Krugman vs. Obama
There is no question that I will vote for President this fall and I will gladly vote for whoever ends up as the Democratic candidate. As I believe is the case for most fellow Dems, we're got a number of candidates that I would be proud to vote for (although I'm still hoping for a John Edwards miracle). However, a number of Paul Krugman's columns have echoed some misgivings I've had about the Obama campaign (I differentiate the campaign from the way I think Obama would actually preside were he to win) - he seems determined to stake out territory to the right of Edwards and Clinton and I think that's exactly the wrong place to be. If he does nothing else, Edwards has framed much of the debate of this campaign and Clinton seems to be following fairly close behind. Obama's approach seems in most cases to be along sort of similar lines but not nearly as aggressive and his criticisms of Edwards' and Clinton's position and policies are fuel for the Repuglicans when the real campaign begins. As Krugman's last column points out, Obama's praise of Ronald Reagan (which Obama has backed away from) rightfully comes under fire. Any Democrat that thinks that Reagan was a good president (while he ignored the growing AIDS crisis, dealt secretly and illegally with Iran, turned out tens of thousands of people from mental institutions into the street and was responsible for an economy that started the serious increase in the gap between rich and poor) needs to rethink where they think their priorities are.
I want to like the guy, I really do. And if he wins the nomination, I will vote for him without hesitation and with a smile on my face. But I hope he rethinks his approach now rather than waiting until his opponent is a Republican rather than a fellow Dem.
Labels: Politics
He Can't Be Serious
I'll admit that Stephen Colbert's O'Reilly schtick is pretty damn funny but Sean Hannity's radio show is the best parody of insane right-wing talk radio I've ever heard.
Labels: Politics
Dead Bands Rockin'
Last year much of the talk was of reunion shows, with the dBs, Hege V, Squirrel Nut Zippers and others playing locally in the first couple of months of the year. Not as much happening this year, but some cool stuff nevertheless.
Amazon.com currently has about three copies left of Dead Band Rockin' - the DualDisc with 17 CD tracks and 14 DVD tracks from last year's Fetchin' Bones shows in Charlotte and Atlanta (I'm still very upset that they didn't do a show at the Cradle!). From all reports, it felt more like 18 days instead of 18 years since their last show. Not sure if it was the original lineup or their last lineup but we knows for sure Hope was the star! Should get mine by Friday. They also have tracks available for download on Amazon. I just finished ripping their last two LPs - Galaxy 500 and Monster - to CD and I sometimes forget how damn good they were.
Also, I think I mentioned but I'll say again that tickets for the Pressure Boys reunion show at the Cat's Cradle are already on sale, although the show is not until May 2 (JennySlash's birthday!). This is a benefit for the National Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (unfortunately John Plymale's daughter Allie was diagnosed with CF a couple of years ago). More info at Songs for Sixty Five Roses. There were rumors a few weeks ago that there might be a second show if this one sells well, so snap up some tix so maybe we'll get the see the Boys twice!
On the bad news front, looks like Two Dollar Pistols is calling it quits later this year, but they will be doing a few more shows before the end. I suggest you catch them - I know we're going to try to!
Labels: Music
