Open Thread 1-12-17: So Long, Obama! And some Graham Gouldman music
So I thought I'd do an essay called "Barack Obama - Profile in Courage", wherein I'd point out what a great job he did in his eight years, protecting whistleblowers, ending war, guiding the country into a new Renaissance, and I was going to do this by showing videos of him talking about it all. You know, from when he was running in 2008. And of course my point would have been that he flim-flammed his way into the White House, double-crossing us every step of the way, telling us not to be sanctimonious about the government admitting the US "tortured some folks", as if it were the hippies' fault that it happened!
But, and I think you'll appreciate this fine thing I'm doing here, after watching the videos that I wanted to collect and post, I've decided to skip it entirely so you don't have to get wildly depressed...as I did.
oh, what the heck...for old time's sake.
I like how he drops his g's, as in those "folks" were "workin' hard". Well maybe I don't like it. Maybe it makes me think he's a con man.
Here's this golden oldie where he protects the American way of life by shilling for BP. Hey, wait! That's not an American company!!
Remember how we were horrified when Bush joked at the Correspondents' Dinner about WMDs? This clip ought to have convinced every person who voted for him that they'd been conned, that they'd made a terrible mistake and that the guy needed to be primaried in 2012. Oh well.
So long and thanks for helping us get a crazy fascist into office.
Now, on to the music...
I was playing a show the other night and made a comment about how we write songs that have been influenced by those we like. Some people want to write like Bob Dylan, some like Andre 3000. When I write I have, in the back of my mind, the idea that I want to come up with something that would get the approval of Ray Davies or Graham Gouldman. And later I thought it might have seemed unusual to mention Gouldman. Unusual, I guess, if you're not all that familiar with him. Graham Nash tells the story of how he and Allan Clarke of the Hollies were told by music publishers that this kid had some songs that might interest them. So he and Clarke went off to Gouldman's house. They expected little and instead heard him play "Look Through Any Window". They asked if he had anything else and he played "Bus Stop". "We'll take them!" said Nash.
and...
at that time Gouldman was in a group called the Mockingbirds, doing songs like this one...
meanwhile he'd written "For Your Love" and he says "There was one strange moment when the Yardbirds appeared on the show doing 'For Your Love', which was a song that I'd written. Everyone clamoured around them – and there I was just part of an anonymous group. I felt strange that night, hearing them play my song."
He then spent a few years as a contract writer, churning out bubblegum numbers. If the band name looks familiar it's because you probably have heard "Yummy, Yummy, Yummy", although that particular tune was before Gouldman was hired.
Finally he found the success he wanted with 10cc.
one more...
these days he plays with his band. The next chance to see him will be next week in Belgium. I'd go but I don't like flying. And I don't have a passport. Instead I'll put on the "How Dare You!" album. That's a goodie. Highly recommended!
Comments
Used to deliver cake to Sausalito
Mm, cake they are still there. One stop I remember was The Trident where my friend washed dishes.
Working class in the 70s wasn't as bad as it is today, sorry about that. What happens when your politics stay the same as everything falls apart? This. Is why I exited:
Dumb de dumb dumb, and if that's not enough
Which explains how I ended up becoming a socialist I guess, if you have to put a label on it.
bohica OR
go bernie?
Good morning....
Did you forget your open thread tag?
Twitter Deletes Donald Trump’s Twitter Account: “We Will Not Tolerate Racism & Hate”
My husband is listening to CBS this morning and Jamie Dimon is flapping his mouth. I hate TV news and wish he would quit watching it.
Gaius Publius: Best Buy National Repair Techs Routinely Search Customer Devices, Act as “Paid Informers” for FBI
The link below will bring you to an article about fighting back. Passive resistance - strikes in slow motion.
Left Side of History: We are a new blog intelligently reporting and analyzing current events through a leftist lens. We are trying to combat the digital media trends of click bait and fake, misleading “news” with no substance. If you want to see more journalism like this, please like us on Facebook.
Incredible: Cory Booker & several other Dems join GOP maj in voting down Bernie amendment on importing cheaper drugs https://t.co/yb8N1PRYjp (h/t Phil)
"Religion is what keeps the poor from murdering the rich."--Napoleon
Dimon was there to remind us about the "importance"
of the "global (globular) economy. As for Booker, I trust him to do everything I hate.
"The object of persecution is persecution. The object of torture is torture. The object of power is power. Now do you begin to understand me?" ~Orwell, "1984"
dkmich, I clicked on the 1st link and got a weird message from
what looked like Apple saying my computer may be compromised and banking information gotten, etc. It also made a beeping noise, which has never happened before. When I tried to cancel out it kept coming back. Finally I just hit the back button and got back here.
Maybe it's just my computer. But just wanted to run it by you. Is the link kosher for the Trump Twitter Account Deleted story (saw in the search bar what looked like CNN for a brief moment, before this crazy large warning message popped it)?
"If I should ever die, God forbid, let this be my epitaph:
THE ONLY PROOF HE NEEDED
FOR THE EXISTENCE OF GOD
WAS MUSIC"
- Kurt Vonnegut
yes, it was from cnn and it was from Jan. 10th
with regards to the content of that piece, it looks funny ...considering that Trump twittered four hours ago.
May be I just have low reading comprehension.
Sounds like a scripted advertisement
"Is the link kosher for the Trump Twitter Account Deleted story"
I read it okay but I always block javascript, delete cookies, and constantly empty the web cache. Heh. Fair use,
Tnx for the responses. Incredible that Twitter issued such a
strong statement like that. We'll see if they actually go through with it.
But I have a suspicion that the Twitter folks fall squarely into the Neoliberal faction. After they shut down Occupy and then Bernie (by removing viral hashtags critical of Hillary) they've been revealed as untrustworthy in my book. Social media may seem like its the "people's voice" (though we here know it is mostly a data mining and surveillance ploy), but as Voltaire said or some such iteration, "To learn who rules over you, simply find out who you are not allowed to criticize."
"If I should ever die, God forbid, let this be my epitaph:
THE ONLY PROOF HE NEEDED
FOR THE EXISTENCE OF GOD
WAS MUSIC"
- Kurt Vonnegut
I try not to hate people.
Except for Cory Booker.
He makes me do it.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
"He makes me do it." LOL!
Feelin' it too, stay strong. No surrender.
Experimental evidence of massive-scale emotional contagion through social networks
"The experiment is almost certainly legal." Good one! Keep going.
Was watching KUSA (Denver channel 9) news this morning
as I put breakfast together, as is my wont. And they had the usual "fair and balanced" tapdance going on, with highly placed Colorado representatives of the dems and thugs blathering endlessly at each other about Drumpf's performance (or lack of same) at his presser yesterday. The dem talking head said something about "argle bargle perhaps Trump owes the Russians a few favors", which I found unsurprising, since according to the dems their loss was all the Nassty Russianses fault- par for the course, no? The blonde thug Kellyanne equivalent immediately responded with the well-prepped retort "You shouldn't cast dispersions on the president-elect, blather blather...".
"Cast dispersions". With a hard D, practically spitting across the set. Right. That only makes me throw up in my mouth just a little bit.
I used to think that conservatives were simply a different species than homo sapiens: perhaps homo assholus. I now realize that I was wrong. They are still homo sapiens, but they have had 3/4 of their brains turned into Crisco in some clever, untraceable manner. There is no other possible explanation for it: Drumpf apologists would appear to have been relieved of the vast majority of their intellects. *This* is what you have for a spokesperson to try and sell this shit to the world?
It is going to be a very unpleasant period, as Idiocracy is fully implemented in our country. Time to turn my TV off for the next few years, and just listen to music during breakfast- beats the hell out of the 24x7 marathon of "Ow My Balls!" we have coming. I'll have the taste of that verbal smegma in my mouth all day.
I originally posted this with a death metal version of Jingle Bells, but pulled it- I just can't do that to this forum, no matter *how* pissed off I am. Instead, let's do The Crazy World of Arthur Brown from Top of the Pops. There is only one possible song of theirs for my current mood. The flaming headdress is not to be missed...
Holleys, 10 cc
Listened to the Holley's on my AM transistor radio while grooming the gelded Shetland pony, he would close his eyes and sway. Saw 10 cc in upstate NY at an outdoor concert, burning incense while strolling thru the crowd, trying to get reactions. Seems so long ago, its hard to find a time line from there to now. Thanks for the memories.
You do have the correct species
Homo Assholus subspecies Pomposis.
Beware the bullshit factories.
Good morning, Shah!
I love those songs - I grew up with them - so I take my hat off to Gouldman because he enhanced my teen years with his songs!
Have a beautiful day!
"The “jumpers” reminded us that one day we will all face only one choice and that is how we will die, not how we will live." Chris Hedges on 9/11
Good morning.
Very interesting, Shahryar. Glad to learn about Gouldman. Some great songs! Thank you for this morning's tunes.
Nice Open Thread today, Shah.
I have never heard of Graham Gouldman, but I sure have heard and loved his music. Thank you for introducing him to me.
I have not walked since last Friday due to the weather conditions (ie, snow and then ice). After having low morning temps in the teens and twenties for the last several days, I awoke to 51 degrees outside and most of the snow and ice melted. My walking partner is now out of town, so I did six miles solo. It is easier walking with someone, but I managed to get in a good long walk this morning.
Do I hear the sound of guillotines being constructed?
“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." ~ President John F. Kennedy
Hey Shah and c99ers
Much as I dread T-rump, I'm glad to see Obummers backside. Thought this piece did a pretty good job describing the farewell address. Kinder than my view, but interesting.
On Jan. 10, President Barack Obama delivered a farewell address to the nation in his adopted hometown of Chicago. As he often did during his presidency, Obama struck a middle path, one that had moments of real power but ultimately fell short of a full-throated defense of Democratic Party policies
https://theconversation.com/in-racially-divided-times-obamas-farewell-ad...
Always liked the Hollies, but Graham Gouldman flew under my radar...thanks for the introduction.
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
A quick hi & thanks before reading to remind you to
PUT OPEN THREAD in your tags. Thanks.
That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --
Comey
Has anyone seen (via the NYT) that Comey will now be the subject of a DOJ investigation over his letter about the Clinton investigation?
I'm placing my money on the conclusion that "Putin made him do it."
LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL. This country makes me want to bang my head against the wall. Repeatedly.
It's really cold in Portland!
Today the low is going to be 16 degrees, the high 29. Yesterday and the day before we had a snowstorm, 15 inches fell. There is no way it's going to melt anytime soon. We don't drive in snow. Yesterday morning I walked down to the 7/11 and got a bag of ground coffee. It's the worst coffee ever. All the cars driving on Hawthorne Blvd. had chains. The 7/11 was packed with walking people some wore ski's and snowshoes. We all talked about how there were no snow chains left in the city all sold out. Today it's sunny and freezing but I'm determined to walk. Gulfgal walking is inspiring me and not moving other then chattering your teeth makes one kind of crazy.
Obomber is really creepy. Trump is really creepy. The pols we get to vote for are all beyond creepy. Who cares about the Russians freeping the election when it's obvious to most people that we have no choice literally. The owners of the place pick out the corrupt thugs we get to vote for, on every level local, city, state and national. Any decent representative who somehow manages to get elected is marginalized or decides to not get killed and goes along with the duopolies agenda. No one who isn't willing to compromise for victory stays in office.
Why do otherwise intelligent people go gaga for the creepy pols like Obomber? He's so classy they say and Trump is so vulgar. To me Obama's legacy is about as vulgar as humans can get. The Mad bomber and Big Dog are not classy they like Trump are sleazy. I'm sure Trump's administration will follow the same sick agenda. Do you want Pence and a vagina probe along with your bloody wars and austerity? This is extortion, they have we the people cornered to the point where we are compliant and sing the praises of the classier psycho con man or woman.
Seems to me a classic case of Stockholm Syndrome. Could be worse and if you don't go along with our rule by global gangsters your world will be torched. Actually it matters little which criminal lunatic is elected they all mean us and the planet harm. I did not listen to or even read his goodbye. Like with Bush I could not stomach listening to him starting in about 2010. He just pissed me off. His fake folksy condescension and lecturing of loser liberals is nothing I want to hear. Too bad I didn't hear his 2006 speech at the Hamilton Projects launch until 2010. It would have saved me a lot of time spent baiting the people in my district by selling his hope and change, not to mention I want the money I donated back, you fraud. Buyer beware.
Now onto music. I love 10cc. I did not know about Graham Gouldman until I married Shah. He is a walking musical encyclopedia when it come to Brit music from the 50's through the early 70's. Here's two of my favorites.
Money for god sake.
Hi Shaz
Thanks for the call out.
Earlier this year, I told my walking partner that I was not sure if I would go out under 20 degrees. She said, just bundle up. And we have walked in temps as low as 16 degrees. I just layer stuff like crazy and make sure I wear a hat.
My cold outfit may have as many as five layers. Yes, you read that right. I wear an old pair of nylon wind pants and usually have knee socks and tights under them. On the upper layer, from the inside out, a light weight tee shirt, thermal underwear, a long sleeve nylon workout top, a zip up the front sweat shirt, and a heavy duty nylon anorak shell with a hood. The anorak is yellow cab yellow, so when I am dressed, I look like either the Michelin man or the Pillsbury dough boy, only yellow. I do wear a hat with the hoodie over it and two bandanas around my neck.
My walking partner and I are not proud as to our mode of dress, but if I am warm, all is good.
Do I hear the sound of guillotines being constructed?
“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." ~ President John F. Kennedy
oh right...the open thread tag...thanks everyone
I didn't post any of the Herman's Hermits songs that Graham Gouldman wrote, like "Listen People" or "No Milk Today" because I just am not a fan of Herman's Hermits. Over the years I've learned to be gracious when I get a gift I don't want or need. You see, many years ago a neighbor gave me a vinyl LP of Herman's Hermits Greatest Hits because I like that 60s British music. I should have thanked him and disposed of the album later. Instead I said something like "I hate Herman's Hermits!" Man.....when I look back at all the immature things I said or did...I sometimes think I should write apology notes to this person or that but I'd end up with writer's cramp. Some of you might think I'm polite (even too polite) but it was something that happened over years and is a reaction to my questionable youthful behavior (which continued until maybe 15 years ago...or maybe still does...I hope not!)
I think you are polite, cute and like Shaz said
a walking encyclopedia with regards to songs from the fifties and sixties.
I regret it a bit, because I never can comment anything in your pieces that is somewhat reasonable. So clueless about music. All I can do is chosing the right smiley.
Looks like the ACA is history
30 Million People Lost Their Healthcare in the Dead of Night...And odds are, no one will remember how it happened.
http://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/news/a52234/senate-obamaca...
Why didn't the weasel Democrat's in the senate do a real filibuster? Looks to me like the Demorat's in congress are not going to even begin to obstruct the worst evil ever R's. Somehow this whole debacle reminds me of ISIS wherein the USA! USA! USA! creates, empowers and arms to the teeth the terrifying enemy they need to get their dirty deeds done dirt cheap.
Gotta keep that powder dry,
donchaknow. Save it up for something really important, like keeping them from naming a post office or something.
Spent another ambulance ride and 6 hrs in ER
No heart attack, just gall stones and low blood Na. Helo flying overhead now, back at home. Eat more Sodium! Daughter suggests savory Chex mixes. Just drink more soy sauce? Still shaky and freezing. Massive headache, too. Tiresome.
Hey! my dear friends or soon-to-be's, JtC could use the donations to keep this site functioning for those of us who can still see the life preserver or flotsam in the water.
Curious why you were AWOL, RL.
Boot camp in summer taught me to pile on salt no matter the taste.
Hoping ya get your health together.
BTW, occasionally your bear problem pops into my head. Had you considered wind chimes and whirleygigs around your perimeter?
There is no such thing as TMI. It can always be held in reserve for extortion.
I DO have wind chimes out and it HAS been windy.
No more signs, but no snow means I would never know. Still in lockdown when home. Thanks for additional thoughts.
Hey! my dear friends or soon-to-be's, JtC could use the donations to keep this site functioning for those of us who can still see the life preserver or flotsam in the water.
When I saw your OT today was about Gouldman I thought of Nash's
story immediately.
What a truly storied career as 60's songsmith to 70's band of renown, especially in the UK (but here also). Another one of those amazing guys who just had such a knack for pure pop melodic majesty and imagination.
Graham's story in his autobiography Wild Tales tells of getting a phone call from the Hollies old friend/manager who owned a clothing shop Graham had worked in, about the prodigy, though it didn't sound that way. A neighbor of his, he said, kept on bothering him about her son "who writes songs," to see if he'd finally listened to them. Asks Graham to do him a favor and visit the kid, who agrees with the intent to get her off his back.
He describes going to visit a 15 year old Jewish kid in one of the better neighborhoods of Manchester. Giving him a stony glance as a member of an established hit group he says, "ok, kid - give it your best shot." He picks up an acoustic and starts playing Bus Stop. The other guys with Graham are looking at each other, thinking, "wow, we know this is a hit. Let's put our spin on it." As they're ready to leave with intention of immediately recording it, he is asked if he had anymore and plays "Look Through Any Window," then a third, which he apologized that he had already promised to Peter Noone.
Pretty astonishing.
"The Things We Do For Love" is one of my all-time favorite Beatle-esque pop singles. Doesn't get more perfect than that, every way you slice it.
"If I should ever die, God forbid, let this be my epitaph:
THE ONLY PROOF HE NEEDED
FOR THE EXISTENCE OF GOD
WAS MUSIC"
- Kurt Vonnegut
totally off topic
In celebration of the full moon...
I'm Not in Love
is a song I will list to be played at my wake. It means that much to me. The time, the place.
Thanks, Shahryar.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981