down That Damn Secessionist Flag South Carolina!
A Schizephrenic Southern Splinter State The Confederate Flag Flies At Full Staff The View From The U.S. Virgin Islands By JOHN McCARTHY TMV Columnist There’s no denying it. South Carolina has a violent and racist past, with some tolerance mixed in. The mere name “South Carolina” – suggests that it broke away from a larger Carolina – and that would be true. The … [Read more...] about Take Down That Damn Secessionist Flag South Carolina!
Ben Carson criticizes other Republicans for not calling Charleston murders “racist”
It's not often I agree with Republican Presidential candidate Ben Carson. But he has bluntly called out the other Republicans running for President who refuse to call the murders of 9 people by a self-admitted racist who wanted to kill African-Americans "racist." He didn't mince words: Republican presidential candidate Dr. Ben Carson on Monday knocked some of the 2016 … [Read more...] about Ben Carson criticizes other Republicans for not calling Charleston murders “racist”
Middle Finger Emoji Can Get You Jail Time In UAE
The middle finger emoji can convey a lot of sentiments — you can use it to display anger and when goofing around. But if you're traveling abroad, then be wary of where and how you use emoji as the icon can potentially put you in jail. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has passed a new Cyber… … [Read more...] about Middle Finger Emoji Can Get You Jail Time In UAE
Charleston shooting: Leader of group cited in ‘Dylann Roof manifesto’ donated to top Republicans
Why is that conservative Republicans have been twisting themselves into political pretzels trying to avoid saying that the massacre by 9 innocents in a church in Charleston was racist when shooter Dylann Roof is clearly a self-avowed racist? That has been a lingering question. Now the Guardian reports that some key Republicans were getting campaign donations from the leader of … [Read more...] about Charleston shooting: Leader of group cited in ‘Dylann Roof manifesto’ donated to top Republicans
Republicans and Denial of Racism
It comes as little surprise that Dylaan Roof, the shooter in Charleston, had posted a racist manifesto and pictures with other racist symbols: Dylann Roof spat on and burned the American flag, but waved the Confederate. He posed for pictures wearing a No. 88 T-shirt, had 88 Facebook friends and wrote that number — white supremacist code for “Heil Hitler”— in the South … [Read more...] about Republicans and Denial of Racism
Esprit De Corp
After talking to a dear friend I served in the military with I started thinking - always a dangerous thing in my case. Yes, I'm going to get a bit philosophical on you and apologize in advance. There are times I feel sorry for those who never served in the military because there is nothing like the bonds that develop between individuals that serve together. My late father … [Read more...] about Esprit De Corp
Politix Update: All Bow Down To The Republican Doctrine Of Perpetual War. Yes, You.
I picked the morning paper off the floor / It was full of other people's little wars / Wouldn't they like their peace / Don't we get bored / And we call for the three great stimulants / Of the exhausted ones /Artifice brutality and innocence ~ JONI MITCHELL "The Three Great Stimulants" While no one would accuse presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary … [Read more...] about Politix Update: All Bow Down To The Republican Doctrine Of Perpetual War. Yes, You.