Thursday, September 9, 2004

The Beat

Caught a bit of VH1's Bands Reunited: The English Beat tonight. Sadly, it didn't include a reunion concert as they couldn't get original bassist David Steele or guitarist Andy Cox (the two that went on to FYC)to come 'round. It's got a few minutes of chatting with the guys that were willing to get together for one last gig: Ranking Roger, Everett Morton (the original drummer) who still plays with Roger, the legendary Saxa, and Dave Wakeling. You can tell none of the other fellas have ever forgiven Wakeling for busting up the group the way he did and it leads to a few awkward moments. The word "greed" gets tossed around quite a bit. They all seem like good guys though, Wakeling the least of them, but at least repentant and not in denial about wha'ppened

I was amazed to learn that Ranking Roger, in addition to still touring, is also a part-time inline skating instructor. I know those guys never made U2 money but ...

In any event, it's cool to see Dave, Roger, Everett, and Saxa react to invitation and to hear them talk about the old days when they were one of the world's best bands. Wakeling and Saxa join the latter day pub band Beat to perform "Mirror in the Bathroom" at the end of the show and I'd have loved to have been in that room. It shows on VH1 again Sunday afternoon at 2pm ET.

Wednesday, September 8, 2004

That Would Be Good

Moore Hopes to Get Fahrenheit 9/11 on TV Prior to Election [USA Today]

Cheney

The 9/11 attacks happened on Bush/Cheney's watch and yet Cheney's got the gall to say if you vote for the other guys this fall, you're inviting another devastating attack? If it weren't so sick, I might've laughed.

Saturday, September 4, 2004

PBS Priced Out of the Market

More on Doctor Who, PBS, and the Sci-Fi Channel. Very few PBS stations show it any longer and the BBC is about to make it harder for them to do so as it closes in on a deal with Sci-Fi. Pluses and minuses here. Boston and RI PBS don't carry it, so Sci-Fi would be increasing the show's presence around here. And really, with the DVDs coming out, it doesn't really matter much to me either way. I can still get my fix. It's still a moneymaker for the PBS stations that carry it, so in that regard it'd be a shame to see move solely to Sci-Fi where it'll probably be on at times when it can't possibly find an audience -- and be full of commercials.

Wednesday, September 1, 2004

Why Do Republicans Hate Our Troops?

Saw a brief clip on the Evening News last night of a woman at the RNC wearing a band aid on her chin with a little Purple Heart on it. Evidently, this is meant to be a critique of Kerry. Republicans never fail to impress me with the lengths they are willing to go to showcase their hypocrisy. I don't understand how people can be so proud and happy to be such total f***ing tools. I'm trying to imagine the thought process behind putting that band aid on: "Hmmm. My guy took a rich kid's pass on his generation's war and wasn't even able to honorably fulfill the minimal obligations of his service, compounding his depravity by lying about it later. The other guy served honorably, putting his life on the line in a war that he -- like most rational people -- couldn't support. I am so full of hate and vile feelings that I can't bear the thought of the better man winning; therefore, I must somehow disparage his military record and stick my fingers in my ears and loudly praise God if anyone points out my obvious idiocy!"

Over at Altercation, there's a letter today from a Vietnam Vet who shares my revulsion, quoted here because it'll probably be gone tomorrow:
Name: Robert DruryHometown: Dubuque, IA
I write again in extreme anger at the way the Republican campaign has treated Vietnam Vets and now, with the "Cute Purple Heart bandages," all Veterans. For those who have never seen the business end of a rifle or RPG or other weapon of personal destruction it might be cute. But to those of use who have been there on the ground, in helicopters, in swift boats, in Jets over Hanoi, The Purple Heart is the one medal you don't want, but cherish if you get it. It is not cute!!!! Carrying shrapnel in your body for 30 years is not "cute." It is disgusting to see all those people (I'm willing to bet that 99 per cent have not a clue about service to their country) wandering around thinking they are funny, desecrating the sacrifices that any man or woman who has gone to war has made. And worse yet, desecrating the medal that represents the horrible reality of any war and many times the ultimate sacrifice (along with the notification that your son, daughter, husband, wife, mother is dead you also get a Purple Heart "with the thanks of a GRATEFUL nation").

 If it weren't so sick the bandages would be funny. If it weren't so hurtful I might even laugh.

It just shows that the Republicans don't get it.

Their leader clearly doesn't get it. And I'm sick of it!
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