May 042023
 

Glenn Kirschner’s recap for April would have sppeared today. I was able to find a substitute.
Talking Feds with Harry Litman – BRAND NEW Trump Criminal Probes are Beginning ACROSS the Country

Sen. Whitehouse Delivers Opening Statement at Judiciary Cmte Hearing on Supreme Court Ethics Reform+

MSNBC – Democrats have a ‘legislative secret agent’ to fight GOP on debt ceiling crisis

Farron Balanced – Fox Feared Release Of Disgusting Tucker Carlson Texts So They Fired Him

Parody Project – A DAY IN THE LIFE (of a Swindler)

Tiny Shivering Kitten Gets Huge And Floofy

Beau – Let’s talk about understanding term polling….

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Apr 302023
 

Glenn Kirschner – In closing arguments, Proud Boys BLAME DONALD TRUMP for the Jan. 6 attack on the US Capitol

Thom Hartmann – Distressing Truth Scientists Don’t Want To Tell You

Farron Balanced – Donald Trump Gives Jim Jordan The WORST Compliment A Politician Could Get

Parody Project – CALLOUS MAN – A Parody of Piano Man

Hissing Feral Cat Becomes A Couch Potato

Beau – Let’s talk about true propaganda….

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Apr 302023
 

Yesterday, the radio opera was “Peter Grimes” by Benjamin Britten. It’s based on a poem by George Crabbe (1754-1832) called “The Borough.” It is also one of two operas I would never take Virgil to or even let him liisten to, despite the fact that he learned to love opera almost as much as I do – and not just the ones considered easy to like, but also some baroque and 20th/21st century stuff (“Tea: A Mirror of Soul” composed in 2002 by Tan Dun is probably his all time favorite). Rather, it’s because they contain or allude to conduct which could be abusive directed at a young boy. The other is “Amahl and the Night Visitors” – such a sweet opera, if you can only get around that one thing. Certainly, if there is a villain in either one, it is intended to be society (that’s more explicit in “Peter Grimes” but also I think true of “Amahl.”) Peter is a fisherman, and is an outsider, and “an ordinary, weak person who, being at odds with the society in which he finds himself, tries to overcome it and, in doing so, offends against the conventional code,” as described by the tenor who originated the role. He’s intended to be sympthetic. But – there are those dead apprentices. People who don’t know opera may still be a little familiar with this one through Brtitten’s “Four Sea Interludes,” orchestral peces which describe some of the many moods if the ocean. The title tenor role is sufficiently demanding, both vocally and dramatically, that many who play it are known as Wagnerian “heldentonors.” The tenor today is British, and a Britten specialist, and is certainly built lke a heldentenor (of course there are exceptions.) He’s little known outside of the UK (which I predict will change) but has won numerous awards there.

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Short Takes –

Daily Beast – Pro-War Russians Duped Into Torching Kremlin Military Offices
Quote – Throughout Russia’s war against Ukraine, baffling reports of Russian pensioners trying to set military enlistment offices on fire have emerged with amusing frequency. But they’re not what you may think. Seen at first glance by some as brave protests against the war, the string of bizarre arsons have actually been part of a now widespread scheme in which scammers convince the confused pensioners they’re on a secret mission to help the war effort.
Click through for story. Our MAGAt problem is so obvious, and so severe, that it’s easy to forget that these people are not confined to the United States. They are all over the world.

The Project on Government Oversight, in the person of its President, Danielle Brian, testified before the Senate Armed SErvices Committee last week. Being on their mailinglst I received an email afterwards, including links to the testimony itself.
Quote (from email) – The testimony was especially topical as it was reported just this week that the former director of the National Security Agency took on a $700,000 contract as a cybersecurity adviser for Saudi Arabia, a nation notorious for its human-rights violations. With close to 700 former high-ranking government officials now working for major defense contractors and over 500 former servicemembers working for foreign interests, closing the lucrative revolving door and pipeline is a matter of utmost urgency.
You can click through to the video of the event (the hearing begins between 17:30 and 17:40 with ELizabeth Warren. At 27:32 Rick Scott starts speaking. At 32:17 Wilkerson’s testimony begins. At 37:23 Brian begins. I’m afraid I didn’t follow past that, so there may be some back and forth). Alternatively, you can access the written testimony as presented to the comittee, or the transcript on the POGO site (they have the same content but the POGO page has larger type and more visual spacing.) The problems addressed are of long standing, It’s good that they are being discussed at this level.

Food For Thought

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Apr 162023
 

Yesterday, the radio opera was “Der Rosenkavalier,” by Richard Strauss. The hosts described it as a “poignant comefy,” which is probably as good a description as any. It’s very long, and the plot is too convoluted to try to summarize, even leaving out all the “life is what happens while you are making other plans” distractions (and there are many). But I can say that it involves a young man who is having an affair with an older woman, and also an older man (with little if any class) wanting to marry a young girl,”fresh from the convent.” I cannot think of another opera – or book, or play, or mavie, or anything – where the oler woman is not the butt of the comedy, but is presented with dignity,while the older man is comedically taken to the cleaners. It’s no wonder that divas are drawn to this role – as one host said, “She’s really the only adult in the story.” When I think this was written in 1911, by a male librettist and a male composer, I’m just in awe. At the same time, I am deeply impressed by the sheer number of women conductors the Met is featuring thos season. There have been a few women conductors in previous seasons – usually when the opera’s composer has pushed for it. Philip Glass, for example, is adamant that Karen Kamensik is the best conductor of his work ever. And another contemporary opera, “L’Amour de Loin,” was conducted by a woman insisted on by the composer. But this season, it just seems there’s a different woman conductor like every other week. And it hasn’t really been that long since an orchestral musician (IIRC in Vienna) told JoAnn Falletta that he wished he had died before being conducted by a woman. Opera has always given me joy, but what is happening now in the genre is adding to that exponentially.

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Short Takes –

The 19th – Houston public schools have a diverse, nearly all-women school board. A state takeover would oust them from office.
Quote – News that the state plans to install a board of managers to run Houston public schools has been met with public outcry, protests and legal complaints. Some are concerned that the school board appointees who will replace the trustees voters elected won’t represent the interests of the school district’s racially diverse constituents. Morath was put into place by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, who has backed school vouchers, book bans, restrictions on diversity, equity and inclusion in hiring and other policies critics say undermine public education.
Click through for story. If Texas had a rational Governor (and legislature), I would be able to see both sides of this. But no, it is infested with Republicans. I suspect the 19th is viewing this from the same angle from which I am.

The Daily Beast – Expelled Tennessee Rep’s Friend Was Shot Dead—Then Set Ablaze
Quote – On Pearson’s second day in office, the whole world focused on horrific video released by the Memphis police showing multiple officers fatally beating Tyre Nichols. Pearson was a leading voice in the ensuing protests, but he did not forget [Larry] Thorn. He still took time to check on [Thorn’s mother, Lavonda] Henderson. And he joined the family and other friends who gathered in late March at the boarded-up church where the burnt body had been found, cellphone and wallet gone, car parked two blocks away. “He has been really there, really there,” Henderson said of Pearson. “It’s amazing.”
Click through for background. It’s not really necessary to have personal experience with gun death to be emotionally involved in wanting gun reform. But how much more emotinally involved one would be with personal experience than without it. Even once – let alone twice within a few months.

Food For Thought

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Apr 112023
 

Glenn Kirschner – As defendant Trump’s threats to judge & DA continue, it’s time for the judge to order him to STOP!

Thom Hartmann – Frightening Truth About GOP’s Fascist Descent Exposed

Ring of Fire – Trump Holds Emergency Prayer Call Following Arraignment

Twitter – Justin Jones and Joan Baez singing “We Shall Overcome” at the airport together

Terrified Puppy Completely Transforms When She Meets Another Dog

Beau – Let’s talk about the GOP in North Carolina and Tennessee….

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Apr 082023
 

Glenn Kirschner – In Hannity interview, defendant Trump admits to obstruction of justice, reveals his motive

Ring of Fire – Fox News Makes Terrible Decision To Let Hosts Testify At Dominion Trial

Robert Reich – Debunking Criticisms of Donald Trump’s Indictment

Patrick Fitzgerald – The Song of Alvin Bragg

Woman Moves Feral Cat Into Her Bathroom

Beau – Let’s talk about McCarthy, budgets, and the debt ceiling….

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Apr 062023
 

I don’t know for sure whether Glenn skipped a day… but he was very , very late, and the monthly review is coming up, so I thought I’d just use ths today.
Steve Schmidt reacts to Trump’s remarks after pleading not guilty to 34 felony charges

CNN – SE Cupp says ‘no one should care’ about GOP outrage over Trump indictment

Thom Hartmann – Fascists Ban First Graders From Singing Dolly Parton & Miley Cyrus song?

Randy Rainbow – Grumpy Trumpy Felon from Jamaica in Queens! (Seeing as how the song on which this is based is older than I am, I’ll share the title: “The Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Company B”)

Couple Buys A Farmhouse That Came With 16 Cats

Beau – Let’s talk about Russia, North Korea, and missteps…

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Apr 052023
 

Glenn Kirschner – Will judge impose gag order to stop defendant Trump’s lies, threats & inciting imminent lawlessness?

MSNBC – SCOTUS under new ethics rule thanks to Sen. Whitehouse

Ring of Fire – Elise Stefanik Promised Trump That House GOP Would Handle Alvin Bragg (I’m with Farron)

Six13 – The Prince of Egypt (for Passover CE 2023)

Pittie Is Obsessed With Her New Cinderella Carriage

Beau – Let’s talk about Trump, political reactions, and personal opinions….

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