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« June 2007 | Main | August 2007 »
Monday, July 30, 2007 - 00:53:26
Thank you, Frank Serpico
When I was growing up, I was actually very conservative until I got to High School. Gradually I realized that not only were my politics becoming more radical, but that the list of people I admired were considered pretty radical, too.
The truth is, it was hard to find any conservative figures worth looking up to; the life conservatives promoted was basically keep your nose clean, and don't bring undue attention to yourself. Don't stand out from the crowd. Get along by going along. Be happy in the herd, young man, it will keep you warm at night.
It just didn't work after a while. The real heroes were standing up - and just as often getting knocked down - and they were talking about important things.
One of those heroes was Frank Serpico, the New York City cop who really did put it all on the line to battle corruption in the NYPD. I read the book by Peter Maas, and I was blown away by his courage and personal integrity.
I mention all that to mention this:
Tonight Tracy and I watched "Serpico" with Al Pacino, and it's still a powerful film. If you haven't seen it lately, check it out. But even better than the movie is:
http://frankserpico.blogspot.com/
Frank Serpico's blog!
The latest entry is July 3, and it is powerful writing. He talks about the "cancer" that has infested the current administration. He also has an official website, which you can find easily enough.
Wow - Frank Serpico's blog. It's like Christmas morning.
******
Sort of a link with Christmas here, in terms of taking presents away.
Earlier I wrote that Michael Walsh, who created the resolution that the Eureka Springs City Council adopted when it voted to recognize domestic partnerships, would be on my show this week.
I forgot to add that following the show would be excerpts from the infamous July, 1998 meeting of the Washington County Quorum Court, when established job protections for gay employees were removed by the Quorum Court.
It was far from the court's finest hour, either intellectually or morally.
There is some powerful footage from the meeting, shown on television for the first time in nine years.
Saturday, July 28, 2007 - 15:22:56
Some cancers can't be cured with chemo
Tracy was dozing while undergoing her chemo treatment this past Friday, and I was reading a book when two very loud voices broke into my relative quiet. They began talking about Hillary Clinton, and how one of the men would have to move out of the country, should she be elected president.
Then their conversation switched to Ross Perot, and how his candidacy in 1992 was the only thing that put Bill Clinton in thee White House. Then, as conversations so often do between two very macho, very loud men, the conversation turned to gay actors. It began with talking about "The Andy Griffith Show" - I kid you not - and then moved over to "Gomer Pyle," at which point one man revealed to the other that not only did Jim Nabors play the same character on both shows, but that he was one of "them." They then moved on to Liberace and then to Rock Hudson - with a few Hudson jokes thrown in for good measure.
All right, you are probably going - Jim Nabors? Liberace? Rock Hudson? What kind of time warp are these guys caught in?
Looking over, I saw one man who seemed to be in his sixties, and another fellow who looked to be in his early forties.
Now, I was twenty feet away from these fine gentleman, and they were only a couple of feet from the nurses' station.
If they were making racial jokes, or loud remarks about religion, I'm sure the nurses would have asked them to lower their voices. Well, maybe any religion except Islam; I can imagine these fellows showing their shortcomings in that area, as well, given the chance. I also imagine that if any of the nurses had asked them to lower their voices, so as not to offend others, they would have been mightily offended themselves. They might even have called talk radio and complained . . .
We like to talk about how progressive we are in Fayetteville, and how we live in in a city that welcomes folks of different beliefs and lifestyles. Sometimes, though, you are brought up short by reality.
******
On a more life-affirming note, Michael Walsh, who helped spearhead the drive to have domestic partnerships recognized by the Eureka Springs City Council, will be a guest on my program this coming week. Show dates and times:
Monday - 7pm
Tuesday - noon
Saturday - 6pm
For those who might miss the show this week, but would still like to watch, the programs will be replayed the following week - same CAT times, came CAT channel.
One day soon, look for the city of Fayetteville to webstream Community Access Television and Government Channel programming, so others across the state can see what Fayetteville offers in terms of real, homegrown television.
Thursday, July 26, 2007 - 09:50:34
Letters to the Editor a vanishing breed in Northwest Arkansas?
One of my favorite sections of the newspaper is the letters to the editor column. Whether they they be good, bad, or incoherent, it is the first section of the paper I seek out in the morning. Actually, it's the first thing I check out in most of the magazines that I subscribe to, as well.
In Northwest Arkansas we used to have great letters sections in both the Northwest Arkansas Times and the Morning News, but most days no letters at all run any more. One critic on talk radio charged recently that there was a conspiracy to keep certain letters out of the paper. This sort of conspiracy accusation isn't limited to those who name their Teddy Bears after Russian assault rifles; liberals also make the charge.
I don't think that is the case, though. I think the culprit is this silly rule where letter writers are limited to one letter every month.
Not only does that cut down on the number of letters a paper might get, but it stifles the public soapbox that the letters column is.
The letters columns in NW Arkansas used to be a lot more exciting; writers would debate each other on important (and unimportant) issues, and the letters coumns were full every day. They were fun to read. I think that when readers are encouraged to debate each other - and they can write more than once a month - their letters are more fun to read. For some folks, when they realize they can only write one letter a month, they take more care, and in the end result, become a lot more pretentious.
I got my first column (at Grapevine) partly because of letters I wrote to various newspapers in the area.
The 30-day rule is a needless one, and robs readers of the fun of reading public-spirited debate. If you gotta have a rule, shorten it to two weeks.
The readers will be glad you did.
******
A lot of folks have asked where the name "Street Jazz" had its origin. A Google search reveals that almost everybody and their grandmother seems to use the name now, but when I created the name back in 1990, I thought it was pretty original.
I had been writing for Grapevine, an alternative paper in Northwest Arkansas, for a couple of months, when the editor asked if I wanted a regular column. I had been doing the odd humor and opinion piece, so I jumped at the chance to write a regular column. I just had to think of a name.
At one point the list of possible column names ran to something over twenty possibilities. They ranged from not-so-bad to pretty stupid.
A few weeks went by, and I still hadn't been able to narrow down my choice. Finally, the editor called in and said I had till Friday to pick a name.
Panic in the streets!
Friends were of no help whatsoever. Each one liked a different name. Couldn't there have been a majority in favor of one, even if it was something stupid?
Finally, I settled on the name "Street jazz."
"Pretty good name," some people said. Others asked, "What does that mean?" As time went on, I became rather taken with it, however.
There even came a point when an idea was hatched to write and produce a "Street Jazz" song. I wrote the lyrics, and Chris Daniels - whose music videos I had produced for C.A.T. - agreed to write the music. Life got in the way, though, and the project never got done.
Those who love good music will no doubt appreciate the fact that the lyrics have long since been lost.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007 - 10:16:00
Johnny Tittle and the modern-day Trail of Tears
I was listening to the Johnny Tittle radio show (Insight AM) on KOFC this morning, when I heard an idea that took me aback - and it really does take a a lot to do that.
One listener called in with the suggestion that all illegals should be shackled together, and walked back to Mexico - no matter how many hundreds of miles it took. Along the way, the shackled prioners could pick up trash along the highways. While Johnny said that he'd volunteer to hand out a few baloney sandwiches to those on their way out of the United States, the caller said that he'd be willing to ride along on a horse and help keep herd on the prisoners. Much giggling ensued.
The whole racist notion of this idea - especially in terms of America's past - seemed to have escaped our stalwart host.
One might expect this sort of nonsense from Michael Savage and his ilk, but Tittle always claims that his show comes from a Christian perspective.
Not today, Johnny.
Johnny has invited me in the past to appear as a guest on his show, as he was once on mine. I think I'll call and take him up on his offer. I believe I could handle whatever his callers throw at me.
******
Once again that imp of Satan, Harry Potter, threatens the sanctity of American culture. But then, like all those who are denouncing his books in the name of God, I haven't actually read any of them.
I like the movies, though. Maybe I should dip my toe into the Potter Sea.
I wonder if these folks, who suffer from hysteria when they learn that Harry Potter books are in the school library, go through the same anguish when they hear about the witches in 'Macbeth?"
*****
Education Alert!
I was getting coffee from a machine in a building on the UA campus last week, when I noticed a poster for the Bush School of Government and Public Service, at Texas A&M University.
"Public Service is a noble calling," proclaims the poster, which then lists some of the degrees one that earn at the Bush School (isn't that an oxymoron?).
The most fascinating degree offered is an online degree in Homeland Security.
I'm sorry. I'm not trying to put down anyone who gets an online degree - but Homeland Security?
Is that where all those clueless spokepersons come from that we see so often on CNN and FIXed News?
I got me an online degree in interrogation. heh heh
aaauuuggghhh
I have emailed the school for more information, which I'll pass along.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007 - 11:32:30
Let's Bring the YouTube approach to Fayetteville. How about it, Dan?
So much on the television and Internet today about how YouTube may have brought about a new "revolution" in presidential debates. Bah, humbug, I say!
All right, it is pretty cool to have ordinary citizens, rather than journalists, ask candidates questions. But you know what would really bring about a much needed revolution in the debate format? If you someone were to remind the candidates that they were once again sliding back into Cliche Land, and weren't actually answering the question that had been asked.
Maybe two unanswered questions in a row, and they had to sit out the rest of the debate? Now, that would be fun.
******
That being said, it would be kind of fun to bring this YouTube approach to local politics. I am a big fan of the weekly C-Span segment which comes from the British House of Commons, when the Prime Minister has to answer questions. I always have fantasies of George Bush appearing before Congress in such a manner.
Well, nothing wrong with fantasy.
In Fayetteville, we have an asset known as the Government Channel, which shows government meetings from start to finish, and many informational programs about the city government and departments. Former Mayor Fred Hanna used the channel well, in regular programs, set up like a talk show, in which in he would interview various aldermen or city department heads, and they would discuss things going on at the city level.
It is ironic that the ultra-conservative Hanna, who polarized much of Fayetteville, used the channel so well, and current mayor Dan Coody barely uses it at all.
A lot of folks - especially many of Coody's formerly enthusiastic supporters - would welcome the YouTube approach, should he ever consent to it.
I would like to think that Dan might feel politically energized by the possibility talking to folks in such a manner.
******
Friday night, on "Doctor Who" (Sci Fi Channel) - Daleks in 1930s Manhattan! This scene probably won't happen, but I have this fantasy sequence in my mind:
Daleks versus New York City cab drivers. As tough as the Daleks are, I think they would finally meet their match here.
Monday, July 23, 2007 - 00:45:34
Some heart-warming brainwashing
Between deadlines and doctor visits, I haven't written much in the past week. Sorry. All I can say is, I'll try to do better in the future.
On the other hand, I wrote some pretty good articles.
Which brings me to a rather heart-warming story that I feel compelled to share with everyone.
Saturday morning, as I was writing a book review, I happened to be listening to a Christian(a far-right Christian) radio station, that was featuring a play for young people.
It seems that a good man, a godly man, was running for mayor of a small town, but this liberal - boo, hiss! - was running against him. You could tell he was a liberal because he mouthed all the usual cliches, in a perpetual whine. Even I wanted to reach inside the radio and smack him along side the head.
But our good man was ahead in the polls. What were the Forces of Darkness to do?
Well, before you can say, "Cut and Run," the Environmental Detection Agency was making the charge that pesticide residue from his apple orchards was poisoning the fair town.
Egads!
Our hero suffers falling popularity numbers, and folks refuse to buy his apples. Luckily, two heroes discover that those dastardly agents of the EDA are planting the evidence.
The truth is revealed, and our good, godly man is elected mayor.
I wept as I typed.
Now, that's entertainment! I especially love the Environmental Detection Agency; it sounds so sinister.
Warp the minds when they're young, that's the ticket. You gotta wonder how many kids actually pay attention to nonsense like this by choice?
****
Those intrigued by all things Wal-Mart may be interested in an interview I did with Joshua Thompson, of Againstthewal, a Wal-mart watchdog group, which will run on Fayetteville's Community Access Television this week. Dates and times are:
Monday - 7pm
Tuesday - noon
Saturday - 6pm
It's good to keep an eye on the evil empire, and folks like Joshua Thompson do a great job of it.
Can your city council people give you a good reason why your town doesn't have public access television?
Tuesday, July 17, 2007 - 11:32:02
Arkansas Democrat Gazette loves Mike Huckabee more than being coherent
I have long suspected that the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette employs a team of writers who have but a single purpose in life: when a politician favored by the Dem-Gaz says something particularly stupid, their job is to somehow make it seem as though it just ain't so.
That's not stupidity, folks, it's pearls of wisdom.
As one might expect, they work overtime whenever George Bush or Mike Huckabee stray from their printed text.
Today's editorial - "Mike vs. Michael: Propogandist, heal thyself" - is a prime example.
Former governor Mike Huckabee used to put everything he could into his mouth. These days, it is just his feet. After answering a question on a conference call about whether or not he intended to see Michael Moore's fim, "Sicko," Huckabee responded first by saying no he had not, and probably wouldn't , he dropped this pearl:
"Frankly, Michael Moore is an example of why the health care system costs so much in this country. He is clearly one of the reasons that we have a very expensive system. I know that from my personal experience."
This insired a response by one of Moore's producers:
"No wonder the Republicans are in such trouble - their entire plan to fix the health care system in this country is to tell people to lose weight. Maybe if Mike Huckabee and his Republican friends stopped sucking up to health insurance campaign contributors they wouldn't feel the need to blame Americans for this crisis. Just because he stopped eating Twinkies by the bushel doesn't make that an outline for a national health care plan."
This gave the Dem-Gaz writers something to work with - Americans should lose weight!
It seems sort of rude at - right when they are having so much fun - to point out something like, I don't know - cancer.
I'm sure they'd have a flippant answer for that, too.
In the same editorial they tout Huckabee's fondness for health davings accounts.
Yeah - maybe the Dem-Gaz can do a follow-up, making fun of all those factory workers who spend all their money on food and bills and aren't shoveling money into those health savings accounts.
And maybe the editorial writer - not to mention the Huckster - could take some time out to watch "Sicko." They might discover why so many Americans are responding to it.
But then they would actually know what they were talking about; it would take the fun out of reading their editorials.
I wonder what will happen to Brenda's Bigger Burger?
Not sure about it? Let Fayetteville do it first . . .
Ghost Town
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