Sing Along With JFK!

Ask not (ask not!) about this song from one of Basic Hip Digital Oddio's pages of oddities.

English As The English Speak It

A bit of Fry and Laurie...
(Via ayesham819)

Fun With Scientology

Good ol' Boston Legal...

(Via petoso2)

But where is Peter Brennan?

Something To Take My Mind Off The Return To Uni

Marcy Playground performing The Ballad of Aslan...

(Via woz22)

Help Leukaemia Research

Please spread the word about composer Patrick Doyle's "Music from the Movies: An All-Star Celebration" to benefit blood cancer research. You can try to attend if you are in London in late October, or you can contribute simply by making a donation (in British pounds).

The "New" John Williams

America's greatest living composer is probably John Williams. Since his music has been around for about 50 years, there is a temptation to engage in chronological snobbery (new/old music is better because it is newer/older). The Maestro changes a bit with the times, so while many had Star Wars or Raiders of the Lost Ark as their first Williams soundtrack, I had Jurassic Park. Younger people have Harry Potter. Those of the Star Wars generation may listen to War of the Worlds with disappointment; the Harry Potter child may embrace War of the Worlds with dark fascination. There may be value in both reactions.

I respect the analytical seriousness in Williams' work. It has always been there, but emerges more often as he gets older. Though written with exceptional skill, his epic fanfares and soaring love themes nevertheless tackle emotions he usually explores in far subtler ways, or not at all, when left to his own devices. Like Aaron Copland and Leonard Bernstein before him, he went through a phase where his music could touch almost everyone, learned from it, and moved on. John Williams' film music is sounding more like John Williams, and I admire this "new" sound.

Final "Blade Runner" Cut

Some previews are here, and there is more about this as well as a possible (though, to my mind, highly unlikely) sequel: "It probably keys off with Edward James Olmos’ line when he says, 'It's a pity she won't live. But then who does.'" Better bring back Edward James Olmos, then.

They Must Have Hated The Enlightenment

I largely agree with the new "seven wonders." Easter Island and Stonehenge each seem more wondrous than the Statue of Christ Redeemer, but, hey, all of the finalists were marvels.

Today's Associated Press coverage did make me chuckle in reference to another famous erection:

Many jeered when the Statue of Liberty was announced as one of the candidates. Portugal was widely opposed to the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.

I never knew Lady Liberty was involved in the Iraq intervention.


Booing an inanimate object because it resides in the United States has more to do with prejudices than policies, and that anti-Americanism is complete merde when the target is a French statue. D'oh!

Call of the Champions

Here is something to help cool those of us in warm (read: sweltering) climes, with John Williams, orchestra, and chorus modeling garden gnome winter fashions:

(Via MeridiusReborn)

Iran, Through Iraq?

The recent WSJ editorial that outlined how a U.S. withdraw from Iraq could broaden the Middle East conflict prompted me to wonder whether that was part of the plan all along, particularly with regard to Iran. If Iraq becomes a lasting success story (as is still possible), then that significantly marginalizes Iran, and war with the burgeoning nuclear power is less likely. If one of the few countries in the region that is [proto-]democratic and not overwhelmingly anti-American falters, the resulting boost for Iranian influence would also boost U.S. grounds for a war against Iran. With Iraq effectively neutralized by war and American troops freed for a new conflict, war with Iran would become highly probable. So Iraq presents a win-win opportunity over Iran: Succeed with one, gain diplomatic advantage against the other; fail with one, gain militaristic advantage against the other. Success is ideal, but there are a growing number of Pontius Pilates in D.C. who would rather do what is popular than do what is just. So barring a restored interest in saving Iraq, I suspect that bombs will drop on Iran a few months after America abandons the Iraqis. (Count this as another reason why I oppose abandoning the Iraqis...)

Thinking Of Spew

Sunday was the sickest day in my memory. It was probably food poisoning, but I am not clear on when or where I started hosting Viral and the Gastroenteritises. I do know that I woke up on Sunday morning, ran to the bathroom to vomit, drank some water, slept an hour, woke up, ran to the bathroom to vomit, drank some water, slept an hour, woke up, etc., for about 20 hours, with Gatorade, a bedside bucket, and a late-night addition of the runs being the only key variations. Of the graphic details I will quickly observe that leaning over the bathroom sink while sitting on the toilet is bad, having the dry heaves is worse, and blowing chunks through one's nose is worst of all ("I just sneezed corn?!").

Apart from the blur of bed, bath, and bucket, I experienced an overwhelming feeling that I was lost, despite being aware and responsive. Essentially, I was disassociating myself from my body. I have had others disassociate themselves from my body, but this was a first. The good thing is that I am happy to be reacquainted.

I rarely remember my dreams, so I should probably note the two I recall from Sunday night. In the first, I decided to go for an eventful walk while visiting friends in California. By eventful, I mean getting lost in the woods, surrounded by vicious ghosts, and rescued at the last minute by the claw of an alien spacecraft. In the second, I tried to help my brother track down an international hitman based at the University of Memphis.

All I consumed on Sunday was water, Gatorade, and a couple of aspirin. Honest.

Give Carter Credit

Any man who accepts a Nobel Peace Prize awarded out of spite rather than merit, manages to lose 14 partners at one go, and paints Hamas terrorists as misunderstood victims must be blissfully free from reality's burdens.

Next: Mars plan condemned after making a foreign official "very angry! Very angry indeed!"

No-Go For The Logo

My initial reaction to the 2012 Olympic "brand" was apparently the same exclamation of "What the [expletive deleted] is that?!" uttered by almost everyone not involved with the ghastly thing. Lileks of course summed it up as only he can, yet I hoped to be the first to note that it looks like... well, suppose the "0" represents a head and the final "2" is the rest of the body, with an arm reaching out for that protruding bit of the first "2." But no, someone had to say it outright: "It looks like Lisa Simpson giving a blowjob."

The Varèse Sarabande logo could not be reached for comment.

Al Gore's Mileage Will Be Amazing

India is producing an automobile that runs on compressed air. It pays to be full of wind!

Still, Bob Ewing's byline on the article is a surprise.

This Explains So Much

Write you own punchline: "You might not want to do it, but removing half of your brain will not significantly impact who you are."

Sudan Holds Fizzy Drinks Hostage

Accuse them of genocide, and they plot to take away our Coke. Do they want a full-scale war?

Gorgeous Tiny Chicken Machine Show

My life will never be the same again.



(Via MediocreFilms)

My Five Favorite Beatles Songs

In response to Norman Geras' incredibly tough poll...

"Across the Universe": Psychedelic Beatles songs are my least favorite of their stylings, since I am neither a product of the sixties nor its chemical rebellion. But this song is brilliant without the assistance of hallucinogens. A perfect fusion of music and lyric.

"Eleanor Rigby": Yes, it is ersatz-classical. Yes, it is a predictable selection for this poll. Yes, it is one of the most evocative songs in the English language.

"Hey Jude": I had the most trouble settling on this title, mostly because of "Strawberry Fields Forever" and "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds". Nevertheless, there is a mature quality in this song that the others lack. Underneath its classic rock form is a timeless lullaby for adults.

"Nowhere Man": The cold opening is an attention-getter, and the song just gets better. If the lyrics' wit (as in both humor and insight) are not enough to merit top placement, then consider the music. It is unapologetically catchy without being cheesy.

"Yesterday": This simple yet powerful song about love and loss is one of my first musical memories and one of my last memories of my maternal grandmother. I heard it along with "Let It Be" in her hospital room when I was four years old. Both have similar merits, but "Yesterday" has the edge.

Whatever you think of these picks, do not click the last link in this post.

Sign Language Translation

(Via AdamBuxton)

We Can't Pull Out

Robert Mitchum says so!

And here is the smartest article on Iraq I have seen in ages.

Saud Off

"My notion is that religions should be robust enough to trust their members. A religion should arm you to go into the world, not wall you off from it." - Roger Ebert

I watched Undercover Mosque, the video referenced in Vanity Fair's "Londonistan Calling" article. The paranoia at the mosques in question is bad, the bigotry is worse, and I think there are laws against inciting violence. One speaker claims a "freedom of speech" right to destroy the rights of others.

Why are so few Muslims publicly challenging these extremists? And why is the West failing in its support of Muslims courageous enough to shatter the stereotypes?

Update: Speaking of shattered stereotypes, CBS News reveals that aspiring to be a journalist-slicing jihadist will not free you from the long arms of the bureaucrats (pdf file). (via The Belmont Club)

Shatner in the Sky with Diamonds

Oh... the... humanity!

BBC vs. Scientology

A comment at Samizdata:

It seemed to me that on one side you had representatives of a fanatical cult trying to foist its views on the rest of the world and on the other... the Church of Scientology.

Truly, they deserve one another.

Owie.

Unwell Falwell Farewell

I did not want to post anything about Jerry Falwell. Speaking ill of the dead is not a good a habit, and the best I could muster for the reverend were double-edged adjectives such as "dedicated," "well-meaning," and "sincere." But the parishioners of Westboro Baptist Church remind me that Falwell at least had the reassuring trait of relative sanity:

"WBC will preach at the memorial service of the corpulent false prophet Jerry Falwell, who spent his entire life prophesying lies and false doctrines like 'God loves everyone,'" reads a posting on Godhatesamerica.com...

"Falwell warmly praised Christ-rejecting Jews, pedophile-condoning Catholics, money-grubbing compromisers, practicing fags like Mel White, and backsliders like Billy Graham and Robert Schuler, etc.," the site reads.

The hate-sponsoring lunatics also reworked "We Are the World" into "God Hates the World".

Know what God really hates? Nazis.

Update:


Update II: Bombs are not good coping devices.

Where Are We Going In This Handbasket?

Instapundit is covering a series of abuses under America's current president as professors share information, students express ideas, painters paint, religion engages minds, bloggers speak truth to power, others criticize government officials, and citizens publicly organize their views.

NASA's Idea of Breaking Wind

Watch the video with your volume up!

Iraq To The Future

Debate never hinges on what people know, but on what people believe they know. I have yet to find myself in an argument over whether fire burns, for example, but everyone has his talking points on Iraq. Human actions can be misguided, misread, mysterious. I know, because I oppose Big Government, favor gay marriage, think bans are an "un-nuanced" way to deal with problems such as drugs and abortion, believe all levels of government have social responsibilities, reject strict gun controls, support the Iraq intervention in principle, think Bush has actually done some things correctly, want Congress to raise the minimum wage, respect Condoleezza Rice immensely, and love to challenge and be challenged. Consequently, I have been called an anarchist, a closet Republican, a closet Democrat, a fascist, and a few synonyms of "moron." Turns out that people just think differently (when they think at all).

If you know me, you probably know my four-point action theory:

1. One can view actions as legitimate or illegitimate based on the morals of those doing the actions. The idea is that ulterior motives undermine even the most righteous aim. A crime-lord's henchman can turn his bosses over to the feds, but if he does it in order to take over the operation then society is hardly better for the exchange.

2. One can view actions in terms of whether we can justify the act ourselves. The argument is that people can do good things for the wrong reasons, so the morality of the actor is separate from that of the action. A donation through convenience can benefit the needy as well as any through charity.

3. A person can also view actions in terms of how they occur. An action can be personally and objectively justified, but the methods used can damage credibility. Even Belloq knows one shouldn't use a bulldozer to find a china cup.

4. Another perspective focuses on results. The end may not justify the means, but it sure is nice when happy endings occur by providence or human hand.

This may be an oversimplification, but most people I know consider all four factors. For example, (1) there is no doubt in my mind that President Bush was political about Iraq and so engaged in some dubious exaggerations, omissions, and contacts. But then his statements were reasonably honest compared to many pundits', including a significant number that chose to mislead in the opposing direction. Certainly I never bought conservative arguments that Bill Clinton killed 4,000 Iraqis and signed the pivotal Iraq Liberation Act "for no good reason," and do not buy them now that they are liberal arguments against George W. Bush. Instead, (2) I hold my head high among the dwindling number of Iraq interventionists and speak out against unfair criticisms because blowing the lid off of a U.N.-sponsored murder-for-profit scheme, giving others the option of democracy, and pushing anti-authoritarian agendas are all traditional liberal ideas that Clinton, Bush and the vast majority of Congress, even now, deserve credit for promoting in Iraq. I also happen to think there is valid historical and moral precedent for disposing of dictators who invade neighboring countries, target Jews, bar free and fair elections, gas fellow countrymen, torture political opponents, murder into the seven digits, endorse ethnic cleansing, and have silly mustaches. (3) The manner in which this happened raises questions about the mores of both sides of the debate, although the government's failure to engage the world press and to forcefully repudiate torturers and abusers among its own ranks has done the most to allow growing numbers of people to see individuals who rape, behead, and slaughter innocents as more sympathetic. (4) Nobody can be certain of the future, especially not with "war fever" and "war fatigue" at issue, so I will not join the pundits in this particular guessing-game. I will only say that the consequences of engaging in a war without a decisive victory usually, historically match or surpass the damages from the war itself, so I hope that there is a decisive victory, that any American withdraw without one bucks the trend and, if it does not, that America will hasten to aid again.

So there ya go, a few scattered thoughts for use as fertilizer. (Sorry about the smell.)