Angels in the architecture

A man walks down the street

It's a street in a strange world
Maybe it's the Third World
Maybe it's his first time around
He doesn't speak the language
He holds no currency
He is a foreign man
He is surrounded by the sound
The sound
Cattle in the marketplace
Scatterlings and orphanages
He looks around, around
He sees angels in the architecture
Spinning in infinity
He says Amen! and Hallelujah!

~ Paul Simon

Calling BS on the AP's Fred Thompson story

An uncredited AP story about Fred Thompson's appearance on Leno is what some would term "a big wet kiss" for Thompson's campaign as it wraps a bunch of nothing around the campaign's main talking point: Thompson is a Washington outsider. Think this was forwarded with any subtly? See for yourself:

If he runs, it will be as a Washington outsider.

If Thompson runs it will be as the biggest phony and sham candidate our nation has ever experienced (and that's saying something). Thompson is the consummate Washington insider. He was in the Senate for eight years and prior to that, Fred Thompson was a Washington lobbyist for 18 years!

Here's a bonus quote from Thompson in this ridiculous story with a small edit -- see if you can find it:

"I'm at a stage of my life now when I think about my country, I think about the kind of country my wife and kids are going to grow up in," he said.

Quotable - Fred Thompson's sexiness and smells

"Republicans have long tried to exploit masculinity images and depict Democrats and liberals as effeminate and therefore weak. That is not new. But what is new is how explicit and upfront and unabashed this all is now. And what is most striking about it is that -- literally in almost every case -- the most vocal crusaders for Hard-Core Traditional Masculinity, the Virtues of Machismo, are the ones who so plainly lack those qualities on every level."

~ Glenn Greenwald, Chris Matthews on Fred Thompson's sexiness and smells

Say, that's funny

"They say it's just a matter of time before former senator and Law & Order actor Fred Thompson gets into the Republican race. Apparently, 10 rich white guys doesn't offer enough choices to the voters. They need 11 rich white guys." - Jay Leno

"There are 10 Republican candidates...There are now, I think, more Republican candidates than there are Republican voters remaining." - Jimmy Kimmel

"The 2008 election campaign is just flying by. It is hard to believe that there are just 517 more days before Fred Thompson has to make up his mind." - Stephen Colbert

About that blues festival

Not much time but wanted to give my impressions of the Coloma blues event last Sat down by the America River. The event itself: very well organized. Although the organizers have no control over this, the weather was great (guess it was really hot last year). The organizers could make improvements for next year by having more food and beverage choices, a better sound system (the sound was sorta drifty back where we were) and make it start later say around 3 pm and close at 7 pm.

Ok, on to the music. Everyone was terrific. Highlights for me were Albert Cummings' tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughn that morphed into a tribute to Stevie's guitar hero, Jimi Hendrix. Fantastic! And, the other highlight was at the close of the show when Rick Estrin (Little Charlie and the Nightcats) joined Kim Wilson of the Fabulous Thunderbirds. Some hot harmonica playing ensued. Impossible not to dance. In all, good event for a good cause -- supporting the arts in El Dorado County.

Here's some Rick Estrin:

Who knew?

Get Your Sexy Name

via angie

Tonight will be fine

Amazing cover by Teddy Thompson of Leonard Cohen's Tonight Will Be Fine.

Beautiful, no?

Mission Conception in San Antonio, TX

There was a wedding taking place and the white note on the door reminded people to close the door behind them as the air conditioner was in use. Click on the image to view it larger.

Quotable - if you're not outraged

"...if I actually spent my days actively paying attention to every example of misogyny around me, I would be a profoundly unhappy woman. Like, not just bitchy or grumpy, but paralyzingly depressed. I would guess that most women, even feminists, probably have to go out of their way to avoid consciously reacting to every bit of misogyny, or they would go quite insane."

~ Melissa McEwan, Teen Rape: Hilarious!

Note to Cindy Sheehan

Cindy,

Your work to end the war in Iraq has not been in vain. Unfortunately, you emerged as a lightening rod for all kinds of people in the political stew. Your decision to step back from it all seems like a healthy one. I want you to know that I've admired your courage and am appreciative of willingness to speak out (as is your right in our country) despite the nastiness of the criticism you've received and the inevitable betrayal from some you considered friends. May you find inner peace and a new path to blaze that offers support and healing.

From Cindy's resignation statement:

I have invested everything I have into trying to bring peace with justice to a country that wants neither. If an individual wants both, then normally he/she is not willing to do more than walk in a protest march or sit behind his/her computer criticizing others. I have spent every available cent I got from the money a "grateful" country gave me when they killed my son and every penny that I have received in speaking or book fees since then. I have sacrificed a 29 year marriage and have traveled for extended periods of time away from Casey’s brother and sisters and my health has suffered and my hospital bills from last summer (when I almost died) are in collection because I have used all my energy trying to stop this country from slaughtering innocent human beings. I have been called every despicable name that small minds can think of and have had my life threatened many times.

Blame Sally at the Coz on Friday

Blame Sally

"Dallas has its Dixie Chicks, and San Francisco has Blame Sally," the difference being, among other things, that Blame Sally's music is a little more indie, a little less country and
a little more brainy.

I've been waiting for this band to play at the Cozmic Cafe and their show is now less than a week away!

Watch the Sally's video for "If You Tell A Lie" here. It's been in the top ten videos on Neil Young's Living with War website for a long time.

Got blues?

Guitar at Guero's in Austin

Going to an all day blues show today. Albert Cummings, Sista Monica Parker, Coco Montoya, Mick Martin & the Blue Rockers and The Fabulous Thunderbirds!

Blue Moon in San Antonio

Taken from the observation deck of the Drury Hotel in downtown San Antonio, TX. It was a gorgeous night with incredible food and a stroll along the river walk.

The Dream Cafe

Heat lightning in the mirror, and the thunder cries out loud.
I can be to you-- you could be to me,
just another face in the crowd.
The plane don't leave 'til midnight-- come with me today.
They'll be plenty of time to be alone, at The Dream Cafe.
~ Greg Brown, The Dream Cafe

Fred Thompson's Bogus Red Truck & Our Bogus News Media

We now have an iconic symbol for everything that is wrong with political reporting from mainstream corporate media sources: Fred Thompson's red Chevy truck.

So when longtime lobbyist and Hollywood actor Fred Thompson -- a man who once rented a red pickup truck in order to campaign in Tennessee as a man of the people -- indicated this week that he would seek the Republican presidential nomination, we knew how the media would describe him: Authentic. Folksy. (read more)

Here's a prime example of the troubling vapid 'reporting' that passes for political journalism (Newsweek) "The Sign of the Red Truck."

The way things are going, Fred Thompson, the Rorschach candidate is certain to be declared the victor in the second GOP debate on Tuesday. He won't be there but his truck will.