My life will never be the same again.
(Via MediocreFilms)
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Monday, May 28, 2007
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.
"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.
Saturday, May 26, 2007
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)
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)
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Sunday, May 20, 2007
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.
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.
Friday, May 18, 2007
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.
"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.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
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.
Friday, May 11, 2007
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