August 25, 2012

Where were you when Neil Armstrong stepped off that ladder on to the Moon?

I was a 17 year old stock boy at Federal's department store on Gratiot in Detroit. All of us - customers and staff - stopped what we were doing, and went into the appliance section where it was aired on multiple TVs of the era. As Walter Cronkite said, Wow.

P.S. I am devastated; he never capitalized on his fame. He was a hero to the whole world.

August 19, 2012

45 years ago this week: The Letter and more move up the charts.

This has been popular in the past here on DU, but I haven't posted this in a while. Let's review this week in August, 1967, on the charts, notably WKNR in Detroit, Keener 13:

WKNR/KEENER 13 , Detroit, MI
Survey for week ending Monday August 21, 1967

TW TITLE ARTIST LW
1. Brown Eyed Girl Van Morrison 2
2. Ode to Billy Joe Bobby Gentry 6
3. Society's Child Janis Ian 1
4. The Letter Box Tops 19
5. Heavy Music Bob Seger 15
6. Apples Peaches Pumpkin Pie Jay & The Techniques 10
7. Come Back Bobby Vee 11
8. Get On Up Esquires 4
9. Groovin' Booker T & MG's 9
10. Some Kind of Wonderful Soul Brother Six 3
11. You're My Everything Temptations 5
12. There is a Mountain Donovan 17
13. To Share Your Love Fantastic Four 18
14. Reflections Supremes 16
15. Higher & Higher Jackie Wilson 24
16. San Franciscan Nights Animals 25
17. I Had a Dream Paul Revere & The
Raiders 21
18. Cold Sweat James Brown 20
19. Love Bug Martha & The Vandellas 23
20. I Dig Rock n' Roll Music Peter Paul & Mary 27
21. Lovin Sound Ian & Sylvia 28
22. Let It All Hang Out Hombres 29
23. Twelve Thirty Mama's & Papa's 30
24. You Know What I Mean Turtles 26
25. Making Every Minute Count Spanky & Our Gang 31
26. Soulsation Capreez --
27. The Cat in the Window Petula Clark --
28. You Got To Pay The Price Al Kent --
29. Funky Broadway Wilson Pickett --
30. Run Run Run Third Rail --
31. Gimme Little Sign Brenton Wood --

TOP LPs:
1. Sgt Peppers Beatles 1
2. The Doors The Doors --
3. Reach Out Four Tops --

KEY SONG OF THE WEEK:

What Now My Love - Mitch Ryder

Gimme just a little more sign, and our love will surely grow. Woodward Dream Cruise this weekend, for those who remember. I remember those albums, too. Not bad.

August 12, 2012

The "Tea Party" movement in 2010, Romney/Ryan now: It points to a pattern, and it's Ayn Rand.

I don't think this is a conspiracy theory, just connecting obvious dots: The insanely rich Koch brothers formed Americans for Prosperity, which spawned the "Tea Party" of useful idiots. The Tea Party laid the intellectual and bullying groundwork in 2010, with the GOP gains along with absolute refusal to govern our nation in any responsible fashion. The Dems were caught with their pants down as they were blindsided, but they certainly didn't acquit themselves well.

Now we're at 2012, with the worst empty suit/flip flopper in American presidential candidate history as the GOP candidate. Plus, with Karl Rove et al - not necessarily in philosophical agreement, but with Power as his only priority - ready to turn loose Diebold and advance voter ID to assure a win. State after state has followed the voter ID pattern (I would say orders, but that would be too strong for some).

Now Ryan is the VP candidate, an Ayn Rand acolyte of the first degree. He's way, way further right than most think - check him out on social issues. But it's more than that. I probably shouldn't go further with what I can foresee, but I sense a pattern here. We have always thought of the Kochs as Birchers like their father, but all of this has led to Ayn Rand's insane philosophy being enacted, not Birch's creaky insanity.

We'll see. Bottom line is that there is a pattern that has brought us to where we are, and there is great power behind it, including the Citizens United decision. Those of us who know me here know I am not a tin foil person, but I don't like the pattern I am seeing.

August 4, 2012

The Sermon on the Mount? The single most ignored part of the Bible by the Right?

They are too busy finding an obscure quote in Leviticus to acknowledge the heart and soul of Christianity.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,
for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they shall be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure of heart,
for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called children of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

August 2, 2012

So, when did you know you were a heterosexual/homosexual?

The reich wing and Fox News believe this is a choice. Or part of an environmental thing, like growing up without a Dad. OK, I grew up without a Dad as did my brother, who has been married to a woman for 35 years. Me, I think I made that choice when I checked out my first grade teacher in 1957 with those legs in those heels.

Of course the point is that it's not a choice, as all DUers know. But it does bring up an interesting question: When did you know your sexuality?

August 1, 2012

A shout out to . . . Long Time DUers, too.

No exclamation point, because none needed. All the credit and agreement in the world with Canuckistanian for that post, who rightly recognizes the quiet DUers who read and recommend, and are the backbone of DU. This post is NOT to detract from that one in any way. Their recognition is long overdue.

That post reminds me, however, of those of you who have lifted me up, have shared your personal pain, have cheered when we have won, have hurt together when we've lost, and shared losses far more profound than political.

And when you've posted screwy stuff, or great music or movie videos, or historical memories, or cartoons or stories about your friends, family and pets (but then I repeat myself about the latter), I've enjoyed them. And of course, pulling Skinner's tail - well, that's been a decade of fun. Or mentioned sports. (Go Green!)

We've shared our unshakable opposition to an awful war in Iraq, our losses of those who have mattered to us, and our appreciation of those that are still with us, and those we hope to be with for years to come (writing this as the Traverse City Film Festival begins, and I'm here).

And for all the quiet DUers, and those who have made a joyful and righteous noise over the past decade, I can only quote the late Ted, who puts it best. However, before doing so, have an ice cream cone for all of us and yourself as we enter August. Quiet or not, everyone deserves one here at DU.

For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die.

Faygo Kid