Archive for March, 2008
better
Heard the second song first the other day and liked the music and the message… life is too short not to speak your love, and speak it again. Then when looking for the video for “Tell Her Today”, I found this one. The video may be “better” than the song itself; it’s simple but it’s powerful and it sure is sweet. And with that all I can say is we all need that… someone to help make things better (maybe a free hug every now and then). Enjoy, have a beautiful evening and visit again soon for more new spring tunes (oh yes, and tees and Quarterly Causes too). Peace…
Music by Tom Baxter
Tell Her Today
frontline rocks
I had a plan to share some sweet music to start the week with today. That was until I spent the better part of this spring Sunday afternoon in front of the television. Out of character for me on any given Sunday, I’d heard about and then sat compelled by the latest segment of “Frontline” on PBS. Timed to coincide with the previously observed 5th anniversary of the US occupation in Iraq, there aren’t many surprises in Bush’s War, but many illuminations; interviews with key players, from intelligence agents to State Department staff to five-star generals; and insights to what was really playing out behind the scenes as the news was relayed to us through filtered lenses. In typical Frontline fashion, the segments (it’s a two-parter) are concise, compelling and in the case of this war entirely exasperating. Not exactly a carefree way to pass the time on a Sunday, but just because we don’t live in a war zone doesn’t make the atrocity of it go away, or make it any easier for those with loved ones far away fighting Bush’s War.
On March 24, BBC News posted an article entitled “American Interest in Iraq Slumps“. It’s neither easy nor desirable to consider the horrors of war in which our troops and the people of Iraq have been subjected to daily. I get to walk a spectacular stretch of coastline daily, and cannot help but be thankful for the freedom to do so and for the blessings to have been born here and not in an oppressive or impoverished state. I force myself to remember the violence and loss. It’s up to us to never forget that this administration has been the cause of more deaths than 9/11. It’s like salt in the wound that our nation has been so often deceived by the very leaders we’re meant to rely upon; the self-serving political agendas, the cover-ups, the pardons… The change cannot come too soon, and no, we will never forget.
Explore FRONTLINE’s full collection of reports from 9/11 to the present: Iraq and the War on Terror
Tune in tomorrow for some sweet stuff… and have a peaceful, blessed week.
the step and the walk
Seems that we’ve gotta get through the first one to accomplish the latter… for “without joy, joy, joy and the rain, I could feel forever the same…” and is it not through those things that bring smiles and tears and inspiration and energy, that we are able to change and grow and reach new heights? Hope you enjoy The Duke Spirit, and hope each step of your walk through this week, downhill or up, is an inspiration.
and a live performance of Lasso from the now extinct Henry Rollins Show on IFC.
run (i’m a natural disaster)
Gnarls Barkley’s new album was released this week. What all-around great sound. As described by the host of City Vibe (and yes, it’s Justin Timberlake) it’s crazy fresh, like hot butta on (say what?) da popcorn. I opt to run to, not away and say that these guys are in no way (natural or otherwise) a disaster. Enjoy this freaky fun video, turn it up and let your body move with the groove - don’t even try to sit still for this one.
And a few more favorites: Going On
Blind Mary
Who’s Gonna Save My Soul?
I’ll stop now, but I could go on… this is such fun CD. Visit itunes for more and to download. I hope you’ve enjoyed. Have a beautiful day!
keep your eyes ahead
Hello everyone… it’s been awhile since I last wrote but there’s been so much going on that I knew I couldn’t stay caught up in writing, so I decided I’d not even stray towards the keyboard for having to edit myself too much. So, despite the dizzying array of political topics to tackle (tacky campaign tactics, Gubernatorial disgraces (back-to-back!), perilous pastors, etc.), in addition to the standard Bush Administration Mortification of a Nation posts, and with all the great music and films turning up out there, I thought I’d adopt the philosophy of ‘less is more’, and take a little break. Aren’t we all getting a little too much information anyway? Today, however, is a day that shouldn’t go by without observance. So I guess I’m back, and happy for it.
I thought I’d start by sharing some… for lack of a better word, humor (I just can’t help it):
During a videoconference with U.S. military and civilian personnel yesterday, President Bush praised the troops fighting in Afghanistan, claiming he was “a little envious” of their “romantic” fight:
“I must say, I’m a little envious,” Bush said. “If I were slightly younger and not employed here, I think it would be a fantastic experience to be on the front lines of helping this young democracy succeed… It must be exciting for you … in some ways romantic, in some ways, you know, confronting danger. You’re really making history, and thanks,” Bush said. (more on ThinkProgress.org)
And with that I propose that we all take a moment to observe, as difficult as that may be, that five years ago today the US invaded Iraq and since that date 3992 American lives have been lost. On May 1, 2003 “mission accomplished” was declared and since that date 1785 days have passed… and bin Laden is still at large. The Bush War has been a political and financial debacle that has to date served to kill 1019 more Americans than 9/11 did, and served to threaten our well being well more than ensuring our safety. And Dick sez “So what”about what Americans think. Sigh.
Thoughts and prayers to our soldiers near and far and their families, to the people of Iraq, and to all of us who dream of peace. Let us keep our eyes ahead, and envision a positive change.
Keep Your Eyes Ahead (and don’t go back to there again) by Helio Sequence
mercy
Here some music by Duffy - she’s got it goin’ on.
Rockferry, performed live with Bernard Butler:
destroy everything you touch
Not too new, very electronic and maybe a little mainstream but worth a listen, and this video… there’s something compellingly surrealistic about those giant frozen heads singing in the snow - like an old hallucinogen-infused B-sci-fi movie. Maybe its the little red lips, or maybe all the activity in the flurry. Or maybe its just me. Anyway, I hope you enjoy, create (don’t destroy), and have a warm and wonderful day.
By Ladytron, by the way…
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Tee of the Month
